Payment options (40 points): Options include purchase, loan, lease, and Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs). Companies receive points for each of those four options it provides. Solar services (30 points): Does the company provide in-house installation of solar panels and battery backups? Can the company also monitor energy production and perform energy-efficiency audits to ensure system performance. The more options available, the higher the score. Warranty options (10 points): The success of a residential solar system depends on the workmanship, performance guarantees, and length of product coverage....

Front and back entrances, the latter marked by a wisteria arbor off the alley behind his property, make a garden walk of coming home. Almost year-round, despite his Zone 6 climate, with its frigid winters and baking summers, he’s got something in bloom—in pots and borders and on top of arbors. Shade trees blot out neighbors’ homes, and it’s easy to forget, when he and his wife and their teenage kids kick back outside, that they’re in a metropolis of 600,000 people....

Now’s the time to do an inventory and safely dispose of these items to be sure nothing that could threaten your family or pets is still lingering. To help you know what to look for, here’s our list of killers masquerading as household helpers. If you find any of these chemicals, contact the hazardous waste collection agency in your town, city or state to learn how to handle them and make sure you don’t harm yourself or the environment in trying to get rid of them....

More than a century later, ceramic subway tile still endures as a perennial favorite for homeowners. Today’s tiles come in a mind-boggling array of colors and finishes that partner well with just about any style of decor. And they’ve made the leap from kitchens and baths to other hardworking spaces that benefit from easy-care surfaces, such as laundry rooms, mudrooms, and fireplace surrounds. Inevitably, the popularity of subway tile has expanded its working definition....

As you might expect with something this old, there are many variations on the claw hammer, but they all fall into one of two groups: finish or framing. Most homeowners can get along quite well with a trusty finish hammer, distinguished by its smooth face, light head (less than 20 ounces), short handle (less than 16 inches), and curved claw for easy nail removal. For the more muscular work of nailing lumber, a framing (aka, rip) hammer is the way to go....

Use this guide to learn more about choosing and using polyurethane, the toughest of the clear coatings. What Is Polyurethane? It’s a kind of super-tough varnish formulated so that its microscopic chains of resin molecules will bond tightly with one another as it dries. The result is a finish that’s much more resistant to water, solvents, abrasion, and impacts than traditional varnishes. Some polys have oils that give wood a warm, amber tone....

Create TV – Like PBS, new episodes generally premiere on Thursdays or Saturdays, but could be scheduled throughout the week. Stream Digitally The Roku Channel – New episodes of the current seasons of This Old House and Ask This Old House are added every Monday for free, on-demand viewing. Select past seasons of both shows are also available for free on demand and on the This Old House linear channel (channel 456)....

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Welcoming Entry The core of our Idea House is a simple two-story rectangular box topped with a moderately sloped roof; the addition of a false rake gives it the appearance of a steep-roofed cottage. Gutter guards: All Weather Armour; Walkway pavers: Belgard; Garage door: Clopay; Roof shingles, underlayment: GAF; Box bay siding, soffits: LIFESPAN Solid Select; Factory-finished cedar shingles (Atlantic Blue): SBC Cedar; Triple-pane windows: Sierra Pacific; Porch flooring and ceiling: Aeratis; Lattice windbreak finish: Watco Teak Oil + Stain; Skylights: VELUX; Window boxes: Walpole Outdoors; Sod: Sodco Details that include a picket-style fence, a side porch entry, and bountiful window boxes provide classic cottage charm....

Sponsor: The Ask This Old House Podcast 2020 Sweepstakes (“Sweepstakes”) is sponsored by Leviton and This Old House Ventures, LLC, 262 Harbor Drive, Stamford, CT 06902 (“Sponsor”). Sweepstakes Entry Period: The Sweepstakes starts at 12:00:01 AM Eastern Time (ET) September 30, 2020 and ends at 11:59:59 PM ET on October 16, 2020 (“Sweepstakes Period”). Eligibility: Sweepstakes open only to legal residents of the 50 United States or the District of Columbia and Canada (excluding Quebec) 18 years of age or older at time of entry....

Is bigger better? Americans seem to increasingly agree the answer is “yes” when it comes to the king-size mattress. Since its 1953 debut, king mattresses have soared in popularity—more than one in six mattresses sold were king sized in 2018, according to the International Sleep Products Association. But the king of kings when it comes to mattresses? The California king, of course. So if you’re a couple that could use the extra wiggle room—or even simply a solo sleeper looking to upgrade—and it’s time to size up, you may want to consider the best California king mattress for your lifestyle....

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Top 5 Best Home Security Systems in Denver Compare Home Security Companies ADT Home Security ADT combines 24/7 professional monitoring and high-quality security equipment into a variety of packages. With its packages, ADT offers a generous six-month money-back guarantee if the equipment experiences unresolvable issues. Continue reading for the specifics on ADT’s different packages. ADT sells the following additional equipment: Flood sensor, glass break sensor, video doorbell camera, indoor and outdoor cameras, touchscreen keypad, panic button, smoke detector, carbon monoxide detector Learn more: ADT Home Security Review...

Located near Galveston Bay and the Gulf of Mexico, Houston is one of the largest cities in Texas. Also known as “Space City,” Houston is known for its contributions to space exploration and is also known for its sports teams such as the Houston Astros, Houston Texans, and Houston Rockets. Other major cities around Houston include Austin, Corpus Christi, and San Antonio—all areas that experience extreme heat and may require professional lawn care services....

For those just starting out, here are 15 places you can get a house so well built, you might just end up hanging on to it for life. Coronado Historic District, Phoenix Once Phoenix had ensured its long-term survival by damming up the Salt River in the early 1900s, developers got down to the business of plotting the future of the growing Southwestern city. And that future was all about suburbs....