Learning to paint in your home can be an easy project and provide a quick way to beautify your home. When painting, there are two basic types of paints that can be used inside the home. Water based latex paints are good for using on the walls. Oil based paints are the other choice. Oil based paints are the best choice for painting trims, doors and areas of high traffic.
Oil based paints are sometimes a little more difficult to use that water based latex paint. Oil based paints are thicker than latex paint so it will require different kinds of brushes and rollers. Also, when using oil based paints, it is a good idea to paint in a well ventilated area. It does have a stronger odor. The good thing about oil based paint is that it can be bought at any paint store and tinted to almost any color. Oil based paints are also called solvents and made from a mixture of resin and oils.
When looking at oil based paints, it is important to remember that most of the time you will need to prime the area first. Oil based paints have a tendency to peel if the area is not primed properly. This can happen if the base coat is already oil based paint. When priming the area, you must clean the area first. Then you can apply a primer. Primer can be bought at any home improvement or paint store. Primer can be applied like spray paint or brushed on with a brush. If you are painting over a very dark color, or using a dark color with the new paint, you should consider having the primer tinted first.
If you get ready to paint and are not sure whether you are dealing with a wall or area that already has oil paint or latex, there is an easy way to tell. When water is applied to oil based paint, it will usually “bead up”. It will not soak in as it does with latex paint. When applying oil based paints, it has the tendency to bubble during painting. Make sure that you never shake oil based paints. Stirring is recommended. Also when using oil based paint, try using only one coat of paint, instead of several. After applying the oil based paints to your project, it will take longer to dry than latex paint. Provide plenty of ventilation during the drying process.
It is also important to remember that when using oil based paints, that they are considered toxic and hazardous waste. Caution should be used when disposing of oil based paints.
There are several projects that will benefit from using oil based paint.
Trim: When painting indoor trim, such as bead board, window trim, crown molding, chair rails and trim around doors, oil based paints are generally used. This is because oil based paints can withstand more wear and tear than latex paints. As a general rule, oil based paints are also easier to clean than latex paint.
Doors: Indoor doors are usually painted with oil based paints. It is very simple to clean fingerprints, smudges and dirt off of doors when painted with oil based paint. An outside door is often painted using oil based paints, as well.
Decorating projects: If you are working in small projects, such as painting shelves or raw wood, oil based paints can be a good option. Proper preparation is required. Raw wood will need to be sanded and primed before using oil based paints. Remember that primer should be dried thoroughly before using any oil based paints. This will give you better coverage.
Exterior: Some projects outside can be good for using oil based paints. Oil based paints are perfect for trims, such as around windows, and other trim around the outside of the house.
Metal: Projects that are made out of metal can also benefit from oil based paints. It is important to remember that oil based paints should never be applied directly to fresh masonry or on iron. As with any projects, proper prepping and primer will be required.
Oil based paints can be a good choice for many projects because it is often longer lasting and easy to clean. Proper preparation is always needed when painting with oil paints.
Picking a new floor can be overwhelming. Even after you’ve narrowed it down to one particular type, it is still challenging to find the right tile because there are so many different varieties to choose from these days. And then once you’ve purchased your new tiles, there are still quite a few things to consider before you begin laying the tile. Here are the top five things you should know before you began tiling.
1. Is Ceramic Tile Suitable for Your Space?
There are many advantages to ceramic tile. It is really durable and easy to clean. It isn’t the best option in some spaces though. During the winter months, ceramic tiles can really hold the cold, so you might not want to use them in a basement space. Certain types can be slippery, so you if you are considering tile for an entryway, you should go with a more slip-resistant variety.
2. Select the right Size, Style and Texture
Ceramic tiles come in all sorts of shapes – anywhere from one inch to two feet. The most common size tiles are between one and one and a half feet in size. Choosing the right size is actually easier than you might think. Just figure out the size of your room and then choose a size that suits it. For example, if you have smaller room, a large tile would not be the best option because it would look like panels rather than tiles. A large tile is really best suited to larger spaces because they look less busy than smaller tiles do.
Currently, there are many styles of ceramic tiles to choose from. The easiest way to narrow down your options is decide on the type of look you are going for. It you want a rustic, natural look than you might want to consider a rugged, natural looking tile instead of a polished marble.
Choose a tile with the texture that will best suit your rooms theme. If you go for a rustic, natural looking tile, it will be rougher than a polished marble surface. When choosing a texture, you do need to take safety into consideration. The smoother that a surface is the more likely it is to be slippery when wet. If you have children or elderly people in your home, then a high-gloss tile is not the best option from a safety standpoint.
3. Choose an Appropriate Grout Color and Width
Grout is a cement mix that has color added to it to compliment your tile. Grout fills the space between tiles so you need to choose a grout width and a color that works in your space.
4. Installation Materials and Methods
There are different installation methods and a successful installation will really depend on the materials used and the energy and patience put into the project. You will want to make sure that you do the proper preparation and have all the materials you need at hand. You will need to make sure that you purchase a high quality bonding material, grout (as discussed above), a sealer and the right tools to get the project done.
