Home Improvement

Granite countertops are popular for their natural beauty and durability. As a result, granite countertops are very common in homes built in the past ten years or so. However, as attractive as they can be, maintenance is required to keep them shiny and clean. Care for granite countertops is often thought of as being time-consuming and difficult, but that isn’t always the case if you are smart about things. If you want to keep your granite countertops looking glossy and brand new for decades, here's some tips to make things easier.

For the past decade while living in California, I knew my indoor air quality was bad since we never closed our windows and that meant dust and soot came in... but was never going to leave. We used everything from duct taping filters to window fans to professional air purifiers to try to pull stuff out of the air where we could. That worked somewhat but I have really no idea how bad the situation actually was or what the ultimate impact of our efforts was... aside from being "better" based on the particles we collected.

Now that I'm living in a house with a central AC system though I'm actually more concerned since large particles (easily collected by the intake filter on our AC system) are taken care of - but smaller ones that you don't notice are almost certainly in the air. That's why I was excited to test out the Sensibo Elements Indoor Air Quality Monitor that the company sent over.

Regardless of the time of year, you want your home to be the light, airy, breezy house that everyone envies. We’re talking white walls, pale furniture and tons of natural light pouring through the windows. A light and airy home is inviting, it’s beautiful, it’s valuable and - most of all - it’s one which you can feel proud to live in.

Remodeling your home is a major time commitment and effort but it can dramatically improve your home value as well as comfort and convenience. That's why you want to make sure you get everything done right along the way.

Often when we think about taking on a project around the house it is to improve our yard, save money, or add value and convenience to the house itself. Most of us don't consider ways that we can help protect the environment or make things more efficient - unless that project is designed to save lots of money. Here's four home improvement projects that you can do that will also improve the environment around you and dare I say it... help you go green!

A large DIY project requires various steps, and missing just one can be a nightmare. Preparation is everything for a complex job that requires more than a hammer and a few nails. A full decor project or renovation needs planning and an emphasis on health and safety.

You might not think of the bathroom as a place to make technological advances, but it can be. For example, this blog post will show you 8 techy upgrades that you can make to your bathroom so that it is more awesome, more comfortable and more technologically advanced!

Spray painting uPVC windows is the most efficient way to give your house more curb appeal, and it also provides the best finish because there are no brush marks or obvious brush stroke in the finished uPVC window frames once painted.

As temperatures warm and we begin shedding winter coats, now is an opportune moment for house inspection and preparation for summertime activities. Just as one would prepare their car before traveling on an important road trip, making sure your house meets today's standards will ensure an enjoyable summer ahead. Here are a few suggestions to get ready for this year's outdoor adventures.

Indoor air quality isn’t something we usually think about but this year I’ve been living in my father-in-law’s house and working to get it healthier for his ultimate return from spending several months in the hospital due to pneumonia and associated breathing issues from COPD. Unfortunately his house is older and windows have been painted shut over the years. While we can install air filters to remove particulate matter, one challenge we had was simply understanding the actual air quality in his house - and specifically CO₂, that we were facing. With the INKBIRD IAM-T1 Smart Indoor Air Quality Monitor, we’ve been able to discover some surprising things about the house that we didn’t expect.

Almost everyone has at least some mold in their home. Even though not all types of it are dangerous or toxic, they still present a health risk. The people that are affected the most typically suffer from allergies or asthma. Most of the time, distinguishing between their types is impossible without the help of a lab. But, of all of them, black mold is the most toxic and dangerous, and it should be removed as fast as possible.

The importance of going green and doing more for the planet is no secret. You only need to turn on the TV and you will come across a number of news bulletins and documentaries regarding the damage we are doing to the environment. It can seem like it is impossible to have a positive impact, however. You are only one person, and the task seems like a mammoth one. Nonetheless, if every individual commits to making small and simple changes, the difference will be substantial. It doesn’t have to cost you much money (in fact, it can save you some), and it doesn’t need to involve a considerable effort on your part. With that in mind, let’s take a look at some of the ways you can green your routine and do more for the planet.

We are all familiar with country clubs and yacht clubs... people purchase property and memberships there because they are passionate about a sport such as golf or sailing. However, there's way more options than just those two hobbies. Over the past few months I've had the chance to check out a few different examples of this including fly-in resorts just for pilots, country clubs for sports car fans, and then of course there's buying your very own slice of heaven to go fishing or hunting on. Whatever your passion, there's probably an option out there that's perfect for you!

Potential buyers face various considerations when choosing between a new-construction home and a used property in the suburbs, such as customization options, energy efficiency, maintenance needs, and cost. This article comprehensively compares the two, focusing on key differences that impact long-term satisfaction and financial feasibility. Whether you're interested in the tailor-made features of new homes or the established charm and quicker move-in potential of used homes, this guide provides the essential insights needed to make an informed decision tailored to your suburban home-buying goals.

Xiaomi is one of the most exciting Chinese electronics manufacturing companies that most Americans have never heard of. In Asia they have built a massive customer base because of their attention to detail, innovative designs, and by listening to their customer feedback so that "customers" are more than just purchasers. Instead, in many cases the customer feedback actually helps direct product development and what features to include in future products. Now, with the introduction next month of the Roidmi Eve Plus, we're excited to see what they have in store for us.

So you've just bought a home at auction and now you're faced with the daunting task of fixing it up quickly so it can be rented out as an investment property. Don't worry, we're here to help! In this blog post, we will examine some tips that will help you get your new home ready for tenants in no time. Keep reading to learn more!

Weekends are a perfect time to tackle some home improvement projects. However, while you may
know that you want to improve your home in some way, you’re not entirely sure where to start. Luckily,
there are plenty of simple projects that you can tackle in a single weekend that will leave you feeling
satisfied with your progress once Sunday night arrives. Below are some suggestions to get you started.

So you've got your eyes set on a new vacation home or maybe you are considering building a beach house in North Carolina but you are from another state. The laws and regulations regarding general contractor licenses is something that you owe it to yourself to spend a few minutes exploring. Quite frankly, I didn't do that when we moved to Michigan and while things worked out... I got lucky. You might not have the same experience as we did!

You know how it is; the list of DIY jobs never fades. Instead, there seems to be a new project every weekend. Whether it’s converting the garage or installing new lights; you can be sure there’s always something. So, it should come as no surprise that many of us rush into projects in attempts to get them over with. On the weekend, we might attempt to start and finish something on Saturday so we can unwind on Sunday. However, we should never forget the saying, "Measure Twice... Cut Once!" It's as true today as it was when your grandfather told it to your father, so don't forget it.

Garages are wonderful things. So much so that they’re a non-negotiable addition on many a home buyer’s list. Not only do they provide private protected parking, but they also give you the option to expand your living space or even just simply store "stuff". In an age where we’re growing out of our homes like there’s no tomorrow, that’s a sure plus. Unfortunately for those of you who might be looking at that space out back that hasn't been used in ages... watch out! There may be some unexpected surprises waiting for you in there...