Blog Feed: Moonworks Home Improvement Blog

Moonworks #12 in Top 100 DIY Sites

Published on 2012-05-23 13:30:00

Moonworks is excited to announce that we have been ranked #12 in the Top 100 DIY Sites for Home Improvement Fanatics by Construction Management Degree. > read more

Savings that Shock: New products that will cut your electric bill

Published on 2012-05-22 10:00:00

Guest Blog Post by Tricia RomanoAlthough winter has come and gone, it’s still as good a time as any to hunt down new ways to save on your electric bill. Here are a few ideas and products to get you started.Time It If you’re like most people, you leave the gadgets in your house plugged in while you’re away at work or sleeping at night. But as long as those cell phone chargers, laptops and kitchen appliances stay plugged in, they’ll be silently sucking up energy. Obviously, [..] > read more

20 Tools Every Homeowner Should Own

Published on 2012-05-15 11:00:00

Whether you are really into DIY projects or just starting out, here are some tools that every homeowner should have. > read more

DIY Project: Creating a Vegetable Garden

Published on 2012-05-07 10:46:00

This year I plan on starting a vegetable garden at my home. > read more

5 Ways to Save Money on your Next Home Improvement Project

Published on 2012-05-01 15:07:00

Spring marks the beginning of many things, including the home improvement season. > read more

Moonworks' Contribution to the RI Builders Home Show

Published on 2012-03-30 10:45:00

If you live in Rhode Island then you have seen the commercials for the RIBA Home Show and know that the house is back! > read more

Fun with Gutters via Pinterest

Published on 2012-03-22 10:46:00

A new social media craze has hit the web and can be a wonderful tool when it comes to home improvement- Pinterest! > read more

2012 Home Improvement Trends

Published on 2012-03-19 14:01:00

I came across this infographic from eLocal and it got me thinking about the upcoming year. > read more

8 Ways to Protect Your Home’s Foundation

Published on 2012-02-09 13:30:00

Even the strongest and fanciest homes can be ruined if they are not built upon a solid foundation. Not surprisingly, foundation repairs can get very expensive very quickly -- easily running into the tens of thousands of dollars for even minor problems. That's why it is vital that you do everything you can to prevent foundation damage to your home. Here are eight ways to help keep your foundation in tiptop shape: 1. Inspect the perimeter of your home. Obviously, you'll want to look for signs of c [..] > read more

Moonworks' Ice Defense Featured on the Rhode Show

Published on 2012-02-06 09:47:00

In 2011, Moonworks developed Ice Defense, a unique combination of Gutter Helmet, Heated Helmet, Insulation and Venting. These components, when used in conjunction with one another, can help combat the disastrous effects of heavy snow and ice on your roof. Ice Defense is designed to keep your gutters running clear—no matter what the temperature. Because Ice Defense combines Gutter Helmet and Heated Helmet, you can solve two problems at once- leaves and ice. New England weather is unpredic [..] > read more

DIY Tips and Tricks: Part 1

Published on 2012-01-20 07:45:00

Some people are just naturals when it comes to handiwork and fixing things around the house. Others…not so much. This week and next, we’ve got a little something for everybody, whether you’re Handy Andy or his not-so-handy helper. And for those of you who are a little less handy, many of these ideas and projects are great starter tasks for those who want get a bit more comfortable around the toolbox. Let’s get to it with our Top 10 List of DIY Home Improvement Tips and T [..] > read more

Keeping Your Home Clean

Published on 2012-01-05 13:33:00

One of the keys to proper home maintenance is keeping your home clean. Dirt, moisture, mold, mildew, and bacteria can build up quickly on many of your home’s surfaces, and all can cause costly damage over time. But cleaning can also cause damage when done improperly, so today we’ll take a look at some good cleaning techniques that will help extend the life of your home’s surfaces and systems. Our top pick for home cleaning is also our simplest: buy a multi-purpose steam cleaner [..] > read more

DIY Tips and Tricks: Part 2

Published on 2011-12-27 09:00:00

Number 7: Fixing Creaky StairsFor the inexperienced DIYer, fixing a creaky stair can feel pretty rewarding, especially because the first tip on our list doesn’t actually require any tools at all!• First, and only if you can access the stair from beneath, try using some finely ground up soap (use a cheese grater!) or talcum powder. Apply to the creaky area and any cracks between creaking planks. This quick, cheap fix is often a home run on the first try!• If the powder or soap doe [..] > read more

Happy Holidays from Moonworks!

