How To Make Dog House

If you have a dog that spends a lot of time outside, you need a dog house. If you have a little do-it-yourself skill, you may be able to make your own with the help of some free dog house plans.

Making the plans for a dog house is easy. Decide how large you want the dog house to be. This is going to depend on the size of your dog. You want the dog to be able to move around inside and not be uncomfortable.

We'll use a medium dog as our example for creating free dog house plans.

First you will need to make a template for the base of the house. This will be the entire floor space, minus walls, that the house will have. We are going to create a house that is 21 inches wide and 24 inches deep, a good amount of space for a small to medium dog.

Next you need walls and a front. The side walls are going to be 24 inches long (since that is the size floor you cut out, and 24-27 inches high, depending on if you have a tall or short dog. The front and back walls will be 21 inches wide and as high as you have decided the side walls should be. Remember, one of these pieces needs to have a door drawn in it that is large enough for your pet to climb through.

The pieces of the roof need to be created in a width and length to cover while allowing sloping to the roof. In this case we are going to use one piece that is 21 inches x 32 inches and a second piece that is 21 ½ inches by 32 inches. That extra half-inch is not a typo, it is going to be the space you need to attach the two pieces together.

Now you can decide how much wood you need to use for your free dog house plans. Add up the measurements from the free dog house plans you just made and decide how much wood you need to make it work.

If you want an extra strong house you may want to use 2x4's to make a frame that fits the shape and attach the pieces of plywood to it.

Put the pieces of the dog house together with decking screws. Make sure to do this carefully. While 5/8 inch wood is a good amount of space to work with, if you tilt a little too much one way or the other you could send a screw end sticking into the dog house, and injuring your pet.

Next put the two roof pieces together. You will attach the pieces at a right angle with the longer piece facing you, as the piece you will put the screws through the top of.

If you want to add a little more strength, you can cut some of the extra plywood into right angle triangles to offer extra support at the angle of the top. You should glue them in first then screw them in place.

You have two ways to put the top on the house. The first is to make it removable, by putting two strips of wood, spaced evenly on both sides, underneath the long sides of the roof. When it is set on the top of the house, those strips of wood will balance the roof on top of the house frame. If you would prefer to have your roof permanent, nail down from the outside of the roof and into the walls of the house to hold it in place.


NOTES:

It is important to select exterior woods, as the dog house will have to put up with the weather.

You may want to put shingles on the roof to offer an extra layer of protection

Don't use pressure treated woods if your dog is prone to chewing on things. The chemicals used in the wood can be toxic.

Use exterior paint on the outside of the house to offer an extra layer of protection against the elements.

Keep the doghouse off the ground. Either build it on cement blocks or use pressure treated 2x4s to create a rectangular base to hold it off the ground and away from any standing water. Just add this wood to your list of supplies from on your free dog house plans.


Finley Zhang is a dog lover, and he enjoys sharing information and knowledge about dog. He is owner of YummyHealthyDogFood, It has helped dog owners increase dog's lifespan by sharing dog food recipes, dog care, and dog health tips.
Access the tips now by visiting http://www.YummyHealthyDogFood.com/blog

This article is free for republishing
Source: http://www.articlealley.com/article_499506_54.html

Steel Shelving: A Work Of The Master Class

The sleek lines of modern furnishings tend to dominate the look of contemporary interiors today. In most modern houses, an astonishing range and variety is available. The spectrum includes an array of lines, shines, and rigid classic designs.

Who would have thought that an ordinary steel bar could create such a brilliant masterpiece?

This is, indeed, the art of contemporary organization, one that is commonly know to the industry as steel shelving.

Steel shelving is, basically, a choice of shelving matter. The other type is wood shelving. Though, both were made to provide the same function – a modern way of organizing things.

Steel shelving is generally composed of dazzling with minor details of steel. The steel is treated with either a powder coating or a paint coating. This treatment is made to protect the item from scratches and the possible accumulation of rust.

Unlike its typical counterpart, steel shelving offers versatility and affordability all at the same time. In most cases, steel shelving’s come in do-it-yourself kits to accommodate various sizes of closets, and purchase of additional individual components is possible.

Basically, steel shelving can be mounted either as static or mobile shelving.

Static shelving is more affordable than mobile shelving. This type of installation is best for small offices where there is no added space to change its location.

On the other hand, mobile shelving is installed with wheels at the base of the structure. Because of this feature, the shelving can be easily transported. It renders mobility and ease of managing the place used for storing the items.

Conversely, the main function of steel shelving is commonly focused on industrial settings. It provides ideal storage for most offices and warehouses.

As an industrial tool, steel shelving has different kinds. These are:

1. Closed Steel Shelving

Closed steel shelving has a metal back and edge plates as supplementary to the primary open part. Closed steel shelving is manufactured through an innovative fabrication line that starts with plane steel blank and finishes with a comprehensive shelf.

The additional accessories are flanges, for additional potency.

Advantages:

1. Ideal for most offices.
2. Perfect when you need a key control.
3. It is firm and hard-wearing.
4. It provides sanitation because it has enclosed units.
5. It has three post styles that can fit any conditions.

2. Combo Open and Closed Steel Shelving

This type of steel shelving provides flexibility of compatible elements for all closed and open steel shelving products. This is because there is a preference on connecting using bolts and nuts, instead of clips as used in wire shelving.

Advantages

1. It is convenient.
2. It is more flexible to construct.
3. It has a wide array of uses.

3. Open Steel Shelving

This is the most common type of steel shelving. Because of its open design, open steel shelving is considered as an all-purpose type of compartment.

Advantages

1. It provides easier safe keeping and stacking due to its open design.
2. It provides steadiness because of its side and end bend support.
3. Perfect for big items
4. It can be modified to 1 and ½ inch increments.
5. It can fit any conditions because of its three post styles.
6. It is best for movable and “high-rise” storerooms.

