Because cold winter months prompt increased heat usage, it’s no surprise that home fires and carbon monoxide poisoning tend to spike during the season. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and United States Fire Administration have issued a home…
Search results for
home building
This post comes to you courtesy of the “warm fuzzies” department. Habitat for Humanity, one of the more recognized philanthropic organizations in the world, has long been known for its ongoing contribution to the homebuilding industry and those in…
Even if you aren’t doing the job yourself, you should take steps to prepare your home and household before a major renovation begins. Once contractors start running around your home and the demo starts, it’s often too late to…
A home’s entryway can be an incredibly flexible space — and depending on your home, the size and shape can vary widely. Yet whether you have a nook or a sizable space, we’ve got some tips and tricks for…
The Japanese are known for creating tiny efficient electronics and now they’ve refined the small home with the ultra-small home. Forget the fact that Fuyuhito Moriya is 39 and still lives with his mother. He’s taken small space living…
If you’re serious about conserving energy and making sure your home is performing as well as it can, then consider a home energy audit. A few of our blogger friends are going through the home energy audit process and…
A DIYer without tools is like an artist without a paintbrush; a writer without a pencil; a blogger without a computer — well, you get my drift. The importance of tools to home improvement projects is undeniable, but the…
Home Depot invited us to check out their lineup of LED light bulbs which we’ve been wanting to investigate since watching an episode of This New house that profiled some offerings from Philips Lighting. Blake who has been a…
We’ve got word from the DIY Network that they are casting for another show called Ultimate Home Builders and they are seeking contractors, builders and homeowners. Details below: Ultimate Home Builders DIY Network is searching for homeowners, builders and…
This year’s most popular environmentally friendly project? Window replacements, according to a study published by the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials. The study surveyed service professionals in the top 50 markets as ranked by the U.S. Census…
I can’t believe how fast 2010 is flying by, but October is here — and at Charles & Hudson, that means the spotlight centers on all things green building. Green building, an all-encompassing terms that includes both environmentally friendly…
Salvaged building materials are a booming business. And sometimes the price of those “antique” or “professionally finished” pieces can make you choke. Why not refinish your own salvaged pieces. With a little elbow grease and a sharp eye for…
You can go behind the scenes on the HGTV Dream Home Giveaway on HGTV Pro. Check out photos and video of the home that is currently being built near Stowe, Vermont. They are calling it “rustic meets modern”. They’ve…
The Home Depot Foundation and Habitat for Humanity recently announced the national expansion of Partners in Sustainable Building (PSB), a five-year $30 million green building initiative that will help incorporate sustainable building practices in 5,000 green homes nationwide. More…
After seeing the tragic fire in San Bruno, CA this evening we first prayed for the families and people involved but also hope they have updated their fire insurance policies. Most standard homeowners insurance policies cover losses from fire…
Green building has become overwhelmingly popular, as consumers and contractors alike seek out environmentally friendly products and practices in the pursuit of sustainability. But just how pervasive is green building? Franklyn Carter of NPR.org writes that “green building now…
It’s important to us that we contribute to our time to help homeowners in need. We had a great experience last year volunteering with Habitat for Humanity, so when we received the invitation from Sears to participate in Fifty…
We’re here in New Orleans courtesy of Sears. They’ve invited Charles & Hudson to volunteer and participate in the Fifty for Five event (sponsored by Sears) on the 5th anniversary of hurricane Katrina and it’s been an amazing experience.…
One of the most common ways to incorporate green building practices into a project is to adapt or reuse existing materials or entire structures. Although toxicity or structural integrity can sometimes be an issue, experts generally agree that reusing…
Boosting your homes value is important to us all and we all know that DIY projects require a fair amount of planning: budget, specifics, tools, decor, etc. Yet it’s also worthwhile to plan farther out and decide when–or if–you…
When you’re installing new windows, Low-Emissivity (or Low-E for short) styles are almost standard. They will cost you somewhere around 10 to 15% more than traditional windows, but you can count on shaving 30 to 50% off your energy…
I don’t know about you, but as a kid, I spent the majority of my time in a sandbox. My favorite park in my hometown had a huge sandpit complete with child-sized, handle-operated “backhoes” with which we could dig…
Debbie Glassberg, a Kansas City resident and toy designer, has been the talk of the town since construction began on her modern, eco-friendly home made entirely of steel shipping containers. The building process began in early 2009 after the…
I recently read an article on Treehugger about the successful completion of a passive house in the south. A passive house you say? What the heck is that? Passive homes are built without a furnace. They rely on insulation and…
Two recent news stories – an article in The New Yorker entitled The Plastic Panic and a CNN television investigative report called Toxic America – got me thinking, yet again, about the dangers lurking in our own homes. I…
According to a recent report from CNN Money – home building is taking a break. They report that housing starts fell 10% last month. Forecasts may have originally been too optimistic. April was the last month in which first-time…