Published on 2011-12-21 11:00:00

Happy Holidays from our family to yours! Moonworks would like to wish you and your family a joyous holiday and a happy and healthy New Year! We look forward to helping you achieve your home improvement goals in 2012! > read more

January Home Maintenance

Published on 2011-12-16 08:00:00

Last week, we focused on creating a home maintenance calendar to ensure that you keep your home in tip-top shape all year round. Now that you have your calendar started (and presuming you’re going to be way too busy over the holidays to get much maintenance done), let’s take a look at some key tasks to jot down for January. The Interior Walk-AroundStart off the new year right by giving your home a good once-over. Carry a Phillips and a flat-head screwdriver with you, as well as a not [..] > read more

New Homeowner Tips: Developing A Home Maintenance Calendar

Published on 2011-12-08 07:54:00

You sign the papers on a new home, take your keys, and start unpacking. Once the dust settles and you feel settled in, however, there’s still a lot more to do. You have to learn your home, get to know its systems and functions, and most importantly, create a home maintenance calendar. Do It Your WayOne thing new homeowners really don’t want to have to learn the hard way is that homes need maintenance. Unfortunately, they also don’t come with consolidated manuals that tell you w [..] > read more

10 Easy Holiday Home Improvement Projects

Published on 2011-12-05 11:00:00

With the holiday season in full swing, many homeowners are looking around their homes and noticing small home improvement projects that need to be tackled before the guests arrive. Below are 10 easy home improvement projects that will help you get your home clean, organized and refreshed in time for those holiday visitors. #1: Just add paint: Whether it is a room that needs refreshing or a front door that is peeling, adding a fresh coat of paint will brighten any surface. #2: Finish those half [..] > read more

Happy, Safe, (Energy-Efficient) Holidays!

Published on 2011-12-01 08:08:00

With Thanksgiving behind us, it’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas (and Hanukkah, and Kwanza, and time to go check out that big tree at Rockefeller Plaza). One thing all of these events have in common (besides the trip to NYC) is that they often come with temporary changes to your home. Many people celebrate winter holidays in part by stringing their homes with exterior light displays, decorating and lighting indoor trees, burning candles, enhancing their homes with plants and decora [..] > read more

Massachusetts Homeowner Wins $10,000 in Free Home Improvements

Published on 2011-06-22 15:16:00

We are pleased to announce that Larry Carpenter of Attleboro, MA is the winner of our $10,000 in home improvements sweepstakes! Mr. Carpenter expressed his excitement about winning the sweepstakes and said, “Who couldn’t use $10,000 for h > read more

Are Mosquitos Breeding In Your Gutters?

Published on 2011-06-10 09:07:00

If there's anything uglier, more annoying, or more disgusting than the mosquito in the natural world, we're not sure we want to meet it. They're gross, they're irritating, and they seem to live for ruining your outdoor barbecues and other outdo > read more

Recycle your Roof with a Certified Green Roofer

Published on 2011-05-25 15:36:00

Did you know that 11 million tons of shingle waste is generated each year? According to GAF, the typical roof contains about 30-35 squares. This breaks down to 7,000 lbs of materials, or 3.5 tons. Most roofing companies let this sit in a > read more

Make Your Spring Cleaning More Green

Published on 2011-05-05 14:11:00

With Spring in full swing, now is a great time to start that spring cleaning. Between all of the different cleaning products you use to get your home clean, the smell of your home can start to make you dizzy by the end. This year, why not > read more

Is Your Attic Suffocating?

Published on 2011-04-13 09:00:00

The attic is a room of the house we don't often think about. It's storage for all the stuff you don't often need, and that's all. But your attic, just like the rest of your house, has specific needs, and without them, it'll suffocate, and > read more

Lawn Maintenance Blog Series: Part 3 - Accent your Lawn with a Garden

Published on 2011-04-06 15:26:00

Now that your lawn is on its way to being green and lush, it is time to accent your gorgeous lawn with a garden. Nothing adds to the landscaping of a home like some colorful flowers and well positioned bushes and plants. Prep the area Whe > read more

Lawn Maintenance Blog Series: Part 2- Best Times for Lawn Maintenance

Published on 2011-03-31 10:38:00

In the Northeast, the best times of the year to perform lawn maintenance are spring and fall. These seasons provide the right mix of temperature, moisture and time needed in order to be successful in achieving a lush, green lawn. For thos > read more

