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Wall spackling is the common building material used to patch holes and cracks in drywall and plaster surfaces. Wall spackling is applied wet, with a consistency varying from clay to something like wet…
Remodeling your home's basement is a great way to increase the living space in your home without the expense of a major construction project. With the exterior walls and floor already in place, the…
When plumbing for a second floor bathroom, there are a few important considerations that you're definitely going to need to make. Learn about plumbing for a second floor bathroom with help from a…
Motion sensors typically need to be removed from walls in a very particular way for the absolute best possible results. Remove motion sensors from walls with help from a co-founder and senior adviser…
Improving your ballet pointe quickly will involve the use of a few particular strength exercises. Find out what you can do to improve your ballet pointe quickly with help from an experienced classical…
Removing a wall baseboard without damaging anything is easy, so long as you have the right tools and take the proper precautions. Remove a wall baseboard without damage with help from a professional…
If you live in a mobile or manufactured home, you may be wondering what those long vertical plastic strips are going up and down your walls. Those strips, better known as battens, are seam covers that…
Split-level house design dates to at least the 1930s but zoomed into popularity in the housing boom after World War II. Nearly every subdivision or tract development in that era included at least one…
Add value and convenience to any home by installing a new bathroom on an upper floor. Setting the plumbing for a new bathroom requires you to connect supply water pipes and drainpipes to existing…
Adding a sunporch or bedroom makes more room in your house, but it also necessitates expansion of the heating, ventilation and air conditioning, or HVAC, system, even if the system consists of only a…
There are many prefabricated options for basement bulkhead doors, but wood doors are durable and can last many years with good care. The dimensions of the door are not critical, and the construction…
Designing a basement egress door may require removal of several feet of rocks or soil. Over time, you want to keep the door area and house foundation free from moisture. Sloping the yard a specific…
Putting a bathroom in a room over the garage is a step- and time-saver. With a vaulted ceiling, it’s a good idea to create an elegant design because even a small bath can be stylish. Review home…
Removing drip marks on bathroom walls requires the right tools and a little good, old-fashioned elbow grease. Remove drip marks on the bathroom walls with help from a maintenance professional in this…
Basement support beams, pillars or poles run vertically from the floor to the ceiling and provide the essential support for your home. However, they stand out in the space and interrupt the flow of a…
Weight-bearing walls are essential supports in any structure, and removing them -- even in part -- can be pretty dicey. Weight-bearing, or load-bearing, walls can be removed in part or in whole, but…
A finished basement floor transforms the otherwise unused space into one that’s livable, and creates a warm and inviting atmosphere. A basement floating slab floor is not essentially a floor at…
Craftsman houses were commonly constructed in the early 1900s and their open floor plans made them appealing to home owners of the period. The ceilings often have beams and numerous windows to take…
Houses in warmer climates sometimes don't have heating systems because they stay naturally warm throughout the year. While this is more efficient from an electrical standpoint, it puts you in a bind…
Adding an archway between rooms lends grace and openness. The process is easier if you already have a doorway in place and simply need the arch. But if you have to open up the wall -- if it’s…
Basement vent pipes either pump air into a room or pull air out. These vents need to be finished by covering them for aesthetic reasons and to control the circulating air. Vents are usually located in…
The basement staircase sometimes has two walls all the way down the staircase. One way to open up a basement staircase is to remove one of the walls. This allows you to see into the basement as soon…
Finishing a basement is often the dream of homeowners who have an older, unfinished building. These basements add a significant amount of living space to the home. However, you need to factor in…
A rounded ceiling to wall corner is called a fillet. A special inside corner bead is installed prior to finishing the drywall to create the curve. Drywall joint compound is applied and then sanded…
Family rooms are casual living spaces where loved ones gather to spend time together. Whether they're watching a movie, playing a game or engaging in conversation, a family can enjoy each other's…
The benefits of limestone walls in your basement are plentiful -- including its durability, natural bacterial resistance and ease of maintenance. However, limestone is a naturally porous material that…
Small closets can present the biggest problems when you are trying to keep your items organized. The limited space can be dark with hard-to-reach shelves and only a single rod for hanging clothes. If…
Vents that connect the interior of a house to the exterior can function as unintentional areas of heat loss. For vents that are being used, this is unavoidable. You can reduce unnecessary heat loss by…
Ventilation and fresh air are important components of a healthy home. Ironically, the more tight and energy efficient houses become, the more risk there is that interior ventilation will be…
The channels that make up the framework of a suspended ceiling are supported in the middle of the room by a series of wires that extend from the ceiling joists down to the channels. When you remove…
