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According to a report by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, there were an estimated 1.63 million residential burglaries in the United States during 2011. This statistic should concern families everywhere, and emphasizes the need for vigilant home security. A simple residential security checklist can help you identify security weaknesses around your home, and allow you the opportunity to take action before you become another statistic.
The stair newel is the post at the bottom of a landing or at the top of the stair railing. It is larger than the railings, is decorative, and anchors the railing to the floor or substrate of the home. Because they are the first posts when approaching a stairway, they generally are grabbed for balance before ascending the staircase. Since they are used in this manner, a stair newel has the most chance of any railing or baluster to become loose, squeak and creak.
To someone who has never practiced yoga, watching a yogi arrange himself into a yoga pose looks like a straightforward journey from point A to point B. What you can't see are the constant adjustments the yogi is performing while moving into and maintaining that pose. If you want to practice yoga in such a way that it safeguards your body's infrastructure while in a pose, you have to commit to making these adjustments. Learning how to hinge your hips for yoga should be one of your top priorities, as it is a requirement for all standing and seated forward-bending…
Hinging the hips for Yoga requires you to start in mountain pose with your big toes touching. Hinge the hips for Yoga with help from a personal trainer, a national fitness champion and fitness model in this free video clip.
Repairing a wood screw handle is something you'll probably have to do a few different times throughout the lifetime of a particular piece. Repair a wood screw handle with help from a master precision craftsman in this free video clip.
Installing a curtain rod requires you to take accurate measurements of the area you're working with. Learn how to install a curtain rod with help from a professional interior designer in this free video clip.
Deciding on the final length of a curtain rod requires you to take a closer look at a few key aspects of your room. Learn about recommended curtain rod lengths with help from a professional interior designer in this free video clip.
Before you can tell what tax bracket you fall into, you have to understand how they work in the first place. Have tax brackets explained with help from a certified public accountant and financial planner in this free video clip.
Just because an algebra problem has brackets doesn't make it more difficult to simplify. Simplify with brackets in algebra with help from a longtime mathematics educator in this free video clip.
Hanging a decorative quilt requires the proper method and hardware; otherwise stress on the quilt fibers can result in small tears, stretching and other damage. Curtain rods provide an attractive option for hanging the quilt, although the quilt does require some altering to hang from the rod securely. Avoid rods that require curtain clips because these aren't suitable for quilts. A smooth 1-inch diameter rod works best. Select one with decorative finials and ensure that the rod is at least 4 inches longer than the width of the quilt.
Providing an extra measure of security while you are in your home can be as simple as installing a couple of barricade bolt brackets in your doorway. The brackets are mounted across from each other on the vertical structural members of the door frame inside the home. The bolt can be a simple piece of lumber cut to length and laid across the brackets. Even if an intruder compromises your regular door lock, the barricade bolt may just keep them where they belong -- on the other side of the door.
Cedar fence posts look attractive and can withstand up to 20 years of rain, snow and sun if properly sealed. But the inevitable day will come when the fence post begins to sag, rot or split. A strong cedar fence post has a cement foundation, called a boot, around the bottom. If you want to use the same post hole, you need to remove both the cedar post and the boot.
Bolts and nuts are two integral parts of many construction and maintenance jobs. Get tips on working with bolts and nuts with help from an automotive expert in this free video clip.
Railings often attach to a wall surface by means of screws or others fasteners. An exception to this occurs with certain types of railings for concrete steps. These types of railings fasten only by screws drilled directly into the concrete. In this case, the railing does not attach to the house wall. Installing an iron railing for your front porch or steps becomes much easier when you custom order from a metal fabricator. For example, you can direct the fabricator to predrill holes into the base plate, which simplifies construction.
Microwave hoods are helpful appliances in any busy kitchen. When the time comes to remodel your kitchen or the microhood has been installed in an awkward place, moving it can seem like a challenge. Because microwave hoods are installed on a plate that mounts to the wall, it is a simple procedure to move one across the kitchen. But be aware that you'll need a helper because microwave hoods are very heavy.
