How to Build Planter Posts for String Lights

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Cafe lights add atmosphere to any outdoor living space! Pairing them with floral arrangements makes this patio look inviting and luxurious.

How to Build Planter Posts for String Lights

Our family loves to relax on the patio, and now it has some serious ambiance thanks to my latest DIY project: planter posts for string lights!

They’re super-easy to make. You just need Quikrete Fast-Setting Concrete Mix, in the red bag, a couple of planters and string lights, and small tools.

Ready to create something special? Let’s go!

Supplies for creating concrete planters

What You’ll Need:

  • Bags of Quikrete Fast-Setting Concrete Mix (per post) 
  • 2-4 Planters (enough to support the café lights)
  • 4-by-4 Posts (enough to support the lights)
  • Steel Screw Hooks
  • Café lights
  • Drill
  • How to Build Planter Posts for String Lights
sealing planters

Seal the insides. You won’t want potting soil or concrete mix to spill from your planters (I used wood), so apply Advanced Polymer Non-Sag Sealant or Advanced Polymer Construction Adhesive to close any gaps or cracks inside them.

Find a location. Place the planter where it will be used. Make sure it’s where you’ll spend a lot of time and could use a little light. (I just want to stress:

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Choice Home Warranty vs. American Home Shield

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If you’re in the market for a home warranty, chances are you’re familiar with Choice Home Warranty (CHW) and American Home Shield (AHS). Both are top-rated home warranty providers offering comprehensive coverage, 24/7 customer service and multiple plan options.

In this article, we’ll compare each company’s coverage, plan pricing and state availability, and we will also provide information on how to get a free quote from each provider. Keep reading to determine if Choice Home Warranty or American Home Shield is the best home warranty company for you and your home.

Today’s Homeowner works with an independent reviews team to create evidence-based research that helps our readers make informed decisions. The reviews are always independent. For transparency, we may be compensated if you purchase through a link.

Choice Home Warranty vs. American Home Shield Plans

Choice Home Warranty offers two plans: the Basic Plan and the Total Plan. The Basic Plan includes an impressive range of appliances and systems for a base plan and covers items such as your heating system, plumbing system and dishwasher. The Total Plan covers everything in the Basic Plan but adds coverage for your laundry appliances, air conditioning and refrigerator. Here’s a

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Visit Chelsea Lipford Wolf’s Revived Ranch [Virtual Tour]

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Chelsea Lipford Wolf‘s mid-century ranch-style home has come a long way since she and her husband, Brandon, purchased it a year ago.

The home, once pink and drab with rusted, leaky windows and thinning grass, now boasts a new exterior color, new energy-efficient windows and even a lush lawn with new plants and shrubs.

Follow Chelsea as she shares her exterior renovations in this virtual tour that was originally broadcast live on Facebook and YouTube.

Read more about this project on our special Chelsea’s Ranch Revival website.

Previous articleChoice Home Warranty vs. American Home Shield

Backed by his 40-year remodeling career, Danny served as the home improvement expert for CBS’s The Early Show and The Weather Channel for more than a decade. His extensive hands-on experience and understanding of the industry make him the go-to source for all things having to do with the home – from advice on simple repairs, to complete remodels, to helping homeowners prepare their homes for extreme weather and seasons.

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Chelsea Lipford Wolf’s Tips to Keep Your Home Cool and Energy Efficient

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“Today’s Homeowner” co-host Chelsea Lipford Wolf — with her new American Standard HVAC unit — says taking just a few simple steps during the summer can help lower energy bills.

Energy bills often spike in the summer and winter when it’s really hot or really cold outside — and your heating and cooling system has to work overtime to keep you comfortable.

But you can lower those bills by choosing the right HVAC system and regularly maintaining it. Here’s advice from “Today’s Homeowner” co-host Chelsea Lipford Wolf.

How do you keep your home energy-efficient in the hot summer months?

We keep our A/C running! Contrary to popular belief, you want to keep your home semi-cooled during the day while you’re away.

When the unit works during the day, it doesn’t need to make up for lost time when you get home at 5 o’clock and try to cool your house by 10 or 15 degrees.

Aside from that, we close our drapes while the sun is out and we’re away from the house. That way, it doesn’t heat up the inside of our house as much.

American Standard HVAC technicians install a new unit at a home
Workers deliver Chelsea’s new American Standard Platinum Series Heat Pump to her home.
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4 Best Home Warranty Companies In Illinois (2021)

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If you’re a homeowner in Illinois, a home warranty can save you money and provide peace of mind against costly repairs on your home’s most important appliances and systems. Because the market is saturated with home warranty companies, it can be difficult to determine which provider is best for you. Our team of experts has reviewed the top home warranty companies available, accounting for cost, coverage, state availability, customer service and more. 

Read our picks for the best home warranty coverage in Illinois.

In This Article:

  1. Best Overall: American Home Shield
  2. Best for Aging Homes: Choice Home Warranty
  3. Best for Value Shoppers: Select Home Warranty
  4. Most Customizable Plan Options: America’s 1st Choice Home Club
  5. Our Verdict
  6. Frequently Asked Questions

Today’s Homeowner works with an independent reviews team to create evidence-based research that helps our readers make informed decisions. The reviews are always independent. For transparency, we may be compensated if you purchase through a link.

Best Overall: American Home Shield

Quick Take

Our team of reviewers rated American Home Shield (AHS) as the best overall home warranty provider in Illinois. Since 1971, American Home Shield has grown to serve every state but Alaska and has a

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4 Best Home Warranty Companies In Arizona (2021)

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Adobe Stock

If you live in Arizona, a home warranty can help protect your major home appliances and systems when they break down due to normal wear and tear. With a home warranty, repairs should be cheaper and faster since home warranty companies will cover most repairs and hire trusted contractors to perform the work, saving you time and money.
In this article, we analyzed the best home warranty companies and hand-picked the top providers for the state of Arizona. Note: All cost information is based on sample quotes for single-family Arizona homes under 5,000 square feet. Whether you live in Phoenix or a more rural area, keep reading for our top home warranty picks.

In This Article:

Today’s Homeowner works with an independent reviews team to create evidence-based research that helps our readers make informed decisions. The reviews are always independent. For transparency, we may be compensated if you purchase through a link.

Best Overall: American Home Shield

Quick Take

American Home Shield (AHS) is our top pick for a home warranty provider in Arizona. It’s one of the oldest home warranty companies in the U.S. and services 49 states, excluding Alaska. It offers three comprehensive coverage plans and

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