home sectionhome sectionDecorative window and door trim is the most visible woodwork in the home. It creates an attractive transition between the wall surface and framework of these two essential room components. Upgrading a home’s interior with new trim will transform the overall style.
If you work with wood, it has happened to you: You cut trim, nail it on and it doesn't fit. Such mistakes result from poor measurements, warped trim or damage from a saw. Problems like this happen even to experienced woodworkers, but they know how to cover them up. Use some tricks that have been around for years, and your trim job will look professional.
Trimming around ceiling fans is something that you can do to hide any cracks that may be present. Trim around ceiling fans with help from a foreman for Lighty Contractors in this free video clip.
For heavy-duty crown molding, making a nailer to attach to your wall provides additional support for your decorative trim. Having the advantage of a fixed nailer spanning the length of your wall allows you to nail the crown molding at closer intervals rather than just at wall studs, giving you the opportunity to create an elaborate crown-molding effect for your room. Making a nailer provides a simple solution for do-it-yourself design enthusiasts to ensure a durable and secure finish.
There are three pieces of doorstop on every door: one on each side of the door, running vertically, and one running horizontally across the top. The stops serve to seal the door and fit tight against it when the latch bolt on the door enters the hole of the strike plate hole in the doorjamb. Typical doorstop is 1 1/4 inch wide and 3/8 inch thick. It has one square edge that faces the door with a beveled edge facing the exterior side of the door. If your door is hard to close, or you can see a gap between…
Installing trim before the carpet is always a good idea for a couple of basic reasons. Install trim before the carpet with help from a Foreman for Lighty Contractors in this free video clip.
Installing door trim on a jamb doesn't actually require that jamb to be square. Install door trim on a jamb that is not square with help from a Foreman for Lighty Contractors in this free video clip.
When installing base floor trim, you're always going to need to keep a few basic things in mind. Install base floor trim with help from a Foreman for Lighty Contractors in this free video clip.
Installing trim casing on a door adjacent to an inside corner is going to require you to take a few precautionary steps before the process starts. Install trim casing on a door adjacent to an inside corner with help from a Foreman for Lighty Contractors in this free video clip.
You can cut and install window trim right at home, so long as you have access to a few basic tools. Cut and install window trim with help from a Foreman for Lighty Contractors in this free video clip.
Installing a door casing in a corner when it is narrower in the trim may be difficult, but it certainly isn't impossible. Install a door casing in a corner when it is narrower than the trim with help from a Foreman for Lighty Contractors in this free video clip.
Replacing the baseboard trim doesn't require you to also replace the door trim if you don't want to. Replace the baseboard trim and leave the door trim with help from a Foreman for Lighty Contractors in this free video clip.
Trimming a wood baseboard while it is installed on the wall is something that only requires the right tools and a little bit of knowledge. Trim a wood baseboard while it is installed on the wall with help from a Foreman for Lighty Contractors in this free video clip.
Trimming caulking is something you can do quickly and easily right at home by following a few basic steps. Find out how to trim caulking with help from a Foreman for Lighty Contractors in this free video clip.
Stringers are the backbone of the frame of a staircase; they provide support for the treads and risers. Stair skirting, on the other hand, is decorative protective trim along the edges of a staircase against the wall. Both stringers and stair skirting are made from wood and are widely available precut in a variety of dimensions.
Cutting an octagon through two opposite angles is a lot more straightforward of a process than you might be thinking it is. Cut an octagon through two opposite angles with help from a longtime mathematics educator in this free video clip.
Cutting bacon strips into lardons is something that can be done by trimming the ends and cutting the bacon into strips. Cut bacon strips into lardons with help from a celebrity chef, cookbook author and etiquette consultant in this free video clip.
You can save energy and maintain the comfort of your home with weatherstripping around windows and doors. Weatherstripping is commonly rubber or foam gaskets that fill the gaps between a door's edges and its frame, or jamb, and floor or wall. Installing weather stripping is not just a one-off task. Over time, exposure to the elements, as well as constant friction from opening and closing doors, causes weatherstripping to deteriorate. When the groove seal on your door frame shows signs of rotting, it's time to replace it.
