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Controlling Basement Dust Mites

You can’t see microscopic dust mites, and the mites don’t typically carry any diseases, but they are far from harmless. The American College of Asthma, Allergy and Immunology estimates that 10 percent of Americans suffer from dust mite allergies. That means millions of unseen visitors in your basement could be causing your loved ones to have runny noses, wat ... Read More »

Planning a Basement Home Theater

In recent years LCD flat screens and plasma TV’s have dropped in price significantly. This has made home theater projects more affordable than ever. In its simplest form a home theater is a decent sized TV and some surround sound speakers. On the high-end, you might have a wall sized projection system, rows of leather recliners, and a sound system that costs ... Read More »

Ten Fabulous Uses for a Garage

There are three things you need to consider if you are thinking of making over a garage: One, always check with your municipality to make sure you have all appropriate permits. Two, make sure whatever you are planning isn’t going to be a big problem for your neighbors. And three, you may need to negotiate with your family members regarding the use of the spa ... Read More »

Prepping Your House for an In-Home Day Care Center

While there are many practical and legal considerations to having a day care in your home, nearly all are “not unreasonable. It’s a lot of hoops to jump through, but as a parent I would want all of these needs to be met,” said Lorian Lamuniere, of Bernardston, MA. Lamuniere decided in recent months after completing her teaching degree that she wanted to open ... Read More »

Making Stairs and Railings Child-Safe

I just returned from a vacation house where my one-year-old was far more infatuated with the staircase than the dock or beach. He required constant and close supervision as he crawled up and down an old set of tall, narrow steps. Stairs are a favorite for small children, but they can be a safety hazard, as can balconies, decks and railings. The Centers for D ... Read More »

Cool Things to Do With a Fire Escape

Before we talk about clever things you can do with your fire escape, we’re obligated to tell you this: safety first! Fire escapes are, first and foremost, critical safety components of your building, and you need to make sure they’re kept clear at all times in case people need to evacuate in the event of a fire. That means that a lot of the clever, fascinati ... Read More »

How to Remove a Hot Tub

Over the years as a Denver-area remodeling contractor, I have both installed some hot tubs and removed some. The removal process is not that complicated, but still involves some planning. In most cases it is about half as much work as the installation. Many hot tubs are installed on decks and often the deck is built around the hot tub. This can complicate ... Read More »

How to Fix Up and Renew Backyard Chairs

Summer is the time for outdoor grill parties or sitting on a deck on a hot summer night sipping cold drinks. Whether you’re a refurbishing beginner or a carpentry expert, it’s time to drag those worn backyard chairs out of the shed or restore a yard sale treasure using these simple guidelines: PLASTIC CHAIRS (Skill Level: Beginner): Chairs made of plastic c ... Read More »

For Football Fans, a Spinning Wall Turns a Yard into an Ampitheater

It is a dream come true for designers and inventors when a casual doodle on a napkin becomes reality after many years. Timothy Pulver is the brain behind Mr. Spinwall, hardware that can make your wall spin with just a push of your finger. The custom hardware bracket incorporates into the wall and is designed to support 3000lbs of weight. So, if you want to ... Read More »

How big of an investment is an outdoor kitchen?

Like any major upgrade, an outdoor kitchen could be a simple affair that costs a couple grand or it could easily run into six figures. When deciding how much to invest in an outdoor kitchen, consider how you will use the space and how often it will be used, and how long you plan to live at your current location. Each of these factors will help determine the ... Read More »