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Plumbing has come a long way from the clay pipes used in ancient Greece to supply water and carry sewage away. Today,...
We've all been there, right? "Oh, I just need to find a stud to hang this picture. " And fifteen holes later, you're ...
Q: We just purchased a home that was built in the 1960s and will be remodeling to bring it up to date. Our plans incl...
Since the technology arrived in the 1930s, installing recessed lighting has become de rigueur in new construction and...
Q: What would be the best way to hang a 40-pound framed mirror? Should I find the studs in the wall or use a picture ...
Ahead, learn how a climate-control system can deliver not only uniform comfort throughout the home but also real savings over time.</p> This content is paid...
Take insulation into your own hands to seal up sneaky air leaks around the house—and save big money. This content is paid advertising created in partnership ...
The right drapes or curtains can add a lot to your enjoyment of an interior space, as well as the room’s decor. Along...
Nothing dresses up naked walls like wainscoting—an umbrella term for any type of decorative covering that occupies the lower one-third of a wall. First used in 16...
Things are really looking up for ceilings, thanks to the impact wallpaper can add to a formerly neglected space. That...
Q: I plan on installing tile on my entryway floor and kitchen backsplash. How much tile do I need to buy in each case...
Looking to redo a wall that has been papered? If you weren't the one to put up the existing layer wallpaper, any numb...
Q: We recently bought a house and its roof is 15 years old. While the home inspector didn’t find any specific problem...
Cement tile is taking the design world by storm, brightening up everything from bathroom floors to backsplashes with ...
Your home gets one chance to make a good first impression—and it does so largely with its garage door. In fact, resea...
If sweltering days and nights without central air conditioning threaten your summertime comfort, consider putting a u...
As experts in the TV mounting field, folks often come to us with questions—and we’re always happy to answer them. By ...
Maybe I'm the only person (at least over the age of three) who gets a kick out of making a mess, but I would still ar...
In a era where convenience is king, it's no wonder that smart thermostats have been integrated into so many homes. Th...
Hardwood floors have become so popular in recent years that they are now almost ubiquitous in new homes. But they're not necessarily the best choice for everyone....
Replacing old windows with new energy-efficient ones is a great way to weatherproof your home and boost its resale va...
When it comes to the Consumer Electronics Show (CES), the world’s largest and most influential technology event, what...
Along with colorful falling leaves, tailgate parties, and family gatherings, autumn’s crisp air brings a reminder of ...
It's hard to beat the natural beauty of wood flooring, but it’s not a traditional choice for a kitchen, due to the gr...
So you want to hang something heavier than the average photo frame from your drywall. Whether you're putting in a na...
Q: I'll be remodeling my guest bathroom soon. What’s the best towel bar height? Does the same height apply to towel r...
Whether you need task lighting above a desk or countertop or accent lighting to brighten a dark corner, recessed ligh...
Porcelain tiles are an all-time favorite for beautiful, durable floors, particularly in bathrooms and kitchens. But u...
From time to time, homeowners forget to shut off the water supply to an outdoor faucet when they're winter-proofing t...
First introduced in the 1970s, laminate flooring is comprised of layers of synthetic material engineered to look like...
Beautiful marble flooring started its journey into our homes as limestone. Millions of years of metamorphosis—intense...
Every day, 365 days a year, I’m thinking about building products. With decades in the home building and remodeling in...
Q: My husband and I are thinking about installing wainscoting ourselves in a few rooms of our house, but can’t agree ...
Need a little extra light in your life? Consider installing a skylight above an interior room that’s low on natural l...
With the cost of living space going up, many homeowners are looking down—creating a “finished” basement—to expand the...
Most folks don’t give their home’s driveway apron a second thought unless they’re installing a new driveway or repair...
Professional drywall taping crews make it look so easy: They move quickly, slather compound on every joint and nail h...
Replacing a shower drain isn’t usually a difficult task, but it always pays to be prepared for complications before y...
Your bathroom is the wettest room in your home. Steamy showers, flushing toilets, running sinks, and occasional drips...
Q: We just bought a new 55-inch flat-screen TV, and I’d like to hang it over the fireplace in our family room. But my...
Unobtrusive illumination installed flush with the ceiling, recessed lighting can be found in virtually all types of h...
Has your old kitchen faucet seen better days? Whether yours is leaking water or is simply outdated, replacing a kitch...
Carpeting brings wall-to-wall softness and warmth to a room, both visually and physically. But over time, its attract...
Prominent in the trim aisles of home improvement stores and popular on home remodeling shows, beadboard offers a grea...
If a bathroom makeover is at the top of your bucket list, and you’ve been poring over design websites for inspiration...
For all of the benefits that come with regularly hitting the road on a bicycle (from a reduced carbon footprint to fe...
At war with home windows that are energy-inefficient, weak, or dated? Tinting home windows from the inside with an af...
Reducing soil erosion, turning steep slopes into terraced backdrops, creating focal points in the landscape—retaining...
Q: My wife wants to hang wallpaper in our Jack-and-Jill bathroom. The walls could do with some eye candy, but how wel...