Sheetrock is also known as plasterboard, wallboard or drywall. The region where you live will most likely determine what it is called. Sheetrock could become damaged by water leaking from the ceiling…
Skim coating a basement floor is the first step required before you can install any further flooring, or even paint the existing surface. A skim coat is concrete-based and spreads over the floor to…
Sand texture is never difficult to identify -- it feels like it has sand in it, and it does. While textures cover imperfections in the wall or ceiling underneath, a look can become outdated. Sand…
If you’re the sort of person who sees every challenge as an opportunity to do something original, opening yourself up to practical tips for finishing your basement on the cheap is going to be…
Recessed cabinets are cabinets that use space within wall cavities or between floor joists as storage, expanding the storage space available within a room. Most recessed cabinets lie flush with the…
Finishing a basement usually requires obtaining specific permits to do the job legally. As part of the process, the permit application must include information that verifies that the basement windows…
Wood paneling is a functional and aesthetic element in home design. Interior wood walls help a living space feel warm, comfortable and earthy. However, sun exposure can fade and dry out wood paneling…
A properly finished wall along your basement stairs helps connect the basement and first level in a manner that flows. The unevenness of the wall along the stairs often creates a challenge, but this…
Garages are roomy, so if you’re not using all that space, convert it into a living area. For example, large families might benefit from a hangout room somewhat isolated from the main area of the…
A ceiling may be covered with furring strips as a result of plaster that has been knocked off, or as a remnant of someone else's renovation. If you are planning to install a new drywall ceiling…
Noise from a basement can trickle upstairs, and noise from people walking in the house is often heard down in the basement. It's possible to soundproof basements, and some homeowners hire contractors…
Whether you want to replace old ceiling insulation with new insulation or remove insulation damaged by water or rodent infestation, prepare for a messy project. Among other factors, insulation depends…
If you are looking for additional space in your home, look no further than the basement as a possibility. Any basement project would be enhanced by a bathroom. Not only would your family benefit from…
Many homes have basement stairways that use rough board railings for minimum safety requirements. When updating your house, it is a good idea to replace the rough boards with a secure and attractive…
A finished basement can add living space to your home and can add value to the house when it is time to sell. A basement can provide an area for an additional bedroom for guests, a playroom for the…
When renovating a room in the basement, you may not know exactly how to finish it. Many of the finishing touches are the same as any other room in the house, but you also need to consider the unique…
Walls require certain techniques and materials to create a finished appearance. The walls running along your basement stairway are no exception, although they may be more difficult to reach. Finishing…
If you use a boiler or furnace as a heat source for your home's central heating system, you need to consider proper ventilation for the appliance. Boilers and other combustion appliances produce…
Whether your use your finished basement for entertaining, family leisure or as in-law or guest quarters, the addition of a kitchenette eliminates constant trips up and downstairs and makes your…
A ranch houses also are known as the Western ranch, the American ranch and the California rambler. It is typically one story with deep-set eaves and a low-pitched roof. The layout is usually narrow…
Nickel and chrome are two different types of metal finishes. Although similar at first glance, they actually differ slightly in sheen and color. Both nickel and chrome finishes can be polished to a…
Finishing a basement usually includes paneling your basement foundation walls to cover the masonry surface. While most of the time you’d want to make your paneling permanent, you may want to be…
Remodeling a basement often means taking out existing, non-load bearing walls. If they are standard walls made from drywall and 2-by-4 wood studs, the job can be done easily with just a hammer and…
Thin brick, or brick veneer, is a facing meant to make a structure look like it is made of brick. In reality, brick veneer is not in any way structural; it is cosmetic. The actual structure of a brick…
Removing an aluminum frame from brick, whether it's for a door or window, is a challenge that you could face when updating your home. Removing the aluminum frame requires that the frame be exposed so…
Over many years, your brick stoop will absorb moisture from rain and snow. In freezing weather, the water in the mortar will freeze. You can prevent further damage to your brick stoop by removing old…
Textured ceilings, sometimes called popcorn ceilings, were particularly popular in the 1970s, but today many people want a smooth, cleaner look. Removing any type of texture from a ceiling can be a…
Some basements have exterior access doors that are reached through a bulkhead, or sometimes through an open stairway that is surrounded by a retaining wall. You may want to remove this arrangement to…
If your freezer isn’t working properly, there may be something wrong with the electronics or the cooling mechanism of the appliance. These are tucked away in the back of the freezer behind a…
Adding the proper outlet wiring to your basement is much easier than attempting to add extra outlets when the walls have been completed. With the studs exposed, it's a relatively easy project to…
