Category: DIY

A Patio for Your Cat: Catios Are the New Craze, Here’s Why and the Benefits They Provide

By Shaun Goodwin From The Idaho Statesman Some people have a meshed screen patio on their back porches to sit in during warm summer evenings to enjoy a drink and fresh air while staying free of pesky bugs. Others use it as a sun and plant room, giving ample access to the sun and rain…


Install a Closet Shelf and Rod

While custom closet shelving components are a solution for many storage needs, a basic wooden closet rod and shelf is a simpler one for average storage needs. A wooden hanging rod is attached to metal rod supports installed on a strip of wood or cleat and then fastened to the side and back walls of…


Matching Wood Stain

Last week, I helped Mary Ann, a 70-year-old newlywed, solve a vexing problem in a home she and her husband bought. In just 15 minutes, using my transcribed phone call service, I saved them perhaps $5,000. I shared a time-tested way they could match the stain on a wood-paneled room. Their problem was sun damage…


It Is Easy to Install PEX Pipe

Dear James: We are remodeling our garage into a family/entertainment room. It has a faucet with copper pipes now, but I plan to add a sink. Is using PEX piping a wise choice? — Karen D. Dear Karen: Your project is one of the most cost-effective ways to get extra living space. A garage lends…


The Basics of Home Canning and How to Get Started—Quick and Easy!

So you planted a garden, lucked out when your property included fruit trees, stumbled upon a produce sale you just couldn’t pass up, or joined a Community Supported Agriculture group. Good for you! Now what? What will you do with all that bounty? Your choices are 1) quickly consume your harvest before it spoils, 2)…


Replace a Deck Railing

The railing around a deck can be a distinctive design detail or a practical addition that creates a secure enclosure and safe footing on the stairs. Before planning to replace a deck railing, check the local codes about its height and construction so that it meets local building code requirements. To replace 40 feet of…


Install a USB Charger Device

Charging mobile devices is a daily habit for many of us, whether it’s a mobile phone, tablet or any digital device. The endless maze of cords and chargers can be annoying to keep straight and organized. We like the convenience of swapping out a standard wall outlet for a wall charger to take care of…


Add Indoor Louvered Window Shutters for Privacy

Dear James: My neighbor’s security lights shine in and are annoying. Would louvered shutters or miniblinds be most effective? What size and on which windows would be best? — Alan R. Dear Alan: Nighttime light pollution is definitely a problem and not just for neighbors. It has a negative effect on wildlife and their natural…


Install a Shelf Grab Bar

A grab bar is a safety device that should be in every bathtub and shower stall to provide safe footing on the slippery surfaces in a bathroom. It gives a helping hand to anyone – at any age or physical condition – who requires assistance. Add a shelf to that safety feature and it’s a…


Build a Garden Arbor

A garden arbor is an inviting element in any landscape that makes a statement, whether it’s a welcoming entry to property or placed as a focal point lush with climbing clematis. It’s a popular feature in today’s well-dressed landscape that defines space and says the door is always open to visitors to enter and enjoy…