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Architecture : Home & Garden
What Is a Split Floor Plan?
Families with children will appreciate split floor plans, also known as split bedroom floor plans, which are homes designed with the master bedroom on the opposite end of the house from the other bedrooms.
How to Eradicate Groundhog Dens
Groundhogs, sometimes called woodchucks or marmots, are rodents that dig large underground tunnels. These burrows or dens often have two or more openings, allowing the groundhog a route of escape when in danger. Although most groundhogs do not present any threat to homeowners, they are known for des
Ideas for Kitchen Countertops
Countertops are an important design and functional feature in a kitchen.Modern elegant kitchen image by MAXFX from Fotolia.comHomeowners select countertops that reflect how they want their kitchen to feel when they prepare, serve and enjoy food. The materials used for countertops have...
How to Apply Protectant on Outdoor Slate Tile
A protectant is a chemical substance that provides a shiny or matte finish to your outdoor slate tile, and it also adds a layer of protection for worn and damaged tiles. Slate tile is strong and not as porous as other materials, but moisture can affect areas of the tile that are cracked or damaged.
How to Plaster Internal Walls
Plaster can cover many types of internal, or 'interior,' walls. These include wood lathe as well as masonry. Apply plaster in layers, starting with a base layer that adheres to the rough wall itself. A second layer provides depth and evens out the surface. Finally, a thin top layer of finer plaster
How to Cut a Counter Top
Countertops are constructed of various types of materials, but one of the most common is laminate. Laminate is typically applied to a wooden subsurface, which will make it fairly easy to cut using a power saw. With a laminate countertop, you will usually either be cutting an overhang or making a hol
How to Keep Double Hung Windows Clean
Double-hung windows are a popular window treatment for newer homes and apartments that provide two thick panes of glass, which insulates the window to prevent air from coming in during the winter and from seeping out during the summer. The common feature of double-hung windows is the ability to fold
Contemporary Ideas for a Kitchen
When a traditional, homey kitchen is not your style, a contemporary design creates a modern feeling in one of the most highly-trafficked rooms in the house. Contemporary kitchens do not have to be done in chrome and high-shine steel. And they can be worked into any type of home decor scheme and floo
How to Bend Polyisocyanurate Foam Board
Polyisocyanurate foam board is rigid foam used for insulation. Because of the board's excellent thermal properties, you can use thinner foam boards in place of thicker foam boards made of polystyrene and polyurethane. Polyisocyanurate is found with a range of R-values from 5.6 to 8 per inch of thick
How to Set Exterior Tile
Setting exterior tile is very similar to laying a tile floor inside your home. The main difference is that you must use tiles durable enough to withstand the elements. Tiles with a glossy glaze get slippery when they are wet, so they aren't well suited for exterior use. Unglazed ceramic tile is a go
How Do Fire Doors Work?
Fire doors are used to stop the spread of fire in a building by cutting off one section of the building from another. When the fire doors close, they prevent air, smoke and fire from circulating to other parts of the building. Fire doors are made of several layers of fire proof materials...
How to Remove Old Wax from a Hardwood Floor Finish
Hardwood floors are a popular choice for homeowners. Many people rip up carpeting in order to reveal a home's original wood flooring. Wood floors are capable of handling a multitude of household sins, such as spills, scratches and stains. However, to ensure that your hardwood floor can withstand dai
DIY Insect Fogger
An insect fogger is a tool used for outdoor pest control. Unlike chemical insect control, insect foggers do not harm the environment or human skin. The devices use smoke that insects are attracted to because of the included potassium nitrate. Commercial foggers are quite expensive. You can make your
How to Paint and Plaster Drywall
Drywall panels give you a nice flat wall surface, suitable for painting or for hanging wallpaper. But, before you can paint, you must finish the panels with drywall plaster. For the best results, it's essential that you apply the drywall plaster, also called drywall compound, in specific steps that
How to Repair a Laminate Floor Joint
The tongue and groove system utilized by laminate floor systems may sometimes pull apart at the joints. Whether it’s a small crack or a larger problem that results in the laminate floor peaking along the seams, it is possible to repair the problem. Because laminate flooring is a free-float
Solar Photovoltaic Installation
Photovoltaic (PV) refers to a solar system that generates energy using solar panels or modules. Most PV systems allow property owners to use solar energy, which supplements a standard grid connection. Sometimes, owners install photovoltaic systems to generate 100 percent of their electrical needs. S
How to Build a Homemade Solar Cell
Factory-produced solar cells are manufactured using silicates, and these are beyond the reach of a home project. However, a different kind of homemade solar power cell can be built in virtually any kitchen using only an electric stove and a few other basic tools. While these cells have a limited pow
Granite Installation Tools & Techniques
Granite tile is, in many ways, the ultimate tile. Whether on a floor or a countertop, it's considered to be among the finest materials you can use because of its natural, rock-solid beauty and its enduring strength. That extreme hardness is the same characteristic that makes granite among the most d
Type of Vacuum to Use on Wood & Laminate Flooring
Your wood and laminate flooring is durable and beautiful. You may be wondering how to maintain that beauty. The best way is by vacuuming with a stick-type vacuum and dust mopping the floor on a regular schedule. Stick-type vacuums are inexpensive and available at many retail outlets.
Odor Removal From Crawl Spaces
A crawl space odor can intensify over time and make for an unpleasant area of your home. Eliminating odors from the crawl space can help you reclaim the extra storage space and prevent rodents and insects from making their home there. In order to eliminate the odor, you must determine the cause, and