When summer arrives, remodeling and home improvement projects really pick up speed. The warmer temperatures and longe...
Q: I’m putting in a new kitchen. What’s the right height for the countertops?A: Well, depends if you want the short a...
Concrete, that durable, go-to material for foundations and footings, also deserves a place in your home's yard—and we...
Good fences start with good foundations. Installing fence posts in place with concrete is the best way to guarantee ...
When it comes to interior walls, drywall has a lot going for it. It’s inexpensive, fairly easy to install and repair,...
Paired with baseboard and stained or painted to match your trim, shoe molding (also known as “base shoe”) is a small,...
Q: We’re remodeling our kitchen and need to install upper cabinets that are low enough to comfortably reach the shelv...
Homeowners can’t seem to get enough of the shiplap look! The on-trend design that mimics historic shiplap—the horizon...
Q: I'm eager to try out my new flat screen television on movie night—less so to rig it up to the wall. How high shoul...
A homeowner's to-do list can seem endless, especially come spring. Paint the exterior. Mow the lawn (again and again ...
Though building codes treat both materials equally as "structural panels," plywood and oriented strand board (OSB) ar...
Converting an old bathtub to a walk-in shower—be it a prefab unit or custom job—is high on many a homeowner’s remodel...
Any homeowner undertaking a DIY tiling project will work with grout, a putty-like mixture that fills the space betwee...
Q: Our screened-in porch is undergoing some updates, including the installation of overhead lights and addition of a ...
Plank flooring has come a long way from the frontier days when rough-hewn boards were nailed to floor joists, resulti...
Artificial grass made its big debut at the Astro Dome in 1966—hence the term Astroturf—but it’s come a long way since...
Bathroom fans don’t have to sound like a jet engine to remove enough air to keep your bathroom mold- and odor-free. I...
Once a purely practical feature to guard against everyday spills and splatters, brick backsplashes are now desirable ...
The trim around a door frame—also known as doorway casing—is installed first and foremost to conceal unsightly constr...
Have you dreamed about a walk-in closet with endless storage possibilities for clothes and accessories? Fortunately, ...
To filter the light that enters your home and control your level of privacy, you can’t go wrong with blinds. These ea...
Ever since we’ve had doors, we’ve been re-inventing ways to be alerted to a visitor’s arrival. Hefty iron knockers ga...
You can repaint the walls, re-carpet the floor, and replace all outdated furniture, but leaving that eyesore of an ol...
Grout—the putty-like filler between tiles that keeps them sealed, solid, and set in place—tends to be an afterthought...
The shower pan is an unsung hero in cramped bathing quarters that rely on a walk-in shower instead of a full-size bat...
Whether integrated underneath the cabinets or suspended as a focal point over a kitchen island, the range hood is the...
Breezes in, bugs out—functionally speaking, the screen door hasn’t changed much in the past hundred years or so. Diff...
It's a bona fide do-it-yourself classic: Every summer without fail, legions of homeowners grab their toolbox and head...
What’s true about fashion is true also about doors: If you wait long enough, the old styles come back in vogue. Pocke...
Sure, there are plenty of intimidatingly complex bathroom repairs for which you would be wise to hire a plumber. This...
Thanks to the simplicity of their design and function, light switches seem to last pretty much forever despite daily ...
Showcase the beauty of wood stairs without sacrificing the comfort of carpet with this clever compromise: a carpet ru...
It's a cruel fact: Those factors that make home exterior siding so crucial are the same ones that undermine its performance over the long term. In other words, in...
Knockouts are partially stamped, quarter-size openings in the electrical boxes that service such things as outlets an...
Whether rectangular or curvy in design, next to the home or freestanding in the yard, a concrete patio establishes ne...
Sometimes the simplest updates make the most impact in a room—and chair rail molding is no exception. More than an ea...
The term "wainscoting" refers to any type of paneling that covers the lower portion—usually the lower third—of an int...
As challenging as it may have been to settle on blinds, not curtains, you're not quite finished yet. On the contrary....
Recessed lighting has been around since the 1930s, and even though its popularity seems to have waned in recent years...
Real estate agents call it curb appeal. It's how a house looks to visitors as they arrive by car. Curb appeal was, is...
Installing wall-to-wall carpeting? It can be tricky to cut the floor covering so that it accurately fits the room. To...
Installing a dishwasher may seem daunting, but with the right instructions and a little care, it can be a rewarding D...
Simply put, electrical work is dangerous. With projects of any complexity or sophistication, we wholeheartedly recomm...
Are you getting the sense that your heating and cooling costs are going through the roof? You might be absolutely rig...
Door drafts can be a cause of real discomfort. Besides the immediate unpleasantness of a chilly gust invading the war...
In nearly every kitchen remodel that involves cabinets of standard dimensions, you're left with at least one gap betw...
Over the last decade, engineered wood flooring has developed by leaps and bounds, making it more affordable than ever...
Automated security systems are nice to have, but the easiest and least expensive way to improve the security of home ...
