Home Improvement Basics
The Future of Solar-Powered Smart Homes
How rooftop solar, battery storage and smart home technology combine to deliver self-sufficient, efficient and responsive homes.
Home Improvement Basics
Kitchens, bathrooms, flooring, energy savings and the renovations that pay you back.
Home Improvement Basics
House Upgrades to Save Money On Energy
Practical home upgrades that cut energy consumption, from LED lighting and insulation to appliances, sealing and renewable energy.
Home Improvement Basics
Peel and Stick Flooring -What to Know
What peel and stick vinyl flooring offers in variety, durability and cost, plus a step-by-step method for installing it yourself.
Home Improvement Basics
Solar Hot Water Heaters 101
An introduction to solar water heating, covering direct, indirect, active and passive systems plus collectors, storage and backup heaters.
Home Improvement Basics
Should You Whitewash a Brick Fireplace?
Why whitewash beats paint for a tired brick fireplace, how to mix and apply limewash, and what it costs to maintain over time.
Home Improvement Basics
A Whole-House Air Purifier: Your Next Home Improvement?
How whole-house air purifiers work with your HVAC system, the health benefits they offer, and the filter types and ratings to compare.
Home Improvement Basics
Vinyl Tile Flooring Buying Guide
A guide to vinyl planks, sheets and tiles, including luxury options, and the click-lock, peel-and-stick and glue-down installation methods.
Home Improvement Basics
Groutable Vinyl Tiles
How groutable vinyl tiles work, their pros and cons, the tools you need and a step-by-step guide to installing them yourself.
Home Improvement Basics
Bathroom Remodel on a Budget
Budget-friendly ways to update a bathroom, including limiting tile, leaving plumbing in place, refacing cabinets and refinishing the tub.
Home Improvement Basics
The Best 3 Season Porch Ideas
What it costs to build a 3 season porch, how to choose the right space and finishes, and how to keep it usable through winter.
Home Improvement Basics
Kitchen Tile Shopping 101
How to budget for kitchen tile, pick the right material for floors, walls and backsplashes, and match tile to your lifestyle and cabinetry.
Home Improvement Basics
Renovations that Hurt Your Home Value
Eight popular upgrades - from removing closets to pools, carpeting and elaborate landscaping - that can lower rather than raise your home's resale value.
Home Improvement Basics
20 Common Habits of Energy-Efficient Homes
Twenty practical habits that cut household energy use, from auditing and insulating to smarter appliance, lighting and thermostat choices.
Home Improvement Basics
Know This Before You Start Your Kitchen Remodel
Plan a kitchen remodel that stays on budget by mapping details, measuring the layout, leaving major systems alone and preparing for surprises.
Home Improvement Basics
Most Important Kitchen Improvements
Eight high-impact kitchen updates, from refacing cabinets and replacing countertops to new backsplashes, flooring, islands and fixtures.
Home Improvement Basics
10 Easy Ways to Conserve the Environment & Help You Save Money
Ten low-cost ways to cut home energy use, from eliminating phantom loads and sealing air leaks to planting shade trees and conserving water.
Home Improvement Basics
10 Tips for an Eco-Friendly Home
Simple, low-cost ways to make a home greener, including energy audits, water saving, repurposing items and swapping harsh cleaners for natural alternatives.