Home Improvement: The Truth About Going Green" alt="Home Improvement: The Truth About Going Green" />

When it comes to green home improvements, a lot of people are stuck in black-and-white thinking. Either you install solar panels or you might as well continue to gobble fossil fuel. Either you use sustainable materials or you destroy old-growth forests. The reality, of course, lies someplace in between. That's why it's ... Continue Reading »

Home Improvement: Top Projects for Under $2,500" alt="Home Improvement: Top Projects for Under $2,500" />

A price tag of $2,500 is in the sweet spot for many home improvement projects. It represents a little more than two weeks' salary for the average U.S. household. It's also about the amount of the average federal tax refund. Projects paid with Uncle Sam's givebacks may not be game-changers, but they can still have a ... Continue Reading »

Home Improvement: Do It Yourself or Hire a Contractor?" alt="Home Improvement: Do It Yourself or Hire a Contractor?" />

Knowing whether or not tackle a home improvement yourself can seem simple: Match the project's degree of difficulty to your own skill level and make a decision, right? Although that line of thinking is a solid jumping-off point, you need to consider other factors before deciding whether you're better off picking up a hammer ... Continue Reading »

Make Your Lawn Eco-Friendly and Low-Maintenance" alt="Make Your Lawn Eco-Friendly and Low-Maintenance" />

The prospect of weekly vacuuming and annual steam cleaning is enough to turn off many people to carpet. Dishwashers have gotten so powerful that "pre-rinsing" is becoming as outmoded as vinyl records. Even toilets are self-cleaning. What does this have to do with landscaping? Well, it's a paradox: American homeowners are ... Continue Reading »

Energy-Efficient Home Improvements for Every Budget" alt="Energy-Efficient Home Improvements for Every Budget" />

It's easy to give homeowners tips on home improvements that increase energy efficiency -- without considering the budgets available to different homeowners. On an individual, national, and international level, there can be no green revolution without a cost-effective strategy. As a homeowner, you need to devote a reasonable ... Continue Reading »