Category: Home Improvement Blogs

4 ways to prep your home for winter

(BPT) - When you start feeling those first hints of winter, the instinct to get ready kicks in. You may dig out your car’s snow brush, blanket, shovel and winter survival kit and place them in the trunk of your car. The winter coats and boots com...

How to make a concrete lawn border [video]

Sorry, but your browser does not support the video tag. (BPT) - Add curb appeal to your home with concrete borders that give a clean, finished look to your landscaping by defining your lawn, flower beds and pathways. For full project instructions, visit QUIKRETE.com.

Add curb appeal with a concrete lawn border

(BPT) - Curb appeal is important to homeowners for many reasons. Some people take pride in keeping up the exterior appearance of their home and enjoy the process of doing so. Others want to be the envy of the neighborhood or are meeting property guidel...

How Much Does Central Air Cost?

During the sweltering summer, it can be hard to put a price on comfort. But the sweet relief of air conditioning does come at a cost, and the bills get … READ MORE How Much Does Central Air Cost? The post How Much Does Central Air Cost? appeared ...

Planning and Preparing Your Garden

Creating a fresh garden doesn’t have to be a daunting project. Follow along as Ashley of Heirloomed shares a few easy tips for planning your own farmhouse inspired garden. Click here to check out the rest of her Farmhouse Garden series. Planning and Preparing Your Garden It’s Ashley from heirloomed again and today I’m sharing a... The …

4 tips to mitigate home improvement costs

(BPT) - Construction material costs in 2018 are up about 10 percent compared to last year, according to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data, and some raw materials, like crude petroleum, are up nearly 50 percent. Labor is also getting more expensive a...

5 simple tips for a low-maintenance lawn

(BPT) - Whether it’s regular outdoor entertaining, kids playing soccer or dogs chasing tennis balls, fun on the lawn — combined with hot, dry conditions — can mean your grass gets a major workout during the summer and early fall. But ...

How Do Heat Pumps Work?

Everybody knows what air conditioners and furnaces are, but their cousin in the HVAC world — the heat pump — isn’t as well understood. Don’t let the name fool you, … READ MORE How Do Heat Pumps Work? The post How Do Heat Pumps Work? a...

5 ways to beat the heat this summer

(BPT) - Everyone has had that moment when fun in the sun turns into a struggle to stay cool. And when that happens, all you want to do is get out of the heat as fast as possible.Sometimes, however, that is easier said than done, and if you’ve eve...

Military move? 5 key tips that can smooth the way

(BPT) - Changing residences can be an emotional and logistical challenge for any family.For military families, that challenge can be recreated many times over. Due to the nature of the work, the average U.S. military family relocates every two to three...

Inspiration for Creating a Farmhouse Garden

Creating a fresh garden doesn’t have to be a daunting project. Follow along as Ashley of Heirloomed shares a few easy tips for planning your own farmhouse inspired garden. Inspiration for Creating a Farmhouse Garden Hi, I’m Ashley Schoenith, the founder + lifestyle designer of Heirloomed. I’m on a mission to keep heirlooms around for... The …

Sump Pump Maintenance Checklist

Welcome to the Take Charge of Your Home series from Direct Energy! Hiring a professional to perform household maintenance may offer convenience and peace of mind, but you can do many of … READ MORE Sump Pump Maintenance Checklist The post Sump Pu...

4 ways gardening is good for you

(BPT) - In this increasingly digital world, there's an app for just about everything. People are glued to their smartphones, texting instead of talking, and, in general, interacting with technology more than they do with the living, breathing world aro...

Backyard Entertainment Starts with Clean Concrete

(BPT) - The backyard truly is an extension of the home these days, so it makes perfect sense that homeowners are placing greater emphasis on the upkeep and maintenance of these areas. In fact, the primary reason homeowners start a landscaping project i...