Harnessing the sun’s warmth to heat water is an approach fading in popularity in many places where solar power is already used, but it still makes sense for especially sunny places like Spain. Because ...

Q. Slate was used in the house I grew up in. The slate tile seemed to be a random mix of squares and rectangles. I'd like to install this material in my own home. Is that a job a beginner can tackle ...

Q. I have an existing concrete fireplace hearth. Is it possible to cover it with slate? If so, is that a difficult task? Instead of slate, should I just install a hearth pad? I am really confused ...

Dear Jerry: I have a contemporary-style house in the town of Greece. It was built in 1986. My question for you is regarding my kitchen and foyer flooring. I have slate tiles approx. ½- ¾-inch thick by ...

Dear James: The foyer floor by the front door has taken a beating from the children over the past 10 years. It is stain-resistant and available in a variety of shapes, surfaces and colors. When ...