Exterior & Framework

An exercise in which we determine if a wall is load bearing or not.

What is the relative cost of roofing materials?

Roofing your own home: nobody ever said it would be fun or easy. And it certainly is no fun to pay out-the-nose for some possibly disreputable roofing company to do the work. Why not try to roof your own house? About Home Renovations has put together a multi-part roofing video to show you how it's done. Even if you don't want to roof your...

Find your house siding colors in this picture gallery.

Find out how to get rid of water in the crawl space. Water under the house will be no problem if you take these steps.

Want to know how to repair a concrete floor? We've got simple steps on how to repair a concrete floor.

It's the topic du jour: paint roof white to save energy and money. But what's never discussed is how to do it.

Find out if fiber cement siding is right for your home and how it compares to other siding choices. Fiber cement siding can be a viable alternative to vinyl siding.

In the battle of HardiPlank vs vinyl siding, which wins? Find out if you should choose HardiPlank or vinyl.

Will my vinyl siding installer dispose of the old siding for me? What happens with vinyl siding disposal - does it get recycled?

Find out how to waterproof your exterior foundation wall. Exterior foundation wall waterproofing is key to ensuring a dry basement.

A quick overview of materials used in masonry work. Find out material most commonly used in masonry work.

Find out how ice dams form. Do you need to get ice dam protection when the roofing company offers it to you? You may be surprised by the answer.

Not all shingles can be used for every type of roof pitch. Learn how your roof pitch determines the type of shingles you can use.

Before you do any home remodeling that involves walls, you should understand a bit about wall framing. Wall frames are the core of the wall.

How do you install insulation in an attic - with the vapor barrier up or down? Or do you even need a vapor barrier in an attic?

Can you lay insulation over can or recessed lights? Will can / recessed lights cause a fire if in contact with insulation?

Insulating the attic should be your first thing to do if you're reluctant to take on a whole-house insulation project.

Can you lay steel roofing over existing asphalt composite shingles? Metal or steel roof can be installed over composite with the addition of a framework.

It's your not already convinced that jacking up your house by yourself is a bad idea, read this cautionary tale about the woes of DIY house jacking.

It's quite easy to straighten out bowed or warped studs in non-load bearing walls to help them accept drywall.

What do roofers and siding installers mean when they say "square?" A roofing square and a siding square are the same thing: a unit of measurement.

What is slab jacking? Learn how slab jacking might be a foundation repair method that will help level and stabilize your house.

Is HardiPlank right for your home? Find out if the higher costs associated with HardiPlank are worth it.

Learn whether you want to take on the task of repointing your brick mortar. For cracked mortar, the only solution is to repoint it.

Asphalt, asphalt composition, shake, rubber, metal - what type of roofing material is best, cheapest, and lasts longest? Learn about roof materials here.

Your roof is your "umbrella" against everything the world dishes out to you. It also protects your valuable inside home repairs. Replace your roof, and keep the rest of your house intact.

A definition, and short history of, the open floor plan house.

Removing load bearing walls is serious business. Consider all the factors before undertaking this important step.

Look at structural issues first before removing any interior walls - whether you believe those walls bear loads or not.

What are the basics of laying down a roof with asphalt shingles?

Replacing a damaged or missing wooden roof shingle can allow you to avoid leaks and resulting water damage as well as help prolong the lifespan of a roof that is becoming compromised by age.

Insulating paint claims to provide climate insulating properties without the fuss and cost of conventional insulation. What is this stuff?

Preventing moisture--and thus, invasive mold--in your crawlspace is very easy to do with the application of ground plastic.

If you've ever had the pleasure of installing fencing, you'll find that it's kind of nice to have a fence company install your fence. Here's what to expect.

It's not always easy to miss utility lines--electric, water, sewer--when working on one's yard.

It's said that rodents can fit through a hole the size of a nickel. Obviously, they'll be able to fit through unprotected ventilation holes in your eaves. Here's a quick, simple, cheap way to keep rodents and birds out of your attic.

You own a house built before 1950 and it has cement asbestos siding. What should you do with this potentially dangerous siding product?

Install metal roofing? You may have seen this in architectural magazines, but how about on your house?

Fiber-cement siding is a great alternative to vinyl siding for many homeowners.

Vinyl siding seems to be everywhere. Learn why.

Discover how roof shingling is done, either before your DIY roof shingling job or hiring a pro.

Do you want a slate roof? Find out the basics of slate roof tile before jumping into this momentous decision.

Insulation in Walls -

Is it possible to install metal roofing over shingles without tearing off those shingles?

Find out your house siding options in this picture guide: vinyl, plywood, aluminum, and more.

Learn a few unexpected termite "triggers" that can bring termites into your house.

Q: Is Crawlspace ventilation required?

What are the best roofing materials that will last the longest? Our answers might surprise you.

Homeowners often wonder why or even if they should install rolled roofing. We give a few answers here.

A list of common roofing materials available for your home.

What are the best shed roofing materials?

The hottest, newest roofing material is called the standing seam metal roof. Is it right for your house?

A quick primer on how to remove moss on a roof, using dry and liquid applications.

How to open a load-bearing wall when the wall is fairly short.

What do you need to know about foam sheathing for your house's exterior?