How home design trends are evolving for social distancing

COVID-19 has brought changes to everything, and home design is no exception. Experts are expecting to see lasting impacts on everything from the materials we use to the rooms we prioritize.

Creating your own backyard oasis

Our backyards are some of the best places to spend the summer months, especially if you’re practicing social distancing and are tired of being cooped up indoors. Fortunately, it’s possible to transform your outdoor living space into a secluded, open-air retreat.

How to build a more energy-efficient home this summer

With weather forecasts calling for a warmer than normal summer and social distancing encouraging us to spend more time at home, we could all benefit from boosting our home’s energy efficiency to save on energy bills.

How to design your dream custom-built home

There are many advantages to designing your own home. Gone are the builder-basic styles, layouts that don’t work for your family and exteriors you can’t tell apart from your neighbors’.

Top 5 hottest home building trends

These days, home trends are about more than good design and aesthetics — they’re about creating spaces that reflect our values and are more comfortable and enjoyable to live in.

Custom home-buying tips for first timers

Even considering being able to design your own custom home is an exciting prospect. Whether you’re ready to take the plunge or just exploring your options, here are tips to keep in mind.

Improving a home’s curb appeal

An attractive front entrance area gives a home curb appeal that invites both guests and potential home buyers. Upgrading a home’s exterior can be as simple as painting or as complex as installing new windows or adding a patio.

Storage solutions for shop, home and job sites

Bringing order to a daily routine often requires creative solutions. Let Woodcraft lend some assistance with handy products for storage and transport that make organizing shops, kitchens, bathrooms, craft rooms, and even job sites that much simpler.

Employ simple fire prevention measures to maximize safety

Did you know that, according to the National Fire Protection Association, most people have a false sense of security regarding house fires, believing that they would have approximately six minutes to evacuate their home in the event of a fire?

Sound control key to a calm, relaxing home

Inside and out, life can be loud. Retreat from the hustle and bustle of the world by making your home, or specific rooms within it, a calm, relaxing sanctuary.

5 Tips to make an older home more energy efficient

While new homes are being built to be more energy efficient than ever before, thanks to a growing green building movement and increasingly strict building codes, the age of existing dwellings continues to present challenges.

How to avoid the cold comfort of a drafty house

For those who live in older homes, the transition to colder weather can be extra disheartening, as the vision of expensive heating bills, chilly rooms and drafty windows dance in their heads. However, it’s easy to change the outlook from cold to cozy with a few simple DIY solutions.

Color a new home décor with a fresh coat of paint

Today’s paint products offer homeowners the flexibility to easily change the look and “feel” of a room — or a houseful of rooms, including walls, cabinets, furniture, accessories and trim items — by changing the color of a painted surface or adding paint to achieve a decorative effect.

Top ways you might be wasting your money

Many consumers waste money every day without even noticing it. Yet, rethinking our habits could provide savings that add up quickly over time. Here is a list of the top ways we waste money. Are there any areas where you could improve?

Top 5 home projects to help you save money

It’s remodeling season, and with so many projects on the to-do list, which should you tackle first? While some projects provide great long-term return on investment, a few simple ones can provide instant savings. Here are the top home spring projects to help you save money:

Save money and stay cool as temperatures rise

Excessive energy bills can be a concern in spring and summer, just as much as they are in the winter. So how can you save money while keeping your home cool? The solution is simple: Top up your attic insulation.

How to ensure a successful basement remodel

Americans continue to fuel remodeling spending across the country, driven by upward growth in real estate prices and the rising cost to trade up to a larger home.

Move into the outdoors with wood furniture

It’s time to think about the “lazy days of summer” and create a comfortable, attractive outdoor living area that reflects your family’s lifestyle. Consider décor featuring wood furniture that you build yourself, using advice and products from Woodcraft. Or, if you already have wood furniture, let Woodcraft help you give it a new look — maybe distressed or antiqued or a brand-new color.

Now anyone can build a disaster-resilient home

The calamities caused by extreme weather could be better controlled with stepped-up storm prediction, better citizen preparedness and by the ongoing ingenuity of the building sector, say observers in the field of climate change.

Construction Quick Tip: Ask your builder about disaster-resilient materials

Segments of the home-building industry indicate they are up to the challenge of improving occupant safety. This is welcomed assurance seeing that weather extremes now seemingly occur in every season and are bringing far more intensified blasts of wind, rain, heat, drought, ice and snow.

Weather every storm with concrete walls

Now is the time to take a few precautionary steps toward the utmost security of your home and family in the event of extreme weather occurrences, say officials observing climate change.

Construction Quick Tip: Choose concrete walls for severe storm safety

How would you like your home to be built with wind impact-resistance up to 250 miles per hour? Inquiries for this option are increasing on a daily basis, says Nudura, a leading name in the production of insulated concrete forms (ICFs).

Build your home guided by eco-responsibility

Improved practices in the construction industry today reflect the greening of building codes across North America. This proactivity is highlighted by advancements in window daylighting, insulation, air infiltration, and new wall-building materials.

Get your home fall- and winter-ready with 5 simple projects

If boots, a warm hat and a tuned-up snow blower are the only items on your winter preparation list, your home maintenance plan may need a makeover. These simple home maintenance projects can help lower your energy bills, prevent more costly repairs and/or increase the lifespan of your home.

Shop early for holiday gifts

Begin your holiday shopping early at Woodcraft, where you will find more than 20,000 products for woodworking, home/shop improvement and upcycling.

Be prepared when seconds count: Renovate for fire safety

A National Fire Prevention Association study reported that, on average, seven Americans die in a residential home fire each week. Though you never know when fire might strike, there are important measures you can take to increase your chances when seconds count.

