Between the immediate expenses of insulating material a roof and also the possible energy savings, the kind of roof insulation you choose can make a significant financial difference within the life span of your house. Reflective insulation and fiberglass work differently and one type may be better than another for certain needs, although neither is …
Marble floors are durable and easy to care for. But because marble is a natural, porous stone, it’s important to catch spills after they occur to avoid stains. If your marble floor has become stained from a grease spill, a homemade poultice will help absorb the stain. A white powder combined with a liquid bleaching …
Instead of getting angry after someone tracks tar onto your heirloom wool rug, have a deep breath and head for the kitchen. Street tar often finds it way within the house, particularly during hot days when road surfaces become fragile and tar adheres to the bottoms of shoes. Short of making everyone take their shoes …
Elevated beds appeal to gardeners for a variety of reasons, including well-draining soil that retains water better than conventional garden beds. Soil that maintains water will even retain nutrients that are vital to plants. Adding a rain barrel into your own raised bed setup will even increase your plants’ health, since rainwater is free of …
Double-paned windows comprise two panes of glass separated by a layer of gas. This layout can help to reduce sound transmission and keeps the home more comfortable than old-fashioned single-paned windows. Some producers have taken this concept a step further, with the introduction of triple-paned units containing three individual sheets of glass. Before you splurge …
It’s an oversimplification to visualize a appliance drawing power directly from a solar panel, but the reality is not that much different. A complication arises because the panel output signal is generally direct current — not alternating current — and it usually is not at a voltage which the appliance can use. A device called …
Lemon verbena is a simple herb to grow, either in a sunlit garden during the summer months or in an indoor windowsill in a grass even in sunlight. The leaves give off a deliciously strong orange scent, and can be used fresh or dried in any variety of ways. Cut lemon verbena stalks having a …
Epoxy paint usually comes in an two-part system, and when the parts are mixed, the result would be a hard, smooth finish acceptable for garages and other high-traffic places. The smoothness and durability of epoxy are drawbacks once the time comes for recoating, however, and it isn’t unusual for the new paint to flake or …
The flower spikes of gladiolus hybrids mixed amid the unusual blossoms of species gladiolus supply a constantly changing landscape during the seasons at a mild-winter Mediterranean climate. Hardy at U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 5 through 10, based on the variety, gladiolus (Gladiolus ssp.) Are indigenous to Africa, the Middle East and Europe. …
Like many creatures, frogs and toads are perfectly camouflaged to fit and conceal in their environment. When they sit, it’s tough — if not impossible — to see them, as their protective coloration patterns mix into the background. While this survival technique typically works out well for them, it clashes strongly with power lawnmowers. Amphibians …