Category: Before and After Photos

  • Before and After Cottage – Siding and Colors

    Before and After Cottage – Siding and Colors

    As readers know, I love a good before and after project. The following is from a cottage that didn’t look very cottage-like with its beige dutch lap siding that was installed by the prior owner. I knew there were cedar shakes underneath but wasn’t sure of the condition that they were in. Fortunately, they were…

  • Is this Maintenance Worth it? You Decide.

    Is this Maintenance Worth it? You Decide.

    Everyone seems to strive for low maintenance in a home nowadays. Well, it isn’t always the best option. We had a sunroom project to work on at a cottage where we are replacing 9 storm windows that were caulked shut to keep out the water. A sunroom that doesn’t have an operable window might as…

  • Cottage Project – 2 Year Update with Pictures

    Cottage Project – 2 Year Update with Pictures

    We purchased this cottage about 2 years ago this month.  There was nothing “wrong” with the cottage at the time, but we decided to make many improvements to move the place forward.  I wanted to write this post to outline the major work that was done since we purchased.  This article certainly isn’t a “how-to”,…

  • Simple Porch Column Plans – Wrap your ugly 4×4

    Simple Porch Column Plans – Wrap your ugly 4×4

    Have you ever looked at a porch column that was nothing more than a 4×4 and thought it just didn’t fit the scale of the porch/house?   Even worse, you could have 2 2″ x 4″‘s sistered up to make the 4″x4″.  It isn’t too difficult to wrap your 4×4’s with some off the shelf…

  • This DIY Board & Batten Will Make a World of Difference

    This DIY Board & Batten Will Make a World of Difference

    If you have a boring entry, or really any room, you can add a ton of character by simply adding a board and batten wall panel detail.  It is not expensive, but it is a classic look that adds a lot of charm to a space. Your situation might differ depending on your existing baseboard…

  • Mold Removal Project – 2005

    Mold Removal Project – 2005

    Mold Removal Project Dealing with Mold in a basement? Take a look at this before and after.   This is from a project that we completed around 2005 but we hadn’t posted this directly on the WNY Handyman site. We had some mold issues due to neglect, improper grade, tree and shrub growth, a block…