How to build a disaster-resilient house

Extreme weather events in every season now are thrashing, burning, flooding, and flattening many homes into rubble, and such storms are making many homeowners wonder what would happen to their homes if they were in the path of such destructive winds.

Construction Quick Tip: Build a disaster-resilient home with sustainable technology

Which type of natural disaster might be around the corner where you live, now that extreme weather events are so common? Is it a hurricane, an ice storm, a tornado? Perhaps a flash flood? Forest fires are also on the rise, but even accidental house fires pose a threat. Peace-of-mind is still possible, however.

Would you like to build a disaster-resilient house?

The icy winds from last year’s Polar Vortex are back on our minds again as we head towards winter. The plummeting temperatures are one thing, but of more concern is the destruction that these extreme weather events can bring, including winds that last year gusted up to 100 kilometers per hour, threatening our personal safety, as well as the very foundation of our homes.

Home-Building Innovation: Ask your builder about disaster-resilient construction

Today, given the frequency of natural disasters such as hurricanes, tornadoes, fires, earthquakes, and floods, it’s a “must” to build the most durable homes possible. Wood-framed walls, for example, are not always reliable, whereas walls constructed with reinforced concrete have proven to withstand some of Mother Nature’s worst performances.

Disaster-resilient homes start with concrete walls

A home today must be more than just aesthetically pleasing. The costs of fuel consumption and extreme-storm damage, plus costs in the way of carbon footprints, are making all of us insist on far more property benefits, including superior durability and resilience from pending disasters.

Shop Woodcraft for the woodworkers and do-it-yourselfers on your gift list

Make Woodcraft your gift headquarters this year for woodworking, home/shop improvement and upcycling tools and supplies. Choose from more than 20,000 products at Woodcraft retail stores nationwide, in the catalog and at Woodcraft.com. Check out a few of the products below, and keep in mind that a Woodcraft Gift Card is perfect for those who are a “gift-giving challenge.”

The right grilling tool is gold to the backyard chef

Recent improvements in the design and engineering of gas grills have transformed the art of grilling. From searing and rotisserie cooking to planking and smoking, gas grills now provide chefs with several different grilling techniques to develop flavours, textures and aromas.

Woodcraft Suggests Plan for Year of 'Dream Home Projects'

Spend some quality time with your house, and make a list of the pluses and minuses as if you were considering whether to buy it. Use this list to develop projects that will create your "dream home" over a year's time. To help you, Woodcraft offers some ideas for projects and products.

Keep the traditions, but ditch the worn-out decor

The holiday countdown is on and it's time to get your house razzle-dazzle ready. But before you do, make sure to check that your lights and decorations are still in good working order after a year in storage. Not only can old decor look worn out, but it also can put you and your family at risk -- which is the last thing anyone wants at this joyous time of year.

Electrical safety tips for holiday decorating

Everyone has at least one -- the house on the street that lights up in splendor around the holiday season. Decorations are in abundance both indoors and out, and just seeing the house brings on a smile. But as beautiful as it might be, that home may also be a safety risk if the decorator hasn't followed precautions like these offered by CSA Group:

Woodcraft Offers Holiday Gift Ideas for DIY "Experts" and Woodworkers

From a versatile gyroscopic screwdriver to a handy pocket-sized LED light, Woodcraft offers more than 20,000 products -- all potential gifts for the do-it-yourselfer and/or woodworker -- at its retail stores nationwide, in its catalog and at woodcraft.com. View a few of these gift ideas below.

Upcycling: Transforming the 'Old' into a Better 'New'

Turn old or discarded furniture, cabinets and doors into fresh new creations through "upcycling" -- high-end "recycling" that reduces trash at landfills by refurbishing or repurposing existing pieces, often enhancing the value. Woodcraft offers the following ideas and products to get you started.

Weather threats are calmed by construction technology

Meteorologists say that the continental United States has warmed by about 1.3oF over the last 100 years -- and even for those who still question the science of climate change, the increased frequency and severity of high-wind storms, fires, floods and drought, has become a major safety concern.

Home-Building News: Concrete buildings withstand high winds and fire

With environmentalists predicting that warming trends across the country will likely mean more severe blasts of wind, rain, blizzards, heat, drought and fires year-round, the building industry says it is already up to the challenge of ensuring occupant safety.

Energy-saving concrete walls are built to weather any storm

The increased frequency of hurricane-force winds, tornados, spontaneous fire, flooding and drought across the United States is motivating the home-construction industry to speak up.

Construction Quick Tip: Build an eco-friendly home to withstand extreme weather

Did you know: The continental United States has warmed by about 1.3oF over the last 100 years, although observers say the impact has been experienced differently from region to region. As a result, meteorologists are predicting a higher frequency of weather extremes, such as the two massive wind and rain systems that collided last fall during Hurricane Sandy.

Extreme wind destruction is diminished with eco-concrete

Unlike our childhood days of kicking back in the sunshine, summer and fall have now become seasons of weather-induced anxiety.
Indeed, this period in 2012 wreaked havoc across the United States, with scorching temperatures and ferocious storms. In as many as 25 different regions, houses and buildings were destroyed, property was damaged, electricity was cut, and lives were lost. This year, killer tornados shook the nation during spring, so it's no wonder why so many Americans are looking for better protection inside their homes.

Powering Up

Warm weekends are prime time for yard work and outdoor projects. To avoid turning tasks into turmoil, be sure to take a few extra moments to ensure the power tools you use are safe. CSA Group, a leader in electronic product testing and certification, offers tips to help ensure the safety of you and your family while doing yard work this weekend.

