Install That Entry Door Yourself

Five Steps to a Brand New Door

Door replacement is a task that any homeowner can complete, with basic skills, a few tools and patience. In fact, this can be a wonderful opportunity for the do-it-yourself person to learn a new task and save a bit of money that might otherwise be paid to a professional. The choice of a the correct door design and finish can change the look of a room, attract the visitor to the outside of the home, and also help keep the home airtight.

For basic understanding of this task, there are three types of doors: combination doors (screen/storm); entry doors; and interior doors. Five simple steps can lead the individual through the task of replacing an entry door. As most experienced homeowners know, mastering entry door replacement gives the individual the knowledge to replace interior doors (a simpler version of the entry-door technique).

Replacing a combination door follows the same steps as that for entry doors, but the process can be a bit more complex. Manufacturers generally provide good instructions and suggestions for installing combination storm/screen doors. Following these instructions carefully will usually lead to completion of the project with success (and reduced stress). Professionals at the home improvement center or hardware store can also be an excellent source for tips and suggestions.

But where should the do-it-yourself homeowner begin with installing doors? Here are five basic steps for the process, starting with:

Remove The Old Door

Careful removal of the old door is an important first step. After opening the door, place a wedge under the outer corner to take the weight off the door hinges. Remove the hinge pins and set the door aside. This door can be used as a pattern for trimming the new door if it has not been seriously damaged or if it isn't too badly warped.

Remove Hinge Leaves

The next step is to remove the hinge pieces from the frame. Depending on the desire to use existing hardware, these hinges can be reused or new ones can be substituted. Older hinges can be lightly buffed with fine sandpaper to restore some of the original appearance. Be sure the screws for the new hinges are long enough to reach into the stud behind the door frame.

Trim New Door

It would be wise to use the old door as a pattern for the new one. The alternative is to measure the door opening and allow a 1/8" bottom clearance as well as a 1/16" top and side clearance. The bottom clearance for a carpeted floor will probably have to be 3/4". Trim and plane door as necessary, using a fine-tooth saw and good plane.

Prepare New Door For Hinges

New areas must be carved out so the hinge blades can fit smoothly into the frame and door. Using the old door can help with proper location of hinges. A pencil outline of the hinge is essential for cutting this depression in the wood. Carefully chisel out the wood, with several cuts to the depth of the hinge leaf.

Hang New Door

It is time to put the hinges on, securing them with strong screws. When hanging the door, insert hinge pins by starting with top hinge. With patience and attention to detail, this project can be finished quickly enough to allow time for a bit of relaxation!

The author Jack Blacksmith is especially interested in issues associated to saw patterns. Sharing his passion in documents, the writer showed his skill on news about free scroll saw pattern and saw patterns. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jack_S._Blacksmith

Tips For Building Storage Shelves In Your Garage

Many people use their garage as home for all types of items and miscellaneous things that they do not have any other place for. So all sorts of items from sporting equipment to books to tools to handyman and equipment find their way into the garage. Some garages lose their original purpose, which is for parking cars. If you are one of those people who use their garage mainly for storage then you should think about putting in some shelving. A well-organized shelf not only provides a convenient place to store hardware and tools but also it is great for working on home projects. Building plans for shelves are available at most home improvement shops.

There are two kinds of garage shelving. You can opt for pre-fabricated or custom-built. Obviously prefabricated shelving is a lot cheaper and you can find a wide variety of sizes to fit your space. This kind of shelving can be found at your local handyman center or your neighborhood lumberyard.

A very basic garage shelf is made of plywood or lumber and is secured with shelf brackets. In this case the brackets are attached to this studs using long screws. To increase their strength, a brace can be added at each stud. You can also use floor-supported shelves.

Material

Although you can use plastic shelving a much better choice is prefabricated steel shelves. Plastic shelves are for light duty and you will soon outgrow them when you start storing heavier items. There is a disadvantage to steel shelving in that it cannot be cut to sizes so you have to go with standard widths and other dimensions so you have to make sure that it fits your space.

Adjustability

When considering prefabricated shelves, you have to pay attention to adjustability. Shelves should be adjustable and the pins for adjusting the shelves should have a locking mechanism so they do not get lost or misplaced.

Safety

When you install shelving in your garage, it is a good idea to make sure that the shelving is attached to the wall to prevent tipping; shelving can be dangerous especially if you have heavy equipment loaded on them.

Hooks

Consider installing hooks into the ceiling joists for hanging bicycles, miscellaneous tools, canoes, etc. Installing hooks will help you greatly in freeing up space on your shelves.

Getting rid of clutter

Most garages turn into junkyards over time. So consider going through your garage and its shelving on a periodic basis to throw away things that you no longer need.

