Farmhouse front door
  • [skipto time=1:18][1:18][/skipto] Reasons why epoxy seal and paint on your garage floor might be peeling
  • [skipto time=9:53][9:53][/skipto] What to consider when replacing an old, wooden front exterior door
  • [skipto time=15:16][15:16][/skipto] Checking In With Chelsea – Chelsea talks about creating an accent wall in her son’s room – using no nails
  • [skipto time=19:35][19:35][/skipto] Home Depot Best New Product: Oatey Round PVC Shower Drain with Snap-In Stainless Steel Drain Cover
  • [skipto time=22:04][22:04][/skipto] We interview Peter Daich, president of Daich Coatings Corporation, about TracSafe
  • [skipto time=28:12][28:12][/skipto] Closet doors: Sliding or bi-fold?
  • [skipto time=29:43][29:43][/skipto] Question of the Week: Which paint works best on cultured marble countertops and shower surround in the bathroom?

A lot of people think of replacing an old neglected front door, but then they run into a lot of questions that make them second-guess doing so.

Nina from Kentucky is dealing with this right now. Her westward-facing wooden door — original to her 1970s home — gets a lot of heat. But appearance isn’t the only thing she has to worry about.

Wood expands and contracts with temperature changes, so the door is difficult to open and close at certain times of the year. On top of that, sap often oozes from some of the joints.

Nina’s door frame has side lights and she’s wondering if she has to replace the door and the side lights.

The good news is that Nina can put in a door slab — just the door itself; wood, fiberglass or metal — and she should install new locks and hinges while she’s doing it.

She also should pay attention to the weatherstripping and make sure it’s in good shape.

If she wants to replace the entire frame — the door and the side lights — it isn’t that big of a job. It would all come out in one piece, and it’s not a big deal.

Of course, the replacement would cost more.

If Nina likes the side lights she has, and they’re in good shape, then she could just replace the door and sand and repaint everything to match.

Fiberglass doors are more expensive and they can fade, but you can paint or stain them. Wood doors are nice but they require more maintenance.

Listen to the Today’s Homeowner Podcast for more home improvement tips!


Simple Solutions

Restoring Tarnished Copper Pots— Most home cooks love using copper-clad cookware because the copper conducts and transfers heat really well. The problem is that copper has a tendency to stain and tarnish over time. Here’s a quick way to clean up a pot to like-new condition. First, pour white vinegar into a skillet to a depth of about a half-inch or so. Sprinkle some coarse salt into the vinegar, and turn on the heat. Wait until the vinegar is just about to boil, then turn off the heat. Partially fill the tarnished pot with water, so it won’t float, and set it down into the hot vinegar. Wait for about 10 minutes, then scrub the bottom of the pot with a scouring pad. If there are any spots that didn’t come clean, dip the scouring pad in vinegar, sprinkle on a little salt, and scrub the spot off.

Watch: How to Clean Copper Pots and Pans the Easy Way

Workbench from Bi-Fold Doors— Make a portable, versatile workbench from two sawhorses and a pair of bi-fold closet doors. The doors come hinged together and when you open them up, they’re about 24 inches wide x 80 inches long. Set the doors across two sawhorses and you’ve got a workbench perfect for painting projects, assembling furniture, or using a miter saw and other power tools. And if you’re working in a tight space, fold the doors to recreate a narrow 12-inch-wide workbench.

Watch: How to Build a Portable Workbench from a Hollow Core Door  


Question of the Week

Q: I would like to paint the cultured marble countertops and shower surround in the bathroom. I was told Rust-Oleum epoxy paint would do the trick. Any suggestions?

A: Rust-Oleum epoxy paint works well on ceramic and has been known to work well on cultured marble. Before painting, prepare the cultured marble. This includes sanding, cleaning and priming the surface.

Epoxy Tub and Tile is a product designed for ceramic tile, so read the label to make sure it is also designed for use on cultured marble. Consider cleaning and polishing the cultured marble instead of painting to drastically improve its look.



Editorial Contributors
avatar for Danny Lipford

Danny Lipford

Founder

Danny Lipford is a home improvement expert and television personality who started his remodeling business, Lipford Construction, at the age of 21 in Mobile, Alabama. He gained national recognition as the host of the nationally syndicated television show, Today's Homeowner with Danny Lipford, which started as a small cable show in Mobile. Danny's expertise in home improvement has also led him to be a contributor to popular magazines and websites and the go-to source for advice on everything related to the home. He has made over 200 national television appearances and served as the home improvement expert for CBS's The Early Show and The Weather Channel for over a decade. Danny is also the founder of 3 Echoes Content Studio, TodaysHomeowner.com, and Checking In With Chelsea, a décor and lifestyle blog.

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