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Architecture : Home & Garden
Are Landscape Timbers Treated?
Landscapers commonly use treated timbers in the creation of garden beds and other environments. According to the University of Michigan, treated timbers last longer and incur lower maintenance costs than untreated timbers, even those cut from naturally durable woods.
How to Pour Concrete In-Home to Level a Floor
An unlevel concrete floor is useless if you want to lay down any flooring materials on top of it. In addition, the concrete is prone to cracking and crumbling over time because of its unlevel surface. To fix the mistake, you need to pour a concrete self-leveling compound. This product takes the gues
The Advantages of a Solid Concrete Block Wall
A solid concrete block wall carries with it many advantages over its counterpart--the concrete wall. A solid concrete block wall is exactly what its name implies--solid. It can be poured as a monolithic structure, tying the wall to the footings. It can be reinforced with not only vertical rebar but
How to Locate Exterior Wall Studs
Locating wall studs is necessary for any project where heavy objects will be hung from a wall. This is especially the case for outdoor projects that will hang anything from an exterior wall. Installing from the stud will prevent wall cracking or crumbling. Outdoor construction or building projects m
Composition Roofing Colors
Unusually-shaped composite roof tilestiled roof image by Dmitry Goygel-Sokol from Fotolia.comComposition roof shingles are asphalt or fiberglass material, and come in a wide variety of styles and colors. They are less durable than other, more expensive roofing materials, like slate or...
Fiberglass vs. Cellulose Attic Insulation
Attic insulation is used to reduce thermal transfer through the walls and roof of your home. It can also be used on the floor of the attic to block cold air from entering into other living spaces. Fiberglass blankets and loose-fill cellulose are among the most popular types of attic insulation, with
How to Make a Bulkhead for Concrete Steps
The easiest way to make a bulkhead for concrete steps is to attach one from a kit. A kit will include a door, frame and the attaching hardware, and you will not have to worry about security and safety with a homemade door. Bulkhead doors need to be fireproof, secure and well sealed to prevent them f
How to Install Glueless Wood Flooring
Laying your own flooring can be a big job for someone who is just getting into do-it-yourself home repair, but there are some simple flooring types that can be put into place without even having to use glue, such as laminate flooring planks. Laminate flooring planks snap together and lay over the to
How to Make Coffee-Ground Tea for Plants
Rather than throwing away used coffee grounds, make a simple and free liquid soil enhancer and fertilizer for acid-loving plants like vegetables and roses. Adding coffee grounds (with coffee filter) to a compost pile adds nitrogen to the mix as well and is beneficial to any plant in your garden.
How to Install Stone Wall Tiles in the Bathroom
Stone tiles are often less common than their ceramic counterparts, mostly because of their generally higher cost. While they are usually more expensive than ceramic tiles, they offer a natural durability and resistance to moisture that can be greater than ceramic tiles. Bathrooms remain one of the m
Marble Floor Colors
Marble Flooringmarble chess checker board image by Mograph from Fotolia.comMarble is a natural stone that is prized for its durability, versatility and color variations. The texture and color of marble depends on the minerals found in the marble, the amount of water in the stone and its...
How to Install a Substrate on Top of Hardwood Floors
If you have an old, cruddy hardwood floor that is ruined beyond repair and you want to lay a new flooring surface over it, install a substrate first. This is an underlayment to give a solid base to your new flooring. Different flooring materials have different substrate requirements, but 1/2-inch ce
How to Remove Baseboards from the wall
So you want to remove your baseboards but you have never done it before. It is really easy and not too much work. There are just a few simple steps to follow.
Homemade Heating Pad
Heating pads are great to have around the house to comfort any small aches or pains, or just to wear when you are cold or crave the warm sensation. There is no need to buy an electric heating pad from the store when you can make your own at home for free.
How to Install a 1-by-1-inch Tile Backsplash
A tile backsplash protects your kitchen wall from moisture and dirt. It is also a good way to make your kitchen look nice and add more value to your home. Installing a tile backsplash can be simple if you have moderate knowledge and the right tools. While installing a 1-by-1-inch tile backsplash can
How to Build a Firepit Out of Cinder Blocks
Fire pits come in all shapes and sizes and are used for several purposes. While they can be used to provide warmth and grill fresh meat, fire pits can also bring together family and friends. If you've got the space in your backyard and are looking for a weekend project that will pay off for years to
Open Floor Plan for Kitchens
The kitchen is the center of the home for many homeowners, but a poorly designed kitchen can feel small and cluttered. Now, more than ever, open floor plan kitchens are being installed new homes and old home remodels. Spacious and elegant, the open floor plan kitchen strives to be comfortable, invit
How to Lay Ceramic Floor Tile Under a Toilet
One complication with tiling a bathroom floor is that you have to remove the toilet and cut the tiles around the toilet drain. The good news is that the toilet base obscures the tile edges, so perfect cutting is unnecessary. Use tile nippers, akin to pliers, but with curved, sharp claws at the ends
How to Calculate Furnace Needs
Selecting the proper size furnace for your home keeps heating costs low because the furnace is being used efficiently. The most accurate ways to calculate furnace needs are to hire a contractor to examine the home or to input detailed information about your home into a system-sizing program. A rough
How to Install Warm Tiles
Warm tiles are useful in the cold of the winter months. While you can cover some of the living room floors with throw rugs, it is impractical to do so for the floors of your kitchen and bathroom. If you want to keep the warm feeling under your feet while walking around during the winter, install war