Shrinking floors? How to guard against hardwood floor gaps

Did you know that the number one registered complaint hardwood flooring experts receive after a wood floor installation is the unsightly gaps between boards that magically appear at the onset of winter?

New germ control flooring popular with parents Online direct customized healthy floors latest trend

As most parents can attest, infants love to crawl around and put things in their mouth. No matter how hard you try to stop them, it's inevitable -- if they can touch it, "it" will end up in their mouth. This is why parents are always on guard to protect their children from germs and bacteria lurking in their home.

How to choose hardwood floors in 5 easy clicks New online direct customized flooring a snap

Times have changed when it comes to the selection and purchase of hardwood floors. With today's ease of online communication and the low cost of sending product samples, it has become preferable and more cost-effective for consumers to deal directly with the manufacturer.

Build a concrete house to withstand high winds

The newest home building technology is solving energy costs and wind damage at the same time. The standard wood frame used in buildings can now be replaced by a reinforced concrete system, known as the interlocking, 'insulated concrete form.' This ICF technology gives homeowners improved indoor comforts, too.

Construction Quick Tip: Build a more durable home and save money, too

Did you know: A house constructed with a concrete frame, rather than wood, delivers superior protection in wind storms? The frame is constructed with a highly lauded system of pre-assembled 'insulated concrete forms' (ICFs) and produces walls with hurricane and tornado impact-resistance up to 250 miles per hour.

Home construction methods face major changes

All across North America, home builders agree that the best investment -- for the occupant and for resale value -- requires adopting the newest and most advanced methods and materials. One bold option already solving high fuel costs and safety during severe wind storms is a revolutionary concrete system to replace standard wood-frame walls.

Home-Building Quick Tip: Choose concrete walls for security, durability, and savings

If a stronger, wind-resistant house requiring far less energy sounds like the features of a dream home to you, consider building the walls with reinforced concrete instead of wood, experts say. Sharply growing in popularity is a system using the 'insulated concrete form' (ICF), which completely replaces the standard wood-frame method.

Ask for concrete walls to weather any storm

Severe hurricanes, tornados and destructive derechos in the United States are motivating the construction industry to use far more durable materials and methods for houses in particular. Already there is the option to replace standard wood framing with an interlocking system using pre-assembled, 'insulated concrete forms.'

Creating More Usable Space in Your Home

Smarter use of existing space can transform a home into a more pleasant living area. Combining smaller rooms or areas, dividing larger rooms, finishing an attic or basement, converting one room into a year-round "indoor porch" -- all are possible projects to improve your home's comfort level and value.

Ideas for the "Challenges" on Your Holiday Gift List

Giving gifts is a holiday tradition, but sometimes friends and family who maintain, renovate and build can pose special gifting challenges. To find gifts for these folks and others on your gift list, check out the Woodcraft suggestions below.

Create a Fresh Look for Your Home

Before the holidays bring family celebrations and visiting friends to your home, give your home a new look and improve its comfort level. Check out the suggestions below, make your project list, and then go to Woodcraft for the tools and accessories to get the job done.

Make the most of end-of-summer cleanup

Though spring cleaning might have the name recognition, many homeowners spend just as much time cleaning their homes in the fall as they do in the spring. Spring might be the season for clearing out the clutter, but fall is when homeowners prepare their homes for the long winter months ahead.

Home building methods face major changes

All across North America, home builders tend to agree that the better real estate investments -- for both the occupant and for future re-sale value -- may be best served by a whole new approach to construction. One major change addressing energy consumption and rising fuel costs is the optional use of an air-tight, solid concrete system to replace inefficient wood framing. Insulated concrete forms (ICFs) erect a building with an interlocking system, similar to Lego.

Check your home's insides before renovating

Specialists in the industry suggest that any homeowner planning to renovate should not be too hasty in applying the 'cosmetics' of a renovation without investigating the home's insides first.

Take control of mold growth

Moisture buildup can increase the probability of mold growth. For homeowners, mold growth can lead to poor indoor air quality and worse.

Avoid shivering this winter

January and February are typically considered the coldest months in the northwest, northeast and midwestern United States. It can be tough for homeowners trying to bear the cold without running up heating costs. Yet with some planning and investment, we can avoid the winter chills.

Cut that energy bill and stay green

Homeowners continue to seek creative ways to reduce monthly expenses while being more environmentally conscious. Knowing where your money is being spent gives you a better understanding of how and where to make efficiencies.

The value in knowing R-Value

If you are in the midst of renovating or building your home, it is likely you have heard the term "R-Value" being thrown around. Understanding what it means and its importance is the real test.

Make household drafts a thing of the past

Outside is below freezing and the heater is working overtime, but throughout the house there are cold, drafty areas. Does this sound familiar?

Go Green with Real Wood

So many decking materials in stores today ... which one to choose? If a beautiful, usable, long-lasting deck is your goal -- and you'd like to do your part to protect the environment -- then the choice is obvious: real, natural, authentic wood.

Show us your Real Outdoor Living -- and Win!

Real pressure-treated wood is the number-one outdoor building material of choice in the US -- and we want you to show us why!

Spray foam insulation combats mold

If you worry about mold in your home and are trying to find solutions, you can take one simple step to help prevent it from happening.

The R-value of spray foam trumps traditional insulation

If you keep topping-up your walls and ceiling in hopes of better insulation for your home, you're going about it the wrong way. Adding layers of conventional insulation is not effective, experts say. Your insulation is not effective in the short- or long-term if it's not done by a reputable company and with the right material.

