Expert Advice on Home Improvement TV Host of Today's Homeowner^® and home expert for The Weather Channel

Almost a thousand exhibitors were on hand at the 2008 Kitchen and Bath Industry Show (KBIS) in Chicago to highlight the latest in innovative products designed for the kitchen or bath.

High energy bills are a concern of homeowners everywhere, but living through frigid Maine winters in a two-story house built in 1890 can pose a real challenge. To combat winter heating bills as high as $1,400 a month, Greg and Jennifer Quimby entered the Scariest Utility Bill in America contest sponsored by Jeld-Wen Windows and Doors. As the winners, their house was outfitted with new energy efficient windows and doors.

While this house had a beautiful view, the homeowners could only enjoy it when the weather permitted. With the addition of this great looking sunroom and patio, they’ll be able to take advantage of it all year long.

Having the right tool for your next DIY project can make all the difference. Since expensive specialty tools aren’t needed often, consider renting them from a tool rental center like The Home Depot, rather then buying.

Since a wood deck can carry a lot of weight, it’s important to start with a solid foundation. Begin by laying out the location of the deck, making sure it’s square with the house. After the holes have been dug for the concrete footings, rebar is cut and wired together into a grid and supported by wire a few inches above the bottom of the hole.

The 2008 International Builders’ Show featured some amazing new tools and innovative products for your home. Here’s a look at some of the best new products we found. The latest caulking from PolySeamSeal, called Ever Bright, is formulated to resist the growth of mold and mildew for up to five years.

By reusing discarded kitchen cabinets salvaged from past remodeling jobs, we turned this cluttered storage space into the perfect workshop for Today’s Homeowner®. Using recycled building materials not only saves money and reduces waste, it helps the environment by eliminating the energy and natural resources needed to produce new products.

From vaulted to tray to coffered, it seems like the sky’s the limit for ceilings these days. Specialty ceilings can add a distinctive design element to a room and make it feel larger than it really is. And when it’s time to sell your home, custom ceilings might be just the thing to make your house stand out from the crowd.

Going green isn’t just about preserving the planet, it includes safeguarding your health as well. As homes have become more tightly sealed and the use of manmade materials increased, indoor air quality has declined.

From reducing energy consumption to recycling waste, it seems like everyone is interested in doing their part to help the environment these days. While green living conserves natural resources and cuts down on pollution, it also has the practical benefit of saving money on your utility bills.