Home Improvement, Remodeling

When the last snow has fallen and temperatures finally hold above freezing, it's a good idea to check your home for signs of damage from winter weather.

No matter how diligent you were getting your home ready at the start of winter, there's a chance one or more of the projects will crop up on your springtime to-do list.

INSPECT THE DECK

Heavy snowfall can take a toll on a deck's structure, making it vulnerable to collapse when you're grilling for a crowd this ...

Don't let visions of clunky solar panels and backbreaking work make you shy away from sustainable living. Recent innovations make it easier than ever to live a green lifestyle without sacrificing style. Check out some of the new, beautiful and trendy ways you can create an environmentally friendly home.

REDUCE YOUR CARBON FOOTPRINT WITH GREEN WALLS

Also known as "living walls," green walls are trending due to their numerous health benefits and interior functionality. ...

You get what you pay for, as the saying goes, and there are some areas where you shouldn't skimp on quality – building materials and contractor services, for example. When you cut corners in important areas, you'll typically end up paying a lot more in the long run. You might have higher operating costs, have to pay extra to fix the mistakes made the first time around or replace something years before you should have to.

–– Insulation. Properly insulating your home improves comfort, ...

Heating bills are looming large. Check out these five tips to quickly cut your energy costs without sacrificing comfort.

1. Stop leaks. Drafty rooms suck (the heat out of your home). Single-pane, older windows without reliable storm windows can lose heat quickly, so use plastic sheeting – like the 3M Window Kit – to seal them. If drafts are coming in around the frame, fill those with caulking.

Sealing leaks around windows and doors will instantly raise the comfort level ...

There's a lot of talk these days about the many ways to bring historic homes into the modern era. But if you've purchased an older home – or watched enough of the TV shows featuring their renovations – you know that the original features can lend the most charm. Here are some things to consider as you work to maintain the integrity of a vintage home through updates, upgrades and renovations.

KNOW WHAT YOU'RE GETTING INTO

Historic homes are popular for a reason. They exude ...

With the holidays behind us and the coldest months settling in, you might not be thinking too much about getting professional work done in your home. But whether it's hiring a handyman to finish a to-do list or putting pen to paper for a big remodel, you can still complete some useful projects. And since winter is a slow period for many professionals, you might even be able to negotiate a better rate and get on the schedule quickly.

WINTERIZE YOUR INTERIOR

You may be a ...