After running your plumbing to a shower area in your basement, you have to finish the drain. Placing the drain in the concrete slab is fairly straightforward, however there are a few steps to take to…
A sensitive voltage detector can be built from one to three transistors, which are semiconductors that amplify voltages and currents. A single one can amplify an electrical signal hundreds of times.…
Upgrading a dirt basement is a relatively inexpensive way to add living space to a home. Typically the basement consists of a dirt floor with some kind of wall structure that prevents the basement…
Excess water around the perimeter of a house can leak into a home's basement and cause problems with your home's foundation. Too much water also harms plants and contributes to a messy, muddy yard.…
Create separate entertainment or work spaces in your basement with a project that can be completed in just a few hours. Basements are often single rooms that run the entire length of your home without…
Moisture control through proper ventilation and other means is a critical part of keeping your home comfortable, safe and sanitary. Parts of the home that are more prone to moisture problems, such as…
A basement finishing project is much like finishing an entire floor on your home. Local building codes vary by community and your building department is the final authority on what is correct and…
Elevating a home might be a necessity in areas with frequent flooding, including areas that traditionally experience summer tropical storms and towns built primarily on flood plains. Deciding on which…
Moving a wall between rooms requires careful assessment to determine whether the wall is a load-bearing wall. Replacing the wall or moving the wall’s foot print calls for detailed planning. You…
High ceilings can make a room feel more expansive and lend an elegant character to the space. In some cases, if you have low ceilings it may be that the original ceiling was dropped down at some…
The basement can be a typical storage and utility space or it can be transformed into comfortable, livable rooms. As one of the major elements in a basement remodel, do not think you have to settle…
Generally, to finish a block basement, you will be working with either cinder blocks, poured concrete or brick. Finishing any of these surfaces takes the same materials and labor. The one distinction,…
Insulating your walls can lower the costs of heating and cooling your home significantly. Because of this, most new homes are built with the insulation already in place. If your home doesn’t…
A second story house offers additional living space without the need for a larger foundation, leaving you with more room for recreation or gardening in your yard. Framers construct the second story…
Older homes — those built before the advent of central heat and air systems — may not have ductwork that runs to all the rooms on a second story. A direct vent through the ceiling to a…
If you installed basement pumps while finishing your basement, you probably learned more about the size, shape and capacity of these home essentials than you expected. Your education wasn’t…
Fireplace mantels are the finishing touch to a firebox opening and consist of a single horizontal shelf or a surround with legs attached. If your mantel is damaged or outdated, consider replacing it…
Gas fireplaces burn natural gas instead of wood for a clean, even flame that produces enough heat to warm a large room. Since they vent fumes directly through the wall, there's no need to install a…
Most basements are built with foundation walls of poured concrete or cinder blocks. When finishing the basement, it's necessary to add a frame, or stud wall to the existing wall. These are constructed…
A finished basement can increase your usable living space. Most basements have either poured cement or cement block walls. Hanging drywall on these walls is made possible with furring strips, which…
Anything in your home that generates flames requires special attention when it comes to cleaning and maintenance. Just as creosote can build up in your fireplace, slag can build up in a coal-burning…
Increasing the length or height of a brick wall changes the overall shape and feel of that space. You cannot add to an interior brick wall, unless the wall has space available at the top or sides.…
Raising your floors might be necessary for a number of reasons, including to increase head clearance in a bottom level floor, fix sagging floors, to get your floor off of a dirt foundation and away…
A home’s structural framework includes the foundation, walls, floors and anticipated weight loads on each floor. When you're deciding on wood sizes for a second floor ceiling, a home’s…
Turning a basement into a recreation room or a second family room can help maximize your living space, and may increase the resale value of your home. Exposed structural beams that support first floor…
Vaulted ceilings provide architectural detail to a space and make it appear larger. However, inefficient insulation can cost you hundreds of dollars a year on wasted energy. It may be necessary to…
Putting a covering material over a bare basement floor gives you a warm and inviting space instead of a cold, hard concrete slab. A convenient way to do this involves applying a floating subfloor, a…
One of the great things about a house is the endless opportunities for change. Walls can change color, an old chandelier can become a new pendant light and an enclosed staircase can become open.…
Finishing a basement is one of the most cost-effective renovations you can make to your home. It adds usable square footage to your house without changing the footprint of the structure. Finishing a…
Removing chrysotile from ceilings in your home can be a tricky and potentially dangerous task. Chrysotile is the most commonly used variety of asbestos, which is a fibrous, heat-resistant mineral.…
