Aerogel Aerogel is a class of porous, solid materials that exhibits an impressive array of extreme properties. Invented in 1931 and used for decades in scientific applications, aerogel is becoming increasingly feasible as a building insulation, largely due to a decrease in the price of the material. Aerogel is still prohibitively costly for most homeowners, and [...]

15 Tools That Every Homeowner Should Own The following items are essential tools but this list is by no means exhaustive. Feel free to ask an InterNACHI inspector during your next inspection about other tools that you might find useful. 1.  Plunger A clogged sink or toilet is one of the most disturbing problems that [...]

Choosing a Manufactured Home Manufactured homes no longer have to be the simple, rectangular, boxy trailer homes of the past. Depending on the size of your homesite, you can choose from single-section or multi-section designs. Homes range in size from 900 to 2,500 square feet, and can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. [...]

Aging in Place “Aging in place” is the phenomenon describing senior citizens’ ability to live independently in their homes for as long as possible. Those who age in place will not have to move from their present residence in order to secure necessary support services in response to their changing needs. The Baby Boomers As [...]

It’s Christmas and across the world and all through the land people are decorating their homes and trees with bright lights and all things festive. Some People just are in love with Christmas! Are you too? Do you love to decorate your home, your bedroom, your tree, your living room, your dining room, and your [...]

From the beginning of human history mud bricks were used as a basic material for construction. Mud bricks work well when they are being compressed but a cake of mud is easily broken if it is bent. This is because the act of bending places a tension force on one edge. At the same time [...]

Safeguard Your Home From Burglars By Nick Gromicko, Rob London and Kenton Shepard Some interesting statistics concerning break-ins in the United States: Theft makes up more than three-quarters of all reported crime. In 2005, law enforcement agencies reported more than 2 million burglary offenses. According to a survey, burglars enter homes through the following locations: 81% enter [...]

Home insurance tips Why you need homeowner’s insurance The largest single investment most consumers make is in their home. The consumer can protect their home, possessions, and liability with a homeowner’s insurance policy. The Homeowner’s insurance policy is a package policy that combines more than one type of insurance coverage in a single policy. There [...]

The ABCs of home ownership (A Glossary) Here are some common terms relevant to home ownership. A/C: An abbreviation for Air Conditioner, Air Conditioning, or Alternating Current. Access Panel: An opening in the wall or ceiling near the fixture that allows access for servicing the plumbing/electrical system. Approach: The area between the sidewalk and the [...]

Building a Home If you want to build a new home, there are things you need to know before you begin. Learn about construction standards and about buying land, so you know your rights. MPS Supplementing Model Building Codes The Minimum Property Standards (MPS) establish certain minimum standards for buildings constructed under HUD housing programs. [...]