4. Bin Unit Shelving

This type of steel shelving is used whenever miniature storage containers are required.

Advantages

1. It is best for separating boxes and other items, especially in a warehouse.
2. It can be modified to 1” increments.
3. It is available in different bin settings.

On its entirety, the great thing about steel shelving is that it maximizes the space in your office or any industrial structures.

Usually, the most wasted area in a storage room is the space between the top shelf and the ceiling. With steel shelving, you can store more items on the top of the shelves. Plus, this extra space can be utilized for excess items and other stuffs that need support.

Indeed, steel shelving is the modern way of keeping things organized and managed. It provides ease of work flow because people can easily spot the things they need.

With steel shelving, you can be assured of wise storage solutions that present the handiness of customizable storage compartments.

This article is free for republishing
Source: http://www.articlealley.com/article_500071_27.html

Video: DIY How to Move Concrete with your BARE HANDS

Remodeling and destroying and inground pool. Piece by Piece

Green Dean TV: Install a Rain Harvester! Video.

Save money on your summer watering bill with this easy to install, unobtrusive rain harvester

How to Install Laminate Flooring

Installing laminate flooring

Do It Yourself Lighting, Decor It Yourself

Style and compassionate living starts at home. This week we explore the ins and outs of DIY Lighting, and show you how to enhance your aesthetic tot cut down and save energy.

Pearl River
Paper Lantern Store
Enderby Nest
Studio Tord Boontje
Adam Frank
Robot Candy
Modest Designs
Honeysuckle Creations
Sidedish

How to Seal Brick and Other Masonry Buildings

Water entering a masonry substrate can cause your home to have interior leaks or exterior staining, spalling and efflorescence. Usually the masonry substrate can absorb the liquid water and release it again when it stops raining. However, the masonry could still have staining and efflorescence.

In modern home construction, masonry is used as a veneer. That is, homes and buildings that have brick, stone, stucco or some other masonry exterior are traditional wood or steel buildings on the inside. The veneer is just a cosmetic look. Therefore, improper building practices can cause leaks into the house or around windows and doors. At the more extreme circumstance, improper building practices can cause the structure of the building to become damaged due to water.

Efflorescence

Efflorescence is the whitish staining that is seen on the surface of brick and masonry. This is actually the accumulation of salts from the brick itself. What happens is that the water inside of the brick dissolves the natural salts that are present from the manufacturing of the brick. Then the water evaporates to the surrounding air, leaving the salts on the surface to be seen.

Spalling

Spalling is when the brick or masonry substrate flakes. This can be caused by water freezing inside of the brick and expanding. The expansion causes the brick to break and flake.

Now, to waterproof brick or masonry it must be sealed against water penetration. But be careful. A surface sealer such as acrylics, silicones or epoxies can actually trap water vapor from the inside of the building from getting out. As mentioned before, this can cause spalling.

Brick pavers and concrete sidewalks or driveways come under attack from deicing salts. These salts do extensive damage to the substrate. By sealing the surface, the salts will not be able to do damage to the substrates.

The best way to waterproof and seal a brick or other masonry substrate is with a penetrating siloxane based sealer. The siloxane actually penetrates into the masonry substrate and chemically bonds to it. This fills the pores and prevents liquid water from penetrating. However, siloxanes are 100% breathable. So water vapor from the interior can still escape from the brick. This will reduce spalling.

Siloxanes have the added benefit of not coloring or darkening the substrate. They are clear and do not leave a glossy sheen. Since siloxanes penetrate the masonry and are not on the surface, the original texture of the surface is maintained. And the penetration into the masonry substrate actually protects them from the elements. They will be long lived and give years of maintenance free performance.

This article is written by Aaron Kuertz with Applied Technologies. Aaron has been in the waterproofing industry since 1998. Applied Technologies is a manufacturer and supplier to professional waterproofing contractors and homeowners in the United States. Please visit them at http://www.appliedtechnologies.com/pages/content/masonry_brick_sealer.html Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Aaron_Kuertz

A Beginner's Guide - How to Build a Brick Wall

There is something about building walls that gives people a sense of accomplishment. This is why it is not a surprise that even though you can always hire a professional bricklayer, a part of you would rather do it yourself. Whether you intend to pursue it as a career or you just plan to engage in it as a hobby, building a brick wall entails extensive background on the rudiments of bricklaying.

Here is a step-by-step guide on how to build a brick wall to help you on your first wall-building project:

Step 1: Gather all the tools you will need such as the brick trowel, mortar mix, bricks, jointer, hammer, level, line, water, tape measure, brush, nails, wall ties, wheelbarrow, safety gear and shovel. The brick trowel, a triangular shaped flat metal with a handle, is the primary hand tool you will be using to construct the wall. It is what you will use to spread mortar as you lay the bricks. The mortar is a mud-like substance wherein the bricks are set in. To make a mortar, mix 15 to 20 shovels of sand to one 70-pound bag of mortar mix. This will require about 5 gallons of water but it is advisable to mix the dry materials first before including the water. Add one gallon of water at a time until you reach the preferred consistency. There are different sizes of bricks but for your first project, try using the standard bricks which measure about 8 Ѕ inches long, 2 Ѕ inches tall and 4 Ѕ inches deep.

Step 2: Bricks are meant to be constructed as a veneer wall, meaning it should be against another wall like that of a house. Ensure that there is sufficient foundation to hold the bricks.

Step 3: Measure the length of the wall you intend to build. Since your bricks are about 8 Ѕ inches long, mark the wall with 8 ѕ intervals to give a little space for the mortar that will come between the bricks, which is called the joint.

Step 4: After you have indicated the markings, you can now continue laying down the first layer. To do this, you have to start from the left side going to the right. Use your left hand to grab a brick from the stack and your right hand to get some mortar with the trowel. Spread a layer of mortar and set the brick in it. Remove any mortar residue that comes out of the pressed brick.