We’re in Maui this week checking out a few green building projects that will all meet various residential needs achieved in different ways. Hawaii has always been a leader in eco-friendly building projects and protecting the environment for future…
Many people are completely intimidated by the concept of going green. It really feels like if you don’t start using a rain barrel, install solar panels on your roof, eat, drink and breathe 1000% organic, and compost every living…
Our garage door remains one of our favorite home upgrades and we wanted to share five reasons why we still love it.…
See the newest contemporary garage doors from Clopay at this year's Builder's Show as well as on display at The New American Home.…
Vancouver Canada is full of amazing Victorian homes and the city has the do-it-yourself resources to build and maintain these fine works of art.…
Litehouse Living is a completely green venture hoping to bring eco-friendly living to a rejuvenated industrial setting. …
Thanks to a record number of people who are turning 65 in the coming years, Universal Design is becoming the hot topic when it comes to home building and renovating. Simply put, Universal Design means enhancing the accessibility and…
The heating is on, the room feels fine, but nobody wants the chair beside the window. It’s easy to blame old glass. New windows are a big expense, though, and a cold spot isn’t enough to tell you whether…
Your front door affects more than the way your home looks from the street. It also helps keep your home secure and prevents heated or cooled air from escaping. In colder parts of the country, those practical concerns become…
I’ve spent more weekends than I can count out in the garage, and if there’s one thing every DIYer has in common, it’s that the workshop grows faster than we plan for. A shelf of stain and lacquer here,…
There is a certain appeal to looking at a roof problem and thinking, “I can probably sort that out.” Homeowners who are comfortable with tools handle plenty of maintenance themselves. Cleaning accessible gutters, checking for obvious damage from the…
Walking into a bathroom that looks impressive but has nowhere to put towels, poor lighting around the mirror, or a shower door that blocks the vanity is a good reminder that appearance is only part of the job. For…
Not every home improvement delivers the same return. Some projects are mostly about making a house more comfortable or better suited to your family, while others can also improve curb appeal, energy performance, and resale value. Exterior projects often…
Construction sites bring a lot of moving parts together. The general contractor oversees the project, while subcontractors take care of jobs such as framing, electrical work, plumbing, and roofing. Equipment may come from another company, and the property owner…
A kitchen renovation is a fantastic chance to create a space that truly reflects what you love. If you see cooking as a creative adventure rather than just a chore, this is your moment to build a room that…
Anyone who has taped off a room before sanding already understands the core of mold work. You control where the dust goes first, and only then do you make dust. The sequence is the craft. Photo by Olek Buzunov…
Los Angeles and Denver may both get plenty of sunshine, but that’s about where the similarities end when it comes to exterior paint. In LA, painters contend with strong sun, heat, and long dry stretches. Denver sits a mile…
A truly high-end renovation isn’t about adding expensive finishes to an existing structure. It begins with decisions made long before a wall is opened or a new tile is laid. The quality of a luxury renovation is built into…
Few household plumbing problems are as common, or as frustrating, as a blocked drain. Water that will not drain, a sink that backs up, or a shower that pools around your feet are everyday annoyances that most homeowners encounter…
Every new homeowner eventually asks the same question: should renovations happen before moving in or after settling in first? The honest answer is that it depends on the room, not the whole house. Treating “renovate first” or “live in…
Modern design often focuses on clean lines, raw materials, and open floor layouts. Many people assume soft textile floor coverings belong exclusively in historic or vintage houses. Soft textiles complete minimalist rooms by balancing hard surfaces. Adding warmth to…
The question shows up in my inbox every spring, usually phrased the same way. Somebody built a neighbor’s deck for $2,800, the neighbor told a coworker, and now there are three more people asking about pergolas. Do I need…
Every spring, somebody discovers that a good chunk of their back slope has relocated to the patio. Mulch floats away. Bare patches spread. A trench forms where water has decided to run, and it gets deeper every storm. Homeowners…
Updating wall surfaces can instantly transform any room during home improvements. Selecting appropriate materials creates a fresh atmosphere and protects interior structural surfaces. Every room demands careful thought regarding durability, texture, and light reflection. Matching wall coatings to room…
The tile that looked flawless in the showroom has a way of behaving differently once it is outside. A finish that feels grippy when dry turns slick in the rain, a rich color fades a shade under the summer…
Living close to neighbours brings clear social benefits, but shared spaces often create quiet friction. Noise, boundaries, and shared maintenance routinely spark disagreements between property owners. Preventing minor issues from becoming major disputes requires clear rules and proactive communication.…
Brookline has some of the most sought-after apartments in the Boston area, and many of them sit inside buildings that were standing long before moving trucks existed. Beacon Street brownstones, Coolidge Corner walk-ups, and the triple-deckers scattered through Fisher…
Moving into a busy urban neighborhood can be exciting, but limited street parking and strict loading rules can quickly complicate moving day. A truck that cannot park close to the property may cause delays, increase labor time, and create…
Most golfers underestimate how much the best indoor golf simulators have changed in the last five years. What used to be clunky, expensive setups with questionable ball data accuracy are now legitimate training tools used by tour players and…
