Natural wood once reigned as the product of choice when it came to selecting an attractive flooring material that would impart a warm, homey and upscale appearance. Today, with many new laminate flooring options available, homeowners are taking a closer look at what appears to be authentic wood, but delivers the beauty at a much lower cost with far more benefits.

Nothing says "summer" like outdoor entertaining. But if poor lighting means your outdoor activities end when the sun goes down, it may be time to brighten up.

By using simple, affordable solutions, consumers can contribute to environmentally conscious building and, more importantly, protecting themselves from harmful indoor air pollutants. Here are some tips on how to stay safe.

Multi-tasking is in vogue, but do-it-yourselfers have been doing it for decades with the help of tools that serve more than one purpose. Here are some gift items that are essential for the DIYer's well-equipped multi-purpose tool box.

Cold weather is on the horizon, threatening to leak into your home and send a chill up your spine. With skyrocketing energy costs and a global movement to "go green," now's the time to help keep precious energy from going right out the window.

Long gone are the days when homeowners were satisfied with a simple deck, a beat-up grill and some basic patio furniture. Now the trend brings living rooms, baths, home spas, full kitchens and even meditation rooms into the great outdoors. Stone fireplaces, built-in grills, water features, multiple levels for patios and decks, hot tubs and even flat-screen TVs - all the luxurious appointments of indoor life are finding their way into outdoor environments.

According to the U.S. Department of Energy, heating and cooling account for 44 percent of the average home's total energy use. Replacing old and leaky windows with energy efficient models can bring a significant return on investment when you consider today's high energy prices. Saving energy is good for your wallet and the environment.