The Components of Paint At its most basic, paint consists of pigments for color and binders (a.k.a. resins) to provide adhesion, in a liquid base (a.k.a. solvent) for application onto surfaces. Latex and acrylic paints are water-based, while oil-based paint often relies on synthetic solvent. Rule of thumb for the eco-conscious: Water-based paints, like latex and acrylic, are safer than oil-based formulas. Paint can also include all manner of additives to make it go on more smoothly, dry faster, last longer, resist stains and scuffs, or enhance some other quality....

This Old House Magazine features step-by-step instructions to making home improvement projects a success, stunning before and after photos of home makeovers, solutions for every style and budget, and the latest tools and products to make projects even easier—and faster! As an Insider, a free digital magazine subscription comes with your membership. To Access: Then, using your finger or mouse, scroll right to view all the issues in the selected year....

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....

Our simple, three-tier potting bench features a wire mesh backing that keeps your favorite hand tools right at your fingertips. If you plan to leave it outdoors, make sure you build it from cedar or exterior-grade lumber. Project Steps An indoor bench should get a weather-resistant finish, at the very least, to prevent water, soil, and fertilizer from damaging the surface. And for those of you who don’t want to DIY this project, we have good news: There are potting benches on the market that suit all budgets....

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....

Tools

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

Steps: Use the manufacturer’s template to mark cutout lines onto the wall. Cut through the drywall using an oscillating multi-tool. Pull the insulation from within the hole. If there’s a wall stud in the way, enlarge the hole in the drywall and cut out the stud with the oscillating multi-tool. Reframe the opening using 2x4s; install a bottom plate, header, jack studs and blocking. Secure the new framing to the old framing with 3-inch screws....