Step 5: Repeat the process and continue laying down the bricks until it reaches your desired height. Just remember to consistently check with a level in the middle of the wall to ensure that the wall is level. If a side appears too high, put the bricks closer at the other end.

You will find this step-by-step procedure helpful in your brick wall-building feat but for more detailed information and training, it is advisable to purchase a bricklaying DVD or undergo intensive bricklaying courses.

Bert Bedgegood is a freelance investigative journalist.
Get more information regarding Bricklaying Course.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Bert_Bedgegood

How to use wall finishes in a bedroom design project?

Dear friends, any interior space are composed of some primary
architectural elements such as walls, floor and ceiling.
Depending upon the type of structural framework, the
construction method would change.

We always see experience and perceive any interior space
in elevation. This means that walls are the first things of
any structure that create an impact on our mind. The quality
and volume formed because of the walls define an architectural
structure.

When we enter a building, what we primarily and dominantly
perceive are walls. Let's see how walls can be used as an
excellent element in a bedroom design project.

1) Exposed Brick walls.

In order to use these kind of walls it is necessary to preplan the
interior design schedule. Normally if a brick wall is to
be kept exposed (without plaster), it is built with high quality
bricks which are machine cut for high quality and accuracy.

Since bricks have their own color and texture, this option can
be used to create a color contrast by keeping only one wall
exposed and other with a contrasting color. This can add some
interest in the bedroom.

2) Exposed plaster walls.

An exposed plaster wall is a wall which has not been painted.

These kind of walls are very rarely used in interiors. Since
the plaster is a composite material using appropriate qualities
of cement, sand and aggregate, the final material has a dull
color. A dull color on a space like bedroom would express
a kind of depression, hence is not recommended.

But portions of a wall with preplanned design and sketching can
be used in association with exposed brick wall. Design
pattern with partly colored and partly exposed plaster can be a
good idea.

Or a completely exposed plaster wall with a design patter in grooves
can be used effectively.

3) Wall with tile cladding.

Tile cladding is what we see in kitchen above the cooking
platform. Tile cladding is also used in bathrooms and toilets.
These are normally ceramic tiles.

In a bedroom interesting patterns can be created to fake the
exposed brick wall mentioned above. Many excellent patters
can be used just like a jigsaw puzzle.

4) Paint on walls.

The word painting has two meanings here.

a) A wall with plane colors applied to it. This is done above the
plastered surface of the wall. Two or three coats of the desired
shade of the color and base material are applied.

b)Secondly, instead of using plane colors, the entire wall can
be used as a "canvas" to paint a story or mural. This is a very
good method to paint children bedrooms. Walls can be used as a
storyboard to create interest.

5) Wallpapers.

Applying a wallpaper is an excellent way to quickly change the
look and feel of the bedroom. Depending upon the "theme" of the room
many wallpaper patterns are available.

Wallpapers are very good in large bedrooms. In large bedroom
"emptiness" is a big problem. If there are not enough decorating
elements available, a room might look empty. Here wallpapers can
serve as fillers and quickly add some interest in the room.

6)Textured plaster walls.

These kind of walls need special techniques to create a textured
pattern on walls. Once a texture is applied any shade of
paint can be used.

One of the great thing about these walls is, when sunlight falls on
them, a very interesting play of light and shadows get created.
Because of the undulations in the surface of the plaster, small
shadows form on the surface of the wall, giving it a visual
quality.

A wall in the bedroom which receives direct sunlight should be
chosen for this purpose.

This article shows you how various options to the existing wall
finishes are possible, that can enhance the quality of the
bedroom interior space.

This article is free for republishing
Source: http://www.articlealley.com/article_497857_27.html

Installing Wall Mounted Water Fountains - Is This A DIY Project?

Once you have found the perfect wall mounted water fountain to match your home's décor, there is one question you will need to ask yourself. Can I install the wall fountain myself or do I need to hire a professional? The answer to this question really depends upon three major factors: your fountain's weight, size and placement.

Fountain Weight
Some of the wall hanging fountains are very heavy simply because they are made of materials such as slate, stone, marble or glass; therefore, even if you are able to install the fountain yourself, you may need some assistance in hanging it. If you purchase you water fountain online, be sure to check the manufacturer's specifications so that you are prepared in advance of your fountains arrival. In most cases, indoor wall fountains are made to be homeowner friendly so that they can be installed easily by most do-it-yourselfers. Detailed instructions and/or an installation DVDs can go a long way to making you more comfortable with self-installation. Once your water fountain arrives, be sure to read the manufacturer's instructions thoroughly before you decide on self-installation. After you have thoroughly read over the installation details provided by the manufacturer, you should be able to make a well-informed decision as to whether or not you feel comfortable hanging the wall mounted fountain yourself.

Fountain Size
If your wall fountain is really large or if you are not comfortable hanging it yourself, then you may simply hire any number of professionals to perform the installation for you. This may increase your overall price, but it may be well worth the cost to eliminate your own anxiety over installation. Your hanging water fountain may represent a large financial investment, so it is important that you have the fountain installed correctly and safely.

Fountain Placement
Placement of your fountain is also probably one of the considerations in the installation process. Whether you are buying your water fountain for your foyer, or for a large great room wall, the placement of the fountain will need to be considered. Whether you choose a horizontal hanging wall fountain, or a massive vertical wall fountain, be sure that you have performed the needed research to make sure you are buying the correct size for your needs.

DIY?
If you decide to hang your water fountain yourself, be sure that you read the directions completely before you begin the process of installation. This enables you to ensure that you have all of the tools that you need. It is almost certain that you will have to locate the studs in your wall to hang your indoor wall fountain. Finding the studs is important because they support the frame of the wall, and are ideal for use of hanging a heavy water fountain. Otherwise, the sheer weight of the fountain could potentially pull the fasteners through the sheetrock and damage the wall and also possibly the fountain as well.