Installing a kitchen cabinet is not especially complicated. Installing an entire kitchen so that every door aligns, the countertops sit level, and the appliances fit exactly as planned is a different challenge. A careful DIYer can complete the job,…
As a dad who spends weekends tackling home improvement projects, I’ve learned that the right gear makes every job easier. That doesn’t just apply to tools. It applies to what you wear, especially your shoes. Whether I’m building a…
Large-scale construction projects demand careful coordination, and that’s exactly what the scheduling platforms in this guide are built to handle. Whether it’s managing multiple subcontractors, tracking shifting timelines, or keeping field crews and office teams aligned, these tools are…
A bathroom remodel is an exciting opportunity to improve comfort, functionality, and the overall value of your home. Before choosing new tile, fixtures, or cabinetry, it is worth understanding what lies behind the walls. Homeowners planning a renovation can…
Moving a single room’s worth of furniture sounds simple until you start pricing it out. A couch, bedroom set, or a handful of oversized pieces fall into an awkward middle ground. They’re too much for parcel shipping but often…
Most homeowners focus on improvements that are easy to see, such as a remodeled kitchen, fresh landscaping, or updated flooring. While those upgrades certainly add appeal, hidden liabilities can have an even greater effect on property value. Small issues…
A water stain on the ceiling is frustrating, but it rarely tells the whole story. Roof leaks often travel along rafters, insulation, or other building materials before the water becomes visible inside your home. That means the spot where…
Developers face growing pressure to select materials that protect our natural resources. Choosing green materials has become a core part of successful project management. Smart leaders are rethinking their procurement paths to meet these expectations. See how responsible choices…
Moving to or within Brooklyn is an exciting chapter, but the process of getting there can feel overwhelming. Between packing, logistics, and coordinating schedules, the last thing you want is to settle for a moving company that adds stress…
Most weekend projects do not go wrong in the driveway or at the checkout. They start slipping earlier than that, usually in the kitchen, when you decide you probably remember the size well enough. The errand itself sounds easy…
Not every home improvement project can be completed with parts from a local hardware store. If you’re installing a custom outdoor kitchen, upgrading a workshop, building a home brewing setup, fabricating metal furniture, or tackling a specialized plumbing project,…
Water damage rarely waits for a convenient moment. A pipe bursts at 2 a.m., a summer storm pushes water into a Brooklyn basement, or a slow roof leak in an aging Manhattan building finally gives way – and suddenly…
Property ownership comes with more than the right to use, rent, sell, or improve a piece of real estate. It also comes with a responsibility to keep the property reasonably safe for people who are lawfully on it. Whether…
Metal roofing isn’t a single product; it’s a category that includes several distinct panel styles with real differences in appearance, installation, and performance. Standing seam and corrugated panels are two of the most common options homeowners run into when…
Most homeowners view a damp basement as a seasonal nuisance. A musty smell, a few small puddles after a heavy storm, or a damp concrete wall might seem like minor inconveniences that can be dealt with later. But these…
Basements often end up as overlooked storage areas or laundry rooms, ignored until a problem forces homeowners to pay attention. But neglecting the space below ground level carries serious risks—poor moisture control can compromise the foundation, cause extensive financial…
The roof is your home’s primary defense against the elements. Whether you are constructing a new house or replacing an aging roof, the material you select dictates how well the structure withstands local weather. The decision requires balancing regional…
Steel and glass partitions carry a strong visual identity. The combination of dark metal profiles and clear glass panels immediately suggests industrial lofts, converted warehouses, and the bold interiors that defined urban residential design in cities like New York…
An overhead door that malfunctions disrupts daily routine. It also creates an immediate security risk for a home. Property owners usually look for a quick fix when a torsion or extension mechanism snaps without warning. However, this urgency can…
Most homeowners plan an exterior renovation by working from the outside in, picking siding colors, scheduling window replacements, and thinking about gutters well before the roof enters the conversation. That sequencing tends to create problems that are entirely avoidable.…
Last spring, I was getting ready to build a cedar pergola for our backyard. I had already priced the lumber and picked out a stain, but something didn’t feel right. Before buying the materials, I uploaded a photo of…
Slip and fall accidents account for over 800,000 hospitalizations annually in the United States. This category also includes slipping or tripping on any kind of icy flooring. The landlord’s legal liability for such an incident does not depend on…
Running a construction business in Arizona without the right insurance is a gamble nobody can afford. Top Coverage Providers in this space aren’t always easy to spot, especially when policy language varies wildly between carriers and the true cost…
The role of commercial interiors is huge in affecting the perception of customers, working staff and business partners about a business. The retail, offices, hospitality and showroom environments communicate brand long before any conversation is heard. This is why…
Moving costs can vary a lot across Southern California, even when two moves seem similar in size. A two-bedroom apartment move in Orange County may cost more than a similar move in the Inland Empire, not because the belongings…