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How Much Does It Cost to Replace a Septic Tank and Drain Field?
Highlights The average cost to replace a septic tank and drain field is $6,000, though homeowners could spend betwee...
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How to Install a Bidet Attachment
Toilet paper is a bathroom staple, but paper products aren’t cheap—and anything thicker than one-ply isn’t great for ...
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How to Install Butcher Block Countertops
Butcher block is essentially a type of wood construction that typically consists of solid wood strips that have been ...
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How to Install a Shade Sail
Shade sails have quickly become one of the most popular ways to create an open-air outdoor living space shaded from t...
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The Best Tub-to-Shower Conversion Kits of 2023
Tub-to-shower conversion kits can make a bathroom renovation easier and more affordable, simplifying switching out a ...
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The Best Tiles for Shower Walls of 2023
Finding the right tile for shower walls is primarily a matter of personal taste. However, it also involves understand...
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How to Install LED Light Strips
Many lighting projects might challenge the average DIYer, but learning how to install LED strip lights while avoiding...
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How to Dispose of Carpet Properly
Q: After 10 years, my carpet is worn out with matted and shredding fibers, stains, odors, and damaged padding. I am n...
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Solved! How Long Does Grout Take to Dry?
Q: The grout in my shower is cracking, so I’ve decided to remove it and apply new grout. I’m not sure how long I shou...
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5 Important Things to Know When Insulating Basement Walls
One of the most important steps to finishing a basement is installing basement wall insulation and basement ceiling i...
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How to Hang a Chair From the Ceiling Securely and Safely
Hanging chairs are a staple of retro and modern interior design aesthetics and common on traditional porches. They of...
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The Best Interior Doors
Whether it’s a new home build, a whole-house renovation, or simply matching a new door to the old door, choosing the ...
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How to Replace a Circuit Breaker
A home’s entire electrical system runs through one distribution hub: the electrical panel. The electrical panel, or b...
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The Best Fireplace Mantels
A fireplace brings warmth to any home, literally and figuratively. Fireplace mantels are both functional and ornament...
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10 Deck Skirting Ideas That Dress Up an Outdoor Space
There are many reasons to add skirting around your deck. It can help keep beams and other structural elements beneath...
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8 Important Things to Know Before Putting a Hot Tub on Your Deck
Installing a hot tub on a deck can certainly kick your outdoor living space up a notch. Adding this oasis for relaxat...
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The Best Underlayments for Vinyl Plank Flooring
Vinyl plank flooring is becoming increasingly popular for its ability to recreate the look of solid wood while being ...
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DIY Disasters: 9 Homeowner "Fixes" That Can Mess Up Your House
DIY projects can keep home maintenance costs low, but it’s important to only tackle jobs you have the knowledge, expe...
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How to Install Kitchen Cabinets Like a Pro
Learning how to install kitchen cabinets isn’t as difficult as it may seem. The most important part of installation i...
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The Best Sprinkler Valves
Despite the variety of options available, sprinkler valves serve one very simple purpose: They regulate water flow. S...
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How Much Does a Gas Fireplace Insert Cost to Install?
Highlights The typical range for installing a gas fireplace insert is $700 to $6,500 with a national average of $3,6...
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The Best Patio Doors of 2023
Patios, decks, backyards, and balconies are great spaces to enjoy the outdoors. And easy-to-use patio doors are ideal...
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How Much Does an Asphalt Driveway Cost?
Highlights The typical cost to install an asphalt driveway ranges from $3,116 to $7,195, with a national average of ...
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How Much Does Hardwood Flooring Cost?
Highlights Hardwood flooring typically costs between $2,481 and $7,026 to install, with homeowners across the countr...
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How To: Repair a Screen Door in 5 Easy Steps
I don’t mind the squirrels taking their turn at the bird feeder, but our dog seems to have developed a personal vende...
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Hydroseeding: Is it Right for Your Lawn?
The process of hydroseeding is garnering attention from homeowners who want a new approach to a beautiful lawn, espec...
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Installing a Pocket Door
What's true about fashion can be applied to interior design: If you wait long enough, the old styles come back in vog...
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The Best Laminate Underlayments of 2023
Laminate must be installed correctly on top of a quality underlayment, which is key to providing adequate support for...
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Single-Hung vs. Double-Hung Windows: What Is the Difference?
When it comes to picking out windows, there can be an overwhelming number of options in terms of style. But before yo...
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The Simple and Mess-Free Way to Install Tile
Considered a high-end upgrade—until now—installing tile has been the domain of professional tile setters, due in larg...
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1 Simple Upgrade for a (Much) Quieter Home
This content is paid advertising created in partnership with Indow.  Its facts and opinions are those of BobVila. com...
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6 Things to Know About DIY Cabinet Refacing
If a full-on kitchen renovation isn’t in the cards right now, you can still give your cook space an impressive new lo...
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How To: Install a Smoke Detector
Your home’s first line of defense against fires and smoke should be a trusty set of smoke detectors. These devices pi...
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How to Replace a Sprinkler Head on an In-Ground Sprinkler System
A working sprinkler head can be key to maintaining a healthy and well-watered landscape. Your lush lawn demands regul...
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5 Things to Know Before Installing a Pet Door
If you worry about your pet not being able to get outside to potty or exercise while you’re gone, or if you’re just w...