Lawn Maintenance Blog Series: Part 1- Tune Up Your Lawn Mower

Published on 2011-03-23 14:24:00

Spring has arrived! It certainly doesn’t look or feel like it in New England but we are hoping to will the warmer weather with our blog series on lawn maintenance. When spring fever hits, many homeowners turn to their yards. W > read more

Hybrid Buses Hit the Ocean State

Published on 2011-03-09 15:13:00

If you have been driving in Providence, Rhode Island the past few months, you may have noticed the new RIPTA buses. In additon to being better looking than the older models, they are also diesel-electric, meaning the the buses and trolley > read more

4 Ways to Get Snow Off Your Roof

Published on 2011-03-04 14:19:00

We’ve had a tough winter in New England, and hopefully the snow is gone for the season. But if there’s snow on your roof, it can cause a lot of problems. Snow melts and refreezes due to the heat coming out of your home, genera > read more

Solar Powered Trash Cans

Published on 2011-02-23 12:29:00

If you are in providence and end up in Kennedy Plaza or at Brown University, you may spy a small, yet thick silver container with a solar panel atop. These are the BigBelly Solar trash cans that are popping up. Don't let these little guys > read more

Winter 2011: Filled with Ice Dams & Leaking Roofs

Published on 2011-02-10 11:18:00

The hot topic of the winter seems to be ice dams. The quantity and frequency of the snow and ice have caused real problems for homeowners in New England. From ice dams, roofs leaking and even caving in, many houses have incurred expensive > read more

Can Beans Keep Your Home Warm?

Published on 2011-02-02 15:53:00

They can if they are soy beans. On this blog we have explored various types of insulation from cellulose and fiberglass to aerogel and even mushroom. But, we have not explored the newcomer- soy insulation. Soy is great for so many t > read more

Living Greener with Live Green Mom

Published on 2011-01-26 08:47:00

I would like to introduce you to one of our great local New England bloggers, Live Green Mom. She is making quite a splash in the world of mommy blogging and was recognized by Mom-101 as one of the top 50 mommy bloggers of 2009. At Moonwo > read more

RemodelQA – Q and A for Home Improvement

Published on 2011-01-21 12:30:00

I am fairly new to the home improvement game. Given this, I have a ton of questions everytime I make a change to my home. Unfortunately, mom and pop home improvement stores are almost extinct and the big box stores like Lowes and Home Depot aren&rsqu > read more

Is the American Dream Dead?

Published on 2011-01-05 15:16:00

Fortune Magazine has done a few articles on renting vs. buying a home. According to their research, renting in 2010 was more lucrative than buying a home in many major cities. However, in 2011, they expect this to change due to falling ho > read more

Self-Cleaning Smart Refrigerator of the Future

Published on 2010-12-29 14:21:00

I know what you are thinking – not another revolutionary kitchen appliance that is just like all the rest (just a little shinier with 1 more feature). Well I can promise you, if you read this entire blog, it will be well worth the time because > read more

Season's Greetings From Our Family to Yours!

Published on 2010-12-22 13:16:00

We would like to thank all of our loyal readers and customers for a wonderful 2010. Your dedication and enthusiasm towards all things home improvement makes writing this blog a real pleasure. If there are any topics that you would like to > read more

Infographic: How the Housing Bubble Burst

Published on 2010-12-14 15:00:00

Infographic by: HomeGuide411.com > read more

5 Ways to Protect Your Home During the Holidays

Published on 2010-12-08 13:00:00

Now that the holidays are upon us, many families are preparing to travel to their holiday destinations. Whether you are driving or flying, many homeowners must prepare their homes for their departure. With so many families gone around the > read more

How to Care for Your Lawn Safely

Published on 2010-12-03 09:44:00

Guest Post by Tom Kelly As the final whistle blew on our Thanksgiving football games this past week it also signified the last time most people will have any involvement with grass in 2010. Whether your blowing the whistle on the football field > read more

Becoming Your Own Handy Man (or Woman)

Published on 2010-12-01 14:08:00

Guest Blog: Are you looking to save a little money? Or impress your friends or family? Improving your handyman skills is a great way to do these things and more. Let's face it, things around your house or apartment stop working sometimes. Nobody like > read more