You need to make sure that once you have made the significant financial investment in a wall fountain that you are properly prepared to mount the fountain so that you can benefit from its peaceful and magnificent mood enhancing benefits.

Donna Turner is owner of Fountains-a-Flowing.com, a website dedicated to offering the greatest selection of Water Fountains online, as well as useful, interesting information related to these beautiful water features. From the grand and magnificent Indoor Water Fountains, to the beautiful, smaller self-contained Tabletop Water Fountains these wonderous water features bring beauty and serenity to any indoor living space no matter what size. Discover for yourself the natural power and wonderment of water fountains as they are becoming increasingly more popular accents used as indoor home decor. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Donna_L_Turner

How To Install Invisible Shelves

http://www.videojug.com - pimp out your pad and pretend you read

Simple Project Demonstration

Just Something I Made In My Spare Time To Show You All How To Design Your Own Chairs Or Beds. You Can Even Design Homes With Enough Skill That Is...


To Download This Program (and you don't want to wait till the end of the video)
Go Here:

http://sketchup.google.com/

Do It Yourself Bathroom Vanities

Many people love nothing more than to roll up their sleeves on the weekends and tackle their home improvement projects. A popular room to redo is the bathroom, and with the right know-how, you can do a bathroom vanity installation yourself. One of the most inexpensive ways to add style and storage to your bathroom is to add a new vanity set. There are, however, a couple things to keep in mind before tackling your new vanity project, including material durability and installation ease.

Now, you don't want to go to all this trouble to install a cheap vanity that will need to be replaced in 2 years. This means you want to install a vanity made of durable, quality materials, so remember to choose a vanity cabinet wood or material that has been treated to withstand the humid conditions of a bathroom. Select a countertop that is water resistant or even waterproof, made of granite, marble, ceramic, wood or tempered glass. When choosing your vanity sink material, you can choose a vessel sink vanity or under-mounted variety, which can be porcelain, stone, stainless steel, copper, or other materials. When creating your unique bathroom vanity look, choose faucet fixtures that bring the design idea together, so that you have a planned, cohesive design.

Of course, installing your new vanity yourself will be the most cost effective way to redo your bathroom. If you need a little help with hooking up the plumbing correctly, don't be afraid to call a plumber to help with this part. If you are confident in your own do-it-yourself skills, just follow these simple steps to installing your new vanity. First of all, make sure to shut off the water and disconnect the water supply to the current sink and drain. Use a bucket to catch any water that drips from the supply lines under the bathroom sink and the p-trap, which is the white curved pipe in the center.

Once your water is turned off and safely disconnected, loosen the caulk between the bathroom vanity and the wall. You can do this with a simple utility knife. Make sure to not scratch up your wall paint, otherwise you'll have another project next weekend! Remove the sink countertop very carefully, watching that you don't take half the wall with it. You will usually need at least 2 people or more to take the old countertop and vanity down, so don't do this alone.

Using a cordless screwdriver, you can loosen the screws that attach the vanity to the wall. Remove the old screws and carefully dislodge the old vanity. Again, this is usually not a one-person show, so get an extra pair of hands to help you with this. Take the old vanity and take it to the furniture graveyard, or wherever else old vanities go to die! Now it's time to get ready for the new bathroom vanity. Find the wall studs, and make marks for new screw holes. Remember to make marks for the studs a little higher than where you want the new vanity top to sit.

Once the vanity is positioned, attach it to the wall using wallboard screws. Now that you have attached the cabinet, and before you attach the new bathroom countertop, install the new sink faucet. When installing your cabinets and countertop, make sure you check that they are level against the wall. Then use tub-and-tile caulk to attach the new countertop to the base. The final step is to reconnect the plumbing with Teflon tape, and to carefully apply a thin line of caulk around the sink countertop edges. Take a deep breath and enjoy that feeling of accomplishment: You are finished installing your very own new vanity!

If you would like more information on bathroom vanities or would like to look at different variations of vanities, please visit Premiere Vanities. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jane_Worthington

Smart Furniture Assembly

Tool-free, customizable furniture. Visit www.Smartfurniture.com

Learn to plaster

How to skim. Some DIY skills can be learnt from reading a book - plastering is probably not one of them You need someone to show you the basics, then much practice is needed. But it is possible to achieve successful plastering whilst practising -- just have a go at the small areas first. This clip is a very quick brief guide to the art of plastering

Home Reserve Introduction

Home Reserve's Shipping

Your sofa, loveseat, sectional or chair is normally shipped

Home Reserve's Replaceable Fabrics

All Home Reserve's Sofas, Couches, Sectionals and chairs Have

How Home Reserve Furniture Works

Ready to Assemble Upholstered Furniture

DIY reupholster chairs

How To Make Curtains, Decor It Yourself

We are very excited about our new show Decor it Yourself! In this episode, Meg shows us how-to DIY your curtains in response to some of the Threadheads' requests. Plus, a very helpful quick tip. Do...
(more)
Added: March 04, 2008
We are very excited about our new show Decor it Yourself! In this episode, Meg shows us how-to DIY your curtains in response to some of the Threadheads' requests. Plus, a very helpful quick tip. Don't forget to show some love for the sode in the comments below!

