Expert Advice on Home Improvement

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.

Enlarging the lockset hole in a door can be difficult, since there’s nothing to guide the pilot bit. Watch this video to find out how to solve this problem. Watch this video.

Hurricanes are an unpleasant fact of life here on the Gulf Coast where I live. But, as Hurricane Katrina clearly demonstrated, their awesome power should never be taken lightly. Advance planning and preparation is the key to staying safe during a storm, so don’t wait until the last minute to get your home ready and stock up on essential supplies. Read on to find out more. Read in full.

Hanging pictures is easy if you know how. Here are some helpful tips for hanging pictures on drywall in your home. When hanging heavy objects, like a large painting or mirror, a wall anchor made for drywall can support much more weight than a nail. Watch this video to find out more. Watch this video.

Outdoor rooms are the perfect place for entertaining or just kicking back and relaxing. We’re taking a look at a number of different outdoor living spaces to see what makes a really great outdoor room, and give you some useful ideas for to make or improve own outdoor living area. Read on to find out more. Read in full.

While granite is a popular choice for kitchen countertops, the high cost of materials and installation can put a big dent in your home improvement budget. A less expensive alternative to a pricey granite slab is to use 12”x12” granite tiles instead. Not only do granite tiles make an attractive and durable countertop, they’re easy to apply and weigh much less than a solid granite top, making it a perfect DIY project. Read in full.

The Kuppersmith Project is an English Tudor style home built in the 1920s that we’re renovating for Today’s Homeowner. It’s located in the Spring Hill area of Mobile, not far from Spring Hill College. We’ve been working on the planning stage of the Kuppersmith Project for a couple of years now, and it’s exciting to see it finally come together. Watch this video to find out more. Watch this video.

A sunroom and covered patio were added to the back of this home to take advantage of the beautiful waterfront view. Since the house is located on the Gulf Coast in a hurricane prone area, the addition has to be built extra strong to hold up to the inevitable onslaught of high winds. Read on to find out how it was done. Read in full.

If you live in a hurricane prone area, it’s important to make emergency preparations long before a storm is on the horizon. This includes stockpiling food and water, storm shutters or plywood to cover windows, tarps to protect damaged roofs, and a generator to provide backup power. Watch this video to find out more. Watch this video.

Ceramic tile makes a durable flooring material that resists moisture and heavy traffic if it’s installed properly. Before installing ceramic tile on a plywood subfloor, it’s important to put down a layer of cement backer board first. Watch this video to find out more. Watch this video.