The ideal placement for a dumbwaiter requires a hidden two-story wall cavity near the stairwell. Building an enclosed shaft is a possibility, too. You can load heavy items to travel up or down the miniature elevator, saving many steps. Sending laundry down from second-floor bedrooms or trash from a condo with upper-floor living space is ideal. Taking groceries to an upstairs kitchen from a basement garage via a dumbwaiter also works well.
Building a door frame for installation under a basement staircase is very similar to constructing framework for any interior door opening. As with all doorways, a variety of factors will determine the frame’s exact layout. If you’re building a closet under stairs located against a wall, for example, you might be able to position the door at the back side of the case, beneath the highest tread. Ceiling height, staircase dimension and desired layout will determine whether you’re able to install a standard-size door or if you need to modify the door and its casing to fit below the stairs.
Crown molding adds architectural interest to a room at the intersection of a wall and ceiling, above cabinets and as a cap for doors and windows. Available in a variety of styles, widths and materials, crown molding can match the decor of any room. It doesn’t have to serve only as a border decoration, however. You can incorporate crown molding into the functional elements of a room too. Use it to dress up ceiling boxes for your climate control system.
Property owners whose land touches a stream or river must often plan for a sustainable means to access the water. A simple footpath without reinforcement can lead to serious erosion and make accessing the water for swimming, canoeing or other purposes difficult. To prevent or deal with bank erosion and ensure long-term access, stairs can be constructed on the bank. Stairs made out of pressure-treated timber, when properly installed with rebar and protected from the current, are aesthetically pleasing and relatively inexpensive and easy to install and repair.
Jack posts and other types of steel columns provide sturdy basement support for your house’s floor beams. But if you plan to finish your basement and turn it into living area, these steel columns are unsightly. You could paint them, but a better approach is to conceal them within a drywall or paneled wood box.
Building a staircase on site requires precision measurements to ensure that the stairs fit the designated area and the construction fits local building codes. You must determine the correct number of stair treads needed, then cut stringers to fit the space, leaving a huge opportunity for error. The simple solution is to order a prefabricated staircase that is delivered on site in one piece and installed in as little as one hour. Stair options include straight stairs, L-shaped stairs with landings, spiral stairs and curved stairs. This option is best for new construction with sufficient space to get the stairs…
Crown molding visually enhances a room by creating an attractive focal point over the intersection of the wall and ceiling. The difficulties in determining the appropriate angles for the cuts needed for joining corner pieces is intimidating. Modern tools significantly reduce this task’s difficulty. Homeowners can use technology to obtain the complex cuts required for applying crown molding to their ceilings.
Cast iron railings are not only beautiful, but also they are durable -- but only if they are properly designed. There are cast iron railings with balusters -- or posts -- that are not inserted into the surface, but simply screwed to the floor or stairs. When cast iron railings are not inserted into the surface, it puts undue strain on the screws, making them likely to come loose. To ensure the longevity of your cast iron railing, use a railing designed to be inserted into the floor or stairs.
One the more obscure techniques of stair building involves crafting the skirt board, the piece of trim that fits between the steps and the wall. You can use various methods to make these boards. They typically require the installation of the staircase's treads and risers after the skirt board is put in place. A different method, perhaps more easily performed by the handy homeowner or amateur carpenter, installs the skirt board after the treads and risers.
Homeowners often choose baseboard heaters because they're efficient, inexpensive and easy to install. However, baseboard units can make furniture placement difficult because they span several-foot sections of wall. Furniture placed in front of the units not only blocks heat; it also creates a fire hazard. Although some furniture can be pulled away from the wall, your bookcase must sit flush against it. Adding legs to the bookcase -- to straddle the heating unit and raise the bookcase above it -- gives you more placement options without affecting the heater's function. Purchase legs that have hanger bolts already installed. A hanger…
L.J. Smith Stair Systems offer a decorative iron newel for your staircase. You install the newel posts into the stair treads. With an installation process that only takes a few minutes for each tread, you can remodel your staircase yourself. Drill into the iron newel to install the banister of your choice.
