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The national average cost for building a deck is about $12,600, according to the home improvement comparison site, Fixr. Costs range from $2,200 on the low end, and up to $35,000 on the high end. With lumber costs (and supply) in flux, planning ahead and considering all the contingencies can help save you money and time, whether you’re building yourself or hiring a contractor. Here’s a look at the average cost to build a deck, along with essential budgeting steps to take before you get going....

As a place to make new family memories and host plenty of company, a freestanding deck is something you want to last a long time. If you plan to build one yourself, it’s important to learn about the special considerations for supporting and constructing a freestanding structure. With basic building knowledge, you and a helper can tackle these steps with ease. It won’t be a project finished in an afternoon, but after all the work is done, you’ll be left with a stunning freestanding deck....

Although quartz is a naturally occurring mineral, this countertop is manufactured. The surface is created using crushed quartz crystals combined with pigments and resin, replicating the look of natural stone with patterns of flecks and swirls. Unlike natural stone slabs, quartz countertops have a non-porous surface that resists scratches and stains. If you’re considering upgrading your kitchen surfaces, check out our guide to quartz kitchen countertops below to learn about the material’s care needs, color options, cost, and more....

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Why Pillows Need to Be Replaced There are three main reasons why pillows need to be replaced—comfort, hygiene, and health. While it might seem that a pillowcase would protect the actual pillow from getting dirty, sweat and body oils penetrate through the cover and into the pillow. Because pillows are used every day, dirt also builds up, which can begin to cause skin irritation and allergies. Washing your pillowcases regularly, as well as your pillows if they’re machine-washable, helps, but you will still need to replace them at some point....

Here’s how I managed to eat splendidly for 45 days while cooking without a kitchen. Top Tips for Cooking in a Hotel Room Here are my top lessons learned that prove cooking on a road trip is possible. Bookmark Some No-Cook Recipes: The most obvious go-to recipes for cooking in a hotel room is a stash of no-cook recipes. Mix Up a Salad: Salads hit the spot, especially when you’re traveling somewhere warm....

How Different Apple Varieties Are Created Many of the apple varieties you can find today are the result of random mutations known as “sports” and by growers sorting through hundreds (if not thousands) of seedlings looking for something different; whether it’s taste, size, color, or consistency. Nowadays, these tasks are usually performed by professional plant breeders in a scientific way, but in previous years, the simple act of planting a few seeds led to most of the selections we enjoy today....

And hanging bunting flags is easier than you think! Simply acquire some red, white, and blue bunting fabric, and we’ll show you how to hang it. The result is a fun, festive 4th of July look for your porch. Red, white, and blue outdoor decorations are a must-have for summer, and this one is so easy. How to Hang a Bunting for 4th of July Follow these simple how-to instructions to hang your patriotic bunting on your front porch (or anywhere outside!...

Shady Situations In many instances, shade gardens can be tricky to plant, especially when it comes to turf grass. With something as low maintenance as a mondo grass lawn, you can have the look of grass in shady spots; no mowing required! Mondo grass has no problem growing under large tree canopies, even between gnarled roots and rocks. However, if you’re planting black foliage varieties of mondo, they’ll need some sun, or the plants will be mostly green in full shade....

Types of Cherry Trees Favored for their sweet, tart, and tangy flavors, cherries are a natural fit for baked goods or just eating them fresh. There are two distinct types of edible cherry trees: sweet cherries and sour cherries. Each has their own uses in the kitchen, providing very different flavor profiles. Sweet cherries (Prunus avium), also known as wild cherries, are native to Europe, North Africa, and western Asia. They’re also found growing across much of North America and parts of Australia....

Attractive and easy to grow, a spider plant makes an excellent houseplant. It can tolerate low-light conditions and thanks to thick roots that can store moisture, you can get away with watering it about every two weeks or when the soil starts to feel dry. Spider plants do especially well in a corner of your bathroom, where they can get a little extra humidity. When your plant is happy and healthy, its best feature will likely appear: Long, thin stems trailing out from its center, each with a plantlet on the ends....

An oil leak or spill is problematic not only for your vehicle, but it can also be a headache for your driveway. Those drips and splotches make for unsightly blemishes that detract from the beauty of your home and yard. Removing oil stains from a driveway starts with choosing the right cleaning solution. A variety of household supplies can be used to clean oil spills. However, you might need to call on a more powerful cleaner specially formulated to clean driveways or concrete....

Choosing the Best Weed Whacker When deciding on the type of weed whacker to purchase, it helps to keep a few considerations in mind. First, think about whether you want a plug-in, battery-powered, or gas-powered model. Plug-in weed whackers are relatively quiet and powerful. And being electric, there’s no exhaust to contend with or trips to the gas station for fuel. However, they do require an extension cord and care should be taken not to trip over or cut the cord while actively trimming....

As one of the largest home improvement companies in the country, LeafFilter manages the production and installation of its gutter guards from start to finish to ensure consistent quality and customer service. “Since 2005, we have installed over 127 million feet of LeafFilter for more than 850,000 homeowners across the United States and Canada,” says Chris Counahan, president of LeafFilter Gutter Protection. LeafFilter’s parent company, Leaf Home, earned a spot on the 2021 Inc....

How to Make Pumpkin Cream Cold Brew It only takes a handful of ingredients, no special tools, and 5 minutes of your time to make pumpkin cream cold brew. Refer to our Test Kitchen’s pumpkin cream cold brew recipe (ours makes enough for two) for the specific measurements and let’s get started. Step 1: Make Pumpkin Cream Cold Foam Grab a mason jar or another tall container with an airtight lid and add your milk, canned pumpkin, and maple syrup....

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To find the best mops for tile floors we researched a variety of picks, keeping in mind each option’s weight, handle length, accessories, and any care that’s needed. We also consulted Kathy Cohoon, a cleaning expert with Two Maids & A Mop, for additional insight. Overall, the best mop for tile floors is the Bissell SpinWave Cordless PET Hard Floor Spin Mop because the battery-powered style features rotating mop pads that will have your floors sparkling in minutes....