Building Designs

Using hardwood chips to smoke meat in charcoal grills is a straightforward method in which outdoor cooks place wet chips directly on hot coals. But gas grills require special techniques using...

Wood materials used to build a deck sometimes become warped by the sun and rain. It is almost impossible to prevent the materials from warping because of the fickle nature of the wood--expanding...

This is part of a series on how to build a barn or barn like structure. So far we have included steps how to design it, dig the holes, stand up the posts, attach the headers, install the rafters,...

This is the 4th part of a series. So far we're already stood up the posts, attached headers, and mounted the rafters and purloins. Now its time to do the ridge beam and metal roofing. Before you...

This is part three in building a barn from scratch. At this point the posts and headers are already up. So now we'll start to work on the roof. The exact angle and pitch of the roof may have...

This is part 2 of how to build a barn or any pole structure from scratch. In part one we put up the main posts. Now we'll add headers and beams. Geees, will the fun ever end...

If you have a disabled or frail relative, you may be thinking of installing a handicap ramp in your home. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) provides guidelines for handicap ramps as a...

So you're thinking about building a barn. Well, you should. This type of structure is very flexible and can provide your property with a lot of additional functionality. This article is part of a...

Lack of storage space is a common complaint among homeowners. After closets, garages and sheds become full, many people are stumped about what to do with their excess belongings. Storage pods were...

A deck can add beautiful living space to a home. Depending upon the local environment, a deck can be available for use from six to 12 months of the year. As with any major building project,...

Vapor barriers are placed on top of the ground before a concrete slab is poured to prevent moisture from the ground passing into the bottom of the slab and exiting from the top of the slab,...

All children should have a tree swing to enjoy and play with in their yards. If you're lucky enough to have a suitable tree, then go ahead and build an easy child swing for your kids. These kinds...

Converting a barn into a living space may seem like a simple goal, but it is one that will require a great deal of financial capital and patience. Barns are constructed to keep animals and their...

If you have ever wanted to dress up your stairway, a simple and effective method is to install an oak starting step.

Installing a beautiful stairway can be difficult, but understanding all the components is critical to completion.

Geodesic dome houses are efficient and easy to build, but a major obstacle in their construction is the roofing process. The roof, while comprised of many sections of triangles, creates a sloped...

Carports are important for maintaining your car. They keep your vehicle sheltered from sun and weathering and can act as a storage space for garden and sporting equipment. DIY metal carports are...

Rooms come in a variety of shapes so you have to be able to know how to calculate the area. The square-footage of a room is important when considering buying an air-conditioner or heater or...

Stress concentration is defined as the area of an object where the majority of pressure is located. Susceptible objects include bones, bricks, metal, boards and any other object where the stress...

You may not think much about dental office decorations, given that your patients only come in twice a year, but it is important that your office is just as relaxing as a patient's appointment....

Designing custom storage cabinets is a great way to add a personal touch to any space. Whether you need a new pantry or tool and supply storage for the garage or basement, getting exactly what you...

A Gambrel house style refers to the type of peaked roof that is constructed. It originated from its application on barns to increase the storage space overhead. Similarly, a gambrel home increases...

Laying out the plans for your new shed can seem challenging, but with the right planning and materials you'll be on the right track quickly. Using a concrete foundation for you shed will add years...

Every now and then you might need to know the measurement of a certain area of just about anything. The most common unit of measurement when we talk about areas or sizes of a place or location is...

Stringers are the sides of a staircase that support the treads and the risers. A tread is the part of a stair that you step on, and the riser fills the distance up to the next step. Proper...

There are several types of greenhouse plans available to the home gardener. Attached greenhouses make use of existing walls and doors, while freestanding options allow for complete customization....

Many organizational shelves are designed to hang on walls. This strategy creates extra storage space for a wide variety of tools and products. CDs, for instance, take up a lot of space, so hanging...

Adding a storage-shed to your back yard or property can provide some much needed extra space. The slanted roof storage shed is an ideal and easy to build design for even beginning builders....

Greenhouses provide an attractive and elegant solution to growing plants indoors in the winter. It can be difficult and messy to find the appropriate places to keep them in your home, and a...

Many do-it-yourself enthusiasts will often find that both homemade counters and professionally installed counters will occasionally need to be relaminated after they receive a few years of wear...

Whether you need to get a lawnmower in and out of your shed or modify a walkway for wheelchair access, building a ramp can be a simple and rewarding project. Ramps can not only provide...

Determining area in square footage is critical for even the most basic home improvement projects. With this information you can predict the desired size of project. It is also invaluable to...

They are not the most practical choice for a roof style, but flat roof builds are an integral feature of the modern style homes. They do not effectively drain during times of rain or snow as a...

A deck is the one part of your house specifically designed for relaxing, unwinding, or enjoying cool evenings, and it can increase your home's beauty and value. Once you get caught up in the...

The best approach for building homemade log cabins depends on your accessibility to construction materials, geographic location and skill level. A well-built log structure can survive for hundreds...

Outdoor bars provide an exciting atmosphere for spending time with friends and family during warm months. They are a fun focal point for your backyard and act as a serving counter and table. You...

Whether your hanging a picture or measuring to replace a length of pipe, accuracy is critical to ensure your project is done correctly and goes smoothly. There is an old saying amongst carpenters...

A Solar Powered Home is a dream of many of us, but it is not always a viable option due to location, physical barriers, as well as financial restrictions. However, federal solar stimulus money,...

Dreaming up a house floor plan will delight your deepest feelings and thoughts about the space surrounding you - its function, flow and feel are totally personal. Whether adding an addition to an...

This is the proper way to build a deck attached to your home

I have been a professional kitchen designer for twenty-five years and one of my biggest pet peeves is when I see a well designed kitchen with no thought given to the countertop design. Just throw...

Building a log home yourself is a large project that can take months to years to complete. It requires skilled workmanship and a great deal of attention to detail to ensure that the home is...

The language to represent design and materials in drawings of house plans is important to understand the space and construction, and must be readable for all parties. House plans can be drawn by...

Wall molding can add charm to your home, while also helping cover slight imperfections on your ceiling. Wall molding is a hardwood strip with decorative cutting that you place where your wall...

Well pumps draw water from a well and send it into your house. These types of pumps are not the old-fashioned, long-handled pumps. They are electrically powered and don't require manual labor to...

There are places that we may move into that are very small and don't have any cabinet space, or closets. There are ways to work around this. Shelving open air cabinets, are the way to go. You...

Many modern handrails are designed to aid those with certain disabilities, particularly blindness and ambulatory disabilities. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) sets certain structural...

PVC can be used to soundproof a room in your home. Whether you are soundproofing a room for band practice, a child's playroom or a home theater system, you will want an easy to complete project to...

Shed cabinets are often built out of more sturdy material than house cabinets. This is because shed cabinets are expected to handle more abusive use and weather extremes. Often, the cabinet frame...

If you are planning to install a new set of stairs or replace an existing staircase, it is hard to beat the durability of concrete. Many business owners and even some homeowners are turning to...