Planning your renovation smartly

As you tear apart the wallpaper, replace the cupboards and strip the floorboards, experts caution not to reach for that bucket of paint before investigating the innards of your walls.

How to choose the most effective insulation

If you can't decide between spray foam and traditional insulation, such as fibreglass or cellulose, a brief overview can reveal the cost-effectiveness and reliability of each.

Protect your roof from ice dams this winter

Is there ice build up on the edge of your roof this winter? If you haven't closed the insulation gaps, major damage can be caused to this part of the house by ice damming. This starts with air leakage and it is preventable.

Save money on energy bills

Home is where the heart is, where families grow, and generally where the most of our leisure time is spent. Working with green technology for the best insulation will keep your house warm, welcoming, comfortable and cozy -- and will save you money, all at the same time.

Put these home improvements on your 2012 calendar

With the deep freeze factor at its annual high, the potential benefits of making energy saving improvements really hit home. Yet saving energy and money and adding comfort to your home should always be in season. Industry experts at Icynene (icynene.com) recommend you put these home improvement tips on your 2012 calendar:

Take this insulation tour for a real energy savings trip

Did you know that one-third of all air leakage in a home can be attributed to walls, floors and ceilings? You might think your home is well insulated, but if it has conventional air permeable fiberglass or cellulose insulation, gaps, seams or damage could compromise its performance.

Three top tips if you are feeling a draft

At this time of year, those little air leaks around our home can feel like a mighty wind. Experts agree, however, that it is possible to add more comfort and energy savings to your home by:

Home insulation is a smart investment

While investing in retirement is top of mind for many of us, there are other investments that can pay off over a longer period of time, like insulation. Home improvement specialists tell us that we can protect our home investment, too, with a spray foam insulation like the popular-selling, Icynene.

How to control air leakage and energy loss in your home

Keeping your home at a comfortable temperature becomes an increasingly expensive proposition with steadily rising energy costs. With the full force of winter upon us, you can keep air leakage and energy loss in check with a mini energy audit of your home that includes these three quick stops:

February is the time to rekindle romance with your home

Valentine month is the time of year when we seek appropriate ways of expressing our love for those closest to us. Why not rekindle the romance with your home at the same time? Flowers, candy or jewelry might not get you very far, but asking these three questions is going to show you care:

Create an Outdoor Retreat

This year, transform your outdoor area into a family retreat with an "out-of-the-box" vision, careful planning and the appropriate tools. First, gather your family together for a brainstorming session and target what you want to do in your outdoor haven.

Pool water chemistry basics

Pool water chemistry is something that baffles many homeowners caring for their backyard pools. It is vital to keep an adequate level of certain chemicals to create pristine, safe swimming water.

Insulation's cooling features

Many people equate insulation with keeping things warm, but ample attic insulation and other insulating factors around the home can help keep a home cooler during the summer as well. Rather than keeping a home cool or warm, insulation's main purpose is to maintain a consistent temperature in the home.

Greet Guests With a Touch of Glass

The trend of using decorative glass to create dramatic entryways continues to grow as homeowners choose to stay in their homes longer and remodel for extended personal enjoyment. Adding a "touch of glass" with a new front entry door can be one of the most effective and economical ways to enhance a home's curb appeal.

Trellis Systems Enhance Home Exteriors

Homeowners looking for a unique way to accent a single or double garage door now have a decorative low-maintenance option with the Fypon(R) PVC Trellis Systems. Available in two sizes to accommodate either single- or double-car garages, each trellis system kit can also be fabricated to use in alternative settings, such as over home entryways, garden sheds and free-standing garages.

Lead Paint Hazards and Older Windows

If your home was built before 1978 and you still have the original windows, it's time to seriously consider replacing your windows -- especially if you have young children or a pregnant person living at home.

"FRESH Home Exterior Colors" Guide Now Available

The new 30-page FRESH Home Exterior Colors guide is now available free online to help homeowners select the perfect colors for the exterior of the home. Written by national color expert Kate Smith of Sensational Color, the free downloadable tool is designed to make it easy for people to choose color palates that complement the exterior of the home.

Patio clean-up for seasonal entertaining

Outdoor entertaining is a primary component of the warm-weather season. Individuals flock to their backyard patios and decks to barbecue or simply soak up a little sun.

Fence etiquette prevents disputes

People fortunate enough to own their own plots of land often choose to fence in their pieces of paradise. Fences serve many purposes: to designate property boundaries, keep pets or children contained in a safe environment, corral livestock, offer privacy or add aesthetic appeal.

Promote safety around the home

In the classic film "The Wizard of Oz," Dorothy famously uttered the phrase, "there's no place like home." Now, several decades later, that sentiment remains very dear to people's hearts.

Renovating a rental property

When the economy struggles to the point of recession, few people benefit. However, there are some businesses that thrive during a recession, using the circumstances to their advantage and actually growing business in spite of a sagging economy.

Is it time to add a half-bathroom?

When it comes to renovating a home, homeowners expect to spend money. No home renovation or home improvement project is free, but some are less costly than others.

Simple ways to soundproof a home

Advancements in technology have made it easier than ever before for homeowners to create a mini movie theater in the comfort of their own homes. The affordability of home-theater systems and big-screen televisions, once deemed a luxury only available to the super-wealthy, has made it possible for everyone to enjoy theater-style entertainment at home.

How to floodproof your home

Homeowners know no home is perfect. While the notion of a dream house is nice, every home eventually experiences a problem or two. Many problems are bound to occur sooner or later, but there are a few that diligent homeowners can prevent.
One of those preventable problems is flooding.

