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May 31, 2006
Tongue and Groove Plywood Subfloor
When considering a subfloor the best option is usually a tongue-and-groove edged board. These are the easiest to install and don't require additionally blocking. They can be used under carpet, tile, or wood flooring.
Installing a Subfloor Over a Joist System [Homestore]
Solid subfloors make for happy feet [Inman News]
Tongue-and-Groove Flooring [CanPly]
Lam Beams
Lam Beams (Glu-Lam Beams) are usually constructed of Cedar or Pine and can provide the strength of steel but the feel and warmth of wood. These are best used to span interiors and assist in supporting pitched roofs and secondary floors.
Lam Beams [Howe Lumber]
Posted by at 12:01 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | post to del.icio.usMay 30, 2006
Cupola Designs and Plans
Cupolas bring an instant old-world charm to your home and enhance the roof line much like a dormer would, but depending on your design, cupolas are less structurally invasive than dormers and decorative cupolas are much easier to install. They are also the perfect base-point for a classic weathervane.
Where Can I Find Cupola Plans? [Cupola FAQ]
Build a Cupola Plans [Family Handyman]
May 29, 2006
Patio Shade
Before building a patio cover or investing in expensive canvas awning, consider these Coolar Shade Sails. They install easily and are made of Commercial Grade high density polyethylene knitted fabric that provides 90% UV protection and will not fray or tear.
Coolar Shade Sail [backyardcity.com]
Posted by at 1:41 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | post to del.icio.usMay 27, 2006
Do-It-Herself
For women DIY'ers there is no better time than the present. We've touched on this subject in the past but the amount of resources, tools, magazines, and advice that's geared towards women has never been higher. The traditional subjects of design and decorating are no longer the limit of most women's interests when it comes to beautifying and improving on their home. Home Depot, Lowes, and Ace are all paying attention and have created workshops and modified their stores to attract the female buyer.
Manufacturers are also taking notice and tools such as XO (reviewed by Houseinprogress.net) and Tomboy Tools are offering a viable and attractive opportunity beyond the world of Craftsman.
Women DIY experts are also at the forefront of the industry and Lynda Lyday, BeJane.com, and BarbaraK are as influential as anyone when it comes to Home Improvement.
Women Knock Down "Do-It-Yourself" Wall [LATimes.com]
Posted by at 3:19 PM | Permalink | post to del.icio.usSwimming Pool Safety
If you own a swimming pool or plan on installing one soon, please keep these safety precautions in mind and make sure you adhere to them throughout the year.
Water Safety [Red Cross]
Posted by at 3:09 PM | Permalink | post to del.icio.usMay 24, 2006
Deck Tiles
Just because you've got a small outdoor space such as a terrace or balcony doesn't mean you should neglect its features or surfaces. You can spruce up your small outdoor space with deck tiles that come in wood or porcelain and they require very little maintenance.
Posted by at 7:32 PM | Permalink | Comments (1) | post to del.icio.usKitchen and Bath Resources in the UK
A tip for our British audience as well as you anglophiles - The UK version of House and Garden has compiled an online resource of kitchen and bath suppliers, manufacturers, appliances, and anything else you may need to remodel your kitchen or bath. Many of these companies also import to the US so the Brits don't get to have all the fun.
House and Garden UK
Bathrooms Directory
Kitchens Directory
May 23, 2006
Painting a Room
We've compiled some more great resources for painting a room in your old or new house.
Painting Historic Interiors [Technical Preservation Services]
Painting Historic Interiors [Oldhouseweb]
Color Made Simple [True Value]
Painting Tips [Beauti-Tone]
DIY Bathroom Renovation
Time Thief, a renovation houseblog of a 1940's Prairie Village, Kansas tract home, has chronicled their bathroom renovation in a few informative entries with great photos. This should be inspiration enough to dive into your own bathroom remodel and maybe you'll find something else besides razor blades behind the walls.