Every door has two frames. A rough frame outlines the basic space in a wall. This typically is framed with 2-by-4-inch studs and a 2-by-6-inch horizontal header at the top of the opening. The second frame actually holds the door and is usually called a finished frame. This frame is composed of vertical elements on each side called jambs and a horizontal top called a header or top jamb. It typically has a groove or rabbet notched into one side for the door to fit into when it closes. A double-rabbet frame can accommodate a door on each side.
Granite molding comprises the finishing touch in many homes. It can be used to accent a granite kitchen counter top or as a decorative touch in other rooms. Granite molding is installed in the same manner as tile, rather than nailed or glued to the wall like other molding. A strong mortar is used to bond it to the wall since regular adhesives won't hold the weight and you can't use nails.
Compound angles rarely present themselves in wall framing. The typical wood-framed wall uses simple 90-degree angles to join the framing members. A notable exception occurs when framing dormers, the extensions built into roofs to give a home more living space. Shed dormers, for instance, have wall studs that fit between the shed rafter and the trimmer rafter. The studs must have several angled cuts to fit properly. The top part of the stud, for instance, needs a compound cut.
An angled bay wall can open up a room, providing space for a window, a reading nook or a dining banquette. Your blueprints will show the angled bay wall built atop a bump-out of the floor joists, cantilevered over the sill plate above your foundation. You can lay out the framing panels on your subfloor and lift the completed panel into place. Start with the face wall, which runs parallel to the main wall, followed by the angled walls, known as "projection walls" in framing terminology.
A-frame houses have a different structure than most wood-framed homes. Rather than a roof that sits on framing member such as a top plate and wall studs, these homes have a series of rafters that extend from the sole plate at the foundation to the peak of the roof. Installing an exterior door is not too difficult as the steps are similar to hanging doors in other types of houses, however, if you need to frame a rough opening for the door before installing, some differences do come into play.
Small roof coverings, awnings and canopies above side doors not only create a welcoming entry, but also provide visitors with protection from inclement weather. If you're building a roof structure that juts far beyond the exterior wall, consider supporting it with a post and beam frame, similar to a standard patio cover. For covers that remain close to the wall, such as awning or canopy style covers, support the framing with a triangular beam assembly called a knee brace.
A wooden deck handrail serves not only a decorative feature, but a functional purpose, as well. Featuring two horizontal wooden rails with evenly spaced vertical spindles in between, a railing adds a finished touch to an exterior space, and enhances safety, especially for children, the elderly and pets. Although commercially available handrails are offered in a variety of styles, consider building it yourself using pressure-treated lumber. However, before you begin, visit your local building department to get information on the recommended railing height and any permits you may be required to obtain; most codes require that railings measure 3 feet…
Installing the Knight modular rail handguard to your AR15 assault rifle allows you to attach accessories to your rifle. Your original AR15 has a plastic handguard that's not equipped to hold attachments. Once the Knight handguard is installed, you can attach accessories such as a scope, tactical light or bipod. The installation process takes mere minutes and doesn't require the use of any tools.
Worn or unsightly pickets, also known as balusters or spindles, can detract from the look of a staircase and make your home's interior less inviting. They also prevent young children from falling off the steps, so balusters that are not solidly attached to both the handrail and the treads can present a safety hazard as well. Installing new spindles on a staircase takes some time and effort, but doing so rewards you with a safe, eye-catching stairway.
The fuel rail delivers fuel, either gasoline or diesel, to the motor’s injectors. It is fundamentally a pipe equipped with an inlet port at the upstream side and threaded seats downstream for the installation of injectors. Some manufacturers use individual pipes to feed the fuel to each injector, but the vast majority of fuel-injected engines are fed through fuel rails.
A busy staircase can see a lot of traffic, both on the treads and railing. Over time, stains and oils transferred from hands cause the finish on stair railings to deteriorate. But you can renew the look of your stair railings with fresh finish and protect the stain with a polyurethane clear coat. The application of polyurethane to stair railings is similar to that of any other wood surface. With the use of simple supplies and procedures you can give your stair railing a face lift and protect the results with polyurethane.
