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Memorial Day is known as the kickoff of summer fun. Campgrounds, amusement parks and beaches all typically mark the long weekend as their season’s opening. If you find yourself staying home during Memorial Day weekend, there’s another thing the holiday weekend is known to kickoff which might be more to your liking: The unofficial start of the home improvement season! The long weekend can be an opportunity to fix those nagging little problems that have been at the back of your mind, just waiting for a nice day to get started. Got a leaky outdoor faucet? Need to bring the...

If you’re thinking of going into business as a contractor, it’s important to note that all states require contractors to be licensed. In addition, licensing laws are not universal across all 50 states. So, just because you’ve obtained a license in one state, doesn’t mean it would be legal to work as a contractor in another. Some states only require a license to work in specific fields such as plumbing, electrical, HVAC, or refrigeration. In these states, to be a general contractor doesn’t require a license. But, bear in mind that working in those above-mentioned fields without a license could...

If you’re tired of the bugs and a little too much nature while you’re out on your patio, then maybe it’s time to screen things in. Luckily, if your patio as an overhang attached to the house, then much of the framing is already done for you. The rest is as simple as attaching a top and bottom plate between the support posts, and wall studs from floor to ceiling between the same posts. There are a few different methods in which screens can be installed. The old-fashioned way was to simply staple screening along the rails and studs, tightening...

The biggest factor in determining the type and quality of wood that you’ll use for your next project is the project itself. That’s because certain varieties of wood are best suited for certain projects. For example, a hardwood with a closed grain such as maple would be an excellent choice for a butcher block, rather than soft porous wood such as pine. Most lumber can be described as either being either softwood or a hardwood. Generally, softwoods are much less expensive, so determining your needs can help you to decide which type of wood to buy. This, in turn can...