Have a garage sale!

Instead of throwing away things that you no longer need, a better option and one that saves resources, is having a garage sale. This is a great way to meet your neighbors and get rid of things that you do not need anymore; although this is not something to be done for making money as most garage sale customers are looking for very

Visit DIYQuarters.com for the latest information about do-it-yourself projects. Visit Woodworking Forums, as well as Home Theater Forums for your next DIY project. For general DIY questions and answers, post to DIY Forums Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Vic_Tamdon

Build a Train Table For Thomas the Tank Engine!

Have you considered building a train table or a hobby table for your children? Why not? It is actually very easy.

My son, Rob, wanted a table for his son so he could play with his Thomas the Tank Engine. That way, the pieces of the train would stay on the table and were not all over the floor. Rob wanted the table to be strong so if his son climbed on top of the table, it would not buckle under him. What he wanted simply was not available unless he wanted to pay a small fortune for it. For that reason, Rob decided to build the table.

It had to be fairly basic as he had a very limited amount of tools. It also had to be completed partly indoors and partly outdoors due to his limited space, and quickly as his son was having a birthday party in a couple of days. Rob wanted to unveil the table at the party.

The base of the train table size was determined by the sizes of precut lumber the local big box carried. This was to reduce the amount of board cutting. He wanted a good looking wood finish that could be stained or painted. He wanted the train/hobby table to be durable and strong for his son and to last a long time.

Rob finally decided to build a table 2 feet wide by 4 feet long and 2 feet high. Simple hand tools could be used and the result would meet his requirements.

If you have and can use basic wood working tools, you can make a table for your child.

For detailed instructions for building and pictures of this train table, please visit http://www.single-family-home-remodeling.com/train-table.html Also, check out http://www.single-family-home-remodeling.com for other home remodeling projects and home repair information. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=David_Altman

DIY Dishwasher Installation

The dishwasher has become an essential part of many of our lives. There is no more the need to spend hours scrubbing away the sticky dirt and grime - the dishwasher will do it all. For those that are confident in carrying out home repairs and renovations themselves, a new or replacement dishwasher installation can be completed without the expense of a professional plumber and this will inevitably help you to save a few bucks.

Dishwasher Installation Procedure

Before starting, it is essential to carefully review the manual provided. This will make it easier to identify various parts of the dishwasher, and any parts or instructions that are specific to the dishwasher you purchased and intend to install.

For new dishwasher installations, the next step is to select a preferred location. It is generally recommended that this location is close to the kitchen sink, as this will be the most convenient and will mean that the dishwasher is close to a water supply, again negating the need to call in a plumber to ready water supply pipes. You will have to connect the hot water supply line, the drainage hose and the electrical cables. Ensure that the selected place has all the necessary connection points.

You will also have to ensure that the dishwasher fits in the cabinet or designed space. Most dishwashers have a standard opening of 24". Experts also state that most kitchen cabinets are 24" wide. Hence, you shouldn't face any trouble when installing the dishwasher if everything is to standards (but keep in mind that of all things life and cabinet sizes seem never to be to standards). Measuring the width of your dishwasher and the cabinet will ruin the surprise but is probably a worthwhile exercise.

• Once you have done with the measurement, you will have to drill holes in the lower part of the base cabinet for the drainage hose, water supply line and the electrical cables.
• Using a compression clamp, connect the drain hose to the drain outlet located behind the back of the dishwasher. Also attach the 90-degree bass fitting at the back of the dishwasher.
• Now place the dishwasher in front of the cabinet. Make the required height adjustments.
• The next step in the dishwasher installation process requires the removal of the access panel by unscrewing the two screws located on each side of the panel.
• Ensure that the electrical cables and the water supply line are properly aligned to where they need to go beneath the dishwasher. The waterline needs to be attached to the 90-degree brass fitting. . Also feed the drain hose through the sink.
• Now, start sliding the dishwasher in its place. If you want to prevent causing damage to the floor, consider attaching protective slides to the rear legs.
• The dishwasher should be in alignment with the counter top and the cabinet. In case of improper alignment, you can adjust the front feet of the dishwasher.
• Now, connect all the wires. Remember that a black wire should be connected to a black screw. In other words, all the wires should be connected with their corresponding screws by matching the colors. But remember the ground wire should be connected to the green screw.
• Now, re-attach the access panel.
• The next step in the dishwasher installation is the checking for leakages. This involves opening the hot water line so as to allow the flow of water. Any leakages will be promptly detected.

Thus, dishwasher installation is an easy process that can be done by anybody who has a basic knowledge of plumbing. For those that aren't competent with this sort of plumbing jobs, a professional plumber is always an option.