Steel roofs offer many advantages to homeowners, including longevity, resistance to mold and rotting, as well as easy maintenance. Steel is also recyclable, which makes it a sustainable building material. Steel roofing panels may have either hidden or visible fasteners, depending on the construction design. Do-it-yourselfers can save money by installing steel panels themselves, including the steel trim that is an important feature of the roof system. Trim may be installed at the ridges of the roof line, at valley points where two sections meet or at the lowest edge of the roof.
An acrylic tub surround is what protects your wall -- whether drywall, tile or plaster -- from water in the tub. The tub surround lines the wall around the tub, creating a waterproof barrier. Acrylic tub surrounds are usually prefabricated and purchased at home improvement stores. In some bathrooms, the tub surround is too large and must be trimmed. This is especially common in bathrooms where the slope of the roof has shortened the height of the wall beside the tub. This detail should not impede your ability to install the surround yourself.
You’ll need to put on your thinking cap as you plan your framing design depending on the type of interior fireplace you’d like to install. A direct venting gas fireplace will be easiest to vent if placed against an exterior wall, and the framing doesn’t have to extend to the ceiling if you put a 90-degree angle in the vent for a lower exit to the outdoors. A wood-burning fireplace requires a taller frame to the ceiling to house a chimney to vent above the roof. Once you’ve committed your ideas and specifications to paper, the framing work is straightforward.
The typical quad-level home is a tri-level home with a partial basement. Before installing stair railings in a quad-level home, you need to find out about local building code safety requirements by asking your jurisdiction's building inspector. Typically, stair railings are required when the stairs have a total rise of 3 feet or more. Stair railings should be continuous so your hand can slide along the rail without interruption from the top riser to the bottom. However, stair rails can be interrupted with a newel post. In a quad-level home, stairs might be interrupted by living space and can then…
Exterior doors must be installed correctly to provide ample protection from weather conditions and intruders. When workers install a door in a cement block wall, they do not simply attach the door to the blocks. Instead, they provide the door with enough support through the use of header and trimmer boards. If you plan to cut a rough opening in a cement block wall for an exterior door, then consider the header and trimmer boards when you mark the rough opening's dimensions on the wall.
Adding panelboard to a stairwell can improve the visual appearance of your home by adding texture and color to the stairwell. Although installing panelboard is a relatively straightforward process, cutting the panels to fit the profile of the stairs can be time-consuming and tedious. However, cutting the panels correctly requires only basic carpentry tools.
Whether your foundation is solid concrete or masonry blocks you need to place a frame into the hole in the wall to hold your walkout basement door securely in place. A steel frame usually serves this process, and as long as your rough-in doorway hole is of the proper size, the frame should fit smoothly in place. From there, it’s just a matter of fastening the frame so that it does not fall out when the door is used or if the soil beneath the structure shifts slightly in place.
Metal balusters can instantly change the look of your staircase and also the feel of the room in which they are situated, but installing metal balusters requires a little bit more work than installing their wood counterparts and should only be taken on by homeowners with average or above-average carpentry skills. The job becomes somewhat simpler if you're replacing wood balusters and you don't have to change spacing, which may be required by law if the codes have changed.
A door awning improves the outside appearance of a house. The awning protects people from dripping rain during storms as they go in and out the door. An awning also offers some protection from the sun. Homemade awnings allow a builder to control the building materials as well as the colors used in the finished product. Each awning is customized to the entryway covered.
Wall and roof frames form the basic structure of a house, to be covered with siding and roofing to seal the structure. Both walls and roofs typically are framed with 2-by-4-inch lumber, although 2-by-6-inch may be used in some regions to allow more insulation or stronger support. Walls are composed of top and bottom boards called plates with vertical studs in between, typically spaced with board centers 16 inches apart. Roofs are framed with horizontal joists and angled rafters or with prefabricated trusses, which combine those elements into a single unit. Most houses today use trusses.
