Read the latest articles from Bob Vila (Page 356)

4 Types of Air Conditioners to Consider When Updating or Adding to Your HVAC
Interior

Choose the Right AC for Your Home with This Cheat Sheet

If it has been a while since you last shopped for an air conditioner, let an HVAC expert get you up to speed on four popular types of ACs available today.

What to Know About Living with High Ceilings
Design

6 Things to Know About Living with High Ceilings

Factor in these criteria when considering high ceilings for a new home or remodel.

13 Simple Home Staging Tips Every Seller Should Know
Real Estate

13 Simple Home Staging Tips Every Seller Should Know

Putting into action a few simple home staging tips will help your house stand out from the pack in today's real estate market.

I Installed Solar Panels on My Roof and Here’s What Happened
Exterior

I Installed Solar Panels on My Roof and Here’s What Happened

In the past few decades, solar panels have gone from an expensive novelty to an increasingly popular source of power generation. Today, more and more homeowners are using solar to fill some—or even all—of their energy needs. If you’re thinking about installing a solar system, click through to find out how this collection of homeowners feel about the solar array on their roof.

The 12 Most Controversial Buildings in America
Design

The 12 Most Controversial Buildings in America

Buildings are more than just piles of bricks and mortar. Buildings tell stories and embody historical periods. Some even incite scandal and arouse controversy because they're too bold or too boring, or maybe they just got caught up in a tangle of lawsuits. For whatever reason, these 12 buildings stirred up controversy, and one or two of them may surprise you!

10 Things No One Tells You About Tiny Houses
Real Estate

10 Things No One Tells You About Tiny Houses

Tiny houses are on trend for many reasons—they are eco-friendly and anti-consumerist, and they offer an affordable path to homeownership. But if you are considering a tiny house, be sure you explore these concerns before you take the plunge.

Best Wood for Outdoor Furniture, Solved!
DIY

Solved! What’s the Best Wood for Outdoor Furniture?

Furnishing your outdoor area? Get to know five worthy wood species before you build or buy beautiful, durable pieces for your patio, deck, and lawn.

The 10 Best Ways to Spend $10 at Walmart
Reviews

The 10 Best Ways to Spend $10 at Walmart

As one of the largest retailers in the United States, there’s not much that Walmart doesn’t offer. From the fun to the functional, the budget-friendly store has you covered. While the price tags are nice for the pocketbook, it is easy to lose track of what you’re adding to the shopping cart. We gathered a mix of practical and playful household products—and a few in between—to grab the next time you’re at Walmart. Every item is $10 or less, so even if you do stray from you shopping list, you won’t be met with any surprises at check out.

20 Unexpected Spots for Accent Colors
Interior

20 Unexpected Spots for Accent Colors

When it comes to bringing new colors into your home, why limit yourself to the walls? Add accent colors in these 10 unusual places to brighten your living space.

15 Ways to Get a (Nearly!) Maintenance-Free Home Exterior
Exterior

15 Ways to Get a (Nearly!) Maintenance-Free Home Exterior

Your home’s exterior should be beautiful and inviting, not constantly in need of repairs. As well, your time spent outdoors should be relaxing, not full of weekend chores and constant upkeep. That is why quality, low-maintenance exterior products and building materials like the LeafGuard Brand gutters are a great investment for any homeowner. Purchasing wisely can help cut down on common outdoor frustrations such as clogged gutters, warped or rotted decking, or flimsy fences that need frequent replacement. You'll save time on maintenance if you search out cost-effective alternatives that are durable and resistant to some of these common headaches. Click through to learn how to reduce exterior maintenance for your home.

How To: Make Homemade Glass Cleaner
Exterior

How To: Make Homemade Glass Cleaner

Get sparkling clear windows, mirrors, and more with this savvy penny-pinching recipe.

The Best Flea Markets in Every State
Design

The Best Flea Markets in Every State

For pennywise shoppers, perhaps nothing comes closer to paradise on earth than a flea market stocked with the secondhand wares you always wanted or never knew you needed. But where are the best of these bargain-priced bazaars? Scroll through to discover some of the finest flea markets in America, then drive to the one nearest to you to get your hands on some truly special keepsakes.

10 Things the Landscaper Won’t Tell You for Free
Lawn & Garden

10 Things the Landscaper Won’t Tell You for Free

You may trust their expertise, but even the best landscapers won’t tell you everything up front. Here are 10 pieces of insider info your landscaper may reveal only after being paid. Feel free to ask though!

The 12 Biggest Downsides to Buying New Construction
Real Estate

The 12 Biggest Downsides to Buying New Construction

Many prospective homeowners dream of buying a brand-new house, or having one built to their specifications. But a number of disadvantages come along with the excitement of owning a home in which no one else has ever lived. In fact, a brand-new house isn’t always better than one with a few more miles on it. Before you start interviewing contractors and looking at lots in new subdivisions, consider these downsides to buying new construction.

11 Things to Know Before Visiting the Lumber Yard
DIY

11 Things to Know Before Visiting the Lumber Yard

Choosing the right wood for a home improvement project can be tricky for experienced woodworkers and novice DIYers alike. Luckily, knowing a few key lumber facts can make it easier to select the right woods for a whole range of projects—from framing to decking to furniture making. What is the real difference between hardwood and softwood? What does a wood's grade say about it? Which is more durable, pressure-treated lumber or composite decking? Should you opt for plywood or oriented strand board? Before you choose a wood for your next home project, understand the wood's benefits and drawbacks. Here are 11 facts you should know before you buy lumber for your next DIY.

20 Things You Should Never Leave Out in the Yard
Exterior

20 Things You Should Never Leave Out in the Yard

With warm weather comes BBQs and yard work, pool parties and garage sales. Keep this list of items in mind before you head inside at night. You will reduce safety risks and ensure a happy, healthy summer.

Garage Door Troubleshooting Tips from Puls
Exterior

Diagnose Any Garage Door Problem Yourself in Just 9 Steps

When your garage door gives you cause for concern, run through this list of troubleshooting tips first to see if your problem can be remedied with a DIY repair or requires professional assistance.

Why Do Painters Wear White? Solved!
DIY

Solved! Why Do Painters Wear White?

Brush up on the history behind this centuries-old clothing custom.

12 Times Goo Gone Saves the Day
DIY

12 Times Goo Gone Saves the Day

DIYers looking for that perfect go-to gunk, glop, spill, and stain remover for the home, laundry, workshop, and garage need look no further than Goo Gone, an amazing multipurpose cleanser that bills itself as “America’s #1 brand in adhesive removers.” Advertising hype aside, it is true that sticky, gummy, and, yes, gooey messes are no match for Goo Gone, which removes an astonishing number of household, automotive, and outdoor splotches and blotches, ranging from tape residue and glue to grease and gum. Goo Gone is safe for most finished surfaces, although it is always best to test the product in a hidden or inconspicuous area first. Read on to learn about the range of tough stuff that Goo Gone can help remove in a jiffy.

The Best Things You Can Do for Your Lawn and Garden in Under a Minute
Reviews

The Best Things You Can Do for Your Lawn and Garden in Under a Minute

Americans spend about 70 hours a year on lawn and garden care, ensuring that their lawn is lush and weed-free and their flower bed is brimming with color. But even if you're short on time, there are plenty of quick tasks you can perform to keep your yard in tip-top shape, and some that take just a minute! Here are the 13 best things you can do for your lawn and garden in under a minute—less time than it takes to brush your teeth!