Apartment Therapy
Repro Depot
Etsy
Method Home
Enderby Nest

how to change the fuel filter on your riding lawn mower

this is a step by step DIY tutorial of how to change the fuel filter on your riding lawn mower.
by www.kcpowerequipment.com

DIY Magnetic Flower Vases

The Fix Its - Curbly.com's resident fixologists create a set of magnetic flower vases

DIY Ornaments

Make your own awesome nerdtacular ornaments to give as gifts or decorate your tree

Weathered Stone Countertop Install Pt2

Dream kitchen DIY

Use your computer to redesign your kitchen

Do It Yourself! A cheap toy for your dog

For those who are bored or just otherwise tired of buying expensive toys for dogs that are broken in a few minutes

Fashion DIY: Denim Edition

From: DaniellaTello How we transformed old beaten up jeans into a sexy corset like mini dress

diy solar power project,air x turbine

solar project,and air x 400 watt,,been workin o... (more)
Added: February 28, 2008
solar project,and air x 400 watt,,been workin on this for a couple of months,,this wouldnt be affordable if ebay wasnt around,,,,any comments let me know thanks and if i can answer any questions,,home owners association suck when it comes to solar

DIY homemade laser light show video

me and a friend thought about what we could do with a laser pen and hear was the outcome (From: dcandyh )

5 Easy Tips for Assembling Your Outdoor Furniture

So, you’ve bought a wonderful patio set and you can’t wait to get it together and start enjoying your new purchase. Great! Let’s get to it. But wait, you have what seems like millions of different pieces of wood, screws, and things you’ve never seen before. You don’t even know where to start. The good news is this: we are here to help. Just follow these five fantastic tips for an easy and painless way to have beautiful assembled outdoor furniture.

#1: First, make sure you have the right tools. Look at the directions (yes men - look at the directions) and check to see what tools you are going to need to assemble the furniture. Now, check your tool box and make sure you have the tools you will need. If you don’t have the tools required to build your furniture, either borrow or buy them for your project. Having the right tools on hand will make the assembly much easier.

#2: Next, we want to make sure that safety precautions are taken before you start on your outdoor furniture project. Have a pair of safety goggles, as well as work gloves to keep your hands and eyes safe. If you are using circular saws or any tools for cutting, make sure those tools are sharpened and ready to use. A dull tool is much more dangerous than a sharp one.

#3: Before you start putting the pieces together, make sure that you have all of the pieces that you need. Read through the directions and make sure that every piece is accounted for. If you are missing pieces, contact your retailer and they should send you the pieces that you are missing, or send a whole new product. You do not want to get halfway through your construction and realize that you are missing an important piece of your project. Next you can separate all of the pieces into different piles for easy access. Most of the time, the directions will label each piece of wood and different screws and nuts with letters or numbers. This will make assembly so much easier when everything is already separated and close at hand.

#4: The fourth tip is included for those of you that will need to be cutting wood pieces for your outdoor furniture. First of all make sure that you know how to make the cuts. It is always a good idea to practice the cuts on scrap pieces of wood before you make the final cuts for your project. It is also very important to measure your cuts to eliminate any wrong cuts that might ruin your beautiful new furniture. As my wise father once said, measure twice and cut once.

#5: The last tip is a fun one that will make your time assembly time much faster. It is a great idea to involve a friend or family member in your project. Your friend may have the tools that you don’t have, or more experience in putting together wood pieces. Even if your friend is a novice like you, it is still good to have an extra pair of hands to help out. Plus it is much more fun (and safe) working with a friend than working by yourself.

Now go get started on putting together your stunning outdoor pieces and enjoy your new space. Then, invite all of your friends and family over for a block party to show off your hard work. Who knows, you might even get a few friends that want your help on their next project!

About the author:
Thomas Easterday is the Director of Marketing for The Cedar Station. The Cedar Station carries a complete line of outdoor furniture for your enjoyment. For more information about The Cedar Station please visit http://www.thecedarstation .

Article Source: http://www.Free-Articles-Zone.com

DIY patio and deck

Wouldn't it be fantastic if there were a quick and simple way to cover your entire drab concrete with a classic solid wood deck? A great looking and hard wearing deck that you could enjoy all year round. And a surface that looks exactly like an expensive custom made wood deck. DIY “deck-in-a box” system gives you all the benefits of a solid hardwood deck without the hassles, to build a deck the conventional way.

Too simple to maintain and use

Simple DIY installation avoids expensive tradespersons, no tedious surface preparation – ready to install right out of the box, fuss free installation - no nails, screws or adhesives required, no special tools required – just a tape measure, utility knife, screwdriver and saw, no carpentry skills required, no struggling with misaligned tiles or uneven spacing - tiles click accurately into place every time, eliminates pools of water and slippery decks – water drains away freely under the mesh base, ready to use immediately – no sanding, staining or other finishing required and easy to fit around pipes, posts, irregular or curved shapes - jut cut to shape with a saw, convenient to transport – no problems with elevators, stairs or rooftop access, completely portable – just lift up and re-install in any other location as desired, easy to extend or modify the shape of your deck with changing circumstances and create your own deck patterns - change the pattern as often .

No drilling, no nailing, no deck building skills, no hard work

Perhaps best of all there's no nailing, drilling or carpentry skills required. It doesn't matter if you've never lifted a hammer in your life. It’s so easy to lay these tiles you could even get the kids to lay them No matter who lays the tiles, you'll have no uneven gaps between boards, no nail heads or screw holes amazing looking solid wood deck.

Add to your deck as you like

You can easily add to your deck anytime you like, if you don't need them anymore in a particular place simply lift them up and lay then down again them elsewhere. Plus you can create different deck designs with three distinct tiles styles to choose from. Although makeovers of drab concreted areas are certainly the most popular and impressive transformations, You can even lay the tiles directly on firm ground provided any surface water can drain away easily and the ground is firm, level and smooth and a weed control mat is laid under the tiles.

About the author:
Visit the authors website for more great do it yourself deck design ideas:
http://www.diydeckdesigning.com

Article Source: http://www.Free-Articles-Zone.com

Tips That Will Help You In The Creation Process Of Lava Lamps

If you perform a small search on the Internet, you'll come across a wide range of formulas and detailed instructions about how to make your own lava lamps at home. Though it is definitely a lot of fun, the whole experience could cost you a good deal of money; unless you are really after some unique pass time, it is advisable that you buy ready-made lava lamps from a specialty shop.

