Archive for June, 2009

Removing Wallpaper to Paint

Friday, June 26th, 2009


Removing wallpaper can be a long process. There are a few different steps that you will need to take in order to remove all of the wallpaper. You will not be able to paint until all of the wallpaper has been removed. There are a couple of different methods that can be used to remove wall paper. You can use a steamer or a chemical solution. Tools that you will need for removing the paper are a scoring tool, a couple of broad knives, a small pump sprayer, a steamer, and /or a chemical solution.

Depending on what kind of wallpaper that was put on your walls will help you decide which method you will want to use to remove the wallpaper. If a primer was not put on the walls before the wallpaper was installed, then the wall underneath could be damaged it you do not use the right method. If you just try to rip the wallpaper off using the steaming method, then you are more likely to damage the wall if there was no primer. A solution method should be used in this particular case. If you are going to use a solution method, then you are going to want to make sure that you cover all of your floors before you begin the process.

Once you decide which method you are going to use, you may begin to score the wallpaper. No matter which of the two methods you use, you will need to score the wallpaper. It will help you remove it more efficiently. Once you have score and remove the paper that will come off easily, then you will use either the steamer or spray the remaining paper with the chemical solution. Continue this process until you have removed all the wallpaper from the walls. Once all the paper is removed, you will want to wipe down the walls to remove all leftover residues.

Bathtub and Shower Replacements

Thursday, June 25th, 2009

If you are looking for a way to refresh the way your bathroom looks, but you do not want to spend a lot of money on the project. You should check into a type of replacement where a new product is placed on top of the old. The new is just like an over lay that will change the way your bathtub and shower will look.

This product is becoming more and more popular as people want to flip houses. This is a quick fix for a bathroom that may not need a lot of other repairs. If you are going to be doing a remodel on part of the bathroom but do not think that you can afford to replace the combination tub and shower, then this is a great option.

The company offers several different color combinations. There is also many different styles and textures that are available. This is a great option that will truly change the entire appearance of the whole room. Since this is just a thin overlay that is placed on top of the existing fixture, you will not be out a lot of time or money. The installments will usually only take one day.

This type of replacement will need to be done by a professional unless you are familiar with the way these overlays are installed. Most companies will not sell you an overlay without paying for the installment because of warranty issues.

Counter Top Options

Tuesday, June 23rd, 2009

There are many different options that are available for homeowners who are in the market for new counter tops. Many different color options and material options can really make the decision a difficult one. You may find yourself overwhelmed if you are not sure exactly what you are looking for when you begin your search. You may want to make a list of the color options that you are looking for along with a price range. Taking the list with you to the store will help make a difficult decision a little easier.

An important factor that you will want to remember when choosing what kind of material you want for your home is that you stay with the style or price range of your home. You do not want to put high end materials in a home that would not allow you to have a profitable return. For example, if your home is in a price range of 70,000 to 80,000, then you will not want to use granite for your counter tops. Granite would most likely look out of place. A good material for this price range would be textured Formica. It would give the appearance of granite or other material without the great expense.

Choosing the right kind of counter tops for your home may be a difficult task, but with the help of a local home improvement store you should be able to find a great option for your home. If you are building or using a contractor for remodeling ask them for what kind of material they would recommend. They should be familiar with what materials are popular or in high demand.

Cabinet screw design

Sunday, June 21st, 2009


Installing cabinets takes a very secure application. Cabinets because of there wood construction are generally very heavy and cumbersome. It is for this very reason that choosing the right cabinet fasteners is important. GRK has designed screws specifically for this task, and the screws come in a varying degree of sizes and options. Cabinet screws have been designed specifically for use in cabinet construction and installation in homes and businesses. All GRK Cabinet screws have been manufactured in a heavy #8 gauge (4 mm) diameter. The lengths of these screws range from the smaller 1″1/4(30 mm) to the larger 3″1/8(80 mm).

These screws were designed thin enough to prevent splitting of most cabinet materials. This is an extremely important factor when dealing with expensive cabinets. These screws not only are designed not to split the material they are also designed to provide sufficient strength to guarantee a secure installation. The GRK cabinet screw washer head design presses flush against any cabinet surface.

Builders continue to discover new uses for these screws. In some cases, short GRK cabinet screws can be used in vinyl siding installation. For this purpose the cabinet screws are coated with an exclusive corrosion protection. GRK cabinet screws are also self-tapping, with a thread design, ZipTip.

