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Architecture : Home & Garden

Brick Wall Remodeling

Use a brick wall to add elegance to any front yard or lawn space. Renovate the brick wall to last for many years, because this type of structure adds real curb appeal when designed properly. Drive around various neighborhoods to get ideas for your own brick wall. Go over complementary materials that

Removing Candle Wax Residue from Ceramic Tile

Candle wax spilled in its hot liquid state leaves a hard mass of wax or thin splatters on ceramic tile floor. A thin layer of candle wax on the tiles and over the grout can be even more difficult to remove than a large, thick spot of wax. Commercial products for wax removal may not be safe for your

How to Lay a Carpet on a Concrete Basement Floor

Typical basements are constructed with bare concrete flooring. While concrete flooring is a strong and long-lasting product, it is not very warm or comfortable. Homeowners can enhance their existing basements by installing carpeting over that cold concrete surface. Carpeting will easily install over

Cement Glue Removal

Rubber cement is a popular cement glue that is often used in schools and in home craft projects. But sometimes spills can happen. Avoid accidental application by laying newspapers over work spaces that will catch drips. If you accidentally apply it to an area, use one of several solvents to remove i

How to Make Really Fantastic Staircases

Really fantastic staircases show that design isn't limited to walls and furniture. Lively colors, patterns, wallpapers and even beautifully handmade balusters turn a transitional space into a show-stopping element unto itself. To take your home's decor to a new level, use various decorating implemen

Tips for Drywall Mud

Drywall mud is another term for joint compound. It is used to embed paper drywall tape over drywall joints. Subsequent coats then cover and hide those tapes. Before purchasing drywall mud, you should decide what type you need. If it is a small project, you may want to use setting-type joint compound

How to Install Insulation in the Wall

The most effective method of insulating a wall is to install fiberglass insulation during initial construction or remodeling, while the walls are open and the studs are exposed. The fiberglass is thick (about 5 inches deep) so it can fill the space between each of the studs. Standard fiberglass insu

Board and Batt Wood Siding

Board and batt siding--also referred to as board and batten--utilizes vertical pieces of lumber as the exterior siding of the building. Builders place a narrower board, called the batt or batten, over the seams between boards, creating a weather-proof outside covering. This siding method, however, i

How to Remove the Tile Off Hard Wood Floors and Refinish

Hardwood floors are durable, and they add warmth and color to any room. If someone installed tile over the hardwood floor, you may be able to remove the tiles and restore the look of the floor beneath. This project is time-consuming and requires a little elbow grease. The tiles may come off without

How to Repair and Replace Damaged Linoleum Tile

Linoleum tile can easily develop stains, surface defects and curling, but remedying such damage is not necessarily difficult. Even if the defects are irreversible, linoleum tiles are easily enough replaced.

How to Install River Rock Tiles

River rock, or pebble, tiles are durable and can be used indoors or out for flooring, walls, walkways, showers or pools. Installation is fairly easy because of the way the tiles are constructed. They come in 12-by-12-inch sheets mounted on a mesh backing that typically are interlocking. River rock t

How to Clean Stains From Formica Countertops

Formica is a brand of plastic laminate that is commonly used for making kitchen counters. Formica is not very porous so it doesn't stain easily. It also is relatively tough, so harsh cleaning chemicals and some abrasive tools will not generally damage the Formica surface. Still, be careful not to us

Amazing Bathroom Ideas

Add a rainwater shower head to relax.shower image by Ekaterina Shvigert from Fotolia.comOne way to increase the value of your home is to update your bathroom. The keys are to identify your budget, talk to your friends and family members who have fabulous bathrooms about what they like and...

DIY: Epoxy Countertop

Epoxy, or cast resin plastic, is a clear liquid solution that hardens into a firm, clear plastic. Available in large quantities at most craft or hobby stores, resin will preserve any items cast inside it, making it a great way to give an old countertop a new surface and a new look. Create a new resi

How to Install Vanity Tops

So you decided to replace the vanity top in your bathroom. You are willing to do this yourself, Well here is an article that may help you.

I Want to Build a Sauna in My Basement

It is a way to relax for some people to spend time in a sauna; others gain health benefits from it. Whatever your particular reason, building a sauna in your home is worth considering. The basement, with some checking and possibly a little bit of preparation, is a viable option.

Typical Masonry Brick Veneer Construction

Brick veneer siding isn't a DIY job. Masonry is exacting and affected by many factors like temperature and weather conditions, and it's not a task that one person can perform alone. A professional brick mason is required for the job. However, brick veneer is also a durable, and largely maintenance f

How to Mix a Color Acrylic Into Grout

Though glue affixes tile to the substrate, grout is what holds the tile in place around the sides. Although color usually comes from the tile itself, grout can also be colored to create another design element in your tile. There are powder grout colorants and liquid grout colorants. Acrylic paint is

Should I Get Slate Floors for My Kitchen?

Slate floors installed in the kitchen offer a good balance of durability, beauty and affordability. They are also one of the few natural stone floors that can be installed without special tools and knowledge. For all its beauty, however, slate flooring does have a few drawbacks, especially when inst