Here's a really informative 2-part video of handyman Ron Hazelton installing a doorway arch kit. The video details the entire project from start to finish. In the video, you see Hazelton run into a the type of problem that the average home owner might encounter when doing such an upgrade, namely, discovering that the electrical box is too close to the frame of the door. Hazelton, of course, handles it with ease. Although he does make the installation of the kit look quite easy, he is obviously a seasoned pro, so take that with a grain of salt if you are thinking of embarking on your own doorway arch conversion project.
Concrete countertops seem to be becoming more and more popular, and with example galleries like this one (and previously this one) it's easy to see why. Concrete combines solid, chunky beauty with a lot of flexibility-through-moldability, enabling designers to create some stunning countertops in both kitchen and bathrooms.
Here's a very cool tool that promises to eliminate the need for accurate measurements when making cutouts in drywall or panelling for electrical outlets and wall switches. The device comes in two pieces. The first piece is called the target, and is placed into the outlet or switch box. The second piece, called the target locator is attracted to the first piece thanks to two strong magnets that ensure perfect alignment and accuracy. Once the locator affixes itself to the target, the installer simply outlines the box and makes the cut with a dremel or whatnot. Very clever. Ah, why try to visualize it - view the demo videos here.
If you've ever drywalled by yourself, or even watched someone drywall by themselves as you've tried to focus on the comics and eat your chips, you'll know it can get terribly awkward. Usually people will rent a drywall lift that temporarily holds the drywall to the ceiling, freeing up the hands of the installer to secure the sheet with screws. Well, the Free Hands drywall support tool might make renting and lugging home drywall lifts a thing of the past. It certainly doesn't look like it makes ceiling installs 'easy', per se, as you still have to lift the sheets to the ceiling yourself, but it will save at lot on rental fees as well as time, once you get the hang of it (at least judging by the video (Windows media) from the Free Hand site.
Of the instant doorway arch kits we've seen, this one by Creative Corners looks like it may be the easiest to install, at least judging by the quick four step process outlined on their site. The company lists four arch sets, three of which come in two corner pieces, and the forth being a full, one piece arch.
If you're renovating and considering putting in a home theatre, you may want to think about soundproofing the area. A quality soundproofing job will both prevent outside noises from entering your listening room/theatre and, conversely, give you the freedom to listen to whatever you like without having to disturb your house mates. Here's a drywall option, called QuietRock, that claims to be able to deliver that level of soundproofing. From the site:
Wow. Here's another example of an amazing home theatre room, created by someone who obviously had a vision of what they wanted, and saw it through to completion. It's probably safe to say that the homeowner enjoys his cinema, no? The homeowner, Steve Jenkins, has posted galleries of the entire construction job, from sketch to finished room. Granted, it's definitely not the most subtle home theatre room in the world, but what a cool in-home movie experience it must create. It certainly looks like it would be easy to forget that you're still at home while enjoying your favourite Michael Douglas film.
This movie buff certainly takes his home theatre seriously. This is one of the more grandiose home theatres on the web (in recent memory, anyway). The owner obviously aimed for a true theatre experience, and given what must have been a sizable budget to play with, it's safe to say that he's achieved his goal.
If you're about to sell your home, be sure to check out this list of the most cost effective home improvement tips that will help you maximize your return on renovation investment. These tips focus on the easiest upgrades that produce the best results, versus the returns you can expect from performing major renovations, such as kitchen renovations or flooring replacements, as previously posted here.
Kohler has a very nice bathroom gallery available for your viewing pleasure, and it's filled with some seriously nice bathrooms. The gallery is divided into three categories: contemporary, traditional and eclectic.
Askthebuilder.com has a small video up on Google video about using DRIcore subflooring on a concrete basement floor. The video illustrates DRIcore's tongue and groove system as well as the clever levelling squares that DRIcore utilizes to allow the product to be installed on a standard, non-level basement floor.
Watch out DRIcore - It looks like you've got some competition that looks a heck of a lot like you. The resemblance is uncanny, really. Anyway, the SubFlor system uses a tongue and groove system that requires only the tap of a hammer to install, and is, like the DRIcore system, suitable for laminate, carpet or hardwood. Vinyl tiles are also possible with an additional underlay of quarter inch thick plywood. Ceramic tiles require an additional "cement board underlayment to ensure absolute sturdiness". The SubFlor site has a Flash based Interactive Installation Guide available.
As we've said before, doorway arch kits seem like an easy way to make a doorway look a lot less cookie cutter while adding some extra character to your home. Although, as easy as the Insta Arch kit may be to install, the 15 minutes that the company is claiming it takes to do the job seems like a bit of a stretch, especially if you've seen their pictorial step-by-step instructions. That's not to imply that the installation would be difficult, but for a first time installer, 15 minutes seems a little optimistic, to say the least.
Brigitte Gall shows us how to install the DRIcore subfloor system. From the site:
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If your home is like most, it will have come with a generous serving of the quick and cheap popcorn ceiling. If you're thinking about removing it in favour of something a little sleeker, check out what Jason from jasongraphix.com went through to achieve a clean, popcorn free look. Also, something interesting - and scary, as Jason notes:
Here's a nice list of home repair instructions (in PDF format*) that cover topics ranging from novice (how to use a hammer) to intermediate (repairing cracked tile, repairing a defective light switch) to more advanced topics (basement foundation repair). They've also got a nice list of reference materials on topics ranging from the various nail and screw sizes to weights and measures and the metric system.
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According to their website, 3D "POP" panels (above) are a unique
"three dimensional, form pressed plywood element for modern interior decoration with wood."
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Many basement floors require the installation of a subfloor to provide warmth by raising the basement floor up off of the cold concrete foundation. Installing a subfloor tends to be a fair amount of work, as a traditional subfloor system consists of, according to DRIcore:
CurveMakers.com offers these clever doorway arch kits. Modern homes are rarely built with doorway arches, which were much more common in the past. Arches offer so much character but usually require some significant renovation dollars. These kits, which are reasonably priced, allow any standard doorway to be made to look more elegant and unique. Very nice.
Here is a nice howto on making your own concrete countertop from the diynetwork that covers template construction, mold making, pouring, and finishing up.
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A small and obviously not exhaustive list of some online flash-based paint selector apps, for your reading pleasure.
If you have an empty room to fill or even just grown tired of your furniture status quo, then this slick flash app will help you hack out a new layout. Start with either a prebuilt room or design your own room from scratch. Once you've settled on a room design, you're able to play around with different arrangements to your heart's content - no lifting belt required.
Remodelling Online has some useful cost vs. value data which might prove handy if you're planning any remodelling work around the house. If resale is what you have in mind, wikiHow lists some great ways to inexpensively increase your home's value. Ditto for the Peacock.
Some of these basements, on the other hand, probably weren't that inexpensive...
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