Posted on May 9th, 2008 by LB
With the economic stimulus rebate sitting in your bank account, now might be the best time to make much-needed repairs and improvements in your home.
According to a survey conducted by building products manufacturer Johns Manville, 24 percent of American homeowners said they are “considering using” their rebate for home improvements. About 19 percent said they’d “definitely use” the cash for improvements. Respondents said they wanted to use the money to upgrade the landscape, the kitchen, and bathrooms, and make homes more energy efficient.
We can’t think of a better way to invest your hard-earned money than to make repairs on your home so that it’s safer, sturdier, more attractive. These improvements add value to the home, which is important if you ever decide to re-sell.
Click over the Hechinger.com and invest in products like hand tools, power tools, paint supplies, and many others that will improve your home and add value. Make your money work for you.
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Posted on May 8th, 2008 by LB
May is National Barbecue Month. Take some time off from the heavy yard work and project making to enjoy the warm air and camaraderie of grilling outdoors with family and friends.
If you’re fan of Hechinger.com, you’ve no doubt seen all the wonderful outdoor products available. Whether you’re looking for a reel mower, chainsaw, chipper shredder, pest control products, or tillers, Hechinger has got it. Click over to Hechinger’s sister site, Builders Square, and shop for grills and grilling accessories, and take advantage of some of the best deals on the web.
A simple, low-cost gas grill like the 4-Burner Gas Grill by CharBroil has everything you need to see you through many seasons worth of cooking out. The 40,000-BTU unit has ample cooking space, and it won’t break the bank. The Little Louie Wood Pellet Grill/Barbecue/Smoker, which appears similar to the CharBroil, costs several hundred dollars more but is loaded with features like convection style cooking, independent smoke control, and larger cooking area. With this grill, you have the choice to smoke-cook food or grill it up with wood pellets packed with flavor.
Put down the hammer and nails, and fire up the grill!
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Posted on May 7th, 2008 by LB
If you’re looking for Mother’s Day gift ideas, and your mother is a budding home improvement do-it-herselfer, we’ve got a few gift suggestions for you.
With women having more influence on tool buying decisions, tool makers and marketers are tapping into the female DIY market by making and selling tools that are easier for women to use. Power tools for women are lighter and require less effort to manipulate.
Surprise your DIY mom with a 135-Piece Household Tool Kit. Retailing for a mere $30, this basic starter kit includes a 4.8-volt cordless screwdriver, putty knife, claw hammer, scissors, long-nose pliers, adjustable wrench, and much more.
Under the Barbara K brand, you’ll find individual tools for women, such as adjustable wrenches and measuring tape.
Even if your mother isn’t proficient at doing her own household repairs, buying her a tool kit will give her the courage she needs. Shop for tools especially made for women for Mother’s Day.
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Posted on May 1st, 2008 by LB
If you’re reorganizing your tool box, it might be time to restock your collection with new tools. Featured in the Hand Tools category at Hechinger.com is the Graphite-Wrapped Hammer by Dead On, a solidly made piece of hardware.
Wrapped with graphite, the hammer is high quality, and the handle has the strength of fiberglass but feels like hickory. The Graphite-Wrapped Hammer, which retails for $35.40, is available with a curved or straight handle.
Shop for more Dead On brand tools and storage bags.
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Posted on May 1st, 2008 by LB
Skylights, like certain furniture and home fixtures, serve at least two functions. They let in natural light and enhance the décor.
According to the Department of Energy (DOE), a properly installed skylight can save you money on heating, cooling, and lighting bills. Skylights are available in different styles, and you should know what to look for before investing in one. Some skylights have Energy Star ratings. How much energy you’ll save depends on the size of the skylight and where you place it in the room. The DOE says lights should cover no more that 5 percent of a room’s floor area if it has lots of windows, and no more than 15 percent of the floor area for a room with few windows.
Skylights on roofs that face north are ideal for producing constant cool air and light, while lights on east-facing roofs get lots of light and heat from the sun in the morning. Skylights on roofs that face south get the most “winter passive solar heat gain,” but may produce too much heat during the summer.
With these tips in mind, browse this selection of skylights, which you’ll find in rectangular and tubular shapes.
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Posted on April 29th, 2008 by LB
It’s always good to have back-ups. Whether it’s an external hard drive to store data or a power generator to restore electricity, back-ups are essential.
