Curb & Canvas is an independent publication about the American home — the materials on its outside, the systems that keep water out of it, and the decor that gives it a season.
Re-siding a house is one of the largest single investments a homeowner makes — often somewhere between $10,000 and $30,000 — and most of the information available online is written to sell a product rather than to help someone choose one. The same is true of seasonal decorating, where a $40 inflatable and a $400 lighting system get marketed with the same breathless copy. We try to do the opposite.
What We Cover
- Siding & exterior materials — vinyl, fiber cement, engineered wood, cedar and other wood cladding, stone veneer, aluminum, steel, and metal, compared on installed cost, lifespan, and upkeep
- Gutters & drainage — gutter types, hangers, downspout capacity, and whether leaf guards are worth the money
- Decor & seasonal — outdoor Christmas and Halloween decorating, canvas art, and the practical details of power, anchoring, weather, and storage
How We Research
Our guides are built from manufacturer specifications and published warranty terms, contractor pricing reported across US markets, and residential building-code requirements for wall assemblies and water management. Where a product is seasonal, we factor in what actually survives a winter or a storm season rather than what it looks like in a catalog. Where we quote a cost, it is a typical installed range rather than a bid, and we say so.
We try to be explicit about trade-offs. Every material and every display idea has a case where it is the wrong choice, and we would rather tell you that than sell you something.
Who Writes Here
Articles are written and edited by Daniel Whitfield, who covers home exteriors, decor, and seasonal projects. His background and research approach are described on his author page.
Corrections
If something here is wrong, out of date, or unclear, tell us on the contact page. Corrections get priority over everything else in our inbox.