Ask any family what feature they would most like to add to their existing home and many will agree that another bathroom tops their wish list. In a two-story home, adding a bathroom upstairs involves…
The basement can be a dark, cluttered utility space where junk accumulates, or it can be a warm and attractive area for household activities. Before you can transform your basement into a comfortable…
A shower has what is called a p-trap to prevent gases from your drainage system from coming up through the shower drain hole. This p-trap is nothing more than a u-shaped section of pipe that retains…
Any structure made of brick can become weakened and break apart as the mortar between the bricks cracks and weakens. After you brick mailbox has fallen victim to weak mortar, you must reset it to…
Battens are thin strips installed to cover joint seams in vinyl paneling. Vinyl paneling is commonly used in mobile homes for its light weight and flexibility. However, batten-seamed vinyl panels may…
Older homes present challenges such as low basement ceilings that new homebuilders rarely have to confront. Building codes for finished basements typically call for a minimum height of 7 feet. If your…
A basement can be a mundane place for storage or it can be transformed into a spectacular haven with features that are suited uniquely to the interests of your family. Plan your basement retreat…
Bathroom fixtures can present special challenges for do-it-yourselfers. The weight of these bathroom fixtures often requires additional support measures, particularly on second floors of residences.…
Homeowners with basements can either leave them unfinished, with the concrete foundation walls exposed, or have interior wooden walls framed to begin the remodeling process. Whether a basement remains…
A coffered ceiling is a design that features boxed beams that crisscross to form recessed checkerboard shapes. Most modern coffered ceilings are applied to existing ceilings after the initial ceiling…
Traffic noise is one of the most common complaints in American households. It is not only annoying, but can affect your ability to work or sleep, which can lead to health problems. There are certain…
Your ceiling should be securely attached to the trusses above it, but removing a wall may expose that the ceiling has begun separating from the trusses. Once you notice that the ceiling is sagging,…
Cottage ceilings -- also called "popcorn" ceilings -- were a building fad in the 1960s and 70s. This type of ceiling covering was easy to install because it was simply sprayed on. They were…
A fireplace can be an eyesore in a room, especially if it uses dated styles and materials. Remodeling a fireplace usually requires getting rid of the old mantle and fireplace facade, whether it is…
A stone facade wall is usually made of real stones, cut so that one side is flat and then adhered with mortar to a cement backer board on a wall. A stone wall inside your home can be beautiful or…
General lighting for your bathroom may come from a ceiling-mounted fixture, but a vanity light mounted to the wall above the mirror brightens the area around the sink. Different styles of vanity…
Skim coats are thin layers of cement or drywall joint compound placed over a brick wall to smooth the brick surface, either as a finishing touch or to create a surface suitable for the placement of…
Stippled ceilings are commonly found in older homes. They were used as a quick way to finish ceilings while hiding any flaws. However, stippled ceilings can become messy if they get water damage or…
Nothing about a home's features screams out "1980s" quite like a popcorn ceiling. This previously common type of ceiling included a texture that gave it food-inspired names like…
Cutting a brick from an existing wall requires attention to detail; if you damage surrounding bricks or remove mortar from the wrong area, you might compromise the wall's strength or cause problems…
Uninsulated basement walls can make the floors above cold in the winter and allow moisture vapor to work in from the outside. Adding rigid foam insulation panels to your basement will improve the…
Basements offer homeowners the option for additional living space when finished. However, finishing a basement does raise issues of controlling the moisture and selecting the appropriate heating…
A brick facade on a house makes the structure appear to be made completely of brick. The word "facade" means an artificial or deceptive front of a building, so a brick facade is merely a…
Remodeling the stairs should be part of any basement renovation project. The stairs, too often dusty and dark or constructed without any consideration for esthetics, are the introduction to the…
Whether it's a simple family meal, or a fully dressed roast, a Frigidaire wall oven can cook just about any kind of dish as needed. But there may be times, such as during a remodel or upgrade, when…
If you hate having to travel to tan, or even just paying those never-ending dues to a professional tanning salon, consider building your own private tanning room right at home. The basement is an…
A basement, especially when fitted with a washing machine, can be greatly improved with the installation of a utility sink. Drainage from a washing machine can be siphoned off into a utility sink if a…
Like any floor of a home, a basement requires stairs to be accessed from the first floor or outside. In a finished basement, these stairs may be covered with any type of flooring used in an upstairs…
While living in an A-frame home offers perks including abundant natural light and a loft sanctuary, the architecturally out-of-the-ordinary design also poses challenges -- mainly, how to deal with…
A popcorn ceiling can be the bane of interior decorating because it instantly gives a room a dated look, reminiscent of the 1960s or '70s. If you're plagued with a popcorn ceiling in your house, fear…
