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In this episode: Tom Silva explains the architecture, installation, and maintenance of white cedar shingles; Richard Trethewey explains some of the common failure points in hose spigots and how to repair them; Jenn Nawada travels to Raleigh, North Carolina to help a couple build and plant a self-watering vegetable garden. All About White Cedar Shingles General contractor Tom Silva explains the architecture, installation, and maintenance of white cedar shingles. Where to find it?...

In this episode: Painter Mauro Henrique shows host Kevin O’Connor how to bring an old paintbrush back to life. Kevin O’Connor explains that a “friend” let their wet paintbrush sit too long, allowing it to harden and become unusable. Mauro explains the importance of cleaning a paintbrush after every use before showing Kevin some methods of removing the dried paint from the bristles with a chemical brush cleaner. After donning some safety gear, Mauro shows Kevin how to soak the brush in the chemical solution and explains how to tell when it’s ready....

In this episode: Mason Mark McCullough takes us to a brickyard to explain how he chooses a brick and manufacturers make this durable building material. Mark explains that when he’s looking for a brick to work with, his choices at any particular brickyard could number as many as 20 different types and styles. Mark explains that the main ingredient in any brick is clay and how clay color affects the brick....

In this episode: With the foundation poured, framing can finally start with the sill. Kevin O’Connor and Tom Silva transition from a pitched foundation at the old house to the level new foundation at the addition. The homeowners want a natural stone for the fireplace and exposed foundation. Kevin and Mark McCullough meet at a nearby stone shop that cuts veneer for just such an application. Kevin leaves with some samples....

Often the best way to honor an old house is simply to highlight its good bones. That principle guided the renovation of this 1925 house, where prized original features remained in place. “It felt like an old-soul house with lots of potential, and I had always wanted a renovation project,” says Scott Moren about why he purchased the place, located in Washington, D.C. So, after living in the house for eight months and hiring an architect for initial plans and permits, Scott teamed up with designer Evelyn Pierce Smith for the remodel....

Choosing the best carpet cleaning service for your needs can be tricky since companies can differ in terms of types of carpet cleaning, cost, availability, quality of customer service, and more. The This Old House Reviews team wants to make the process easier for you, so we made this in-depth Servpro carpet cleaning review to help you determine if it’s the best fit for your needs. Table of Contents Our Take Servpro offers a broader range of carpet cleaning services than its competitors we’ve reviewed, including bonnet cleaning, hot water extraction, showcase premier cleaning, and more....

Soffited eaves and gable overhangs are susceptible to water damage caused by ice dams, improper flashing, torn shingles, and faulty gutters. And once water has seeped in, the rot spreads quickly because the wood stays soggy inside the dark, dank space. Damage is also caused by birds and squirrels nesting inside eaves. These animals have been known to chew or peck through a perfectly sound eave, but they’re especially attracted to a water-damaged fascia or soffit, which offers less resistance....

Top 4 Angle Grinders Best Battery-Powered Grinder: DEWALT 20-Volt MAX Brushless Grinder Best Case: Makita 4.5-Inch Angle Grinder Most Lightweight: Bosch 4.5-Inch Angle Grinder Best Accessories: Metabo HPT Angle Grinder Best Battery-Powered Grinder: DEWALT 20-Volt MAX Brushless Grinder This battery-powered grinder contains a brushless motor that adjusts its power output based on the job, maintaining tool efficiency and battery life. It’s a part of DEWALT’s PERFORM & PROTECT line of tools, ensuring steady control and low vibration without sacrificing performance....

Top 5 Blinds Most Customizable: Windowsandgarden Custom Cordless Single-Cell Shades Best Roller Shades: ShadesU Window Shades Most Decorative: US Window and Floor Faux Wood Inside-Mount Cordless Blinds Best Mini Blinds: Achim Home Furnishings Cordless Morningstar Light-Filtering Mini Blind Best Blackout Blinds: Redi Shade Original Blackout Pleated Paper Shade Most Customizable: Windowsandgarden Custom Cordless Single-Cell Shades After selecting your desired color and approximate size, you can press the “customize now” button to put in the exact dimensions of your window for a better fit....

Best Storage: Cascade Complete Dishwasher Pods These dishwasher pods dissolve quickly to release grease-fighting power that can tackle 24-hour stuck-on grime without a prewash. They’re pre-measured and stored in a sealable tub for easy access and use. Key Features Tablet form 78-pack Fresh scent Phosphate-free formula What Customers Are Saying Customers gave these dishwasher pods positive reviews for being simple to use, leaving a fresh scent, and working in a variety of dishwasher models and brands....

