Diamond Certified Blog

After age 40, our eyes naturally begin to lose the ability to focus on near objects. The clinical term for this phenomenon is presbyopia, but the more common name is farsightedness. This condition can affect people who’ve never had problems with their vision before. With our growing reliance on smartphones and computers for our work and social lives, treating farsightedness is essential for daily comfort. Read more

These days, the old-fashioned look is all the rage, especially when it comes to home décor. If you’re installing a new door, fence, deck or similar wood feature, you’ll be glad to know there’s an easy, low-cost technique to artificially age wood and achieve an antique aesthetic. Read more

In addition to being top rated for quality and customer satisfaction, Diamond Certified companies are known for providing Helpful Expertise®. This is especially true for companies whose owners and managers have become Diamond Certified Expert Contributors by sharing their industry expertise via articles and videos on the Diamond Certified website. In 2019, the number of Diamond Certified Expert Contributors continued to grow, bringing another abundant harvest of Helpful Expertise®. In this post, we’ve published a handful of highlights from this year’s Expert tips. Read more

With PG&E’s Public Safety Power Shutoffs affecting millions in Northern California this year, many residents are now searching for alternative methods for powering their homes. Some have turned to portable generators. Although they’re relatively inexpensive, generators consume gasoline, produce noise and fumes, and require regular maintenance to run reliably. For a more permanent and environmentally-friendly solution, some homeowners are investigating solar power. But not all solar systems will provide electricity in the event of a power outage, so it’s important to do your homework before making a decision. Read more

Earlier this week, we posted an article featuring expert tips for improving safety in the home. One of these tips dealt with testing door lock components like deadbolts and latches to ensure security. To learn more about this topic, watch this video by Diamond Certified Expert Contributor Gary Lekan of First Lock & Security Technologies.

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Above all else, a home should be a safe place. However, there are many basic safety measures most homeowners haven’t even considered. To help you improve safety in your home, we asked six Diamond Certified Expert contributors to share their tips. Read more

With the holidays approaching quickly, most people are scrambling to get their shopping done. Unfortunately, buying gifts isn’t as simple as it sounds—after all, you have to figure out what to buy, which can be a challenge depending on who you’re buying for. If you’re feeling stumped on what to get your spouse, relative or close friend, here are 10 unique ideas to consider: Read more

The holidays are an interesting time of year for commerce. While industries like retail and travel typically see a spike in sales, others experience a considerable slowdown. For savvy consumers, the latter of these two extremes presents a unique opportunity to save money and get a jump on the coming year. Here are five ways you can take advantage of the holiday slowdown: Read more

Are you planning to install a home theater and/or high-end audio/video system? To make the most of your investment, consider these tips for designing, installing and using your system. Read more

At the end of a recent road trip, my husband and I turned in our rental car without taking a close look at the final bill. Yes, we were distracted because we were running late and didn’t want to miss our flight. The attendant handed me a printed receipt and I stuffed it into my handbag.

A couple of days later, I cleaned out my purse and read the receipt more carefully. I found an unexpected $50 charge on top of the expected $50 drop-off fee. I had extended my rental by a few days and remembered being quoted a different total. Fortunately, the rental car agency responded quickly, reviewed the records and agreed they had made a mistake. Read more