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6 Things to Know Before Installing Interior Trim
The trim installation stage of any interior project can be tremendously rewarding. Baseboard and crown molding can tu...
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5 Smart Tips for Soundproofing Windows
Whether it’s highway traffic, loud neighbors, or birds chirping, if you don’t have sound proof windows, some noise fr...
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8 Things All Homeowners Should Know About Window Flashing
During construction, a builder will take many precautions to protect a house from water damage. One of the most impor...
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8 Things to Know About Blown-In Insulation
Today’s building codes require a minimum amount of insulation in walls and attics, but older homes were often under-i...
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How To: Install Base Cabinets
One fundamental rule applies to the installation of just about anything: If you get the first piece right, the others...
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All You Need to Know About Shoe Molding
Paired with baseboard and stained or painted to match your trim, shoe molding (also known as “base shoe”) is a small,...
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5 Types of Plumbing Pipes You'll Find in Homes
This content has been brought to you by SupplyHouse. Its facts and opinions are those of BobVila. com. Plumbing has c...
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5 Ways to Find a Wall Stud Without Using a Stud Finder
We’ve all been in this situation: "Oh, I just need to find a wall stud so I can securely hang this picture/TV/floatin...
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Standard Door Size 101: Important Measurements All Homeowners Should Know
Door sizes in older homes are anything but standard, as houses that predate standardized manufacturing and local buil...
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6 Reasons for Installing Recessed Lighting Throughout the Home
Since the technology arrived in the 1930s, installing recessed lighting has become de rigueur in new construction and...
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What Would Bob Do? Hanging a Heavy Mirror
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 ...
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6 Ways High-Velocity HVAC Is Built to Help Save You Money
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...
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7 Places That Could Use More Insulation—And Why
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 ...
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6 Things to Know When Hanging Curtains
The right drapes or curtains can add a lot to your enjoyment of an interior space, as well as the room’s decor. Along...
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19 Wainscoting Ideas That Will Add Character to Your Home
Get inspired to add an elevated, custom touch to your home's interior with these charming wainscoting ideas.
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7 Things to Know Before You Wallpaper the Ceiling
Things are really looking up for ceilings, thanks to the impact wallpaper can add to a formerly neglected space. That...
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How Much Tile Do I Need? Solved!
Q: I plan on installing tile on my entryway floor and kitchen backsplash. How much tile do I need to buy in each case...
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How To: Paint Over Wallpaper
Looking to redo a wall that has been papered? If you weren't the one to put up the existing layer wallpaper, any numb...
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Solved! This Is How Long You Can Expect Your Roof to Last
Q: We recently bought a house and its roof is 15 years old. While the home inspector didn't find any specific problem...
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7 Things to Know Before Installing a Cement Tile Floor
Cement tile is taking the design world by storm, brightening up everything from bathroom floors to backsplashes with ...
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3 Ways It Pays to Get a New Garage Door
This content is paid advertising created in partnership with Clopay.  Its facts and opinions are those of BobVila. co...
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The Dos and Don’ts of Installing a Window Air Conditioning Unit
If sweltering days and nights without central air conditioning threaten your summertime comfort, consider putting a u...
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How to Grout Tile on Floors and Walls
Applying grout is the final step in laying or adhering tile. It’s a messy process but a satisfying one: Yes, grout gi...
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6 Things to Know Before Switching to a Smart Thermostat
In a era where convenience is king, it's no wonder that smart thermostats have been integrated into so many homes. Th...
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12 Reasons Hardwood Floors Might Not Be Right for Your Home
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....
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7 Tips for Measuring for Replacement Windows
Replacing old windows with new energy-efficient ones is a great way to weatherproof your home and boost its resale va...
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3 Reasons Why a Sealant Is the Key to Winter-Proofing This Year
Along with colorful falling leaves, tailgate parties, and family gatherings, autumn’s crisp air brings a reminder of ...
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7 Things to Know Before Putting Wood Flooring in the Kitchen
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...
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How to Use Drywall Anchors
So, you want to hang something heavier than an average photo frame from your drywall: Whether you’re putting in a scr...
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Solved! The Perfect Height for Towel Bars and Hooks
Q: I'll be remodeling my guest bathroom soon. What’s the best towel bar height? Does the same height apply to towel r...
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Read This Before You Install a Floating Tile Floor
Porcelain tiles are an all-time favorite for beautiful, durable floors, particularly in bathrooms and kitchens. But u...
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How a Frost-Free Faucet Can Save Homeowners Thousands of Dollars
From time to time, homeowners forget to shut off the water supply to an outdoor faucet when they're winter-proofing t...
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7 Things to Know Before Choosing Laminate Flooring
First introduced in the 1970s, laminate flooring is comprised of layers of synthetic material engineered to look like...
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9 Things to Know Before Buying and Installing Marble Flooring
Beautiful marble flooring started its journey into our homes as limestone. Millions of years of metamorphosis—intense...
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Solved! The Right Height for Wainscoting
Q: My husband and I are thinking about installing wainscoting ourselves in a few rooms of our house, but can’t agree ...
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7 Things to Consider Before Starting a Skylight Installation
Need a little extra light in your life? Consider installing a skylight above an interior room that’s low on natural l...
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The Dos and Don’ts of Finishing Basement Walls
With the cost of living space going up, many homeowners are looking down to expand their home’s square footage with a...
