Philip Schmidt

Philip Schmidt

Philip lives in Colorado with his wife, two daughters, and too many leftover building materials. He has been teaching readers how to do things for almost two decades. A former carpenter, project designer specializing in houses and everything we do with them and longtime writer and editor, he is the author of 24 books, including PlyDesign: 73 Distinctive DIY Projects in Plywood (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B007T1PJ36/ref=dp-kindle-redirect?_encoding=UTF8&btkr=1), Little Free Libraries and Tiny Sheds: 12 Miniature Structures You Can Build to Enhance Your Yard or Neighborhood (https://www.amazon.com/Little-Free-Libraries-Tiny-Sheds-ebook/dp/B07QFG3ZBP), Black and Decker the complete guide to treehouses: Design and Build Your Kids a Treehouse (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B008D1PIT6/ref=dp-kindle-redirect?_encoding=UTF8&btkr=1), The Complete Guide to Greenhouses & Garden Projects: Greenhouses, Cold Frames, Compost Bins, Trellises, Planting Beds, Potting Benches & More (https://www.amazon.com/Decker-Complete-Greenhouses-Garden-Projects-ebook/dp/B005CDCX50), The Complete Guide to DIY Greenhouses, Install Your Own Solar Panels: Designing and Installing a Photovoltaic System to Power Your Home, DIY Solar Projects - Updated Edition: Small Projects to Whole-home Systems: Tap Into the Sun, The Complete Guide to a Clutter-Free Home, The Complete Guide to Contemporary Sheds: Complete plans for 12 Sheds, Including Garden Outbuilding, Storage Lean-to, Playhouse, Woodland Cottage, Hobby Studio, Lawn Tractor Barn, Schaum's Outline of Elementary Algebra, Decorating with Architectural Details, Install Your Own Solar Panels: Designing and Installing a Photovoltaic System to Power Your Home, Ultimate Guide: Trimwork, Upgrade Your House: 100 DIY Repairs Improvements For Under $100, The Complete Guide to Attics & Basements, The Complete Guide to a Green Home: The Good Citizen's Guide to Earth-Friendly Remodeling & Home Maintenance, Craftsman Router Techniques; A Comprehensive Guide to Using Routers, Molding & Medallions: Four Easy Weekend Projects (eHow Easy DIY Kindle Book Series), McGraw-Hill's 500 College Algebra and Trigonometry Questions: Ace Your College Exams: 3 Reading Tests + 3 Writing Tests + 3 Mathematics Tests, Black Decker The Complete Photo Guide to Treehouses: Design and Build Treehouses for All Ages, Don't Sweat It... Hire It!, The Complete Guide to the Green Home, Decorating with Architectural Details, and The Complete Guide to Treehouses.

Photo of bathroom with white tile and blue walls by pink_cotton_candy/istockphoto.com.

What to Do When There is a Bathroom Ceiling Leak

Posted by Philip Schmidt | Jan 11, 2013

If the ceiling's going to leak in any finished room of the house, it might as well be the bathroom. After all, this is one area that's used to water. But enough of this foolish positive...

Photo of a man drilling with a power drill by nullplus/istockphoto.com.

How to Use a Power Drill

Posted by Philip Schmidt | Dec 23, 2012

Cordless technology certainly has been a boon to the drill market, but two other advances may have made a bigger change in how a drill is used. The keyless chuck and the easy-reverse...

Bathroom updates like new fixtures and linens can stretch a small budget. (Photo: istockphoto.com)

10 Easy Bathroom Upgrades

Posted by Philip Schmidt | Nov 29, 2012

By my estimation, an "easy" bath upgrade could include virtually everything in the room except replacing the tub or shower, tearing up and/or replacing floor or wall tile, and relocating...

This photo illustrates how adding glass to plain wood panel can drastically change the look. (Photo: istockphoto.com)

Cheap Kitchen Cabinet Upgrades That Look Expensive

Posted by Philip Schmidt | Nov 21, 2012

In the hierarchy of kitchen remodeling, cabinet replacement is king—no other improvement does more to transform both the look and function of the room. At the same time, all-new...

These are the Village Idiots, by the Schmidt Family.

Pinterest Challenge: Thanksgiving Crafts

Posted by Philip Schmidt | Nov 19, 2012

If you're reading this, I assume you have a few quiet hours to kill before the hellish holiday schedule kicks in. Or maybe your spouse had something better to do and left you at home...

Mrs. Meyer's Clean Day All Purpose Cleaner in Lemon Verbena. Photo via MrsMeyers.com

We Tested It: Cleaning With Only One Product

Posted by Philip Schmidt | Nov 07, 2012

When it comes to household products, whether toothpaste or window cleaner, I'll readily admit to being a pragmatist. The product has to work, first and foremost. If it doesn't, I don't...

A man steps into his Shoe-Ins. Photo courtesy of Shoe-Ins.

Equipment Review: Shoe In Overshoes

Posted by Philip Schmidt | Oct 31, 2012

As a pathological DIYer, I do a lot of projects in and around the house, including all of the dirty jobs. I also live in Colorado, where the weather loves to go from blizzard to balmy...

A Skil jigsaw, as photograpged by Zosma of Wikimedia Commons.

Getting Jiggy With the Jigsaw

Posted by Philip Schmidt | Oct 22, 2012

If you're interested in dabbling in a variety of DIY projects, and your budget has room for just one power tool, the jigsaw is your best bet, hands down. Like a circular saw, it makes...

A carpenter uses a circular saw. (Photo: toosstop/Flickr)

Using a Circular Saw Like a Pro

Posted by Philip Schmidt | Oct 12, 2012

In terms of versatility, the circular saw is king among power saws, but it's also jack of all trades, master of none. It can make rip cuts, crosscuts, notches, bevels, and miters in...

Stephen Davies/sxc.hu

Triage for a Dripping Faucet

Posted by Philip Schmidt | Oct 04, 2012

Giving advice for fixing a faucet is a little like telling someone how to repair a car: unless you're dealing with a specific model and year, you have to keep things pretty general....