Z-brick is a brand of thin brick veneer manufactured by the Zygrove Corporation. Mounted with mortar to a drywall surface, Z-bricks give the appearance of a brick wall without the heavy weight or high…
Beehives located within a wall can prove dangerous, not only to the structure, but to the occupants within the building as well. The honey in the hive drips out steadily, damaging the wood framing in…
Broken bricks in the wall of the chimney in your fireplace should be removed and replaced promptly. If left in disrepair, the cracks will allow the buildup of creosote behind the chimney wall, which…
Adhesive ceiling tiles may seem like a great way to hide a plaster ceiling, right up until the point where you take them down. Now, you are left with sticky adhesive on top of the plaster. Traditional…
The plans for a half-wall in the remodeling of a den can make it an accentuating feature in the updated room. By opening up the space without completely obliterating a delineating wall, a half-wall…
Restoring an old house with a stucco exterior enhances its curb appeal. Exposed to the elements, sections of this lime- or cement-based plaster can crack over time, requiring immediate attention to…
As you accumulate more and more stuff, you may need additional storage. If your home or apartment lacks sufficient space in closets, try adding one. One good location is at the end of a hallway, often…
Tiles and laminate backsplashes can be tricky to remove from your walls. If you go in too aggressively, you risk damaging your drywall plaster. This could necessitate a pricey repair job by a…
Removing a Sheetrock wall from your home is an easy task and can be accomplished with a few basic hand tools, even if you have little or no home improvement experience. Sheetrock is a specific brand…
Electrical boxes on a basement ceiling often connect wiring to other parts of the house. The boxes also may connect wiring throughout the basement. The problem of what to do with the boxes arises when…
If you are looking for a greener way to remodel your home, reclaimed wood offers a chance to use an existing material and add charm to your home at the same time. Barn wood is a popular choice for…
Many types of tile are available for floors, and finding the right tile o divide one room from another can be a challenging process, particularly in open-floor-plan homes. Other challenges can arise…
Soot damage is among the most visible and problematic issues when it comes to cleaning a home. Whether it comes from a fireplace or accidental fire, soot is especially difficult to remove from porous…
Basement poles are an essential part of maintaining your home’s structural integrity, but their stark lines and industrial finish create an unattractive appearance, especially in a finished…
An unfinished basement can save homebuyers money because it costs less than a finished space. Do-it-yourselfers can then slowly make the space livable when budgets allow by completing partial remodels…
Cinderblock is inexpensive, yet very strong, low-maintenance, waterproof and durable, which makes it an ideal outdoors landscaping material. Made from a low-density concrete using fly ash or similar…
Some bathroom vents are not connected to an exterior vent on the house, meaning all of the moist air the vent transports out of the bathroom flows into the attic just above the bathroom. The attic may…
Pouring a large amount of water into a floor register on the second floor of your home is not advisable for several reasons. While a small amount, such as a few drops of water, would not be likely to…
The set-top box in your TV system converts the signal from your service provider to a format compatible with your TV. You can install a TV set-top box and send the signal to a TV in another room using…
Often the best place for the microwave is at eye level, where it is easy to check on the food as it cooks. For those installing a new microwave, they can be purchased with underlights and fans further…
Basement steps receive plenty of traffic and commensurate abuse. If your home's basement steps are made of pine, they are especially prone to wear as the soft pine wood practically gets etched by the…
Roofing material selection is among the most essential and costly decisions when constructing a home. It must have both aesthetic appeal and function, as well as be suitable for local weather…
Adding square footage and finished space to your home is likely to increase its value. For families with several children or adults who want their own “play room,” a finished basement can…
Frigidaire offers a series of self-defrosting refrigerators that begin with the product identification FRS20ZSH. As of 2011, there are six models that fit this category. The designs and features of…
Maximizing the space in your home might require finishing your basement and creating a room where family members can relax and enjoy themselves. You have many options when deciding what types of…
Running a duct from the first floor to the second involves creating a hole in the main duct and attaching new duct work that terminates in a floor-level heat register on the second floor. Homeowners…
Acoustic ceilings, also known as cottage cheese or popcorn ceilings, once decorated only the most modern homes. They eliminated echoes and provided soundproofing. They’ve since become highly…
Removing a dropped ceiling involves pulling out the tiles and then disassembling the grid that the tiles rest upon. This process is complicated if there are vents installed into the dropped ceiling.…
Knotty pine brings back memories of 1950s TV rooms and grandma's kitchen. American dens and kitchens clad in the rustic boards evoke strong emotions. You either love them or hate them. Knotty pine…
If your laundry room is on an upper floor of the home, some of the same performance issues as if it is located on a lower floor can be experienced. Vibrating or rattling is a common problem with…
