The Home Improvement Minute

The Home Improvement Minute

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.
The Home Improvement Minute vortex with roofing, siding, windows, energy, and tools swirling toward center logo for fast expert home improvement insights
Two Homes, One Series

Read The Home Improvement Minute in two places

Same family, same straight answers. Each site does a slightly different job.

thrushandson.com

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
thehomeimprovementminute.com

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
Start Here

New to The Home Improvement Minute? Pick a topic

Six places to start, depending on what’s on your mind.

  1. 01RoofingShingles, underlayment and the terms you’ll hear at your estimate.Start reading
  2. 02Storms and windWhat wind and hail do to a roof, and what to do next.Start reading
  3. 03WarrantiesWhy claims get denied, and how to keep yours valid.Start reading
  4. 04Roofing materialsAn honest look at the pros and cons before you choose.Start reading
  5. 05Seasonal tipsWhat your home needs as the Ohio seasons change.Start reading
  6. 06Planning a projectHow to get your home ready before the crew arrives.Start reading
Behind the Blog

How a Minute gets made

Every post on this home improvement blog follows the same four steps.

  1. 1

    A homeowner asks

    Most posts start as a question at a kitchen table or in a driveway during an estimate.

  2. 2

    The crew answers

    The people who install roofs, siding and windows every day explain what actually matters.

  3. 3

    We write it short

    One topic, one straight answer, readable in about a minute, with photos from real jobs.

  4. 4

    We keep it current

    Older posts get revisited when products, codes or warranties change.

Fresh Off the Press

The newest from The Home Improvement Minute

Updated automatically every time a new post goes live.

Quick Answers

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.

The Archive

Every post since 2012, newest first

Scroll the full library, or jump pages at the bottom.

Enhance Curb Appeal: Powerful Siding Secrets in 2021

What is that old adage, your home is your castle? Well this could not be more on point. Your home not only provides you with shelter, it is in fact a reflection of your personality. The exterior of your home establishes the style of your house. By choosing specific elements for your home’s facade, you will be setting the tone of your property.

Vinyl Siding Styles: 4 Ultimate Looks to Elevate Your Home

Along with the fact that it looks like genuine wood, vinyl siding has many different benefits; such as energy efficiency, water resistance and low maintenance. Hence why it is one of the most commonly used types of vinyl siding. There are many different styles of siding. Thankfully, we have outlined the most popular ones in order to provide you with as many options as possible, when remodeling or building your home.

Casement Windows Explained: The Crank, the Seal, and the Breeze

Have you ever asked yourself, "What exactly is a casement window?" Well we have the answer for you! A casement window is an operating window that is hinged on the left or right side and opens outward pivoting on the hinged side, very much like a door opens.

Severe Condensation on Windows: Why the Glass Edge Fogs First

It’s great fun for the kids to draw in the condensation on the windows of the bus, but what does it really mean in your home?  Should you reduce the humidity in your home, get replacement windows or simply enter your kids in art class?

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