Expert Advice on Home Improvement

Draftproofing your home reduces air infiltration which saves energy and lowers your heating and cooling bills. To draftproof your home you should apply caulk and expanding foam to gaps and cracks around the perimeter of your house and install foam gaskets around exterior plugs and switches. Watch this video to find out more. Watch this video.

Old doors can be reused for a number of home improvement projects, including headboards for beds and dividers in a room. Watch this video to find out how to convert an old door into a writing or computer desk complete with bookshelves and coat rack. Watch this video.

Natural light in homes can have a positive influence on our mood while reducing the energy used by artificial lighting. Take advantage of natural lighting during daylight hours to brighten up your home by installing mirrors in strategic locations to reflect sunlight. In rooms with little or no natural light, consider installing tubular skylights in the ceiling to provide natural light. Watch this video.

Drowning in utility bills? JELD-WEN Windows and Doors can provide some relief! Enter the JELD-WEN Utility Bill Bailout for a chance to win an entire window and door makeover for your home. The winning home will also be featured on an upcoming episode of Today’s Homeowner with Danny Lipford®. Watch this video.

The Heat Seeker Infrared Thermometer from General Tools is perfect way to conduct a do-it-yourself inspection of your heating/cooling system for leaks in the ductwork, or a general home energy audit. To use, simply train the laser pointer on the object and read the remote temperature reading on the LCD screen. The Heat Seeker is available at The Home Depot. Watch this video.

High winds from hurricanes and severe storms can cause broken windows, allowing extensive damage to the interior of your home. While covering windows with plywood is the least expensive option, polypropylene plastic storm panels weigh much less and allow light into the home. Watch this video to learn more about how plastic storm panels can protect your home. Watch this video.

Watch this video to find out how to protect your windows from high winds and flying debris during storms and hurricanes by covering them with special fabric storm panels or plywood panels. Watch this video.

If you live in a two-story house, it’s important to keep an escape ladder handy in case of a fire or other emergencies. Watch this video to see a demonstration of how easy it is to set up and use an escape ladder in your home. Watch this video.

One of the best ways to save energy in your home is by caulking any cracks around windows and doors. While caulk alone can be applied to narrow cracks, gaps wider than ¼” should be filled with foam backer rod first. These flexible foam tubes are available at building supply stores in several diameters. Simply push the rod into the gap with a putty knife or painter’s tool until it is just below the surface then caulk over it. Watch this video.

When installing arched door units, extend the plywood sheathing over the rough opening. Position the door unit against the wall, mark the opening around it, and cut the curved opening to size using a sabre saw. Watch this video.