Custom Wood Radiator Cover Hides Old, Ugly Heaters

If you've got an old, ugly radiator acting as a sore thumb in an otherwise well-appointed room, you're not alone. Some of the most popular posts here have been on hiding radiators with cabinets and heater covers that hide baseboard...

Source: http://www.luxuryhousingtrends.com/archives/2009/01/custom_wood_rad.php

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Wood & Glass Greenhouse Kits Offer Attractive Gardening Solution

With the prices of food heading north, gardening is becoming increasingly popular for folks with enough space to grow some fruits and veggies. Even if you have a short growing season (of if your favorite vegetables usually grow in warmer...

Source: http://www.luxuryhousingtrends.com/archives/2009/01/wood_glass_gree.php

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DIYing This Weekend? Be Careful!

Easter weekend is peak time for getting started on spring maintenance. And according to a new study, getting hurt in the process. Here's how to stay safe this holiday.

Careful, guys! Photos: Getty

Who knew that Easter could be scarier than Halloween? A new study from Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals shows that there have been 16% more patients admitted during the holiday weekend than any other day.

Why? Well, it's easy to see. People are home with their families, the weather's improving -- isn't it the perfect time to stretch your legs and say "Why yes I will go on the roof and try and patch up that mysterious leak!"

If you're one of the many that will be taking the plunge this weekend, listen up: Aside from all the other reasons to stay safe, you'll really want to pay extra attention. Who wants to end up in a crowded emergency room? Instead...

Practice DIY safety by: Always double-checking that appliances are OFF when you plug them in.
Otherwise, your machine -- like one writer's drum sander -- might take off across the room (and maybe head after you, if you're especially unlucky!)

Practice DIY safety by: Keeping the right gear on hand.
Safety glasses? Check. Work gloves? Check. Dust mask, face shield, helmet, sound muffs? If you don't have them, get them! If you need to stock up, get the full equipment 101 first.

Practice DIY safety by: Never disable safety devices.
Yes, we can hear you. "I don't need the blade guard, I've done this a million times!" Don't. Just don't. When operating a table saw or any other extremely sharp tools, please take the extra few seconds to work within the safety constraints.

Practice DIY safety by: Having a plan.
Not just "Run!!". Only two-thirds of American households have a fire escape plan and while we're not implying that you're going to set your house on fire this weekend, it wouldn't hurt to be prepared just in case...someone else sets your house on fire.

Practice DIY safety by: Brushing up on ladder safety.
Don't just hop on -- remember to place it carefully so that if you do fall, it won't be backyards onto a staircase. And for goodness sakes, wear the right shoes and check the locks.

Looking for more? Check out these videos:
Fire Safety Tips for Your Home Video
Electrical Safety Tips Video
How to Prevent Hot Water Burns
Table Saw Safety Tips

 

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Source: http://www.diylife.com/2011/04/22/safe-diy/

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Butcher's Block countertop for cheap

Get a butcher's-block look on the cheap with furniture-grade plywood veneers. Able to be fixed to an existing counter with high grab construction adhesive, some careful cuts and minor removal of fixtures results in a wooden countertop for as little as $1 per square foot.—The Quickest And Cheapest Kitchen Counter Upgrade

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/ThisOldHouseLatest/~3/DuEpZIEnAMQ/0,,,00.html

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Etched Glass Interior Doors Increase Light in Your Home

Wood interior doors are pretty common, but they don't do a good job (or any kind of job at all) at letting light flow through when the door is shut. For interior rooms without a lot of windows, or homes...

Source: http://www.luxuryhousingtrends.com/archives/2009/01/etched_glass_in.php

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Patio Flooring Ideas: What's Right For You?

Filed under: Patios, Porches & Decks, Essential Skills, Know-How, Outdoors

Before you renovate your patio, make sure you know all the flooring options. From stone to brick, these five materials are sturdy and great looking -- but only you know which one is the perfect fit for your yard.

Can you tell that these decks are both made of composite decking? Photos: This Old House

Do you feel like you just don't know where to start when it comes to your patio? If you're suffering from a bland concrete slab or a blanket of grass, there are a number of outdoor decking and patio options that are easy to install, beautiful to look at and long-lasting. Don't let another summer go by hanging out in the driveway -- you can create the perfect space for entertaining, you just need the right footing.

1. Wood or composite decking. Decks are probably the most popular outdoor addition that a homeowner can create that also is one of the biggest bangs for your buck. Choosing between wood and composite decking can be difficult, as there are pros and cons to each. Composite decking is a newer innovation, made of a combination of plastics and recycled cellulose-based fillers such as wood fibers from recovered saw dust and bamboo. Wood decks are made of, well, wood. You can refinish a wood deck, but you cannot do so with a composite deck. You will need to re-seal a wood deck each year. Both materials are very durable, but wood may become victim to mold, rotting or termites whereas composite decking may stain or warp in intense heat.

