Jenn Largesse

Watch House One editor Jenn Largesse demonstrate three easy ways to make multiple cuts using a miter saw.

Repeating a cut on a miter saw seems easy enough, but measuring and marking rarely yields pieces that are evenly sized. To get better results, This Old House DIY Expert and House One editor Jenn Largesse shares three easy ways to cut multiples.

How to Make Multiple Cuts with a Miter Saw

Jenn Largesse

1. Use the First Cut as a Template

The first and most obvious way is to use the first cut board to size the next cut. Do this by placing the cut board on top of the uncut board with the ends flush.

Lower the blade slightly, and then slide the two boards until the cut boards hit the side of the blade, remove the board and then make the cut.

The key is to keep using the same board, not the most recently cut board so that the measurement doesn’t slightly “grow” over time. The downside of this method is that the blade can shave a bit more off of the subsequent cut, so there can still be a bit of variance.

Craftsman-style features include the gabled entry porch and stucco-and-wood facade; the 20- and nine-over-one windows reflect its stylistic mash-up. | Aerospective Imagery

See this unique 1890s house in a vibrant Southern town in need of second chance.

Likely built in the 1890s as a Folk Victorian, the house sits on what was once known as Silk Stocking Row, where Water Valley’s prominent families lived in gracious, architecturally distinctive homes.

About This House

At the time, the town was a bustling hub for the Illinois Central Railroad. Historians surmise that the house may have undergone some Craftsman-style updates in the years that followed, the better to fit in with the popular aesthetic.

Aerospective Imagery

A porte cochere and brick archway lend storybook charm. The driveway’s gravel paving is still in evidence.

Why Save It?

Aerospective Imagery The unfinished attic, which runs the entire length of the house and is lit by new as well as old windows, can be reached from back stairs in the kitchen. It accounts for nearly half of the listed 2,360 square feet of living space.

Filled with vintage details, the house retains original fireplace mantels, heart-pine and oak floors, divided-light windows, French doors, and transoms.

Light-gray metal roofing keeps this cozy cottage cool in summer. Similar to shown: 5V-Crimp Galvalume Plus panels, $1.30 per square foot; McElroy Metal | Nancy J. McGregor

It’s hard to top the versatile looks, longevity, and peace of mind that come with a roof made of metal. Read this guide to learn what you need to know before putting one on your own home.

The advantages of metal roofs are tough to ignore. They’re strong, able to survive hurricanes, hail, and wildfires. They’re durable, enjoying a life span of up to 50 years or more. They can save energy, thanks to their ability to reflect the sun’s heat. And properly installed, they need virtually no upkeep.

In America, copper and lead roofs appeared on important public buildings beginning in the 18th century, including New York’s City Hall in 1764. By the mid-1800s, metal roofing became more common as mass-produced steel began covering ordinary homes and barns. By the 1920s, lightweight, no-rust aluminum entered the market, as did paint coatings that added color and longevity to both aluminum and steel roofs.

Today, metal roofing is on the rise again: Its popularity has nearly quadrupled in the last 20 years. And while it commands a premium—the components are expensive, as is the skilled labor for installation—a metal roof can boost a home’s resale value by up to 6 percent in some areas. Up ahead: a look at materials and styles to consider, plus how to get the job done right, so your house will stay cool and dry for decades to come.

Favored by a Founding Father


In 1824, Thomas Jefferson replaced the original wood shingles on Monticello’s roof with ones made of terne, a tin-coated iron; they lasted until 1855. After a succession of inferior, leak-prone substitutes, the roof regained its 1824 look in 1992 with the installation of terne shingles made of tin-coated stainless steel.

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When summer days start to fade away, it’s time to start prepping your pool for the cooler months. Read this guide to learn the steps for winterizing in-ground and above-ground pools.

After a fun summer in the pool, you’ll want to make sure you “winterize” it properly before closing it up for the season. Taking these steps is a part of proper pool maintenance and will help ensure that your pool is in tip-top condition when you open it back up again.

When to Start Prepping Your Pool for Winter

Start the winterizing process after the season is over, when the temperature consistently dips down to 65 degrees F or lower.