The differences between roofing materials

A roof is the primary defense a home has against the elements. It provides protection against wind, rain and snow, as well as shields the interior from the blazing heat. A compromised roof cannot do its job properly. There are many different roofing materials available these days -- each of which carries with it a certain length of usefulness.

5 signs your roof might be wearing down

Replacing a roof is a costly venture few homeowners look forward to. According to Remodeling magazine's 2010-11 "Cost vs. Value" report, the national average cost of a roof replacement is nearly $22,000, a costly endeavor considering the tenuous nature of the economy. What's more, homeowners who choose more upscale roofing materials can expect to spend almost $40,000 on their roofs.

Make your home safer for kids

According to the Home Safety Council, a nonprofit organization dedicated to preventing home injuries, half of the children who die before their first birthday die from choking or suffocation. Many times such tragedies can be averted.

What to look for in outdoor furniture

Outdoor entertaining areas have always been popular among homeowners. The ability to entertain friends and family or simply relax by yourself is something homeowners cherish, particularly during the warm weather seasons. Finding the right furniture to match your outdoor area, be it a deck, patio or poolside lounging area, is essential to making the most of this special area of the home. When shopping for outdoor furniture, consider the following.

Things to know before building a deck

Statistics from the U.S. Census Bureau Housing Survey indicate that homeowners annually spend billions of dollars improving outdoor living areas.
One of the most popular ways to do just that is to add a deck to a home. Decks are beneficial in many ways. Grillmasters love decks because they make the perfect place to set up a grill and a table and cook for family and friends.

Restoring your property after a long winter

One of the best things about the dawn of spring and the return of warmer weather is the chance to get out of the house and get some fresh air. For homeowners, this is the perfect opportunity to assess any damage the previous months did to yards and develop a plan restore properties.

How to get a home organized

When colder weather arrives, many people stay indoors and fight the harsh weather with hot chocolate and heating systems. It's no surprise, then, that most homes accumulate quite the amount of clutter over the course of a typical winter. The more time we spend indoors, the more junk we seem to amass.

Craft projects to help fight cabin fever

There are many craft projects families and children can tackle, but ideas that involve projects that can be put to use outdoors may be the most fitting. Fortunately, there are a number of ideas for crafty projects to involve everyone in the household.

Safety first with snowblowers

Snowblowers make fast work of snow covering driveways and sidewalks, which makes them popular purchases for homeowners looking to avoid shoveling this season. But The Amputee Coalition of America urges safe operation when firing up the snowblower this year.

Remedying the problem of ice dams

Ice dams are a problem faced by many homeowners, and they can cause thousands of dollars worth of damage to homes. Ice dams usually occur after a heavy snowstorm that causes snow to pile up on the roof.

Avoid strains and pains from snow shoveling

Snow shoveling can contribute to broken bones, head injuries, pulled backs, and even heart attacks. Overworking the muscles, falling, and being hit with the shovel were the most common reasons for getting hurt during a shoveling session.

Beautiful lawn vs. faithful pet Putting a stop to lawncare woes

Over time a pet who is routinely using a patch of grass as his personal potty will damage that stretch of lawn. The behavior of canines plus the chemical components of the urine contribute to the brown, dead patches synonymous with dog waste. But there are ways to mitigate the problem.

Gift Ideas for the "Home Care Specialists"

Give your friends and family members who handle home improvement and maintenance projects gifts to help them work efficiently, successfully and safely. Woodcraft offers the following holiday gift suggestions.

Make Gutter Cleaning Safer and Easier

To help keep gutters operating properly and to protect your investment, try these tips.

Savings Corner Simple ways to reduce home heating costs

The return of winter weather marks the return of many things, including winter coats, mornings spent shoveling snow and, for many homeowners, higher utility bills.

Builder Quick Tip: Home value starts with concrete

Builders work with far more informed customers today, resulting in the use of the most eco-friendly designs, fixtures, materials, and methods. The best builders, therefore, must constantly keep up with the latest technology and how to apply it.

Eco-Building Tips: Net-zero is here

Expect to hear 'net zero' more often in energy conversations. It is now possible to build a facility -- even a home -- that is so energy efficient it produces zero demand on the public electricity supply.

Ask your builder for eco-friendly materials

By 2012, the building codes in many parts of North America will be demanding greater energy efficiency with methods and materials. This requirement may be mandated, but when building a home, do speak to your builder about the right green options for you.

Home Building News Concrete upholds newest 'building code' demands

Building codes are enforcing 'energy efficiency' in many parts of the world. A legally enforced building code specifies the community's acceptable level of safety, function, and comfort -- and some jurisdictions have mandated a requirement of 35 to 40 percent improvement.

Renovation Quick Tip: Do-it-yourself insulation is greener than ever

When renovating, adding rooms, or finishing the basement do take a look at the most advanced materials and methods for energy efficiency. Very popular, for example, is the newest, Nudura Home Insulation Technology, a system for insulating foundation walls, inner and outer walls, as well as flat, or cathedral ceilings.

5 tips for a beautiful, low-maintenance lawn

Homeowners aspire toward a beautiful lawn. It is often the centerpiece of a completed landscape, and can serve as a beautiful focal point in a home's overall curb appeal. Typically lawn maintenance is time-consuming and can take a lot of effort on the part of a homeowner.

Free Deck Plans Offer Inspiration and Beauty

Ever researched deck plans, only to find nothing fits your home just right? The design isn't right, it's too big for your home, it's too small for your home, it's too high off the ground, it's too low to the ground, you don't like the grill bump-out, the stairs are in the wrong place ... isn't there a deck out there that's perfect for YOUR home?