Speaking of power generators, homeowners in certain regions of the country should already own one. With the possibility of strong storms, hurricanes, and tornados during the warm season, homeowners should be aware that such storms may cause widespread power loss. A power generator will keep the electricity running.
How does one choose a power generator? The first step is to determine how much wattage is needed to supply electricity to necessary appliances in your home. Then you’ll need to adjust expectations according to your budget. You must also choose between a portable and a stationary generator. According to Consumer Reports, portable generators with wheels are the biggest sellers.
Before investing in a power generator, assess your home’s wattage needs and your budget. Ease of use and portability are other factors to consider.
Source: Consumer Reports
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Posted on April 24th, 2008 by LB
You never know when an emergency will arise. When time isn’t on your side, you’ll have to think and react quickly. The MaxLife 369 Tripod Flashlight is one of many tools to help you do that.
A featured product at Hechinger, the sturdy tripod flashlight allows for hands-free operation. With six bright-white LED bulbs, this light has a long run-time. With high, medium, emergency, and off settings, the tripod flashlight will help you conserve resources, too. A low-power light indicates when power is down to three percent, which translates into six to eight more hours of useful light.
The MaxLife 369 Tripod Flashlight uses three, six, or nine batteries, depending on what you require. Pre-set the flexible flashlight to the amount of time you need it. Standing 14.31 inches tall and 17.75 inches wide, the flashlight retails for $18.99.
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Posted on April 23rd, 2008 by LB
Gas-powered mowers produce emissions. Electric mowers need electricity. The “greenest” way to mow your lawn – saving money and energy and reducing pollution – is to use a reel mower.
Reel mowers harken back to the days before motorized lawn mowers. All you need is a little elbow grease. No gas, no electricity. And they’re quiet compared to motorized mowers. While they typically require less maintenance than power mowers, they still need some maintenance, such as cleaning and blade sharpening.
Not only are reel mowers greener than others, they’re actually better for the grass. Reel mowers, says Lars Hundley, cut grass instead of tear it, producing perfect clippings for making mulch. (Source)
The Classic Difference Reel Lawnmower, which retails for only $150, has a cutting width of 20 inches and height range of 1-3 inches. The quick-snap height adjusters and easy-roll dual wheel tracking take the effort out of mowing the lawn. The Reel Mower by McCulloch, a smaller unit, is just $84.23. Its cutting path is 16 inches, and it adjusts to four different heights.
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Posted on April 22nd, 2008 by LB
Today is Earth Day! First celebrated in 1970, Earth Day was created to promote environment-friendly consumption and raise awareness about the need to save energy and conserve resources.
Incorporating energy efficient appliances and practices isn’t necessarily difficult or outrageously expensive. Going green runs the gamut of making your own compost from table scraps with the aid of an $8 composter maker to installing a solar heater for gas water heaters, which can cost a couple thousand dollars.
Go green this summer and save on the utility bill with ceiling fans. Use these more often this summer instead of window units or central air conditioning. If you choose to run both, ceiling fans will help circulate cool air from the unit, keeping the home even cooler.
Invest in Energy Star rated products to save money and conserve resources. Energy Star is a joint program between the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy, which rates products based on their energy efficiency. Choose from Energy Star refrigerators, freezers, dishwashers, washers, and dryers.
Low-flow showerheads and low consumption toilets will help save water and money. Many models product a powerful water flow and flushing action despite using less water.
Programmable thermostats will keep air conditioning regulated. Set it to turn on the unit according to your family’s schedule, regardless of the house’s temperature.
These are only a few of many green ideas to help you observe Earth Day all year long.
Source: DIY Life
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Posted on April 18th, 2008 by LB
As you decide which home improvement projects to take on during any given weekend, take time to plan out projects. You’ll save time and effort and work much more efficiently with a plan in hand.
In the same regard, the power of organization can’t be understated. Have a dedicated place for every tool, and keep every tool in its place. Invest in tool storage products like boxes, cabinets, and tool belts. Tool bags are ideal for on-the-go tool handlers.
Keeping a list of plans, projects, and supplies will also help you stay organized. A simple clipboard or notebook will do.
Don’t procrastinate before starting a project. Begin early, and follow through until you’re done or mostly done. It’s easy to get distracted, so keep distractions to a minimum and stay focused on the task at hand.
Experts recommend that DIY-ers plan for and expect the worst and always have a back-up plan. If you’re working on wires, for instance, be prepared to call in a pro if you realize midway through that you can’t handle the project.
(Partially sourced @ Popular Mechanics)
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