If you start too early, you may encounter problems with algae, which thrives in warmer temps. Give yourself a week to complete this process, as several steps need to be performed over the course of a few days.

Steps for Winterizing an In-Ground Pool

Follow the steps below to prep your pool for the winter months.

Adobe

A home warranty plan, or home service contract, protects homeowners from paying expensive repair and replacement bills for their systems and appliances. This article compares Choice Home Warranty and American Home Shield on their coverage plans, reviews, and more to help you decide which is best for protecting your home.

Looking for a comparison of Choice Home Warranty vs. American Home Shield? Choice Home Warranty (CHW) and American Home Shield (AHS) are top-rated home warranty companies that offer comprehensive plans that protect a variety of home appliances and systems. Continue reading for the This Old House Review team’s analysis of Choice Home Warranty and American Home Shield and determine which offers the best home warranty.

Choice Home Warranty vs. American Home Shield Coverage

American Home Shield offers four plans, including a Build-Your-Own Plan, and optional add-ons, while Choice Home Warranty offers two plans and optional add-ons. Here’s a detailed breakdown of these providers’ coverage options:

Choice Home Warranty Coverage

Choice Home Warranty offers two coverage plans: a Basic Plan and Total Plan. The Basic Plan covers 14 appliances and systems but excludes coverage for an air conditioning system, refrigerator, washer, and dryer. The Total Plan covers everything in the Basic plan, plus these four items.

Choice Home Warranty also offers these nine optional add-ons:

The This Old House Reviews team is committed to providing comprehensive and unbiased reviews to our readers. This means earning your trust through transparency and having the data to back up our ratings and recommendations.

Our Methodology

The This Old House Reviews team is committed to providing comprehensive and unbiased reviews to our readers. This means earning your trust through transparency and having the data to back up our ratings and recommendations.

With that in mind, we created an objective rating system to score each home insurance company. Here’s what that review process looked like:

We analyze the information on each company’s website. This allows us to determine what products and services are offered by each home insurance provider.We get a sample quote from the companies by either talking to a sales representative or by using the online quote tool. This tells us what a policy looks like and costs.We test customer service by talking to a company representative, finding out their hours of operation, and determining what technological features are available for customers.We update all of this information on a continuous basis, storing it in a proprietary database that allows us to compare dozens of home insurance companies against each other.

With this data, we created a rating methodology to score each home insurance company. Our rating system is a weighted, 100-point scale based on the following factors:

Coverage (30): We rated home insurance companies higher if they offered the six main types of homeowner protection—dwelling, other structures, personal property, loss of use, liability, and medical payments to others coverage.State availability (7.5): Companies scored higher if they covered more states than their competitors.Customer service (15): This factor is based on our communications with the company representatives, as well as the companies’ claims and quotes processes, availability throughout the week, and customer service information found on their websites.Technology (12.5): Technology can increase the efficiency of filing and tracking home insurance claims. Companies scored higher if they had technology options like mobile apps and online chat functions. Reputation (20): We gauged trustworthiness based on years of experience and Better Business Bureau (BBB) ratings.Additional benefits (15): Companies that offered optional features, like discounts and endorsements, scored higher than competitors that didn’t.

Our Reviews team has a full-time researcher who collects and regularly updates data points from every company to help us compare them on key factors such as coverage, service, and dependability.

William Geddes

Semper Solaris offers a variety of roof and solar services like solar panel installation and cleaning. In this review, the This Old House Reviews team dives into Semper Solaris services, pricing, and customer service.

Semper Solaris offers solar installation to help customers save money on energy costs and reduce their carbon footprint through sustainable energy solutions. As a veteran-owned company committed to hiring professionals with a shared sense of integrity and responsibility, Semper Solaris offers comprehensive customer service that supports customers through the life of their system. Read our review of Semper Solaris services, discounts, warranties, and products to decide if they’re the best solar provider for you and your home.

To see solar pricing and available incentives in your area, fill out this simple form.

Is Semper Solaris Worth It?

