Menards®

Making your home safer doesn’t have to be hard. Whether you’re expecting a baby, already have a toddler, have grandchildren, or just want to improve your home’s safety, there are projects you can do this summer. From using deck boards composite instead of wood for a deck to safely storing tools, try these DIY projects to keep yourself and guests safe.  A Deck with No Splinters Picture this: You’re walking around barefoot in the summer on your deck, getting ready to enjoy the sun, when you step on a splinter. It’s one of the disadvantages of a wooden deck. If you use composite deck boards instead, you get nearly all of the advantages of a wood deck without the disadvantages. Composite boards don’t rot, which can be another safety concern. They also don’t create splinters and don’t attract insects. It still weathers like wood, and is highly scratch-, fade-, and stain-resistant. Store Your Tools Safely Tools can be a hazard. Sharp saws, heavy hammers, and many other to...

You reach for a tool, but it’s not on the shelf. Where did your orbital sander go? The saw isn’t supposed to be there! Storing your tools properly is important for a few reasons, not the least of which is being able to quickly find the right tool for the job. Whether you’re using rolling toolboxes or a cabinet garage storage system, there are a few reasons to properly store your tools. Protect Your Investment One of the major reasons to use storage is to protect your tools. Whether it’s a hammer or a cordless jigsaw, tools cost money. Properly storing them means they are far less likely to get damaged by you accidentally bumping the tool off a shelf or workbench. Properly storing your tools means they last longer and won’t collect as much rust, dust, or grease, assuming you keep them clean. This means they perform their jobs better for longer, and you won’t have to maintain them as often or replace damaged tools. Ensure Safety Leaving a saw on a workbench when you aren...

Why should you bother doing your own home upgrades? Part of it is the upgrades themselves, and how they can add value to your home or improve your quality of life. Another part is complete control over the aesthetics, choosing the perfect tiles for ceilings in every room of your home. And, of course, if you do it yourself, you can save money, especially on easier jobs.  You Have Full Creative Freedom One of the biggest reasons to do home upgrades yourself is creative freedom. You are bound only by your imagination and how you want something to look. Using a contractor can work, but it can also be hard to convey exactly what you want. Even then, it might be done wrong. You might want to retile your shower, but the contractor turns the tiles the wrong way and changes the pattern you wanted. Now you either have to live with it or live with the time it takes to make it right. When you do things yourself, you’re in full control. Many Projects Are Easy Many smaller project...

While it’s okay to shop on a budget and cut corners for some home improvement projects, others are worth the extra investment. When upgrading things like electric hot water heaters or exterior decks, it’s worth spending a little extra on quality products, materials, and supplies so you can enjoy a more comfortable, efficient, and safer home. From more hot water on demand to a deck that holds up to Mother Nature, consider investing in these home upgrades. A Better Water Heater If you’re in the market for a new water heater, consider going with a premium option. An electric water heater with a large tank ensures you can take a bath while running the dishwasher, or not worry about family members who all want to take a hot shower on a cold day. Make sure you buy a size that fits your family’s needs, and consider going with a tankless install if you want a more efficient unit with hot water on demand. A Durable Composite Deck Another improvement that is worth the investmen...

Whether you want a hobby shed, a corner of your office, or a workbench in your garage, the right tips can help you make your hobby space better. From home improvement and DIY to painting car models, tinkering with real cars, or tumbling rocks, having a space that lets you focus on your hobby is essential. Get some tool storage , turn on the lights, and try these tips. Carve Out a Workspace First, you need to make space for your hobby. It can be as small as a desk in a room to half your garage or a dedicated hobby shed in your backyard. Chances are, you need tools and space, such as a workbench, so making room to tinker and toy around with your hobby can help you get in the mindset of enjoying your hobby while separating it from a work area. Plus, you might work with chemicals, whether it’s paint or resin, that can be dangerous if not properly stored. Store Your Tools Properly Next, you need to store your tools properly so they stay safe, secure, and undamaged. You migh...