Time Thief
Bathroom Tour
Bathroom Progress
Finished Bathroom
May 22, 2006
Landscaping Ideas
Now that the weathers warm and the days are longer it's time you put some effort into your outside space. Start with performing a thorough cleaning of your front, back, and side yards. Remove anything from your yard that isn't absolutely necessary. This includes old mulch piles, leaves, sticks, trash, toys, unused BBQ's, etc. After all of this "trash" is removed you'll find you almost have a new yard.
Before you do any digging or planting make sure you have a plan. It's best to look through magazines that picture gardens, yards, and decks that you envision for your own space. You won't be able to duplicate a photo (although you may want to) but instead take elements of different designs that you like and incorporate them into your own yard. It can all start with something as simple as a thoughtfully placed evergreen or a hanging plant. Or you may decide to install a deck, fountain, or pool. Whatever your project start make sure you start with an overall plan for the look of your entire space.
About.com [Landscaping 101]
Posted by at 9:57 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | post to del.icio.usModern Window Treatments
The Shade Storeis the best collection of window treatments we've found online. It's easy to buy shades, blinds, and drapes that you won't find anywhere else directly from the website. They also have a measure and install section which should make it very easy to get your treatments up in no time.
Posted by at 10:12 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | post to del.icio.usFraming, Installing, and Hanging Doors
From the Answers @ Ace section of the Ace website comes a great how-to for framing and hanging doors. This step-by-step will take you through the process. Starting with the framing using 2x4s, hanging then mortising the door for hinges, and finally installing a cylinder lock. Look for a post on securing your home and dead bolt locks coming soon.
Framing and Hanging Doors [Ace Hardware]
Posted by at 12:16 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | post to del.icio.usMay 19, 2006
Art for Your Home
Bring a little tropical flavor into your home with this pineapple wallpaper from 2Jane. This online store specializes in imported accesories for your home that include hand-made jewelry, tableware, and linens. Most of 2Jane's products are created by independent artists so you can be rest assured your home will avoid the Ikea or Pottery Barn effect.
Posted by at 4:46 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | post to del.icio.usInstall Wood Stair Railing
Here's a great step-by-step from a homeowner who replaced his dated wrought-iron stair railings with new oak railings.
Installing Stair Railing [Fischers Place]
Posted by at 8:36 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | post to del.icio.usMay 18, 2006
The Fubar Utility Tool
A couple weeks ago we needed to do a few quick projects on an old house that required the demo of a bathroom and the removal of fascia and gutters. We brought the usual demo tools (sledgehammer, cats paw, various nail pullers). But we also tried out the new Fubar Utility Tool from Stanley. It's definitely got the catchy name to match it's bizarre appearance and although it wasn't the perfect solution for every situation it did provide ample leverage for most of our demo. The greatest benefit are the "jaws" that can get a perfect grip around 2x4s and drywall to rip them out. This isn't a necessary tool but we think it will complement your demo toolkit.
FatMax® Xtreme™ Fubar™ Functional Utility Bar [Stanley Tools]
Painting a Concrete Floor
A concrete floor is easy to clean, requires little maintenance, and gives your space an industrial look. They can be perfect for basements as well as other unfinished rooms in your home but many times you may want the benefits of a concrete floor without the coldness of it. The best solution is to paint your floor and you may be surprised as to the flair a simple color or two on the floor can do for a room.
Concrete Floors [Home and Garden Makeover]
Better Basement Floors [Dollar Stretcher]
Peeling from Concrete Floors [Benjamin Moore]
May 17, 2006
Barbed Wire for Your Home
Barbed wire tamed the West and it can also help you keep unwanted pests and people off your property. A stone wall or wood fence might be prettier but nothing says keep out like four rows of wrapped metal spikes. It may be the solution you've been looking for.
Installing Barbed Wire [Wikipedia]
Posted by at 2:06 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | post to del.icio.usBuilding Bookshelves
For roughtly $100 and about 3-4 hours, you can build your own bookshelves. Forkbender provides a step-by-step that is easy to customize and more importantly organizes your space very quickly.