High-efficiency heating and air conditioning systems produce condensation, and that condensation needs to go somewher...
You lavish attention on the bedroom and living room, bathroom and kitchen, but what about the unsung hero of many smo...
Installing wall hooks or fasteners into plaster walls isn't difficult—that is, if you use the right approach. Probabl...
Although exposed brick offers a warm, appealing aesthetic redolent of history, many homeowners are puzzled by the que...
Whereas putting in a central air conditioning system typically requires a professional crew, installing a window air ...
Add storage to your bathroom—and in the process, give the space a jolt of fresh style—by installing a medicine cabine...
Laying in a hammock is the epitome of summertime relaxation. Getting the hammock set up, on the other hand, can be a ...
I'm going to install a new screen door. Any advice or time-saving suggestions on how to go about it?It's relatively e...
In an ideal world, there'd be no basement flooding. But in reality, despite our best efforts to address the underlyin...
I'm interested in installing a drop ceiling in my basement rec room. Do you have any helpful hints for a do-it-yourse...
I am living in Spain and redoing an old house in the country. I'd like some of the floors to be polished concrete. C...
Hanging wallpaper can be tricky, but it’s worth the effort for the beautiful effect it can have on a room. As with so...
At some point in life, everyone wants or needs to hang shelves. Whether simple 2x4s or part of a store-bought kit, sh...
Here's how to inlay sheet vinyl flooring for a designer look. Measure your design on the floor with chalk lines. Se...
Here's a way to create a decorative textured finish for a cement surface. Once your cement is poured and flowed out,...
If you've ever done drywall work, you know the corners are the really tricky part. These no-coat drywall corners ar...
Here is a tip you can use to shingle your own roof. Make a starter course at the edge of the eave, laying the shingl...
Here's how to install a hot or cold water shut-off valve under your sink. Apply plumbing sealant to the shut-off th...
Doors come in countless different sizes and styles—from modern, flush interior doors with standard dimensions to mass...
When applying clapboards as exterior siding to your home, it's a good idea to prime both sides of the clapboards bef...
I've got some tips for you on how to laminate countertops in your kitchen. Roll on contact cement and allow it to se...
It's easier to cut vinyl flooring to the exact shape and size of your room when you make a template first. Staple she...
Here's some tips for easier door hanging. For this type of door, measure five inches from the top of the door to the...
Here's how to scribe a floor tile to fit around an uneven edge. Set the closest full tile in place, then use another...
Developed in 19th-century England, the first mechanized clothes dryers were perforated barrels that rotated over flam...
Here's how to properly install a sill plate on top of a foundation wall. Sink anchor bolts into your foundation ever...
Several years after you complete a bathroom or kitchen renovation, it inevitably starts to show some wear. One culpri...
When laying tile, here's an easy way to save some time before applying any mortar. Dry-fit the tiles on the surface ...
It can be easy to install vinyl windows. First, make sure the window frame is plumb and level. Wrap the window frame...
Here's a helpful tip for getting really smooth drywall seam. After you've laid the tape in a four-inch bed of joint ...
When installing a new door, use shim shingles as extra support between the jack studs and the door jamb. Use two ceda...
Here are some tips to help you tile a bathroom wall. For better moisture protection, apply cement board to your wall...
Wood shingle siding installation is a breeze, but keeping courses straight is tough. If you want to shingle the side...
Flashing is a good way of preventing water from entering a dwelling at the point where the roof meets the walls. To ...
Even if you have minimal experience in home improvement matters, you are probably thinking, "Hey, come on, of course ...
Here are some things to remember when you install vinyl siding on your home. First of all, you hang vinyl siding, s...
Here's a way to install a tongue-and-groove ceiling without damaging the wood. Set a board in place. Then with a scr...
Here are some things to think about when you want to hang kitchen cabinets. Start by hanging your upper cabinets so ...
Here's how to lay a no-squeak subfloor. Apply a generous bead of panel adhesive to the tops of your floor joists. La...
If you need to insulate your attic, blowing in cellulose insulation is an easy job you can do yourself by renting a ...
Here's a tip on how to install a pre-hung door. First, lift the door into place, then be sure it's plumb. Always use...
If you're updating the bathroom, you'll need to know how to install a toilet. Apply a new wax seal over the waste fl...
Here's how to get a professional look when you hanging wallpaper. After you line up your pattern, overlap the top a...
The tricky part of hanging double doors is that they have to meet in the middle. After hanging each door, check to s...
Whether you're hanging shelves or breaking through a wall, you've got to know where to find the wall studs. There ar...
Is there anything better than sitting beside the fireplace on a chilly winter eve? Not only does a fireplace provide ...
If you're pouring a concrete foundation, how do you figure out how much concrete you'll need? There's a pretty simpl...
If you have to hang a lot of wallpaper, here's a time-saving way to apply paste. Try a manually operated wallpaper p...
Here's a tip on how to throw a curve with drywall. The trick is to use two sheets of quarter-inch drywall instead of...
To achieve a Victorian look on an interior wall, try a beadboard wainscot. You can buy beadboard at your local lumb...
