Home Improvement on the Web

by Barbara F. Thompson -- Library Journal, 2/1/2000

Beginner and experienced do-it-yourselfers will find the web a quick and convenient source for locating information on a variety of home repair and maintenance topics. This month's sites offer tools and advice for starting a weekend project or tackling a repair problem, including how-to articles, materials calculators, product information, and help in hiring or locating professionals.

The sites reviewed are mostly commercial and include comprehensive sites and those associated with home improvement magazines or television shows; there is a noncommercial site, too. Given that topics and graphics vary, it's generally worth consulting more than one site. While books -- such as those mentioned in this month's Collection Development article on kitchens and baths (see p. 53-56) -- show a more cohesive whole, the web allows users faster, more comprehensive searches.

Lowe's Home Improvement Warehouse
Date Visited: 1/10/00
Developer/Provider: Lowe's Companies, Inc
The site for the nationwide home improvement store Lowe's offers solid, easy-to-use information on not only home improvement but also appliance instructions. Below the search box at left on the homepage, users will find links to such pages as How-To Library, Home Safety Tips, and a Ready Reference Page. An additional link box in red appears at the top right of various pages to lead to subordinate pages.

The How-To Library provides quickest access to 17 categories (such as Painting & Finishing and Plumbing & Electrical). Each how-to article has an introduction to the project followed by a list of links within the article. Users may choose to read the entire article or link directly to specific information. Most articles include detailed instructions and graphics, accessible to the beginner but solid enough for the veteran home improver.

Users who wish to see a broader list of articles should use the search box. A successful search will display an annotated list of all relevant articles, including product and safety information. A nice feature of the search box allows the last search entered to persist in the search box until a new search is typed in. Users can refer back to the original search from any page.

The site also offers a list of in-store clinic schedules, tips for preparing a home for the upcoming season of the year, and a What's New page that also serves as a site index page. The site promotes some products, but no catalog or purchasing capacity is available.

The Bottom Line: At Lowe's, project and appliance topics are somewhat broader and contain more articles than the Home Improvement and Today's Homeowner sites (below). Navigation is easy and the articles are well written, accessible to both novices and more experienced home improvers.

The Home Depot
http://www.homedepot.com/
Date Visited: 1/10/00
Developer/Provider: Home Depot
The Home Depot offers another informative site for finding project guides or help with a home repair problem. Visible tabs, which 'pop up' when highlighted, can be found at the top of all pages. A navigation bar of additional links can be found beneath them.

Homeowners looking for a specific building project or how to install a certain product can go directly to the Fix It, Build It, or Install It pages by using the tabs atop any page in the site. For example, users looking to install a hardwood floor can go directly to the Install It page, click on the link to 'floors,' and choose 'install floors' from the additional links. Each main page for Fix It, Build It, and Install It includes a drop-down box or graphic bar depicting a choice of topics, from decks and doors to walls and windows.

The articles cover tools and materials needed to do the job along with skill level and length of time required. Links within the site related to the topic are also provided. Some pictures are included to enhance the very good, detailed, step-by-step instructions for the novice or experienced do-it-yourselfer.

Users wanting to browse the site for all information on a particular subject can use the search box at the top of the page, which will produce an annotated list of related articles; the annotation includes a percentage indicating level of match with the topic. In contrast to Lowe's, the search terms do not remain displayed in the search box. Users must use the back button of the browser to return to the results list.

The Bottom Line: While The Home Depot site does not have the fancy design features or number of project articles that Lowe's has, the project information provided is equally good. Homeowners may wish to browse both sites.

Today's Homeowner
http://www.todayshomeowner.com/
Date Visited: 1/11/00
Developer/Provider: Times Mirror Interzines
Today's Homeowner provides not only current articles from the print version of the magazine but also back articles under the Magazine Areas link at left. At left above that link, a Categories box ranges from projects (Adding On) to rooms (Kitchens, Baths) to problems (Plumbing, Electrical).

Users looking for a particular project by room or repair problem should use the Categories links. Each category page includes a feature article followed by links to additional articles. Articles vary in length and depth of coverage as well as quality, and most lack graphics and illustrations. Each page offers a handy materials calculator.

Those looking for articles available on the entire site can browse a project or repair problem using the search box at lower left on the homepage. The results list is organized by categories and topics listed in the navigation boxes. For example, a search on 'floors' turns up a list of everything from installing to cleaning to tips sent in by readers (which may vary in quality).

