Hands-on how-tos for your home, your hobbies and the road.
Home Repair · 128 guides · Page 4
Trusses are engineered framing components built from triangular sections held together with metal connector plates. You can buy stock trusses from lumber suppliers, or have them made to order for your project's dimensions.
Building a fence around your property can serve multiple purposes, from containing pets and kids to deterring intruders or simply enhancing your yard's look. The staggering technique comes into play when you attach the rails, and it minimizes the number of joints on each post, resulting in a more durable fence over time.
Sleeve anchors secure objects to masonry surfaces by expanding their threaded section within the material, creating a firm hold. Because of this tight grip, taking the anchors out is challenging. Rather than yanking them out and risking damage or injury, you can countersink the anchors and patch the surface.
DuPont's synthetic house wrap can be fastened over masonry surfaces such as concrete, brick and cinder block, not only over wood framing. This guide walks through priming the wall, laying out a fastener grid, drilling and cleaning pilot holes, anchoring the wrap with capped Tapcon screws, and sealing the seams with flashing tape so the membrane stays weathertight.
Open eaves let weather in and allow conditioned air to escape, driving up utility costs. By sealing these openings with wire mesh and adding proper insulation, homeowners can reduce energy loss and keep pests out. This guide outlines the necessary tools and a four-step process to close off eaves safely and effectively.
This article walks through the process of removing and replacing a faulty safety relief valve on an air compressor, from shutting off power to testing the new valve.
Building a U-shaped staircase is more complex than a straight one, but it saves space in tight areas. Doing some initial calculations can help.
Driftwood has a weathered, unique appearance even before you start carving. Since it has traveled through rivers or oceans, it often looks as if it could be something else, sparking ideas for what you might create. Collecting, preparing, and carving driftwood into art can be a fulfilling pastime.
Improving the acoustics of a concrete ceiling requires a different approach than standard ceiling insulation. Because concrete is a solid mass, you cannot add insulation inside it, and fastening drywall directly to it does little to stop sound. The solution involves building a framework that creates an air gap, then layering sound-resistant materials to block noise.
Pure yellow can feel sharp and overpowering, yet it becomes gentle and cozy when softened. Certain hues are true complements to yellow—sitting directly across from it on the color wheel—while others harmonize with it in a broader sense.
From clothing to groceries, eco-conscious choices are now part of daily life. Yet the piping that carries water through our homes is often overlooked when considering environmental impact. A number of piping options are available that can reduce harm to the planet in multiple ways.
According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, a green office is a building that is both environmentally responsible and resource-efficient. Such offices are built with energy efficiency in mind and frequently use recycled materials. The aim is to foster a healthy indoor setting, save energy, and cut down on pollution.
Because wood expands and contracts with the seasons, the interlocking edges of a tongue-and-groove ceiling can gradually become visible. For optimal appearance, staining should be done before the wood is installed, but if the ceiling is already up, a different technique is required. This guide outlines the materials needed and both procedures.
Getting the subfloor and any underlayment right is essential when putting down resilient vinyl flooring. Armstrong Alterna tile is versatile enough to go over numerous surfaces and materials, among them existing vinyl floors, but knowing the manufacturer's guidance and cautions first helps ensure the job lasts.
Nuts and bolts are staples of construction work, and they are available in numerous designs tailored to specific purposes. This overview covers several frequently used bolt styles as well as a few common nut types.
A walk-through maze can be assembled from materials like wood, plants, cardboard, or tarps. Start by determining the available area and sketching a layout. Structures made of wood suit temporary attractions such as a haunted house, while mazes using crops take longer because the plants must reach a tall, thick growth. Using wooden dowels combined with fabric produces a lightweight maze that can be taken apart and kept for later use.
Quick-set mortar is designed to cure in a short window, and most products can be grouted two to four hours after troweling. If you want to hit the shorter end of that range, you need to control the room's temperature, humidity, and tile condition before the mortar goes down. The following steps explain how to create those conditions without compromising adhesion.
When you're planning to buy paint, carpet, or other materials, figuring out the square footage of the space you intend to cover helps you decide how much to buy.