Here is the best way of joining copper pipe yourself. First, use fine sandpaper to clean the inside of the fittings ...
I've got to remove some drywall in a room so I can nail studs behind the wall for anchoring purposes. What is the bes...
To hang heavy cabinet doors and conceal the hardware, use mortise European-style hinges. Use a 35-millimeter drill ...
Here are the steps professionals follow to apply a stucco finish. After installing a 15-pound felt moisture barrier ...
Keep these things in mind when pouring a DIY concrete walkway. Set a level frame with one-by-four lumber. Lay plasti...
You can dress up a room by installing crown molding along the ceiling. Here are some tips to keep in mind. Always pl...
Anyone can snake wire in a wall between floors. Here's how. From a hole in the floor below, push a wire snake with ...
Here's how to get a warm, dry basement floor over a concrete slab when converting your basement into living space. L...
Here's how to avoid cracking a tile surface when you need to drill a hole. Mark your point, then gently score the ti...
One fundamental rule applies to the installation of just about anything: If you get the first piece right, the others...
When installing clapboard siding, it's important to overlap all joints. Here's a way to get started that will ensure...
It's easy to replace old storm windows. Here's how. Loosen all screws and pull the old storm window away from the wi...
Recessed lighting fixtures have become very popular these days. They have to be roughed in. Here's how to install o...
It can be easy to patch cracks in an old wood floor or grout a new wood block floor. Here's how. First, make a mixtu...
Love it or hate it, there are at least a few good reasons that homeowners choose carpeting today. For one, it absorbs...
For a very unusual floor finish, you might want to try wood blocks. Lay out your floor the way you would any cerami...
If you've ever hung your own wallpaper, you'll know that no corner is ever perfect. Here's how to solve that problem...
Though certainly not cutting edge, toilet seat design has witnessed a tide of innovation in recent years. So if you a...
Hot mop tar is a good way to waterproof projects like an indoor planter. Here's how it's applied. After it's heated ...
We are thinking about installing beadboard in our bathroom. How do I install it so that it looks at home in the room?...
When putting up shutters, the key is to have good, sturdy hardware. Look for pressure-treated wood shutters for ext...
Here's a tip on how to increase the life of old wooden gutters. The first step is to lay a new rubber liner along th...
If you have an old house with dated electrical outlets, you know they weren't designed to meet the demands of today'...
According to the Department of Energy, installing a programmable thermostat can help you save between 5% and 15% on y...
A fast and easy way to freshen the look of your shower is to install new shower valve trim. If your trim resembles mi...
Lawn care can be especially demanding these days, with wacky weather throwing homeowners around the country for a loo...
Installing a new shower head is not quite as easy as changing a light bulb, but almost. MATERIALS AND TOOLS- New show...
Patio. The word itself calls to mind an image of splendid sun-drenched days spent sipping chilled drinks under the we...
Laminate flooring enables homeowners to get the look of wood for less, and it's easy to install. In fact, tongue-and-...
The beauty of a deck is that—unlike bare ground or lawn—it’s level, stable, supports furniture, sheds rain, and provi...
A tile backsplash adds color, personality, and function to a kitchen. Here’s how to install this relatively easy upgr...
Installing ceramic tile can be tricky. Successful tiling jobs are a direct result of good planning and a methodical a...
Traditional plastering consists of three separate coats of plaster. The first two, called the brown and scratch coats...
For many years, ceramic tiling was regarded as arcane. It was a specialized vocation best left to the gifted few who,...
Connections are made between sections of iron pipe using threaded fittings. The walls of copper pipe, however, are to...
I won't attempt here to tell you in detail how to hang wallboard or to tape joints; there are a number of book-length...
You've probably hung some 'rock over the years, either at home or helping a friend refurbish a room. So you probably...
On the Manhattan Brownstone project, Bob, Chris Vila, and architect Brian O’Keefe discovered an intact ceiling cornic...
Most homeowners are installing a new door to replace an old door that’s been damaged or cut short to fit existing flo...
Hurricane winds deliver force to building exteriors and elements. It is by far the debris these winds carry that most...
Installing base cabinets is a process that follows the basic rules of carpentry — the final results should be straigh...
Anyone can create a real tile mosaic on almost any surface top. The technique is much easier than it sounds. First yo...
Why Use Glass Tile?Glass tile brings depth, luminescence, and a liquid character to indoor, outdoor, or in-ground poo...
Find the CenterWhen you install tile, you want the finished surface to appear symmetrical, even if it isn't. To accom...
A tub spout does two things: It provides a decorative cover for the pipe stub delivering water to the bathtub, and it...
Nearly 30 years ago, I traveled to Finland and toured a series of modular, site-built homes in the city of Jyvaskyla....
Let’s face it: Many homes today feature inadequate, poorly positioned, and sometimes plain-old ugly light fixtures. B...
Of all the materials suitable for use in patio construction, brick stands out for its beauty and ease of installation...
Everyone knows the backsplash is an important element in kitchen design. What you may not know is that, considering i...
