Home Improved: Your Destination for Home Renovation and DIY Inspiration
Home Improved serves as a comprehensive hub for home renovation and DIY aficionados, providing a wealth of news, information, and inspiration. This resource curates a diverse collection of articles and videos from across the Gannett network, offering practical tips and expert advice on how to elevate and maintain your home and yard. Whether you’re a seasoned DIY enthusiast or just starting out, Home Improved aims to guide you through every step of your home improvement journey.
The site understands that home improvement projects can often feel daunting, and to provide relatable content, Home Improved features stories from real people tackling ambitious renovations. One such story follows Jenna Phipps and her partner Nick, who are courageously renovating an abandoned home in the Pacific Northwest. Their journey, filled with challenges and triumphs, is chronicled across various social media platforms, including Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube, providing viewers with an intimate look at the realities of home renovation.
Each week, Home Improved highlights selections from Jenna’s YouTube channel, offering a summary of her latest projects and insights. These summaries are created with the assistance of Artificial Intelligence (AI) to help streamline the process of providing accurate and timely information. However, it’s important to note that while AI assists in the summarization process, journalists are actively involved in every stage, from information gathering and review to editing and publishing, ensuring that the content is of the highest quality and adheres to ethical standards. Readers can learn more about the ethical guidelines followed by Home Improved at cm.usatoday.com/ethical-conduct/.
Jenna and Nick’s renovation journey is a testament to their dedication and perseverance. In one particular episode, the couple focuses on the crucial task of replacing the exterior cladding of their abandoned home. After dedicating 11 months to planning and preparation, they finally embarked on the project, beginning with the removal of the existing green cladding. With the roof already completed, tackling the exterior was the next logical step in their ambitious renovation plan.
The project centered around the installation of new windows, a task that demanded meticulous preparation and execution. Before the windows could be installed, the couple had to carefully remove the old cladding, a process that proved to be surprisingly straightforward. As they peeled back the layers of the old cladding, they were delighted to discover beautiful cedar wood underneath, sparking discussions about the design possibilities for their new windows.
To accommodate the new windows, Jenna and Nick needed to create a sturdy header within the trusses to provide adequate support. This involved temporarily lifting the roof using makeshift shoring posts, a task they approached with humor and resilience despite the inherent challenges. Their DIY spirit shone through as they navigated the complexities of structural support, finding creative solutions to overcome obstacles.
As with any renovation project, unforeseen issues arose. One such issue was a malfunctioning nail gun, which forced them to make an unplanned purchase of a backup nail gun. Despite the minor setback, they persevered, demonstrating their commitment to completing the project to the best of their abilities.
Throughout the entire process, Jenna and Nick worked collaboratively, sharing design ideas, and engaging in light-hearted banter. Their strong partnership and shared vision were evident as they made decisions about the style and placement of the new windows. They ultimately opted for tall, skinny windows to maximize natural light while maintaining privacy within the home. This design choice reflected their desire to create a bright and inviting living space while respecting the need for privacy.
In addition to installing the new windows, Jenna and Nick also focused on reinforcing the structural integrity of the home. They installed plywood on the interior walls to provide additional support, particularly since the exterior walls were not load-bearing. This decision was crucial for ensuring the stability and longevity of the renovated home.
The couple addressed some questions viewers had about using so much plywood on the interior of the home. Nick explained that because the exterior walls were primarily glass, the plywood was essential for providing the necessary structural support. "The reason we have plywood on our interior walls is because our exterior walls are not structural," Nick elaborated. "Literally, our whole wall is glass so there needs to be some structure to the house, so that structure is here, in the interior walls."
Jenna and Nick’s renovation journey, as documented in "Episode 47: We added more windows to our abandoned home!" on Jenna Phipps’ YouTube channel, provides a fascinating glimpse into the world of home renovation. Their willingness to tackle challenges head-on, their resourceful problem-solving skills, and their unwavering commitment to creating a beautiful and functional living space serve as an inspiration to aspiring DIYers everywhere.
Home Improved is committed to providing its audience with engaging and informative content, from practical how-to guides to inspiring real-life renovation stories. By showcasing the experiences of individuals like Jenna and Nick, Home Improved aims to empower homeowners to take on their own home improvement projects with confidence and creativity. Whether you’re looking for tips on installing new windows, renovating an abandoned home, or simply seeking inspiration for your next DIY project, Home Improved is your go-to destination for all things home renovation.
