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.
4 Ways to Increase Your Home Value
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STOP! Prevent Trees from Clogging Your Gutters in 2021
Gutter systems are essential for maintaining a healthy foundation and home, but they can very quickly get clogged with leaves and other tree debris. This is especially true in Ohio, where the native deciduous trees drop an abundance of leaves, acorns, and branches every year.
Protect Your Roof From Ice Damage with Leak Barriers – 2021
Your roofing system is made up of protective layers, designed with the latest technological advances to shield your home from ice and water- keeping your roof deck dry and safe. One of these layers is called a leak barrier, which is often referred to as ice and water shield. Located below the shingles, it's crucial to your roof system's defense against moisture.
Roofing Franchise Opportunity: Thrush & Son Delivers a Proven System – 2017
This is your chance to be a part of the immense and growing home improvement market. If you are a sales-driven entrepreneur with a clear passion for customer service, you belong with the Thrush & Son® family.
Top 5 Reasons to Invest in Energy Efficient Windows
While you can sometimes improve the performance of existing windows, if your windows are older or damaged it might be a better to invest in and install new, energy efficient replacement windows. Not only do replacement windows improve the look of your home, they can yield up to a 78 percent return on your investment.
Is Your Home Ready for a Brutal Winter In 2021 and Beyond?
Are you ready for winter? Sure you may have your boots, scarf and hat out but what about the details surrounding your home? It is also time to prepare your home for the cold weather ahead! Let’s take a look at a quick checklist to ensure you are all set for the season ahead!
#1 Roof Flashing Mistake Homeowners Are Still Making
Roof flashing helps to provide a seal wherever there is a roof joint or penetration (like a chimney or vent), where there is an intersection of two roof surfaces, or where the roof meets an exterior wall.
Gutter Protection: 3 Effortless Ways to Prevent Damage
With the fall upon us, the air is crisp and the leaves are changing color. While beautiful, the leaves’ falling from the trees is a reminder that we need to clean our gutters! Here are tips to get them clean!
Door Guide: Unlock 5 Powerful Secrets Now
From inviting friends inside, to swinging open when you have an armload of groceries to taking the brunt of a solicitor’s pesky knock, your front door goes through a lot. The first thing people notice about your space, your entry door is a staple to the style of your home. Give your home the front entry door it deserves by choosing Masonite.