Henry James isn't a professional plumber, and for this reason respects the work of professional plumbers all the more. For more information please visit the Plumber Melbourne website. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Henry_S_James

How to Cut Tile - A Quick and Informative Method

Learning home improvement can evolve into a great hobby, not forgetting the money saved and value that can be added to your home. Learning how to cut tile properly will be a great benefit, because one of the best improvements you can make to your home is adding tiles or re-tiling your bathroom and flooring.

Although it is cheaper to jump in and have a go at it yourself, some money can be lost replacing tiles that you have damaged. I'm going to explain how to cut tile the correct way.

How To Cut Tile

Firstly mark the tile for cutting, place it face up on a flat surface.

Use your steel rule, or whichever straight edged guide you have lying around onto the tile and line the ends up with your cut marks.

Once you are satisfied with the positioning, use your tile scriber to score the tile from the top to the bottom.

Beware, thinker tiles will need extra attention given to the edges. After you have scored the tile, grab a chopping board and a piece on thin wire.

Add the piece of wire onto the board, making sure it is in a perfectly straight line. You might want to attach it to the board to save time when making lots of cuts.

Place the tile onto the board, facing up. Line up the wire with the score mark at the top and bottom of your tile. After checking it is positioned correctly, apply some pressure to both edges of the tile, simultaneously. The tile will break along the score mark and leaving you with a nice clean cut.

You will learn how to cut tile with trial and error, if you still struggle trying to figuring out how to cut tile perfectly, hunt down a video tutorial which can physically go through with you how to cut tile. Remember to have fun with your home improvements and try not to get too stressed!

Check out the video tutorials and home improvement tips! Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Robert_Lock

DIY Conservatory Choices

by Fiona Stapleton
A DIY conservatory is an easy to install system that can transform your home into the dwelling of your dreams. Whether your goal is to add a conservatory to use as a sunroom, garden room, or a wonderful enclosed porch where you can simply relax you'll find that there is a wide variety of DIY conservatory styles, ensuring that everyone can have the conservatory that best represents their lifestyle while complementing their home's dпїЅcor and architectural design.

Some of the most popular DIY conservatory styles include the Victorian, Edwardian, Traditional Lean, Edwardian Double Hipped, Victorian Double Hipped, Pavilion, Gull Wing, and P-Shaped. Victorian Conservatories have distinctive features and rely heavily upon its gothic architectural influence. Edwardian conservatories are revered for their great use of space and design. A Traditional Lean conservatory is also often referred to as a Sun Lounge; it is one of the most popular conservatory styles. It's important that no matter what style you prefer, that you select a DIY conservatory that offers easy installation, as well as help along the way. It's also important to make sure that you receive an adequate quote before determining your project and that the quote includes all of the most important information. Your quote should include pricing for bases, roofing, and the conservatory structure.

The base of your conservatory is the foundation for your structure and you must make certain that the base is extremely durable. That's why the new Xframe has removed much of the complications associated with laying bases and has enable the builder to install his or her DIY conservatory simply and efficiently. In fact, the new Xframe system is so simple that those who have little to no experience can successfully install their own conservatories. For those who are excited about building their own conservatory, yet still a little weary about the technical aspect of the project, the Xframe system provides great results.

It's also important that when you select a DIY conservatory company, that you select one that offers plenty of assembly and installation assistance. When completing a do-it-yourself project, you can sometimes feel as if you're alone. Knowing that you can reach the company if you have any inquiries or issues will help make certain that you have the resources and tools readily available should a question arise.

When choosing a DIY conservatory, you will also need to determine how the materials will be shipped and delivered to your address. Will the delivery include shipping to your door? Will there be additional costs? How long does delivery take? Will the shipment include a checklist so that you can verify receipt of all pieces? These are important questions that must be answered before beginning your DIY conservatory project.

Your DIY conservatory may or may not be subject to building regulations. Nonetheless, it is best to double check and ensure that if you need to meet any additional requirements that you do so. A conservatory is a wonderful addition to your home and will reward you with many years of enjoyment.
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About the Author
DIY Conservatory provides assistance for those seeking conservatory plans and kits. With a full range of styles, accessories, and garden plans available, including the Xframe, they are ready to help you with your needs. Visit the site today.

Renovation DIY Projects Take Planning by Rob Carlton

If you have a home improvement project that needs to be done, how do you decide whether to do it yourself or hire a professional? Here are some tips to help you decide.