Semper Solaris offers California residents comprehensive solar solutions with a variety of discounts for new customers. Their online ticketing system and daily phone support help streamline the customer experience, making them a smart solar provider for those looking for responsive customer service.

Compare the advantages and disadvantages of Semper Solaris below.

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Wondering about those moth-like flies hanging around your drains? Drain flies may be common, but they’re also easy to get rid of if you get ahead of the game.

Home drains are a prime spot for stagnant water or bacteria to accumulate, especially if the sink or drain sits unused. If you’ve suddenly noticed an abundance of very small, moth-like creatures hanging around your sinks, showers, or bathtub, you may have drain flies. These very common pests can reproduce in just 48 hours, making it easy to find yourself with an infestation in little time.

Unlike some other pest infestations, understanding how to get rid of drain flies can be quick and simple. With a little diligence, you can stop them in their tracks with basic products or pantry items around the house and create a plan to stop them in the future. In this guide, we’ll answer all your questions about how to get rid of drain flies and who to call if you need the guidance of a professional pest control company.

Our top recommendation for your pest control needs is Terminix, a company with PhD-level entomologists and over 90 years of experience in the industry. But, to make sure you get the best plan for your home, you should also check out top pest control company Orkin.

Get a quote from both top-rated companies:

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From smooth and seamed to deeply embossed, and in a range of colors, there’s a metal-roofing profile to suit virtually every architectural style.

Though expensive, a metal roof will last half a century or more. Considering investing in a metal roof but don’t know where to begin? Read this guide to learn more about the styles and finishes to choose from.

Metal Roof Styles

Standing Seam

Courtesy Church Hill Landscapes

Its crisp lines, formed where panel edges interlock, complement a wide variety of houses, from traditional to modern. Hidden clips hold panels in place and let the metal move.

Similar to shown: Universal Standing Seam in Silverstone, from $2.75 per square foot; Green American Home

Slate

Courtesy Edco Products

With subtle color variations and “split” edges, these painted steel panels offer the look of slate without the weight. Each 50-by-12-inch panel, embossed to suggest six separate slates, installs much faster than the real stuff.

I’m going to just come right out and say it, our back porch has been neglected. Sure, I purchased some chairs a couple years back, but that’s about it. The last few years have not been kind to said rocking chairs and they are in pretty sad condition. If I am being completely honest, I just haven’t been very motivated. Living in Florida has made me hesitant to give this area a facelift. I didn’t want all my hard work to be destroyed by the Florida heat. Have you ever experienced this fear too? Well, I am happy to report that I have found the answer. The best thing you can do to protect your wood projects is by staining and sealing, and Olympic Stain has just the products you need to do this all in one step!

So let’s get started. Remember those chairs I mentioned? Well, I was actually about to throw in the towel and give up hope on them. I have power washed and sealed these chairs (not with Olympic Stain) multiple times only to find them looking old and cruddy in just a few weeks. It was so frustrating! That song and dance was getting old, so I thought I would try a different approach.

Step 1: Clean Surfaces

In the past, power washing and sanding these chairs took me several days to complete. It was an arduous task and I was not willing to do it again. After a little bit of research and reading reviews, I found something that looked promising. Olympic has a product (Deck Cleaner) specifically made for cleaning outdoor wood projects in preparation to be stained and sealed. Heck, I had tried everything else might as well, right?

Best decision ever! It was the easiest 15-minute project ever. All I needed was a gallon of Olympic Deck Cleaner (about $10) and a plastic spray bottle. If you are doing a large area I would recommend using a 1-Gallon Pump Sprayer. After reading the directions carefully and following the safety precautions, I started spritzing down my first chair. That’s it, you heard that right. All you have to do is spray it on and wait 5-10 minutes. Boom, done.

I set a timer for ten minutes and watched a miracle happen. All of the sun damage and mildew infested grain vanished. No need to scrub, it was just gone! Once the ten minutes was up, I grabbed the garden hose and thoroughly rinsed the chair down.

Hello everyone! My name is Tyson Moore, and I’m excited to show you how my wife and I weatherproofed two porch swings using Olympic products from The Home Depot!

