How We Research

1. Start with a real decision

Each guide begins with a question a homeowner can act on: how much material is needed, which condition changes a product choice, what pattern suggests a different underlying cause, or what should be checked before an irreversible step.

2. Separate universal principles from product rules

Geometry and arithmetic can be explained directly. Product-specific requirements such as expansion gaps, moisture limits, cure times, approved substrates and fastener sizes must come from the product/system documentation. We avoid turning one brand’s instruction into a universal rule.

3. Prefer primary sources for safety-sensitive claims

Where relevant, we use government, standards-body and manufacturer material. Examples include official lead-safe renovation guidance for older coatings and established ladder-safety requirements. We link to primary resources when they add practical value.

4. Build original tools around the source information

The value of a FixLume article should come from organization and application: a worked room example, a decision matrix, a quantity calculation, a checklist, or a troubleshooting map. We do not aim to be another summary of what ten other articles already say.

5. Review the page as a user task

Before publication, the article should answer its title, explain assumptions, avoid fake precision, and make the next action clear. If a page cannot provide more than a generic definition, it does not need to exist as a separate article.