The most difficult part in the creation process of lava lamps is the motion feature that the lamp needs to have to show authenticity. First of all, such lava lamps require heat control that is automatically incorporated in the manufacturing design of the items bought from the store; otherwise, in home use some form of heat output control is required in order to avoid overheating.

If liquid wax is out of reach, then oil is the next choice you've got to simulate the lava in the lamp; but since two kinds of liquids are required for the internal structure of the device, you'll have to complete it with some form of regular alcohol like the one produced for medical use. Home made lava lamps should have the oil at the bottom which will afterwards rise in different shapes when the alcohol is added.

There are no restrictions in terms of the liquid container used in the design of home-made lava lamps; the only condition to be followed here is that the shape of the device be pleasant and artistic enough to be used afterwards. In order to get the great colors specific to the lava lamps you may have use some pigments, and organic food colors are often a good choice for the matter; after all bubble making and nice shape creations are the set goals in the design of individual lava lamps.

The only problem with lava lamps made at home is their safety on the long and short term as well. If you consider the fact that the glass container may break at some point if you don't take care of heat control, would you risk wasting the time over a decorative item you'd not be able to use on the desk or in the children's room for safety reasons? Therefore, unless you have some experience in the making of lava lamps, it would be better to simply buy one from the store instead of wasting time and money.

About the author:
Muna wa Wanjiru Has Been Researching and Reporting on Lamps for Years. For More Information on Lava Lamps, Visit His Site at LAVA LAMPS



Article Source: http://www.Free-Articles-Zone.com

How to Store and Display your Coin Collection

A very large and fun part of collecting coins is displaying them, and sharing this display with others to appropriately admire. The pleasure you get when you can proudly show off your collection to another person – be it another collector or not – is immense. There are many other reasons of course for displaying your coins properly, but I feel in this case at least observing the proper course of action need not be about the right thing to do of taking care of your coins.

For me at least, a very large part of collecting my coins is the ability to touch them and to see them proudly displayed. Unfortunately with the rarer and more expensive coins I can’t take them out to play and run them through my hands like water. But I can do that with some of my lesser sets and these I have to say I haven’t displayed as proudly as the others. Not for any other reason than because it’s easier to take them out of the tubes or the rolls than it is out the display albums or holders.

It’s also a great ego boost when other collectors will openly admire your work, and a properly displayed collection is the only way to get that little rush of pleasure. As with anything, you’ll find there are numerous variations on any one theme, and you can probably find just about anything to suit your tastes if you look hard enough. On my part these are the main ones that I use, and I hardly ever deviate to any of the newer varieties of display items available. Unless of course the verdicts are in and it’s found to be something that is simply amazing. And you don’t get too many of those!

The one thing that I want to mention here is to stay away from anything PVC. The catastrophes that could befall your collection are immense so stay away from anything PVC. I have to say that you should also stay away from papers that are going to react adversely with your coins. Some papers will produce an acidic compound that will eat right through to your coins and leave them in a very sorry state.

I will however reiterate that even after you have properly placed your coins for displaying, you should also look for a place to store your display cases. They shouldn’t be kept anywhere that’s going to become damp or humid, or where moisture can easily gather on the coins. You might want to think about investing in proper storage containers as well for your coins, but for my tastes that’s going further than I want to.

I put my coins in the display cases and then I place these in a place where I can be relatively certain they won’t gather any moisture, and which isn’t subject to humidity or dampness. For this timely storage place I found I owe my thanks to the advancement of technology. With the advent of the DVD into the world I was finally able to clear up some much needed space and lug my stash of videos to somewhere else.

And since I don’t need half as much space for my DVD collection as I did for my video collection, I can keep my storage boxes where I used to keep the videos! It’s all sorted out and in no time at all. Of course I wouldn’t recommend this course of action if you’ve got some really valuable coins in your collection. In which case, you might want to think about safety deposit boxes or something along those lines.

About the author:
Muna wa Wanjiru is a web administrator and has been researching and reporting on internet marketing for years. For more information on Coins, visit his site at COINS

Article Source: http://www.Free-Articles-Zone.com

A Rough Idea Of How To Make Cardboard Chairs

Imagine walking into an empty apartment and having a limited budget to decorate and furnish this apartment. How would you go about this problem? Well if you are enterprising you will have found your much needed furniture from your various family and friends. You could on the other hand use the materials on hand to make the furniture that you want. This is a temporary measure as you really can’t be sitting on cardboard chairs right?

Well before you start saying there is no way that cardboard chairs can be used on a permanent basis you may want to do some looking into this idea. This is because you will find a few companies today which manufacture cardboard chairs. These chairs are mainly made from varying pieces of corrugated cardboard. Some type of glue substance is used to seal the chair pieces together.

Beyond these items hardboard facing is used in the final finishing process. The idea of cardboard chairs was used commercially in 1969. The designer of these chairs was an individual named Gehry. Gehry used single sheets of cardboard to make his chair designs. In order to provide the strength that a chair needs for sitting down, the cardboard sheets were layered. As the layering continues the cardboard begins to gain a flexible strength.

To promote an interesting ripple effect Gehry would purposely misalign the various stacked cardboard pieces. This would produce the effect and look of undulating lines in the cardboard chairs. As his designs were successful there are other furniture lines that follow along these same lines.

These collections are ones like the Bent Wood Collection, Experimental Edges, Easy Edges and others. Now while the furniture from Gehry is an excellent example of how cardboard can be used to produce fantastic furniture there are other people who have come up with their own versions of these cardboard chairs.

For these people the cardboard boxes and packaging that is around their homes and in packing stores will do quite nicely for the construction of chairs, stools and table too. To construct various pieces of furniture from the cardboard boxes will take some time, imagination, marker pens, glue and scissors. You will need to see how you can make your cardboard chairs stay steady once they have been made.