It should be easy, right? Just measure the boards, cut the miters, and nail the trim in place. Well, not exactly. If ...
Installing a storm door may seem like a daunting, time-consuming task, but advances in manufacturing and design have ...
There’s a lot to recommend a bluestone walkway. The natural colors and textures look great in almost any setting. Mai...
Install wood paneling in any room to inject architectural detail, warmth, and character into your home. Traditionally...
Replacing your shower head is a simple fix that can spruce up the look of your bathroom, save water, and even add a l...
My son recently asked for help installing vinyl flooring in his bathroom. So we took a trip to the local home center ...
When we moved out of the city and into our new home, we increased our window inventory more than three-fold. The wind...
Sliding closet doors are a common installation in American homes, but that doesn't necessarily mean they're the best ...
To protect your kitchen cabinets from water damage, the rim of your kitchen sink should always be sealed with a good ...
There are many ways to invite problems when you lay ceramic tile. Avoid such problems and a tile floor can last for d...
While you might consider laying tile yourself for moneysaving reasons, remember that the substrate, or what the tile ...
Although the two words are often used interchangeably, sheetrock is actually a brand name for the generic drywall, wh...
If you’re looking for a quick and inexpensive way to give your kitchen a pick-me-up, replacing the sink faucet might ...
Even tiny gaps between your tub and the wall tiles can let enough water in to damage your walls and host mold. Since ...
If you’ve got an older toilet, you’re probably paying for twice the water you need for each flush. But never fear: to...
Also known as "can" lights thanks to their cylindrical shape, recessed lights are inexpensive, work well with low cei...
You never know why a previous homeowner made the decorating decisions they did, but sometimes you just have to scratc...
Before hanging anything, it’s important to find out what your wall is made of. Ideally, you should attach floating sh...
A garbage disposal really keeps things flowing in the kitchen, and installing one isn’t a tough job for a do-it-yours...
More than a third of new homes are built with backyard decks, and they’re a really a popular do-it-yourself project. ...
A tired planting bed can be refreshed with new landscape edging, available in a range of prices and a wide variety of...
I don’t mind the squirrels taking their turn at the bird feeder, but our dog seems to have developed a personal vende...
The screens on your windows are there for a purpose. If they get a snag, a tear or a hole, they lose their effectiven...
Updating the entrance to your home is a relatively easy thing to do. Add a pop of color by painting the front door in...
A stepping stone path is easier to create than a full-blown walkway and lends charm and practicality to your yard. He...
Installing a ceiling fan is a fantastic way to cut energy costs all year round. It helps circulate cool air in the wa...
Our home improvement projects often suffer from “mission creep,” as one seemingly simple project becomes hopelessly e...
Sundays can be a dangerous day in our household due to the abundance of home improvement circulars that arrive with t...
Sizing the Walls Sizing allows you to maneuver the paper into position on the wall without tearing. Sizing also makes...
Want to know how to build stairs? In many ways, the task of laying out a staircase resembles that of rafter layout. T...
The bathtub has become a dominant consideration when it comes to designing a bathroom. Before shopping for a bathtub,...
So many elements in kitchen design have remained common over the decades. Cabinets still have raised panels. Countert...
While many people consider laying bathroom tile a do-it-yourself project for money-saving reasons, there are many fac...
Our kitchen needs more cabinets—and more counter space. Indeed, who has a kitchen with enough of these precious ameni...
My wife, Mary Ann, hated the backsplash tiles in our kitchen, and I agreed they were slightly dated. Unfortunately, t...
The Merits of Crown MoldingIf your home doesn’t have the style you wish it had, adding crown molding can help. It can...
It started with a casual stare. Then I gave my kitchen ceiling a withering glance and declared it dreadful! The kitch...
A little patience, along with a little practice and a score and a snap, and you're a tile cutter. While the task can ...
Plastic pipe requires a minimum of tools and experience. If you can use a tape measure and a hacksaw, you can proba...
What to Look for Room air conditioners are rated by the number of BTUs, or British thermal units, of heat that they c...
I like mood lighting as much as anyone, particularly first thing in the morning when the full blast of light from a 1...
Since my current residence is only half finished, there are a lot of fixture-less light boxes in the ceilings—which m...
Depending on what part of the world you're from you may have heard sink disposals referred to as "garbage disposals,"...
Changing or installing a new faucet is a fairly simple home improvement task, even if it does require contorting your...
Most of the time finishing drywall joints isn't one of those jobs that has people jumping up and down with excitement...
In the world of DIY, it is the step-by-steps that detail a solution to a problem or project. In my case, it was the s...
As a person who has recently upgraded from living in a garage to living in a half-constructed house, the novelty of h...
New insulated garage doors will replace the home's originals and be installed on the new garage. They have the appearance of wood and the performance of factory-f...
The house is insulated for sound control to provide a quiet environment for baby. The installation of the insulation is demonstrated along with the necessary safe...
In the master bath, Bob reviews the appropriate design choices made by homeowner and contractor Nick Beasley for this period home. A new low-flush toilet is insta...
