Building & Remodeling

Wainscoting, also referred to as beadboard, is a lightweight wood paneling that measures, on average, about one eighth of an inch thick. The fact that it is so thin can cause some problems while...

Hardi Shake is fiber-cement-reinforced shingles used in siding and roofing. Many builders and homeowners prefer Hardi Shake because it is durable and fire-resistant, saves wood and is easy to work...

According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the air inside your home is 2 to 5 times more polluted than the outdoors. Many common flooring materials off gas harmful Volatile Organic...

Ceiling tiles are sold in various types, such as tin, that come in panels typically secured to the ceiling with nails and sometimes screws. Tin ceilings can come in various shades, such as copper...

It may not be very economical to buy brand-new furniture on your budget. If your sofa seats are sunken or your dining room chair is falling in, make some time for a home decor project. Just...

The window casing is rather like a picture frame. Its purpose is to complement the window while drawing the eyes attention to the window itself and the view visible outside. One thing you don't...

Although decorative ceiling tiles are often called antique tin ceiling tiles, most of them aren't actually made from tin, but made with an aluminum alloy instead (see Reference 1). They are often...

A gambrel roof is a well-known and much-used style of roof. It looks like the classic barn roof, with two slopes on each side and with the lower slopes slanting at a sharper angle than the higher...

Provide extra structural strength and insulation for a home by covering exterior wall frames with wood sheathing. In general, plywood sheathing does not insulate as well as foam board, but it is...

A kitchen corner bench provides a built-in seating area in the kitchen. A corner bench can be hung on a wall or fixed with legs. A kitchen table is often placed in front of the bench for...

Attics are often left bare with exposed wood framing elements and insulation, creating a somewhat hostile environment. While you can navigate your way through an unfinished attic with careful...

The look of a cabinet is largely determined by the look of the doors. One of the basic methods of determining the look of a cabinet's doors is in the choice of materials used to create them....

Plywood has several advantages over other surfaces as a subfloor for laminate flooring. Installing a laminate floor requires a flat, level surface, which plywood tends to provide. If it's not...

The term "resilient flooring" refers to vinyl, linoleum and rubber flooring, all of which are waterproof, durable materials. Sheet versions of resilient flooring offer the advantages of having few...

Plywood is attached to the side of a wood house as a siding and a cover for windows and doors during intense storms, like hurricanes and tornadoes. Plywood is used because it is lightweight and...

Existing concrete floors, like those found in most basements, can be cold if the floor has not been covered with carpet or insulated. If you plan to finish your basement or just want to provide a...

Pine is a versatile, soft wood. It is used to make the lumber that frames out houses as well as some very fine furniture. Its wide variety of uses makes it an important commercial commodity.

Wooden kitchen worktops, otherwise known as butcher blocks, not only provide a useful station for cutting and chopping, but also provide an elegant, natural accent to your kitchen. Kitchen...

Installing cabinets is a moderately simple project that most well versed DIYers will undergo at some point. Most of the time it is a simple matter of discovering where the studs are and making...

Plank floors are a type of solid wood flooring that can be installed in any room of your home to create a new look. They are easy to clean. Plank floors are installed over a subfloor that has an...

Plaster coving is an elegant accent that can enhance the atmosphere of any room's decor. Unfortunately, buying finished plaster coving can be a very expensive proposition. Plaster may be messy,...

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...

Making a solar heater for an in-ground pool is an easy way to reduce the need for grid-powered heating elements, which can be expensive. The average homeowner can build a panel from common...

If you have built a counter, and will be installing a countertop, you will need to install plywood before you install the new countertop. If you want to replace your old countertop you will need...

Solar heating panels can supplement the need for grid power to heat the interior of a home. This very simple panel can be combined with other panels to raise the interior air temperature of the...

Faceless cabinets, more commonly known as frameless or European style cabinets, are one of the simplest types of cabinet to build. Constructed from ¾-inch plywood or MDF these slab panel...

There are a number of places that you can rent an outdoor dance floor, but you can also make one yourself with some time and effort if you are a bit crafty with tools. Making your own dance...

Hardwood flooring is generally a tongue-and-groove system that's installed with nails and flooring staples shot in with a pneumatic floor stapler. Since wood does move, you don't need the...

Granite is one of the most elegant and popular countertop surfaces available, and its inherent strength makes it perfect for this purpose. Installing granite is a relatively simple process but may...

Building your own kitchen cabinets may seem intimidating at first, but you can break the process into manageable steps. Learn to see the parts as separate from the whole. Then build the parts you...

A miter saw is a power tool that is commonly used in cutting wood frames and molding. A miter saw makes accurate, fast angled crosscuts in pieces of wood. With a spinning circular blade that is...

Lower cabinets take a beating in almost any kitchen. Pets, children, step stools, everything that passes through your kitchen poses a threat to the finish. Replacing them, even with ready-made...

There are a number of places where you can rent an outdoor dance floor, but you can also make one yourself with some time and effort if you are a bit crafty with tools. 

Making...

You have your plans, the pieces are cut and your spouse is definitely ready for the new kitchen to be complete, then the garage burns to the ground. A bit melodramatic, of course, but lack of...

Building and designing kitchen cabinets is a skill that can take a lifetime to master. Thankfully, you won't have to master all the ins and outs before getting started. Start by doing a little...

A doorknob is the handle used to open and close doors. On most doors, you have a doorknob on both the inside and the outside so you can operate the door from either direction. When you need to...

Making a solar panel air heater can reduce the need for grid power to heat the interior of a house. The unit sits outside of a window, collecting the sun's rays and warming a continuously moving...

A brass tumbler is a simple device used to clean brass, but more so gun cases made with brass. Brass tumblers can be either vibrating or rotary. The vibrating one has a large bowl that is attached...

A compost bin is a great way to make use of organic waste, converting it into fertile, nutrient-rich soil for gardens and even potted flowers. Compost bins can be built and placed anywhere, even...

Laminate sheets that are used for countertop surfaces come in rectangular sheets, which are glued to the surface of the counter. However, not all counters are square; some have rounded corners or...

Use adhesive to install many types of flooring, including vinyl, laminate and ceramic tiles. While you will apply adhesive directly to some floors, some types of flooring come with a self-stick...

You can create custom paving bricks, planters and landscape edging for your yard and garden by making your own concrete moulds. Once you create the moulds from plywood, you can use them over and...

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 quality workspace with adequate storage is something many craftsmen never take the time to build. We all know that if we had it would save time, trouble and money due to improved organization....

Making a solar space heater panel can reduce or totally eliminate the need to use grid power to heat a home. The panel is constructed with common materials, and the addition of multiple panels can...

Ceramic tiles are a great addition to any home and laying them is a great do-it-yourself project. Consider using ceramic tiles in the kitchen, either on the floor or the wall; in the entryway or a...

The exact measurements required to rough in (set the plumbing for) a new toilet depend on the specific toilet. Rough in techniques vary as well. Some toilets drain out of the bottom of the toilet;...

Installing the subfloor of a residence is an important part of the overall quality of a home's construction. As the underlying support for the walls of the home to the finished flooring materials,...

Converting empty, unused attic space into a bedroom can add a guest room, privacy for a teen or adult relative, master retreat or simply another much-needed bedroom for a growing family. Use any...

Plywood is an ideal material to use for garage shelves because it is sturdy and inexpensive. Build adjustable garage shelves that you can rearrange to suit your storage needs.