Dear James: Our house has unique room shapes and carpeting. We are installing hardwood flooring in one room with a curved wall. How can we make a nice curved edge on some hardwood pieces? —Anthony R. Dear Anthony: Carefully remove the old carpeting that fits along that curved wall. This will be a good template…
How to Maintain and Prevent Damage on Brick Walls
Dear James: I am using recycled brick over a wood-framed wall for my new house. Should my builder take any special precautions to ensure the old bricks do not crack over time? —Rosie H. Dear Rosie: There are not many solid brick houses built today, so if some bricks do crack, the house will not…
Add Shading for Your Patio and Deck
Dear James: It gets too hot in the afternoon sun to use our deck, but we like being outdoors. Are there any inexpensive do-it-yourself shading projects that would help?—Kristin T. Dear Kristin: Being outdoors on a deck on a sunny afternoon can be unbearable. You will find it worse in the early afternoon when the…
Replace Your Old Gutters Yourself and Save
Dear James: A tree fell and damaged some gutters, but I should replace them all. I plan to have the gutters professionally made, but I will install them myself. Do you have any advice? —Greg R. Dear Greg: You can typically save about 50 percent of the total cost by installing the gutters yourself. The…
Use Permanent Window Film to Block Heat
Dear James: The old-tinted film on my windows blocks heat, but the corners are becoming loose and cracking. How do I remove the old film and install new film myself? —Lana T. Dear Lana: Old, deteriorating, tinted window film is still effective at blocking heat and glare, but it can look really bad and impair…
Clean and Maintain Old Door Deadbolts
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…
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…
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…
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