Seed: Broadcast Seeding vs. Hydroseeding

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Turfgrass seed can be applied in one of two ways, with a spreader or sprayer. Broadcast seeding utilizes a spreader to scatter seed over an area. Seed is then raked into the soil surface. Hydroseeding utilizes a tank and sprayer to apply a greenish-blue slurry of seed, mulch, and fertilizer over an area.

Planting 101: Understanding the Basics of Growing a Garden

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Only you and those around you know what color your thumb is. For those of you without a green thumb, plants have a few environmental needs to grow and stay alive: temperature, water, soil, and sunlight. When Mother Nature doesn't provide these, you need to. That all seems rather easy, right? Whether you are planting a new garden or adding to an existing one, a little knowledge, planning, and preparation will go a long way toward earning your green thumb and determining the future success of your garden.

Window Openings: Acrylic Blocks vs. Glass Blocks

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I’ve been asked the question over and over: Should I use glass blocks or acrylic blocks for my window project? While I will admit to having a bias (I’ve been in the glass block business for over 25 years), my companies sell both glass and acrylic products and I try to recommend what’s best for the customer. Here are my pointers on how to choose between these two different materials.

How to Use Glass Blocks in a Kitchen

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Why should you design a kitchen that looks like everyone else's when you can jazz it up with a contemporary flair? When most people think about using glass blocks, they may most often picture them in a bathroom or basement setting, but glass blocks in your kitchen provide a focal point to make the room really pop. Here are three ideas to consider for using glass blocks in your kitchen.

5 Places to Use Decorative Art Glass Tile Blocks

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Decorative art glass tiles are simply hand-crafted tiles made by fusing layers of colored and clear glass together in a kiln. These tiles come in various sizes, in a spectrum of transparent and opaque colors, and can be fused to glass blocks. Five popular places to use this decorative glass element in your home include the bathroom, kitchen, entryway, den, and accent walls.

How to Install a Ceramic Tile Floor

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Ceramic tile is a common choice among flooring materials, especially for kitchens and bathrooms. It is available in so many types, colors, textures, and sizes that the design possibilities seem unlimited. Despite this wide variety of design options, the installation of a ceramic tile floor typically follows a series of basic steps and ceramic tile can be laid over just about any type of subfloor. It is a project that many do-it-yourselfers can accomplish with a few tips and a little patience. Join the At Home channel’s host, Jeff Wilson, as he demonstrates how to install a ceramic tile floor.

How to Install Kitchen Base Cabinets

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Cabinets are a fundamental part of any kitchen. Kitchen cabinets not only provide storage, but they define spatial organization and workflow for one of the most used spaces in a home. As such, cabinets are a focal point of every kitchen, and proper installation is essential to both aesthetic and functional qualities. The cabinets need to be square, level, and secure so doors and drawers operate properly and provide stable support for the countertops and fixtures. With the right tools and a little patience, installing kitchen cabinets is a project any do-it-yourselfer can handle. Join the At Home channel’s host, Jeff Wilson, as he installs new base cabinets for a small kitchenette.

Maintenance Tips: Gutters and Downspouts

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Has your head been in the gutter lately? A properly installed gutter and downspout system performs a seemingly simple task, collecting water that drains off the roof and directing it away from the home. Quite often, homeowners pay little to no attention to their gutters and downspouts, and the system in turn performs poorly or even fails. Lack of maintenance allows for clogs, leaks, and potentially damage to your home. These issues are more extensive and costly to repair then to prevent with a little maintenance.

Outdoor Lighting Techniques

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Lighting, whether indoor or outdoor, is typically classified as ambient, task, or accent lighting. Ambient, or what is commonly referred to as general, lighting illuminates a large area. Task lighting provides light that is concentrated in a small area for a specific purpose, and accent lighting directs your eye to an element of decoration, highlighting the element and imposing a more dramatic scene. Depending on what you want to achieve with your outdoor lighting, you might incorporate one or all of the above kinds of lighting by using various lighting techniques.

Outdoor Lighting: Technology, Techniques, and Fixtures

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Outdoor lighting illuminates social gatherings, comforts us with additional safety and security, enables us to work or play, and enhances our home garden aesthetics from dusk to dawn. With the variety of outdoor lighting fixtures available, selecting the right one can be somewhat daunting. Understanding the available outdoor lighting technologies, techniques, and fixtures will allow you to make better use of your property after the sun goes down.

How to Install a Solid-Surface Kitchen Countertop

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Countertops not only provide the main work surfaces in a kitchen, but they also offer an opportunity to add a splash of color and materiality to the space. With the nearly limitless design options for countertops, choosing the material and color is often the most difficult part of installing new kitchen countertops. Depending on the type of material, fabricating a kitchen countertop can be a challenge for a do-it-yourselfer, but installing the countertop is a project almost any do-it-yourselfer can handle. Join the At Home channel's host, Jeff Wilson, as he completes the kitchenette and offers tips on installing a recycled glass countertop.