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Architecture : Home & Garden
Do it Yourself Blown Insulation
Blown insulation is a far cry from insulation of the old days, when all or most of it had to be packed between framing.There are many positives to consider when deciding on whether to use blown insulation. It can be purchased in 2-feet-by-3-feet bales that are made from recycled newspaper--no irrita
How do I Cut Angles on a Handrail for a Staircase?
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulates that the handrail for a staircase should be able to support 200 pounds and must be 36 inches above the stairs. When you install a handrail, you need to cut it to maintain the necessary height the entire length of the stair's run. The
How to Finish Antique Black Cabinets
Kitchen cabinets painted antique black are both modern and shabby chic at the same time. A little black paint and some simple distressing techniques will give you the look of a custom kitchen in no time. Paint is a low-cost and easy way for you to update your kitchen without any need to hire a contr
How to Calculate Flooring
New flooring can be a major investment, and often it's difficult to determine what type of flooring to shop for that is within your remodeling budget. While an exact replacement estimate will depend on the type and style of floor you have in mind, you can calculate the rough square footage of floori
How to Build Your Own Sand Box
Sandboxes are a staple of backyard life that can give children hours of safe and mostly clean outdoor fun. Better still, construction is simple. It is a fun and easy project that even the most inexperienced builder can complete with confidence. With just one trip to the hardware store and some stand
About Oiled Hardwood Floors
Like other hardwood floors, oiled hardwood floors provide a smooth surface with a clean finish and nice appearance. Though there are some slight differences in the shine, texture and quality of hardwood floors, depending upon the type of wood and finishing used, oiled hardwood floors perform the sam
Do-It-Yourself: Look Like Granite Countertops
Granite countertops traditionally are installed as one solid slab covering the whole counter. It's a classic look, and one that you can't realistically install yourself. However, you can install your own granite tiles and get close to that classic look. Granite tiles are cut flatter and straighter t
Do-It-Yourself Floor Stenciling
Stenciling is a simple way to customize the look of your floors. It is also an excellent way to revitalize older hardwood floors, cover unattractive linoleum or add visual interest to boring concrete.Custom stencils can be expensive, but making your own is inexpensive. You can create a stencil out o
New Basement Design Ideas
Your basement does not have to feel like a dungeon anymore.sous-sol ch?¡éteau de valencay image by melanieleleu from Fotolia.comBasements do not have to be dreaded dungeons that have no better use than storing things you no longer want or need. In many homes, the basement has as much...
How to Quickly Repair a Roof Leak
One of the basic purposes of a roof is to keep water from entering a home. You can quickly repair a leak in the roof, once you have located its position by checking inside the attic. You'll need some basic household tools, as well as access to the roof via a ladder if there is no other entryway. You
How to Install New Tile
Ceramic tile isn't right for every room (you probably wouldn't want it in your bedroom, for example), but there's really nothing better for bathrooms and kitchens. The durability, moisture-resistance and ease of cleaning is unmatched by just about any other floor covering. It is important to lay the
How to Construct Contemporary Window Trim
The trim around your window serves a practical function, covering up the space between the window casing and the wall, preventing air flow through it. It also sets the window off visually while tying it into the rest of the room. You can find large, ornate window trim with crown-molding tops and oth
How to Do the Knockdown or Skip Trowel Method of Texturing Sheetrock
Knockdown textures are an attractive method for finishing drywall. They are easy to paint and maintain and well within the capabilities of the average homeowner or do-it-yourselfer. Creating an attractive knockdown texture finish involves spraying or rolling on a thick, lumpy layer of joint compound
How to Tile Uneven Floor
Tiling a floor is a project that should always start with a flat, even base. Any variation on the base, such as cracks, dips or other unevenness, can result in uneven pressure under the tiles when you walk on them, which can crack them. If the wood, cement or other material that you've got for a sub
How to Paint Small Rooms to Make Them Look Brighter
Small rooms often have lighting issues. With limited wall space, windows and built-in light fixtures are few and far between. Fortunately, you don't need to resign to accepting the dim aesthetic. The right paint choices can actually make a small room look brighter and more inviting. Basic color theo
Homemade Wood Shavings
If you have a wood shop that includes a lathe or a planer, homemade wood shavings are easy to come by. Just collect them from beneath the machines. For those without a wood shop, you can still make homemade wood shavings for your pets or projects with very little effort, provided you have a source o
How to Plant A Burning Bush
The burning bush is a deciduous, ornamental shrub whose green leaves of summer turn a brilliant red creating a crimson ball of color befitting of its name.Adaptable and hardy in nature, it thrives in most conditions where there is full-sun to light shade. Little pruning is needed because the plant h
How to Bring Shine Back to a Corian Countertop After Sanding
Corian countertops come in a variety of patterns and colors, including designs that resemble other materials, such as marble or stone. If you clean and maintain the counters properly, they may last for years. Sanding the counters removes the original shine from the Corian surface and leaves behind a
How to Install a Wood Floor & Remove the Carpet
Although that shag carpeting might have made a "groovy" floor covering in the 1970s, times have changed. Wooden floors have become a popular alternative to carpet. This type of flooring is much easier to clean than carpet, and lends the natural glow of wood to any room. One way that you can save on
How to Choose Exterior Dutch Door Hardware
Exterior Dutch doors are doors that can be half opened and half closed at the same time--the top half and the bottom half open and close independent of one another. Because of this unique style, you're going to need special door hardware which can be tricky to find. Let's take a look at how you can