Building & Remodeling

Applying wax finish to wood is a great way to beautify the piece and to protect it against dryness. Wax produces a smooth, satin appearance, a natural look, and a smooth feel. It's great for all...

When my husband and I build an addition on our house five years ago, we wanted a wood fireplace as a backup heat source. Quite a few homeowners and construction professionals advised against it...

A custom frame accents any work of art, whether surrounding an original canvas, a piece of photography or your favorite finger paint masterpiece. But because professional framing can be expensive,...

If you like the look of hardwood floors, a floating engineered floor may be the answer for you. Boasting the appearance of hardwood but not the difficult installation, a floating floor is placed...

Homeowners have an important decision to make when considering what type of flooring to put in their home. Flooring needs to be durable and safe, as well as fit the home's visual theme.

Pickle staining is a special kind of staining process that uses regular oil-based white paint mixed with paint thinner and applied as if it is regular stain.The effect is a thin white finish that...

The normal installation process for wood floors involves nailing or stapling the floor into place. But, if you're laying the floor over a surface that won't hold nails (like a cement slab or a...

Log cabins were once used by settlers who needed to make homes with the products they had on hand, but today these homes are becoming more popular because the wood is mass produced and easy to...

Painting a floor can be a cheap and easy flooring alternative to carpeting, bare wood or tiling if the painting is done properly, and, if done with a decorating scheme in mind, can be pleasing to...

A pantry is usually found in the kitchen. Pantries provide great storage space for food, cookware, dishes, etc. A pantry unit that has a desk space is twice as functional. It's a great, functional...

When you install drywall so that it butts up against wood paneling, there is a problem. You need to finish the rough edges of the drywall panels. You can't just paint over them. The uneven edges...

Many homeowners are attracted to the simple elegance hardwood flooring can add to a home. That said, maintenance and installation is not easy when dealing with a genuine, solid wood floor. This is...

Although hardwood flooring is sought after by many homeowners, some are overwhelmed by the drawbacks of solid wood and the level of care required to keep it looking good. For these people,...

Engineered wood flooring displays the real wood material on the top layer but actually consists of plywood underneath, making it a great compromise between solid wood flooring and laminate...

Hardwood flooring is sought after by many homeowners for its beauty and durability. However, for some, it can prove too difficult to maintain. This is where engineered wood flooring is especially...

A fireplace can be one of the greatest focal points of your home. In days of old, a masonry fireplace was the only choice for homeowners. They could have rock, brick or painted brick fireplaces....

Folding doors are a common sight on many closets, pantries and laundry rooms. They provide an ideal solution for large door openings because they open wide to allow full access. Also known as...

The most favorites of wood flooring today are cherry, bamboo, and cork. When it comes to withstanding scrapes, scuffs and wear and tear you may want to stick with conventional hardwoods. Plastic...

If you are remodeling your kitchen or designing a new one, there are a few tips for getting the best price on your new kitchen cabinets.

Siding can speak volumes about a house and must be chosen carefully. Fortunately for homeowners, there are multiple options available, including fiber cement siding, which is now used on about 12...

The best way to care for cedar lumber is by painting or staining it. Before painting it, you should prime the cedar. Whether it is used for siding, a deck, railing, or another purpose, cedar...

Kitchens often produce a large amount of moisture and heat, and the flooring in a kitchen needs to be able to handle this. Tile and wood floors are both popular among homeowners, as both fit many...

Laminate flooring has emerged as an alternative to many types of flooring because of its ability to mimic their appearance. The versatility of laminate flooring makes it an ideal choice for almost...

Removing paint from treated lumber works much the same as removing it from regular wood. There are three primary methods that are used--sanding, chemical stripping or applying heat and scraping...

Fiber cement siding is an exterior option more homeowners are turning to, as it is now on about 12 to 15 percent of all homes, but installation problems may be a deterrent to choosing this product.

When wood is pressure treated, chemicals are forced into the wood to preserve it and make it resist rot, decay and insects. Three of the most common chemicals used to treat lumber are discussed...

Treated lumber, which is notorious for warping and bowing, is treated by dunking the lumber into a vat of liquid and then applying pressure to force the liquid into the wood. That means the wood...

Cutting and working with treated lumber is similar to working with regular or cedar lumber except for a few key differences. There are also certain safety precautions that you should take and ways...

Kitchen cabinets look great when they are first installed, but after a little use and getting smudged with greasy fingertips and food particles, the wood may need a little help from you to bring...

Gutters have evolved significantly over the years, as less expensive options such as steel and aluminum gutters have overtaken wood gutters in popularity. Both steel and aluminum gutters deter...

Pressure-treated lumber is used for such outdoor items as decks, railings and fences. Treated wood is soaked in a chemical that makes it resistant to rot and insects. The best way to care for...

Wood is a long lasting and beautiful building material. From time to time we come up with ways to improve upon its looks or durability. One of these ways is by applying plastic laminates to the...

Over time, scratches inevitably appear on the surface of even the most well-maintained decks. Fortunately, it's fairly easy to cover them up and extend the life of your deck in the process.

The best way to care for cedar lumber is by painting or staining it. Thompson Protection is a high-quality stain, routinely rated as one of the best available. It lasts for three years before...

The right porch railings can complement a home's architecture, bringing unity to the overall design. Porch railings come in numerous different styles, with something to fit every taste.

Removing paint from treated lumber works much the same as removing it from regular wood. One of three methods are usually used: sanding, chemical stripping or applying heat and scraping off the...

Laminate floors are designed to mimic the classic look of hardwood floors while cutting the cost involved. The price and strength of laminate have made it a legitimate rival to wood.

The best way to maintain pressure-treated lumber is by painting or staining it. Whether it is a deck, railing or other purpose, painting or staining the material will lengthen the life of the...

The best way to maintain pressure-treated lumber is by painting or staining it. Whether it is a deck, railing or other purpose, painting or staining the material will lengthen the life of the...

It is easy to glue wood to a mirror with some construction adhesive and clamps. PL-400 is the most commonly used construction adhesive and bonds to all sorts of surfaces, including wood, concrete,...

It is easy to glue MDF to wood with some construction adhesive and clamps. MDF stands for medium-density fiberboard and cuts and handles similar to wood. PL-400 is the most commonly used...

It is easy to glue wood to a mirror with some construction adhesive and clamps. PL-400 is the most commonly used construction adhesive and bonds to all sorts of surfaces, including wood, concrete,...

Cellular PVC molding is easy to glue to wood with some construction adhesive and clamps. Cellular PVC cuts and handles similar to wood and is easy to work with. PL-400 is the most commonly used...

The best way to care for pressure treated lumber is by painting or staining it. Whether it is for a deck, railing or other purpose, painting or staining the material will lengthen the life of the...

Wooden steps could have several problems requiring repairs, ranging from squeaking to splintering and surface damage.

Deciding what material to use to cover the exterior of your home is an important decision. Two popular options are cement board and vinyl siding. Each has its own set of pros and cons to consider...

The most foolproof method to secure wood to brick is with construction adhesive. You could also drill holes or use explosive fasteners, but both of those can break the brick. PL-400 is the most...

Applying water sealer to outdoor wood, such as a deck or fencing, is an essential task for keeping it from quickly becoming damaged by the elements. Applying sealer is a relatively easy task, but...

Devoloped by James Hardie, Hardie board is a siding made of fiber cement. Cement is combined with sand, water and cellulose wood fibers to make a solid building material well suited for protecting...

Saunas are rooms or self-contained units that are heated to around 180 degrees Fahrenheit, with 25 percent humidity, for the purpose of relaxation. Saunas are a way of life in Finland and the...