The new windows in the baby’s nursery are highly insulated for cold and sound and have health and safety features for young children. They can be installed by do-...
The unusually shaped room with original beadboard that sits under the roof’s eaves will be adapted from its prior use as a home office to be a child’s bathroom wi...
A peaceful nursery and childproofed home await the baby, and an elegant new master bath and powder room greet family and guests.
Bob talks with Jay Martel from the International Association for Child Safety about kitchen safety products for toddlers and baby safety gates for the stairs. Bob...
Sound attenuating insulation is added to the nursery to reduce the echo effect of noise.
Michael Roche from Marvin Windows joins Bob in examining the house's existing windows and determining which to keep or replace. A new Palladian window will create...
Bob meets up with carpenter Bob Ryley, who is adding two third-floor dormers to the roof in keeping with the house's original one.
Tile is installed in the master bathroom’s shower area. A flashback reviews the waterproofing work that was done to prevent leaks.
Landscaping architects Rick and Nancy Lamb present their ideas to Bob for converting the landscape and creating urban spaces.
Inspired by designs found in the Isaac Bell historic house, paneling is installed on Bob’s entrance door to the living room. Bob looks at the completed tiled show...
Bob heads to the library to discuss the plaster patchwork in progress, and then visits the second floor, where ceramic tile is being installed in a guest bathroom...
Bob interviews Carlos Londono, a plastering contractor, who demonstrates how to apply a veneer coat of plaster over blue board.
Blinds for the new patio door are installed, as well as a variety of blinds and shades in other rooms throughout the house.
Carpenters install new prepainted shutters made from synthetic materials, with old-fashioned hinges and hardware.
The backyard is enhanced with a lattice-top gate, and a mudroom is converted into a kitchen pantry to provide storage space.
Old gutters are replaced and external landscaping continues with the trimming of a tree, installing a front garden, and creating steps from recycled granite.
Bob discusses the installation of a plastic subfloor to prevent water damage and the selection of a basement dehumidifier.
Mark Newton and Jesse Gonzales explain what happens when the metal frames are removed from the poured walls, then they apply a three-coat plaster.
Bob and Chris Vila visit the plastering contractor and receive a lesson in plaster mixing. Next, they talk to Dino from Dino's Construction, who's installing the ...
Bob watches as flooring specialists put in red rosin paper as underlayment before installing Ash hardwood floors in the penthouse apartment.
Bob talks to Nick Tagios, of Tagios Tile and Marble, who's laying down the marble tile bathroom floor using a traditional installation technique.
Bob consults with the project's stone and tile specialist, who explains the process of attaching the Pietra Cardosa countertops to the Cherry Craftline island cab...
With much of the demolition having been completed, Bob walks through an open, loft-like space, which was dark and cramped feeling pre-demolition. Carlos Leuchtman...
Bob and Brad Brewster of Princeton Custom Cabinetry oversee the installation of the hanging cabinets in the new condo kitchen. Brewster lists the various features...
Bob confronts the remodeling challenge of choosing a flooring material that will deaden sound without sacrificing the sleek, clean look of tile or stone. So contr...
Bob looks on as workers instal a solid-surface countertop called Zodiaq (from Dupont), which is made of natural silica, quartz, and polymer.
Jack Murdock from RMI and Craig Ryans from Vermont Castings demonstrate how simple it is to have gas appliances and heat in a rural location.
Bob joins Sonya and Bob Berle, owners of Elm Court, for a tour of the ornate grand parlor.
Bob reviews the construction of the pitched roof, from the framing to the shingling.
Bob meets with Peter Merianos and the crew from Coastal Heating and Air Conditioning, who are fabricating the AC ductwork on site.
To add a new line off the main trunk, the crew cuts a hole into the the trunk with a special tool. A starting collar from which the new line will extend is then i...
Bob joins Jay Seminara (of Seminara Construction), who is in the process of laying down a new cobblestone apron at the edge of the driveway.
Carpenter Bob Ryley and Jim Daniels (of Woodport Interior Doors) join Bob to hang a new door in the master bathroom.
Interior carpenter John Kiley is building the staircase in the front hall.
Interior carpenter John Kiley continues to build the staircase in the front hall of the modern Colonial.
Bob starts on the balcony of the Manhattan Brownstone where open space was standard for these urban town homes then moves to the interior to talk about the large,...
Bob meets Jason Hill from New England Classic as their ready-measured and pre-cut paneling system is installed in the Manhattan Brownstone.
Bob shows the Woodport medium-density fiberboard doors selected for the Manhattan Brownstone then works with the crew from Thorough Construction as they prepare t...
In a progress report, Ted Riley shows Bob the pre-primed red cedar siding , the heavy-duty metal Bilco bulkhead installation, and the Quechee home's standing seam...
Bob is joined by Michael McDevitt of Therma-Tru Doors as Wes Lohr and his crew prepare for the installation of the pre-hung exterior door.
Bill Powers of GutterPro joins Bob at the Mashpee, Massachusetts, affordable home sites for the installation of their LeafGuard gutters.
Bob points out that one huge aspect of affordability is doors, windows, and trim stock.
