HowToDoThings.com Recent Building & Remodeling Articles

How To Choose Lighting for Your Home

deand — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 12:37:26 -0500

How To Work with a Kitchen Designer

deand — Sat, 16 Aug 2008 00:56:59 -0500

How To Find Vintage Hardware

deand — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 14:53:50 -0500

How To Plan a Remodel

deand — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 18:05:07 -0500

How To Build a Deck

gonzo — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 14:25:06 -0500

How To Find the Right Architect

linda.mattoli — Fri, 04 Jul 2008 18:42:16 -0500

How To Convert a Cold 2 x 4 Exterior Wall to a 2 x 6 Wall

QueenMum — Thu, 08 May 2008 16:36:29 -0500

With the ongoing increases in the price of fuel and electricity, many of us who live in older homes are beginning to see that much of that “charm” has a hidden cost. A poorly insulated room directly leads to higher heating bills and wasted dollars escaping as so much hot air. I'm not recommending everyone with a 1980s or older house tear down all the walls, and start over, but if you're already planning some renovations, this may be a worthwhile extra step.

Make any necessary repairs. Ensure all existing studs are stable and add any boards where they will be needed when it's time to install the drywall or curtains. If the wall has already been opened up inside, then work in the house--otherwise it's best to keep the construction (and mess) outside. The rest of this article is written under the assumption you are working inside the structure.

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How To Use Mobile Storage

jasonkeeley — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 12:59:21 -0500

At one time, if you had too much stuff and not enough room to put it all in, you had to find a local storage shed, sign a year-long contract for storage space, bribe a friend who owned a truck to help and load it all up and physically move it to the shed yourself. Not only could it be a real pain coordinating activities and moving it all, but also there were very few customer options if you had a unique storage need. All of that has changed in the past ten years.

Mobile storage options have answered customers' unmet needs. These mobile storage options are storage pods or units that can be as small as a refrigerator box or as big as a full-length trailer, but are delivered physically to a customer’s location. These units can include the following attributes:

How To Install a Stainless Steel Sink

fester1 — Sun, 08 Jul 2007 16:39:32 -0500

There are a two basic types of stainless steel sinks: undermount and self-rimming. The undermount is used in installations where the countertop material is the same all the way through such as granite or a solid surface (i.e. Corian). It's usually installed by the countertop fabricators because of the liability in drilling the counter material for the anchors that will be used to mount the sink. After the undermount sink is attached to the c-top, the rest of the install is the same as the self-rimming sink, which is the type of installation that will be described here.

How To Survive a Kitchen Remodel

Staff468 — Tue, 17 Apr 2007 12:06:00 -0500

You think the in-laws can be tough on a marriage? Try a kitchen remodel. Or better yet, ask the in-laws for advice on your kitchen remodel. Though rumor has it that home renovation is one of the leading causes of divorce, there are ways to minimize the effects of a kitchen remodel. Here they are:

Set up a temporary kitchen. I know you have visions of eating out regularly, sushi one night and Thai the next. You see your kitchen remodel as an opportunity to sample the international cuisines you've been hankering for. Let's get real. Remember those days when you come home from work exhausted and all you want to do is crawl into bed? Or those days that the term "PMS" do not quite do justice? Your temporary kitchen is for those days, not to mention for breakfast, lunch and the sake of the kids.

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How To Apply Concrete Sealer and Stain

Grace170 — Mon, 05 Mar 2007 09:10:00 -0600

If you have recently completed a project using concrete, you may need to seal the surface to prevent water and other seepage. Additionally, some concrete projects will receive an aesthetic "lift" if stained properly. Whether it is a paver driveway, an exposed aggregate pathway, or a patio, you will want to consider the benefits of sealing and staining your work. Here are some tips.

How To Mix Cement

Grace170 — Fri, 26 Jan 2007 12:20:00 -0600

Think mixing cement is easy? Think again. While mixing cement is not brain surgery, it is can be an arduous task that requires some degree of precision for peak performance. Cement is a bonding agent used in conjunction with sand, water, and aggregate (crushed stone) to create mortar and/or concrete. You need cement for a variety of projects--to set footings for decking or fences, to fill a sidewalk, or to patch a blemish in your house's foundation. If you are doing a project that requires concrete or mortar application, you will need to know how to mix the cement that bonds the materials together. Here is how you mix cement.

How To Choose a Wood Floor

Grace170 — Mon, 15 Jan 2007 14:06:00 -0600

What is in a floor? Well, a lot, actually. If you have decided to put new hardwood flooring into your home, there is much to consider. What type of look do you want to create? How much wear and tear do you expect on the floors? How much do you want to spend? What about color matching and quality of woods? Here are some guidelines and tips for homeowners exploring the hardwood option.

Window Shop. Before creating a budget, and before making a bulk purchase, do some window shopping for flooring. Head to lumber yards and stores that specialize in hardwood floor supply and installation for examples. See what your neighbors, friends and family have in their homes as well. Get samples and decide on a look that you want. Consider the shade, finish, and hardness of the wood.

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How To Create a Spa Bathroom

Tonya249 — Sat, 18 Nov 2006 10:06:00 -0600

Building a new home or remodeling an existing one should be a fun and exciting process. Unfortunately, it's usually not! It's a lot of hard work - after all, you have to pay attention to every detail, communicate with your architect, general contractor and various subcontractors, and generally spend a lot of time to be sure that your home is exactly the way that you want it. So if you're going to all of this trouble, you deserve a space of your own where you can sit back, relax and shut out the rest of the world. Creating a spa bathroom can fulfill all of these wishes!

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How To Remove Asbestos Siding

Staff468 — Fri, 29 Sep 2006 12:24:00 -0500

So you plan to remove asbestos siding from your home yourself. Are you nuts? Asbestos is nasty stuff. What is asbestos anyway?

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How To Buy Concrete Countertops

Grace170 — Wed, 26 Apr 2006 15:29:00 -0500

One of the most important elements in a kitchen renovation project is choosing countertops that complement your cabinets, appliances, and wall colors. There are several choices to consider: Granite, soapstone, marble, slate, butcher-block, and concrete being a few. If you decide on concrete countertops, expect a product that is thick, pigmented and smooth. Concrete countertops have a low sheen and can be cut to match the layout of your kitchen. Here are some tips on how and where to purchase your new concrete countertops.

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