Because a gatehouse is a building that allows entry onto your property or garden, it can be especially convenient to install a series of overlay hinges onto the door so that it automatically shuts behind you due to the hinges' special design. If the door frame completely overlays the door of your gatehouse, you would need to install overlay door hinges anyway. Installation should take only a few minutes, as fitting overlay hinges is a similar process to other varieties of door hinges.
Shelf brackets need to be mounted properly to maintain the weight of both the shelf and the things placed on it. Mount shelf brackets with help from a home improvement expert in this free video clip.
Just because there are brackets in an equation doesn't mean you can't multiply. Find out when to multiply when there are brackets with help from a mathematics educator in this free video clip.
Brackets and parenthesis are similar, but different, when it comes to their specific function within a math problem. Learn when to use brackets and when to use parenthesis with help from a mathematics educator in this free video clip.
Concealed cabinet hinges are sometimes called European-style hinges. When this style of hinge is out of balance, the door may not close properly, or it may even look crooked. You will need to balance your hinges or adjust the doors periodically as the cabinets and hinges age. Most of these style of hinges are adjusted simply with adjustment screws on the backside of the hinges. If you kept your cabinet's literature, it will show you which screws make which adjustments. If you don't have this information, you will need to experiment with the screws to find the balancing screw for…
You may have a yearning to wrap your deck around two sides of your house. Or perhaps you want to curve its leading edge or make an opening for a tree or boulder. While any deviation from a standard rectangle involves more complex framing, as well as additional materials and construction time, you can challenge your framing skills and create a safe and sturdy deck by tackling an ambitious design.
Bracket and rail shelving is usually made from rails that are fastened to the wall so shelves can be attached at multiple locations along the wall or even moved up and down along the rail as needed. This type of flexible shelving makes it easy to install shelves at varying levels for different storage purposes. Capacity for the shelves, measured in pounds, varies considerably depending on the type of shelf and even how it's being used.
Hide AC ducts in the ceiling with a vent cover. The covers not only hide the appearance of a vent, but they stop cold drafts from coming through the vent, preventing heat loss. Most types of these covers are magnetic and simply attach to the vent. The magnets adhere to steel registers; on aluminum registers, the magnets connect to the screws. If no vent is installed or the vent is another material, such as wood, some types of covers can be screwed into the ceiling.
Sliding glass doors are convenient for ducking in and out between the house and the patio or backyard. Sliding glass doors also serve as a point of entry for fresh air to flow throughout the home. However, they are susceptible to break-ins; and as a result, there are many makeshift methods to lock them. You can install a sturdy sliding glass door lock that is permanent, convenient to use and will not be misplaced or lost, like dowel rods or other items used to block the door.
A dirty cabinet hinge not only looks unattractive, but depending on how dirty and/or rusty the hinge is, it may actually reduce the mobility of the cabinet door. If your cabinet hinges are made of wrought iron, they are susceptible to the same degradation as regular iron hinges, even though wrought iron is an iron alloy. Although you can clean the hinges while they are still attached to the cabinet, removing them from the cabinet ensures that you can give each hinge a thorough cleaning.
Commonly referred to as HVAC, heating, venting and air conditioning units use a basic electronic communication system to start and stop. This is especially true of heating and cooling applications that are controlled by a thermostat. This units cannot run all the time -- it would burn out the system and render it useless. But they also need to be turned on when needed, and not just at random times. The single pole contactor is a common set-up for addressing this issue in residential HVAC systems.
Changing from a surface mount hinge to a European hinge on your cabinet doors requires drilling flat holes in the back of the cabinet doors. The preferred method of drilling the holes is to use a special boring bit and a drill press. However, it is possible to drill the holes with a standard drill and paddle bit as long as you hold the drill straight. Each set of hinges come with a template for marking the holes onto the door and cabinet. Follow the manufacturer's directions for proper placement of the template for your hinges.
