Home improvement: Exteriors

June 1, 2012

To repaint tin siding, follow these procedures

Q: I have a home, built about 1950, that has tin siding. Can or should this siding be repainted (and how?), or is it best to remove it and install new siding, such as vinyl?

May 11, 2012

Outdoor spaces becoming hot destinations for homeowners

For many homebuyers, the quest for the perfect outdoor space is becoming every bit as important as finding the right interior space.

May 4, 2012

Window safety and dishwasher wisdom

I miss a lot of "special" weeks in this job, and the most recent victim was National Window Safety Week. While I doubt that the result was anything like the defenestration of Prague (the one in 1618, not 1419), I would be remiss if I did not mention at least a few safety tips provided to me by the folks at Marvin Windows:

9:51 AM CDT, April 6, 2012

Don't brush off the tools

You've invested in top-quality paint, and have painstakingly prepped and primed your home for a fantastic paint job, so this is no time to skimp on tools. "You've spent $30 or even $50 on a gallon on paint, so don't buy a 99 cent brush," said Debbie Zimmer, paint and color expert at the Paint Quality Institute, an industry group based in Philadelphia.

March 27, 2012

Thinking in color

You've been thinking about it all winter. And as the spring thaw approaches, it'll soon be time for action. The prospect of painting the exterior of your home is as thrilling as it is terrifying. And this is well before anyone hauls out the ladder and rollers. Choosing the right color for the body of your house as well as all those extras like the window frames, front door, and assorted trim is a huge undertaking. You want something that fits in well with the neighborhood and conforms to the house's structure. But you don't want it to be blah or too bold. Here are ideas for how to proceed whether you're doing the work yourself or hiring a painter.

March 19, 2012

Hello, beautiful: Projects to boost home's curb appeal

Whether you want to impress prospective buyers or just the neighbors, as little as one day of labor can make a big difference in the look of your house.

January 7, 2012

Bricks turning to dust? Moisture's the culprit

Q: I own a rowhouse built in 1905, and the bricks in the basement seem to be turning to dust over time. What should I do?

September 25, 2009

Huff and puff-proof your home's exterior

Memo to the three little pigs: You now have more exterior cladding choices for your houses. And, they sure beat sticks and straw.

November 7, 2008

Take steps to winterize exterior

To cut energy bills and prevent damage from water, ice and snow this winter, it pays to button up the house before bad weather hits.

January 24, 2008

3 must-haves for a good paint job

Paint preparation is one of the ugly sides of home improvement projects. All that sanding and scraping and cleaning -- no one really likes to do it, but it's essential to a good paint job.

December 16, 2007

Mary Umberger: Judging a home by its siding

In today's real estate market, anxious home sellers -- or those merely thinking about selling -- might well heed a finding of the latest annual remodeling study: It's what's outside that counts.

August 30, 2007

Setting the tone

A great exterior paint job should make you think, "What a lovely home," not "What great colors."

July 5, 2007

HANDY@HOME

A great exterior paint job is all in the prep work

So you've finally decided that it's time to spruce up the outside of the house with a fresh coat of paint. Well, before you have the paint mixed and start dragging out the ladders and brushes, you need to take some time getting the house ready. The more time and effort you put into proper preparation, the easier your painting tasks will be and, even more importantly, the longer the paint job will last.