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No wonder showers account for 17 percent of a typical household’s water bill. That’s led to a new generation of showerheads designed to put less water to better use. Thermostatic valves have done away with the shock of temperature swings, exposed shower risers have turned into design statements, and panels of frameless glass show off artfully tiled walls and invite in natural light. Add built-in niches for essentials, a handheld shower, and a built-in bench, if there’s room....

With that in mind, we created an objective rating system to score each home insurance company. Here’s what that review process looked like: We analyze the information on each company’s website. This allows us to determine what products and services are offered by each home insurance provider. We get a sample quote from the companies by either talking to a sales representative or by using the online quote tool. This tells us what a policy looks like and costs....

In this episode: Kevin O’Connor builds a hexagon planter with maker Jenn Largesse, who demonstrates how to take advantage of the bevel cut feature on a miter saw; Jenn Nawada travels to Brooklyn to revive a stoop that has been taken over by weeds; the team shares more Home Inspection Nightmares; Mark explains what to understand when buying a home with a wood burning fireplace; Heath installs an electric fireplace insert into an unconventional opening with zero clearance....

That’s where the summer flowering plants below come in. They’ll churn out blooms for weeks on end this summer. In most cases, you can harvest armloads to fill vases or give away, and still have plenty left to enjoy in your garden beds long past Labor Day. Flowers That Bloom All Summer Perennial Hibiscus (H. moscheutos) Also known as rose-mallow and swamp hibiscus, this garden standout was bred from wildflowers native to the East and South....

Top 4 Juicers Best Accessories: Breville BJE200XL Juice Fountain Most Customizable: Jocuu Slow Masticating Juicer Extractor Best Speed Control: Cuisinart CJE-1000 Die-Cast Juice Extractor Most Powerful: Mueller Austria Juicer Best Accessories: Breville BJE200XL Juice Fountain Pros and Cons ✔ Features a large three-inch chute so that you can juice whole fruits and vegetables✔ Has a durable stainless steel cutting disc✔ Has a compact design that doesn’t take up much counter space ✘ Only has one speed setting✘ Noted by some customers that their model leaked wet pulp...

Easiest To Score: Winmau Blade 5 Bristle Dartboard Pros and Cons ✔ Endorsed by the British Darts Organization✔ Has a triple-wheel lock-and-level system to secure to nearly any surface✔ Has a large 17.75-inch scoring surface ✘ Doesn’t come with darts✘ Has a short 30-day warranty What Customers Are Saying Customers liked the build of this dartboard, saying that it was sturdy and long-lasting. Some also said that its design limited bounce outs....

Top 5 Mops Best Scrubbing: BISSELL PowerFresh Steam Mop Best Pack: Rubbermaid Reveal Spray Microfiber Floor Mop Best Handle: Microfiber Wholesale Mop Best Mop Head: O-Cedar ProMist MAX Microfiber Spray Mop Best Robot Mop: iRobot 240 Braava Robot Mop Best Scrubbing: BISSELL PowerFresh Steam Mop This mop provides a 100% chemical-free clean and can remove 99.9% of germs on your floor. The mop’s steam can be customized to three levels, and its optional scent discs can be used to get rid of lingering smells....

Top 5 Pegboards Best Value: Wall Control 30-P-3232GV Galvanized Steel Pegboard Pack Most Customizable: Wall Control 4-Foot Metal Pegboard Standard Tool Storage Kit Most Storage Space: WallPeg Black Plastic Pegboard Panels Best For Small Tools: Azar Displays 70-Piece Pegboard Organizer Kit Most Durable: Azar Displays 771620-WHT Pegboard 1-Sided Wall Panel Key Features Available in black, silver, gray, beige, blue, green, orange, red, white, or yellow Available with or without hardware Comes with two panels that are 32 x 16 inches Made of galvanized steel Has round and slotted holes for mounting...

Created by the same team that brought viewers “This Old House,” “Idea House: Mountain Modern” features a husband-and-wife-led design-build firm in the Denver, Colorado area that specializes in a style called “Mountain Modern.” These homes connect modern design with building science – they are built to be energy efficient and beautiful For seven years, “This Old House” worked with new builders to test the latest materials and techniques in the building industry – “Idea House” was what those builds were called....

“To be recognized and honored with nominations after four decades since premiering as the original home improvement show is a testament to the quality and standards that This Old House has maintained,” said Dan Suratt, VP, This Old House at Roku, Inc. “We are beyond proud of the nomination for our incomparable host, Kevin O’Connor, who puts his heart and soul into the making of our beloved shows.” As previously announced, This Old House will be recognized by the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences with a Lifetime Achievement Award at the 49th Annual Daytime Emmy® Awards on June 18th....

We recommend working with a real estate agent for both buying and selling homes in the booming Portland real estate market. They can help you maximize your sale or buy your dream property before it’s too late. The This Old House Reviews Team dug into the data for dozens of local real estate agents to identify the six we suggest to our readers. To make your search even easier, we’ve also included this tool that helps instantly connect you to an agent in your ZIP code:...

Buying or selling a home is an important moment, and you can’t put your trust for such a serious transaction in the hands of just anyone. Raleigh’s real estate agents vary in quality, and you don’t want to work with someone who has limited experience, is an unreliable communicator, or doesn’t have a proven track record. Instead, you want to choose someone with thorough knowledge of the area, many transactions under their belt, distinguishing accolades, and positive reviews....

Real estate agents support buyers and sellers, giving them a competitive edge in a fierce market, advising on important decisions, and lining up tours of the best houses for their clients. The This Old House Reviews Team has researched dozens of local agents to determine which are the best. Ready to speak to a professional? You can use this easy tool below to get setup with a real estate agent that specializes in your unique needs:...

Customers looking for a pest control company can get a quote through TruGreen’s website. Because pest control providers can differ in cost and the services they offer, we also recommend getting quotes from Terminix, Orkin, and Aptive. TruGreen Pest Control Plans and Services TruGreen offers a variety of services for pest control, including Fire Ant Control, Mosquito Control & Defense Treatment, Home Pest Control, TruShield Tick & Flea Control Treatment, and Grub Prevention & Control Services....

“You’d be surprised what a boost to curb appeal you get from simply pressure-washing and decluttering,” says TOH landscape contractor Jenn Nawada. So begin by approaching your yard with a visitor’s fresh eye, and tackle the to-do list of simple fixes, like pruning away dead plant material, freshening up outdoor furnishings, and touching up paint, as needed. Then turn your attention to what’s missing: Are there bare areas in planting beds?...

Allover Pattern A sprigged motif in muted sage repeated across a wall mimics the look of wallpaper, forming a sophisticated and serene backdrop for bold patterns in the room. Single Detail Keep it simple by sticking to one strategically placed motif. The oak-branch design creates a focal point above a handsome wood door, and the pattern’s green-and-brown color scheme harmonizes with the room. Borders and Details An entryway gets a boost from traditional borders painted along areas where moldings and casework meet walls....

Use this guide to understand what each part does and how all the pieces fit together. The Crown a) crown molding Angles out from wall at top of window, adding dimension lacking in flat stock. Together with frieze board and cap, makes up entablature, a feature found in classical house styles, such as Georgian, Federal, and Greek Revival. b) mitered return Covers end grain as it carries profile to wall....