Karson Abernathy

Flat paint hides flaws but stains most easily, eggshell and satin suit most walls, and semi-gloss or gloss suit trim, doors and cabinets you clean often.

Propane patio heaters are portable and run on a tank, natural gas heaters connect to a gas line, and electric heaters plug in but put out less heat.

A single speed pool pump runs flat out, while a variable speed pump slows down for filtering, which ENERGY STAR says cuts energy use sharply.

Size a water softener by multiplying people by daily water use per person and hardness in grains per gallon, then pick a capacity that lasts several days.

Drop-in sinks rest on the counter by their rim and are the simplest to install, undermount sinks hang below for easy cleaning, and vessel sinks sit on top.

A bidet seat replaces your toilet seat and can add heat and warm water, an attachment fits under the seat you have, and three measurements decide the fit.

Match blade span to floor area, about 44 inches for a small bedroom up to 84 inches for a great room, then compare airflow (CFM) and efficiency (CFM per watt).

ANSI/BHMA grades run from 1 (highest) to 3 and come from the standard's lab tests, while backset is the distance from the door edge to the lock hole's center.

Hot tubs are sized by how many adults they seat; inflatable tubs cost less and set up anywhere, while acrylic hard shell tubs generally hold heat better.

A traditional sauna heats the air with hot stones, an infrared sauna warms you directly at a lower air temperature; traditional is the top heat type we list.

A pool heater's BTU rating is the heat it adds per hour; bigger pools and colder air need more, gas warms faster, and a heat pump costs less to run.

Suction and pressure cleaners run off your pool's pump and filter, while a robotic cleaner has its own motors and filter and costs more to buy.

Elongated bowls are about two inches longer than round ones, chair height means a 17 to 19 inch seat, and the rough-in must match your floor drain.