For this purpose see how the various parts of the chair can be made with the least amount of cutting. You will need to fold the cardboard into the sizes that you want and glue them together if it is necessary. By experimenting you should end up with a rough idea of how to make cardboard chairs. All that will then be necessary is to tidy your new cardboard chairs so that they are ready for use.

About the author:
Muna wa Wanjiru is a Web Administrator and Has Been Researching and Reporting on Chairs for Years. For More Information on Cardboard Chairs, Visit His Site at Cardboard Chairs

Article Source: http://www.Free-Articles-Zone.com

How To Install A Prehung Door

Hanging a door these days is easier than its ever been. In the days before prehung doors, it took more tools and knowledge to hang a door than it does now.

Imagine getting a door slab, an unassembled door jamb, hinges and door hardware and having to do all the mortising, drilling, rabbeting on site.

No longer do you need an array of tools such as a drill, a mortising jig for hinges, strikes, and bolt plate. No jig for drilling the backset for the doorknob and bolt.

Nowadays all you need is a hammer and hard trim nails or a finish nail gun and some shims.

The first thing you need to do is check the opening you'll be hanging the door in for the correct size. It should be 2" bigger than the door size. Even though it's a rough opening it should be reasonably plumb and square.

If the opening was framed by someone else, you may want to break out your level and framing square and check this also. Drywallers sometimes believe the rough opening was meant for them and will let the drywall run into the opening. If this is the case use a drywall saw or sawzall to cut it back.

Once all the vitals have been checked your ready to hang a door. Prehung doors come assembled a couple different ways. They can be bought with trim already mitered and nailed on to one side and without trim. If there is no trim installed, I like to put it on before I put the door in the opening. The trim is installed on the hinge side.

Most doors open into a room and against a wall. When putting the door into the opening, try to put the door in the center of the opening. The door jamb should be able to move to the left and right in the opening. The gap between the door and jamb on the hinge side is usually about an 1/8" of an inch. This dictates the gap or space you should have all around the door. Move the door jamb to the left or right until you have that same space at the top. You then nail the trim on the top hinge side and the bottom hinge side. Then nail the strike side on the top making sure you still have an equal space. Nail off the rest of the hinge side with 3 or 4 more nails. The 2 nails already in the top are all I usually put in. Now nail the rest of the strike side starting at the top and working your way down, maintaining the same space as the top and hinge side.

Once the door is nailed into the opening on the inside, it's time to shim the door jamb. First, pull the door closed to make sure it hits the door stop evenly on the strike side. If it is hitting only at the top pull the hinge side toward you till it hits even. If it hits only at the bottom, push the hinge side jamb away from you till it hits evenly.

Once you get the jamb aligned put shims between the jamb and stud opening, being careful not to bow the jamb into the opening. If need be use a straight edge to keep it straight. I put shims behind every hinge and the strike and also at the top and bottom of the strike side. I nail these shims in with two nails, one on each side of the stop.

The next step is to apply the door casing to the outside of the door. Once this is done, your ready for the door hardware. If everything went right, the bolt should engage the strike plate and the door should fit snuggly against the stops.

(c) 2005 Mike Merisko www.sawkerfs.com

About the author:
About the Author: Mike Merisko has been a carpenter for 26 years. Most of those years were spent in the homebuilding and remodeling industries. He was also in business as a carpentry and general contractor. While that is his forte, he also has experience in bridge building, commercial construction, and exhibit building which is how he earns his living these days. You can browse through articles by him and others at his website www.sawkerfs.com

Article Source: http://www.Free-Articles-Zone.com

Home Decor: How To Create An Awe-Inspiring Home

What would you like to come to after a hard day’s work? Is it to your home or to a house? Well, the answer is simple. We all want to come to our home and not to any house. What makes a house your home? It is the home dйcor that makes it an awe-inspiring home. Now you must be wondering what will be the cost of creating an awe inspiring home. Well, the answer is simple. It costs lesser than that you would spend to buy furniture and other fittings for any house. Achieving the awe inspiring look at home is basically using your intelligence in selecting the furniture, lighting, curtains, flooring and the colors on your walls.

The primary item to create an awe inspiring home is the color schemes on your walls. The color of the emulsions should be decided first. This is the basic idea in home dйcor. The color schemes should show some contract. If your furniture is going to be of a darker shade then your walls should be lighter. The color of the furniture will considerably affect the elegance of your room. This is the contrast that you should keep in mind while creating an awe-inspiring home dйcor. Remember it is not possible to build a home to fit the furniture. It is always the other way round. You make the furniture to fit your home. In selecting the furniture, you need not rush for expensive ones. It is elegance and comfort that is paramount. The elegance will add the charm to your home while the comfort will make those who come to your home and your family to enjoy living at home.

Whatever that you do to your home dйcor, in your efforts to create an awe-inspiring home, you must do it keeping in mind the comfort of your self and your family first. Others who come to your home will be there only for a short while. It is you and your family who are going to spend most of your time living in your home. You must also take into consideration that maintaining a home is as equally important as putting the home dйcor in place. Today, finding the people to clean your home is not always easy and it is not cheap either. If you have to do it yourself you should be able to find the time. So, the home dйcor should be easy to maintain so that you can do it by yourself.

Article Source: http://www.ArticleJoe.com

Isabel Rodrigues is a professional writer currently writing for Home decor. Visit www.habitatdesigns.net for more information on the subject.

Home Remodeling - Investing In Home Improvements

Home Improvements is something that many long time homeowners have had to consider. It‘s only a matter of time before your home decor or those rundown kitchen cupboards become faded and lose that fresh look that they once had. Whether you can afford to renovate the bathroom, kitchen or any other room within your home can largely be determined by your current financial situation. A simple kitchen remodeling project can easily start at around $15,000.

Interior home improvement projects can include anything from remodeling, repairing or maintenance work within any area of your home from the attic right down to your basement and garage. A common remodeling area is the kitchen. Many home owners today are opting to include an island in the center of their kitchen to provide more space as well as installing new cabinets. Other common areas that many choose to remodel are the bathroom and bedrooms of many homes.

