Granite is very popular these days, and the price has come down substantially in the past few years thanks to faster and easier ways to cut it. Granite is user friendly and while it won’t scorch from a hot pan, it can scratch. Granite should be sealed once a year to prevent staining. Prices for granite countertops vary from as little as $35 a square foot to as much as $300. If you shop around, and don’t mind being limited in your selection, you might be able to find the countertop of your dreams at a price you can afford. Related posts: DIY Faux Granite Finish for Kitchen Countertops How to Join Seams in Granite Countertops Inexpensive Alternative to Granite Countertops for Your Kitchen

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Advantages of Installing Granite Countertops in Your Kitchen

Back priming consists of applying a coat of primer to the reverse side and edges of boards before installing. Back priming helps prevent paint from peeling by reducing the amount of water vapor that passes through the wood. When back priming, be sure to prime the ends of each piece after it has been cut to fit, since end grain will absorb the most moisture. Watch this video to find out more. Related posts: How to Paint Aluminum Siding How to Choose and Install Wood Floors in Your Home

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Importance of Back Priming When Installing Wood Siding on Your Home

Back priming consists of applying a coat of primer to the reverse side and edges of boards before installing. Back priming helps prevent paint from peeling by reducing the amount of water vapor that passes through the wood. When back priming, be sure to prime the ends of each piece after it has been cut to fit, since end grain will absorb the most moisture. Watch this video to find out more. Related posts: How to Paint Aluminum Siding How to Choose and Install Wood Floors in Your Home

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Importance of Back Priming When Installing Wood Siding on Your Home

Hanging shoe bags work great for storing tubes of caulking, cans of spray paint, and other items in your garage or workshop. Clear plastic bags allow you to easily see the items that are stored. Since full bags can be heavy, be sure to provide plenty of support when hanging them on the wall. Watch this video to find out how. Related posts: Installing Overhead Shelving in a Garage or Workshop (707) Storage Ideas for Your Home How to Make a Shoe Caddy from Recycled Materials

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Workshop Shoe Bag Storage Solution

This simple bowl helps me remember to compost. Over by the fence, I’ve got a little compost pile (or, if you’d rather, a “’possum buffet”), where I toss veggie scraps, leaves, branches, leftover bits of potting soil, handfuls of deadheaded blossoms, and whatever else I happen to be hauling around. It’s pretty much hidden from view, so this year I decided to challenge myself to compost everything I can. See, sometimes I get in a hurry, and before I realize it I’ve tossed the cutting board scraps into the trash, or cleaned out the pantry and slam-dunked an old loaf of bread still in the wrapper. I try to remember, but I’m a person who likes systems, and this was a project in need of a system. A side dish of garbage! Habits are hard to break, but in my house I’m finally making some progress by introducing a new dish to the work island: the Garbage Bowl. It’s a big, old stainless-steel bowl whose sole purpose is to catch compostable scraps – if I’m chopping veggies for soup, the entire veggie gets chopped, and the good parts get scooped into the soup pot, and the peelings get raked into the garbage bowl. Nothing goes into the trash, and my obsessive-compulsive brain loves the sight of the two neat bowls, one with garbage, and the other with dinner. In addition, thanks to the garbage bowl, I finally have a place to drop a gooey eggshell, to dump the coffee filter, and to toss my tea bag, all tasks – by the way – that normally leave a drippy mess on the way to the trash bin. The garbage bowl is a very simple solution that reminds me that I can compost a lot more than I think I can – it’s made all the difference in the kitchen. And in addition to convenience, the garbage bowl has a couple of other wonderful qualities: 1) it’s ugly and 2) it stinks. Those qualities work together to remind me to EMPTY the garbage bowl every day, and as it turns out, actually putting the scraps into the compost pile is a critical step toward making compost! I’m not sure how my neighbors feel about it, but I’m coming to love the satisfying whang! of knocking that steel bowl against the tree to dislodge the coffee grounds, and I love watching the scraps turning into earth for the garden. The system is working!