Most Coverage: Ortho Bed Bug, Flea, and Tick Killer This spray targets bed bugs, fleas, and ticks where they’re hiding around your home. You can apply it around bed frames, along baseboards, and in other affected areas to kill these pests on contact. Key Features Comes in a one-gallon jug with a spray wand Kills bed bugs, fleas, and ticks Uses synthetic chemicals What Customers Are Saying Positive reviews said that this spray was easy to apply, worked quickly, and killed bed bugs effectively....

Top 5 Futons Best Wood Frame: Kodiak Furniture Phoenix Futon Set Best Bunk Futon: DHP Twin-Over-Futon Convertible Couch and Bed Best Loveseat: Novogratz Leyla Loveseat Best Design: Novogratz Brittany Sofa Futon Best Value: JUMMICO Futon Sofa Bed Best Wood Frame: Kodiak Furniture Phoenix Futon Set Pros and Cons ✔ Made with 100% polyester✔ Has an innerspring mattress✔ Can be positioned in sit, lounge or sleep positions✘ Has a higher price point than other futons on the market ✘ May not be the best option for small spaces...

Best Premium Office Chair: Steelcase Office Chair Key Features 78 pounds 44.2 inches tall by 34.7 inches wide by 23.6 inches deep 3D LiveBack technology adjusts to your spine as you change postures What Customers Are Saying Satisfied customers cited the Gesture’s adjustability and durability as major selling points. Customers who had chronic back pain recommended the Gesture for its lumbar support that lower-quality chairs don’t have. Dissatisfied customers said that the angle of the seat was uncomfortable and that it wasn’t quite worth the high price tag....

Below you’ll find our top recommendations, a comprehensive buyer’s guide, and answers to some common questions. Best Canister Vacuum: Miele Bagged Canister Vacuum Best Portable Upright Vacuum: Eureka Bagless Upright Vacuum Cleaner Best Stick Vacuum: Greenote Cordless Vacuum Cleaner Best Reach: Hoover Upright Vacuum Cleaner Best Handheld Vacuum: Bissell Pet Hair Eraser Handheld Vacuum Best Canister Vacuum: Miele Bagged Canister Vacuum Pros and Cons ✔ Has a head with five height adjustments for low- and medium-pile carpets✔ Can roll or carry the lightweight canister✔ Has six power settings that you can cycle through with the built-in dial ✘ Not meant for high-pile carpets✘ Costs more than other types of vacuums...

The 9 Best Firm Mattresses If you’ve ever slept on a firm mattress, then you know the feeling of sleeping “on” the bed rather than “in” it. There are a lot of benefits to this––the best firm mattress keeps your lower back from sinking out of alignment, allows for better air circulation, and keeps pressure points uplifted. There’s a variety of firm mattresses made for all sorts of sleep needs. The This Old House Reviews team worked with Mattress Advisor to test each firm mattress based on their mattress testing process....

A supportive pillow not only helps end the day with some cozy comfort to relieve stress, but it can also be a tool for experiencing the type of quality and restorative sleep essential to a healthy lifestyle in the long term. In this article, we want to share our research on the best pillow for side sleepers to help you make the best choice for your neck, rest, and overall well-being....

Casper is one of the most instantly recognizable online mattress brands in the world, so if you’re shopping for a new mattress, it’s probably on your list. Well, according to our testing and tons of positive reviews, it should be right at the top. Casper’s memory foam mattress is noteworthy for being a true universal bed, meaning it works well for basically all sleeping positions and comfort preferences. Are you a side sleeper, back sleeper, or stomach sleeper?...

iRobot Roomba i7+ Robot Vacuum With this robotic vacuum, you’ll never have to worry about manually vacuuming your home again. It has vSLAM navigation that learns the layout of your home and builds personal smart maps so it can clean in neat, efficient rows. This vacuum is also powerful, with a three-stage cleaning system that helps pull in even the most stubborn messes. Additionally, this product features Clean Base Automatic Dirt Disposal, which allows the vacuum to empty itself for up to 60 days....

Advantages of Vinyl Siding Vinyl has become the most popular choice in siding. More than one-third of the exterior cladding installed on new and existing homes is vinyl. The balance is wood, aluminum, steel, brick or stucco. If new siding is in your future, keep these three key considerations in mind when looking at the vinyl option: What Should I Look For in Vinyl Siding? Typically they have a low-gloss finish that more closely resembles painted wood....