Renovation do-it-yourself projects have become more popular, especially with the rise of television shows such as Extreme Makeover: Home Edition. They make it look so easy to "flip" a house, don't they? DIY is popular mainly because doing it yourself saves money, obviously. Contractors can be expensive: They have to consider materials, labor, insurance as well as their profit margin when quoting a price. Frankly, they are in business to make money to put food on their families' tables. So hiring someone won't necessarily be cheap.

DIY projects are not necessarily hard to do. All the home improvement stores and even some community colleges offer seminars in how to complete common tasks such as applying tile or building decks. There are also scores of books, magazines, pamphlets and other information on all sorts of projects. You can also look online for more tips.

By carefully planning what you are doing and knowing how to use the equipment, you should be able to do the most common tasks yourself. As an added feature, making it your own project will give your family a chance to "bond" and give you a great feeling of accomplishment.

On the other hand, you may decide that hiring a professional is best for you. People are busy today and you simply may not have time to wallpaper the bedroom. Or, you may start a project and run out of time: a family emergency may arise and any free time you thought you had is gone. It happens.

Another common scenario occurs when someone gets started on a project and encounters a problem. It is perfectly all right to contact a professional to either fix just the problem portion or to finish the entire project. Some contractors are sneaky and tack on an additional fee to fix problem projects but if you shop around and find a reputable contractor, he or she should treat you fairly.

So, before you start a home improvement project, ask yourself: Do I have the time to do the work? Do I know how to do the work? Are there resources I can refer to if something unexpected arises? Or, would it be worth it to hire a professional? Have I called around and gotten price estimates for labor and materials?

By asking these common-sense questions before you start, you can determine whether you have the makings of a do-it-yourselfer or if you'd rather leave it to the pros. It's better to figure that out now than after you've gotten yourself into a mess you can't get out of.

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Rob Carlton's informative papers are published on a lot of web sites with reference to stainless steel sinks. His work on wall mount sinks are published on his webpage as well as various other web sites.

Stripping Antique Furniture - Should You Take it All Off Or Leave Something Chic For the Imaginatio

When I examine an antique piece of furniture, it's the details that capture my attention. If the details are unique, I salivate thinking - What legs, what shape, what form, what possibilities - I lust, I lust! Before any refinishing begins, especially any stripping, a decision must be made. In my opinion, there are two schools of thought -Take it all off? Or leave a little to the imagination?

When my husband refinishes an antique, he might apply a thick layer of acid stripper on all of the surfaces, removing the finish to the bare wood, sand and then add paint or stain. When finished, his piece will look almost new. He takes it all off. And that, to me, is old school refinishing and would ruin the whole effect because, most of all, I crave patina. I want to leave a lot to romance. This romantic look is most desirable today and is often referred to as shabby, chic, romantic, or French Country styles. There are many repros available which try to capture the essence of vintage cottage furniture. Most romantic purists won't spare reproduced pieces even a glance. Too often a refinisher, unfamilar with the nuances of true shabby chic, paints the piece of vintage furniture institutional white then hits it with an electric sander ripping the paint to the wood - with a result that looks as if it has been chained and drug behind a truck on a graveled road. That's not the look nor the effect that appeals to the buying public. Again, no romance nor patina there.

The romance comes into play when one is still able to look at a refinished piece of furniture and speculate about where this fetching antique has been in a previous life, how many lives it may have touched, how aging formed the warm patina. Personally, I often find myself swept away wondering if the piece was a treasured heirloom before it became a sad cast-away. It is so easy to develop an intimate relationship with a piece that later makes it difficult for me to sell it. Since turning trash to treasures is my pleasure; yet, I have to sell to support my passion - I try to keep in mind that I'm refinishing this piece for someone else. Still, I do it as lovingly and with as much wonder as if I were going to keep it. After all, if I don't love it, why would anyone?

It's no surprise that In contrast to my husband's methodical, practical refinishing methods, when I'm stripping furniture, I usually choose to work with a thin paint-solvent dampened cloth -enabling me to remove the veils of yesterday one sheer layer at a time.The solvent, sparingly applied, dissolves and blends the hues, leaving bared wood areas pickled with streaked stains that speak to me. The trick in stripping, to me, is always judging how much to leave and how much to remove. I love knowing I have found others, one at a time, who feel the same as I. We know what beauty is and we understand what makes this style of layered chippy paint on vintage furniture so hot --it's feminine, a marriage of yesterday and today, and it's romantic- even sexy!

For this very coveted French Country look, always remember, less is definitely more. Once totally stripped, all of the mystique and romance is lost forever.

An artist and designer whose artwork, furniture and paintings are sold nationally, recognizable by her simple signature, Devonia. http://www.manyshadesofshabby.blogspot.com Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Devonia_Smith

Creative DIY Headboards For Small Rooms

Are you ready to experiment with things you would throw away or things you already have lying around to create unique and exquisite headboards? There is no dearth of ideas if you let your creative juices flow. Here are some ideas that will help get you started.

