Architecture

Streams are channels of flowing water that are smaller in size than rivers. These ecosystems include various communities of plant and animal species.

For many homes with sloped roofs, the roof is a visible and dominant feature. When it is time to replace the shingles, you want to choose the best color that goes with your house. Before making...

We all have an impact on our environment. Our energy consumption, pollution, and garbage that we make all impacts the world we live in. Many of us would love to be more green, and keep our impact...

Wood is heat treated to meet ISPM (International Standards for Phytosanitary Measures) regulations and to kill wood pests. However, while there are benefits to heat treating wood materials, there...

Curb appeal is important to many homeowners, and porches are an important feature because they frame your home. Fortunately, there are many types of porches, so you can choose just the look you need.

A pilaster is an architectural element that looks like half of a column, or a column built into a wall that projects slightly from the facade or front of a building.

Have you ever wondered how to figure how much concrete is needed for, lets say, a small deck patio? Well, if you know your math conversions, it can be rather simple. If you don't know your...

A brick mailbox has the ability to make any home look more elegant. This project doesn't require any special masonry skills, but it does require attention to detail and a little planning ahead to...

As evident in the Great Pyramid of Giza, brick and stone facings can withstand the weathering of time and the elements. Today there are many types of brick facings that can add appeal to a...

Levels are designed to determine a true vertical or horizontal plane. Not only is it a necessary tool used in various professions but many nonprofessionals have a level in their toolboxes.

Alternative home foundations offer new homeowners a perfect opportunity to choose sustainable building materials. Contemporary engineers continuously test new cement mixes containing recycled...

TORX screws are a specific type of screw that require a special driver to install or remove. The TORX bit is a star-shaped bit that provides a large amount of surface area that can be mated to the...

The following steps can help you plan, develop and construct your own cabin foundation with minimal cost, and it can be fabricated by yourself or with a little help from a friend. This cabin...

You can create How To articles on just about anything, but why not publish one that’s in demand? Here you can find the articles most frequently requested by the eHow community. If your article...

When discussion of designing a Caribbean beach home arises, your alter ego may taunt, "No way." You're not the only person whose bigger-than-life dreams seem to be perpetually on hold, but be of...

Woodwork adds charm and class to any space. Providing excellent storage, architectural detail and a sense of sophistication, built-in cupboards are a do-it-yourself project anyone with a basic...

Adding crown moulding to any room can enhance its elegance and architecture. There are many styles and types of crown moulding, which makes it difficult to select the perfect crown moulding for...

Building a rustic wood fence is a good way to visually define an area such as a yard or garden. In some cases, the fence may be intended to keep animals out or in, and in other cases they just may...

A pergola is used to define spaces and provide a focal point in the garden. When covered with cloth or used to support climbing plants, a pergola can provide a cool, shady place to retreat. It...

When it comes to building structures, a pergola isn't exactly functional. It has no doors, windows or walls. The slats in the roof do not block much sun unless the structure is being used to...

The 21st century is full of unique designs and environmentally-friendly concepts geared towards the future of architecture. In addition to new constructs, older models are being adapted for modern...

Columns have long been used in construction, and throughout history civilizations used Greek architecture as a basis in their buildings. Greek column styles influenced Roman construction and are...

When looking to build a deck, two alternatives are vinyl decking and recycled plastic. As the name implies, recycled plastic is a composite material in which recovered plastic is one of the...

There are as many tried and true ways to build a cabin as there are plans to choose from, but building a cabin inexpensively adds a particular challenge. Nontheless, it is possible to build an...

Modern residential buildings are generally framed with either a combination of concrete and steel or with timber. Each has a distinct set of advantages and disadvantages, and the choice of...

Stairways have a number of steps that lead from one level to another and are installed between two or more floors of a building or a home. Stairs should be safe and easy to climb up and down and...

Installing a ceiling in your garage cuts down on noise inside the house, adds insulating value, reflects light downward to aid in work projects and creates a more finished look. For a...

The roof is one of the most important parts of any structure since it serves to protect the interior from the outside weather and climate. Roof designs are expected to survive the trials of time...

House auctions can be an efficient way of selling a house, or an inexpensive way of buying one. An auction generally happens quickly, giving buyers little time to make their decision, but if they...

Building a cabin in the backyard may provide the respite you need from the stresses of everyday life. Many people do not have the time to drop everything and travel to a faraway timeshare or...

There are a number of reasons buyers might be torn between an existing house and the prospect of building their own home. An existing house is a known quantity that's usually ready for habitation...

Domes are a recognizable staple of architecture going back thousands of years. They have been used on many memorable buildings and sites, such as the Pantheon in Italy, the Capital Building in...

In 2003 our family out-grew our existing house. Henceforth we sold it and purchased a couple of acres and acquired a contractor to build a larger house with move-in date Spring of 2004. At the...

A hot tub can be a good way to find relaxation. It can also be a good investment in your home. If you decide to purchase a hot tub, there are obviously a few things to consider, like whether to...

How to make a super sleek, hygienic high end euro/contemporary ultra modern kitchen backsplash for cheap!

You want to build a new home or a small commercial project. You’ll learn which standard contract is appropriate and insight into its use. The recommended contract is the AIA Document A105-2007...

There's a new trend in the modern real estate market — and it may just be the solution to turning our struggling economy around. Smart home buyers are checking their egos at the door and...

Our sun is an amazingly abundant source of power, in fact, it has more than enough energy to provide power for the whole word's needs. It does not emit carbon dioxide and it's a renewable...

Floor plans are scale diagrams of a room or floor of a house or building as drawn by a house designer or architect. Floor plans will depict the location of walls, doors and windows, and all...

When building a small home you usually have less space and money to work with, so the planning portion of the construction is the most important part. A small house is technically categorized by...

The column has grown to be one of the most commonly used and popular features in architecture. From the ancient world to today, the column has been used in tens of thousands of structures around...

As the year quickly draws to a close people across the country are making major decisions concerning their life and where to live it. With the state of our economy many are packing up and moving...

A staircase may be called a stairway, a stairwell, a flight of stairs or, simply, stairs. A staircase enables people to go up and down between floors, and can be either straight or spiral, or...

Building a small vacation cabin may provide the respite needed from long days at work or from the stresses of everyday life. Simply to use on the weekends, during holidays, or on long summer...

Building a quaint cabin along a river somewhere in the backwoods is many an adventurer's dream. Much like Thoreau decided that dropping out of society to live amongst nature was not only a...

Building a quaint cabin in the backyard may provide the respite needed from long days at work or from the stresses of everyday life. Much as Thoreau decided that dropping out of society to live...

A courtyard is a secluded area with at least three walls, usually on the exterior of a house near the front entryway, but some of the most spectacular courtyards are inside the house, surrounded...

With the big push for renewable energy and inexpensive housing, more and more consumers are looking to the dome home as a practical, affordable alternative to the more expensive trophy home. A...

Lumber doesn't fare well unprotected. The sun's ultraviolet rays are always on the attack, breaking down lignin, the polymer in wood that gives it rigidity. Rain and sun swell and dry wood,...

A mechanical drawing is a detailed, technical drawing of an object, such as furniture, to show each part and its dimensions. Mechanical drawings are used in numerous fields, and are done by...