If you often find yourself a victim of Murphy's Law -- if anything can go wrong, it will -- then traveling away from home might cause you a good deal of anxiety. After all, there are already too many horror stories of blissful travelers coming home to find their water main burst or home burglarized. You don't want to be another statistic when it comes to such vacation nightmares. The good news is...

Your roof serves a vital purpose in terms of protecting your investment and keeping your family safe. Time will eventually take its toll on your roof, and, if you're not careful, you could find yourself facing costly repairs or a total replacement. How Old is Your Roof? It doesn't matter if you've lived in your home forever or you just purchased your first starter-house, the roof may have been...

If you have a family of avid movie buffs, a home theater is a must. Nothing compares to watching the latest releases in the comfort of your own home. As you design your space, be sure to research all your options. From seating to audiovisual equipment – and even a home popcorn machine – your hard work will pay off in the enjoyment you receive from kicking back and enjoying the show. If you want...

If you’re planning a room renovation in your home, you may have lots of ideas but wonder exactly how to start the process. The following steps will help you plan a renovation to minimize your headache while maximizing the value of your home, and stay within your budget: Begin with the end in mind The first step in planning a room renovation should be to decide exactly what your goal is. Think...

Your home is quite likely your most valuable asset. As such, it's important to make sure you don't ignore small troubles before they become much bigger. The following are common issues homeowners come across and how you can solve them before they snowball: Peeling Exterior Paint This shouldn't be considered just an aesthetic issue. Unless your home is vintage and the paint is reaching the end of...

There are companies that claim to be committed to improving the lives of children and young adults. Then there are companies that step up and take a swing at actually making tangible differences. Polar Shades – the country's premier manufacturer of quality indoor and outdoor window shades – falls into the latter category as gracefully as a chip shot played on the 18th hole. Representatives from...

The 4th of July is a holiday filled with fun, festivities, and friendship. It's a holiday meant to be enjoyed, but it's important to make sure you celebrate safely to avoid any unnecessary mishaps that can hamper your good time. Here are a few easy ways to prepare for a safe Independence Day: Swim Safely. Make sure an adult is always watching the pool if there are children around. Even if the...

At the suggestion of a neighbor, you are days away from a consultation with the window treatment experts at Polar Shades – and you cannot wait to see their ideas for enlivening your home with color and design. But you don’t want to have beautiful new shades installed on anything but sparkling clean windows. Gather some common household tools It's time to get to work and clean your indoor windows...

Installing shades to ensure an even, polished look can be tricky, especially if your windows are unusually shaped. Even if your windows appear perfectly square or rectangular, in actuality they might not be, because of settling or inconsistency in craftsmanship. Installing shades might look straightforward but rarely is. An experienced professional knows how to troubleshoot and finesse unexpected...