Use a section of a wooden picket fence as a headboard. If you have a fence that you want to change, excellent, if not you could get it from a home improvement store. Paint it in a color that will match the decor of your bedroom and fix it on the wall over your bed.

Do you have an old door or a mantel that will fit around your bed? Use it as a headboard. You could paint the door and also decoupage with fabric or paper. It could be perfect for your room.

Use a trellis or arbor. They are available in a variety of sizes at the home improvement store. Paint them and decorate them with silk flowers and ribbons to create that stylish headboard. Fix them on the wall for stability.

If you can get hold of ceiling tin sheets, they could make unique headboards for your bedroom. Usually you can find them at flea markets and salvage stores. They should be slightly larger than the width of the bed. Nail them to the wall for an unusual look to the room.

Curtain rods that are the width of the bed or slightly bigger fixed on the wall above the bed can be used to hang various things to create beautiful headboards. You could hang vintage napkins or placemats. Pillows are another item that you can hang from the curtain rods. Make sure you modify the pillow cases so that they can be hung from the rods. Hanging a beautiful quilt could also work wonders for the room. You could also create your piece of cloth to be hung. Bring out your embroidery skills and stitch a beautiful design to hang from the curtain rods to create your very special headboard.

An old window frame, painted and fitted on the wall is another idea for a headboard. You could also paint a scenic picture behind the frame or use wall paper or a painting to give an effect of looking outdoors.

The place above your bed could be used as an area for your photo collection. Display your special photos with friends and family in beautiful frames, arranged in unique patterns to create your headboard. You could keep changing your photographs. Probably you could have a theme for every season. Similarly you could also hang paintings. It could be paintings that you have painted or from your collection. It could also be your children's art work including cards and drawings they have made for you.

Well, the options available are limitless. You have wall space above your bed waiting to be utilized. Get creative and experiment to get a stylish and unique look. The headboard need not be expensive.

Tameka Norris runs Furniture for Small Spaces It offers nifty tips and tactics, a Q & A section for people in need of answers, photos of her own small space trials, projects for the DIYer and recommendations on furniture choices. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Tameka_Norris

How to Find Great DIY Home Renovation Ideas Online

by Guy Morris

If you are a little bored of the look of your home then you may be looking into home renovation ideas. However, home renovation can be expensive and so it would help to have a few secret home renovation tips to help you out.

Here you will find the best DIY home renovation secrets to help you to save money as you improve the look of your home. Whilst it may be extremely daunting, not all home renovation jobs are difficult to do and with a little knowledge even a complete beginner can learn how to successful renovate their home by themselves.

Finding the Right Help Online

One of the best ways to learn about anything these days is to go online. This is especially the case with DIY questions and tips. So many people have the same problems and you can find a large range of knowledge on everything to do with DIY home renovations online.

Ideally what you should do before you start looking for tips online is to write a list of everything you would like to change. Go around your home and see what you would like to update. List absolutely everything and that will help you to find appropriate ideas and tips. If you don’t make a list then you could literally spend hours looking at information and advice that isn’t relevant to you. A good website no matter what you are looking for is the Better Home and Gardens website. They specialize in providing you with affordable and easy to follow DIY home renovation ideas.

You could also search for local DIY stores online. You will be able to look at what is available near your area. This will give you a good idea of whether you should go to the store and have a look around, or whether you should just stick to online information. Of course the benefit with going into the store is that you can ask an expert for advice on what equipment you will need and whether they have any tips for you. They will be able to lead you to exactly what you need and they should also be able to answer any questions that you may have.

Overall DIY home renovations can be hard work, but with the right knowledge you can easily undertake a large number of tasks by yourself. By looking online it can potentially save you a lot of money by providing you with handy tips and money saving ideas. You can find home improvement magazines online and you can also find forums where people give each other advice. Failing that you can try DIY stores where the staff there should be extremely helpful. http://www.goarticles.com/cgi-bin/showa.cgi?C=1020749

The free-lance writer Guy Morris is very interested in subjects similar to replacement vinyl windows and replacement vinyl window. With his publications on replacement vinyl windows and compare vinyl replacement windows the writer confirmed his capability in the area.

