What Is a Pergola?

A pergola is an outdoor structure with columns supporting a roofing grid of beams and rafters. Pergolas differ from arbors, gazebos, trellises and lattices, and carports. Continue reading to learn more about the distinction between these different structures. The Spruce / Christopher Lee Foto They are usually attached to houses and form an outdoor living space, extending a home’s indoor rooms. Carports are used to shelter one’s automobile at home instead of the more expensive option: a garage....

May 4, 2025 · 2 min · 233 words · Tracy Bean

What Is a Portico? Everything You Need to Know

These small, porch-like areas are common fixtures that date back centuries. Meet the Expert Luis Murillois an architect and founder ofLMD Architecture Studio. What Is a Portico? Design:GTM Architects/ Photo:Kip Dawkins A portico is a roofed structure with columns that is attached to the front entryway of a home. For one, porticos andporchesdiffer in that a portico is much smaller in size. CASE Architects & Remodelers Why Choose a Portico? CASE Architects & Remodelers...

May 4, 2025 · 1 min · 134 words · Charles Livingston

What Is a Pot Filler and Do You Need One in Your Kitchen? Everything You Should Know

But is it really a necessity from which every home cook can benefit or a luxury and high-maintenance splurge? What Is a Pot Filler Over a Stove? Most pot fillers today have the swing arm for convenience. Ashley Montgomery Design Want more design inspiration? The last thing you need in the kitchen-renovation process is to replace a big-ticket appliance. Cleaning is another problem you might encounter. JK Interior Living Dont forget that youll also have to reach over the cooktop to clean some parts of the arm....

May 4, 2025 · 2 min · 247 words · Thomas Wells

What Is a Powder Room?

Leclair Decor A powder room is smaller than a bathroom and typically contains a single vanity and a toilet. These small rooms date back to the 1700s and appeared only in wealthy estates. It wasn’t until the second half of the 20th century that powder rooms became common in average homes. Leclair Decor Here’s everything you oughta know about a powder room’s benefits, concerns, and key features. What Is a Powder Room?...

May 4, 2025 · 1 min · 188 words · Cameron Miller

What Is a Prewar Apartment?

StudioLAB Aprewar apartmentis a term that pertains to apartment buildings constructed before World War II. But old buildings require maintenance that can range from renovations to full-blown historic restorations by skilled tradespeople. It can mean correcting careless past renovations or updating spaces to suit modern tastes. StudioLAB And noisy steam heating means that its difficult or impossible to regulate the temperature in winter. What Is a Prewar Apartment? A prewar apartment is a term that pertains to apartment buildings constructed before World War II....

May 4, 2025 · 1 min · 156 words · Robert Clark

What Is a Queen Anne-Style House?

This can make distinguishing a Queen Anne home from otherVictorian-style housesa bit more complex than you may think. Learn what sets this architectural style apart, along with where it originated and its key features. What is a Queen Anne-style House? pixabay The first expressions of Queen Anne-style architecture were subtle and classical in appearance. Still, they boasted impressive facades and intricate details alongside their classical elements. Features were often symmetrical and flat....

May 4, 2025 · 2 min · 240 words · James Bennett

What Is A Railroad-Style Apartment?

What is a Railroad-Style Apartment? A railroad-style apartment is one without hallways. Each room opens directly into the next similar to the layout of a train car. A remodeled NYC railroad-style apartment by designed by Daniel Rauchwerger and Noam Dvir of @bond_architecture.Eric Petschek /BoND There can also be a lack of airflow and natural light, particularly in the middle of the apartment. Railroad-style apartments were built into the early 20th century in tenement buildings....

May 4, 2025 · 2 min · 216 words · Miguel Harrison

What Is a Rain Garden? How to Build One in Your Yard

Rain gardens are often misunderstood, with many misconceptions about what they are and why you would want one. What Is a Rain Garden? What Are Nonpoint Source Pollutants? DigiPub / Getty Images The importance of using native plants can be seen in the following comparison. How Does a Rain Garden Work? The principle of how rain gardens work is simple. The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova You have likely seen water run downhill before and witnessed a puddle on a lawn slowly disappear....

May 4, 2025 · 2 min · 349 words · Martha Carpenter

What Is a Reel Mower and How to Use It

Simple to operate, a reel mower works well for small areas. However, with thistype of lawn mower, there are some downsides. You must be committed to mowing when the grass is ready, not whenever you get around to it. The Spruce / Xiaojie Liu Sharpening the blades is a hassle. What Is a Reel Mower? Most have two primary wheels and several sharp blades in a cylinder that spin around to cut the grass....

May 4, 2025 · 2 min · 426 words · Marcia Bolton

What Is a Row House? Everything You Need To Know

These structures are identified by the way they line the street in a uniform row. What Is a Row House? They’re also known as terraced houses in the United Kingdom,Australia, and elsewhere. Andriy Prokopenko / Getty Images So whats the difference? Row houses are generally considered lower-cost housing than townhouses. Not only are they affordable, but they also require less land space, which equals lower building cost. Row houses in Notting Hill, LondonAlexander Spatari / Getty Images...

May 4, 2025 · 1 min · 109 words · Terry Brady

What Is a Saltbox House? History, Characteristics, and More

Read on to learn more about the history and characteristics of saltbox homes. Stouffer / Getty Images Where Are Saltbox Houses Found? Saltbox houses are primary located around New England. KenWiedemann / Getty Images They can also be found in Newfoundland and Labrador in Canada. You’ll find some saltbox houses in parts of Ohio, as well. The homes and surrounding property dates back to 1681 and now belong to the National Park Service....

May 4, 2025 · 1 min · 157 words · Joseph Wong

What Is a Settee?

Jane BeilesforGeorgia Zikas Design What is a settee, really? Interior Impressions Origins Settees came about in the 1700s and served a key seating function. Settees remained popular through the 19th century, Wood explains. Jane BeilesforGeorgia Zikas Design Think Chic Interiors Settee vs. Sofa Sofas are much larger and cushier than settees, Zikas notes. Adds designerMalka Helft, “Settees are more delicate sofas. A good way to think about them is a sofa meets bench!...

May 4, 2025 · 1 min · 182 words · Erik Miller

What Is a Sewer Cleanout? How to Find Yours at Home

It’s a capped pipe that plumbers use to remove clogs. Mostbut not allhomes have a sewer cleanout. Some cleanouts are outside the front door, but others can be near a septic tank or indoors. The Spruce / Adelyn Duchala The cleanout is sometimes called the main house trap when it’s located inside the house. Until the clog is removed, no drains in yourplumbing fixturescan be safely used. It is an unpleasant and potentially costly problem....

May 4, 2025 · 3 min · 591 words · Joshua Smith