Home Design

Kitchen counter tops get a lot of use, especially when it comes to food storage and preparation. Having long-lasting, attractive material is a wise investment. Today, concrete is one of the many...

At times, concrete slabs need to be reinforced. You can design reinforced concrete yourself--you just need the right tools. A reinforced slab can literally last a lifetime, so your project will be...

When a crowded lot limits outward expansion of a home, sometimes the only place to build is down. A new basement can as much as double the size of a home with space that is cool in the summer,...

Concrete counter tops have a natural beauty, they're cost effective and they're stainable. Staining your concrete counter top allows you to show your creativity and instill your own sense of...

The best approach for making step-by-step plans for a log cabin depends on your accessibility to construction materials, geographic location and skill level. A well-built log structure can survive...

No other subfloor type is better or more suited to install tile over than a concrete subfloor. Concrete subflooring does not move, bend or flex like wood subflooring. However, if the concrete...

Hurricanes can cause roof loss in a few different ways. A horizontal wind shear can catch the roof rake or the exposed ends of the overhang. Second, the wind can send large projectiles through the...

The two greatest dangers to a house in a hurricane are high winds and flooding. Flooding comes from two directions. The roof can be blown off, letting in torrential rain, or flooding can come in...

Constructing a basement for a new home not only adds more room to the living space, but can also offer protection in severe weather. There are basically three types of basement construction, solid...

We discussed the contracting portion of your home plans in Part One. Part Two will focus on issues concerning the foundation of your new home, the skeletal framing, and a few other items. I hope...

Have you ever received a notice from your city environmental department about not leaving your trash bins in view from the street? Not sure how you can solve the problem because you normally set...

Interested in converting a dark, damp, dingy basement into a bright, comfortable and clean room? If so, it can be done if it's properly finished, illuminated and equipped with dehumidifying...

Stamped concrete is a simple process of pressing rubber mats that look like the surfaces of real brick, cobblestone, flagstone and hardwood, and many other materials. Floors, patios, porches,...

A great outdoor living space is something that could be easily forgotten when one considers home decoration, however, you will be the person that enjoys it the most if you build a great outdoor...

Not all homes are created alike. A stick constructed house in the American Midwest is very different than a home in rural Japan that has rice paper walls. Houses are a product of both...

People are increasingly choosing concrete floors for homes, restaurants, bars and other businesses. With a wide range of decorative concrete options available, concrete doesn't have to look gray...

Concrete steps can really add to the value of your home. Additionally, concrete steps are very functional in using for your home. You can lay concrete steps instead of having to pay a contractor...

Garages work hard as places to park vehicles, store yard equipment, sports equipment, do the laundry, use workbenches and for storage. The garage floor is often overlooked and left with a thin...

If you have fallen in love with the curved domed shaped houses like the Hobbits live in, you may have wished that you could have a house like that yourself. It's possible, and it can be done at a...

Concrete countertops offer homeowners an easy way to personalize their kitchens, bathrooms and other spaces. With a variety of finishes, looks and textures, concrete is a more affordable material...

Whether you want to prevent an uprising, defend yourself against neighboring kingdoms, or just have a really unique house, a castle might be right for you. A castle owned by a feudal lord was...