building and installing a fence

What's New!

Subscribe to the D.I.Y. newsletter!

Click è

d.i.y. landscaping newsletter

Blog

New Pages

Main Index

New Product Showcase

Bathroom

Electrical

Flooring

Kitchen

Landscaping

 

     

A

Additions

Air Cleaners

Air Conditioning

Air Quality

Appliances

Articles

Asphalt Driveway

Attic

 

B

Backsplash

Basement

Bathroom

Before & After Pictures

Blinds

Building Permits

 

C

Cabinets

Calculators

Carpet

Caulking

Ceilings

Concrete

Condensation

Construction

Contractor

Converters

Cork

Countertops

 

D

Decks

Demolition

Design / Layout

Doors

Driveways

Drywall

 

E

Electrical

Environmental

Exterior

 

F

Fans

Faucets

Fences

Financing

Fireplace

Fixtures

Flooring

 

G

Gardening

Garage

Glass Blocks

 

H

Heating

Hot Water Systems

Humidity

 

I

Insulation

 

K

Kitchen

 

L

Laminate Flooring

Landscaping

Lead Based Paint

Lighting

Luxurious Materials

 

M

Mold & Moisture

 

P

Painting

Patio

Plans

Plumbing

Publications

 

R

Roofing

Roofs

 

S

Safety

Security

Sinks

Skylights

Stairs

Steel Studs

Structured Wiring

 

T

Tile - Flooring

Toilets

Tools

 

V

Vacuums

Ventilation

Vinyl Flooring

 

W

Wallpaper

Walls

Window Decor

Windows

Wood Flooring

 
   

Find a Contractor

Home Design Studio for Mac

 

Latest Information On Home Improvement, Remodel & Landscaping!

 

Pollutants

Summary of common indoor air pollutants, their health effects, sources and some methods of control.

Eighteen Styles Of Residential Wall Construction With Related Noise Transmission Levels

Noise that enters through walls can be controlled. These pages provide 18 wall designs and their relative noise transmission ratings.

Eighteen Styles Of Residential Wood Frame Floor Construction Related Noise Transmission Levels

Noise that enters through floors can be controlled. These pages provide 18 floor designs and their relative noise transmission ratings.

person experiencing loud noise

Noise Control

Noise - whether it originates inside or out - is an unwelcome intruder in any home.  It devalues privacy and indeed the worth of the building itself.

hip roof

Roof & Ceiling Systems

This section presents the most common roof and ceiling system problems and shows North American home builders how to avoid them.  It does this by improving their understanding of design principles, material performance expectations and proper construction procedures.

Moisture-Related Factors Influencing Wall Systems

Wall Systems

This section presents all aspects of wall systems, from the outside cladding through to the inside finish and everything in between.  It highlights the prevalent wall systems problems in new North American housing, clarifies the most common causes of these problems and identifies design and construction practices that are likely to reduce the  incidence of construction defects and customer callbacks.

Effect Of Wood Shrinkage On Fasteners - Before Shrinkage Of Joist

Floor Systems

Flooring generates some of the most common complaints that builders receive.  Squeaking, discoloration, lumps, bumps, and vibrations are but a few of the problems home-owners endure because of material shrinkage or poorly constructed floor systems.

pored concrete foundation

Foundations

Basement cracks and leaks are among the most common sources of callbacks and warranty claims in new housing.  Problems apply equally to poured concrete foundations and slabs, and concrete block walls, and they usually reflect inadequate design and construction practices.

damage caused by roof truss uplift

Truss Uplift

A sagging roof is usually the result of a damaged or broken roof rafter.  However, if it is a small area, it can be caused by damaged roof decking and in some rare cases a sagging roof can even be traced to an underlying foundation problem, as it is the house foundation that eventually takes the full load of the roof.

sagging roof

How To Repair A Sagging Roof

A sagging roof is usually the result of a damaged or broken roof rafter.  However, if it is a small area, it can be caused by damaged roof decking and in some rare cases a sagging roof can even be traced to an underlying foundation problem, as it is the house foundation that eventually takes the full load of the roof.

diagram of garden bench with concrete supports

How To Build Garden Benches

Garden benches provide a resting place where you can contemplate the world, read a novel, watch mother nature at work and if placed in a shady spot provide the perfect spot to doze off.

