Switches are used for operating lights, fans, garbage disposal, and even large electrical mechanisms. However, not all switches are the same. Planning out which switches and sockets to have in your home bears many questions.

French stuff always seems to have a veneer of fanciness, right? Even when it comes to toilets and bathroom design, it seems like people are ready to scream “Vive la France!” When I first heard about French curve toilet, I immediately assumed it was better than the ol’ standard US toilets. I still didn’t know what it was, though!

An intriguing thing about houses is how they come in many different shapes and sizes but still share similar traits. For example, a ranch-style home, a modern multi-level design, or a country cottage all look very different. However, the odds are good that these homes would all have a kitchen, living room, bedrooms, bathrooms, and indoor laundry.

Crown molding is a decorative trim that can be applied in many different ways. The most common way is in the space where the ceilings and walls join, creating a visual separation. Trim can be as simple or decorative as you want it to be to match your aesthetic.

Backyards can serve as fun blank slates to work with for creative homeowners. All kinds of possibilities can be explored when you are first designing that part of your home. While putting your plans together, don’t forget to consider the addition of landscape curbing.

Are you planning to install new lights in your home and are unsure which type of wires should be used for lighting – 12-2 wires or 14-2 wires? You’re not alone. This is a question that often stumps many homeowners. Fortunately, we’re here to help answer: “Can I use 12/2 wire for lights?”

No matter what you use your basement for, an unpleasant septic smell makes you want to stay as far away as possible. Whether your basement is for storage, a workshop, or a bonus room, it becomes virtually useless if it smells like sewage.

Baths are a great way to unwind and relax after a long, stressful day. However, there’s one thing that can spoil the mood: funky colored water. Why is your bath water blue?

Vinyl siding is extremely popular, even if you’re in a location that is famous for being rough on siding. When you’re trying to get new siding, you’re going to be presented with vinyl options as well as options that are less common. One of the rarer ones is composite siding. For the right home, composite can be the best choice ever. For others, it’s all about vinyl. The question we’re asking today is, which is better overall?

If you’re planning on selling your house soon or want to finish your basement just because, you’re probably wondering if its a must to get a permit. Well, if you’re thinking about skipping this process, don’t.

Porcelain sinks can be beautiful. But what happens when you want to change the color? Can you paint a porcelain sink, or do you have to replace the whole thing? Better yet, what type of paint should you use? Find out now.

To build a floating shower bench you will need to follow the steps below:

For the do-it-yourselfers out there, building a new roof can be a way to save thousands upon thousands of dollars. Whether it is for your home or a new structure going up, a roof can be an expensive proposition.

The tobacco industry creates a wide range of products that are sold worldwide on a mass scale. Even though they are a common purchase, many people don’t know how best to dispose of them. That’s why we’re here to clear the air.

If you’ve ever been to a home that’s looked a little worse for the wear, chances are the first thing you noticed was that the house’s fence gate was a little droopy. Maybe it sagged so much, you actually had to lift the gate up in order to open or close it. It’s a common problem, but thankfully, it’s one that can be easily avoided if you know how to properly build a gate.

If you’re purchasing a new home or planning to refinance, then you’ll need to get a home appraisal. Your lender requires a home appraisal to ensure they aren’t lending you more money than the house is worth. You want the number to be accurate and not too low, so how do you prepare for a home appraisal?

If you’ve experienced “phantom flushing” before, then you know this phenomenon is startling and perplexing, at first, but eventually incredibly annoying. The phantom flush is a common toilet malfunction, and a range of things can cause it.

If you found the perfect color paint but find it too thick to paint with, you might wonder how you can make it more workable. Or perhaps you have an old can of paint you need to use for touch ups, but find that over time, it has thickened up too much to use. Either way, this thick paint will have you wondering if you can add water to your paint, and if so, how much?

A home is only as comfortable as its tub and shower. For many prospective homeowners, a comfortable tub is a major selling point of a house. Standard tubs are comfortable, but for some people, they leave plenty to be desired when compared to walk-in tubs. So, what are the pros and cons of walk-in tubs?

Austin, Texas, has become a new mecca for technology companies. This area is the fastest-growing metropolitan region in Texas. A population and economic boom have affected almost everything, including home sales and construction. Most real estate agents recommend that anyone wanting to build a custom home find an established developer or builder for their project.