Customize Your Home To Suit Your Lifestyle

Homeowners who opt to stay in their homes rather than buy new ones or those who need to reallocate space to accommodate an extended family can create a "new" living environment tailored to their tastes and needs with some well-planned changes. Check out the following Woodcraft tips and tools to help you.

Embracing Color on Your Home

The growing trend of homeowners staying in their existing houses longer due to economic challenges has had a colorful effect on homes. People are taking the opportunity to personalize their homes more with colorful exterior accents and they're not stopping with just a splash of paint.

Color My Home

Show me the color! That's become one of the most common requests for homeowners in today's marketplace as people look to add more colorful features to their homes as part of remodeling and new construction projects.

Keep Your Home Exterior in Top Shape

Feel like cheating? Forget what the inside of your home looks like for just a bit and focus on your home's exterior.

Roof Envy

Have you ever wished you could have an elegant new roof like your neighbors? You may have a case of "roof envy." Don't worry, there's an easy -- and surprisingly affordable -- cure.

Think "FRESH" When Selecting Roof Colors

Thinking about a new roof for your home? Then think "FRESH." That's the advice national color expert Kate Smith recommends for homeowners considering a new roof.

Green ways to clean up leaves

Every fall homeowners are faced with cascades of red, purple, orange, and yellow leaves falling from the sky. Amid this rainbow of autumn activity, some people still have "green" on their minds -- as in eco-friendly ways they can embark on fall clean-up.

On your side Understanding different siding options

Seemingly from the moment a home is purchased, its new owners start envisioning ways to transform their new pad into their dream home. Once they turn their key for the first time, homeowners enter an empty home and see a blank slate on which they can improve.

Ready your lawn for winter

Though spring and summer are often seen as the primary seasons for lawn care, fall is a great time to ready a lawn for winter weather. The following tips can help a lawn withstand winter weather and might even make spring lawn care that much easier once the warm weather returns.

Easy ways to winterize your home

When summer draws to a close and autumn arrives, homeowners must place a precedent on readying their homes for the winter months. Often referred to as "winterizing," the process is meant to ensure a home can withstand harsh winter weather while proving a safe haven from the elements.

12 green home improvements

Making home improvements doesn't have to mean compromising environmental ideals in the process. There are numerous jobs that a person can do that fit with a green lifestyle. While these improvements help protect the planet, they'll also help keep a few extra dollars in your wallet.

Follow the 3 'P's of home renovation

Every home project begins with an idea and ends with the culmination of the job. In between, there are three main components of an improvement project that can mean the difference between success and frustration: Planning, permits and protection.

Fall Lawn Care

Warm-weather days will soon be a thing of the past and that means prepping the home and landscape for the arrival of winter weather. Even though it may be blanketed first by leaves and snow, lawns need treatment now to be sure they overwinter successfully.

Is DIY a recipe for saving money?

Many homeowners or renters wrestle with the question of whether to tackle a project as a do-it-yourself venture to save some money or simply leave it to a professional. Each situation is unique, but there are certain factors that must be considered regardless of a homeowner's particular situation.

Things to consider when budgeting your home improvement project

Home improvement projects have become de rigueur for today's homeowners. Be it a kitchen remodel or the ever popular man cave project, home improvement projects remain a goal for many homeowners.

Stop clogged home gutters

Faced with the prospect of another season spent precariously climbing a ladder and reaching inside to clear out debris and leaves, many homeowners are considering the installation of a gutter protection system. And with so many different types available, finding the right fit is always so easy.

Did you know?

Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas that comes from the decay of uranium found in most soils. Radon can enter the home by moving up through the ground and into the air above before moving into a home in a variety of ways, including through cracks in solid floors, through construction joints and through cracks in walls.

Prevent pollution at home

When many people think of pollution, among the first images that come to mind are crowded highways with gas guzzling big rigs spewing exhaust into the air. But oversized trucks hauling loads don't have the pollution market cornered. In fact, many homeowners might be contributing to air pollution every time they work on their own yards.

Tips for family-friendly decorating

A glass coffee table, white leather sofa and expensive ceramic statues are popular and attractive design options. But such items are often impractical for a household with an active family.

Hiring a lawncare professional

Many homeowners hire a lawncare professional to tend to their lawns and gardens. To hire a quality service or individual, homeowners need to do a little homework.

Poison plants fast facts

Poison ivy, oak and sumac are plants that contain an oil that may cause a rash on many people's skin. Urushiol, the irritant oil in these plants, need only be present in a billionth of a gram to cause a rash.

Did you know?

If you're considering inspiration from Colonial gardens of yore for your landscape, certain pointers can turn that dream garden into a reality. First, Colonial gardens are largely geometric and symmetrical. Elements should be arranged with thought to the central axis of the planting bed.

Out to dinner What you need for your outdoor kitchen

A growing number of homeowners are dining out, and not at a fancy restaurant -- but in the comfort of their own backyards. The trend toward outdoor kitchens and dining spaces enables people to head "out to dinner" any time they want.

Wood patio furniture provides value and durability

Wood patio furniture can be a decorative and functional addition to outdoor living. The longevity of the furniture and the upkeep required will depend heavily on the type of wood used in construction. Choosing the right wood based on use and budget can help consumers get more for their money.

Safety in the sun Make your backyard barbecue as safe as it is fun

Few summer traditions are as beloved as the backyard barbecue. Typically laid back get-togethers with family and friends, backyard barbecues are synonymous with warm weather and the relaxed atmosphere that such weather promotes.

