Read the latest articles from Bob Vila (Page 335)

12 Good Reasons to Move to a College Town
Real Estate

12 Good Reasons to Move to a College Town

College towns are't just for students, faculty, and college sports fanatics. In fact, these educational enclaves attract many residents who have no affiliation with the school. Just what is it that lures nonstudents to college towns? Read on to learn about some of the enticing benefits of living in the shadow of a college or university.

The Pros and Cons of Finishing Your Unfinished Basement
Basements

The Pros and Cons of Finishing Your Unfinished Basement

Transforming your basement from unfinished to finished is not a no-brainer. Here’s what to consider when deciding whether to turn your utilitarian basement into a more comfortable living space.

How to Cut Granite
Building & Installing

How To: Cut Granite

Follow these steps to size a granite slab or tiles to a perfect fit for your new countertop or backsplash.

How to Remove Paint from Trim and Molding - Quick-Release Contour Scraper
Painting & Finishing

How To: Remove Paint from Trim and Molding

Use this handy guide—and an even handier tool—to restore the clean lines of wood trim that has been gunked up by layers of paint jobs from decades past.

How to Unshrink Clothing
Repair & Maintenance

How To: Unshrink Clothes

Undo the damage of dryer mishaps with these simple steps to stretch your favorite garments back to their original size.

20 Surprising Things You Can’t Recycle
Repurposing

20 Surprising Things You Can’t Recycle

The “reduce, reuse, recycle” mantra popularized during the environmental movement of the 1970s has never been more relevant. Nevertheless, there's confusion about what can and can't be recycled. Rules and regulations vary by region, but here are 20 items that should never wind up in your household's recycling bin.

How to Rust Metal (on Purpose!)
Furniture & Design

How To: Rust Metal

Lend a centuries-old look to metal accents in under an hour with this rusting tutorial.

how long does it take for concrete to dry
Building & Installing

Solved! This is How Long It Takes Concrete to “Dry”

Find out how long your concrete project will take from start to finish, and the steps you can follow to ensure a beautiful result.

15 Easy Ways to Reduce Your Carbon Footprint at Home
Energy & Power

15 Easy Ways to Reduce Your Carbon Footprint at Home

Want to do your part to help slow the impact of climate change? Check out these small and simple changes you and your family can make in your home and everyday activities to ensure a large and lasting difference in reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

The Best Tool Backpack Options
Storage & Organizing

The Best Tool Backpacks for On-the-Go Jobs

Take your tools with you wherever you go with one of these easy-to-carry tool backpacks.

10 Questions to Always Ask at an Open House
Buying

10 Questions to Always Ask at an Open House

Attending an open house? Make the most of your visit by asking the right questions.

How to Dispose of Paint: Oil-based, Latex, and Spray Paints
Painting & Finishing

How To: Dispose of Paint

Improper disposal of household paint cans is bad for the environment, potentially dangerous for sanitation workers, and—in some localities—subject to fines. Here's how to do it safely.

Wasps in House
Garden Pests

Solved! What to Do About Wasps

They’re the stuff of nightmares for many of us, but when it’s time for a war against wasps, here’s how to keep the upper hand.

How to Clean Linoleum Floors - Kitchen Flooring
Cleaning

How To: Clean Linoleum Floors

Ensure that your durable linoleum flooring looks and wears well for decades to come with this complete guide to proper cleaning and maintenance.

Vinyl Clapboard Siding
Energy & Power

Vinyl Siding vs. Fiber Cement: Which Is Right for Your Home?

Choosing the right siding material for your home is a decision that's based on many factors, from good looks to cost. But as you're weighing the options, don't ignore important considerations like durability and ease of maintenance. You want good looks that last!

How to Repair Stucco
Siding

What Would Bob Do? Repairing Cracked Stucco

If you have a small crack in your exterior stucco, you can patch it pretty easily—and you definitely should, or you may be in for more extensive repairs down the line.

How to fix a sticking door
Doors

What Would Bob Do? Repairing a Door That Sticks

Wood doors can be sticky, but the repair doesn't need to be. If your doors have been a little temperamental lately, try one of these fixes to get them opening freely again.

11 Vintage Houses That Came from a Catalog
Architecture

11 Vintage Houses That Came from a Catalog

In the early 20th century, a handful of companies, including Sears, Roebuck and Co., sold tens of thousands of mail-order homes. Available in a variety of styles and at a range of price points, these “kit houses” would arrive via railroad boxcar as precut and fitted materials, which the owner or a local contractor would assemble into a new house. Sears ceased production of their catalog homes in 1940, but many still stand today. Check out these 12 mail-order houses that have not only survived, but look very much like they did in the heyday of the kit home.

How to Build an Outdoor Fireplace—and Extend Patio Season
Building & Installing

So, You Want to… Build an Outdoor Fireplace

Before you put any marshmallows on a stick, read this to determine if a DIY hearth is a project you’re prepared to take on.

5 Ways to Make Worn-Out Concrete Look Great
Repair & Maintenance

5 Simple Fixes for Worn Concrete

Concrete surfaces are built to last, but sometimes you need to intervene to make sure they stay as good-looking as they are hardworking. Read on to learn how to tackle five common superficial concrete flaws—and which products are best for each repair.