How To Advice

Expert advice from old house enthusiasts and contractors will help guide you through your most difficult projects. Check out our two new columns covering your “how-to” needs and answering all your old house questions.

Old House Q & A

Historic Preservation Vs. Composite Decking

by Scott Gibson, contributing editor
Scott Gibson
Contributing editor for Old House Web
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I purchased a 1901 Victorian home in the historic district of Edenton, North Carolina. The house has a two-story front porch with highly ornamental gingerbread trim. We replaced the rotten tongue-and-groove porch floor on the lower level with composite decking without realizing we needed a special permit. Now the Historic Commission wants the flooring removed. A contractor tells us that… More>>
Ask the Home Inspector

Venting Your Dryer Outside

by William Kibbel III, The Home Inspector
William Kibbel III
The Home Inspector
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I've had my dryer venting into my home for about 8 years. When selling my home, the buyer's inspector said it was unacceptable and now the buyer wants me to pay to install the vent to the outside. It's not even a gas dryer, it's electric. They even sell boxes with screens for this purpose. We're paying for the heat… More>>

New Old House

Tips & advice on giving new homes that old home character.

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