I recently built our family a brand-new cedar porch swing. As I was preparing for weatherproofing, I looked across the yard and noticed that my neighbor’s porch swing was in rough condition. My wife and I decided that it would also be a fun project to bring our neighbor’s old swing back to life!

Gather Your Supplies

First, we headed to our local Home Depot to gather the supplies we needed. We decided to finish both swings using different  Olympic products. For our swing, we chose #1-rated Olympic Maximum Clear Waterproofing Sealer. For my neighbor’s old swing, we picked up Olympic Premium Deck Cleaner and the Olympic Elite Transparent Advanced Exterior Stain and Sealant in One in the color Kona. We also picked up a pump sprayer, a drop cloth, a couple of good exterior paint brushes, and mineral spirits for clean up.

Using Olympic Maximum Clear on the New Swing

The entire process was simple. First, we laid out a drop cloth. Then, we set the swing on top of a couple of saw horses. Once the wood was clean and dry, we flipped it over to apply the finish to the back.

Olympic Maximum is a clear, durable, waterproofing sealer that offers protection against water damage and UV rays. It’s rated #1 among clear wood sealers and stains. It’s a clear sealer with a slight tint. Use it on any exterior wood like decks, fences, and siding. Apply it anywhere you want to protect against the weather while also bringing out the natural beauty of the wood.

Why we wanted to stain or seal our fence

We had our fence replaced this spring—one of the best things we’ve done at this house! It was previously a dented, mossy, slatted chain link with mismatched cedar gate area. And it wasn’t tall enough or fully sight-obscuring once we had all the ivy and extra vegetation around it removed. We replaced it with a standard cedar fence. It’s common in this area but definitely shows age after lots of Pacific Northwest rain. We definitely wanted to stain or seal it somehow. After research, we learned it’s best to do this 6-8 weeks after installing the fence so the boards can dry out and cure.

Products and Applications

Research on products and application methods followed. The Home Depot carries #1 rated Olympic stains with both weather-ready application and long-lasting durability. We wanted a clear product to protect the fence from aging rather than add color, so we chose the Olympic Maximum Clear  Waterproofing Sealant. #1-rated three years in a row among clear wood sealer stains per independent consumer study.

It protects against water damage, UV wear, scuffs, and mildew stains. It also provides 4 years of protection on fences & siding (3 years on decks). Our fence was a big investment so of course we want to take care of it and protect it from weather and aging. It gives me peace of mind that we are set for 4 years! Olympic also offers the #1 rated solid stain, Olympic Elite Solid, if you want to add some color to your fence or deck.

We’re just barely into full-on summer here in Oregon which means we have random rain here and there. The Olympic Maximum Clear Exterior Waterproofing Sealant allows for weather-ready application. So, you can clean and stain the same day even after rain. You only need 8 hours of dry weather after application. You can even apply in weather as cold as 35 degrees!

We also decided to use a professional scale paint sprayer. I’ll share with you the all of the prep materials and safety equipment we used below!

With more people home, we are enjoying more aspects of our home. We actually have time to sit outside and enjoy our space. My neighbor loves being outdoors and spending time on her deck. Unfortunately, her deck needed a little TLC. That’s why I’m so grateful to be able to partner with The Home Depot and Olympic Stains to assist my neighbor during these challenging times.

Some of the rails had water damage and the deck floor was discolored and faded. She and I were talking about it one day and she asked me if I could help her give new life to her deck. Well, of course I can! It’s kind of my thing, you know?

Originally, she thought she just wanted to go with a clear sheen that would seal the deck and extend its life for a few more summers. However, once we got into the project and had to replace old and rotten boards it became apparent that a solid stain would be more appealing.

Here’s how we stained my neighbor’s deck. Prior to starting a deck project like washing and staining a deck, you want to check the weather to ensure all of your efforts won’t get rained on.

1. Prep the Surface

Before you can do anything it is extremely important to prepare the deck surface before you do anything. This is probably the most important step because if you bypass this step all your effort will be in vain. Your stain may not adhere to the deck and could chip and peel. Start by securing any loose boards and screw in place any raised deck screws. I’m working with an older deck that was constructed with nails. So in this case I’m removing any raised nails and replacing them with deck screws.