DIY Bookcase and Photo Gallery [Forkbender]
Posted by at 12:56 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | post to del.icio.usMay 16, 2006
Backsplash Installation
One of the easiest kitchen makeovers you can do is install a tile backsplash. Installing tile on the wall between the countertop and the upper cabinets allows you to customize the look of your kitchen and add patterns or colors that compliment the rest of your house. It also makes cleanup easier as you no longer have to scrub the wall but just wipe down the tile while cleaning the counters.
You can adhere the tiles to existing wall board, formica, or plaster but be sure to clean all surfaces thoroughly and even sandpaper them before applying adhesive.
If you've got old (retro) tile as above and want to replace it you can attempt to separate it from the wall but many times the tile is permanently stuck to the wall board and in that case it's easier to just cut out the wall board and replace it, then tile onto the new wall.
Posted by at 12:56 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | post to del.icio.usMay 15, 2006
How To Use a Paint Sprayer
The invention of the modern day paint sprayer has allowed DIY homeowners to take control of paint projects that otherwise would have been timely and expensive. There are specific techniques when using paint sprayers that will maximize their effectiveness.
Make sure that the paint you've chosen will work and is the desired color. You should test on a piece of spare wood or cardboard. During this test you should adjust the tip for the optimal spray pattern and once you start painting begin experimenting with the distance you hold the sprayer to your painting surface. You shouldn't need to go beyond 10 inches.
You should concentrate on laying a smooth, thin, even coat and use cardboard to protect other sections from overspray.
Move the sprayer in an even rythmic motion that is parallel to your wall.
Let dry and enjoy.
Posted by at 3:48 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | post to del.icio.usMay 14, 2006
Gutter Installation and Cleaning
Gutters require regular maintenance and upkeep and should be checked at the end of fall and the beginning of summer and sometimes more often depending on nearby foliage as well as the weather.
We've gathered some sources that should help you maintain your gutters throughout the year as well as assist you in choosing and installing new gutters.
Hanging Gutters and Downspouts [Dixieline]
The Ins and Outs of Gutters and Downspouts [Extreme How-To]
Gutters and Downspouts [Old House Web]
Roof Flashing Details [Old House Web]
Repairing Downspouts and Gutters [Ace Hardware]
Historic Gutter and Leaderbox Suppliers [Traditional Building]
Houseblogs
New Copper Gutters [The 'Joy' of Home Ownership]
The Great Gutter Cleanout ['Another' Chicago Two-Flat]
May 13, 2006
DIY Concrete Mixing
Toolspotting has been tracking the National Hardware show this year and one of their favorite products is the Crete Sheet by SDS Designs which won the Popular Mechanics Editor's choice award.
The Crete Sheet allows you and one other person to mix your own concrete. Begin by placing the dry concrete on the sheet and adding water then using the handles at the corners of the sheet you can mix it until you get the proper consistency and then its easy to pour exactly where you need it. The clean-up is also as easy as washing the sheet with water.
CreteSheet [via Toolspotting]
Posted by at 6:40 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | post to del.icio.usMay 12, 2006
Real Estate Comps
There are two new sites that give the consumer the power to view real estate comps without going through a broker and it's free! Compare values between the two and you should have a good gauge of value for that area. From a web design standpoint Zillow is definitely more pleasing to use but I've found the ABC's site to be a bit closer to the true market value. Decide for yourself.
Posted by at 1:45 AM | Permalink | Comments (1) | post to del.icio.usSelecting Crown, Chair, and Base Molding
One of the smartest ways to add warmth and comfort to a plain looking room is by adding molding. Crown molding runs along the top of the top of the wall and intersects with your ceiling. There are many different styles to choose from depending on your desired effect. You can also add a chair rail and wainscoting which will give your room an even more traditional look as well as protect your wall from nicks and scrapes. And the final piece of railing to install is the baseboard molding which will finish the look.
Your local hardware center will have the supplies you need to do this yourself and it does take time and patience as well as a little know-how with a table saw. There are pre-made molding kits which make the process easier but they do cost more.
