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Why Use Fiber Cement Siding? It’s the only type of siding that combines the performance of masonry—minimal upkeep; rot-, fire-, and termite-proof; unaffected by wind or cold—with the look of painted wood clapboards, shingles, even stone or brick. Yet fiber cement goes for just a fraction of the cost of these other materials. No wonder nearly 15 percent of new homes—and many TOH TV projects—are clad with the stuff. All this has happened in just 25 years since fiber cement, which is a kind of concrete siding, was first introduced....

13 DIY Flooring Ideas Snap Together a Floating Hardwood Floor It’s hard to imagine a house being cozy without the warmth of wood flooring. The quickest way to get new wood underfoot is to install a floating floor. Unlike traditional solid-wood strips, a floating floor isn’t nailed down. Instead, the planks are either glued or snapped together. The planks go down fast, over virtually any material—concrete, plywood, sheet vinyl, even ceramic tile....

So, the type of heating system you choose for your home can have a major impact on your energy savings. One of the frequently asked questions about home heating is: “Which is better—a heat pump or furnace?” The answer depends on a number of factors. Heat Pump vs Furnace Both furnaces and heat pumps work by heating air that is distributed throughout the living space by a ductwork system. Supply ducts transfer heated air to registers (grilles) in different rooms, while return ductwork brings cooler air back to the system’s air handler to be reheated....

If you want to be proactive, swap out any circuit breaker that trips repeatedly or that feels spongy when switched manually. (A breaker’s lever should snap into place when flipped.) That’s why the long-standing recommendation to manually trip and reset each breaker a couple of times a year is still worth following.” Resources: All modern electrical wires, breaker box and fuses can be found at the local electrical supply house....

Whether you have a budding athlete in your household or you just want to get everyone to play as a family, having a soccer goal in the backyard is a win-win. The goal shown here has a basic design and is easy to build, so it can be assembled in an afternoon. And chances are good that you have the home field advantage, with the right tools already on hand and the materials easy to get at the home center....

One of the best ways to encourage your children’s budding creativity is to give them a place to practice their talents. This sturdy, portable artist’s easel is compact but holds colorful paints, brushes, pencils, markers, and more. And since it has two sides, your kids can enjoy drawing and painting with friends and siblings. The frame is inexpensive to build, but the dry-erase boards can make the costs add up....

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No-Grass Yard Ideas In Room 1, Jenn called for artistic concrete to be poured to give the patio a more finished look. The artistic concrete was Pacific Tile in Siberian Haze, with Sandstone grout lines, which is manufactured by Creative Resurfacing. The shade sail they installed to cool off the patio was manufactured by Creative Shade Solutions. In Room 2, Jacque brought a wide variety of Florida-friendly plants, including coontie palm, nandina, smooth cordgrass, and an andonidia palm, which can be found at Zone 9 nurseries and garden centers....

Consult Your Local Water Authority First If you just start siphoning water out of your pool with a garden hose, you could end up costing yourself a lot of time, money, and grief. Many municipalities have their own rules about how, when, and where someone can drain their pool, and you need to abide by those rules. How to Maintain a Pool For instance, most municipalities will require you to run your pool water through your home’s sewer cleanout line so it will flow to a water treatment plant....

Sure, everyone knows that a packed freezer works at optimum efficiency, but there are several other ways to keep your refrigerator working at full efficiency, too. 1. Keep an eye on the temperature in the fridge—and in the room Refrigerator temps may change with the seasons as the room temperature heats up or cools off the appliance. Keep an eye on an extra thermometer—which should be kept in the center of the middle shelf—to make sure it stays at 40 degrees F or below, the margin designated by the U....

Steps for installing a fire escape ladder: Tools

However, all good things must come to an end, especially when you consider that this study found that a kitchen sponge is better for growing bacteria than a Petri dish. Keep reading to learn what problems can arise from a sponge past its prime, how to extend its lifespan, and when to toss it for good. Understanding the Sponge Most household sponges available on supermarket shelves are made from either polyurethane (a petroleum-based product) or cellulose (a natural material derived from wood pulp)....

—Susan Bankhead, Meridian, Idaho A: The Editors of This Old House reply: Not necessarily. If the scratches don’t go all the way through to the wood, you can scuff-sand your floors with a buffer and apply a fresh coat or two of finish. The hardwood floor refinishing process is easier and less expensive than sanding down to bare wood and takes less time. In a few hours, your floors will look as good as new....

What is Sandstone? Sandstone is known for its rustic look and earthy color palette. It can be used for walls, fireplaces, and flooring and is used in indoor and outdoor spaces. Sandstone is not only affordable, but it is also very durable. How To Repair Sandstone Steps Resources To repair the stone steps Mark removes old mortar and loose stones, using a hammer and chisel. To apply mortar to smaller areas between stones, Mark uses a 5x2 margin trowel....