Herbicide technology improves weed control

It may be well worth the effort to make the lawn around our home lush-green and weed free, but with the herbicide restrictions of today, achieving this has become a big effort indeed.

Coax your lawn into a thick green carpet

Even with the concern about the use of herbicides and pesticides, you can still transform your lawn from looking tired-and-tatty into the outdoor oasis you've always wanted. Some techniques for lawn care are tried-and-true -- and others are brand new.

Home Improvement: Top tips for the best first impression

It's called "curb appeal," that good impression people get of your home when they pull up in a car, or when walking by. Real estate agents can be as pleased with exterior curb appeal as they are with a well-maintained house on the inside. When it comes to residential property value, this book is indeed judged by its cover.

Garden News Quick Tip: Science delivers an organic pesticide

It's true. You can now stop insects and disease with an "organic listed" formula called PureSpray Green. Take a look at www.todaysclearchoice.com for the details.

How to eliminate weeds on interlock pathways

Inter-locking brick and cobblestone are attractive choices for driveways, patios, and connecting paths. Weed growth is a common problem around these pavers and, if left unchecked, can ruin the look if you don't literally nip them in the bud.

Cultivate your own bounty of vegetables

It only makes sense to turn a little patch of your property into a personal supply of organic food.

Learn to control mosquitoes at home

Just when you thought the weather warmed enough to start enjoying the great outdoors, something sinister takes all of the fun from being outside ... mosquitoes!

New Curb Appeal Products for 2011

Ready to spruce up your home's exterior this year? Several recently introduced products are designed to add curb appeal to your house while making maintenance hassles disappear.

Environment Watch The first 'net-zero' school sets a fine example

Energy efficient construction is celebrating one more milestone. It is now possible to build a facility -- even a home -- that is so energy efficient it produces zero demand on the public electricity supply.

How to build the greenest home

You are in the driver's seat when it comes to the quality of the features and fixtures in your dream home.

Builders expect to hear requests for green features

Due to demand, builders today are constantly learning about the new and advanced technologies for home construction. Owner-clients want to be assured of living in the healthiest, most durable, least wasteful house possible -- and therefore, building a home from the ground up is the best opportunity to get it right.

Construction Quick Tip: Build home equity by building with concrete

Did you know that wood framing is inefficient -- and is yesterday's choice? Progressive builders of homes and commercial buildings today are championing the use of pre-assembled, interlocking concrete forms.

Home Builder Quick Tip: Concrete walls are replacing wood

Building the envelope of a house with concrete instead of wood is in high demand in the 21st century. Concrete is now a premium choice for delivering energy efficiency -- and as a replacement for wood framing, concrete walls reduce the need for trees and represent a big step in responsible building.

Top 10 dream home features

If you were given a chance to design a dream home, what features would you choose first?

There's an Easy and Inexpensive Way to Replace a Worn-Out Lawn Zoysia grass plugs can be planted into existing lawn

There's nothing quite as inviting as a lush green lawn, beckoning like a cool oasis in the midst of summertime heat. Of course, having a perfect lawn that's the envy of the neighborhood doesn't just happen by chance.

Easy Home Improvement Projects for Weekend Warriors

As popular as home improvement projects have become, many homeowners still find themselves pressed for time when it comes to tackling projects around the house. For homeowners without much time during the week, Woodcraft offers the following projects tailor-made for weekend warriors.

The Heart of Your Backyard: Real Backyard Decks Deserve Real Wood

The deck is the heart of a backyard. It's where the family gathers for dinner, the perfect spot for grilling, a great place to hang out with friends and the ideal location for relaxing after a long day. Whether you're thinking of building a new deck or your old one needs resurfacing, be sure and choose the right decking product: choose real wood.

Built Stronger to Last Longer

Building product manufacturers have come a long way over the past several decades when it comes to the creation of products for the home. Decades ago wood roofing shingles or wood millwork had a relatively short lifespan due to environmental conditions the products faced.

Window Safety Tips

How often should family fire drills be held? What type of glass should you have in windows to help prevent noise penetration and discourage intruders? The experts at Simonton Windows(R) offer fast tips for staying safe in your home and enjoying your windows.

Home Improvement Trend That Won't Break The Bank

Faux painting techniques are an economical and innovative way to transform any surface and can complement any decorating style. Dull concrete floors, both indoors and out, can be brought dramatically to life with a latex paint such as DRYLOK(R) Latex Concrete Floor Paint.

From Bland Backyard to Beautiful Vacation Destination

The best vacations lift us out of the frenzy of our lives, whisking us off to faraway places that relax and rejuvenate us.

Make Roofing Color Choices With Confidence Advice from Color Expert Kate Smith

Standard slate gray or bold terracotta? Solid brown or a blend of three warm brown tones? For some homeowners, the question of what color to cap off their homes is more challenging than the decision of what roofing product to use.

Basement Versatility

These days every inch of space in the home counts. So, when considering building a new home, it makes sense to consider building both "up and down" to maximize your living space.

Vented Sidelites

Homeowners can now let light and fresh air into their homes without sacrificing energy efficiency or style. Therma-Tru's vented sidelites (available in the Fiber-Classic Oak Collection and Smooth-Star product line) provides ventilation without the inconvenience and obstruction of storm doors or sliding screens.

Innovative Roofing Tiles Offer Beauty and Durability

In Italian, Bellaforte translates to "beautiful and strong." In America, many homeowners are discovering that the translation means the exact same thing -- especially when it comes to their polymer roofing tiles.