Selecting Molding [Lowes]
Posted by at 1:24 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | post to del.icio.usMay 11, 2006
Hewn and Hammered
We'd like to highlight one of our favorite sites, Hewn and Hammered. One of the few web sites dedicated to early American architecture, specifically; prairie, mission, and craftsman. You may find a bungalow in Venice that needs to be saved or a link to a mint-condition craftsman armchair for sale. If you are a fan of the Arts & Crafts movement or even just a casual observer you should definitely bookmark this site.
Hewn and Hammered
May 10, 2006
Rental Equipment
Even the most well-equipped DIY'er will need to rent equipment to finish a project properly and on time. Even if you did have the time and expertise to operate this equipment, it most likely would often go unused 10 months out of the year and take up precious space in your work shed. Definitely not a ratio that skews in your favor when considering the costs of said equipment.
Rent from an affiliated ARA (American Rental Association) rental center and make sure you have all of the necessary parts and that the equipment is in good working order and you are equipped with the proper safety gear.
Some sample equipment that you may need to rent include; jackhammers, steam cleaner, chainsaw, power washers. The list goes on...
Posted by at 4:55 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | post to del.icio.usAlternative Driveway Materials
Back in March we introduced Biopaver, a living pavement solution which some architects have reproduced by filling 12-inch holes in the concrete with turf. There are now more advanced options that use recycled plastic and virtually make your driveway disappear under a lawn. If grass isn't your thing you can still build an efficient driveway that reduces runoff or re-create that New York style cobblestone street.
Green Driveways [New York Times]
Posted by at 3:17 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | post to del.icio.usMay 9, 2006
Garden Hose Repair
Expert Village has a series of home do-it-yourself videos that are available on their website and also through Youtube.com. Here's a simple fix for a leaking or broken garden hose using a coupler.
Posted by at 10:31 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | post to del.icio.usReplacing Roof Shingles
A recent storm blew some roof shingles off our friend's house in Denver. To avoid water damage those shingles need to be replaced before the next storm. This isn't an expensive or time-consuming project but it can be dangerous as he needs to balance at the edge of his two-story roof to replace some of these shingles. The following sites have step-by-step instructions for shingle replacement as well as precautions when working up high.
Replacing Asphalt Shingles [Easy2DIY]
Replacing Individual Asphalt Roof Shingles [Hammerzone]
Repairing and Replacing Asphalt Shingle Roofs [Oldhouseweb]
May 8, 2006
Cleaning Tree Sap
Our family has a beautiful tree in their back yard that changes with the season and is strong enough for the kids to swing from and provides great shade in the summer. But the tree is constantly weeping with sap from a stump of a branch that they had cut a few seasons ago. This sap occasionally gets on hands and clothing and also makes a dark sticky mess where it drips off the tree.
A burlap sack tied around the tree where it leaks sap is an easy solution to prevent further sap from dripping and WD-40 has a reputation for removing sap from almost anything. If sap gets on your car you should first apply denatured alcohol and let it work its way into the spot and then just wipe away. To clean sap from your hands try rubbing mayonnaise on them then clean with soap and water.
Posted by at 12:00 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | post to del.icio.usMay 6, 2006
Repaving a Driveway
If you're tired of the dust and maintenance of a gravel driveway you may want to consider paving your driveway. Concrete can stain and leave unsightly tire tracks but it requires hardly any maintenance and rarely cracks if done correctly; Brick or stone is typically the most aesthetically pleasing option but is very expensive; Asphalt paving is the most affordable option and requires minimal maintenance but you may not like the look of a black top.
If you live in a cold climate you may also wish to consider a heated driveway which may save your back from shoveling snow after every storm.
Driveway Materials [About.com]
Blacktop and Asphalt Facts [Ask The Builder]
Heated Driveway [Warmzone]
May 5, 2006
We Love the Shout Outs
We want to thank Shelterrific, DHome, and Sellsius for showing C&H some love this week.
