Expert Advice on Home Improvement

With the holiday’s right around the corner, I bet you’ve got some pretty good ideas on what should be on your wish list this year. Maybe it’s a new circular saw or miter saw. Even a new router or drill press is just the right gift idea. But before you top the list with those nicer, “big toy” items, now’s the time to take a look at the smaller work horses in your tool box…there you might find some good ideas to pass along to your loved ones. Read in full.

Maintaining gutters and downspouts is one of the most often overlooked jobs around the house. It is also one of the most important, since clogged or leaking gutters can quickly lead to rotten fascia boards, peeling paint, or worse. Read in full.

If you live in a cold climate and grow tender hybrid tea, grandiflora, or floribunda roses, you may want to provide them with some winter protection before the temperatures dip too low. Follow these steps to make sure your roses are healthy and protected this winter. Read in full.

With the feel of fall in the air, it’s time to think about getting your home ready for colder weather. Much of the routine maintenance that needs to be done this time of year will not only help keep you cozy this winter, it will also save money on your heating bill and protect your biggest investment—your home. Read in full.

Handsaws come in a wide range of styles from rip and crosscut saws to coping and keyhole saws. There are saws used for making straight and curved cuts on materials ranging from wood and plastic to metal and drywall. Find out how to match the right saw to the right job. Read in full.

The 2007 Better Homes and Gardens Home Improvement Challenge contest showcased a number of impressive home projects in categories ranging from kitchens and outdoor living to decorating and whole house remodeling. These photos are from six of the 27 winners that were selected from almost 5,000 entries. To see more detail, click on the Enlarge Photo button below each picture. Read in full.

Fewer people are buying new homes, but everyone wants to improve what they have. With money tight right now, how can remodeling be done more reasonably without the results looking cheap? Here are a few ideas . . . Read in full.

Find out what day to day life is like living in a home powered by alternative solar and wind energy. Read in full.

In the fall garden, chrysanthemums are the showstoppers, blooming prolifically after other garden plants have called it quits for the season. Learn everything you need to know to grow this easy, colorful perennial in your garden. Read in full.

One of the best ways to minimize damage to your home during a hurricane is to cover your windows and doors with storm panels or shutters. There are many types available, but all require advance planning so they’re ready to go when a storm is heading your way. Read in full.