Adding a garage can be one of the best home improvements to increase the value of your home. Cinder blocks are an easy building material to use to build a new garage, as well as sturdy. But, how much do they really cost?

A vapor barrier is an essential part of construction in any home and can prevent damage from moisture like mold and mildew. Even if you live in a warm climate, the potential for moisture to get into your home is high. While there are different kinds of vapor barriers, the most common is poly and it comes in different thicknesses.

Concrete needs to be sturdy and last a long time. One way to help concrete be its best is to use fiber mesh concrete. Fiber mesh concrete involves adding fibers to a ready-made concrete solution. The fibers will help reinforce the solution. Different fibers such as glass, steel, and synthetic or natural fibers are mixed in to form the mesh.

Adding baseboard heating units to an existing home is one way to increase the heating capabilities quickly and efficiently. Electric baseboard heaters are relatively easy to install and comparatively cost-effective. Providing the electrical power to baseboard heating can be challenging. Many homeowners wonder if they can wire a baseboard heater to an existing electrical outlet.

Over the life of a roof, particularly one that uses shingles, replacements and repairs will need to be made. In most cases, this is just a handful of shingles that can be damaged in storms or from general wear and tear.

Do the pictures hanging on your wall make you do a double-take when you pass by them? Do you find yourself wondering if it’s you or the picture that’s not quite level? If this sounds familiar, it’s time to learn how to stop pictures from tilting on the wall.

Have you ever looked at your basement floor drain and wondered just where exactly it goes? It is easy to forget that they are so important upon looking at them because their purpose is not immediately clear. So, where does your basement floor drain go?

Gutters are the most commonly used system to divert rain away from your home. They are inexpensive, can be installed quickly by professionals, and exceedingly effective. Gutters not only collect and channel water, but they also keep your home free of mud-spatter and help to prevent any water damage from occurring near your foundation.

It is easy to overlook toilet flanges, but they are just as important as the drainpipe itself. A toilet flange connects the toilet to the drainpipe in the floor or subfloor. So, what are the main types of toilet flanges?

Laminate flooring is composed of particleboard, resin, and a print on top that mimics wood. It’s popular among homeowners for its ability to resist scratches, fading, stains, and other cosmetic imperfections.

The cost of buying a home is only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to affordability. Maintenance costs are often unexpected, and they can leave many homeowners stressed and overwhelmed. So, how much should you spend per year on home maintenance?

As outdoor electrical outlets are subjected to different weather patterns, installing them falls under strict building codes. 

Bathroom remodels are one of the most popular upgrades homeowners choose for their property. One consideration that any anticipated bathroom remodel should include is a conversion to a wet room bathroom. Often, the advantages of converting your traditional bathroom to a wet room bathroom far outweigh the major disadvantage, cost.

Dealing with a tree that falls on your property is a nightmare. Not only is it a major inconvenience, but it can also be expensive to remove if you don’t get any help. So, does homeowner insurance cover tree removal?

If you have recently relocated an outlet in your home, you may be left with an empty or dead outlet on the wall. While the dead outlet is certainly not harming anything, it can be unsightly if the outlet is no longer used. Hiding or covering the outlet can be tempting, especially to make your home look nicer without an ugly outlet on the wall.

Are you planning to renovate your home sometime soon? If so, the time may be right for you to consider removing some old or outdated fixtures. The placement of your chimney and fireplace, in particular, may require some further consideration.

Designing and building your dream home is an exciting prospect. It can seem unattainable and overly expensive to many people, but it does not need to be. You can build your dream home for under $200k.

When building a structure, you must consider the amount of weight that the lumber you are using will support. There are many factors when choosing the type of lumber to use. Lumber has different types of wood, grades, and treatments. This can make it hard to figure out the right numbers.

When it comes to maintaining your roof, there typically isn’t a lot to be done unless you got an old or poorly made roof. Still, there will come a time where you are looking to have essential maintenance done or perhaps are looking to make a change to some of the materials.

A brick wall is usually known for its structural integrity. If you’ve noticed one of your brick walls has shifted, this can be a cause for concern. It is vital to fix the brick wall as soon as possible. Except, how exactly do you do that?

Flooring is one of the most basic parts of your home’s build and design. Choosing the right kind of flooring can make or break you’re home’s look, feel, and durability. That’s why more people than ever before are getting picky about the wood they choose for their flooring. Pecan wood is one of the many flooring types available to you, but is it really worth the money you’d pay for it?

