Search tools on this site are "context sensitive." If you perform a search from the "HOME" or "SHOWCASE" sections of the site, the search engine will look for matches in the site's article library. If your perform a search from the "REFERENCE TOOLS" section, the search engine looks for matches in the reference tools database. If you begin a search from the site's "DIRECTORY" feature, the search tool looks for appropriate organizations in the directory listing database, and so forth. For best results, navigate to the site section most relevant to your needs, then use the search tool to find information withing that section.
Improving Your Search Results
If you're having trouble finding the information that you need, try simplifying your search. For example, a search for decking will not find any resources that use the word deck. However, a search for the word rail will find every instance of the words rail and rails and railing. As another example, typing stain in the Site Search box will find every resource that include any of the words stain and staining and stain-resistant.
Wildcard Searches
A wildcard search can save time, and even help you find resources when you're not sure exactly how to spell them. For example, if you want to locate information from a certain manufacturer, say Louisiana-Pacific, you can use the % symbol as a wildcard to simplify your entry. Typing lo%ana will tell the search engine to locate any string of letters that begins with lo, followed eventually by the letters ana.
Similarly, if you need to find information about a certain product but can't remember the exact name, a wildcard search may help. For example, let's say you want to learn more about Louisiana-Pacific's line of low-maintenance composite decking materials. You can't remember the exact name of the product but it begins with Weather and ends in another word that begins with the letter b. A wildcard search for weatherb% would return WeatherBest, which is exactly what you were looking for.
Article Index
An article index is available with summaries and links to current and archived articles in the Home Improvement News and Information reference library. Clicking an article title in the site map will take you to the selected article.
Site Map
A site map is available to help you quickly locate tools and resources within the various sections of the Home Improvement News and Information Center. |
