Replacing a roof is an expensive endeavor, so it makes sense to implement related energy efficiency improvements at the same time. By investing in things like roof ventilation, attic insulation and natural overhead lighting, you can increase the comfort of your home while keeping money in your pocket.

Roof ventilation
There are minimum code requirements for ventilating a roof, but it never hurts to exceed this standard. Maximizing your roof’s ventilation will not only make your home cooler in the summer, it will also help protect against moisture build-up in the winter. Read more

Between winter rain and summer sun, a wood deck can take quite a beating, which is why annual maintenance is crucial to keep it looking and functioning optimally. With increases in both temperature and daylight hours, spring is the ideal time to refinish your deck in preparation of summer leisure. Here are the steps to take to achieve a properly refinished deck:

Preliminary cleaning
Start by sweeping the deck with a stiff broom. Use a hammer or drill to countersink all nails or screws, particularly those which have started to protrude. Next, fill a bucket with soapy water and use a scrub brush to scour the deck boards and railings. When finished, Read more

While it may not be immediately evident, the lifespan of a fence can vary significantly depending on a number of crucial details. One of the most important is the quality of materials used, from the actual lumber to anchoring and fastening materials. Here are some areas where quality is crucial:

Lumber
Wood is the most essential constitutive element of a fence, which is why it’s important to regard quality when choosing board, post and railing materials. Read more

While insulating exterior walls is standard procedure in residential construction, this isn’t always the case with a home’s interior walls. Actually, many homebuilders neglect to insulate interior walls altogether, which often results in second-rate efficiency and poor soundproofing. For this reason, adding insulation to interior walls can be an inexpensive yet effective way to improve both the comfort and energy efficiency of your home. Read more

Painting a room may seem simple enough, but there are actually many factors to consider besides color. To get the most out of your interior painting project, consider the following tips:

The complexities of color
The effects of paint color can vary significantly depending on how it’s used, so it’s important to consider the specific room or area to be painted beforehand. Color can be used to accentuate the good and mute the bad, and it can also be the difference between a room that feels inviting and one that feels inhospitable. A light color can be used to make a small room feel spacious, and a darker hue can be used to make a large room seem warmer and more intimate. Read more

Watch this video to find out how to get the most out of your painting project. Read more

If you install a soft water system in your home, you can expect to save money in a number of ways. For one thing, soft water protects pipes and water heaters by removing scales (a mineral build-up). John Baranzelli, general manager of Puronics Service, Inc., a Diamond Certified company, says scales can wreak havoc by sticking to the sides of your pipes. “Think of it like your heart—if you have plaque in your blood, it sticks to the sides of your arteries and eventually causes a heart attack. It’s the same concept with water. The scale builds up and eventually causes the pipes to burst.” Read more