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In this episode: Landscape designer Jenn Nawada takes an overgrown flower bed and transforms it into a beautiful garden. Jenn demonstrates how to clean up a garden by pruning, dividing, and defining the edges. Without spending too much extra money, Jenn shows you how to expand your garden while blending it in with an already established landscape. Home technology expert Ross Trethewey teaches how air filtration systems work and how to build a localized DIY air filter....

In this episode: In this special episode of Ask This Old House, Tom Silva and Mark McCullough tell you everything you need to know about fireplaces. Fireplaces make a statement about your style and your home and there’s nothing better than gathering around a fire. If they are not built and maintained correctly, fireplaces can be dangerous. To make sure yours is safe, start with a inspection from a reputable company....

In this episode: Carpenter Nathan Gilbert takes us through his journey from child to carpenter to cast member on the Ask This Old House team. Nathan explains who his biggest influences were, and how he first gained experience in the trade. As a proud military veteran, Nathan explains his call to duty, how he spent his time in the US Navy, and the doors that experience opened for him. He even goes on to explain how general contractor Tom Silva took him under his wing through the This Old House Next Generation program....

In this episode: This project has seen many renovations in the last 130 years. As the demolition team peels back layers, Charlie Silva uncovers some shortcuts used by previous builders, like no footing found under the existing foundation. Kevin O’Connor finds Charlie working with the excavator to correct foundation issues which entails adding new footings to support the existing foundation. A new basement will be added underneath the family room, which the homeowners’ request to be 14” lower than the existing basement....

Top 5 Dinnerware Sets Most Unique: Pfaltzgraff Trellis 16-Piece Dinnerware Set Key Features Made from stoneware Set for four people Four 11-inch dinner plates Four eight-inch salad plates Four six-inch cereal bowls Four 14-ounce mugs What Customers Are Saying Most reviewers said that the plates were easy to clean and of good value considering the price. However, disappointed customers said that the dishes started to show scratches after a few months of use....

Top 5 Hangers These non-slip velvet hangers are offered in a variety of colors, quantities, and styles, allowing you to find the perfect pack to hang all of your articles of clothing. Plus, their slim design prevents them from taking up extra space in your closet. Key Features 50 hangers Made of velvet 17.4 by 0.2 by 9.2 inches each Available in other colors, quantities, and styles What Customers Are Saying Best Rotating Hook: Utopia Home Velvet Hangers These lightweight and durable hangers have a non-slip velvet coating around them to safely hold your clothes....

Table of Contents Top 5 Home Generators Best Power Station: Jackery Portable Power Station Easiest To Start: Westinghouse Portable Generator Best Inverter Generator: Champion Power Equipment Open-Frame Inverter Most Powerful: DuroMax Electric-Start Generator Best Design: DuroStar Gas-Powered Portable Generator Jackery’s portable power station can support small devices, such as space heaters, coffee makers, and cell phones, making it useful for on-the-go power. Additionally, it can run these devices while it’s being recharged to give you continuous power....

Most Thorough: Lemi Shine Washing Machine Cleaner This washing machine cleaner has a two-step process. You pour the packet of powder into the machine before running a normal cycle with hot water. Afterward, you wipe any remaining grime with the included wipe. Its biodegradable formula uses citric acid to eliminate odors and break down grime. Key Features Eight packets and wipes Lemon scent Ammonia-, bleach-, quat-, and formaldehyde-free ingredients What Customers Are Saying Though it included more steps than other washing machine cleaners, customers said that this product was easy to use....

Homeowners don’t have to take this on alone. Professional pest control companies are equipped with the knowledge, products, and experience to remediate any pest issue Dallas homeowners may come across. The This Old House Reviews Team believes the best pest control companies servicing Dallas are Orkin, Terminix, and Aptive. These top pest control providers each offer decades of experience and guard Dallas homes against a wide variety of common household pests....

What to Know About Choosing Insulation Fiberglass insulation is sold by wall thickness and that should be adhered to so the insulation doesn’t get compressed and lose effectiveness. Open cell spray foam has the same R-factor as fiberglass, but it goes around any penetrations and acts as an air infiltration barrier. Closed cell spray foam has a higher R-factor per inch, but it is more expensive. When retrofitting, cellulose, made from recycled newspaper, can be densely packed into the stud bays....

A Family Moves Home The two-bedroom house will become a permanent three-bedroom home for pediatricians Geoffrey Allen and Michelle Forcier and their young daughter. After living in Chicago, the couple returned to New England to be closer to family in Connecticut, Massachussetts, and New York. They spent the past year and a half in a nearby rental before this house went on the market. Big Changes Ahead The south side of the house, which faces the bay, will receive a dramatic makeover....

Many states and utilities have spent the last 20 years moving to a deregulated model, which allows for competition at all stages in the electrical process and could lead to lower rates for consumers. But it can also lead to more confusing billing structures. Watch this video and read on to learn more about common electrical billing structures. What is a Fixed Rate Electrical Plan? The most common bill is called a fixed rate usage per kilowatt hour, which means that you pay a certain rate for all the electricity you use in the house....