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Dinner with a Side of Garbage

This simple bowl helps me remember to compost. Over by the fence, I’ve got a little compost pile (or, if you’d rather, a “’possum buffet”), where I toss veggie scraps, leaves, branches, leftover bits of potting soil, handfuls of deadheaded blossoms, and whatever else I happen to be hauling around. It’s pretty much hidden from view, so this year I decided to challenge myself to compost everything I can. See, sometimes I get in a hurry, and before I realize it I’ve tossed the cutting board scraps into the trash, or cleaned out the pantry and slam-dunked an old loaf of bread still in the wrapper. I try to remember, but I’m a person who likes systems, and this was a project in need of a system. A side dish of garbage! Habits are hard to break, but in my house I’m finally making some progress by introducing a new dish to the work island: the Garbage Bowl. It’s a big, old stainless-steel bowl whose sole purpose is to catch compostable scraps – if I’m chopping veggies for soup, the entire veggie gets chopped, and the good parts get scooped into the soup pot, and the peelings get raked into the garbage bowl. Nothing goes into the trash, and my obsessive-compulsive brain loves the sight of the two neat bowls, one with garbage, and the other with dinner. In addition, thanks to the garbage bowl, I finally have a place to drop a gooey eggshell, to dump the coffee filter, and to toss my tea bag, all tasks – by the way – that normally leave a drippy mess on the way to the trash bin. The garbage bowl is a very simple solution that reminds me that I can compost a lot more than I think I can – it’s made all the difference in the kitchen. And in addition to convenience, the garbage bowl has a couple of other wonderful qualities: 1) it’s ugly and 2) it stinks. Those qualities work together to remind me to EMPTY the garbage bowl every day, and as it turns out, actually putting the scraps into the compost pile is a critical step toward making compost! I’m not sure how my neighbors feel about it, but I’m coming to love the satisfying whang! of knocking that steel bowl against the tree to dislodge the coffee grounds, and I love watching the scraps turning into earth for the garden. The system is working!

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Dinner with a Side of Garbage

Sponsored message from Moen Tips to Make Your Home Remodeling Project Pay Moen Caldwell High-Arc Faucet in Classic Brushed Nickel Thinking about updating your bathroom, but not sure what to budget – or if you’ll even recoup the costs in today’s market? The good news is that modifying a bathroom not only adds daily enjoyment and comfort, but will enhance your home’s value as well. Plus, there are a number of changes you can make yourself, which can help you save even more while adding to the appeal of your humble abode. “Any changes you make on your house now should increase your home value later,” says Kermit Baker, project director for the Remodeling Futures program at Harvard University. Still not convinced? According to Consumer Reports, a 5 x 7- foot bathroom remodel, at a national average cost of $15,000, provides a solid return of 78%. Get Started To make your bathroom transformation pay, begin by creating a list of “must-haves,” “nice ideas” and “dreams.” This will help you understand the numbers before starting your renovation and prioritize what makes the most sense for your investment. Following are a few bathroom projects, with low- and high-end options, as well as costs to consider before getting started. Fixtures Lindley Single Handle Faucet Must-Have Fixtures, including sinks, toilets and tub/showers, are all must-haves in your bathroom and according to House & Home Magazine, basic versions can cost $350 to $900 to replace, so plan accordingly. Upgrades such as double or undermount sinks, dual-flush toilets or deep soaking tubs can range from approximately $1,300 to $2,250. Nice Idea If you don’t want to spend extra money replacing some of the basics, why not give your tub or shower a quick touch-up? Try hiring a