Step by step guide to make your own roman blind

by housetohome


You will need
2.5cm square wooden batten the width of the blind
Length of self-adhesive hook and sew-on loop fastener the width of the batten
Main fabric (we used Oleander, ref 4535-1, col Lemon, Ј65 a metre, Marvic Textiles, 020 7352 3119)
Lining fabric
Matching thread
Lengths of wooden dowelling, the width of the finished blind minus 3cm
Length of button trimming, three times the length of the finished blind plus 12cm (we used Button Braid, ref T571/06, Ј39 a metre, Osborne & Little)
12mm plastic rings
4 screw-in eyelets
Wooden acorn
3 lengths of cord, each the width of the finished blind plus twice the length
Wall cleat


Stage 1:
Fix the wooden batten inside the window recess to the underside of the window frame. Press the self-adhesive hook fastener along the front of the batten.

Stage 2:
To work out the size of your blind, measure from the top of the batten to your required finished length, adding 2.5cm each for the top and bottom hems. For the width, measure the length of the batten and add 2.5cm for each side seam. Cut out your main and lining fabric to these measurements.

Stage 3:
Right side up, lay out your main fabric on a flat surface. Place the lining fabric on top, matching raw edges all round. Pin all round, then stitch the side and bottom edges, taking a 2.5cm seam. Remove pins.

Stage 4:
To create a dowel pocket along the bottom edge, stitch a second line of stitching 6mm from the raw edge. Insert dowel. Trim seam allowances and turn through and press.

Stage 5:
To create the pleats, lay the blind lining side up and measure 5cm from the top of the blind. Mark with a pencil line across the width of the blind. Divide the remaining length of the blind into 20cm to 30cm pleats, finishing with a half pleat at the bottom. Mark each section with a pencil mark as before.

Stage 6:
To make pockets to hold the dowels at each of the pleats, cut 8cm strips of lining fabric to the width of the blind for each of the marked pencil lines. Fold each strip in half along the length and stitch the long raw edge and one end, taking a 1cm seam. Turn through and press.

Stage 7:
Centre the pockets along the marked pencil lines and pin and tack in place. Machine stitch each long edge, through all thicknesses, being careful not to pucker the fabric (see illustration).

Stage 8:
Slide the dowels into the pockets, turning under the remaining raw edges on the pockets and slip stitching to hold dowels in place.

Stage 9:
Cut the button trimming into three equal lengths. Pin and tack one strip down the centre on the right side of the blind, turning the excess to the back of the blind at the top and bottom. Slip stitch in place. Repeat to attach the remaining lengths of button trimming along the side edges of the blind. On the reverse of the blind turn under and slip stitch the excess button trimming.

Stage 10:
On each pocket mark the centre point of the blind and slip stitch a plastic ring in place. Repeat 5cm in from each side edge of the blind on each pocket (see illustration).

Stage 11:
To make the top hem, turn the raw edges of the main fabric and lining fabric to the back of the blind by 2.5cm and press. Stitch the sew-on loop fastener in place, close to the fold. Hang blind from the batten.

Stage 12:
Screw three eyelets to the underside of the batten so that each aligns with each row of plastic rings on the blind. Screw a fourth eyelet to the edge of the batten where the cords will fall and where the blind will be operated from.

Stage 13:
Cut the cord into three equal lengths and tie one to each of the three rings on the lowest pleat. Then thread each length of cord through each of the rings above it, and through the eyelets, finishing on the working side of the batten (see illustration). Trim the cords to a suitable length and thread on a wooden acorn. Fix a cleat in place on the wall and use to secure the cords.

house to home is a great source of interior design ideas and a helpful resource for buying and creating looks for your home. Search by room or by project to find the style you like for your home

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How to prepare and arrange a bookshelf in your home

Constructing a bookshelf for your home can be a complicated project requiring craftsman skills. Before building a bookshelf in your home, there are many factors to consider, for example, you'll want to know exactly where you are going to put the bookshelf and prepare purchasing all the required materials you need ahead of time.

Decide exactly where you are going to put in the house. Most bookshelves for home uses are wooden shelves. Some books can take up a lot of spaces, for example a custom bookcase can take up a lot of space wall. This can make your room smaller.

First thing you should consider is the capability of loading. Make a good estimation on how far apart to place shelf brackets and shelf supports when building a bookcase. It's safer keeping your shelf length at about two to three feet off the ground in your home. Depending where you're going to put the bookshelf, overloading can take place by the weight of plenty of books.

If you want a longer bookshelf, it'd be best to add a second bookcase. Don't make the shelves too far apart when you're building a new bookshelf. Books are only about 8-10" tall, so when shelves are apart you will have large gaps at the tops. Determine the optimum spacing of your bookshelf (depends on the size of your books) and mark the spacing on the sides of the bookcase.

Decide on the area which has the most strength capability. The area most suitable for placing the bookshelf is near the beam because the beam can support the ability to carry the heavy weight more than the other area.