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All You Need to Know About the Driveway Apron
Most folks don’t give their home’s driveway apron a second thought unless they’re installing a new driveway or repair...
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The Dos and Don’ts of Taping Drywall
Professional drywall taping crews make it look so easy: They move quickly, slather compound on every joint and nail h...
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5 Things to Know Before Installing a Shower Drain
This article has been brought to you by SupplyHouse. com. Its facts and opinions are those of BobVila. com. Replacing...
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The Dos and Don’ts of Bathroom Ventilation
Your bathroom is the wettest room in your home. Steamy showers, flushing toilets, running sinks, and occasional drips...
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Solved! Why It's a Mistake to Mount a TV Above a Fireplace
Q: I’d like to hang a new 65-inch TV over the fireplace in our family room, but my partner’s afraid that heat from th...
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8 Things to Know Before Installing Recessed Lighting in Your Home
Unobtrusive illumination installed flush with the ceiling, recessed lighting can be found in virtually all types of h...
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How to Replace a Kitchen Faucet: Everything You Need to Know About Selecting and Installing a New Fixture
Has your old kitchen faucet seen better days? Whether yours is leaking water or is simply outdated, replacing a kitch...
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5 Things to Know Before Ripping Up Your Carpeting
Carpeting brings wall-to-wall softness and warmth to a room, both visually and physically. But over time, its attract...
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All You Need to Know About Beadboard Ceilings
Prominent in the trim aisles of home improvement stores and popular on home remodeling shows, beadboard offers a grea...
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All You Need to Know About Doorless Showers
If a bathroom makeover is at the top of your bucket list, and you’ve been poring over design websites for inspiration...
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How To: Wall Mount a Bike
For all of the benefits that come with regularly hitting the road on a bicycle (from a reduced carbon footprint to fe...
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7 Things to Know Before Tinting Home Windows
At war with home windows that are energy-inefficient, weak, or dated? Tinting home windows from the inside with an af...
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The Dos and Don'ts of Building Retaining Walls 
Reducing soil erosion, turning steep slopes into terraced backdrops, creating focal points in the landscape—retaining...
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Solved! How Well Wallpaper Works in a Bathroom
Q: My wife wants to hang wallpaper in our Jack-and-Jill bathroom. The walls could do with some eye candy, but how wel...
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5 Reasons to Replace Windows in the Summer
When summer arrives, remodeling and home improvement projects really pick up speed. The warmer temperatures and longe...
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Solved! Figuring Out the Correct Countertop Height for Your Renovation
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...
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5 Smart Ways to Use a Slab of Concrete
Concrete, that durable, go-to material for foundations and footings, also deserves a place in your home's yard—and we...
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The Fastest (and Most Foolproof) Way to Install Fence Posts
Good fences start with good foundations.  Installing fence posts in place with concrete is the best way to guarantee ...
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The Dos and Don’ts of Wet Sanding Drywall
When it comes to interior walls, drywall has a lot going for it. It’s inexpensive, fairly easy to install and repair,...
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Solved! How to Find the Correct Upper Cabinet Height
Q: We’re remodeling our kitchen and need to install upper cabinets that are low enough to comfortably reach the shelv...
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How to Install Shiplap
Homeowners can’t seem to get enough of the shiplap look! The on-trend design that mimics historic shiplap—the horizon...
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Solved! This is How High to Mount Your TV on the Wall
Q: I want to get my new TV off of its stand and up onto the wall. How high should I mount my TV? Do you have any advi...
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5 Reasons Not to Buy Replacement Windows (...and Go with Window Inserts Instead)
A homeowner's to-do list can seem endless, especially come spring. Paint the exterior. Mow the lawn (again and again ...
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What's the Difference? Plywood vs. OSB
Though building codes treat both materials equally as "structural panels," plywood and oriented strand board (OSB) ar...
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All You Need to Know About Walk-in Showers
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...
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What’s the Difference? Sanded vs. Unsanded Grout
Any homeowner undertaking a DIY tiling project will work with grout, a putty-like mixture that fills the space betwee...
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Solved! How High to Install a Light Switch
Q: Our screened-in porch is undergoing some updates, including the installation of overhead lights and addition of a ...
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Thinking About Installing Tongue and Groove Flooring? Here’s What You Need to Know
Plank flooring has come a long way from the frontier days when rough-hewn boards were nailed to floor joists, resulti...
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How To: Lay Artificial Grass
Artificial grass made its big debut at the Astro Dome in 1966—hence the term Astroturf—but it’s come a long way since...
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How To: Install a Bathroom Fan
Bathroom fans don’t have to sound like a jet engine to remove enough moist air to keep your bathroom mold- and odor-f...
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5 Things to Know Before Installing a Brick Backsplash
Once a purely practical feature to guard against everyday spills and splatters, brick backsplashes are now desirable ...
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All You Need to Know About Doorway Casing
The trim around a door frame—also known as doorway casing—is installed first and foremost to conceal unsightly constr...
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How to Install Blinds on Windows
To filter the light that enters your home and control your level of privacy, blinds are often a budget-friendly and s...
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How to Install a Doorbell
Ever since we’ve had doors, we’ve been reinventing ways to be alerted to a visitor’s arrival. Hefty iron knockers gav...
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So, You Want to... Reface Your Fireplace
You can repaint the walls, re-carpet the floor, and replace all outdated furniture, but leaving that eyesore of an ol...
