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Homes For Cats Looking for a cozy home for your feline? Look no further than these options. Double Decker This weatherproof cedar cat house offers several entry points, which makes cleaning a breeze. It also offers an escape door and multiple “balconies” for your kitty to reach new heights and perch…or purrch. LURVIG Cat House This cozy modern cat house can double as your nightstand. It features a scratching surface on the front, and rubber-coated feet that prevent floor damage and structural movement as your cat uses it....

Charlie is President of Silva Brothers Construction, a leading contracting company in the Boston area that he co-owns with This Old House general contractor and his uncle Tom Silva. Charlie started working for his grandfather’s company at age 12 during his school vacations and joined full-time in 1981. Charlie’s daughters Jessica and Michelle have also joined the team over the years, assisting with administrative tasks and project management. Charlie cares deeply about craftsmanship and using tried-and-true, traditional practices....

Tray and Glassware At about $85, it’s a splurge, but kitted out with colorful bottles and etched tumblers, this wicker tray negates the need for a centerpiece. Tray, about $85; Gracious Home Glasses, about $8 each; Comptoir de Famille Rattan Chair While it may be intended for indoor use only, this handwoven seat delivers a casual, garden-inspired look. About $380 for two; Ballard Designs Industrial-Style Seat A tough aluminum frame means this sleek perch—an affordable take on the classic French Tolix chair—can move from the dining room to the patio with ease....

Deck Construction Until about fifteen years ago, decks were considered structures that anyone could build, and just about anyone built them. Investigations of deck failures, and research into deck construction practices, have shown that decks are more complicated than people realized. As a result, building codes (since 2012) have mandated stricter standards for building decks, and many building departments are enforcing these stricter standards. Deck inspections often reveal failures to comply with modern deck construction standards....

How to Clean Microfiber To find out the best conditions for your chair or loveseat, look up its cleaning code on an attached tag or online. The code will state if your piece falls into one of four categories: W, S, S-W, or X. W – only clean with water or a water-based cleaning solution S – only clean with a solvent-based cleaning solution (i.e. rubbing alcohol or dry cleaning product) S-W – clean with either solvent- or water-based cleaning solution X – only clean with vacuum...

1. Cut the 1 x 2 Parts to Size The sides are made up of a back 1x2 leg with two square cut ends, an angled front leg mitered at parallel 9-degree angles, and crosspieces that set horizontally at the height of each shelf with one square cut end and one mitered end meet the angle of the front leg. While I provided measurements for all of the crosspieces in my cut list below, I recommend cutting the top and bottom crosspieces to length, attaching them between the legs, and then cutting the remaining crosspieces to fit to ensure perfect joints....

One thing to note when sizing the frame is the opening to the space where it will be installed. The height of a typical door opening is 80-inches tall, so anything larger than that size will possibly need extra bracing and need to be assembled in the area it will be installed. Steps for Building a Wall-Sized Frame for Fabric 1. Cut the Frame Pieces Using a miter saw, cut the two side boards to the height of the fabric, minus 5 inches to allow the fabric to wrap securely around the edges of the frame....

Best Ways to Clean Tile Floors Step 1: Remove debris from the tiles First, use a soft-bristled brush, dust mop, or vacuum to remove dirt, dust, and other loose items from the tile floor before applying any water or cleaner. This ensures that any scrubbing you may need to do later (even with a soft sponge) doesn’t scratch your tile. Step 2: Check your tile material Floor tiles come in over a dozen types—ceramic, natural stone, cement and quarry tile, to name just a few....

What to Use to Wash Siding The preferred tool to clean vinyl siding is a power washer. When used correctly, it can keep your home looking fresh and clean. The color of the nozzle determines the angle of the water stream, which causes the water pressure to be more or less concentrated. Mauro advises that beginners use the tip with the widest angle as it is the least likely to cause damage to your siding....

Resources Everything Tom used for this project, including the chisel, utility knife, hole saw, hinges, and latches can be found at home centers. Materials Hinges (with screws) Barrel latch Scrap cardboard Scrap wood for filler Wood glue Wood screws 80-100 grit sandpaper Tools

Steps for Creating a Woodland Garden Jenn surveys the surrounding plants and setting and comes up with a plan to create a woodland garden. Take Inspiration from the Surroundings When planning a woodland garden, it’s important to take inspiration from the surrounding plants and environment. Homeowners should strive to use plants native to the area, helping to give the garden a more natural feel. Look for plants that thrive in the growing zone, and match their sun needs to the amount of sunlight the garden will receive....

Steps for cutting glass How to Cut a Glass Mirror

Do Well Water Pumps Use A Lot of Electricity? Richard explains every time a homeowner with a well turns on the faucet, a well water pump could come on and call for water from the well. The well pump should be connected to one of two pressure systems. What To Do A well pump that runs too frequently suggests a problem with the pressure systems, which should be inspected and repaired by a qualified well technician....

Make no mistake: Fires are scary. Whether there has been a fire inside the home or a terrifying blaze had worked its way across the landscape, the first priority is getting everyone to safety. But when the flames subside, the stubborn evidence remains. The smell of smoke can linger for a long, long time, and every inhale becomes an uncomfortable reminder. But it doesn’t have to be that way. Learning how to get rid of smoke smell in the house isn’t necessarily hard, though you’ll need to roll up your sleeves and put in a little elbow grease....

The ribbed, corrugated surface inside the pipes acts like hundreds of tiny speed bumps, disrupting and slowing the airflow. As a result, it takes longer to dry clothes, wasting energy and money. In addition, the interior traps lint, which also reduces airflow and, in extreme cases, overloads the motor and shortens the life of the dryer. More important, an accumulation of lint is a fire hazard. In a gas dryer, a lint fire can melt the plastic ducting and start a house fire....

To see Tom and Kevin build the little free library, click here. Steps for Installing a Little Free Library Resources Kevin and Tom return to Brookside Elementary School to install the little free library. What You Need Materials 4x4 post Exterior grade 2-inch wood screws MDO plywood Gravel Tools

Steps on Toilet Installation Here, we asked This Old House plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey to show how to install a toilet. The time required varies, but give yourself half a day if you’ve got a lot of experience with plumbing jobs, and a full day if you’re a novice. 1. Toilet Parts: An Overview 2. Prep the Floor and Soil Pipe Stuff a rag into the soil pipe to block sewer gas and prevent hardware from falling in....

Managing Heat Gain and Loss in Your Home: Tips for Saving Energy 7 Tips for an Energy-Efficient Home