Outdoor decks create the perfect space for summer grilling and add visual appeal to any yard. But you can make decks out of just about anything, which begs the question: which material is the best? The material of your deck is almost more important than the design itself. From wood to composite, there are a ton of variables including color, texture, installation, and price. Here are the most common deck materials to choose from. Wood Decks Wood is strong, natural, and feels the best to touch. But it requires the most maintenance over any other deck material. Annual cleanings are a must and wood decks must be treated and re-sealed every two to three years. That still won’t prevent a wood deck
Maintaining a healthy home goes beyond dusting and vacuuming. When is the last time you checked your smoke alarms? How about the last time you cleaned out your dryer vent? Follow the tips below to make sure your family and home are ready for a happy, clean spring season. Clean Gutters Grab a ladder, and check your gutters for debris. Remove as much as you can with your hands (Don't forget to wear gloves!). Remove any leftover gunk with a garden hose. Take off any nozzle and have a helper turn on the water when you’re ready. Shove the hose into the downspout to power out of gooseneck bends. Make sure your downspouts channel water at least five feet from foundation walls. Or, call a reputable
A residential general contractor is a home remodeling professional who organizes and executes larger remodeling projects. Often these professionals are confused with home improvement pros. But as they will be quick to tell you, a home remodeling professional deals with longer projects that incorporate specific design and architectural ideas to provide a homeowner with a better living experience, either by adding space or making better use of an established space. A home improvement contractor is usually tasked with smaller, though no less important items, such as installing new windows, flooring, cabinets, siding, landscaping, etc. A good way to think of a residential general contractor is t
Homeowners planning a remodeled bathroom featuring a new shower/ tub are often faced with a key choice: Should you install a prefabricated shower stall, or build a custom ceramic tile shower? Pre-fabricated Units Pre-fabricated shower stall units are usually fiberglass or acrylic kits created in a factory and shipped to your home in one or several pieces. They can be installed by a professional crew, or by a DIYer. Most shower kits include a shower pan and two or three solid wall panels, although some are one-piece shells, in which the shower base or bathtub is integrated with the walls. One deciding factor in the choice between a one-piece or multi-piece unit is whether you can get a one-pi