It’s easy for things to slip your mind after you take a nice, hot shower. Taking a shower is quite relaxing before or after a long day, but they aren’t necessarily harmless. Hot showers can lead to mold, mildew, and stains in your bathroom if you aren’t careful. Many homeowners understandably struggle with how long to leave a bathroom fan on after a shower.

Building things with your own two hands is the best feeling in the world. But anything you are building should be done safely and solidly, or your plans (and your project) could fail. Although end nailing may be easier and faster, it is not usually the best choice when building.

Like anything else in life, there will come a time where our driveway can become worn down, cracked, and generally look very poor. When this happens, it is time to repave the driveway to make it structurally sound and aesthetically pleasing.

Windows are a massive accent to any room, and can change the ambiance of a home’s look in ways that lighting alone cannot. Adding, upgrading, or replacing a window is something that most homeowners want to do eventually. It adds value to a home and also can help lower energy bills if you’re lucky.

Using a water heater is a necessity for many of us who need to take early morning showers. We find room for it in our home because we consider it an essential appliance. Still, you may find that the water heater is constantly getting in the way and so you want to move it.

When moving into a new home, one of the first things most people do is change the locks. You want to feel secure in your new home and changing the locks helps with that. This is the time when a lot of people make a common mistake.

Adding a room or addition to your home in New Jersey offers alternatives to building or buying a new home. On average, homeowners in New Jersey spend $48,000 adding additional living space to their existing homes. Of course, many variables affect this number. Material costs, labor costs, local building requirements, and your location all factor into the equation

There’s nothing quite like relaxing at the end of a long day with a soak in a tub. Or, maybe you prefer to wake up in the morning with a nice shower in a combo shower/bathtub. Either way, the time you spend in a tub is a great way to refresh and prepare yourself for what’s ahead.

Towel bars are helpful accessories to have inside the bathroom. That is especially true if you find trying to dry off with moist towels to be very annoying.

The electrical system in your home is one of those things that get very little attention until something goes wrong. Unfortunately, when something does go wrong, the results can be rather spectacular. In too many instances, the results are also deadly. It is important to recognize the signs that your electrical panel needs an upgrade.

Retaining walls are built for different reasons. They may be built for landscaping purposes or perhaps for safety reasons. Some homeowners also want retaining walls to keep their property protected and to maintain their privacy.

Basements tend to be cooler than the rest of the house, and deciding how to heat them can be tricky. Should you extend your current system or invest in a new one? What’s the most efficient way to heat the basement?

There are millions of homes in the United States that have a ticking time-bomb somewhere in the structure. Between 1950 and 1980, Federal Pacific Electric Company (FPE) sold most of the circuit breakers installed in homes in the US. There is still widespread confusion about the safety of FPE circuit breakers and panels.

The size of living spaces in the United States varies greatly depending on where you live and your budget. Of course, you might consider having more space ideal so that you can fit all of your things easily. However, perhaps you welcome the challenge of making a small space work for you. 

Flickering lights can be a scary sight to behold in both horror movies and real life. Your lights can flicker for a variety of reasons, but it’s hard to pinpoint the cause if you are inexperienced with electrical work. Many homeowners ask themselves: why are my lights flickering and how do I fix them?

Choosing the right tile for your shower can be quite difficult. The tile that you choose ultimately determines how your shower will look and how easy it will be to clean and maintain. So, what kind of tile is best for shower walls?

Bathroom remodels are one of the most popular home upgrades. New styles in fixtures, finished, and color schemes can brighten a bathroom and add value to your home. Many homeowners planning a bathroom upgrade wonder if they can put engineered hardwood products in their bathrooms.

Many homeowners have learned to live with bathrooms that are perpetually coated with moisture. You should avoid following their example because excessively moist bathrooms become breeding grounds for mold and they also pose maintenance difficulties. Thankfully, you can effectively reduce the amount of moisture accumulating in your bathroom by installing an exhaust fan.

You noticed that sag in the roof of your home. A trip into your attic and a bit of investigation and you found a roof trust with some damage. The damage doesn’t look too bad from the inside, but you can see the definite sag where the roof truss has bowed from the outside. How much does it cost to repair a roof truss?