Expert Advice on Home Improvement

If you want your neighbors to think you’re an award-winning gardener, try planting dahlias in your garden this year. Just when everything else starts to show the strain of midsummer, dahlias begin a showstopping performance that lasts through fall. Dahlias need just a little bit of special care in some climates, but the rewards are worth it. Read on to find out more. Read in full.

To increase storage space in your bathroom consider building a taller vanity, installing a window seat, or installing a toilet topper cabinet for linens. Watch this video to find out more. Watch this video.

Styles and colors change over time, so it’s important to think ahead when remodeling a bathroom or designing a bath for a new home. Since fixtures—such as the tub, toilet, and vanity—are difficult and expensive to replace, choose ones with a classic look and muted color so they will stand the test of time. Watch this video.

A drum sander chucked in a drill works great for sanding curved objects, such as shelf brackets. Drum sanders come in various diameters and consist of a soft rubber core covered by a fine, medium, or course grit sanding sleeve. Watch this video to find out more. Watch this video.

When selecting a tree for your yard from a nursery there are several important factors to consider, including branching structure, root structure, and girdling roots. Watch this video to find out more. Watch this video.

September heralds the fall gardening season with cooler temperatures and a first taste of autumn in the air. Now’s the time to be outside to enjoy the beautiful weather while taking care of some of the following lawn and garden tasks for September. Read in full.

As winners of the JELD-WEN Windows & Doors Utility Bill Bailout contest, Jeanne McCabe and John Reis of Katonah, New York, received new energy efficient windows and doors for their 2,200-square-foot home. With heating bills topping $1,100 a month, replacing their drafty, single-pane windows will save a bundle on their energy expenses. Read on to find out more. Read in full.

Metal closet brackets can be used or reused to make a perfect rack for your bike. Attach the brackets to studs 16” apart at the desired height (approximately 4’-5’ from the floor) using drywall screws, and hang the bicycle from the closet rod holder. Watch this video to find out more. Watch this video.

To mark a perfect arc when laying out a border for a flower bed, all you need is a gutter spike, tape measure or string, and a can of marking paint. Watch this video to find about how to go about it. Watch this video.

How insulation works is expressed by its R-value, which is the measure of resistance to the flow of heat. The higher the R-value, the better insulation insulates per inch of thickness. Read on to find some general guidelines for how much insulation you need, as well as the R-value for different types of insulation. Read in full.