Colonial homes have a certain panache that hearkens back to the days of yore when life was characterized by its rural nature. Both large and small, colonial homes had a certain simplicity that was a reflection of the lifestyle of people living in this period. The exceptions would have been the landowning gentry who represented the upper class of colonial society. Their tastes were more refined and reflected an affinity for European culture. Even small decor pieces like a curtain rod were part of the colonial lifestyle, one that you can still emulate in colonial homes today.
Sidewalk bolts are attachment hardware used for installing hurricane panels and shutters. They are easy to install, which makes them particularly useful for the do-it-yourselfer. The sidewalk bolts are also convenient to take in and out repeatedly, and are not diminished in strength by this process like some other attachment methods. Lead sidewalk bolts are attached to a home exterior by using female anchors, which are screws that are drilled into a house and leave an opening for the attachment of sidewalk bolts. This process requires the use of a special drill bit for the installation of the female anchors.
Anchor bolts are more than wall-to-sill connectors; they serve as your structure's primary form of resistance against several types of building loads. Playing such a key role, foundation anchor bolts are subject to a broad range of regulations and building codes. While your local building department has the last word on specific requirements, an understanding of the options among installation materials and methods helps you plan your construction project, estimate materials and discuss details with the building department, designers or contractors.
A kitchen cabinet update doesn't have to cost thousands. Sometimes small details like cabinet pulls and even hinges can make a big difference in the overall look of your room. Removing old overlay hinges and replacing them with hidden hinges can give your kitchen a sleeker, more modern look. Using hinges that are not only hidden, but also self closing, improves function and style. Note that a self-closing hinge does not close fully open doors, but holds doors closed.
When working with wood, you may need to attach two pieces of lumber with hinges so they can move, such as for a door, cabinet or as an adjustment feature on an object like a saw horse. The type of hinge you use dictates how the lumber can move. Certain projects require different hinges. For instance, attaching a door to its frame requires a different kind of hinge than creating a folding saw horse.
A custom closet cabinet is a convenient way to expand your closet space and organize your belongings. Custom closets are premade, store-bought pieces built for small spaces like studios that lack an adequate amount of closet space. However, they also can be added to an existing closet to maximize its utility. To give the custom closet a more integrated feel, you would anchor it to a room wall or secure it to a wall in your closet.
The most effective way to secure a frame to a wall is to anchor it. Wall anchors grip the material of the wall and distribute the weight of the frame. With an anchor, you can hang much heavier objects than with nails or screws alone. There are several types of wall anchors. Some are better suited to drywall, others to concrete, brick and other solid surfaces. What type of anchor you use to hang your frame will depend on the wall material and how much the frame weighs.
Headquartered in Pella, Iowa, the Pella Corporation manufactures and installs doors and windows for new constructions and remodels. That includes Pella's selection of sliding patio doors. If the Pella sliding door does not lock tightly onto the strike plate on the edge of the door frame, it creates an avenue for drafts to enter the room, and for room air to be lost to the outside. Focus on the door latch, which secures and locks the door to the frame, to repair the problem.
Salice cabinet hinges are also known as European hinges. The hinges differ from pin-type hinges in that they are adjustable in three different directions. Moving the cabinet door left or right over the cabinet opening is the sideways adjustment. The depth adjustment flattens the door flat against the front of the cabinet housing. The height adjustment moves the cabinet door up and down over the opening. For all adjustments, you loosen or tighten specific screws on the hinge part that is mounted inside the cabinet housing. You need never adjust the screws on the cabinet door.
No matter how well you decorate a room, an ugly insulation hose glaring back at you will affect the entire look of the area. That eyesore will be the first thing your guests' eyes are drawn to. If removing the insulation hose is not an option, it may seem as if little can be done. However, a few methods are available that will help hide and disguise the insulation hose.
