Design Vogue

The National Electrical Code (or NEC) is a document put in place to protect homeowners and residents from the dangers and risks posed by working with electrical connections. These residential electric

Overhead power lines are subject to strict guidelines for minimum height clearances over streets, sidewalks, alleys, driveways, and other traffic areas. This is a safety consideration, aimed at keepin

Electrical capacity isn't something you need to think about on a day-to-day basis, but it becomes important when planning upgrades, looking for new appliances, and installing kitchen or laundry essent

Electrical wire color codes are part of a standard system that tells the user which wires carry a current and which wires are for ground or neutral purposes. Credit: The Spruce / Margot Cavin For exam

Whether you're installing, extending, or rewiring a circuit, finding out the wire gauge and amperage you will need is a key first step. The gauge—or size—of the wire used needs to match the circuit's

Concrete floors offer a durable, cost-effective, and low-maintenance option for various spaces in your home. Properly installed, they can last for decades and are versatile enough for more than just g

Cork flooring's natural insect repellency, insulative qualities, and soft underfoot feel make it a great option throughout the home. It's also an eco-friendly choice. However, it isn't as durable as o

Brick is one of the oldest and most common building materials in the world, first developed as a substitute for natural stone. Traditionally, brick is made from earthen clays, shaped into rectangular

An electrical code is an official set of guidelines that specifies how various aspects of an electrical system should be installed. Most local residential electrical codes are based on the NEC—the Nat

Floor installation is an expensive, time-consuming project, and you don't want to have to replace it every few years. You might need especially durable flooring because you have kids or pets. But even

Although a home's floor is usually thought to be simply the surface layer of a visible floor covering, a floor is a system of layered components, each of which is essential to the function and durabil

Vinyl plank flooring, also known as luxury vinyl flooring (LVF) or luxury vinyl plank (LVP), offers a durable and cost-effective alternative to traditional flooring options. Unlike standard sheet viny

Laminate flooring emerged on the residential flooring scene decades ago as an easy-to-install, attractive, and durable alternative to solid hardwood flooring. Its technology has advanced with sharper

Cement backer board is an inexpensive, convenient building material that makes tiling, flooring, and countertop projects go faster and look better in the end.  Most importantly, cement backer board co

Rolled roofing, also known as MSR, is a budget-friendly and simple-to-install roofing material frequently used for sheds and carports. Unlike composite (asphalt) shingles, which are individual pieces,

For a long time, your main option for roofing materials was asphalt shingles. Most metal roofs were confined to commercial buildings or to higher-end residential structures. Now, standing seam metal r

Choosing a kitchen countertop is an important choice since so much money is involved and because this is a purchase that you will be looking at every day for many years. Choosing a countertop is as mu

Underlayment is necessary for laminate floors because it smooths uneven surfaces, absorbs sound, and controls moisture. Learn about underlayment for laminate flooring and installation basics. What Is

Broken window seals often result in visible symptoms like condensation or fogginess on multi-pane thermal glass windows, a problem that can't be simply wiped away. These issues occur when the edge sea

Home window replacement is a necessity when problems arise, such as air leaks, water infiltration, thermal leaks, fogged glass, or insect intrusions. When it's time to choose windows for your home, yo

Commonly called thermal windows, insulated double- and triple-pane windows, officially known as IGUs (insulated glass units), offer far better energy efficiency than single-pane glass windows. Whether

Layered flooring systems are flexible, sturdy, inexpensive, and easy to build. The flooring system found in most homes starts with a floor covering (laminate, vinyl, tile, or other) on top of an optio

Building a house has an undeniable allure. A new house can be designed exactly how you picture it, allowing you to take control of the building process. You can even save money by avoiding any unfores

Much of what you need to know for electrical repairs involves how to identify, buy, and install electrical wiring. Here are all the basic elements you need to understand about electrical wiring. Elect

Buried sewer pipes on the property are rarely seen by most homeowners. Few, if any, homeowners ever elect to dig up their yard just to take a cursory look at their sewer pipe. Pipe assessment is never

The National Electrical Code (NEC) includes many specific requirements for installation of outdoor circuits and equipment. With outdoor wiring, the primary safety concerns involve shielding against mo

Electric dryers require a lot of energy and operate on 240V current, which is double the power of a standard wall outlet. In newer homes, these dryers connect to four-prong plugs designed for 240V out

Even when the weather is dry, basement flooring does not follow standard rules. Due to its proximity to the ground, it might leach residual moisture in vapor. Some basements can also experience up-to-

Any electrical repair in your home involves turning off the power to the circuit you'll be working on, and you do this at the main electrical service panel. You may know the service panel as the break

All homes have a main electrical service panel, a circuit breaker panel, or a fuse box in older homes. This panel receives power from the local electrical utility and sends it to the various branch ci

The term plumb can be used as a verb to describe the activity of a plumber running water supply and drain pipes in a building, but the more important use of the term comes in the context of general co

While keeping your windows closed all winter may keep your home warm, it also traps mold, bacteria, and allergens inside the house, where they will gradually build and affect your indoor air quality.

Let’s face it: undergoing a renovation while living at home is no easy feat. Of course, it’s exciting to finally see your space as you envision it. However, there are the inevitable loud noises, lengt

House renovation is less extensive than remodeling since it involves more cosmetic than structural changes. Both can be expensive, especially if you update bathrooms, kitchens, or rooms by changing ou

Carpet and hardwood are two of the most common flooring materials. They are also the most different from one another. One is an entirely synthetic, soft, quiet, inexpensive material with a relatively