Outdoor Home Improvement
After the demolition of the old walk, and the excavation for the new brick walk were completed, the next phase of the project included accommodating a drainage pipe from a downspout of the house that needed to cross under the walk, preparing the soil subbase, and installing the aggregate base. To recap from Phase I [...]
One of the classic details you can add to a traditional home’s home improvement project is period hardware. Period hardware manufactured today replicates the designs that were used at a particular time in architectural history. It includes outdoor hardware like door knobs and thumb latches, gate and door strap hinges, latches, door knockers and bells, [...]
The following scenario may sound very familiar to many dog owners. A large family dog is distracted by another dog or a person outside, and forgetting that there is a screen door between him and the distraction, goes flying through the screen ripping it beyond repair. This has happened to our brother and his wife’s [...]
A popular landscape feature with many homeowners is the application of large heavy natural stone slabs to create an outcropping effect. This type of feature can be used on a hill or bank with a gentle or rolling slope, where the large stone slabs are fitted, and tucked into the earth to appear as if [...]
It was ‘clean out day’ outside in our Mom’s garage recently. A local household hazardous waste drop-off event was coming up soon, and we wanted to take advantage of it, and get rid of a bunch of old household products. We had been eyeing various older items in the garage for a while, wanting to [...]
When beginning a new home improvement project, it can be both exciting and intimidating all at the same time. A homeowner can joyfully anticipate what will be a beautiful addition or renovation to the outdoors of their home. Over the next weeks we’ll spotlight the various phases of this outdoor home improvement project. The project [...]
My storm door was out of alignment. The top of the door was hitting the door frame which meant it was sagging and needed to be squared. Any door, whether a storm or screen door, an entry door, or an interior door, is suppose to be able to move freely within its door jamb. The [...]
What would cause areas of a beautiful dry-laid paver project to caved in or sink? We’ll give you the answer in a second. But we can’t tell you the number of homes we have seen where this occurred on the porch stoop and/or walks. Some of these porch floors had areas where the pavers were [...]
Several years ago, I was talking with an owner/contractor of a decorative stamped concrete company (lets call him Joe) about a callback he had regarding a concrete walk he installed for a homeowner. The following spring after the installation he received a call from the homeowner complaining that the stamped concrete walk did not stand [...]
Painting my aluminum storm door proved to be a worthwhile project. It gave the door an updated look, and, not having to buy a new storm door right now, was an added bonus. Even though the door is around 20 years old, overall, it is in good mechanical condition, despite having a few dings [...]
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