One of the hottest trends in kitchen design right now is stainless steel. Whether turning your kitchen into a replica of the hottest restaurant in town’s kitchen prep area, or combining it with elegant warm woods to really make it glow, stainless steel is hot. Stainless steel is versatile, light, easy to clean, water and heat resistant, super strong, and hygienic. Photos courtesy of Elkay... more

Now that fall is upon us we are all trying to find ways to save on our energy costs. If you have a cracked or broken window or the old glazing has fallen out it’s time to fix the problem. This How-To will help you tackle the job. Re-glazing is an easy and inexpensive job that will give you an airtight, watertight bond. To make the window look like a pro did the job will take patience. The good thing is that glazing compound is very forgiving, just remove the putty and re-apply. Finished window... more

What makes a homeowner decide that it’s time to replace their windows? And once the decision is made to replace windows, how do they know that they’re getting the right product? Photo courtesy of Milgard Windows “Talk to your remodeler or consult a windows expert,” suggests Bill Elder, Sales Manager for Parr Lumber Company’s Windows Division. “By getting their recommendations, you can make your replacement window... more

Furniture, molding, and door stripping have been very popular. Today there is a heightened appreciation for quality woodworking that is rarely practiced. Those owners with older historic homes that have a lot of exposed ornamental woodworking and molding want to preserve this historical beauty. When the layers of paint have accumulated to where you barely notice the fluting in a door molding, it’s time to have the wood... more

One day I asked Jon Hearron, Vice President and General Manager of W.C. Winks Hardware, what was the most common question asked by his customers. The answer came quick, anchoring. How do I mount this to that? With the help of Arti Lilien, Product Manager, he selected anchors that he felt the home and small business owner could use to fasten or hang items to a few common surfaces. Skill Level One hammer: Novice Five hammers:... more

In the last twenty-five years as a contractor I have inflicted literally hundreds of people with “remodeling fever,” the malaise that besets the healthiest homeowners once the dust starts flying. Some were even doctors, nurses, pharmacists, medical technicians and paramedics, yet they found, despite their medical expertise, that there is no real cure — you just have to tough it out. However, the universal result of... more

As a home owner/renter you can increase the efficiency of your heating system by doing a few fall tune-ups. The heating unit itself should not be tampered with. If you feel that your heating system is not performing to past standards call a licensed heating specialist. Gas, electric, and oil burning units carry high voltage and could impose a serious injury or health hazard. Figure 1 Figure 2 Figure 3 Air Filter Replacement Changing the air filter is a simple fix. The purpose of a filter... more

Here are some do’s and don’ts to help keep your hardwood floor looking like new: Enemy Number 1: Water Regardless of its finish your floor will quickly lose its luster if exposed to water. More serious damage is also possible including warping and other problems. DO: Wipe up any spills immediately with a soft, dry cloth, starting at the edges of the spill and working your way toward the center. DON’T:... more