Commercial properties face a challenge residential spaces rarely encounter: keeping a professional appearance amid heavy daily use while controlling renovation costs and minimizing disruption. Full replacement of fixtures, surfaces, or flooring is costly, time-consuming, and often unnecessary. An increasing number of commercial property owners and facility managers are choosing surface restoration as a cost-effective strategy. … Read more

Our bathroom sink had been draining slowly for several months. We tried drain cleaner and a Zip-It tool, but nothing solved the problem. The next step was to remove the P-trap to see what was causing the blockage. The house was built in the 1950s, and the P-trap was clearly original galvanized steel. As soon … Read more

A dripping faucet, a small crack in the foundation, or a musty basement odor—these are everyday issues homeowners often ignore. Yet those minor annoyances can be the first sign of much larger problems lurking behind walls or beneath floors. The difference between a $200 repair and a $20,000 project usually comes down to timing. Hidden … Read more

After beginning my career at This Old House, I’ve come full circle: I’m now a regular columnist for Bob Vila’s blog. I’ll be writing about a wide range of home improvement topics. So far, I’ve reviewed Husqvarna’s hovering mower and covered several of the newest tools from Milwaukee. Bob Vila’s team recently refreshed the site’s … Read more

The iconic Hollywood Sign has needed a proper restoration for several years. Although crews have repeatedly painted over graffiti, taggers quickly return, and simply painting over old, peeling layers only provides a short-term fix. This year the Sign is receiving a much more thorough treatment: the most extensive refurbishing effort in nearly 35 years, using … Read more

After you choose a paint color, the next step is selecting the finish or sheen. The finish you pick affects the appearance, durability, and how easy the painted surface will be to clean. Below is a clear, user-friendly guide to help you decide which paint finish is best for each area of your home. Range … Read more

The Kwikset SMARTKEY re-keying system is a real time-saver, letting you rekey locks in seconds without replacing hardware or calling a locksmith. That convenience has made SMARTKEY one of our favorite lock features for both security and practicality. Kwikset’s new Montara entry door system pairs a deadbolt with a locking door handle for two-point protection. … Read more

Attending a media event hosted by Nate Berkus and sponsored by Lowe’s and Valspar was one of the highlights of our year. The gathering was intentionally small—only about fifteen attendees—creating an intimate atmosphere where Nate shared stories about his design philosophy and walked us through hands-on paint and styling activities arranged by Lowe’s. Throughout the … Read more

Supply chain shortages are affecting the homebuilding industry, delaying everything from lumber to hardware and flooring. Many items are back-ordered for months, including garage doors, making timely installations harder to schedule. That’s why we’re grateful we installed our Clopay Avante garage door a couple of years ago. It has become one of our favorite home … Read more

Most basement renovations face the same limitation: lack of natural light. No matter how thoughtfully a space is planned and decorated, the absence of daylight can make it feel less welcoming and cramped. Fortunately, there are several practical strategies to introduce natural light into a basement and make it feel brighter and more spacious. Excavate … Read more