The Home Improvement Minute: one minute, one smarter decision
The Home Improvement Minute is the home improvement blog from Thrush & Son®: quick, honest reads on roofing, siding, windows and doors, written for Miami Valley homeowners.
It started in 2012 with a simple idea. Most homeowners don’t need a textbook, they need a straight answer before they spend money. Each post takes one question, like which shingle to choose or why a window fogs up, and answers it in about the time it takes to drink a cup of coffee.
Why a minute? Because the most expensive home improvement mistakes usually come from not knowing one small thing at the right time: a ventilation detail, a warranty registration, a flashing step that gets skipped. A short, focused answer is easier to remember when it counts, standing in your driveway with an estimate in hand.
The Home Improvement Minute is written by the Thrush family and the crews who do the work every day, so the home improvement tips come from people who have done the job. Browse the newest posts below, dig through the archive, or catch the video versions on our YouTube channel.
- Since 2012More than a decade of straight answers.
- Every exterior topicRoofs, siding, windows, doors and storms.
- From the crewWritten by the people who do the work.
Read The Home Improvement Minute in two places
Same family, same straight answers. Each site does a slightly different job.
Right here: roofing and siding advice for your project
This library ties every answer back to real projects in the Miami Valley: the products we install, the warranties behind them and what to expect when our crew shows up.
- Roofing, siding, windows, doors and gutters
- Local storm and weather guidance
- Links to estimates, warranties and the design center
The companion site: the full series and beyond
For broader home improvement tips, visit The Home Improvement Minute companion site. It carries the complete series plus extra how-to guides, product deep dives and video episodes for homeowners anywhere.
- Every episode in one place
- DIY maintenance how-tos
- Ideas and inspiration for your next project
New to The Home Improvement Minute? Pick a topic
Six places to start, depending on what’s on your mind.
- 01RoofingShingles, underlayment and the terms you’ll hear at your estimate.Start reading
- 02Storms and windWhat wind and hail do to a roof, and what to do next.Start reading
- 03WarrantiesWhy claims get denied, and how to keep yours valid.Start reading
- 04Roofing materialsAn honest look at the pros and cons before you choose.Start reading
- 05Seasonal tipsWhat your home needs as the Ohio seasons change.Start reading
- 06Planning a projectHow to get your home ready before the crew arrives.Start reading
How a Minute gets made
Every post on this home improvement blog follows the same four steps.
- 1
A homeowner asks
Most posts start as a question at a kitchen table or in a driveway during an estimate.
- 2
The crew answers
The people who install roofs, siding and windows every day explain what actually matters.
- 3
We write it short
One topic, one straight answer, readable in about a minute, with photos from real jobs.
- 4
We keep it current
Older posts get revisited when products, codes or warranties change.
The newest from The Home Improvement Minute
Updated automatically every time a new post goes live.
Siding Warranty: What CertainTeed Covers and What Voids It
FAQs About CertainTeed Siding
Weather Stopper® Golden Pledge Warranty
GAF® Lifetime Roofing System
Advanced Protection® Shingle Technology: Lighter, Tougher GAF Roofs
StainGuard™ Plus: 25 Years of Protection From Black Roof Streaks
GAF® LayerLock™ Technology: The Bond Behind Every Timberline Nail
Fiberglass vs Spray Foam: 5 Surprising Pros and 3 Mistakes
About the series, answered in a minute
What readers ask us most about the series.
What is The Home Improvement Minute?
The Home Improvement Minute is the home improvement blog from Thrush & Son®, a family roofing and exterior company in Brookville, Ohio. Each post answers one question about roofing, siding, windows, doors or gutters in about a minute.
Who writes the posts?
The Thrush family and the crews who do the work every day. That means the roofing and siding advice comes from people who have installed it, not from a marketing desk.
Is it only for Thrush & Son customers?
No. The home improvement tips are written for any homeowner, anywhere, who wants a straight answer before spending money. Examples and weather notes lean toward the Miami Valley because that is where we work.
Can I suggest a topic?
Yes, and please do. Many of our best posts started as a question from a homeowner. Send it through the contact page or ask your project lead, and if it helps other homeowners too, it will likely become a future post with a straight, plain-English answer.