dishwasher built into kitchen base cabinets

How To Build Your Own Kitchen Or Bathroom Cabinets On A Limited Budget

If you have basic wood working skills, can draw and calculate a layout sketch and some patience, you can save thousands of dollars by making your own kitchen cabinets or bathroom vanities.

floor joists mounted on ledger attached to wood girder

How To Use And Build Beams And Girders

By definition, a girder is a principal beam extending form wall to wall of a building, affording support for the joists or floor beams where the distance is too great for a single span.  Girders may be built of wood or steel and in many cases are supported at intervals over the length of there span.

cut-in bracing on stud wall

How To Construct Stud Walls & Partitions

Constructing walls and partitions is not a difficult project and most home handymen who are comfortable working with lumber and have some knowledge of plumb & square are quite capable of handling this type of project. 

basement footing and foundation wall construction

How To Build A House, Garage or Addition Foundation

The foundation is the part of a building that supports the load of the house.  In construction the term "foundation" generally applies to all of the building segments that are constructed beneath the framing of the first floor including all of the walls, piers, columns, pilasters and other supports.

whole house ventilation fan

Whole House Fan - Sizing, Installation, Advantages, & Disadvantages

A whole house fan is a large fan that mounts in the ceiling at the highest point of the interior of the home, draws outdoor air through the home and exhausts into the attic space, providing a relatively inexpensive means to reduce temperatures in a home.

roof meets wall

How To Install Roof Flashing Against A Wall

It is not uncommon, especially in two story homes to have a roof that butts against a wall.  the correct installation of flashing at this seam is critical in order to maintain a weather tight seal.

shingles over vent pipe and vent pipe boot

How To Install Shingles & Flashing Around A Vent Pipe

Installing a new shingles on your roof is not a complex project.  However, in order to ensure that the roof is watertight it is important that the shingles and flashing are installed properly around a vent pipe or drain stack. 

ceramic tile

How To Paint Ceramic Or Porcelain Tiles

It is a fact of life in decorating that what is the in thing today will most likely not be the in thing tomorrow and because of that many homeowners end up with outdated room decoration.  This is especially prevalent in ceramic and porcelain tile.

crack in floor tile

How To Replace A Cracked Ceramic, Porcelain, Marble, Granite, Or Other Natural Stone Tile

A tile floor can be beautiful, it highlights almost any room and provides an elegance that few other materials can provide.  However, one crack in one tile and the aesthetic value of the floor is ruined.

 

octagon gazebo

How To Build A Gazebo / Pavilion - Free Plans

A gazebo will enhance any landscaping.  It provides shade and a meeting place.  Gazebos are available in kit form or you can design your own or modify another set of plans.

 

single car garage

How To Build A Garage - Free Plans

For the home handyman who is not afraid to undertake major projects, building a garage can add a great deal of sweat equity to a home.  You can construct the garage from kit form or from a building materials list.

 

How To Build A Children's Playhouse - Free Plans

These project plans are not for the novice as they require someone with substantial wood working experience, and stationary power tools.  Playhouse kits are also available which will save time and possibly a lot of frustration.

 

shed design 2

How To Build A Shed - Free Plans

Sheds provide garden storage and remove clutter.  Having a place to store your outdoor tools will extend their life and make them easier to access when needed.

stone barbeque and smoker

How To Build A Brick Barbecue - Free Plans

A brick barbecue will enhance any outdoor patio or family gathering area.  Some basic construction knowledge is necessary - building a concrete pad and laying bricks.

arbor with bench

How To Build Your Own Arbor, Trellis, Pergola - Free Plans

An arbor, trellis or pergola enhances any landscaping and gardening.  Designs, plans and instructions are available from the simple to extremely complex.

K style rain gutter

How To Install Rain Gutters

The installation of rain gutters or eaves trough as it is sometimes called is not a complex project although the logistics may make the project difficult to complete.

small kitchen

Making The Most Out Of A Small Kitchen

North Americans have been spoiled, most of us grew up in homes with large kitchens, with plenty of counter space.  However, things are changing more and more homes have much smaller kitchens, especially in duplexes, four-plexes, apartments and condominiums.

