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Architecture : Home & Garden
Home Office Desk Ideas
Offbeat home-office desks can be reflections of your personality and don't have to be expensive, either.at home office image by Pix by Marti from Fotolia.comA home office should be a private space where you can get work done without distractions. Because the office is in your home, it...
How to Flash a Plumbing Vent at the Roof Line
Plumbing vent pipes may become a source of leaks in your roof, unless you properly install flashing around them. The flashing must sit under the shingles above the vent pipe, and above the shingles below the vent pipe, to keep a watertight seal. A rubber boot, which comes with the vent pipe’s
How to Choose a Granite Slab
You may want a granite slab as a countertop to help increase the value of your home. You can set hot pots and pans on granite without worrying about burning it the way you would with a laminate countertop. You may even worry less about bacteria with a granite slab. Plus, granite countertops are feat
Do-it-Yourself Solar Installation
Solar power is a great way to offset the cost of running your home. Having a solar system installed on the roof of your home can be very expensive, and it may take years to pay off before you can start benefiting from the free power. There are kits you can purchase that make installing the solar col
How to Make Screen Doors for Sliders
Sliding doors make a convenient way to access decks. The screen of the sliding door can let a cool breeze into the house but only if it stays on the track. A sliding door screen that doesn't slide can be frustrating. You can easily replace the screen to a sliding door with a new metal frame and a li
How to Speed Up the Ripening Process for Mangos
Mangoes that you purchase at the grocery store often need ripening to develop the best flavor. As with many commercial fruit varieties, mango growers harvest and ship the fruit before it fully matures to prevent damage during transport and prolong the shelf life. Hard mangoes will ripen on their own
How to Lay Down Pergo
A brand-name product that is marketed as a wood look-alike, Pergo is a popular alternative to traditional hardwoods. Due to the wide variety of styles and shades, not to mention trims and moldings to match every product the company sells, Pergo has also remained popular because it is a cheaper alte
How to Glaze Metal Frame Windows
Though today's windows no longer require glazing to help keep them stable and in place, many older windows in older homes use glazing compound to secure the glass. Though there are slight differences with the two types (like the metal slips used as glazing points) the process is quite the same. You
How to Clean & Polish a Corian Countertop
Corian is a registered trademark of DuPont. With hundreds of colors to choose from, Corian countertops are ideal for kitchens and bathrooms. Corian is nonporous so it doesn't stain easily. It's also resistant to bacteria, mold and mildew growth; however, the surface stills get dirty and requires cle
How to Install New Double Hung Windows
Old double-hung window sashes were made and installed separately, a task that required a professional. Today, double-hung windows come pre-hung inside self-contained units that can be dropped into the old opening all at once and secured there with a handful of screws and caulk. The process is easy e
The Laws of Laying Tile
Laying tile can be a big job, but the results are worth it.blue tile background image by Galina Barskaya from Fotolia.comInstalling tile on your walls and floors in kitchens and bathrooms might not be the cheapest of your options, but properly laid tile will make for a high-quality,...
How to Lay HardiBacker Board
Hardibacker board is a type of water-resistant cement-based substrate used for tiling on floors, walls and countertops. It comes in 3-by-5-foot sections and is most often found in bathrooms, kitchens and showers where moisture can be a problem. It is used as a replacement for plywood in areas that g
The Best Way to Cut a Marble Counter Top
It is not uncommon that a marble countertop ordered in a standard size will not match a cabinet base, resulting in an excessive overhang or misaligned sink opening, and requiring trimming to fit properly. By following a basic procedure you can cut a marble countertop to size and achieve a smooth, ac
Tips to Remove Vinyl Floor Tile
You may have loved your vinyl tile floor when it was first installed, but after years of wear and tear, it has likely lost it color and begun to show signs of wear and tear. However, you may be putting off installing a new floor because of the hassle involved in removing vinyl tile. It is one of the
How to Make Dresser Scarves
Over the ages, dresser scarves have come in and out of fashion. The decorative throw plays a dual role as a cloak for older furniture in need of a make-over, and as a touch of old-fashioned elegance in the modern bedroom.
How to Calculate the Cubic Feet of Concrete
If you have a project that will require concrete, you must get a correct estimate in advance of how much you'll need--you really do not want to run out of concrete after you have started pouring. Concrete is ordered in cubic yards rather than cubic feet, so you must convert the numbers before you pl
How to Paint Grout, Tiles & Baseboards
While a quick coat of paint can refresh a room, some surfaces require special techniques. Paint can enhance the color of ceramic tiles on floors, countertops and walls, as well as the surrounding wood trim. Careful preparation and sealing will help your new color adhere to your surfaces and keep it
Reasons for Building a Home Bar
Whether you build a home bar yourself or hire someone to do so, they can be a great addition to a living space. There are many different styles of bars, so it is important to determine how the bar will be used and the theme of the room. Popular in basements, home bars add space for entertaining and
Masonry Work Tools
Given the expertise involved with performing masonry work, it stands to reason that specialized tools are used as well. These tools are specific to masonry and make the work easier as well. Some of the tools have been used for centuries; others are more modern equipment made possible with electricit
DIY Solar Dish Collector
Parabolic solar dish collectors are easy to make from household and commonly found materials and is a great way to show the potential of solar energy. We all have seen solar panels before, and we know they can generate electricity, but parabolic dishes can produce huge amounts of heat. Much like how