Laying tile can be a bit tricky. You need to make sure that your cuts are correct and that the space around each tile is even. If you feel overwhelmed by the prospect of installing it yourself, then you might want to look at contracting the job out to a tiling professional.
5. Maintenance
Ceramic tile is one the easiest types of floors to clean and if you take care of them, they will maintain their shiny, new appearance for years to come. To clean tile, all you really need is water and any household cleaner product. You can start by removing any dirt and dust with a broom or vacuum and then using a sponge or mop you can apply the mixture of water and cleaner to your tiles. It’s as simple as that! You will need to be cautious about dropping heavy objects on tile. If tiles split, crack or chip, it is impossible to replace just one tile. Odds are you’ll have to live with any cracks or chips until you’re ready to re-do the entire floor.
The array of hinges found in a local hardware store can be dizzying. How do you know which hinge is the right one for your project?
First and foremost, you may be able to narrow down the selection by some major factors. Based on the size, weight, and shape of your work materials, does the hinge need to be small and delicate or heavy and durable?
Another factor to consider is that, while most hinges are reversible (either end can be mounted in the upright position); some are made for either a right- or left-hand door. One example of this is the loose-pin hinge. With this hinge, common for hanging doors, the pin must be removed from the top; therefore, you cannot reverse a loose-pin hinge.
You can tell if you need a right- or left-hand hinge by standing on the outside of the door. If the door opens from you toward your right-hand side, you need right-hand hinges. If it opens from you toward your left-hand side, you need to stock up on left-hand hinges.
Also think about how much of the hinge you would like to be showing when the door is closed. If the hinge is showing, should it be decorative in nature or can it be simple and functional in design? If you would prefer most of the hinge to be concealed, will this affect the functionality and ease of use in any way?
Below is an alphabetical list of some of the most popular hinges and their common uses. If you have any questions, speak with a salesperson when you go to purchase the hinges. And happy hinging!
A version of the butt hinge, the back flap hinge is smaller and mostly used for furniture.
The main advantage of a ball bearing hinge is its status as permanently lubricated. They are a more expensive hinge and are typically used for heavy-duty door mountings, such as doors opening to a building’s exterior. They can also be useful for any doors that see excessive use.
Butt hinges are usually between 13 and 150mm in size. They come in two varieties: rigid pin (pin cannot be removed) and loose pin (pin can easily be tapped out with a screwdriver). They are used for mounting regular doors and cabinet doors. The rising butt hinge is designed for use on doors that rest on shag carpeting.
The benefits of the butterfly hinge, used on light-weight doors, lay in the variety of shapes and patterns available and their ease to fit.
The double acting hinge opens in either direction and is used mostly for folding doors.
The flush hinge is not as strong as a butt hinge, and is used mostly as a cabinet hinge. The flush hinge is recommended for use on light doors and in situations where you would prefer to conceal the entire hinge except the barrel.
Knuckle hinges are loose joint hinges that are decorative in nature. Although they can hold a significant amount of weight, their design ensures that a closed door shows only the knuckle of the hinge. Knuckle hinges are recommended for door mountings.
Offset blind hinges are designed to allow a full opening and swing-away such as that typically found on screen or storm doors.
Parliament hinges are recommended when the hinge pin must project beyond the door face.
The pivot hinge is versatile, being used for recessed doors, overlay doors, or flush doors. A benefit of the pivot hinge is that it doesn’t need a door frame for mounting.
As the name indicates, the spring loaded hinge contains a spring-loaded mechanism to automatically close the door. Models with adjustable tension features are available.
Table top hinges are recommended for situations where one leaf in a section of wood must be dropped.
Concealed hinges typically come in sizes of 25mm and 36mm. The concealed hinge’s benefits include being adjustable once fitted. It was designed for use with chipboard and MDF.
Specialty hinges include strap hinges, T hinges, and continuous hinges. Strap and T hinges are available in several sizes and are recommended for heavy installation situations. The continuous hinge, on the other hand, is used mostly on chest lids, cabinets or where a long hinge is necessary. Also called a piano hinge, the continuous hinge comes in brass or steel and in many sizes.
There are a lot of things that either needs to be repaired, or put together when you’re a home owner. If you’re a new home owner, and have just gotten out of apartment style living, you might want to take this list with you to the hardware store. From remolding jobs to putting together furniture you can use these 5 power tools to get your stuff together. Don’t forget too that you’ll need a few extra tools for other jobs around the house.
Five power tools that you can’t live without is a short list, but the work that they can do is a lot. Take a gander at the tools, and how they help you with tasks around the house.
Cordless Screwdriver. A cordless screwdriver will help you for all of those small tasks that don’t need a lot of heavy power to do it. For example you’ll be able to use it for screwing furniture together, pre-drilling holes for hanging heavy objects on walls, or even to drill holes for picture frame hanging. One added benefit is that most have a reversible switch which lets you back out the screw if you need to.
Cordless Drill. You’ll need a cordless drill especially if you’ve got a larger number of holes to drill for a project, and it’s handy too for not having to change out your screws between the screwdriver and cordless drill. They are great for making pivot holes for screws. The typical size of bit for home use is a 3/8 in. Anything larger is considered commercial size grade.
