This approach offers a completely customizable look while being highly functional as it is easy to maintain and clean. They make a great alternative to stone or quartz and they offer a wide variety of colors. Here are some of the highlights and benefits of this backsplash option. GYRO PHOTOGRAPHY / AmanaimagesRF / Getty Images Colors Some manufacturers of sheet glass offer a palette of colors to choose from. The color is actually painted on the backside of clear glass....

Still, the allure of solid hardwood is strong. Professional Installation Professional solid hardwood floor installation can be worth the cost. Consider that installers work quickly and they understand the complexities when it comes to laying hardwood flooring. slobo / Getty Images It may take a week or more to finish a flooring project yourself. (Inferior boards are almost non-existent if you purchase engineered wood flooring.) But hardwood flooring is tough onmiter saws....

On the surface level, engineered and solid hardwood floors look the same. The differences between engineered hardwood and solid hardwood begin just below the surface. The core is the main difference between engineered wood and solid hardwood flooring, which affects water resistance. Margot Cavin / The Spruce Margot Cavin / The Spruce Engineered Wood Flooring vs. The surface is a thin layer of hardwood, a veneer bonded with adhesives to the plywood core....

Often, it can be hard to distinguish one from the other. From a distance, both look remarkably similar. Solid surface’s main appeal is that it is easy to fabricate and can create invisibly seamed countertops. The Spruce / Kevin Norris Laminate, by contrast, is layered. If the top layer of laminate fails, the entire countertop fails. For many people, the look ofslab granite for a countertopsimply cannot be duplicated. The Spruce...

The Spruce / Kevin Norris Solid surface countertops have been around for decades and are a mainstay inkitchensand bathrooms. Homeowners who want to upgrade from laminatebut who still want anaffordable countertopoften gravitate to solid surface material. What Solid Surface Is Solid surface is a synthetic countertop material that contains both minerals and resins. The Spruce / Kevin Norris It is a homogeneous, through-body material that feels smooth and silky. It can be buffed to a matte finish or up to a high gloss....

Solid wood doors have long been considered the premiumand onlychoice for homes. The Spruce / Nusha Ashjaee Wood Doors: What’s the Difference? Solid Wood Door Solid wood doors are just as the name says: made all of wood. The Spruce / Nusha Ashjaee All elements of the door except for knobs, hinges, and hardware are wood. Usually, solid wood doors are not a solid slab of wood. They are pieced together from several smaller pieces of wood....

Steer clear or fix some of the common drywall problems and fails with this handy guide. Gaps Between Drywall Sheets Most gaps between drywall sheets can be taped and mudded over like usual. But gaps of up to 1/2-inch between drywall sheets are significant. The Spruce / Kevin Norris Taped-over gaps with voids behind them are not structurally strong enough to last. Bubbles and warps can develop, plus sharp objects will easily piece the tape....

The Spruce / Leticia Almeida Sound is often a problem within homes. Various methods can be used toreduce sound transmissionin interior spaces in your home. Replacing the door alone will greatly reduce sound transmission. The Spruce / Leticia Almeida In most cases, installing a solid composite interior door will improvesoundproofingwhen it replaces a standard hollow-core door. Hollow-core doors are braced with cardboard honeycomb materials. The honeycomb structure is empty space....

Learn about sphagnum moss uses in gardening and how it differs from peat moss. Its outstanding water retention ability makes it a first choice for potted plants and hanging baskets. What is Sphagnum Moss? The Spruce / Phoebe Cheong Unlikeliving moss, sphagnum moss is dead, dried material from a sphagnum moss plant. Only the new growth of the plant is harvested and dried. The dried moss has a fibrous, airy texture....

Propagation is easy by potting cuttings or rooting them in water. you might divide the root ball into sections, replant them, or take off-shooting spiderettes and pot them. Here’s how to make these propagation methods work. The Spruce / Meg MacDonald it’s possible for you to also divide the root ball and form new plants that way. In water, spider plant roots should form in seven to 10 days. One disadvantage of water-grown roots is they can be weak and must later acclimate to the soil....

Luckily, wax is easy to remove if you know the right steps for how to manage it. So, enjoy your candles and follow our four easy steps to remove wax from carpet. If you’re out of ice, use a bag of frozen vegetables. The Spruce / Sarah Lee Want more cleaning and organizing tips? Suction the loose wax away with ahandheld vacuumor vacuum attachment. Keep scraping gently and suctioning until no more wax remains....

Paint rollers have less prep work and the tools are less expensive, but it’s very labor-intensive. You may wish to use a paint sprayer for any of these conditions. This canvas lends itself well to paint spraying. The Spruce / Margot Cavin The hopper gun is attached to a compressed air hose. Paint sprayers have the ability to work into the narrowest crevices, laying down a thin coat. By contrast, brushing or rolling detailed surfaces can result in pooled-up paint and drips....

Jacky Parker Photography / Getty Images Mosquitos know how to put a damper on barbecues and outdoor days. Ifmosquitos pose a problemin your backyard, you’ve probably looked into or started spraying for them. Meet the Expert David Priceis an associate-certified entomologist and director of technical services atMosquito Joe. Jacky Parker Photography / Getty Images He has over 26 years of experience in the industry. Why Are Mosquito Sprays Harmful to Pollinators?...