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Architecture : Home & Garden
Cutting a Granite Counter Slab With Hand Tools
Installing a granite counter is a simple way to add beauty and value to your home. Although it is usually cut with power tools because of its high concentration of quartz, it is possible to use only hand tools. Granite is a relatively hard stone, requiring the builder to make a chiseled line as a gu
Rules on Single-Family Housing in Seattle, Washington
The rules for single-family housing in Seattle, Washington are outlined in the Seattle Municipal Code. Municipal zoning governs physical characteristics of lots and buildings and also what kinds of activities are allowed in particular zones. Zoning regulations can reduce conflict and create uniformi
How to Cut Tile Around Switches
Tile installations for areas such as kitchen backsplashes, bathroom walls, or accent walls usually require the tile to be cut around switches. Cutting tile for placement around switches can sometimes be tedious work, but with careful planning and the right tools, it can be a snap. Laying the tile ou
How to Apply Sheet Vinyl
Vinyl flooring that is used in a kitchen or bathroom is typically installed using one large sheet. A sheet of vinyl is typically glued to a proper subfloor. A suitable subfloor is a 1/4-inch sheet of plywood. Applying a vinyl sheet to the floor requires that it be properly fitted. This requires sizi
Ceramic Tile Floor Ideas
Ceramic tile on the floor is a great addition to most rooms. You can do it yourself by following a few standard steps--putting down cement board underlayment, laying the tiles out from the middle of the floor, setting them in thinset mortar and grouting them--but before any of that, you need to make
How to Compare Manufactured Homes
According to the Consumers Union (a non-profit publisher of consumer reports), about 8.8 million American families are currently living in manufactured or mobile homes. Manufactured homes are often moveable and sometimes referred to as "trailers" where the land is rented from trailer parks. While th
Tax Incentives for Energy-Efficient Air Conditioners
Incentives are available to homeowners installing energy-efficient appliances.Jupiterimages/Photos.com/Getty ImagesIn order to encourage home owners to become more energy efficient, The United States Department of Energy, in partnership with with the federal government, has come up with...
How to Hide Plaster Cracks
The movement caused by the natural settling in houses often causes cracks in various places in the plaster walls. This is a relatively common problem, especially in older homes, and while it's unsightly and annoying, it is one that you can fix even if you have only minimal drywall skills. With joint
How to Install Saltillo Tile
Authentic Saltillo tile creates a look and feel that is very much old Mexico. The clay used to produce them only exists in one place: Saltillo, Coahuila, Mexico. Authentic Saltillo tile provides a rustic look that is incomparable to man-made products. The edges are rough; some pieces have the impri
How to Repair Cracks in a Wooden Floor
Natural wooden floors may develop small cracks or gaps over time due to changes in temperature or humidity according to William P. Spence, author of the book, "Installing and Finishing Flooring." While this phenomenon is natural, when these cracks become very noticeable, they detract from the beauty
Advantages and Disadvantages of Concrete Slab Floors
Concrete slabs have both pros and cons in your home.steps 3 image by Joe Houghton from Fotolia.comConcrete is often used to fill the base of a house, create the basement and to make a solid foundation. However if you don't pour concrete then, concrete slabs are another alternative for...
Tips for Fitting Wood Floors
One of the biggest challenges to installing a new tongue-and-groove wood floor is getting it laid out and fit correctly. The planks are a uniform size, but most rooms in older homes aren't perfectly square, so it takes some foresight to make sure the straight lines of your floor aren't highlighting
How to Repair a Leaking Asphalt Shingle Roof
Open to the elements, old asphalt roofing shingles can become cracked, curled or broken. If left untreated, this can lead to minor leaks and major expense down the road. Common tools and basic knowledge can save the homeowner hundreds of dollars or more in professional repairs while also extending t
How to Lay Inlays in Hardwood Floors
Hardwood floor inlays offer a decorative element to the existing wood flooring. Many hardwood inlays get placed in the floor as the hardwood is being installed. For those homeowners who decide they wish to install wood inlays after the installation of the hardwood floor, home improvement stores offe
How to Put Plastic on a Greenhouse
A greenhouse is a simple way to give plants an early start and to extend the growing season past the first and last annual frost dates of an area. If you've ever gotten into a parked car and noticed that the interior was warmer than the air outside, you are already familiar with the way in which a
How to Use Plaster of Paris for Sheetrock
Plaster of Paris can be used for more than just making masks and hand prints. You can patch holes in sheetrock in your ceiling or wall with plaster of Paris. The plaster takes about 30 minutes to dry and holds up well to wear and tear. You can adjust the amount of plaster of Paris to make, using the
How to Use Cellulose Insulation
Cellulose insulation is environmentally friendly. It is made out of recycled newspaper clippings. This type of insulation is loose and comes in bags that are put into a blower and blown through a hose. It installs into attics between the joists in the floor and most often between the studs in the wa
DIY Utility Shelves
Utility shelves are a useful addition to basements, garages or storage sheds. The design doesn't need to be elegant, since all you need is a simple sturdy build. A well-designed set of utility shelves will let you safely and securely store many household items where you can easily get to them when y
How to Replace a Door Sweep
A door sweep is actually made of rubber, and will become frayed, cracked, or broken over time. The metal frame of a door sweep can also become bent or damaged in such a way that the rubber sweep will no longer sit properly and seal the door correctly. When that happens, hot or cold air will flow int