What to Know About Quartzite Countertops Before You Remodel Your Kitchen

This popular countertop material combines natural beauty with long-lasting durability. As beautiful as marble yet more durable than granite, quartzite makes a gorgeous and practicalchoice for kitchen countertops. What Are Quartzite Countertops? Credit: Helen Norman Quartzite Countertops Cleaning and Maintenance Although quartzite is a highly durable surface, it’s not indestructible. A solution of mild dish soap and water is often thebest way to clean quartzite countertops. Check with your stone supplier to determine any specific cleaning instructions....

May 4, 2025 · 1 min · 138 words · Deborah Cain

What to Know About Residential Electrical Codes Requirements

This guideline applies to projects that involve wiring several circuits oradding an electrical receptacle. Diligently follow national and local electrical regulations to ensure all components are installed safely. Verifying that your electrical work is up to code can help reduce the risk of fire or electrical shock. Credit: Robert Brinson We also have some general tips for safe electrical work. Local building departments often modify the NEC, and you must satisfy those local codes....

May 4, 2025 · 3 min · 467 words · Ronald Brown

What to Know About Sealing a Deck

Consider this your comprehensive guide to sealing your wooden deck so it lasts for years to come. Avoid the unsightly appearance and great risk that comes with a weathered deck by keeping your deck properly sealed. While deck sealing requires a little elbow grease, it’s surprisingly simple to complete yourself. Credit: BanksPhotos / Getty What Does Deck Sealing Mean? Most wooden decks areconstructed using softwood,such as pine. To compensate for this, wood decks are sealed with different types of deck sealants....

May 4, 2025 · 2 min · 367 words · Lisa Martinez

What to Know About Strawberry Season to Get the Sweetest Fruit

When is strawberry season? It may seem like year-round since theyre always available in grocery stores. But not all strawberries are alike and may even taste better at certain times of the year. Credit: Brie Williams Knowing when strawberry season is in your region will help you enjoy the most flavorful fruit. Andgrowing or picking your own strawberriesensures youll get the freshest, sweetest harvest. Weve all been there. Credit: Stephen Cridland...

May 4, 2025 · 2 min · 367 words · Miguel Goodwin

What to Know About the Many Benefits of Maca Root

If youre keen on health trends, you might be hearing the buzz around maca root. So, what is maca root, wherecanyou find it, and is it worth seeking out? Read on for everything you gotta know. Credit: taka-omi / Getty Images What is maca root? When looking at the nutrient profile of this popular root, there are some good health benefits to highlight. Here are just some of the nutrients that youll find in maca....

May 4, 2025 · 2 min · 283 words · Daniel Castillo

What to Know About Well-Drained Soil and Boosting Plant Drainage

Does your garden seem waterlogged or parched all the time? Here’s what you better know to improve your soil’s drainage. And how can you tell if your soil is well-draining? Credit: Brie Passano You want soil that supplies air and water to plant roots in about equal proportions. When it rains or irrigatesyour garden, these pore spaces fill with water. As the water moves downward through the soil, it’s replaced by air....

May 4, 2025 · 2 min · 243 words · Michaela Mcintyre

What to Look for in a Final Walk Through Before Closing

Keep the home buying process headache-free by looking for these essential things during your final walk through. One of the last things you do before a home is officially yours is the final walk through. What is a Final Walk Through? Credit: DreamPictures / Getty Images The inspection is even more important, though. (Think a cracked foundation or a serious mold issue.) The final walk through happens well after the inspection, once you’re ready to sign paperwork....

May 4, 2025 · 2 min · 277 words · Susan Lewis

What to Look for in a Multigenerational Home

More and more people are living in multigenerational homes. Here are some features to look for in a home for everyone, according to experts. More and more, Americans are finding themselves living inmultigenerational households. Credit: Morsa Images / Getty Images Some do it for financial reasons, while others are looking to care for aging relatives more easily. Why a multigenerational home? ThePew Research Centerdefines multigenerational households as homes with two or more generations of adults living together....

May 4, 2025 · 2 min · 422 words · Daniel Watkins

What to Plant Instead of Invasive Burning Bush

These alternatives will attract birds to your landscape for shelter and food without harming the environment. Birds and other animals spread the seeds around after feeding on the small reddish-purple fruit in gardens. The best way to keep burning bush under control is to avoid planting it at all. Credit:ValaGrenier / Getty Images Instead, consider planting something from this list of attractive non-invasive alternatives. Some arenative plants that bring additional reasonsto use beyond their beauty and their polite interaction with the greater environment....

May 4, 2025 · 3 min · 483 words · Daniel Pierce

What Type of Tree Is a Christmas Tree? 7 Popular Types for Decking Your Halls

Christmas trees can be several types of evergreen. Here are our favorites for holiday decorating. Scott Little It’s hard to beat the aroma of a fresh Christmas tree filling your home. Credit:Scott Little But exactly what punch in of tree is a Christmas tree? It’s one of the most popular types of Christmas trees, available in most regions. If you bring an Eastern red cedar home for Christmas, keep a close eye on the tree stand....

May 4, 2025 · 1 min · 112 words · Mr. Travis Martinez

What Vegetables to Plant in Your Edible Garden Each Season

Not all veggies should be started at the same time. Here’s how to figure out the best timing for the crops you want to grow. Having your very own vegetable patch in your yard can be very rewarding. Credit: Denny Schrock But when exactly thatisdepends on several factors, includingyour area’s climateand thetype of vegetablesyou’re looking to grow. Luckily, there are only two main groups of vegetables to consider: cool-season vegetables and warm-season vegetables....

May 4, 2025 · 1 min · 194 words · Ian Garcia

What You Need to Know About Fireplace Installation in Your Home

Three types of fireplaces can be added to homes to deliver the comfy look everyone loves. Learn about their features (and cost) here. You’ve dreamed about the possibility for years, but is fireplace installation a good idea for your home? Credit: Greg Scheidemann We’ve researched for you to see to it you select theright fireplace for your budgetand needs. Here’s what you’re gonna wanna know about installing a fireplace. Is Fireplace Installation Possible in My Home?...

May 4, 2025 · 2 min · 276 words · Michael Ramirez

What Your Favorite Book Genre Says About Your Decorating Style

Noah Webb How someone spends their free time can say a lot about them. If you prefer to read historical fiction, we think you put your home’s history on display. The Classics: Modern Traditional Matt Dutile Few color combinations are asclassic as black and white. Credit:Noah Webb With a black and white color palette, this styleelevates minimalismby adding greenery and natural wood. Your home might also include a designated hobbyspace to practice music, sewing, or crafting....

May 4, 2025 · 1 min · 156 words · Katie Silva