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How to Mix Grout
Grout—the filler between tiles—tends to be an afterthought. But homeowners have reason to prioritize this DIY job: Wh...
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How to Install a Shower Pan
In cramped bathing quarters that rely on a walk-in shower instead of a full-size bathtub, the shower pan can be an un...
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How to Install a Range Hood
Whether integrated underneath the cabinets or suspended over a kitchen island, the range hood is the unsung hero in t...
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So, You Want to... Install a Screen Door
Breezes in, bugs out—functionally speaking, the screen door hasn’t changed much in the past hundred years or so. Diff...
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The Dos and Don’ts of Setting a Fence Post
It's a bona fide do-it-yourself classic: Every summer without fail, legions of homeowners grab their toolbox and head...
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How To: Install a Toilet Seat
Sure, there are plenty of intimidatingly complex bathroom repairs for which you would be wise to hire a plumber. This...
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How To: Replace a Light Switch
Thanks to the simplicity of their design and function, light switches seem to last pretty much forever despite daily ...
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How To: Install Carpeting on Stairs
Showcase the beauty of wood stairs without sacrificing the comfort of carpet with this clever compromise: a carpet ru...
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7 Signs Your House Needs New Siding
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...
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Bob Vila Radio: Removing the Knockouts in Electrical Boxes
Knockouts are partially stamped, quarter-size openings in the electrical boxes that service such things as outlets an...
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How To: Pour a Concrete Patio
Whether rectangular or curvy in design, next to the home or freestanding in the yard, a concrete patio establishes ne...
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How To: Install Chair Rail Molding
Sometimes the simplest updates make the most impact in a room—and chair rail molding is no exception. More than an ea...
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So, You Want to... Install Wainscoting
The term "wainscoting" refers to any type of paneling that covers the lower portion—usually the lower third—of an int...
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How To: Measure for Window Blinds
As challenging as it may have been to settle on blinds, not curtains, you're not quite finished yet. On the contrary....
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So, You Want to... Install Recessed Lighting
Recessed lighting has been around since the 1930s, and even though its popularity seems to have waned in recent years...
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How to Install a Dishwasher
Installing a dishwasher may seem daunting, but with the right instructions and a little care, it can be a rewarding D...
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How to Wire an Outlet
Simply put, electrical work is dangerous. If you're contemplating a project that requires any complexity or sophistic...
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So, You Want to... Insulate the Attic
Are you getting the sense that your heating and cooling costs are going through the roof? You might be absolutely rig...
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How To: Weatherstrip a Door the Right Way
Door drafts can be a cause of real discomfort. Besides the immediate unpleasantness of a chilly gust invading the war...
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Fill the Awkward Gap in Your Kitchen with a Pullout Organizer
In nearly every kitchen remodel that involves cabinets of standard dimensions, you're left with at least one gap betw...
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How To: Install Click Flooring
Over the last decade, engineered wood flooring has developed by leaps and bounds, making it more affordable than ever...
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How to Install a Deadbolt Lock
Automated security systems are nice to have, but the easiest and least expensive way to improve the security of home ...
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How To: Apply Epoxy Floor Paint
You lavish attention on the bedroom and living room, bathroom and kitchen, but what about the unsung hero of many smo...
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How To: Hang Picture Frames on a Brick Wall
Although exposed brick offers a warm, appealing aesthetic redolent of history, many homeowners are puzzled by the que...
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How to Install a Window Air Conditioner
For homeowners and renters who don’t want the bother (or expense) of installing a central air conditioning system, wi...
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How to Install a Medicine Cabinet
Add storage to your bathroom—and in the process, give the space a jolt of fresh style—by installing a medicine cabine...
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How to Hang a Hammock
Laying in a hammock is the epitome of summertime relaxation. Getting the hammock set up, on the other hand, can be a ...
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How to Install a Screen Door
Q: I'm going to install a new screen door. Any advice or time-saving suggestions on how to go about it?A: It's relati...
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What Would Bob Do? Installing a Drop Ceiling
I'm interested in installing a drop ceiling in my basement rec room. Do you have any helpful hints for a do-it-yourse...
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What Would Bob Do? Polishing a Concrete Floor
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...
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How To: Hang Shelves
At some point in life, everyone wants or needs to hang shelves. Whether simple 2x4s or part of a store-bought kit, sh...
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How To: Install an Exposed Aggregate Concrete Finish
 Here's a way to create a decorative textured finish for a cement surface. Once your cement is poured and flowed out,...
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How to Install a Prehung Door
Installing a prehung door tends to be easier and more straightforward than hanging a door that isn’t prehung. While d...
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How To: Cut Vinyl Flooring
It's easier to cut vinyl flooring to the exact shape and size of your room when you make a template first. Staple she...
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How To: Scribe Tile
 Here's how to scribe a floor tile to fit around an uneven edge. Set the closest full tile in place, then use another...
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How To: Install a Dryer Vent
Developed in 19th-century England, the first mechanized clothes dryers were perforated barrels that rotated over flam...
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How To: Remove and Replace Grout
Several years after you complete a bathroom or kitchen renovation, it inevitably starts to show some wear. One culpri...
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How to Install a Vinyl Window
Learning how to install a vinyl window is something most DIYers can do, and it can save them a lot of money. For star...
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How to Shim a Door
Shimming a door frame is a skill anyone planning to install a new door into a rough opening should know. When carpent...
