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Architecture : Home & Garden
How to Reglaze a Counter Top
If you have an old tiled countertop and the tiles are solid and unbroken, but the shine of the glaze has worn off, consider reglazing. You cannot bake the glaze on the way the tile manufacturer did, but you can add a few layers of polyurethane (the same tough gloss covering that is used on wood floo
How to Weatherize a Sliding Glass Door
According to the Bonneville Power Administration, as much as 30 percent of energy loss is associated with inadequate weatherization around windows and doors. A sliding glass door looks great and allows a lot of natural light to flow into a room, but it is also a major contribution of energy loss. We
How Long Concrete Tile Roofs Last
Concrete roof tiles cost about twice as much as wood shingles and about three times more than heavyweight asphalt shingles, according to the Tile Roofing Institute (TRI). Nonetheless, the durability and weather resistance that come with concrete tiles are unmatched by many other roofing materials. T
How to Convert From Acreage to Square Feet
Originally, an acre was simply the amount of land one man could plow in a day with one ox. Modern-day machinery has made that definition obsolete, and governments have standardized the size. In land surveying, lot and parcel sizes typically are described in terms of acres. For smaller residential lo
How to Build Using Reclaimed Lumber
Reclaimed wood salvaged from old houses, barns, and commercial buildings has a patina that new wood can't match. Using reclaimed wood allows for building with some types of wood that are no longer logged and therefore not available new. It is also viewed as a green choice, reusing wood already avail
Small Kitchen Solutions
You're lucky if the biggest problem you have with your home is a small kitchen. There are much worse problems that are a lot harder to fix. There are several simple ways you can overcome your small kitchen, other than adding on to it.
Ideas for Padding
Padding can be used to create a comfortable place to sit or sleep. Padding can also be used to stuff items like pillows or cushions or to soften the lines of a constructed piece such as a valance or custom headboard. Ultimately, the project requirement will dictate the type of padding to use.
The Space for Footings on a Low Level Deck
While the elevation of a deck is an important design consideration, the space for footings depends more on the structure's overall design, local building codes, and the building site's conditions. However, deck height does impose limits on the types of footings that you can use for your project, bec
How to Remove a Thin Set From Concrete
You have removed the tile from your concrete patio or other concrete surface. All of the tile debris has been tossed out except for the tile's thinset---the bonding material that was holding the tile to the concrete. You must remove the bonding material, otherwise your new flooring will not set and
About Impact Drills
No do-it-yourselfer should start a building project without an impact drill. A cordless impact drill is surprisingly light for the power it packs. Though these tools may look like standard drills at first glance, impact drills generate more torque (turning force) than standard drills, thus making m
Modern Kitchen Color Ideas
Modern kitchens can use monochromatic color schemes.blank modern kitchen image by victor zastol"skiy from Fotolia.comUpdated kitchens are a big selling point for homes. One simple way to update or remodel a kitchen is to play with colors and patterns. Modern kitchens incorporate color...
House Construction Tutorial
When considering house construction, there are several things to keep in mind. The construction of a house is much like the construction of a puzzle. There are many different components that must go into place before the next step can be completed. House construction, although difficult at times, ca
Floor Rust Repair
Rust from furniture or tools left on flooring can easily ruin the aesthetics of the flooring. Carpeting, wood and marble floors can become harmed when metal furniture gets wet or old tools are left on the floor. To prevent future rust stains, place a self-adhesive pad on the bottom of chair legs. Wh
Do it Yourself Cellular Shade Darkening
Standard window blinds filter light, but they aren't the best choice for room darkening. Curtains with a blackout liner can darken rooms well, but may not be the aesthetic you're seeking. If you'd like the look and ease of blinds with the blackout properties of heavy curtains, you can buy and instal
Proper Height of a Bathroom Mirror
As the mirror is usually the centerpiece of most bathrooms, there are a couple of important things to consider when hanging your bathroom mirror at the proper height. Think about how big your bathroom is, how high your mirror is and what type of look you want for your bathroom, as the mirror will re
Makeover Ideas for a Tiny Bathroom
Make more out of your tiny bathroom with the help of organization.bathroom containers image by Tammy Mobley from Fotolia.comMaking over a tiny bathroom can seem like a daunting task, but it doesn't have to be. Whether you are completely remodeling the space or just looking to reorganize...
How to Decorate a Mailbox
When people are looking for your house, they usually look at your mailbox for an address to see if they have found you. What statement does your mailbox make about you? Is it just a plain black or white box perched on an ugly post beside the road? Have you ever thought about decorating your mailbox
How to Hide Tile Cuts on a Backsplash
A tile backsplash protects the walls while also giving your kitchen or bathroom a classical, elegant look. After installing the tile, however, you may find that the cut tiles around the edges give the backsplash an unfinished look. To hide the tile cuts, use threshold trim or reducer trim as transit
The Best Evergreen Trees for the South
The best evergreen trees for landscaping in the South are those already acclimated to the heat and humidity that limit the range of more northerly evergreens. These native trees include a number of coniferous types, as well as some broadleaf evergreens. Able to keep their needles or leaves throughou
Proper Insulation for Basement Remodeling
Beginning a basement renovation or remodeling project provides you with an opportunity to assess current basement insulation materials and possibly upgrade them to create a more energy-efficient home. Analyzing the presence and thickness of any existing insulation in basement ceilings, interior and