Bob visits with carpenter Mark Fortunati, who is building a traditional-looking staircase in the foyer.
Kenneth Carmode of WW Wood Products joins Bob as their Sequoia cabinets are installed in the kitchen of one of the Mashpee, Massachusetts, affordable homes.
Mario Taormina of N. Pagano Plumbing installs the Totl pedestal sink in the bathroom of the Manhattan Brownstone.
Bob works with the general contractor Charlie Tomaszewski to move the Medford project home's original front door, so they will be able to frame up a new foyer.
A representative from Owens Corning tells Bob about the architectural shingles that have been selected to replace the old roofing material. And Velux VSE skylight...
Bob goes up to the attic of the Victorian project house, where an ODL tubular skylight is being installed. Also, Bob looks back at the installation of windows on ...
Bob Fulmer (from Harraseeket Restoration, Inc.) joins Bob on the roof of the breezeway to install a double-lock standing seam copper roof.
A crew from US Gypsum is installing drywall in the barn of the Victorian restoration project house. This is a traditional installation with drywall wallboard and ...
Workers replace the old barn doors with an oversized Ponderosa Pine door (from KML Industries in Canada).
Bob and Tim Colgan (from Kahrs) discuss the white oak flooring being installed in the bedroom.
Bob talks with carpenter Bob Ryley and general contractor Kevin Kalman, as they lay down the subflooring.
Bob discusses the advantages of hazard-resistant building techniques, specifically sheathing the roof, with Bryan Readling (from the APA).
Bob observes the tile setter Tim Galvin build a shower pan.
Contractors install the stair railing and balusters, and carpenter Bob Ryley describes the techniques, and the various checks and balances, used to make sure the ...
Carpenters Bob Ryley and Mike Smith hang double doors at the entrance to the private family living quarters of the Virginia governor's mansion.
Bob confers with carpenters Bob Ryley and David Ives, as they construct and install cabinets in the loft conversion unit.
Bob interviews Brian Dauphinee, who's hanging blue board, installing corner bead, and applying the scratch coat of plaster.
Carpenter Bob Ryley installs plantation shutters against a bedroom wall.
Roofing contractor Jack Viera demonstrates installing three-tab asphalt roof shingles.
An excavation specialist, working under the oversight of a city inspector, digs the trench for new water service to the accessible home. Inside, contractors are a...
Installer Juan Gonsalves shows Bob how to install steel stair stringers.
Bob Riley and Howard Brickman install a reclaimed hard pine floor. The orientation of the boards is explained, and the moisture content of the subfloor is checked...
Bob drops by the third Elmwood project house to watch as the deck is covered with rubber and the hot tub is installed.
Carpenter Bob Ryley helps install a new porch railing and new screen doors. An underground sprinkler system is also installed.
Front porch restoration continues with the roof being replaced and new red cedar shingles being applied on the porch wall. Bob demonstrates the shingle weaving pr...
A new kind of rubber slate is applied to the roof, and the crew brings the spa down on a special plywood ramp, then carefully places it in the turret for installa...
A granite tub surround is installed, as well as an in-floor heating system and unique fiber optic lighting.
Bob meets with contractor Ed Weller to looks at details of the roof flashing. Various elements are involved in flashing, including the drip strip, fascia, felt, a...
Bob meets with stucco contractor Angelo Dattini, who walks Bob through the first steps of stucco application.
Bob meets with stucco contractor Angelo Dattini, who is mixing Rinker-brand stucco with Pompano sand in a wheelbarrow.
Bob joins contractor Ed Weller on the patio, where the crew from Agreda Brothers Tile and Marble is setting cement-based tile over sanded white thin-set mortar. W...
Bob and carpenter Cortney Lofton install clapboard siding on the front porch of the bungalow. In addition, they reinforce the gable to correct an existing sag, th...
Bob and contractor Cortney Lofton discuss the Indian slate tile being installed on the pool deck and back porch.
Bob meets with contractor Cortney Lofton, who is installing porcelain mosaic tiles with acrylic mastic over an existing bathroom mortar bed.
Bob confers with cabinetmaker Brian Comeaux. He is installing the kitchen cabinets that were custom-built in his shop to match a vintage cabinet found by the home...
Rope lights are installed in the ceiling of the living room. The ropes are cut to length, capped, and clipped into place. They are then covered with a stained gla...
Bob helps cabinetmaker Brian Comeaux custom-build a cabinet for the dining room.
Bob and carpenter Bob Ryley look at the corner of the house, where the sidewall has been removed to reveal the plywood and Douglas fir sheathing. Next, Bob helps ...
Bob and roofer Paul Morris begin mounting the skylight, by cutting a rough opening in the roof and laying a weather shield. Once the skylight is mounted and the f...
Bob meets with Bob Ryley and Al Worth to install a pair of Andersen mulled windows with a transom, as well as an interior window seat. Bob discusses the window it...
Bob joins carpenter Bob Ryley, who is putting sidewall shingles onto the exterior of the new addition.