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How to Tile a Bathroom Wall
When it comes to durable bathroom materials, few surpass the utility and great looks of tile. While tiles are frequen...
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How to Mount a TV on the Wall
While mounting a TV to a wall isn’t a complicated job, doing it the wrong way carries pretty significant consequences...
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How To: Install a Toilet
 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...
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Planning Guide: Fireplaces
Is there anything better than sitting beside the fireplace on a chilly winter eve? Not only does a fireplace provide ...
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How To: Measure Concrete
 If you're pouring a concrete foundation, how do you figure out how much concrete you'll need? There's a pretty simpl...
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What Would Bob Do? Cutting Drywall
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...
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Quick Tip: Installing Crown Molding
 You can dress up a room by installing crown molding along the ceiling. Here are some tips to keep in mind. Always pl...
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Quick Tip: Sawdust Grout
 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...
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How To: Install Carpet and Transform Your Living Space
Love it or hate it, there are at least a few good reasons that homeowners choose carpeting. For one, it absorbs the s...
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How To: Install a Wood Block Floor
 For a very unusual floor finish, you might want to try wood blocks.  Lay out your floor the way you would any cerami...
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How to Replace a Toilet Seat in Less Than 30 Minutes
Although a porcelain throne can last at least 15 years, the seat attached to it typically does not. The average toile...
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How to Install Beadboard
Beadboard is a type of wood paneling that has raised half-round vertical beads milled between flat lengths of board. ...
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How to Install Shutters
While giving the exterior of your home a new paint job or fresh siding may not be in the budget, one affordable optio...
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How to Install a Thermostat
According to the U. S. Department of Energy, using a programmable thermostat can help you save about 10 percent on yo...
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How To: Install Shower Valve Trim
A fast and easy way to freshen the look of your shower is to install new shower valve trim. If your trim resembles mi...
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How To: Install an Underground Sprinkler System
Lawn care can be especially demanding these days, with wacky weather throwing homeowners around the country for a loo...
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How To: Install a Shower Head
Installing a new shower head is not quite as easy as changing a light bulb, but almost. [resource-list]Step 1As you b...
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Planning Guide: Patios
Patio. The word itself calls to mind an image of splendid sun-drenched days spent sipping chilled drinks under the we...
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How to Install Laminate Flooring
Laminate flooring enables homeowners to get the look of wood for less, and it’s easy to install. In fact, tongue-and-...
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How to Tile a Backsplash
A tile backsplash adds color, personality, and function to a kitchen. Here’s how to install this relatively easy upgr...
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All About Skim Coat Plastering
Traditional plastering consists of three separate coats of plaster. The first two, called the brown and scratch coats...
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8 Tiling Tools Every DIYer Should Know
For many years, installing hard tile was regarded as arcane. It was a specialized vocation best left to the gifted fe...
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How To: Solder Copper Pipe Fittings
Connections are made between sections of iron pipe using threaded fittings. The walls of copper pipe, however, are to...
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Top Tips for Installing Drywall
You've probably hung some 'rock over the years, either at home or helping a friend refur­bish a room. So you probably...
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How To: Rebuild a Wall with Three-Coat Plaster
On the Manhattan Brownstone project, Bob, Chris Vila, and architect Brian O’Keefe discovered an intact ceiling cornic...
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Top Tips for Installing a New Door
Most homeowners are installing a new door to replace an old door that’s been damaged or cut short to fit existing flo...
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Impact-Resistant Windows Installation
Hurricane winds deliver force to building exteriors and elements. It is by far the debris these winds carry that most...
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The Basics of Installing Base Cabinets in the Kitchen
Installing base cabinets is a process that follows the basic rules of carpentry — the final results should be straigh...
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How to DIY a Mosaic with Broken Tiles
Have you ever been in a cafe or restaurant and admired the mosaic tile on the tabletops or walls? Well, it's not that...
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How to Install Tile the Right Way
Successful tile jobs are a direct result of good planning and a methodical approach. Double check every step; measure...
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How To: Replace a Tub Spout
A tub spout does two things: It provides a decorative cover for the pipe stub delivering water to the bathtub, and it...
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How To: Replace a Ceiling Light Fixture
Let’s face it: Many homes today feature inadequate, poorly positioned, and sometimes plain-old ugly light fixtures. B...
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How To: Build a Brick Patio
Of all the materials suitable for use in patio construction, brick stands out for its beauty and ease of installation...
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How to Install Baseboard Trim
Installing new trim should be easy, right? Just measure the boards, cut the miters, and nail the trim in place. Well,...
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How to Install a Storm Door
Installing a storm door might seem like a daunting, time-consuming task, but advances in manufacturing and design hav...
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How To: Install a Stone Walkway
There’s a lot to recommend a bluestone walkway. The natural colors and textures look great in almost any setting. Mai...
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Top Tips for Installing Tongue-and-Groove Paneling
Install wood paneling in any room to inject architectural detail, warmth, and character into your home. Traditionally...
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How to Install Vinyl Plank Flooring
Many homeowners look down upon vinyl plank flooring because they equate it with the same stuff that you could buy at ...
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How to Install Bifold Doors
Sliding closet doors are a common installation in American homes, but that doesn’t necessarily mean they’re the best ...
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Easy-Care Entryway: Replacing Carpet with Tile
You never know why a previous homeowner made the decorating decisions they did, but sometimes you just have to scratc...
