Q: I am planning to build a large deck on my house. I want it to be attractive and possibly help lower my air-conditioning and heating bills. Are there any special design characteristics to consider?

Want a better backyard but feel overwhelmed at the idea of major construction? We get it — building a traditional deck can seem expensive, complicated, and downright intimidating. That’s exactly why ...

Summer is over, so many of you may be thinking of projects that didn’t get done during nice weather: expanding the vegetable garden, repairing the front porch steps or even building a backyard deck.

Ginny Bartolone began writing DIY and home improvement guides nearly 10 years ago, covering everything from energy-efficient appliances to cracked foundations. Whether she's compiling cost information ...