Bob visits with Butch and Dennis LeDonne, who are using thin-set epoxy to install an aggregrate product from Rover Tile on the master bathroom floor.
Bob meets with restoration contractor Richard Marks, who explains the distinction between restoration and reconstruction. He and Bob also discuss the relocation o...
Bob observers the expert plasterer add detail to the cornice, which is under reconstruction due to water damage.
Bob meets with John Clancy who is applying "California" stucco inside the greenhouse. A tint is applied to the mix to match the interior, and a latex bonding mate...
Bob and contractor Bob Ryley build and install the stairs between the first and second story. Ryley explains the math involved in building a staircase and the pro...
Bob joins contractor Bob Ryley, who is installing a Velux skylight on a curb mount. Ryley describes the screws and mounting hardware used, and Bob demonstrates th...
Bob assists Michael Roach (from Marvin Windows) with installing a large setup of three windows on the gable end of the home.
Bob and the electrician look over the plastic-sheathed electrical wiring and discuss how to protect the installation, while still making it look good.
Contractor Rick Davenport demonstrates the installation of wet-spray cellulose insulation. Jets of water moisten the insulation as it leaves the blower hose nozzl...
Bob visits with plaster sub-contractor Mike Bennet, who is floating mortar bed walls in the shower space of the beach house bathroom.
Bob helps contractor Bob Ryley install a salvaged door on the side of the dream garage, which is undergoing construction.
Bob helps contractor Bob Ryley install a vinyl-clad Pella window awning with pre-assembled exterior trim.
Bob interviews drywall contractor Mark Richardson, as he hangs drywall inside a skylight and attaches the corner bead.
Bob helps contractor Bob Ryley cut and install stairs leading to the garage's storage area. After securing the framework and stringers, the two move on to adding ...
Bob and contractor Bob Ryley install a railing for the stairs to the upper floor.
Bob and Tom Moran (from Pella) discuss the anatomy of the doors chosen for the Martha's Vineyard Victorian project, and contractor Bob Ryley demonstrates the proc...
Bob remarks on how much progress has been made in one week of work on the Wayland project home. The footings have been established and the crew has begun building...
Demolition continues on the roof, as the crew removes the sheathing, rafters, and some of the ceiling joists.
Bob reviews the varous elements of the roof, including the fascia, soffits and sheathing. The shingles are applied in layers, each row adhering to the row beneath...
Bob helps contractor Bob Ryley plan and build a new staircase. Ryley explains the "rise over run" rule in designing stairs and measures the dimensions of the area.
A window is recycled during the remodeling process and placed back into the frame of the new addition. Bob explains the reason for recycling and assists with the ...
Bob joins the plumber as he installs a shower stall in the kids' bathroom. After drilling the drain hole, the plumber demonstrates how to properly attach a metal ...
Bob joins plastering contractor Bob Fragakis, who will install blueboard, then apply a skim coat of plaster over it. Fragakis explains the tools and materials use...
Floor tiles are installed in the bathroom after the underlayment has dried and chalk reference lines have been drawn. Tips on cutting and laying tile are given.
Contractor Larry Landers builds a trapdoor to enable access to the old bulkhead from outside. Sheet lead flashing and an ice-and-water barrier are used to waterpr...
Bob helps carpenter Bob Ryley and crew install a new box bay window, which will enlarge the dining space and enhance the interior atmosphere.
A country-style door, built by carpenter Bob Ryley in the workshop, is hung in the new entry of the Plymouth project house.
Bob has finished wiring the Colonial-style light fixture in the entryway and, back in the kitchen, the refrigerator ice maker is hooked up.
Bob helps the contractors work on building and installing new French doors.
Contractors Al and Steve Stiles set a new window on the back porch. Using a combination of stock and one custom windows, they demonstrate how to save money on mat...
Bob observes as gunite is poured over rebar to form the bottom and sides of the swimming pool cavity.
Bob interviews Larry Lelflar (from Bonita Drywall) as he and his team hang drywall on the ceiling, then apply the first coat of tape and compound.
Bob demonstrates how to fabricate off-site, and install on-site, wooden kitchen cabinet panels.
General contractor Ron Gan explains the advantages of metal wall studs, as the studs are cut and installed in the kitchen, complete with plywood backing plates fo...
Bob helps carpentry contractor Bob Ryley install the pre-hung front door, then visits Shepley Wood Products to see how the door was made.
Bob looks on as tile setter John Boardman applies bathroom floor tile at the Cape Cod project house.
Bob reviews progress on the renovation, both upstairs and down. Carpenter John Sheehan installs a new vinyl window, which is a challenge in a brick house where no...
General contractor Tim Berky is completing trim on the oriel window that faces onto the deck. He begins by covering the underboard with MDO (medium density overla...
Steve Powers (from Trikeenan Tileworks) explains the manufacture of their unique artisanal tiles, and the homeowner lays out her design vision. David Cloutman (fr...
Bob is joined by Jim Remick, of Nickerson-Remick insulation contractors, who tells Bob that closed-cell insulation is more and more in demand. Once rigid, the ins...
