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Exterior Remodeling

Discover expert guides on exterior remodeling, roofing, siding, decks, outdoor living, landscaping, and pools to plan, frame, seal, and build exteriors

A rake leveling crushed gravel inside a timber frame shed base, string lines and level nearby in a backyard
ExteriorSheds & Workshops11 min read

Build a Gravel Shed Base and Set Your Kit Shed Square

A step-by-step guide to building a level gravel foundation for a kit shed: layout, excavation, timber perimeter, compacted stone, and squaring the floor.
Two cedar raised garden beds under construction, one filled with dark soil and one showing hardware cloth across its base
ExteriorGardens & Planting Beds8 min read

Build Cedar Raised Garden Beds That Outlast the Soil

A step-by-step guide to building cedar raised beds with post-anchored corners, hardware cloth against burrowers, and a soil mix that drains and feeds.
A low split-face block retaining wall under construction with drainage gravel, perforated pipe, and a string line
ExteriorFencing & Retaining Walls12 min read

Build a Block Retaining Wall That Will Not Lean

A step-by-step guide to building a segmental block retaining wall under three feet: trench and base depth, compacted gravel, drainage stone, setback, and capping.
A level held against a pressure-treated fence post set in gravel and wet concrete along a taut string line at sunset
ExteriorFencing & Retaining Walls11 min read

Build a Privacy Fence With Posts That Stay Plumb for Decades

A step-by-step guide to building a wood privacy fence: string layout, post hole depth, gravel-and-concrete setting, racking versus stepping on slopes, and hanging pickets straight.
Clear vinyl window panel being fitted into a screened porch opening with cedar framing and ceiling fan
ExteriorScreened Porches & Sunrooms10 min read

Turn a Screened Porch Into a Three-Season Room

A step-by-step guide to converting a screened porch into a three-season room with window panel inserts, a ceiling fan, and safe supplemental heat.
Charcoal screen mesh being rolled into an aluminum spline channel on a covered wood porch at golden hour
ExteriorScreened Porches & Sunrooms10 min read

Screen In a Covered Porch for Bug-Free Summer Evenings

A step-by-step guide to screening an existing covered porch: track-and-spline systems, dividing the bays, framing, hanging the door, and keeping egress and railings legal.
Gloved hands fitting a new white trim board under a window on gray lap siding, a rotted board leaning against the wall
ExteriorExterior Trim & Accents10 min read

Replace Rotted Exterior Trim Before the Leak Reaches the Framing

A step-by-step guide to replacing rotted window and corner trim: finding the water source, choosing PVC or primed wood, flashing, and caulking.
A cedar rolling prep cart with a stainless steel top, a cooler on the lower shelf, and a bottle opener, beside a gas grill
ExteriorOutdoor Kitchens & Fire Features9 min read

Build a Rolling Outdoor Prep Station for the Grill

A step-by-step guide to building a rolling cedar outdoor prep cart with a weatherproof top, locking casters, a cooler shelf, and the small details cooks love.
Concrete block grill island under construction in a backyard, with a level and adhesive on the stone countertop
ExteriorOutdoor Kitchens & Fire Features11 min read

Build a Grill Island from Concrete Blocks and a Stone Top

A step-by-step guide to building a backyard grill island: block base, vent panels, clearances, and a stone or paver top a slide-in grill drops into.
Caulk gun laying a clean bead of white sealant along an exterior window frame, with weatherstripping and a utility knife on the sill
ExteriorWeatherproofing & Drainage Solutions8 min read

Seal It Up: Weatherproofing Your Home Before the Seasons Turn

A DIY weatherproofing checklist: find air leaks, caulk exterior gaps, add weatherstripping and door sweeps, and cut drafts for about $40 in materials.