Addressing basement waterproofing issues

Sunday, June 21st, 2009

Look for these warning signs which might mean that you have waterproofing problems in your basement

Mold and Mildew fungus is growing in damp and dark areas, and cause dis-coloration, or damp musty odors.Moldy Odors are a result of the decaying process from mold, and dry rot throughout the basement.Peeling Paint can be a sign that you have moisture issues and problems. More importantly that there might be waterproofing issues in the walls. Damp Spots on Walls possibly means water has absorbed through your walls. This is usually a very deep problem and needs immediate attention. White Substance along the basement Walls can be a chemical breakdown of the bonding agent that holds your walls together. This white substance is a sign of possible structural deterioration and damage. Cracked Walls should be inspected to determine the exact cause of the cracking and the depth of the cracking to determine the root. Rust on Appliances or Furniture like coaches, tables and furnaces. Rust is caused by the wet environment of the home and it is definitely a sign of waterproofing issues throughout the basement. Dry Rot and black fungus grows mostly on walls or wooden surfaces, causing wood to decay.

Decking Wood Options

Sunday, June 21st, 2009

Natural durable wood

 

Certain tree species grow types of wood that are naturally resistant to the attack of insects and fungi.

The durability of these chemicals are deposited in the heart wood part of the tree as it grows. Three specific examples of these species are Redwood, Cedar and Cypress, which are all naturally durable woods. One important thing to mention is that only the heartwood (inner core of the living tree) is durable. The sapwood of all the species are susceptible to insect attack and wood rot.    

The actual heartwood that is most naturally durable of the species is the darker in color.

 

Wood/Plastic composition

 

Wood plastic composite material is a combination of wood, plastic and other natural materials combined into the shape of decking lumber. This is a relatively new product and is usually better known by the various brand names such as Trex, Choice Dek, or Smart-

Deck – or as composite lumber. Lumber made entirely from plastic with no wood _ our added

– plastic lumber – is also available but is not as commonly used for

decking projects. WPC lumber can be manufactured in a variety of colors, shapes and sizes and with

different surface textures.

 

Factors to consider

 

For many people, price is the single most important factor. Prices continually change, but in

general treated wood is the least expensive option, while WPC is

the most expensive. There are a variety of naturally durable woods

available; and some, particularly imported species, may cost even

more than WPC products. Because many people are not yet familiar with working

with WPC, there may be a slightly higher cost for installation. However, after installation, it may

require less maintenance than wood (see Maintenance below).

Hail Damage to Your Roof

Friday, June 19th, 2009

The spring and the summer months are notoriously known for severe storms. These storms can cause a lot of damage to your home. Often times, homeowners may not even know that they have damage to their home. It is recommended that if you live in an area that is repeatedly hit by severe storms with large hail that you check your roof often. By checking your roof regularly, you may find spots that could ultimately ruin the inside of your home. A leaking roof is caused by hail damage 35% of the time.

Hail can do a lot of damage to a roof without the homeowner every knowing. You will not be able to see the damage from the ground. This is why most damage goes unnoticed. Most people are expecting to see damage just by looking up at the roof. There are many people that think unless you have shingles missing, you are going to be okay. That is not the case with hail damage.

Inspecting your roof for hail damage is relatively easy if you know what you are looking for. If you notice any spots on the shingles that look like dimples or parts of the shingles are missing, then this could be hail damage. Dark spots or indentions are likely to from hail damage as well. If you think that you have hail damage, you will want to call your insurance adjuster to come do an inspection. Repairs for hail damage are normally covered by your home insurance.

Painting Your Home

Thursday, June 18th, 2009


Every two to five years it is recommended that you paint the outside of your home. The paint on the outside of your home is easily faded by the suns heat. It can really change the color of the paint over time. This will cause your home to look like it is not very well taken care of. You do not want people to see the outside of your home and think that you have let it go because you don’t care about the way it looks. This can also be a problem if you are planning on selling your home.

Before you paint your home, there are steps that you need to take. You cannot add new paint directly on top of the old paint, especially if it is peeling off. You will need to scrape off the old paint first before you do anything else. If you have a large area to paint or places that you cannot reach even with a ladder, then you can use a power washer. There are some materials that you do not want to use a power washer on as this could possibly cause damage to your home.

A power washer is going to be a quick way to remove most of the unwanted paint. You may still have to scrape of those hard to reach places by hand. Paint can be very stubborn and may not be easy to remove. After you are finished removing all the paint, you are going to want to tape all of the door and window frames. This will keep you from getting paint on them. You will also want to cover any areas that you do not want to get paint such as your porch, deck, or patio.

Choosing Kitchen Cabinets

Wednesday, June 17th, 2009

Kitchen cabinets are one of the main focal points of the whole room. Everything is commonly based off of what kind of cabinets you are going to have. What color of stain are you going to have? Is it going to be dark or light? How tall do you want your cabinets to be? These are all questions that are commonly asked by a contractor or builder when you are building or remodeling your home.