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How To: Install Floating Shelves
Before hanging anything, it’s important to find out what your wall is made of. Ideally, you should attach floating sh...
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How To: Install Landscape Edging to Boost Your Curb Appeal
The Best Way to Install Landscape EdgingAn easy, impactful way to refresh a tired planting bed or path is to install ...
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How To: Replace an Outdoor Wall Sconce
Updating the entrance to your home is a relatively easy thing to do. Add a pop of color by painting the front door in...
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How To: Lay a Stone Garden Path
A stepping stone path is easier to create than a full-blown walkway and lends charm and practicality to your yard. YO...
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How to Install a Ceiling Fan in 7 Simple Steps
A ceiling fan can cut energy costs all year round. It helps circulate cool air in the warm summer months, but it can ...
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How to Build Stairs
Want to know how to build stairs? In many ways, the task of laying out a staircase resembles that of rafter layout. T...
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Quick Tip: Bathtub Installation
The bathtub has become a dominant consideration when it comes to designing a bathroom. Before shopping for a bathtub,...
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How to Install a Kitchen Sink in 10 Easy Steps
Installing a new kitchen sink is an excellent way to update the look of an outdated kitchen. While so many elements i...
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How To: Work with Plastic Pipe
Plastic pipe (commonly referred to as PVC) requires a mini­mum of tools and experience. If you can use a tape measure...
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How To: Install a Dimmer Switch
I like mood lighting as much as anyone, particularly first thing in the morning when the full blast of light from a 1...
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How to Install a Light Fixture
While any projects having to do with electricity are not to be taken lightly, installing a light fixture is a task ma...
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How to Install a Garbage Disposal
When your garbage disposal starts making odd noises or stops working altogether, it probably means it’s time to repla...
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How to Install a Faucet
If “replace kitchen faucet” is on your to-do list, you’ll be glad to know that changing or installing a new faucet is...
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How To: Finish Drywall Joints
Most of the time finishing drywall joints isn't one of those jobs that has people jumping up and down with excitement...
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A Step-by-Step Solution: Pre-Cut Treads and Risers
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...
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How To: Install Door Hardware
As a person who has recently upgraded from living in a garage to living in a half-constructed house, the novelty of h...
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New Insulated Garage Doors
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...
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Installing Sound Attenuation Insulation
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...
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Master Bathroom Tub, Tile, and Low-Flow Toilet Installation
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...
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Installing Insulated Windows in the Baby's Nursery
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-...
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Finishing Touch: Installing a Vintage Tub in a Child's Bathroom
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...
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Tour of the Finished Nursery and Master Bathroom
A peaceful nursery and childproofed home await the baby, and an elegant new master bath and powder room greet family and guests.
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Finishing Touches: Childproofing a Kitchen and Stairs and Completing the Nursery
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...
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Installing a Fabric Sound-Absorbing Ceiling
Sound attenuating insulation is added to the nursery to reduce the echo effect of noise.
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Installing a Marvin Palladian Window
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...
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Adding a Third-Floor Dormer to the Roof
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.
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Installing Tumbled Marble Tile in the Shower
Tile is installed in the master bathroom’s shower area. A flashback reviews the waterproofing work that was done to prevent leaks.
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Reviewing the Landscaping Plans
Landscaping architects Rick and Nancy Lamb present their ideas to Bob for converting the landscape and creating urban spaces.
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Installing Wall Paneling in the Entranceway and Visiting the Completed Tiled Shower
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...
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Repairing Plaster and Installing Ceramic Shower Tiles
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...
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Applying a Veneer Coat of Plaster over Blueboard
Bob interviews Carlos Londono, a plastering contractor, who demonstrates how to apply a veneer coat of plaster over blue board.
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Installing Blinds and Window Shades
Blinds for the new patio door are installed, as well as a variety of blinds and shades in other rooms throughout the house.
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Installing New, Strong Shutters With an Old-Style Look
Carpenters install new prepainted shutters made from synthetic materials, with old-fashioned hinges and hardware.
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Creating a Lattice-Top Gate and Converting a Mudroom to a Pantry
The backyard is enhanced with a lattice-top gate, and a mudroom is converted into a kitchen pantry to provide storage space.
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Replacing the Gutters, Trimming a Tree, and Creating a Low-Maintenance Front Yard
Old gutters are replaced and external landscaping continues with the trimming of a tree, installing a front garden, and creating steps from recycled granite.
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Basement Remodeling Update and Installing Subfloor to Prevent Water Damage
Bob discusses the installation of a plastic subfloor to prevent water damage and the selection of a basement dehumidifier.
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Removing the Concrete Wall Forms and Planning the Plaster Finish
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.
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Mixing Plaster and Installing the Skylight
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 ...
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Installing Hardwood Flooring
Bob watches as flooring specialists put in red rosin paper as underlayment before installing Ash hardwood floors in the penthouse apartment.
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Installing a Marble Tile Floor
Bob talks to Nick Tagios, of Tagios Tile and Marble, who's laying down the marble tile bathroom floor using a traditional installation technique.
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Marble Kitchen Countertop Installation
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...
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Demolition Review and Shower Installation
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...
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Mounting Overhead Cabinets
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...
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Installing Cork Floors
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...
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Installing Quartz Kitchen Countertops
Bob looks on as workers instal a solid-surface countertop called Zodiaq (from Dupont), which is made of natural silica, quartz, and polymer.