After seven years of use, this outdoor cedar wood furniture was past due for a new look. The unfinished wood meant that stains and dirt could not be easily cleaned. It was water stained and had faded more in some areas than others. This furniture was the perfect candidate to try out the #1 rated Olympic Elite Solid Stain.

Let’s get started!

First Things First: Choosing a Color!

With color chart in hand, we narrowed our choices down to two colors. We found a great resource, a color visualizer on the Olympic website. With it we were able to take a look at both colors side by side to see how they looked against the existing porch carpet.

With the visualizer, we were able to “see” how the color would look on the wood furniture. The online representation actually turned out to be really accurate! Time to place an order at The Home Depot!

Besides the stain in the color, Chestnut Brown, we bought high quality paint brushes, small paint trays, Olympic Deck Cleaner, and sandpaper. We already had the paint sticks, can opener, sandpaper holder, and drop cloths we needed.

Summertime is the perfect time to give your deck some love! I recently decided to refresh my grandparents’ weathered deck in their backyard with #1-rated Olympic Elite Solid Stain to give them a cute and practical outdoor space to hang out on while stuck at home. This project took me a few days to complete (luckily, the weather held out) and made a huge impact in their backyard.

Here’s the before:

Here’s the after:

Not bad for a long weekend of work. Ready to see how I did it? Let’s get started!

Step 1

First step in any deck project is to clear the deck and inspect the boards to see if any need to be repaired or replaced.

Step 2

Once the boards were inspected (I luckily didn’t have to replace any), I knocked down any loose or lifted nails using a hammer.

Step 3

Next, I cleaned off the deck using a thick bristle brush.

The best pest control companies in Austin offer decades of experience and expertise and plans that cover a wide roster of common household pests, like Orkin, Terminix, and Rentokil.

Austin, Texas, is a great place to spend time outside almost all year long. Summers are sunny and bright, and winters are mild at worst. However, Austin is known to be humid, which, in combination with temperate weather, can make it very attractive to pests like mosquitoes. There are ways to try to combat pest invasions on your own, but for more efficient, knowledge-driven pest control solutions, you may consider hiring a professional pest control company.

But keep in mind that not all pest control companies are equal in terms of services offered, quality, reputation, and more. The best pest control companies offer decades of experience, highly trained specialists, and top-of-the-line products and equipment. This Old House Reviews Team believes that Orkin, Terminix, and Rentokil’s division Presto-X offer the best pest control services in Austin, guarding homes against everything from ants to termites and bed bugs.

To get a free quote from Orkin, call 877-871-4752, or fill out this form. If you’d like a quote from Terminix, you can reach them at 866-569-4035, or at this form. Rentokil’s division Presto-X services Austin, and can be reached for a free quote at 844-334-1157.

Why You Should Hire Pest Control in Austin

Central Texas is a playground for wasps, ants, roaches, and rodents. With so many pest threats on the horizon, it can be difficult to prevent and eliminate them all. Different pests require different treatment methods, so even if you successfully eradicate your roach problem, your kitchen may still be overrun with ants. Hiring a professional pest control company means you can rely on your specialists’ expertise in all areas of pest control you may need.

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If you’re struggling to get rid of your mice problem, you can tackle the infestation with traps and bait stations, or leave it in the hands of experienced professionals.

If you’ve heard scurrying under your furniture and scratching in your walls, or you’ve seen chew marks on your cereal box or droppings in the corners, you may have a mice infestation on your hands. This can be serious, since mice can introduce fleas and lice, contaminate food, damage furniture and books, and create fire hazards by chewing through electrical wiring. You can try to get rid of these pests on your own using mechanical traps and baits, but that can be pretty difficult. That’s where professional pest control companies come in.