There are two different options that you have when you pick your kitchen cabinets. You can either have them custom made to fit your own personal style or you can buy pre-made cabinets. Pre-made cabinets can be found at any local home improvement store. One of the downsides to using pre-made cabinets is that there is usually not a whole lot of originality. Pre-made cabinets do not have very many different sizing options. You will most likely only have one or two different height choices. You may not have very many different color options as well. You may have a choice of two light colors and then one dark. It all depends on what home improvement store you purchase from.

Custom made cabinets can give the home owner exactly what they need. You can pretty well choose any size that you want even if it is not a standard size option. You are also able to create your own stain color as well. This helps give your cabinets a unique look as it can be difficult to recreate an exact match for custom stains. You will definitely want to make sure that you have enough of the custom stain or you may end up with cabinets that do not match. Custom cabinets can give the home owner the options to create a one of a kind kitchen.

Sunroom Options

Sunday, June 14th, 2009

Sunrooms are a great addition to any house, they combine the comfort of the indoors with an uplifting energy of natural light. There are several options when it comes to a sunroom. First, whether or not you want a custom-designed room, or one purchased as a complete kit. Once you’ve made the decision, you will have many more to make. Because sunrooms require plenty of planning. Before you make any serious decisions, it’s important for you to consider how you’ll use the room. You may want to add a sun room to your living room or kitchen. Either way, the construction requirements will differ depending on the exact use you are intending on.

Find the best location for your room

Once you decide on the use of your sunroom, you will need to figure out the best location for it. You’ll want to orient your sunroom so that it receives the best sun light. The main windows in the room should face to the south. It will help to track how the sun moves across your home.

Your next step in your planning, should be the roof and room sides. Generally, sunrooms consist of a glass roof and glass sides. Often, special circumstances dictate exactly how the roof and walls will be constructed. For example, if your sunroom is exposed to extreme amounts of sunlight, you may benefit from having a partial overhead glass roof or by having just the sunroom walls made of glass. Partial overhead glass roofs also come in handy when the top of your sunroom experiences having snowfall. The walls of your sunroom can either be full glass or if you want your sunroom to have a more enclosed, roomy feeling, you might consider a knee wall. A knee wall is just a short wall about knee height. It provides a more structured feeling and can also be used to run electric lines.

Bamboo flooring, a green alternative

Saturday, June 13th, 2009

Our world’s forests are vanishing at a rate of 1 million acres per week. This practice has caused an alarming rate of deforestation, and many of the world’s economies have taken notice and changed their manufacturing and business practices. A sixty foot tree that is cut for hardwood floor manufacturing and the hardwood floor market, takes approximately 60 years to replace. Meanwhile, a sixty foot piece of bamboo that is cut for the worlds market, only takes approximately 60 days to replace. Bamboo is a great green alternative. Bamboo is recognized as the fastest growing plant in the world, with a tensile strength comparable to steel. Manufacturers in Asia produce high quality bamboo flooring products. All products are made with a Moso species bamboo. This is highly regarded as the sturdiest of all the bamboo species. The bamboo used in this Ambient  flooring production method has reached its full maturity of 5 years before it becomes a commercial product.  Bamboo is being used as an alternative to wood flooring. Not only is Bamboo a great renewable resource, they are also one of the most beautiful materials available in the wood flooring industry. The tensile strength in the Bamboo also makes the natural wear and tear in the flooring material very desirable for its longevity.

Refurbishing Cabinets: Lip Molding

Friday, June 12th, 2009

Get started with the refinishing of your kitchen cabinets by removing all doors and applying a lip molding to add some character.

Here’s some materials that may be useful:

indoor fans, drop cloths, table saw, saw (Miter), nail gun (finish), drill, wood glue, fine sandpaper, caulk, hinges w/ screws, shop vac, safety goggles, pair of gloves, lip molding

Part A. To begin start by measuring each cabinet opening. Do this with a measuring tape and a five sixteenth inch spacer block. The spacer block will give you an opening dimension that is slightly smaller than the actual opening. This allows you to be able to cut-down the door to open and close more easily.

Part B. Make note of the measurements for each door and drawer. Using a table saw, cut the door to the new measurements.

Part C. Now, it’s time to create the lip molding frame, by trimming the edges of the cut down cabinet doors. Measuring is critical at this stage. Because of the contour of your lip-molding, mark the door for the miter cut. Then make the corresponding mark on the lip molding. With the lip molding marked you should cut a 45-degree angle on the miter saw.

Part D. Once you’ve miter all four sides, using wood glue, attach the lip moldings to the cabinet doors, then using the nail gun secure the molding.

Part E. Now apply wood putty to fill any gaps at the mitered corners and also to fill in any open nail holes. Once the putty has dried, sand with the fine sandpaper and paint.