Four Simple Rules for Perfect Exterior Painting

If you want professional-looking results when painting exterior wood, approach the project as if you were a professional painting contractor. That means following four simple rules that come second nature to experienced painters, says Debbie Zimmer, spokesperson for the Paint Quality Institute.

Restore Your Property Once Winter Weather Is Gone

Restoring a yard after a long winter is a springtime rite of passage for many homeowners. Harsh winds and heavy snow can take their toll on even the most beautiful landscape.

Planting Pointers Successfully Plant Around Your Property

Spring is a season for rebirth, and for homeowners, that often means bringing their property back to life. Once the winter weather has subsided, it's time to head outside and take inventory of the landscape and see how the yard, trees, bushes, and shrubs fared after another long winter.

Spalling a Sign Replacement Is Needed

Crumbling or pitting of surfaces on bricks and concrete is called spalling, and chances are it means a repair or replacement project is in your future.

This holiday season, give the gift of no stress

Tension is who you think you should be," according to a wonderful Chinese proverb. "Relaxation is who you are."
Medical science has in recent years confirmed that stress-reduction is good for the body, but this charming old saying makes a case for it being good for the soul as well!

Exterior Home Essentials

As a child, a large cardboard box with cut-out windows made a great playhouse. However, as you grew up, you wanted your home to have more appeal and real windows. After crossing the threshold to homeownership, it's time to consider more than cardboard for your home's exterior.

Does Your Driveway Deserve a Makeover?

Homeowners often look for ways to improve their homes. While many homeowners have visions of refurbished kitchens and brand new bathrooms dancing in their heads, smaller jobs can also give a home a new and improved look.

Preventing Ice Dam Damage

The cold weather brings with it many potential dangers to a home. Ice dams are one such situation that could prove a formidable foe to homeowners.

Scaling Ivy ... Friend or Foe?

It's a common sight: Trailing ivy scaling the sides of homes. It can elicit an Old World feel and many homeowners like the look of ivy on their homes. But is it wise to have ivy growing on the home? It depends.

Create an Outdoor Living Space That Will Get Good Use

Many homeowners think an outdoor living space is one that can only be used during the warm-weather months. However, if done right, individuals can enjoy outdoor rooms for much of the year.

Great Time to Upgrade or Build Your Pool

A well-maintained, clean pool can increase the value of a home, while you and your family are enjoying years of pleasure and memories right outside your back door. A yearly "tune-up" will ensure that your investment stays in shape; it also gives you an opportunity to reassess upgrades and new safety products that will enhance your outdoor pool experience.

Go Green When Greening Your Landscape

But returning the green to a lawn has taken on a whole new meaning for many environmentally conscious homeowners, as more and more are going green as they bring the green back to their lawns and gardens. Homeowners hoping to bring their lawns back to life in an environmentally responsible way this spring should consider the following tips.

Backyard Luxury Without the Luxury Prices

But much has changed with our changing economy. The once-contradictory notion of low-cost luxury is fast becoming the new operating philosophy of the savvy homeowner: How can I capture the most extravagance for the least money? Well, for starters, consider a well-made hammock.

Welcome Spring with a Real Backyard!

As temperatures begin to climb, thoughts turn to the backyard: is it ready for spring? If your outdoor living space needs some serious TLC before the flowers bloom, here are some great ideas for creating a natural, authentic backyard oasis.

Choosing the Right Decking Material

Billed as low-maintenance and attractive solutions for the yard, vinyl or composite decks have become the materials of choice for more homeowners in recent years. They're supposed to last longer and require less maintenance than wood counterparts -- perfect for homeowners who would rather enjoy their outdoor spaces, rather than spend hours each season maintaining them.

Add Curb Appeal With Shutters

Window shutters aren't a necessary home element any longer, but they certainly can add decorative appeal to both the exterior and interior of a home. Today, shutters are largely a decorative accent, but they used to be very functional.

Ask What Your Roof Can Do For You

Replacing a roof is a major investment for any homeowner. When considering such a significant home improvement project, it makes sense that you will have questions.

Stay Safe When Spring Cleaning Gutters

Though few look forward to cleaning the gutters, it's even less fun for those who get hurt doing so. To avoid turning an afternoon cleaning the gutters into an afternoon at the emergency room, consider the following safety tips.

Recognizing Roof Damage

For many homeowners, that spring cleaning also means a careful examination of a home's exterior. Winter can prove especially harsh on a home's exterior, in particular the roof. While stains on the ceiling or obvious leaks are easy ways to detect roof damage, many times problems with a roof are not so obvious. For homeowners hoping to give their roof a thorough end-of-winter examination, consider the following tips for recognizing roof damage.

Create Homemade Bird Feeders

There's no need to purchase an expensive bird feeder to entice feathered friends to stop by. Homeowners can easily make a feeder from a host of common household supplies. This is a great craft project for children of any age under the supervision of an adult. Consider these ideas for getting started.

Construction Quick Tip: Future homes will create an entire energy supply

Housing and energy experts call the goal 'net zero'. It represents the amount of energy that future homes will tap from public utilities. That amount is none.

Keep Rabbits at Bay

Rabbits may seem like adorable critters one would love to have around. However, rabbits can cause serious damage to landscapes in a short amount of time. Keeping them away from plants and shrubs takes some patience.

Improve the Yard With an Outdoor Kitchen

Homeowners looking to add pizazz and extend their living spaces to the outdoors routinely turn to outdoor kitchens to achieve their goals.

Set Sail for Summertime Shade

When the summer sun starts blazing, temperatures in shaded areas can be as much as 20 degrees lower than nearby sunny spots. That's why shade is a welcome relief.

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