Dear James: The old deadbolts on my front and side doors are difficult to turn with a key or from indoors. What maintenance is needed, and can I do it myself? —Mike L. Dear Mike: For security reasons, it is important for the deadbolt to extend completely into the doorjamb, so you should fix the…
3 Surprising Things White Paint Can Do for Your Space
White paint is having a years-long moment in the spotlight, and its popularity might just keep going—but this popular paint color isn’t just pretty. You may not have been able to quite put your finger on it, but white paint does a few things for its surroundings that other paint colors don’t. Call these benefits…
Use Box Ceiling Beams for Accents When Opening up a Floor Plan
Dear James: We are empty-nesters and plan to combine rooms for a more open floor plan. Box beams would look nice for some separation. What are some tips for adding box beams to the ceiling? —Nick K. Dear Nick: Most modern homes have more open floor plan layouts instead of many smaller distinct rooms. It…
Practical Tips for DIY Home Maintenance and Repair
Maintenance costs can put a serious dent in your budget and savings—a dent that’s tough to repair. While there are certain things you definitely need an expert to handle, there are plenty of other situations in which you can make minor but meaningful repairs without calling for professional support—while saving serious cash. From closet rods…
Building Childhood Dreams
Few structures evoke the nostalgia of childhood like the treehouse. As a child, one of my best friends had a treehouse, six feet up the oak tree in her yard, complete with a rope swing and a trapdoor. I lived for afternoons there, sipping lemonade and munching on pretzel sticks within the walls of her…
Upgrade Your Windows and Doors With New Wood Trim
Dear James: Our window and door trim are looking dull, worn, and scratched. They are beyond just refinishing. What are the steps to removing and replacing the old wood trim myself? —Colleen W. Dear Colleen: It is surprising how much window and door trim can affect the appearance and style of an entire room. If…
Match the Color and Profile of New Cabinets to Old Ones
Dear James: We remodeled our kitchen, but we love our stained wood cabinets and some need new doors. How can we match the color and edge detail on the new doors with the old ones? —Ted G. Dear Ted: The detailing and stained natural wood on some older cabinet doors is very attractive. Not replacing…
Add a Softer Layer Over Your Patio and Deck for Comfort
Dear James: My old deck and patio have gotten worn and rough over the years. Instead of having expensive repairs done, are there comfortable, durable coverings I can put over them? —Cheryl T. Dear Cheryl: Deteriorated deck and patio surfaces can be very uncomfortable to walk on, and they look bad. A rough wood surface…
Minor Concrete Repairs Are an Easy Do-It-Yourself Project
Dear James: I need to do some projects around my house that require patching and adding some concrete. Is this a project the average do-it-yourselfer can do without expensive tools? —Sharon M. Dear Sharon: If you have a container or wheelbarrow for mixing the concrete, and you are strong enough to carry the heavy bag…
Turn Drywall Scraps Into Easy Wainscoting
Dear James: We think wainscoting would look good in our dining room. We have extra drywall here from a previous project. Can this be used instead of wood for wainscoting? —Julie R. Dear Julie: Wainscoting is becoming more popular again, even in newly built houses. The decorative walls are attractive, and doing just one wall…
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