We're in Tucson, Arizona this weekend so it's appropriate that Shelterrific is recognizing Cinco de Mayo and the joys of a good Guacamole and we're grateful to D Home for turning us onto Farrow & Ball, the last remaining traditional paint and wallpaper manufacturer in Britiain. We found the Wimborne papers to be bold and beautiful.
Posted by at 2:02 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | post to del.icio.usMay 4, 2006
Cooling an Attic with Soffit Vents
An attic that isn't ventilated can act like a sauna and get extremely hot. An easy way to resolve this is by adding soffit vents. These vents should be installed underneath the eaves of your house and will cross-circulate the air in your attic by bringing in fresh air and allowing heated air to escape through gable or ridge vents. By adding soffit vents you will save more in air-conditioning costs and make trekking into your attic more bearable.
Installing Soffit Vents [CornerHardware]
Attic Soffit Vents [DIYnet]
May 3, 2006
Cleaning Interior Walls of Smoke Stains
We love burning candles and settling into an evening at home. But now our walls are paying for it as they've gone from a bright white to a yellowish/gray hue. This is a problem as we love our white walls even more than our candles but we still want to enjoy our mood setting light. eHow recommends using a soot sponge as well as a cleaning solution of water and trisodium phosphate (TSP).
How to Remove Candle Smoke from a Wall [eHow.com]
Posted by at 12:51 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | post to del.icio.usMay 2, 2006
Building and Demolishing an Interior Wall (redux)
One of our most popular entries is "Build an Interior Wall". We noticed it was a bit sparse so we have decided to revisit this subject as well as provide insight into "Tearing Down Interior Walls", which is much more fun.
Breaking up larger spaces is a common remodeling project and this usually includes building smaller rooms or installing bathrooms or storage closets. Opening up spaces and creating "great rooms" is another popular DIY project that can increase light and add grandeur to an otherwise small space.
Here are some fine resources that will provide you with the details on tools, materials, time, and knowledge required to build or tear down an interior wall.
Build a Wall
Is My Wall Load Bearing? [Yahoo! Answers]
Identifying a Bearing Wall [Bobvila.com]
Interior Wall Structure [Hometips]
How to Build an Interior Wall [Hometips]
Building a Wall: Step-by-Step [Better Homes and Gardens]
Framing Interior Details [Hometime]
Framing an Interior Wall [Black & Decker]
Dividing a Room [Lowes]
Wall Repair [Home Depot]
Demolish a Wall
Remodeling Errors to Avoid [AZ Central]
Demolition Checklist [Bobvila.com]
Wall Demolition [DIYnet]
Demolition [Home Humor]
Types of Sawing Demo [Cutting Technologies]
May 1, 2006
Outdoor Fabric
Heat and the elements take their toll on outdoor furniture. Plastic and wood can discolor and splinter and fabrics can begin to disintegrate after just one season outside. If this has happened to your favorite patio chair or cushion instead of throwing it out you should consider recovering it with a weather proof outdoor fabric.
Vinyl coated yarn is woven into many of these fabrics that are made from a wide variety of synthetic fibers like acrylic or polyester. The fabrics are then made "water repellent" by a chemical treatment process during manufacturing that repels (beads) water and impedes mildew formation. You have many choices in fabrics and textures that will suit your taste as well as work with your existing furniture. Here are just a few options.
[Perennials Outdoor Fabrics]
[Urban Gardener]
Perfect Patio Pleasures [Canoe]
The Latest and Greatest Outdoor Fabrics [Southern Living]
HGTV launches Bath Design website
Houseinprogress.net has been blogging the KBIS show in Chicago all week (these are truly dedicated DIY'ers) and one of their last stops was the launch event for the new HGTV Bath Design website which comes hot on the heels of their recent Kitchen Design site. According to HIP the site contains "lots of video content from their various TV channels, a few online design tools, as well as some original articles and new video content". It looks like HGTV has fully embraced the broadband age and from our end the videos loaded quickly and played straight through. Thumbs up.
HGTV Bath Design [via Houseinprogress.net]
Posted by at 1:11 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | post to del.icio.us
