Expert Advice on Home Improvement

Thompson’s Exterior Multi-Surface Cleaner with oxy-foaming action is formulated to remove dirt, mildew, and other stains from a variety of outside surfaces including wood and composite decks, concrete, masonry, and even some fabrics. Watch this video to find out more. Watch this video.

When designing an outdoor kitchen for your home, be sure to use weather resistant materials and provide a way to vent the smoke from the grill out of enclosed areas. Watch this video to find out more. Watch this video.

We’re adding a sunroom with impact resistant glass, two porches, a covered deck, and a swimming pool to this home with a beautiful view overlooking Mobile Bay on the Alabama Gulf Coast. Read more to see how it was done. Read in full.

Whether it’s cooking on the grill, planting a garden, or simply relaxing in a hammock under a shade tree, homeowner’s love their yards. Read more for tips and some cool products that can help you get the most out of the great outdoors at your home. Read in full.

This eco-friendly home makes use of green landscaping techniques, including native plants, a permeable flagstone patio to allow it to absorb the runoff from the roof, and a water saving irrigation system. Watch the video to learn more. Watch this video.

This outside planter is made entirely from pressure treated pine, so it will last for years. It’s easy to build and is perfect for a patio, deck or porch. Read more to find out everything you need to know to build it. Read in full.

Cleaning and repairing the outside of your home doesn’t have to be a spring project, though it is nice to get outside and enjoy the warm weather after a long, cold winter inside. Here are some often neglected outdoor maintenance projects you might want to consider. Read in full.

The Hunt family poured the slab for an addition to their home 25 years ago, but the project has been on hold until now. After serving as a patio for all those years, they are finally ready to tackle the addition of their dreams, as well as a new porch and deck to go with it. Read in full.

Pressure treated lumber is wood, like pine or fir, that has been injected with a preservative in order to make it last longer on outdoor projects like fencing or decks. But when cutting thick pieces of wood, such as fence posts, the preservative may not have soaked all the way to the center of the lumber. Watch this video to see how to use preservative to treat the end grain of lumber. Watch this video.

Judy asks, “What causes the water in outdoor fountains to look foamy? I have a concrete fountain in my garden, and the water appears full of foam or suds. Any advice?”

Foam is a common problem in both indoor and outdoor fountains. Here are some tips for getting rid of it. Read in full.