A cedar or redwood deck costs roughly $18 to $22 per square foot, but a more inexpensive choice would be southern yellow pine at $10 to $15 per square foot. In comparison, composite decking is about $20 per square foot. These prices include installation.

2. Concrete pavers. Concrete was the most popular outdoor patio material for many years. However, in this day and age, concrete options have expanded far beyond the single slab. Concrete now comes in various sizes and shapes, and you can even stamp your concrete with different patterns.

Concrete is very affordable too, around one-fifth less than natural stone pavers, running anywhere from $1 to $3 per square foot compared with $7 to $10 for natural stone. However, concrete is slightly less durable than natural stone. Keep in mind: it can crack, so purchasing and saving a few backups pieces is a smart move!

Deck tiles work on top of just about any surface. Photo: Handy Deck Systems

3. Wood deck tiles. If you can't have a raised deck, or you are going for a slightly more modern look deck tiles might be the best solution for you. They are called the "instant outdoor floor solution" not only because they're fast, but they're very easy to install. Most companies offer wood deck tiles that just snap and click together. You can now even get them in FSC-certified lumber. While these deck tiles are usually pre-finished it is important to oil them every 6 to 12 months to keep them looking new.

The costs vary depending on the manufacturer, but typically plain deck tiles run anywhere from $7 to $12. You can also get them in wood composite.

4. Stones and pebbles. While this might seem fairly old-school to you, stones and pebbles are making a comeback. Not only are they easy to install (as long as you can sweat it out shoveling and wheeling them into your yard), they're easy to maintain, are kid- and pet-friendly and work well in just about all weather conditions. In modern gardens and yards, pebbles are a must-have. Plus, there is something so tranquil and zen-like about using stones in your landscaping.

A brick patio is a timeless option for an outdoor space. Photo: Corbis

Stones and pebbles are calculated by the pound or ton and vary in price depending on the type of stone and the size. You can usually grab a bag of river pebbles from your local hardware store for $5 to $7, but if you're doing a large project like a patio area, consult your local nursery or landscape company. Don't forget to measure first!

5. Brick. Nothing seems more beautiful and timeless than well-laid brick. However, this little red buddy can be quite a challenge. For one, brick patios can be plagued by salt stains, moss and weeds, and on top of that, they're expensive to lay. The can get very hot in the summer, and can be difficult to sweep or shovel. However, bricks are a very eco-friendly material. You can even get historical or used bricks from builders or construction companies. Also, check sites like Craigslist -- you might luck out and get an entire patio's worth of brick for free (as long as you haul it away)! Your local home improvement store probably sells them for around $0.35 to $0.65 per brick.

Love the outdoors? Go beyond the brick or get some shade on your new patio with these fun patio umbrellas.

 

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Source: http://www.diylife.com/2011/04/19/patios/

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DIYing This Weekend? Be Careful!

Easter weekend is peak time for getting started on spring maintenance. And according to a new study, getting hurt in the process. Here's how to stay safe this holiday.

Careful, guys! Photos: Getty

Who knew that Easter could be scarier than Halloween? A new study from Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals shows that there have been 16% more patients admitted during the holiday weekend than any other day.

Why? Well, it's easy to see. People are home with their families, the weather's improving -- isn't it the perfect time to stretch your legs and say "Why yes I will go on the roof and try and patch up that mysterious leak!"

If you're one of the many that will be taking the plunge this weekend, listen up: Aside from all the other reasons to stay safe, you'll really want to pay extra attention. Who wants to end up in a crowded emergency room? Instead...

Practice DIY safety by: Always double-checking that appliances are OFF when you plug them in.
Otherwise, your machine -- like one writer's drum sander -- might take off across the room (and maybe head after you, if you're especially unlucky!)

Practice DIY safety by: Keeping the right gear on hand.
Safety glasses? Check. Work gloves? Check. Dust mask, face shield, helmet, sound muffs? If you don't have them, get them! If you need to stock up, get the full equipment 101 first.

Practice DIY safety by: Never disable safety devices.
Yes, we can hear you. "I don't need the blade guard, I've done this a million times!" Don't. Just don't. When operating a table saw or any other extremely sharp tools, please take the extra few seconds to work within the safety constraints.

Practice DIY safety by: Having a plan.
Not just "Run!!". Only two-thirds of American households have a fire escape plan and while we're not implying that you're going to set your house on fire this weekend, it wouldn't hurt to be prepared just in case...someone else sets your house on fire.

Practice DIY safety by: Brushing up on ladder safety.
Don't just hop on -- remember to place it carefully so that if you do fall, it won't be backyards onto a staircase. And for goodness sakes, wear the right shoes and check the locks.

Looking for more? Check out these videos:
Fire Safety Tips for Your Home Video
Electrical Safety Tips Video
How to Prevent Hot Water Burns
Table Saw Safety Tips

 

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

Source: http://www.diylife.com/2011/04/22/safe-diy/

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