Corded Drill. A corded drill is necessary when you’ve got a large number of holes to drill. The cordless drill just doesn’t have the power to drill through some material as a corded drill does. Its limitation is the length of the cord, but extensions can be added safely to it.
Power Circular Saw. Power circular saws are much easier on the hands than a hand saw, and they cut much more efficiently too. Break out the power circular saw when you want to cut large 2×4s, or any sheets of lumber such as particle board. Usually this power tool can cut a depth of up to 3 in. thick board without having to cut twice. It’s a must have for any major home remodeling job.
Jig Saw. The jig saw will help you out of tough tight cuts. Intricate work like cutting around cabinet edges or anywhere a close fitting cut is necessary.
As you can see these power tools are the tools that you’ll need to get just about any job done around the house. Don’t think that those will be the only tools you’ll need for living in your house. Here is a quick list of other necessities.
Caulking Gun. A caulking gun is used for a variety of projects around the house. If you want to put up a shower wall you’ll need the gun for adhesive. Other uses are for caulking around window frames and filler for holes.
Damaged Screw Remover. A very valuable tool for removing screws in which the head has been damaged from a bad bit, or from an overzealous drill. It can be a safety issue too. Damaged screws can have rough edges and deep cuts can result.
Damaged Nut Remover. A typical application of this neat little tool is for example removing a rusted bolt when replacing a toilet. It’s good too for bicycle repair.
Wrenches. Different size wrenches are always good to have around the house.
Magnet. Long handled magnets on a stick are good for remodeling uses. Nails, nuts, bolts are easy to loose track of, and at times in very inconvenient places such as between floorboards or behind appliances. Make sure to get one. It might save you from an extra trip to replace hardware that’s lost.
Circuit Tester. Inexpensive circuit tester kits are useful for testing to see if wires are useful for any electrical need that you have.
Home ownership is a joy, but it’s more joyful when you’ve got the correct tools to upgrade or fix any problem that you might have. Be prepared and get the 5 power tools, and pick up the other extras while you’re at it. You’ll breathe a sigh of relief when something comes around that you need to have your power tools for.
Summer is fast approaching and your air conditioner just does not work the way it used too. It barely cools, if it does anything at all. You have tried cleaning it. You have tried flushing it. You have tried everything including kick it and hit it with a mallet. The service man wants to charge you an arm and a leg, and probably a few other body parts to repair it. You are left with only one other choice. Spend all that money to repair a central air conditioning unit that is 20 years old, or spend about the same amount to buy a new, updated central air conditioning unit. If you are going to spend the money, why not get something under warranty that, theoretically, it should last 20 more years? Seems like an easy decision to me.
When purchasing a new central air conditioning unit there are five guidelines to keep in mind that will keep you on track and make sure you do not waste your hard earned money. These guidelines are just what they say they are: guidelines. They are not laws or rules you need to follow, but they are suggestions that are meant to guide you towards buying the right central air conditioner for you and your home.
WHAT TYPE OF AIR CONDITIONER DO YOU NEED?
There are many brands of central air conditioning units available to purchase from any hardware or appliance store. Some sales associates will try to sell you a window air conditioning unit. Do not let that sales associate talk you into wasting your money. These window air conditioners are a waste of money. They usually only cool one room and they suck a lot of power so you will be spending a lot more money each month on the utility bill. Remember that if you have multiple rooms or a house, you want a central air unit. Do not let the sales associate trick you into anything else.
INSTALLATION OF MY CENTRAL AIR CONDITIONING UNIT:
One more detail to consider is installation. Most people do not want to crawl under, over, around, and through the walls of their house to install a new air conditioner. That is why most places that sell these units also install them for you. Some places install these free of charge with the purchase of a new unit. Even if they don’t do it free, you should get someone to professionally install your new unit. It will save you time, headaches, and sweat if you do. If they do not offer installation, you may want to look elsewhere to purchase your unit. It is much easier and cost efficient to get this all done in one step.
TEMPERATURE SETTINGS:
Most new units come with a new thermostat. You should make sure this thermostat can create the ideal temperature that suits you and your family. If you are comfortable in a room that is 60°, then make sure the unit will cool to that temperature. You also need to make sure you can increase and decrease the temperature in 1° or 2° increments just in case you are not comfortable.
FILTERS:
There are many filters out there today. The ones that are permanent are the best value. You simply take them out, hose them down, and stick them back in. They save you a lot of money every year, not to mention you don’t have to keep track of what size you need. Just remember to clean them once a month. Also, make sure your unit supports these filters.
ENERGY SAVER:
You should also look to see if your new unit has a sleep setting or an energy saving setting. This allows the unit to run when you are sleeping or not home and not run up your bill. It will keep the house a little warmer when you are not home, and then cool it before you come home. This saves hundreds of dollars a year.
Keeping these in mind, finding the perfect unit will be a snap and could turn out to be a fun shopping experience. Just ask the sales associate for more details if you need help. They can be most helpful if these guidelines still have you guessing.