Weight consideration considered vital for constructing a bookshelf in your home. Generally, floor platforms can't hold up the weight more than 150 kg. / square meter but the bookshelf with contain full of books has estimated weight of about 500-1000 kg. / square meter. Your floor will eventually damage, for example, curve, crack and may collapse. If you overloaded the books on your bookshelf, for example, on the first floor, it will just damage the floor. The upper floor of your house is considered more dangerous. The weight should be carefully examined prior construction.

There are boards for bookshelf for you to choose, either in plain or finished boards, with painted and unpainted, depending on the room you use in you home. If you buy plain boards, do not forget to buy stain or paint to finish them.

Make sure you have all the right materials you need, for example, paint, stain, a measuring tape, an electric drill and screws to hold the brackets in place. Your shelf bracket must have appropriate width for the boards you are going to use. Take the time to double-check all measurements. Remember to measure twice so you only have to cut once. Lay out the pieces as you would to assemble them.

You can then decide to either have an open shelving system or a closed bookcase, ant paint or stain your bookshelf.


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Methods for Building a Garden Shed Base

Having a garden shed can be a nice addition to your backyard and garden. It can act as a storage area and perhaps even a working area for the garden. You are probably riled up about getting your shed in place so you can begin to take advantage of it. But before you can worry about the shed, it is vital you focus your attention on building a solid garden shed base.

It is absolutely vital you construct a firm and stable base for the shed. Every shed requires a level base of some sort. While you can pay someone to construct one for you, you can also get the job done yourself with a little bit of knowledge and detailed instructions of how to complete the job.

Prior to building your shed base, there are a few things you want to take into consideration. First, do not place the base too close to walls or fences in case the shed has an overhanging roof. Next, cut any branches that may be in the way if you are to purchase a large shed. Lastly, allow for sufficient access to the outside walls for regular treatments.

Once you have taken these precautions, it is time to determine which method you will use to construct your garden shed base. There really are three methods you have to choose from; concrete, paving slab and timber bearers. While each is different in its own way, there are benefits and downsides to each.

Regardless of the method, the first step is to always mark your area. This allows you to clear any crops you may have. You can mark the area with string and pegs so you know exactly where it is going. It can also allow you to visually picture where and how the garden shed will look in the place you have it.

The first method we will go into detail about is the concrete base method. This is typically recommended for large sheds and log cabins. After you have marked your area, you will excavate the ground approximately 6 inches deep. From there, you will lay 3 inches of scalping or brick rubble that will act as sound foundation. Once laying this, you can remove the pegs and string.

The next step is to cut and fit four timber rails to act as a frame for the concrete that will set on top of the foundation. Finally, it is time to lay the concrete. As with the foundation, you will lay approximately 3 inches of concrete to fill the entire 6 inches you dug up. You have your option of either purchasing bags of dry mixed concrete and adding water gradually or making a mixture of ballast, cement and water yourself.

It is important you lay the concrete evenly, spreading it to all areas of the outline. Then, cover the concrete with sheets or a tarp to allow it to dry naturally. If the weather is dry and warm, spray it with water lightly so it does not dry too quickly.

The next method you can use to build a garden shed base is a paving slab. For this method you will excavate the ground 2.5 inches deep and lay a mixture of one part cement and eight parts building sand 1.5 inches deep.

After leveling this mixture, you can then begin to lay paving slabs starting from a corner. You will want to tap the slabs down with a rubber mallet to ensure the top of the slabs is higher than the surrounding ground.

The last method you can use to construct a base for your garden shed is the timber bearers method. For this method, you will excavate the ground 2 inches deep and lay 1.5 inches of gravel or soil. You will equally space concrete or timber bearers approximately 16 to 24 inches apart. If it is necessary, you can use a rubber mallet to tap the timber bearers down.

How much supplies you need for each method will all depend on the size of your shed. It is vital you have a plan drawn up for how you will construct the garden shed base, how big the base will be, and what kind of shed you are going to purchase. From there, simply follow the instructions for one of these three methods and you will be on your way.
Sara Lungley wrote the Article 'Methods for Building a Garden Shed Base' and recommends you visit http://www.a1articles.com/article_153049_27.html for more information on garden and storage sheds.

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How To Properly Hang A Picture

Are your pictures too high? Too low? Are there extra nail holes behind those family pictures on your wall from when you tried to “eyeball” it?

If you don’t have the faintest idea how high a picture should be hung on the wall, or know anything about grouping pictures or designing an arrangement, don’t despair-- there is hope.