surface-restoration company, such as Miracle Method , for approximately $465 to $600 to make your ceramic, porcelain and fiberglass fixtures shine like new. Dream Big Or, if you’ve always dreamed of a luxury spa shower and have room in your budget, try installing a custom glass shower enclosure. Retailers, such as The Home Depot , offer a variety of glass or glass block options ranging from $2,000 to $3,500 that will have you singing with delight in the shower. Faucets Must-Have Faucets are not only a must-have, but can also be the focal point in the bathroom. Basic faucets range from $50 to $350 with different finish selections and configurations. Before going faucet shopping, be sure to do your homework first and review your sink set-up. Today’s faucets are available in three primary styles: four-inch centerset (the most popular), eight-inch widespread and single-hole (typically seen in a vessel sink application). Nice Idea When looking to replace your faucet, choose one that offers both style and water-saving benefits. Moen’s Lindley™ and Caldwell™ bathroom faucets use 32% less water than traditional faucets and are WaterSense® labeled by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), indicating they meets guidelines as environmentally responsible and efficient products. Lindley offers traditional, mid- and high-arc designs that are available at The Home Depot for between $89 and $154*. Lindley is offered in today’s most popular finishes including Chrome, LifeShine® Classic Brushed Nickel and Old World Bronze. Moen’s Caldwell faucets, available at Lowe’s, feature a classic design with soft curves and rich details, in finishes including Chrome, LifeShine Classic Brushed Nickel and new Mediterranean Bronze – a warm hue that coordinates well with other popular bathroom finishes. Caldwell faucets range in price from $58 to $172.* And with your new hardware updates, don’t forget to add finishing touches with matching accessories such as towel bars, towel rings, robe hooks and pivoting paper holders to help pull the design of the room together. Moen Accessories offers a variety of options (www.csi.moen.com) starting at only $20. Storage & Countertops Lindley in Oil Rubbed Bronze Nice Idea Need more space? Try installing a new or antique dresser-like vanity for approximately $100 to $1,500. It adds storage and style with many options to personalize – or you can save even more by recycling an old dresser. Dream Big If high-end countertops are your dream, add a custom-built vanity. Prices range from $2,000 to $5,000, but allow you to customize dimensions and choose from materials including natural stone, marble, frosted glass or exotic and engineered woods. It’s also a great way to give your bathroom a brand-new look. Flooring Must-Have Going for an upscale look to complete the room without the cost? Try installing ceramic or porcelain tile. For approximately $1 to $3 per square foot, you can choose from a variety of colors, shapes, sizes and finishes. Nice Idea Like the idea, but are worried about stepping on to a cold, uninviting floor in the morning? A nice idea is to install an electric floor warming systems for under your tile. Companies such as SunTouch Floor Warming Mats (www.suntouch.com) can help with costs between $400 and $1,600, depending on your bathroom’s size. Dream Big Or if you dream of high-end porcelain tile and good-quality stone and glass, options range from $7 to $18 per square foot. Want a customized glass tile mosaic for your bathroom floor instead? For between $20 and $200 per square foot, you can design your own masterpiece without any visible grout lines. No matter your budget or dreams, by investing and renovating your bathroom today, not only will you enjoy an improved room for years to come, but also add some extra cash in your pocket. For more information on bathroom faucet collections available from Moen, visit www.moen.com , or call (800) BUY-MOEN. * Prices are approximate and may vary by region. Related posts: (699) Budget Bath: How to Remodel Your Bathroom (683) Bath Finale: Master Bathroom Renovation Project How to Size a Bathroom Vent Fan

