Architecture

Most freight elevators use the exact same control system as passenger elevators. The elevator rides up and down in a vertical track. It is attached to a winch, powered by an electric motor. The...

Though our modern homes are swaying from the adopted English design, these time-honored homes can still be seen throughout the nation. From a one-room log cabin high in Appalachia to grand...

Automobiles have not only changed how we travel, but how our homes look. As cars became more and more common at the turn of the 20th century, people needed a shelter in which to park and care for...

For the greater part of history, architectural plans were drawn by hand. Modern technology drastically reduced the time needed to copy such documents with reprographics (mechanical copying), and...

A geodesic dome house can be built more quickly and less expensively than a conventional house, and it makes an appealing and unique living structure. An extremely simple house can be built by...

The architect scale is a vital tool for any drafter, and possibly the most important. Like most hand tools, this can be intimidating to anyone who has not used it before, but this is a tool that...

The term "cubic feet" seem to be a complicated subject for some people who would think it is too technical for them. It is simply measuring a box on 3 sides: length, width and height! ...

There are dozens of different types of commercial buildings worldwide, ranging from basic laundromats and pubs to opulent hotels and majestic commercial banks. Commercial buildings usually...

Their ability to stand among ruins and hold massive structures all the while mesmerize with their ornate beauty could be why people come from all over the world to visit famous columned...

Bamboo makes an excellent building material. Furniture and buildings constructed of bamboo have an exotic look. The plant is also one of the fastest growing in the world, making it an abundant...

Base moulding is like icing on a cake. It enhances a room and makes it look finished. Do-it-yourself carpenters can take on a DIY base moulding project in a few hours with great results. Before...

Building a staircase can difficult or hard. One of the easiest staircases to build is a basic wooden staircase. A wooden staircase only uses three types of wood, and a sturdy one can be put up...

Stickley furniture--made in the workshops of Gustav Stickley--is prized as the best representation of the American Arts and Crafts period of furniture making. Depending on its style and condition,...

According to Wayne Drake in his book, "Crown Molding & Trim, Install it Like a Pro," the most common mistake when installing crown moulding is nailing the moulding too low or too high on the...

I've been building a tiny house from mostly scrap wood and shipping pallets. The idea is that when it's done it will cost nothing. All expenses will be offset by selling free stuff I find on...

You will learn how to read architectural pl;ans and interpret dimensions.

Perhaps you recognize the name of Frank Lloyd Wright, one of America’s greatest architects of the past. Or maybe you’ve heard of that other Frank — Frank Gehry, one of today’s hottest architects....

You may find yourself with the need to determine the size of your home, whether for planning an addition or for planning a more efficient use of your available floor space. Home sizes are stated...

One of the benefits of cutting crown molding on a compound miter saw is that you can lay the molding flat on the saw when you cut it. In contrast, if you were using a basic miter saw you would...

Designing your own home floor plan can be both satisfying and cost-efficient. Without the expertise of an architect, you can produce a set of professional floor plans suitable for development into...

Plywood comes in five grades: A, B, C, C plugged, and D. The grade refers to the appearance and strength of the plywood. The higher the grade, the stronger the wood. Plywood with more...

Most homebuilders choose a roof design for residential construction from these six popular styles: gable, hip, gambrel, mansard, flat and shed. Mixing roof styles on a single house is common, and...

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...