Engineered-Wood Flooring

Durable, affordable, and easy to install, engineered-wood flooring is a popular alternative to solid wood.Though solid-wood flooring is a perennial favorite, engineered-wood flooring has soared in popularity in recent years. Engineered-wood floors are generally more affordable and easier to install than their solid-wood counterparts, and they can be laid down below grade (below ground level) and

Gleaming' in the Rain

We all know that washing your car seems to bring on the rain. I've found another way to encourage precipitation, tour a Solar Photovoltaic System. After a sun-filled week the skies clouded over and unleashed a downpour about 30 minutes before I visited a friend's solar system. Despite the non-power producing weather, Bruce showed me his PV system and we climbed up on the roof during a lull in the

Deck, Patio & Porch Design

The key to designing a successful outdoor living space is to create an area that reflects the architectural character of the home as well as the personalities of the homeowners.With regard to porch, patio, and deck design, first consider the activities your family wants to pursue within the space. Then think about the ways you can divide the space into distinct areas for each activity. For

Ceiling Basics & Types

Ceiling Basics & TypesMost standard ceilings are surfaced with the same materials, and by the same methods, as those used for walls. Although the conventional ceiling is flat and 8 feet high, a norm that corresponds to standard construction practices and material sizes, many ceilings depart from these norms for either structural, spatial, or decorative reasons.Perhaps the most familiar departure