You could just move to a new home. Yes, you may find your “dream home.“ However, there are drawbacks to this solution like having the kids move to a new school, perhaps it will be a longer commute to work, and the hassle of selling your current home. Also keep in mind that even new homes can take a lot of work in getting settled into. You may also end up with larger expenses if you need new furniture as well.

The remodeling industry took in $109 billion dollars in the past fiscal year. This represents an increased number of home innovations. An investment in remodeling your home is something you can enjoy for years. It increases your quality of life and the value in your home if you should ever decide to sell it.

More and more, many people are forgoing “dream“ vacations and placing that money into a remodeling plan. Vacations come and go, but upgrades to your home are things you‘ll enjoy year-round. Economic advisors agree that an investment in your home through renovation is a wise move, as they can increase the resale value of your home if you should choose to sell.

Home renovations aren‘t easy and can turn into long ordeals. If you‘re considering any renovations, sit down and ask yourself some simple questions before undertaking a project. Am I happy where I am? Do I plan on staying in this house awhile? Do I really want to shake up my life moving to a new home? Is this renovation really necessary? Certainly, every house requires maintenance at some point in time. If you want your asset to live up to its potential, you have to patch cracks and fix what‘s broken.

Whether your home renovation projects pay off is largely determined by your initial goals for doing them. Profitable remodeling projects may include renovating that basement, add-on or expanding various rooms, turning that spare room into a home office, family room or den, or improving the master bedroom. If you one day would like to consider re-selling your home then these renovations can add a lot of selling power. But you must also keep in mind that not all home remodeling projects will extend the value if you should decide to sell your home.
Article Source: http://www.ArticleJoe.com
Joseph Wilson is an avid home renovator, who offers excellent home improvement tips at www.homeremodelingstyles.com/ . You can find a great source of do it yourself home renovating guides from help in www.homeremodelingstyles.com/home-remodeling“ target=“_blank“> kitchen remodeling to www.homeremodelingstyles.com/home-remodeling“ target=“_blank“> bathroom decorating ideas.

Furniture Refinishing Basics

One of the most common means of furniture restoration is furniture refinishing. Refinishing furniture can breathe new life into pianos, tables, chairs, cabinets, bookcases, jewelry boxes and other items that have started to look a little bit worn.
With any furniture restoration project - and furniture refinishing is no exception - there are a few things to consider. First, you want to think about whether or not you can do it yourself. You may be thinking, “Why couldn‘t I tackle furniture refinishing myself? All it takes is a few hours, some sandpaper and new stain.“ While in many cases this is true, some furniture restoration should be left to the pros.

For example, piano refinishing isn‘t the same as refinishing a jewelry box. Many large pieces - pianos, armoires - are far easier for professionals to restore and refinish. Another furniture restoration project that may be better suited for a professional is refinishing chairs. You may find that, for these projects, hiring a professional will cost less and take less time than if you were to do the projects yourself.

Another professional who you may want to consult before taking on a furniture restoration project is an antiques appraiser. While refinishing furniture you bought new can help give the piece more character or even help you to sell it for a profit at a yard sale, there are rare and collectible pieces of furniture that will lose value if they are refinished. When you‘ve bought an antique dining room table, coffee table or cabinet, furniture refinishing could lower the value of the piece and you may want to look into a thorough professional cleaning instead.

If you are only looking at refinishing furniture that is newer or that has sentimental value, you may choose not to consult with a professional. In that case, it‘s often best to get right into the project on your own.

To start your furniture-refinishing project, it‘s often best to find a spot that won‘t be noticed as a test site. In this spot - low on the back of the piece or on the bottom - you‘ll want to start the furniture refinishing by removing a small portion of the current finish. Doing so will let you see what you‘re up against and how hard will it be to remove the current finish from the furniture.

The answer to that question will vary some. Simple surfaces like a table will be easier to refinish than a cabinet with intricate corner work. Using a furniture stripper and a scraper will make it easier to remove a painted or varnished finish than merely using sandpaper. Once you‘ve determined how to best remove the old finish from the furniture, the next step is to work outdoors (when possible) to remove the old varnish and paint.

Furniture refinishing, however, is not just about removing the old finish. Refinishing furniture requires stripping the old finish and then preparing the surface for a new finish by sanding the surface and wiping down the sawdust that sanding stirred up. Only after the surface has been prepared can you start the final step in this furniture restoration project: applying the new finish.

Refinishing the furniture, therefore, means knowing what the new finish will be. For some, the goal of refinishing furniture is to strip off color, get back to the natural wood and apply a clear finish that shows off the item‘s natural beauty. For others, furniture refinishing is a matter of taking the wood to a darker shade - staining pine so that it takes on the color of cherry or mahogany wood.

Still others look at furniture refinishing as a chance to bring color to their table, desk, bookshelf or bureau. When refinishing furniture, many are likely to choose a colored stain followed with a topcoat of varnish for sheen. Another common choice people, who are looking for color, make is to select paint that matches the room or provides the contrast they are looking to achieve in their room.

Furniture restoration, after all, is a personal choice. Refinishing furniture gives you a chance to create a new look without going out and buying something new. For those inclined to take on little projects on their own, refinishing furniture can be a great way to spend a weekend - and have something to show for their time, for years to come.

Article Source: http://www.ArticleJoe.com

Ralph Diliberto is the owner of Fingerlakes Restoration, a family owned furniture refinishing company that specializes in restoring the luster of wood pieces to their natural, like new condition. Located in central New York State, since 1979 and specializes in restoring all types of antique wooden furniture with a special emphasis on vintage pianos as well as tables, chairs, desks, beds, etc. visit at www.FingerLakesRestoration.com“>FingerLakesRestoration.com