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Architecture : Home & Garden
How to Sand New Concrete Interior Floors
Mention concrete flooring, and a concrete sidewalk may come to mind. But this type of floor can actually be quite beautiful, as well as durable. Sanding and polishing brings out a lustrous, marble-like sheen. Concrete flooring doesn't require waxing or coating, so some retail establishments, offices
Instructions for Steam Fast
The Steam Fast manufacturers call it the world's first steam mop, fabric steamer and handheld steam cleaner, all in one. Weighing less than 5 lbs., the Steam Fast is simple to operate. It uses regular water, along with microfiber technology, to clean and sanitize a variety of surfaces. You can contr
How to Build a Hidden Closet
Few people have the option of having their own "bat cave" hidden beneath their house. Building a hidden closet in a home is possible, however, and offers a way to hide small valuable objects. You will need a few power tools and some other hardware supplies. Your hidden closet might not be big enoug
Skylight Styles
Skylights allow sunshine to light up interior spaces.skylight ii image by morsted from Fotolia.comA skylight can let natural light into your home or business. Another benefit is that a skylight can make a space appear larger and help reduce energy costs, according to the Home Institute....
How to Tile a Kitchen Backsplash for First Timers
Tiling a kitchen backsplash is an excellent project for first time tilers. The small area you're tiling will make the project seem manageable as you're learning the basics. As a first timer, try to purchase tiles that will fill the space exactly, so you don't have to cut any of the tiles. But if tha
What Type of Insulation Do You Need to Go Under a Home?
Approximately 15 percent of your home's heat is lost through the floor. For this reason it is important to insulate under your home. Whether it's an unheated or heated crawlspace or a heated basement with a concrete slab floor, insulation in this area is one of the most effective ways of making your
DIY Kit Houses
With the high cost of buying a home in many areas of the country, some people are turning to kit houses in order to save money. Kit homes come in a variety of styles and many of them can be built by someone with little to no prior building experience. However, those embarking on such a project witho
The Spiders in San Antonio, Texas
With its hot climate and vastness, San Antonio, Texas, is the perfect habitat for a number of different types of spiders to live. Over 900 species of spiders are found in Texas, although the vast majority are totally harmless to humans. Being able to recognize the different types of spiders will hel
How to Remodel a Kitchen in a Townhouse
Installing new appliances, cabinets and flooring in a kitchen can significantly increase the value of a townhouse. So recouping the investment should be easily accomplished, as long as you don't use materials that price your home out of the neighborhood or area range. Many buyers will make a decisio
How to Tile a Vertical Crack on a Concrete Floor
Tiling your own floors can save you money, and you'll have the satisfaction of knowing you did the work yourself. While the basic job is fairly simple, you might encounter a few minor setbacks during the process. A common problem many do-it-yourselfers come across is cracks in the concrete floor rig
How to Determine Total Runoff
Calculating your total runoff around your house gives you the information you need to start investigating the type of drainage system you need. Excess rainfall that does not reach the proper draining outlet usually damages the property around your home and possibly even damages the home itself. Drai
How to Find Angles With a Framing Square And a Tangent Table
A framing square consists of a long arm and short arm that meet at a right angle. The long arm is the body and the short arm is the tongue of the framing square. A tangent table is a list of angular measurements and the corresponding tangent values. Carpenters use a framing square and tangent table
How to Finish the Outside Walls of a Garage for a Workshop
Many homeowners dedicate space in their homes to interests or hobbies that they enjoy. If you're a do-it-yourself homeowner, chances are that you want to have space dedicated for a workshop. One room that is popular for conversion into a workshop is the garage. It's a wide-open space with electrical
How to Install Cap Sheet Roofing
Cap sheet is a mineral based and granule-surfaced roof cover material coating. Its surface is covered with a crushed stone and gravel aggregate layer, while the layer underneath that is an asphalt saturated organic felt or fiberglass mat. Cap sheet membranes are a part of asphalt roll roofing, which
How to Start New Kitchen Cabinets
Designing and installing new kitchen cabinets is easier if you visit several showrooms to gain ideas. Home design books and Internet sites offer inspiring options, but viewing kitchen cabinets at a dealer helps you picture how they would look in your home. There are many styles and finishes to choos
How to Build a Dance Floor for Cheap
A dance floor may be required for a dinner party, an outdoor wedding, and for many other special occasions. You may only need the floor one time. If it's portable, you could store it away, sell it or lend it out for future events. With all the other budgeted items needed during a special occasion, i
House Crawl Space Fungus
The dark, damp environment of a home's crawl space can often make for prolific fungus growth. Be sure to check frequently and take steps to reduce the fungus growth so that it does not spread to the rest of the house.
DIY: Plans for a Gazebo
When it comes to outdoor projects, building a gazebo can seem like a challenging endeavor. This is especially true if you decide to build a traditional gazebo with a hexagon or octagon shape. But there are gazebo designs for all tastes and skill levels. If you are up for the challenge, a gazebo is a
How to Refinish Parquet Wood Floor
Many homeowners enjoy the look and relative low maintenance of a beautiful parquet floor. One thing they do not look forward to is the process of refinishing these floors. With adequate tools, chemicals and patience the task can be accomplished within a day or two. The lustrous result is well worth
How Install a Quartz Countertop
Quartz countertops, made from crushed quartz and resin binders, is a popular alternative to solid stone counters often found in home settings such as marble or granite. Quartz countertops, being made from a manufactured material, are less expensive than other stone types. The resin in the counters o