Philip Schmidt

Philip Schmidt

Philip lives in Colorado with his wife, two daughters, and too many leftover building materials. He has been teaching readers how to do things for almost two decades. A former carpenter, project designer specializing in houses and everything we do with them and longtime writer and editor, he is the author of 24 books, including PlyDesign: 73 Distinctive DIY Projects in Plywood (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B007T1PJ36/ref=dp-kindle-redirect?_encoding=UTF8&btkr=1), Little Free Libraries and Tiny Sheds: 12 Miniature Structures You Can Build to Enhance Your Yard or Neighborhood (https://www.amazon.com/Little-Free-Libraries-Tiny-Sheds-ebook/dp/B07QFG3ZBP), Black and Decker the complete guide to treehouses: Design and Build Your Kids a Treehouse (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B008D1PIT6/ref=dp-kindle-redirect?_encoding=UTF8&btkr=1), The Complete Guide to Greenhouses & Garden Projects: Greenhouses, Cold Frames, Compost Bins, Trellises, Planting Beds, Potting Benches & More (https://www.amazon.com/Decker-Complete-Greenhouses-Garden-Projects-ebook/dp/B005CDCX50), The Complete Guide to DIY Greenhouses, Install Your Own Solar Panels: Designing and Installing a Photovoltaic System to Power Your Home, DIY Solar Projects - Updated Edition: Small Projects to Whole-home Systems: Tap Into the Sun, The Complete Guide to a Clutter-Free Home, The Complete Guide to Contemporary Sheds: Complete plans for 12 Sheds, Including Garden Outbuilding, Storage Lean-to, Playhouse, Woodland Cottage, Hobby Studio, Lawn Tractor Barn, Schaum's Outline of Elementary Algebra, Decorating with Architectural Details, Install Your Own Solar Panels: Designing and Installing a Photovoltaic System to Power Your Home, Ultimate Guide: Trimwork, Upgrade Your House: 100 DIY Repairs Improvements For Under $100, The Complete Guide to Attics & Basements, The Complete Guide to a Green Home: The Good Citizen's Guide to Earth-Friendly Remodeling & Home Maintenance, Craftsman Router Techniques; A Comprehensive Guide to Using Routers, Molding & Medallions: Four Easy Weekend Projects (eHow Easy DIY Kindle Book Series), McGraw-Hill's 500 College Algebra and Trigonometry Questions: Ace Your College Exams: 3 Reading Tests + 3 Writing Tests + 3 Mathematics Tests, Black Decker The Complete Photo Guide to Treehouses: Design and Build Treehouses for All Ages, Don't Sweat It... Hire It!, The Complete Guide to the Green Home, Decorating with Architectural Details, and The Complete Guide to Treehouses.

Dangerous Wires Warning Signs

Posted by Philip Schmidt | Aug 29, 2010

As reported by the National Fire Protection Association, fixed wiring is the second-leading cause of electrical-related house fires (lamps, light fixtures, and light bulbs are first)....

Electric vs. Gas Leaf Blowers

Posted by Philip Schmidt | Aug 23, 2010

Leaf blowers have long been standard equipment for landscape maintenance pros (AKA “mow-and-blow” crews). If you’re ready to beef up your own yard care arsenal, weigh...

How Much Does a Bathtub Replacement or Shower Remodel Cost?

Posted by Philip Schmidt | Aug 17, 2010

How Much Does a Bathtub Replacement or Shower Remodel Cost? If you’re wondering the price of a bathtub replacement or a shower remodel cost, the short answer is: anywhere from...

How to Fix a Running Toilet

Posted by Philip Schmidt | Aug 15, 2010

If your toilet won’t stop filling up, or it intermittently fills for awhile without being flushed, don’t fret; chances are, the problem resides right inside the toilet tank,...

Thermodynamics for Idiots

Posted by Philip Schmidt | Jul 14, 2010

Don’t worry: You won’t have to endure a lecture on thermodynamics to understand how to cool your home more efficiently. In fact, there are only two basic scientific principles...

Utilizing Hedgerows

Posted by Philip Schmidt | Jul 13, 2010

A hedgerow in any form is a living wall—a beautiful, breathing structure that can rival steel in strength and stone in longevity. For centuries, hedgerows have been used to mark...

Vinyl Composition Tile

Posted by Philip Schmidt | Jul 12, 2010

Vinyl composition tile, or VCT as it’s known in the trades, covers the floors of virtually every grocery store in the free world, not to mention schools, hospitals and most other...

Terrazzo Floor Tiles

Posted by Philip Schmidt | Jul 06, 2010

Terrazzo flooring has undergone a few major changes since it was used to pave the outdoor spaces of Italian stoneworkers’ homes hundreds of years ago. “Terrazzo” is...

Unglazed Quarry Tile

Posted by Philip Schmidt | Jul 06, 2010

Unglazed quarry tile is kiln-fired ceramic tile without a glaze added for color or a glossy finish. If you wonder what it looks like, visit your nearest fast-food restaurant and peer...

Ceramic Tile Patterns

Posted by Philip Schmidt | Jul 05, 2010

To appreciate the sheer diversity of ceramic tile patterns possible, take a moment to imagine what can be done with the most basic tile of all, the 4 1/4-inch square. You can make a...