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Bathroom by Numbers

Installing a programmable thermostat controls the temperature in your home while you’re away so the heating and cooling system will use less energy. While this can save up to 15% a year on utility bills, the actual amount will vary depending on how it is set and the amount of time the house is vacant each day. If you have a heat pump, use one of the newer hybrid thermostats that are designed to work with these systems. Related posts: Save Energy with a Programmable Thermostat Home Energy Audit Finds Ways to Save Energy Easy Ways to Save Energy in Your Home

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How a Programmable Thermostat Can Save Energy in Your Home

What can I put in my compost pile? -Beth If your compost pile is heating up properly, you can put all kinds of things in there. Be sure that everything you put in your compost pile is in pieces smaller than 1-2 inches. Shredded and chopped items break down must faster than whole pieces. Here’s a list of compostable items, including a few that might surprise you. Yard and Garden Debris Dead plants Extra potting soil Grass clippings Leaves Old cotton or leather gloves Peat moss Pine needles Pruning debris, limbs, and branches Rock dust Sawdust Seaweed Straw and hay Wood chips Kitchen Scraps Fresh or rotten produce including peelings, rinds, cores, stems, and leaves Breads, grains, cereals, and flours Canned fruits and veggies Coffee grounds and paper filters Corn cobs Crackers and pasta Egg shells Fish bones and skins (if well buried) Freezer-burned fruits and veggies Ground-up animal bones Herbs and spices Gelatin Jams and preserves Milk, yogurt, and ice cream (although these may attract hungry animals) Nut shells and husks Paperboard (such as cereal and pasta boxes) Popcorn Rice Seafood shells Shredded paper towels and napkins Soy products Tea bags and loose tea Toothpicks Wine and beer Cork wine corks Wooden skewers Household Waste Compostable forks, cups, plates, etc (look for these in the store!) Cotton balls Cotton swabs (if made of paper) Crumbs and dustpan contents Crushed seashells Dead bugs Dried flowers and potpourri Dryer lint Dust bunnies Felt Fireplace ashes (in small amounts) Floral arrangements Hair clippings (also good in the garden as critter repellent) Houseplant trimmings and old potting soil Tissue Leather Loofah sponges Matches Nail clippings Rope (natural fiber) Shavings from your pencil sharpener Vacuum bag dust White glue and paste Wool, linen and cotton Wreaths, garland, and Christmas trees (real, not artificial) Paper Shred these paper items and add to your compost pile or recycle bin. Business cards Cardboard Egg cartons Envelopes (remove plastic windows) Muffin cups Newspaper Office paper Paper plates (unwaxed) Paperboard (such as cereal boxes, toilet paper rolls, etc.) Post-It Notes Ticket stubs Pet and Animal Waste Dry pet food Feathers Manure from herbivores (cows, horses, rabbits, etc) Pet hair Wood chips from pet cages Compost Cautions These items should NOT be added to your compost pile: Aluminum foil, plastic bags, and other inorganic packaging Chemicals such as pesticides, herbicides, bleach, gasoline, and oils Cooked foods Bread, yes – package, no. Diapers Diseased plants Glossy or heavily dyed paper Grease and fat Kitty litter Manure from meat-eating animals (dogs, cats, humans) Mayonnaise and peanut butter Meat scraps Particle board Treated lumber Whole bones Further Information How to Make Compost For Your Garden How to Build a Compost Bin Composting With Worms Leaf Compost Related posts: How to Build a Compost Bin

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What Can I Compost?

Do as I say, not as I do! The most common questions I’m asked have to do with pruning – or, as we say around here, “Can I just whack it, or what?” No matter the season, everybody wants to know if (and how) they should cut back overgrown plants. And who can blame them? What’s more satisfying than physically taming a wasteland, stepping back from a perfectly-shaped behemoth, surveying a mountain of conquered brush and vines, and wiping a forehead laced with scratches? I always feel like such a party pooper when I offer all of my standard cautions – “If you cut that now, you’ll cut off next spring’s flowers . . . you’ll invite disease . . . you’ll cause a flush of growth that will be killed by the cold . . . .” It seems like I’m always advising against cutting plants back. Well, here we are in late winter, and for once in the year, when asked if it’s a good time to prune, the answer is “Yes!” For many shrubs and trees, late winter/early spring is a great time to do large-scale pruning and rejuvenating. The bare branches will be easier to see, wounds will heal with less risk of disease, and plants won’t respond with the same crazy flush of growth that they would have during the growing season. It isn’t perfect for every plant of course, but if you’re only going to prune once a year, now’s a good time. Poor spindly thing! Taking advantage of the season and a rare warm day, I headed outdoors with my pruning shears in the hopes of cutting back my Lady Banks’ rose. What I found were the startling consequences of not practicing what I preach! You see, my Lady Banks’ rose grows faster than kudzu, and all last summer and fall I was constantly (against my own better judgment) cutting back the large branches that threatened to overtake the side entrance of my house. I knew I shouldn’t be pruning so late in the season, but I did it anyway – my house has been on the market, and I was willing to take risks in order to keep things looking neat. What I found, here in late winter, was that my rose was covered in tender, shriveled dead growth. In response to pruning last fall, the plant had sent out a flush of very soft tendrils, and the freezing winter weather zapped them dead. To make things worse, the damage wasn’t just to the new growth – the entire plant was stressed. In fact, as I was working on the plant, almost every leaf fell off, leaving a very naked, cold-looking vine against my porch column. I very sadly did a much larger pruning than I had intended, to try to encourage the plant to start afresh in spring, then I swept up all those fallen leaves and entertained both the chagrin of disobeying my own advice and the satisfaction that my advice had indeed been correct! If I had to learn this lesson, I’m glad I learned it with Lady Banks, because I think she has a good chance of a spring recovery. I have, however, filed this away in my brain under the category of “Lessons Learned From Mistakes,” because those are the lessons that stick the best. This year I’ll keep my pruning shears under control! Further Information When To Trim Trees and Shrubs Basic Shrub Pruning Techniques Related posts: Lady Banks Rose Update Growing a Lady Banks Rose How to Prune Roses

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Pruning Lessons Learned the Hard Way