 

vibrating a concrete slab to remove air pockets

The Importance Of Vibrating Concrete

When concrete is poured into a form be it a tube for a footing, a rectangle or square, the first impression is that the concrete will fill any and all voids in the form.  This is incorrect.

concrete slump test

How To Hand Mix & Test Concrete

Cement and concrete are not the same things.  Cement is a product made of finely ground limestone and clay and is used in the creation of cement and mortar.  Concrete is a mixture of aggregate (usually gravel), sand, cement and water.

 

window door opening in stud wall - method of construction

How To Build A Wood Stud Wall

The construction of a stud wall is a basic building block of all structures.  Whether you are building a shed, garage or home it is important to understand the basics of stud wall construction.

attic access panel with insulation

Attic Access Insulation

Having a properly insulated home is dependent on insulating all the areas where air can escape between living areas and non living areas.  One area that is often neglected is the attic access panel.

kitchen floor

Kitchen Flooring

When considering kitchen flooring material there are three major considerations; safety, comfort and the material's ability to stand-up to water and general wear and tear.

screws & nails

Selecting The Correct Nail Or Screw For Your Project

Nails and screws come in a wide assortment of lengths, thicknesses and head types.  While many home handymen look amongst their vast collection of left over nails and screws in the hope of finding something that "will do", more attention should be paid to selecting the correct fastener for each and every job.

cross and solid bridging with load on floor

Importance Of Floor Joist Bridging

Floor joist bridging is critical to the structural strength of a floor.  Proper bridging distributes the load on the floor to other joists and over time prevents floors from sagging and squeaking do to floor joists twisting and warping.

cross and solid bridging for floor joists

How To Repair Squeaky Floors

Very few items in a home are more annoying than squeaky floors.  Squeaky floors are a result of one or more of five possible problems.  This article describes the five causes and the methods that can be undertaken to correct the problems.

collage of rose blooms

Care & Planting Of Roses

Roses come in a vast variety of colors, fragrances, heights, bushes and climbers.  Having a beautiful rose plant, be it bush or vine, is not difficult if you take the time to choose the correct location on your property and follow some simple planting rules.

post and beam weight transfer 2

Post & Beam Deck Construction

Most decks designs are based on a number of posts that rest on concrete footings or are imbedded in concrete and in turn these posts take the weight of the deck.

deck floor joist span

Calculating Deck Floor Joist Spans

If you are designing a deck, one of the calculations that you need is the size of the lumber required to span the distances between the deck supports or deck supports and wall.

drawing of 2 story framing constuction

Construction Of Rooms In A Clear Span Structure

If you have a clear span space such as a barn or arena and wish to add rooms inside the area, the process is quite simple.

sliding glass door

Sticky Sliding Glass Door Repair

Over time, most sliding glass doors will become sticky and not slide as they did when they were originally installed. 

horizontal boring machine

Horizontal Boring -

Trenching Under Driveways & Sidewalks

During the installation of sprinkler systems or outdoor lighting it is not uncommon to meet up with obstacles that prevent the installer from continuing on.

in-ground sprinkler head

Sprinkler System Installation

Installing an underground sprinkler system for your lawn, garden, shrubs and trees is not a difficult project, although it does require a strong back in order to dig the trenches that will contain the underground pipes.

crack in a concrete wall

Repairing Cracks In A Concrete Wall

Hairline Crack Repair In Concrete

Repairing a crack in a concrete wall, providing they are non-structural, is not a difficult project and most home handymen should be more than able to accomplish the repairs.

weatherproof receptacle cover

Installing An Outdoor Receptacle

Many older homes were not provided with an electrical receptacle on the outside of the home.  In other cases the receptacle is not in a location which is convenient for the homeowner.

post and beam construction

Pier & Beam Repair

"Pier and Beam" construction is a term that describes a host of various construction techniques.  What it has in common is that a column supports the weight of a beam, unlike a house foundation where the entire wall of the home sits on a foundation which sits on a footer and the weight is distributed across the entire base of the foundation.

house with wood siding

Exterior Sidings & Veneers

In North America, 99.9% of all homes have exterior siding or veneer attached to the support structure in order to protect the home from the elements.  Although most people think of sidings and veneers as being long narrow sheets of material, materials such as brick an stucco are also sidings and veneers.