Novice web users may find using the search box confusing. Not only does the box location move from page to page, it also changes from a single box to a choice of three search areas. The materials calculator similarly appears throughout the site but in different locations and appearance.

Users beware: the site is not easy to navigate. Once readers are on an article page the search box disappears, although a link to the search box appears at the bottom of the list page. Clicking on the Today's Homeowner banner at the top of the page will bring you to the homepage. Site pages load slowly, making browsing somewhat frustrating.

The Bottom Line: Given some confusing site design, Today's Homeowner should appeal more to the advanced Internet user, but the information is highly useful for the experienced home do-it-yourselfer, especially one who wants to search back issues of the magazine.

Alternate Sites
Better Homes & Gardens Home Improvement Encyclopedia
http://www.bhglive.com/homeimp/
Hometime
http://www.hometime.com
The Better Homes & Gardens Home Improvement Encyclopedia web page offers two search options. Large category icons fill the center homepage for decks, wiring, plumbing, and carpentry/masonry links. Alternatively, there's a link to search the entire Encyclopedia. The articles are detailed but limited in breadth of coverage. The Print button at right allows for printing out articles with accompanying graphics, which otherwise require additional clicking. The articles are taken from BH&G Step-By-Step Library; some include a link to an animated how-to, but not all browsers will be configured for this. The site loads slowly and has much advertising for BH&G magazines and books. This is more of a secondary source for beginning homeowners. Hometime is the web site companion to the home construction and repair show aired on PBS and The Learning Channel. The site is designed to take the more experienced do-it-yourselfer through a series of well-defined procedures for completing a project, such as a new bathroom or kitchen. Graphic and text-only instructions are available although the graphics are not always detailed step by step. Users will want to use the Quick Start Categories page to go directly to specific project areas. Those looking for just a portion of the project, like installing a dishwasher or other appliances, can follow those links without going through an entire project. Viewers familiar with the TV show can also search for past projects, books, and videos.

Family Handyman
http://208.240.94.53/
PM (Popular Mechanics)
http://popularmechanics.com/popmech/homei/1HOMEEI.html
The web site for Family Handyman mirrors the monthly newsstand version of the magazine, with fix-it articles, project suggestions, helpful hints, and a 'project of the month.' Users must rely on the Table of Contents or In This Issue page to access each month's publication. Only selected articles are available online, but those articles include detailed step-by-step directions for beginning and experienced home remodelers. PM, the web version of Popular Mechanics, offers information ranging from tips on buying tools and outfitting a workshop to improvement projects. From the main list of centered navigation buttons, Home Improvement and How It Works both contain detailed articles with good graphics; the latter includes excellent appliance repair instructions. The site loads slowly. The search button on the left column links to five possible choices, including Home Improvement articles.

About.com Home Repair
http://homerepair.about.com/home/homerepair/
Home Maintenance and Repair
http://www.msue.msu.edu/imp/mod02/master02.html
Natural Handyman Article Index
http://www.naturalhandyman.com/iip/iip.shtm
The About.com guide to home repair is a good starting place for the home repair novice. The NetLinks column provides users with an alphabetized list of topics from appliance repair to walls and windows. The Zines & TV link provides a good list of home and garden e-zines and TV-related shows. The noncommercial Home Maintenance and Repair article index site sponsored by the Michigan State University home education system is an excellent site for beginning do-it-yourselfers. The articles are brief but range widely; they're searchable by keyword or listed alphabetically by product or problem. A link at the bottom of each article page returns readers to the main search page. The Natural Handyman, another good article site, includes detailed instructions and advice for projects and troubleshooting. Use the drop-down box -- available on any page -- to link directly to the home repair category of interest. The site offers good basic information, although graphic instruction is minimal. The flashing ads can be annoying.

Bob Vila's American Home
http://homearts.com/bvah/97scamf1.htm
The Concrete Source
http://www.concretenetwork.com/
RoofHelp
http://www.roofhelp.com/enter.htm
Located on Bob Vila's American Home site is a very informative page briefly outlining the top ten home improvement scams (e.g., Irresistibly Low Bids). The Concrete Source helps residential homeowners in learning about concrete from building a house to repair projects. The site is user-friendly, and the ads are easy to disregard. The links at left on RoofHelp offer guidance that includes advice on repair and maintenance to getting help from an expert. Although the site lacks graphical support to the articles, the Measuring Your Roof page, under How-To's, has an impressive help guide. Choosing a Contractor includes a good checklist. Use the left-side bar to navigate, as there's no search box.