Read the latest articles from Bob Vila (Page 143)

Log Cabin Kit Home - Rockbridge
DIY

Craft the modern log cabin of your dreams with any of these complete kits.

A burglar dressed in black breaks a window.
Exterior

Glass-break sensors are an integral part of many home security systems. Here’s what you need to know about how glass-break sensors work before installing them throughout your home.

A close up of a brass door knob attached to a red door.
Exterior

There are several techniques burglars might use to bypass a lock, but few are as popular as lock crunching. But what is lock crunching, and is there anything you can do to prevent it?

Six Non Electric Heaters on grass near woods
HVAC

Keep the patio in use long after the days of summer have gone, make that cold bonus room toasty, and prepare for winter power outages with a non-electric heater.

Septic tank cover and vent from a household septic tank, surrounded by patchy grass.
Lawn & Garden

Septic tank covers and vents are nothing pretty to look at, but if you want to hide them from view you'll have to do it carefully.

A home security camera is featured front and center, with a smart phone screen in the foreground.
Exterior

These essential security gadgets can be an attractive part of your Airbnb listing, making criminals (both intruders and bad renters) think twice about targeting your short-term rental.

eco friendly bioclimatic aluminum pergola shade structure, awning and patio shades
Deck, Patio & Porch

Spruce up, cool down, and add welcome sun protection to an outdoor space with one of these useful patio shades.

A person using a Bostitch finish nailer attached to the Bostitch Air Compressor during testing.
Building & Installing

Portable pancake air compressors are popular with DIYers, but are they worth the investment? Find out what happened when I put a best-selling model to the test.

Female plumber with toolbox open troubleshooting water pressure at the kitchen sink.
Repair & Maintenance

Hear a loud banging in your pipes? The culprit is likely water hammer. Here’s how to stop the racket and save your pipes along the way.

A row of circuit breakers and red and blue wires on the best circuit breaker.
Home Safety

These simple devices are the cornerstone of electrical safety. We explain how to choose the right type for almost any application.

A woman gardening in her backyard xeriscape with native wildflowers.
Landscaping

Growing perennial flowers has never been this easy! These xeriscaping plants will grow and bloom even if you forget to water them.

The Rejuvenate All Floors Cleaner next to a mop during testing to clean a wood floor.
Cleaning

This floor cleaner is effective on most hard floor types and is safe around kids and pets. A simple spray bottle dispenser allows for quick and efficient floor cleaning.

11 “Zero Dollar” Ways to Organize Your Kitchen Cabinets
Cabinets

You don’t need unlimited funds to put a stopper on overflowing kitchen cabinets. These 11 DIYs can transform even the most cluttered cupboard into an organizational oasis—all with near zero cost, time, or effort.

9 Handy Uses for Your Cordless Drill/Driver
Tools

Some folks swear by their wet saws for cutting tile, while others couldn’t bear to part with their trim router. But there's at least one power tool that any DIYer worth his salt keeps within reach and uses at least weekly—the cordless drill and driver. It’s portable and can be used for everything from hanging pictures to framing a house. But to those in the know, a cordless drill can help out with plenty of other tasks as well. Its rotating motor and adjustable chuck mean you can insert all kinds of things and make them spin—and this flexibility, it turns out, can be quite handy. Here are 9 new ways to use a cordless drill/driver.

The 20 Best (and Most Unusual) B&Bs in America
Architecture

Planning your next escape? Venture beyond the familiar hotels to uncover the best-kept secrets in vacation destinations. These 20 bed-and-breakfasts around the country offer luxurious lodgings, warm hospitality, and daring style and character that promise to make your stay a memorable one.

Flowering common chickweed growing outdoors.
Lawn & Garden

Stop chickweed from taking over your lawn—and keep it away—using these natural methods.

Lowe's SpringFest Deals
Lawn & Garden

Get ready for incredible deals on mulch, gardening beds , power tools, and more.

Lowe’s store associates went door-to-door in Little Rock, Arkansas, to pass out supplies and help residents clean up.
Backup Generators

Lowe’s offers online resources, installation and repair support, and other services that can help you get ready before disaster strikes—and clean up after a major weather event.

A person uses a voltage meter reading "235" on the back of an unscrewed, but connected, wall outlet.
Interior

Learn how to differentiate between these common electrical terms, as well as how to calculate each one.

Vintage home being remodeled.
DIY

If you're buying a flip house, don't just be dazzled by the gleaming new countertops and gold-plated fixtures. Look at what lies beneath the surface, too.