If you’re a car enthusiast, you know there are always improvements you can make to your garage. Whether you love a good restoration project or just like to change your oil yourself, the right garage improvements, like tool storage and better lighting, can make a huge difference. After all, you spend plenty of time in your garage, so why not make it a comfortable and practical space to work in? Here are a few upgrades to consider. Tool Storage Tool Storage One of the first improvements to consider making is tool storage. Whether it’s just a couple of cabinet garage storage options or a wall-wide system to hide away all of your tools and equipment, durable tool storage can hold your tools, cleaning supplies, and car parts and store them safely and securely. You will need sturdy shelving for your heavier tools. If your chosen tool storage system comes with a bench, all the better. Otherwise, consider building a bench in tandem with installing the cabinets and storage so you have a dedi...

Our home is our safe space. It’s where we relax, make memories, and feel the most secure. But we all could use a little more peace of mind, and being a homeowner isn’t without its stresses. From general maintenance tasks to physical security, the following projects can help you feel more secure, safe, and generally enjoy more peace of mind in your home. Here’s what you should know about installing new front door locks, tackling small maintenance tasks, and other projects that provide peace of mind. Beef Up Your Home’s Security You can’t put a price tag on a secure home, and knowing your locks are in good shape and your entryways are monitored 24/7 can provide endless amounts of peace of mind. These days, you don’t need to go all out and hire a professional company to install a security system either (unless you want to). You can find kits that feature all the sensors you need for doors and windows, along with a base station that acts as the main hub and connects with yo...

The year has flown by, and summer is right around the corner! Soon, those frosty mornings will be well behind us, and we’ll all be outside enjoying our beautifully manicured lawns, kicking back and soaking in the sunny weather. Before then, there are a few maintenance and home improvement projects to tackle. From organizing your tools with a cabinet garage storage system to inspecting your gutters, here are a few things to consider. Get Your Summer Lawn Tools Organized If you’re like most homeowners, the garage can get a little chaotic during the transitional seasons. One day, you’re trimming the bushes around the house; the next, you’re shoveling some unexpected, late-season snow. Now that the cold weather is safely in the rearview, you can store away your winter tools and get the summer equipment out and organized. With your trimmers, lawnmower, pruners, pots, soil, and other summer essentials organized and in plain view, it’ll be easier to tackle your summer project...

If you are expecting, there are a number of home improvement projects to get done around the house before you welcome your bundle of joy. From getting proper tool storage to keep potentially dangerous tools safely tucked away to replacing worn-out deck boards, these projects can help you prepare for your new baby, ensuring your home is as safe and welcoming as possible. Paint a Neutral Room You might want bright colors for a nursery room when your baby is first born, welcoming them with a fun room. However, painting more neutral colors can create a more relaxing, welcoming space, perfect for keeping them calm and helping them sleep. As they get older, you can switch to brighter, more fun colors, but for now, stick with neutral colors, such as grays and earth tones. It doesn’t have to be boring, just not too bright. Replace the Wooden Deck If you have a deck, your baby will be crawling on it eventually, so make sure that it’s safe. Along with gates, consider the condit...

Spring is the perfect time to organize your garage, upgrade your tools and tool storage , and make it easier for you to complete DIY projects around your home. From pouring an epoxy floor to installing a wall-spanning cabinet system to ensure all of your tools are stored safely, don’t forget about these garage and tool upgrades while you’re spring-cleaning the rest of your home. Upgrade Worn-Out Tools Tools are essential for any DIY project, and we use some tools more than others. If your favorite tools are losing a step, showing signs of corrosion, or you just know they could be better, it might be time to head to your local home improvement store. You might want a better saw, a hammer with a more ergonomic design, or a new socket set. The key here is to get rid of tools that aren’t working well or have stopped working, cleaning out what you don’t need in favor of tools you do need. With better tools, all of your spring and summer DIY projects will go much smoother. In...