Building & Remodeling

Traditional skylights tend to be very expensive and overall are energy wasters, because in essence, they're a big hole in your roof that is no where near as insulated as a roof without a skylight....

Rain gutters have become a staple in modern homes, as they help make homes last much longer by preventing damage. Gutters also help add to a home's value and accentuate its appearance.

Installing a dryer vent through the roof is easier than many people think. While it is tricky and requires several unique tools, the process is simple. Venting a dryer through the roof is a great...

There are a few questions you will need to answer before you purchase solar panels for a small house. Now that they have become an affordable option for many homeowners, there are many reputable...

Roofing over an existing roof is beneficial because you won't need to lay underlayment and because it saves the time and effort of having to tear out the old roof. Check the roof's condition,...

Inspecting the attic of a home that you are considering purchasing can give you many clues on the condition and the maintenance that has been performed on the home. Next too the basement the attic...

Installing flashing around an area where a skylight meets a sloping roof is known as step flashing. In this style of flashing, an L-shaped piece of metal goes under the shingles and onto the...

Cupolas are decorative elements that you can install on a house's roof. Mimicking a bell tower or a lookout and frequently topped with a spire or a weather vane, cupolas come in a wide range of...

Modern metal roofs are made to last---no color fading, rusting, or chalking if the right paints and protective finishes are used. Metal roof colors should retain their original bright and glossy...

If you're looking for a way to improve your home's value or give yourself more space, you may want to add a garage. Traditionally, people have used garages to park their cars in, but they also can...

A gambrel roof is a well-known and much-used style of roof. It looks like the classic barn roof, with two slopes on each side and with the lower slopes slanting at a sharper angle than the higher...

Everybodies roof wears out over years and it is costly to replace the shingles. With the right know how you can do it yourself.

An inefficient roof can raise your utility bill in a couple of ways. Whether you are heating or cooling your house, heat will be transferred in during the summer and out during the winter from...

Having an outdoor shower in the summertime is great for rinsing off before jumping into the pool, freshening up after a day in the sun, or just cooling off when there is no pool or lake nearby. ...

The final step to installing a roof exhausted bathroom fan is the installation of the roof vent. Purchase a roof vent with flashing connecting to the vent. The important part of installing a roof...

With the growing green movement in America, some people have begun to install sod roofing. Sod is a great insulator that helps keep heat in your home during the winter. It also helps keep your...

Adding a garage to your home can help increase its value as well as providing you with much needed extra space. While the traditional use for a garage has been as a place to park your car, people...

Metal roof color choices will vary from manufacturer to manufacturer and product type to product type. Exploring the possible needs of the roof and considering the region the building is located...

Shingles are one of the most common and most effective ways to protect your home's roof. Although shingles are made to last many years, eventually, they will age and begin to leak. Because roof...

A sun porch can go by several names, including a sun room, a patio enclosure or a screened-in patio. Sun porches are ideal for families that need that little bit of extra space but can't afford or...

Sheet metal roofing can prove to be a durable and long lasting material that is available in several different styles and shapes. While sheet metal is an option applicable for just about any...

Metal and 3-tab shingles are two options commonly used on residential roofs. While 3-tab shingles are considered an industry standard in roofing and are the most economical variety, their...

A food storage cellar, or root cellar, is an underground room that maintains a consistent and cool temperature based on the temperature of the ground. In addition, the open dirt floor allows for...

The sheathing and roofing felt you apply to your roof is integral to ensuring that your shingles lay flat and do their job as well as they can. Your roofing material and installation makes a huge...

The industrial age brought about economical building methods and the prevalence of flat roof construction. It is a simple and cost-effective method to use for certain commercial construction...

Roofing felt is a paper-like material made of organic fibers and saturated with asphalt tar. It is available for purchase in large rolls. Common classifications of roofing felt used in new...

When completing standard roof construction and choosing finish options, consider the type of roof you're going to build, the pitch and area of the roof, and the materials you will use. Find out...

When you install new shingles on a roof, each shingle must overlap the one below it. This is necessary to ensure water runs off and doesn't seep between the shingles. However, it does complicate...

Barn roofs are no different from house roofs. Both require appropriate shingling and preparation to be dry and leak-free.

Steel roof decking is a cost effective and durable material with seemingly limitless applications. This roofing material is made in rectangular panels at modular sizes; however, most roofs to...

The carport is a low-cost option that provides homeowners with a way to provide shelter for their vehicles without paying for additional square footage in their home. There are a variety of...

In recent decades, increasing numbers of conscientious people have begun to view solar power as the future. Despite the enthusiasm for this environmentally friendly energy source, few have...

Though our modern homes are swaying from the adopted English design, these time-honored homes can still be seen throughout the nation. From a one-room log cabin high in Appalachia to grand...

Installing shingles on a new or existing roof is a big do-it-yourself job, but it's not extremely difficult as long as you are patient, safety-conscious, and accurately calculate the amount of...

Consider a metal roof when replacing shingled roofs. It lasts 15-20 years. It’s light weight. Metal roofing material has fewer seams per square foot then traditional shingles. It covers a roof...

Solar fans are a cheap, energy-efficient and environmentally friendly way to keep a hot room cool during the summer months. Because they need no energy source besides the Sun, and can run all day...

Screening for your outdoor patio provides protection from many insects and dirt. A screened-in patio is great for barbecuing and eating outdoors because food is protected from wind-blown items and...

The amount of paint needed to cover a two-car garage will vary based on several factors. The homeowner will need to calculate the square footage of the surface that will be painted and research...

Figuring the square feet for a house roof is the first step in estimating any new materials being applied to the roof surface. This procedure involves simple measuring and basic math and is a...

Roof sheathing is the surface of which roof material is mounted, and the proper amount of fasteners (roofing nails) is vital in keeping this a stable roofing component. Estimating roofing nails...

If you do not have space or enough money to build a garage for your vehicle, a carport is the best solution. The least expensive carport is one that you construct yourself. Whether you purchase a...

Tar paper forms the under layer of a traditional shingled roof. It combines being waterproof with the flexibility of paper. Though many municipalities have codes requiring singles on top of the...

Today's roofing industry offers hundreds of different roofing options between color and style. The range in choices also presents a large range in price differences. Roof estimating is the best...

A Gambrel house style refers to the type of peaked roof that is constructed. It originated from its application on barns to increase the storage space overhead. Similarly, a gambrel home increases...

From time to time rain gutters wear out and must be replaced. Keeping gutters in good condition is more important than many people realize. Not only can runoff from a roof ruin landscaping next to...

Shingles are among the most popular roofing materials used today. There are hundreds of different combinations between material, color, style, and shape; because of this, the prices can vary over...

Homemade skylights are windows cut into the roof that allow for more sunlight to enter into the room. Installing your homemade skylights involves cutting your roof to put in new structural framing...

The hardest part of dismantling a shed is keeping the parts nice if you want to reassemble it later. If you just want to tear down an old shed, the process if much easier. In either case, there's...

Adding a storage-shed to your back yard or property can provide some much needed extra space. The slanted roof storage shed is an ideal and easy to build design for even beginning builders....

Replacing or repairing a roof is a daunting task for even the most skilled home handyman, but that doesn't mean you have to call the roofing company immediately. If you feel that you're qualified...