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Direct-Vent Fireplace Installation
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.
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Elm Court's Grand Parlor
Bob joins Sonya and Bob Berle, owners of Elm Court, for a tour of the ornate grand parlor.
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Building a Pitched Roof
Bob reviews the construction of the pitched roof, from the framing to the shingling.
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Running HVAC Ductwork, Part 1
Bob meets with Peter Merianos and the crew from Coastal Heating and Air Conditioning, who are fabricating the AC ductwork on site.
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Running HVAC Ductwork, Part 2
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...
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Laying Down a Cobblestone Driveway Apron
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.
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Hanging an Engineered Wood Six-Panel Door
Carpenter Bob Ryley and Jim Daniels (of Woodport Interior Doors) join Bob to hang a new door in the master bathroom.
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Shimming, Centering, and Hanging a Door
Carpenter Bob Ryley hangs a engineered wood door.
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Building Wooden Stairs in the Front Hall
Interior carpenter John Kiley is building the staircase in the front hall.
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Building Wooden Stairs in the Front Hall Continued
Interior carpenter John Kiley continues to build the staircase in the front hall of the modern Colonial.
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French Doors and Weep Holes on the Balcony and Installing Oversized Double-Hung Windows on a Historic Property
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,...
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Installing the Pre-Cut Paneling System
Bob meets Jason Hill from New England Classic as their ready-measured and pre-cut paneling system is installed in the Manhattan Brownstone.
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Choosing a Historically Appropriate Door and Creating the Jambs and Hanging a Door
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...
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Steel Bulkhead, Cedar Siding and Metal Flashing, and Standing Seam Steel Roof Installation
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...
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Installing a Therma-Tru Pre-Hung Door
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.
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LeafGuard Gutters Installed
Bill Powers of GutterPro joins Bob at the Mashpee, Massachusetts, affordable home sites for the installation of their LeafGuard gutters.
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Pre-Hung Affordable Doors and Installing Pre-Primed Wood Molding
Bob points out that one huge aspect of affordability is doors, windows, and trim stock.
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Building the Foyer Staircase
Bob visits with carpenter Mark Fortunati, who is building a traditional-looking staircase in the foyer.
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Installing Solid Maple Kitchen Cabinets
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.
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Installing a Pedestal Sink
Mario Taormina of N. Pagano Plumbing installs the Totl pedestal sink in the bathroom of the Manhattan Brownstone.
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Relocating the Front Door
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.
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Installing Architectural Shingles and Skylight
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...
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Skylight and Gable Window Installation
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 ...
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Installing Standing-Seam Copper Roofing
Bob Fulmer (from Harraseeket Restoration, Inc.) joins Bob on the roof of the breezeway to install a double-lock standing seam copper roof.
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Installing Drywall with Wallboard and Taped Joints
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 ...
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Replacing the Barn Door
Workers replace the old barn doors with an oversized Ponderosa Pine door (from KML Industries in Canada).
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Installing the White Oak Flooring
Bob and Tim Colgan (from Kahrs) discuss the white oak flooring being installed in the bedroom.
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Installing the Tongue-and-Groove Plywood Subfloor System
Bob talks with carpenter Bob Ryley and general contractor Kevin Kalman, as they lay down the subflooring.
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Roof Sheathing
Bob discusses the advantages of hazard-resistant building techniques, specifically sheathing the roof, with Bryan Readling (from the APA).
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Preparing a Shower Pan for Tumbled Stone Tile Installation
Bob observes the tile setter Tim Galvin build a shower pan.
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Installing Stair Handrails and Balusters
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 ...
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Hanging Double Doors
Carpenters Bob Ryley and Mike Smith hang double doors at the entrance to the private family living quarters of the Virginia governor's mansion.
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Building and Installing Cabinets
Bob confers with carpenters Bob Ryley and David Ives, as they construct and install cabinets in the loft conversion unit.
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Hanging Blueboard and Installing Corner Beads
Bob interviews Brian Dauphinee, who's hanging blue board, installing corner bead, and applying the scratch coat of plaster.
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Mounting Plantation Shutters
Carpenter Bob Ryley installs plantation shutters against a bedroom wall.
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Asphalt Roof Shingles Installation
Roofing contractor Jack Viera demonstrates installing three-tab asphalt roof shingles.
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Digging the Water Trench and Installing Insulation
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...
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Installing Steel Stair Stringers for the Bulkhead
Installer Juan Gonsalves shows Bob how to install steel stair stringers.
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Installing a Reclaimed Pine Floor
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...
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Hot Tub Installation
Bob drops by the third Elmwood project house to watch as the deck is covered with rubber and the hot tub is installed.
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Porch Railing and Screen Door Installation
Carpenter Bob Ryley helps install a new porch railing and new screen doors. An underground sprinkler system is also installed.
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Weaving Cedar Shingles and Prepping Damaged Wood Trim for Painting
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...
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TPO Rubber Slate Roof Installed on Victorian-Style Roof
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...
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Installing a Granite Tub Surround, In-Floor Heat, and Fiber-Optic Lighting
A granite tub surround is installed, as well as an in-floor heating system and unique fiber optic lighting.
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Roof Flashing
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...
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Applying Stucco
Bob meets with stucco contractor Angelo Dattini, who walks Bob through the first steps of stucco application.