Hanging a picture sounds easy enough, but the reality is there are many elements to this deceptively simple process that can make it frustratingly difficult and leave you with a ridiculous number of holes in your wall from failed attempts. Luckily, there are a few tips that can help you avoid butchering your wall and almost guarantee your pictures will be sitting pretty.

First, remember that the center of a picture should be at eye-level. This applies to a grouping of pictures, too, only using the center of the combined collaborative instead of the individual piece. Because height can vary dramatically from person to person, the default measurement is approximately 66 inches from the floor to the center of the object. There are exceptions to this rule, of course. For instance, if you are hanging a particularly large painting or mirror, 66 inches isn’t always spatially correct. Adjust accordingly and with great prejudice. Remember, too much “eyeballing” can lead to too many holes.

Another good rule is to use two picture hooks with picture hanging wire on the back of your frame. This prevents shifting and tilting, so you won’t have to be forever straightening your pictures. It also provides extra support for heavy objects. To determine where to place your hangers, measure and find the center of your picture. From this point, measure equal distance to a point that’s about half to two-thirds the length of the picture. You will need to remember how far these hooks are placed apart from the center when finally driving the nail, so make sure you write it down or commit it to memory.

Now, the moment of truth: hammering the nails (or drilling the screws, which may be a better option for really heavy objects. Using wall anchors with screws to hang your art will definitely keep things where they’re supposed to be.) When deciding how high to hang your picture, don’t forget to measure it first and find its center. You will need to measure from this point vertically to the wire and add x number of inches to 66 to allow for this space. Mark on the wall lightly with a pencil 66 inches from the floor where you want the center of the picture to be. From there, you will use a level to mark two more places the distance from the center to the picture hooks (you wrote it down, remember?). This is where you want to put your nails. After you hammer them in, it’s just a matter of hanging you picture!

If you have more than one picture of the same size and need to repeat this process, it is easy to hang them together symmetrically. If you have multiple pictures of varying size, sketching out a composition before trying to hang them is a good idea. It can help to visualize the smaller pictures as pieces of a larger whole and arranging them accordingly.
Ki helps people investigating the Austin real estate market. You can start your search by using his site to search the Austin MLS along with researching current market trends on his Austin real estate blog.
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Removing Countertops

One of the most cost effective ways to renovate your home is to “do-it-yourself.” From sanding and painting to digging and planting, there are many projects that a determined homeowner can accomplish. There are some jobs, however, that are better left to the professionals. These jobs are too heavy, too labor intensive or require specialized tools and skills.

Case in point: installing new granite countertops. The weight of the granite alone is enough to send anyone running to a phone to call for professional help. If you have new countertops on the way complete with the manpower do get it done, you are probably thinking you get the day off. But don’t lay down your tools just yet. There is a way to cut costs on this otherwise costly project—by doing the demo work yourself. Some contractors charge as much as $550 to remove the old countertops, a relatively easy job that even the most inexperienced handyman can handle.

First, remove all the drawers from your cabinets. This makes it much easier to gain access to your work area. You will also need to remove the contents of your cabinets so you can get underneath to work. Fortunately, these are things you will need to do before your new counters are installed anyway, so you are already ahead of the game.

It will also be necessary to remove your old sink. To do this, simply detach the plumbing from the drains and faucet (don’t forget to turn the water supply off), and remove the fasteners from the underside of the sink. There will be some sealant around the edge of the sink, but it should easily lift from the countertop.

If you look at your existing laminate countertops, you will see that they are in sections. Each section is attached to the cabinet base by screws drilled through the underside of the countertop. The next step to removing the old countertops is removing all these screws. This requires getting down on the floor and inside the cabinets at all kinds of uncomfortable angles. Luckily, a power screwdriver can speed this process along (although a manual screwdriver may still be needed for those hard to get to angles).

Next, remove the sealant from the edge of the backsplash. You can use a putty knife or screwdriver to do this. Be careful to remove as much as you can from any surface that you plan to save, so that when you pull off the counters, it doesn’t damage the wall.

Before you try to remove the countertops, make sure you have removed any outlet covers that may be attached to your backsplash. Also, keep in mind that there may be some glue adhering the backsplash to the wall, requiring a little more elbow grease to remove.

Finally, you are ready to take the old counters off. Have someone assist you with the lifting and removal. If you have trouble getting a section off, double check that all your screws have been removed. If the backsplash adhesive is giving you trouble, try sliding a putty knife behind the backsplash to break the bond.

Now your old counters are gone, your kitchen is ready for the new ones, and you saved yourself a little money. Now, all that’s left to do is watch the professionals get to work.
Ki helps individuals looking for houses in the Austin real estate market. His site has information on mortgage interest rates along with a graphical search of the Austin MLS.

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