This Old House Reviews Team recommends Orkin, Terminix, and Rentokil to eradicate the mice in your house. These professionals use combinations of mechanical traps and chemical baits that are effective but may be dangerous to use—baits that you shouldn’t try to use by yourself. To get a quote from Orkin, call 877-871-4752, or fill out this form. If you’d like a quote from Terminix, you can reach them at 866-569-4035, or at this form. For a free quote from Rentokil, call 844-334-1157.

Identifying Mice

If you want to eliminate the mice, you’ll need the right size trap—a rat trap may not do you much good. Looking at their body shape and size will help you tell them apart. Young rats’ heads are larger compared to their bodies, while adult mice have proportionally smaller heads. Both types of rodents chew on wood, but rats leave larger bite marks.

There are three different types of mice that tend to make nests in homes: the house mouse, deer mouse, and white-footed mouse. They have slightly different behavioral patterns, so you may need to implement an alternative treatment for them.

The best lawn care companies in Tampa offer a variety of services, widespread availability, and decades of experience. TruGreen, Weed Man, and Lawn Doctor are the best in the business in Tampa.

Homeowners in Tampa, Florida have sunny weather all year-round. It makes the city the great place to spend time outdoors enjoying your lawn. However, the summers get very hot, which can harm even the hardiest warm weather grasses. For the healthiest Tampa lawn possible, Floridians should consider hiring a professional lawn care company.

This Old House Reviews Team believes TruGreen is the best option for lawn care in Tampa, with multiple comprehensive plans, a variety of a la carte services, and decades of experience and expertise. Weed Man and Lawn Doctor are two other alternatives in the area.

Why You Should Hire Professional Lawn Care in Tampa

Like all regions, Florida has unique concerns when it comes to lawn care. In Tampa, sandy soil is common, which makes growing grass more difficult. Add humidity to that equation, and lawn care takes a lot of work.

Taking care of a Tampa lawn means knowing when and how often to fertilize, how to fight weeds, and how to prevent pests like chinch bugs and mosquitoes, which are a big problem with Florida humidity. Professional lawn care companies have the equipment and products to keep your lawn lush and healthy.

Believe it or not, struggling St. Augustine grass can be revived. Here are the steps to get it green again—and how to prevent it from suffering in the first place.

St. Augustine grass is one of the most popular grasses along the Gulf Coast, known for its rich blue-green grass blades and high tolerance to heat, humidity, and salt. But no turfgrass fares well without proper care and maintenance. If you don’t look after your St. Augustine grass lawn properly, it may turn brown, patchy, and thin. Luckily, there are some ways to revive St. Augustine grass.

This Old House will walk you through the process, from proper watering techniques to improving soil quality. Remember that hiring a professional lawn care company is the most efficient way to maintain and care for your lawn. The This Old House Reviews Team recommends TruGreen, a nationwide company with five annual plans, a la carte options, and a satisfaction guarantee. To get a free quote, 888-535-3193 or fill out this easy form.

Can I Bring Back Dead St. Augustine Grass?

If your St. Augustine grass is truly dead, there is no reviving it. To get a healthy lawn, you’ll need to start from scratch—rake up what remains and apply new seeds.

However, it’s possible your lawn can merely look dead for several weeks, when in fact it’s still living. Depending on the cause, you can revive these St. Augustine lawns.

Jenn Largesse

Looking to add an element of design to your living room or entryway? A leaning ladder bookcase can easily be built for a third of the price you’d pay to buy one at the store. Follow these easy steps to learn how to DIY a ladder shelf. 

A ladder bookcase is a great addition to any room. Best of all, you can easily build your own for a third of the price you’d pay at the store.

Steps for Building a DIY Leaning Ladder Bookcase

Follow the directions below to learn how to build a DIY ladder bookcase.

1. Cut the 1 x 2 Parts to Size

The sides are made up of a back 1x2 leg with two square cut ends, an angled front leg mitered at parallel 9-degree angles, and crosspieces that set horizontally at the height of each shelf with one square cut end and one mitered end meet the angle of the front leg.

While I provided measurements for all of the crosspieces in my cut list below, I recommend cutting the top and bottom crosspieces to length, attaching them between the legs, and then cutting the remaining crosspieces to fit to ensure perfect joints.