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Mixing Stucco
Bob meets with stucco contractor Angelo Dattini, who is mixing Rinker-brand stucco with Pompano sand in a wheelbarrow.
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Tiling the Patio
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...
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Installing Clapboard Siding on the Front Porch
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...
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Installing Indian Slate Tiles on Back Porch and Pool Deck
Bob and contractor Cortney Lofton discuss the Indian slate tile being installed on the pool deck and back porch.
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Installing Porcelain Mosaic Tile in the Bathroom
Bob meets with contractor Cortney Lofton, who is installing porcelain mosaic tiles with acrylic mastic over an existing bathroom mortar bed.
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Custom-Made Kitchen Cabinets
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...
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Installing Rope Lights
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...
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Custom-Building a Cabinet
Bob helps cabinetmaker Brian Comeaux custom-build a cabinet for the dining room.
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Removing and Relocating Windows
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 ...
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Mounting a Skylight and Laying Asphalt Shingles
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...
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Installing a Mulled Window
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...
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Shingle Siding
Bob joins carpenter Bob Ryley, who is putting sidewall shingles onto the exterior of the new addition.
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Bathroom Floor Installation
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.
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Federal-Style Home Restoration Update
Bob meets with restoration contractor Richard Marks, who explains the distinction between restoration and reconstruction. He and Bob also discuss the relocation o...
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Adding Detail to the Plaster Cornice
Bob observers the expert plasterer add detail to the cornice, which is under reconstruction due to water damage.
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Stucco Walls
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...
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Installing a Bluestone Floor
Bob discusses the bluestone floor being installed in the greenhouse.
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Building the Staircase
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...
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Skylight Installation
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...
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Installing a Large Window
Bob assists Michael Roach (from Marvin Windows) with installing a large setup of three windows on the gable end of the home.
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Wiring the Cabin
Bob and the electrician look over the plastic-sheathed electrical wiring and discuss how to protect the installation, while still making it look good.
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Cellulose Insulation Installation
Contractor Rick Davenport demonstrates the installation of wet-spray cellulose insulation. Jets of water moisten the insulation as it leaves the blower hose nozzl...
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Applying Mortar Scratch Coat for Shower Wall Tiles
Bob visits with plaster sub-contractor Mike Bennet, who is floating mortar bed walls in the shower space of the beach house bathroom.
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Installing a Salvaged Door
Bob helps contractor Bob Ryley install a salvaged door on the side of the dream garage, which is undergoing construction.
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Vinyl Window Installation
Bob helps contractor Bob Ryley install a vinyl-clad Pella window awning with pre-assembled exterior trim.
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Hanging Drywall Inside the Skylight
Bob interviews drywall contractor Mark Richardson, as he hangs drywall inside a skylight and attaches the corner bead.
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Building Wooden Stairs
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 ...
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Stair Rail Construction
Bob and contractor Bob Ryley install a railing for the stairs to the upper floor.
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Installing Pella Doors and Windows
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...
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Home Addition and Construction Timeline
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...
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Roof Removal
Demolition continues on the roof, as the crew removes the sheathing, rafters, and some of the ceiling joists.
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Installing Roof Shingles
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...
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Building Basement Stairs
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.
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Picture Window Installation
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 ...
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Shower Stall Installation
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 ...
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Exterior Door Installation
Bob helps contractor Bob Ryley install the exterior kitchen door.
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Blueboard and Plaster
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...
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Laying Glazed Ceramic Floor Tiles
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.
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Constructing a Custom-Recessed Bulkhead Door
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...
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Installing a Box Bay Window
Bob helps carpenter Bob Ryley and crew install a new box bay window, which will enlarge the dining space and enhance the interior atmosphere.
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Building and Hanging the Country-Style Door
A country-style door, built by carpenter Bob Ryley in the workshop, is hung in the new entry of the Plymouth project house.
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Hooking Up the Refrigerator Ice Maker
Bob has finished wiring the Colonial-style light fixture in the entryway and, back in the kitchen, the refrigerator ice maker is hooked up.
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Installing New French Doors
Bob helps the contractors work on building and installing new French doors.
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Replacing Windows at Low-Cost
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...
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Gunite Cement in Swimming Pool Construction
Bob observes as gunite is poured over rebar to form the bottom and sides of the swimming pool cavity.
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Hanging Ceiling Drywall
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.
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Installing Kitchen Cabinet Panels
Bob demonstrates how to fabricate off-site, and install on-site, wooden kitchen cabinet panels.
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Setting Tiles
Bob meets with a tile setter to learn about the installation of tiles in the kitchen.
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Using Metal Wall Studs in the Kitchen
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...
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Installing a Pre-Hung Front Door
Bob helps carpentry contractor Bob Ryley install the pre-hung front door, then visits Shepley Wood Products to see how the door was made.
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Installing the Septic System
John Aalto talks Bob through the installation of the septic system.
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Applying Bathroom Floor Tile
Bob looks on as tile setter John Boardman applies bathroom floor tile at the Cape Cod project house.
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Installation of Window
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...
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Completing the Trim on the Oriel Window
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...
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Installing Artisanal Tile
Steve Powers (from Trikeenan Tileworks) explains the manufacture of their unique artisanal tiles, and the homeowner lays out her design vision. David Cloutman (fr...
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Spraying In Closed-Cell Insulation
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...
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