Exteriors - Eco-Friendly Alternatives

We recently helped renovate and stain a huge red cedar deck that had been exposed to all weathers, ice, rain and simple living - burgers dripping relish and ketchup - and all the things we enjoy on a backyard deck. How to stain or paint an old cedar deck to make it look new and last longer. Staining or painting an…

If you’re looking to learn how to make old deck boards look new, you can easily extend the life of a grey cedar deck by pressure washing and staining. Restoring a weathered cedar deck easily, step by step Cedar decking boards turn gray in a few short years if untreated, and can make your deck look much older and…

Swimming in your own home pool is a great way to stay fit, enjoy time with the family, and top up your vitamin D. But beyond the purchase price, what does it cost to run and clean swimming pools, and how can we best reduce energy costs. Energy efficient & eco friendly swimming pools - are they even a thing?! The…

When we were spring gardening and had azaleas to plant, we remembered reading that coffee grounds might help certain garden plants so thought we'd check it out. We all know that coffee has many a wonderful benefit, from that ever-so-necessary espresso first thing in the morning, to rubbing it on your skin for a bit…

A layered no-dig lasagna garden may be an easy way to convert a lawn into a food producing garden - but it's critics may say it's too easy - Ecohome investigates. As with any easy gardening technique, there is a lot to consider regarding lasagna gardening that specifically relates to its many benefits and ease of…

Lasagna gardening is one of the easiest ways to grow vegetables at home and turn a high-maintenance lawn into a productive garden space. What are the pros and cons of the lasagna garden? Do they work for clay soils. Lasagna gardening - what is it? The easiest way to turn a backyard lawn into an organic…

Growing food at home, even in an apartment, is easy for both adults & kids ; here is a beginner’s guide to growing tasty greens & vegetable sprouts indoors - just add some window space and let the harvest begin. A certain level of independence and a real sense of satisfaction can be gained from the growing hobby of…

Heating a swimming pool - top 10 tips for cost-efficient & eco-friendly ways to heat a pool including planning & building a pool for energy efficiency. How to save money on heating a pool Swimming in a warm pool is a wonderful feeling , and while we hear from many pool owners in the cooler states & provinces that…

Sustainable home landscaping has permeable surfaces, doesn't require a lot of watering, and ideally incorporates rainwater collection. Urban farming means you can eat what grows there, and that's even better. How to grow vegetables & fruits in a garden Plants survived long before humans were around to water them, so…

How to build decks with greater durability - permits, deck materials, railings, foundations & construction techniques for longer lasting decks including natural wood finishing oils & stains. Deck building tips for a durable deck construction: Meeting setbacks and getting building permits in Canada & US Raised Deck…

Three greenhouse owners share their construction methods and experiences for building greenhouses in cold climates where the benefits accumulate for food production. Can a greenhouse produce food all year in cold climates? Growing fruits and vegetables all year round in Canada or the colder parts of North America…