Where else can I find the series?
Right here on thrushandson.com, on our YouTube channel, and on the companion site, thehomeimprovementminute.com, which carries the full series and extra how-to guides.
Every post since 2012, newest first
Scroll the full library, or jump pages at the bottom.
Common Roofing Terms: 34 Critical Definitions That Prevent Costly Mistakes
Ever wonder what a ridge vent is? How about a cricket? Like most aspects of home construction, roofing has its own vocabulary. GAF has gathered some of the most common residential roofing terms so you can unlock the meaning behind them and understand what your roofing contractor is talking about.
Psychology of Color: Powerful Choices That Transform Your Home in 2022
At KWP, we believe that a homeowner should love the home they are in. That being said, there are many steps required in order to reach that state of ultimate happiness: a very important one being the choice of appropriate wood siding colors. Psychology has proven that colors have a direct impact on the mood of the space, so we understand how important it is to inform ourselves and choose wisely!
Replacement Window Styles: 4 Best Options That Boost Comfort & Style
Windows let light into our home, gentle breezes in and their screens keep the bugs out. Windows come in a variety of shapes, sizes and styles. Used alone or in combination most of us have more than one window style in our home. Let’s explore four basic window styles. Double or Single Hung Windows The most popular style of window is the double hung window. This style is traditional with the window opening up and down or vertically. Each glass unit is set into a framework called a sash, on a double hung window both the upper and the bottom sash move. Being able to open either the top or the bottom for air circulation gives the homeowner more options in creating comfort within our homes. A single hung window has a stationary top sash with only the bottom sash able to move or open. Screens are place on the outside of the window. Sliding Windows Sliding windows have two sashes as well, but they move horizontally or from side to side. As with a double hung or single hung window, sliding windows come in a double sliding or single sliding. In a double sliding window, both sashes move, again allowing for better air circulation. On a single sliding window, one side is stationary or permanently fixed. Screens are placed on the outside of the window. Casement Windows Casement windows are hinged on one vertical side of the window and opens out. They can either be opened with a crank or be pushed out with an arm. The screens are place on the inside of the window as the movement of the window outward inhibits a screen on the outside. A casement window can catch breezes, improving the air circulation within your home. Awning Windows An awning window is hinged on the top horizontal side of the window and opens out. The screens are placed on the inside, again because of the way the window operates. An awning window can be opened during a light rain as it opens like an awning to protect the opening. Each window style operates a bit different and looks different. No one window will suit every application and sometimes a combination of window styles works best. When replacing your current windows, consider looking at different window styles to see what will work best for your home.
8 Home Improvement Ideas to Refresh Your Property
Everyone has been spending more time at home recently, and it shows — between 2020 and 2021, the number of home remodeling projects increased by 38%. As homeowners continue to invest in property upgrades, here are some of the top home improvement ideas to try in 2021.
5 Reasons to Choose Vinyl Windows Over Wood for a Powerful Home Upgrade
Whether you want to make improvements to your home, or it is time to replace your current windows, you have an important decision on your hands in choosing the material of window. While there is no right or wrong answer, some window materials provide more advantages than others. For instance, wood windows might have been a great option for a long time, but vinyl windows are the new crown holders.
Window Replacement Appeal: 5 Powerful Ways to Love Your Home
Replacement windows can update and change the complete look of your home. If it is time to replace your old drafty windows, why not take the opportunity to change the look of your home with new replacement windows.
Roof Underlayment Guide: What It Is & Why It Matters
Most homeowners don't think about all the components that make up the roof of their home, but there's a lot going on underneath your shingles.
Is Attic Ventilation Important for Energy Savings in 2021
There are two sides to every story—but what some homeowners may not realize is that there are also two sides to most roofs, too. Beyond the professionally installed roofing system that protects your house from water on the outside, an attic ventilation system works from the inside to protect your home from heat and moisture.
14 Window Terminology Terms for a Better, More Confident Upgrades
Window terminology can be confusing when you’ve decided to replace some old drafty windows and are beginning to do your comparison shopping. You are quickly discovering that a replacement window has many parts, more than just glass and a frame, and the window terminology can get very confusing. In this article, we will go over a few of the more common window industry terms.