There is a standard to installing hinges on a door. In addition to layout, there are other issues to consider when installing hinges. For instance, many hinges are reversible and work with both left- and right-hand doors, while some are specifically designed to work with only one or the other. Left- or right-hand hinges will also affect the direction that the door opens even when installed on the same side of the door. A left-hand hinge will force the door to open out, while a right-handed one forces the door to swing in.
Most modern doors open and close through the use of side hinges that mount to the door jamb. Typically, there are three hinges per door to equally distribute the weight when you open and close it. When hanging a hinged door, the proper placement and mounting of the hinges is critical to the proper operation of the door. Improperly installed hinges cause doors to sag or scrape against the frame instead of swinging freely.
A wired doorbell is made up of several discrete components that, when used together, make up an effective signaling device. A wired doorbell is powered by household electrical power, and can be set up in a matter of minutes. Understanding what each component in the doorbell system does is critical to the proper setup and operation of a wired doorbell.
Doorbells are a basic electronic system, but they can still develop problems that keep them from working properly. A wired doorbell includes a signal section, the button outside that transmits a signal through a transformer and into the indoor section. The indoor section is composed of the soundbox, or whatever device you have that produces the doorbell noise. A stuck or unresponsive button is one of the more common problems for doorbells to develop.
Without the right nails, the frame of your house would likely fall. Just as mortar keeps bricks attached, nails attach pieces of board. When framing a house, you need several types and sizes of nails. Each size nail relates to a different part of the framing process. Using the wrong nails increases the risk of the nails pulling out from the wood and affecting the walls of the house.
Installing a new roof is one of the most important projects a homeowner can undertake. Choosing a roofing material for its aesthetics is always fun, but choosing the roof for its quality is crucial to building a long-lasting roof. In addition to shingle type, you'll also need to pay attention to the nails you use for the job. A chief concern here is nail size.
In many cases, drawer pulls are not functional, but provide a decorative touch. If a drawer is heavy, though, or is not easily accessible, you'll definitely want to install a pull. Home improvement, decorating and big box stores sell drawer pulls ranging in price from less than $3 to $15 apiece or more, as of November, 2011.
There's a lot of thought to put into building a picket fence. You'll need to determine the size of fence, where around the yard will it be placed, what type of material will it be made from and how it will get installed. If you're planning to install it yourself, you'll need to obtain the correct tools as well -- including the right nail size for the fence. The right nail size will depend on the type of fence you're installing.
Sliding glass doors offer limited security for your home. Typical patio doors have lightweight locks that appear slightly flimsy. Adding an extra lock to the door is a simple way to raise your home's level of protection. Most home improvement stores offer DIY door lock kits, whose installation can seem daunting. With the right know-how, though, you should be able to install a second lock on your glass door in less than an hour even if you have limited DIY experience.
Sometimes trusses are used as floor joists in floor systems. The difference between a joist and a truss is that a joist is a solid piece of wood seated on its narrow side to provide rigidity for a subfloor. In flooring, a truss is a wooden framework that, when viewed from the side, looks like a series of triangles sandwiched between horizontal slats of lumber. Despite the differences between these two floor supports, sheathing a truss is similar to sheathing a joist.
Garages that have garage door openers should have the center key lock disabled. This prevents someone from accidentally locking the door manually resulting in damage to the opener or door when the opener is operated. The door opener acts as a lock when it is operating properly. Installing a garage snap slide lock enables you to have security in the event the door opener is faulty and must be disconnected from the door temporarily.
Cabinet and drawer knobs are more than a decorative touch added at the last minute. The size of the knobs will determine how well they are used. Width and projection of the knobs will help you decide if they are the right-sized accessories for your cabinets or drawers. The answer is not as straightforward as you might think.
Four-inch drain pipes are often made from aluminum or corrugated plastic. This allows the pipes to be inexpensive solutions for carrying water down from the gutter spouts and away from the house. This way the water does not seep into the soil and cause damage to your foundation. If you are installing this type of four-inch drain pipe on your house and want to add extra support, you can find brackets to secure the pipe on its way down into the prepared gravel bed.
