DIY Dads: Stories to Warm Your Heart
To celebrate Dad this Father's Day, we asked members of our community to share their own father's successful DIY stories for a chance to win a trouble-free Brisa Retractable Screen Door. With over 200 entries of wonderful stories about Dad, we just had to share some of the more heart-warming DIY success stories that were submitted. First of all, we're happy to announce a winner...Celebrate Dad Contest Winner:
The winner of our Brisa Retractable Screen giveaway was chosen at random from all story submissions and announced LIVE on our Facebook page on June 17th at 1PM.“Daddy installed a brand new dishwasher all by himself. He also replaced a heating coil on our water heater! I didn’t know I married such a handy man :)” -Cora B. from Nashville, TN.
Celebrate Dad Submission Highlights
Now, get inspired with some of our favorite story entries celebrating Dad and see just how successful Dad can be with a DIY project!“My father and I (recently) made some benches in preparation for my rehearsal dinner in a few weeks. The project was a fun easy project using 2x4 and some stain!” -Ashley M. from San Diego, CA.
"My dad just replaced our carpeted steps with real woods steps and they are beautiful!” -Stephanie P. from Cumming, GA.
“My children’s dad made his own stones and prepped a patio site, laid the stones and then built deck seating around the homemade fire pit. He is awesome. Did it alone. What a man!” -Priscilla S. from Yazoo City, MS.
“He made me a garden in the back with a green house.” -Angela S. from Killeen, TX.
His dad remodeled their entire bathroom! -Blake C. from Baton Rouge, LA.
“My dad wanted to make sure every dollar he earned went to his wife and kids, so he learned how to re-do houses, how to fix anything. He used to build hot rods as a kid so if he ever needed money, he would do body work on peoples’ cars or paint cars on the side. He actually won an award for best painter here in Omaha. He never graduated high school, but can fix any home problem and can fix any vehicle issues, right from his driveway. He worked from sun up to sun down so we didn’t see him often, but when we did, he spent the time making us feel loved and appreciated.” -Kelley P. from Omaha, NE.
“He built a tree house!” -Melissa M. from York, PA.
“My husband built a sifting frame and then proceeded to dig up the entire 20-foot length of garden, remove roots, break up dirt, and replace half the soil with manure so that the kids and I could grow a veggie garden this summer. No produce yet, but our 2 and 3 year old loved playing in the soft soil while we planted.” -Kristin F. from Portland, OR.
“My husband is a great DIY’er? His latest and greatest accomplishment was a large wood sandbox for our two boys. The cover converts into two benches and it’s easy on the eyes – not something you find with many children’s sandboxes!” -Nakia L. from Corydon, IN.
“We purchased our home about 2 years ago and the fireplace surround was definitely an eyesore. It was surrounded with generic, gold granite slabs that didn’t fit the house at all. A quick trip to the hardware store and we were able to find a great stacked stone to compliment the rest of the house. Started the project (one) Saturday morning and finished grouting it (that) Sunday, a perfect weekend project.” -Matt H. from Marina Del Rey, CA.
“My dad has started building a storage shed/clubhouse for my younger brothers. The picture I’ve shared is just the start. The goals now are to finished the staircase to the second floor by my grad party on the 18th of June and have the whole thing done by my 7 year old brother’s birthday on August 12th with electricity running too and everything.” -Anthony C. from Westlake, OH.
“He’s made me a dresser in my guest bedroom” along with “bean bag boards, our deck, he did some custom woodwork in our family room, and much more! He’s basically a pro!” -Megan M. from Oregon, WI.
“He re-did the entire bathroom from demolition to the beautiful walls!” -Erika V. from Santa Clarita, CA.
“My husband created a fantastic play house from free palettes. It had a loft and real windows. My daughter loves it!” -Emily M. from Missoula, MT.
Thank you to everyone who participated, and if you missed the opportunity, please share your own story by commenting below. Meanwhile, there are lots of opportunities to get inspired for your next DIY project here on our site. Whether it's replacing or adding door glass, installing a retractable screen door, or making the move to enclosed blinds door glass, you can find all the products and step-by-step, "how-to" instructions you need right here.