Family Handyman

When it comes to home improvement, you need information you can trust. Inside each issue of The Family Handyman, you’ll find see-and-solve expert repair techniques, a variety of projects for every room and step-by-step, do-it-yourself photos.

BUILDING A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE • DIYERS CAN HELP LEAD THE WAY

WHAT’S NEW?

READY FOR A REFRESH?

HANDS ON • TOOLS, GADGETS + GEAR WE RECOMMEND

CLEAN YOUR INDOOR AIR

CLEVER SHEET CARRIER

MAKE BUCKETS WORK BETTER

SLIDING T-BEVEL GETS AN UPGRADE

HANDY HINTS • CLEVER SOLUTIONS FROM OUR READERS

LOW-FLOW AERATORS SAVE WATER

SECURE YOUR DOG WASTE BAGS

EXTEND BATTERY LIFE

UNDER-THE-BED DRAWERS

TINY TOUCH-UP TRAY

COLLECT FOOD SCRAPS

SUSTAINABLE RETREAT • BUILD A VERSATILE “EXTRA ROOM” IN YOUR BACKYARD

CREATE A MORE SUSTAINABLE HOME • 12 TIPS TO SAVE MONEY & REDUCE YOUR CARBON FOOTPRINT

FOUR-BIN RECYCLING STATION • IT CAN HANDLE YOUR HOUSEHOLD RECYCLING, COMPOST AND GARBAGE

BETTER HOME INSULATION • IMPROVE THE ENERGY EFFICIENCY OF YOUR HOME—AND PROTECT THE ENVIRONMENT TOO

TRADITIONAL VS. SUSTAINABLE BUILDING MATERIALS • THE DIFFERENCES AND THE PROS AND CONS

SMART VAPOR RETARDER VS. 6-MIL POLY SHEETING

SOLID WOOD TRIM VS. FINGER-JOINTED TRIM • You may not have thought about trim in terms of its sustainability, but more sustainable choices do exist.

PALLET WOOD HEADBOARD • BUILD AN HEIRLOOM PIECE USING RECLAIMED WOOD

HOW TO FIX SIDEWALKS • ROLL DOWN YOUR SLEEVES AND PUT ON A DUST MASK—PATCHING IS A DUSTY, GRIMY JOB

PATCH OR REPLACE? • Should you patch your old concrete or completely tear it out and repour it? While there’s no hard and fast rule, here are some tips to guide your decision:

USE THE CORRECT PATCHING MIX • In a nutshell: Use a sand mix for repairs less than 2 in. deep. Use a concrete mix for repairs deeper than 2 in. Replace 50% to 80% of the water with the acrylic fortifier in either mix to improve the patch’s bonding strength.

REFINISH FURNITURE WITHOUT STRIPPING • LESS TIME, LESS EFFORT, LESS MESS. BETTER RESULTS!

9 THINGS ELECTRICIANS ALWAYS DO IN THEIR OWN HOMES • Flipping a light switch, plugging in a toaster and charging a smartphone are simple electrical tasks that are not risky. But your home’s electrical system is complex and potentially dangerous, says Christopher Haas, owner of Haas & Sons Electric in Millersville, Maryland.

SAFER SCENTS

DIY VS. PRO WINDOW REPLACEMENT

HOW MUCH DOES WINDOW REPLACEMENT COST?

TIPS FOR SAVING MONEY

READER INFO

Family Handyman

GREAT GOOFS • LAUGHS AND LESSONS FROM OUR READERS

WOOD YOU LIKE CHIPS WITH THAT?

A SHOCKING EMAIL