Posts

Though installing a radiant floor heating system can run up to 50 percent more than, for example, conventional forced-air heat, it saves 30 percent in energy costs, eventually paying for itself. Putting it into new construction is easy: Special wood plates screwed to the joists double as subflooring. But retrofitting the tubing under an existing floor presents challenges. If a room is gutted down to the joists, it’s easy enough to lay down the wood plates....

In this episode: Landscape contractor Jenn Nawada meets a plant expert at a local greenhouse to talk about different houseplants and tropical plants. The two discuss the importance of the direction windows face, as it determines how much sunlight the room will get. Matching this sunlight to the right type of plants will allow them to thrive. They also explore suggestions for greenery with different sun exposure requirements: shade plants like bamboo palms and pothos, partial shade plants like dracaena and Swiss cheese plants, and full sun plants like crotons and snake plants....

In this episode: Eight months ago, the 1890s Victorian project house in Atlanta, GA, once owned by Luther Judson Price–South Atlanta’s first black postmaster and civil rights advocate–was an electric blue, vine-covered, dilapidated, and abandoned structure. Now, it is restored with a deliberate effort not to fix everything. Builder Jerry Davis gives Tom Silva a review of the exterior structural changes and how the problem of the 6-inch drop on the previous bump out was solved....

“When the cost of land can be shared, it brings the cost of living down,” says Union Studio architect Christina Carlson. “It’s a very adaptable way of developing, and it’s also solving some of the affordability issues.” Separate but Together An arresting blue paint turns a wall in the ADU’s living area into a focal point that livens up the whole space. The furniture was chosen for its practical and compact design....

Make the Room Look Bigger When designing a small office, you’ll want to choose furniture that isn’t bulky and can be tucked away against walls. Depending on the room’s shape and window and door placement, you may be able to use a corner desk and hide the chair when you’re not using it. All About Home Offices Try a Floating Desk A height-adjustable, wall-mounted “floating” desk is a great way to maximize space, both visually and physically....

Common Types of Door Sweeps A) Least visible Not crazy about seeing a sweep? This hidden device’s metal housing fits into a groove routed into a wood door’s bottom edge; the sweep automatically raises and lowers. When the door closes, a pin on one end is pushed in, lowering the gasket flush with the threshold. Opening the door releases the pin and lifts the sweep. Easy Fixes for Drafty Windows and Doors Shown above (a): National Guard Auto Door Bottom 335N-36, $37; Zoro...

You can also post it in our Insider community on Facebook! You can become a member by providing your Insider Member ID or email associated with your Insider account.

Top 4 Wood Pellets Best Hickory Pellets: Traeger All-Natural Hickory Hardwood Grill Pellets Best Mixed Pellets: CookinPellets Perfect Mix Best Gourmet Blend: Bear Mountain BBQ Pellets Best Variety Pack: BBQr’s Delight Wood-Smoking Pellets Variety Pack Best Hickory Pellets: Traeger All-Natural Hickory Hardwood Grill Pellets This 20-pound bag of hickory wood pellets gives your meat a classic barbecue flavor. Hickory wood pellets produce a strong smoky flavor that goes well with baked, barbecued, braised, grilled, roasted, and smoked meat....

Top 5 Backpacks Most Customizable: HotStyle TRENDYMAX Backpack Best Storage Options: LOVEVOOK Backpack Purse Best Small Backpack: Himawari Travel Backpack Best Anti-Theft Features: Travelon Anti-Theft Classic Backpack Best For Cameras: TARION Camera Backpack Most Customizable: HotStyle TRENDYMAX Backpack With over a dozen unique designs ranging from polka dots to eggs to dinosaurs, this eccentric backpack provides a roomy storage option that matches your child’s interests and personality. It has a main compartment with a laptop slot and zippered pocket, a front compartment, a water bottle holder, and a hidden back compartment....

Learn about how dehumidifiers operate, what models to use, and more in our review below. Top 5 Dehumidifiers Best Large Pump-Style: Ivation Dehumidifier Best Large Hoseless: hOmeLabs Dehumidifier Best For Small Rooms: Pro Breeze Mini Dehumidifier Best Disposable: Vacplus Mositure Absorber Boxes Best Rechargeable: Eva-Dry Renewable Dehumidifier Best Large Pump-Style: Ivation Dehumidifier Pros and Cons ✔ Comes with a washable air filter✔ Has a control panel with displays and buttons for various settings✔ Can see how much water is in the tank with the transparent viewing window ✘ Has a high price tag from all of the advanced features✘ Runs loudly...

Top 5 Electric Lawn Mowers Most Lightweight: Sun Joe Lawn Mower Best Batteries: Makita Brushless Lawn Mower Kit Best Lights: EGO Power+ Push Lawn Mower Best For Small Yards: Black & Decker Cordless Lawn Mower Best For Large Yards: Yard Force Lawn Mower Most Lightweight: Sun Joe Lawn Mower With 75 minutes of runtime and an adjustable height between one and three inches, this lawn mower provides a quality cut. Plus, because it weighs less than 35 pounds, it’s easy to push around your yard....

Top 5 Food Processors Most Powerful: Ninja Mega Kitchen System Food Processor Largest Capacity: Hamilton Beach 10-Cup Food Processor Best Warranty: Cuisinart Mini Food Processor Best Color Options: KitchenAid KFC3516ER Food Chopper Best Wireless Processor: Kocbelle Wireless Electric Food Processor Most Powerful: Ninja Mega Kitchen System Food Processor This Ninja food processor comes with an assortment of accessories, including a 75-ounce pitcher, a 54-ounce bowl, and two 16-ounce cups. It also makes quick work of fruits, vegetables, dough, and more with its powerful 1,500-watt motor....

Top 5 Drain Cleaners Best Multi-Drain Cleaner: Drano Max Gel Drain Clog Remover and Cleaner Best For Hair Clogs: FlexiSnake Drain Weasel Sink Snake Cleaner Most Versatile Cleaner: Forlivese 5-in-1 Sink Snake Cleaner Best Single-Use Cleaner: Green Gobbler Drain Clog Remover Best For Septic Tanks: Xion Lab Safer, Greener Drain Clog Remover Best Multi-Drain Cleaner: Drano Max Gel Drain Clog Remover and Cleaner This drain cleaner clears clogs in nearly any drain around your house in just 15 minutes....

Considering that sleeping is something we do every day of our lives, it shouldn’t be as hard as it is to get quality rest. But good sleep still evades us all from time to time, especially those of us sleeping on the wrong type of mattress. If you find yourself tossing and turning all night, growing frustrated when you can’t seem to adjust properly or easily, you’re a combination sleeper, and you need a bed that’s responsive enough to make those movements easy and hassle-free....