Siding Material Calculator

Siding Terminology

Soffit & Fascia Installation

Vinyl Siding Installation

bathroom drain plumbing layout includes venting and traps

Plumbing - Drains, Vents & Water Lines

The most complex part of any residential plumbing system is located in the bathroom.  If the rough-in portion of the plumbing is not installed properly, the homeowner will have no end of problems, that include water hammering, sinks and lavatories that drain slowly or create gurgling sounds and sewer gases entering the home - a true health hazard.

fire in electrical box with aluminum and copper wires

Working With Aluminum Wiring

When the approval agencies in the early 60's approved the use of aluminum wiring in homes, they did it without a lot of thought or testing.

correct wiring of a switch or receptacle screw terminal

Troubleshooting Flickering Lights

Nothing is more frustrating in a home than having lights that blink or  work sometimes and not others.  Troubleshooting a flickering light electrical circuit can take hours, but with a little patience and planning you can find the problem and correct it.

wall or ceiling with double layer of drywall with silicone between all layers

Sound Proofing Your Home

Noise pollution as it is now termed is considered to be the ambient noise around us.  This noise pollution is evident when we are outside and listening to traffic and construction noise and is evident indoors when we here the noise from appliances, furnaces, stereo and televisions.

spline and fabric in window frame

Replacing A Window Or Door Screen

Replacing a window screen in an aluminum frame is a relatively easy project.  However it does require one special hand tool - a screen tool.

joining material with wood screws 1

Choosing The Correct Drill Bit For A Pilot Hole For A Wood Screw

Interior and exterior doors can swell as they absorb the natural moisture that exists in a home.  As well, foundations and walls shift as houses settle.  Both of these situations can cause doors to stick and not fit properly.

 

hinge screws properly inserted

Repairing Loose Hinges

Over time the screws used to hold hinges in position can become loose.  Loose hinge screws create sagging doors and doors that do not close properly.  The proper fix to this problem is relatively easy.

 

bowed exterior door

Sticky Door Repair

Interior and exterior doors can swell as they absorb the natural moisture that exists in a home.  As well, foundations and walls shift as houses settle.  Both of these situations can cause doors to stick and not fit properly.

double pocket doors

Pocket Door Installation

A pocket door is a sliding door that disappears into the wall when open.  Pocket doors have been in use for centuries.

 

rough-in for a new doorway

Installing A New Doorway

Have you ever come to the conclusion that your house would be more convenient if there was a doorway in a wall that currently does not have a door?  Installing a new doorway is not an overly complex project, if you plan the project.

 

joining glass blocks to shower sill

Glass Blocks For Showers

Glass blocks are an excellent building material for shower enclosures.  The array of glass block designs, finishes, transparencies form clear to opaque and angles allow the designer to create almost any shape imaginable.

popcorn ceiling

Removing Popcorn & Stucco Textures

Stucco and popcorn textures were used on walls and ceilings for a number of reasons - appearance, sound attenuation and to hide imperfections in the original plaster or drywall workmanship. 

steel support column on concrete footing

Sloping Floors

Before you attempt to jack-up a sagging or sloping floor it is important to understand why the floor is sagging in the first place.  Steps to take to remediate a sagging or sloping floor.

 

basement concrete block water damage

Basement Water Seepage

Before you can decide on what remediation projects are necessary to correct the water seepage problem you must first determine where the water is actually entering your basement and the root cause.

ceramic tile with duct tape marked for drilling

Drilling Holes - Ceramics Porcelain, Stone, Marble, Granite

Drilling holes in ceramics,  porcelain, natural stone, marble, granite, and glass is not difficult, it requires some patience and as with most projects, the proper tools for the job.

attic turbine ventilator

Calculating Attic Ventilation

A correct attic ventilation system provides for a steady flow of outside air from the lowest part of the attic - through the attic - to the upper most part of the attic.  This allows the attic insulation to perform at peak efficiency, helping to maintain constant temperatures in your home.

 

crystalline glass block

Styles & Types Of Glass Blocks

Glass blocks are manufactured in numerous finishes, textures, colors and shapes which allow the for the construction of a wide variety of full walls, half walls, partitions, railings and windows that would suit almost any environment.

correct dressing of electrical wires in distribution panel

Changing A Fuse Panel To A Circuit Breaker Panel

Electrical distribution fuse panels have become obsolete and in many jurisdictions a homeowner cannot get home insurance if they have a fuse panel installed.

 

Manufacturers, Retailers, Dealers - Advertise on this page!

 

Contact

 

home improvement information

copyright 2006/8 - all rights reserved

remodel information