Recent Blog Posts

5 OUTDOOR DECK STYLING TIPS FROM THE HGTV® DREAM HOME 2021

Discover how you can blend the beauty of the outdoors and the comforts of the indoors with these 5 tips from the HGTV® Dream Home 2021. Embrace color by adding vibrant accents like a plush set of pillows.Try a soft throw to warm up a brisk morning or chilly evening.Create a cozy corner for...

THE REINVENTION OF THE DINING ROOM

Over the last year, as the world changed all around us, the meaning of home changed too. Homes transformed from standard living spaces into our offices, classrooms, workout spaces, virtual hangouts and more, as we spent more and more time there. We started using our spaces differently, making each...

Simpson Strong-Tie Shows You How to Build a Stronger Deck — in Eight Easy Videos

The year 2016 saw its share of momentous events, if you care to recall: Britain voted to leave the EU, Russia interfered in the US presidential election and North Korea conducted nuclear tests. At that time, the world was still in an economic expansion and Americans were still living their usual...

FENCING REGULATIONS: PERMITS & HEIGHT STIPULATIONS

For DIYers and inspired homeowners alike, embarking on a fencing project can be an exciting endeavor with high returns. After all, a fence can change the look and feel of an outdoor space while also serving as a perimeter of safety. But to make the saying “good fences make good neighbors” ring true...

DIY: Nominal Lumber Size Versus Actual Lumber Size

Every so often a homeowner tackling a new project will reach out to ask why their lumber doesn’t fit the connector. We sympathize. Lumber sizes can be confusing, especially when someone is first getting started with DIY woodworking. Nearly every single time this question comes up, it comes down to...

Housing Remains Economic Bright Spot, but Challenges Persist

WASHINGTON — As the country continues to rebound from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, housing has been a bright spot in the economic recovery. And while the home building industry is poised for another solid year in 2021, regulatory and supply-side challenges could harm housing affordability,...

In Depth: Trim & Moulding

Despite pandemic challenges, the market looks healthy for the decorative trim segment. If you want to understand the staying power of the moulding and trim industry, you’ll need to look far back in time. The ancient Greeks extensively used mouldings to adorn their temples such as the Parthenon, and...

Tips to Improve the Air Quality in Your Home

Many think air pollution is just an outdoor issue. The truth is, indoor air quality is just as important. Perhaps even more so, when you consider the amount of time spent indoors. Poor inside air quality is due to many factors such as a lack of ventilation, chemicals present in building materials...

Therma Tru Doors

Built-In Privacy Starts Here! Smooth-Star® doors with internal blinds featuring EnLiten™ flush-glazed designs deliver a simple, seamless look and long-lasting performance. Ideal for patio, side and back doors, the versatile, convenient design allows for optimal daylight and outdoor views or...

Construction Safety Meeting Topics for the Summer

Safety training is essential for any contractor, and regular safety meetings can share important information with entire crews, departments, and staff. Opting for specialized construction safety meeting topics for the summer is a great way to refresh and update safety procedures seasonally, but...

Fortifiber A1 Window Installation

Check out this Window Installation with Fortifiber Corporation. This demo includes WeatherSmart Housewrap, Fortiflash, Fortifiber Moistop Sealant, and Fortifiber Sheathing Tape. All these items are sold at our yards!

Pergola DIY Outdoor Accents Decorative Hardware

Getting your Deck Ready for Spring

As soon as the snow melts and the ground is somewhat thawed, it is the perfect time to start getting your deck ready for spring. This way, you can spend more time relaxing and enjoying your deck later on in the warm summer sun. Winter is often hard on decks; especially those made of all wood. It...

How Good is Your Window Warranty?

Today, many vinyl windows offer some version of a lifetime warranty. But not all those warranties are created equal, experts warn. And contractors who don’t know what a warranty really says can be left holding the bag if customers have problems. “Warranties are not guarantees,” said Jeff Lowinski...

Breathing Easy: An Introduction to Healthy Homes

Imagine you use a vacuum-seal bag to store your winter clothes during the spring and summer. Your clothes are tightly packed in a waterproof, dustproof package with little to no air leakage. After several months, you pull out your clothes. They may smell a little plasticky and stale, so you let...

6 Trends for Kitchen and Bath Spaces

Aside from equipment breakdowns, few phrases are more likely to provoke a kitchen or bath remodel than the phrase “this looks dated.” Styles and tastes evolve constantly. So, to help keep you up to date, here are six trends to consider incorporating when your clients say they want a fresh look...

Roof Ventilation

Why ventilate a roof? “The main purpose of roof ventilation is to keep the air space above the roof insulation more or less at the same temperature as the outside air.”  That’s Sarah Gray, an engineer with RDH Building Science, talking about best practices for venting a roof. “Roof ventilation...

How to Convince a Customer that You're the Builder They Need

Home builders today are lucky—they have more tools available than ever before to help convince prospective customers that they’re the right choice. Builders who use these tools effectcively are often able to charge higher prices while closing sales more easily than their competitors (Image:...

Are You Listening To Your Remodeling Clients?

A recent experience got me thinking about how companies all-too-often fall back on financial incentives when dealing with an unhappy customer, yet totally miss the point and fail to solve the problem. Allow me to explain: I’m a long-time reader of the Chicago Tribune, but a series of delivery...