Connect A Bathroom Fan To Double Light Switch

Connect a Bathroom Fan to Double Light Switch

A double light switch is a receptacle with two switches mounted to the same electrical box. These are convenient when installed in bathrooms, because they allow you to control the exhaust fan with one switch and the lighting with the other. Separating the fan from the lighting enables you to save money because you do not have run the fan and the light at the same time if you only need one of them.

Instructions

1. Turn the power off to the bathroom circuit in your circuit breaker panel. Unscrew the old light switch from the electrical box and disconnect all the wiring.

2. Run a two-wire electrical cable between the exhaust fan and the electrical box. Strip each end of the cable back approximately 1 inch to expose the individual wires. Strip these wires back 1/2 inch to expose the copper.

3. Connect the electrical wiring to your fan. Refer to your exhaust fan's instruction manual for wiring instructions and a wiring diagram. Fans vary slightly, so follow the manufacturer's instructions.

4. Go to the electrical box where the new switch will be located. Twist the white wire leading to the exhaust fan together with both the white wire leading to the lighting circuit and the white wire coming from the circuit breaker panel. Screw a wire nut on to these twisted wires.

5. Connect the black wire coming from your circuit breaker panel to the switch on the side that has the single terminal. Connect the black wire coming from your exhaust fan to one of the terminals on the other side of the switch. Connect the black wire coming from your lighting circuit to the other terminal on that side. These can be oriented to either terminal; the top terminal controls the top switch and the bottom terminal controls the bottom switch.

6. Twist the ground wires together, along with a short piece of ground wire. Screw a wire nut on to these twisted wires. Attach the other end of the ground piece of ground wire to the electrical box ground screw.

7. Screw the light switch to the electrical box and attach the cover plate.

8. Turn the power back on and test each switch. One will control the fan and the other will control the light.

Tags: coming from, wire coming, wire coming from, black wire, black wire coming

Install Acoustic Foam

You've probably noticed that when you are in an empty room, void of furniture and carpeting, your voice tends to echo more than in a room full of both of those items. Acoustic foam is foam resembling an egg-crate used in recording studios to absorb sound, cause less echoes and background noise, and keeps sounds contained into one area.

Instructions

1. Measure the dimensions of the room in which you will be installing the acoustic foam. You do not have to cover the ceiling with acoustic foam, however it will make the area more soundproof. Measure the height and length of each wall, account for windows and doors.

2. Unroll the strips of acoustic foam, or unwrap the panels of acoustic foam from their package. To achieve a permanent yet transportable soundproofing we will be attaching all the acoustic foam to cardboard or wood paneling, so that it can be attached permanently to the wall, but is able to be moved if a relocation is needed.

3. Begin to cut the acoustic foam and cardboard or wood paneling to coincide. Cut the acoustic foam with the electric carving knife; this makes the foam easier to cut and easier to handle, you can even cut it into specific shapes as needed. Be sure to wear your safety goggles and dust mask to prevent particles of the foam from getting into your eyes or airways. Cut the cardboard or wood paneling with an utility knife or hand saw.

4. Attach the acoustic foam to the cardboard or wood paneling using the Tubetak or Foamtak glues. Both types of glues are intended specifically for use with foam products, especially in soundproofing applications. You will need to use a generous amount of the glue to attach the foam. Apply the glue to the entire back of the acoustic foam, rather than just along the edges, this will keep the foam from sagging later on.

5. Allow the glue to dry for a couple of hours before beginning to place the assembled pieces on the wall.

6. Use tacks to nail the assembled pieces onto the wall. Tack only around the edges so that the tacks are easily found if you find yourself needing to remove them one day. Start at the top or bottom corner of a wall when attaching the pieces, if you reach a corner and need a smaller piece just use the utility knife and electric carving knife to cut the pieces down to size.

7. Test your room's soundproofing. Inside the room with all the doors and windows closed you shouldn't be able to hear much noise at all from other rooms, and noises and sounds created inside your soundproofed room should not be heard easily in other rooms.

Tags: acoustic foam, cardboard wood, cardboard wood paneling, wood paneling, acoustic foam, acoustic foam cardboard, foam cardboard

Western Bathroom Decor Ideas

A found item, such as this broken star, can make a wonderful accent in a western bathroom.

Next to the kitchen, the bathroom is the second most used room in the house. It is also the most expensive to renovate, due to the plumbing issues. But just because you're stuck with your bathroom, that doesn't mean you have to be stuck with the décor. You can easily change the style of your bathroom by changing a few cosmetic things.

Color

Look at the colors of the southwest and west. The prairie is filled with brown wheat, green sagebrush and red dirt, brown sand and purple flowers. In addition, there are deep purple mountains and tall green aspen trees with white and black trunks. All of these colors can be incorporated into the color scheme of your bathroom through new paint, towels, rugs and shower curtains.

Found Items

Some found items placed as accents in your bathroom may also help to bring to mind the spirit of the west. A horseshoe hung as a towel rack, or a child's sized cowboy boot that doubles as a toothbrush holder can help set a mood. Don't neglect estate auctions, where you may find old barn stars that bring to mind a U.S. marshall's badge.

DIY

When it comes to the western bathroom, don't underestimate the power of doing things yourself. You can easily create trim by stenciling latigo rope and stars along the borders of your ceiling and tile. A set of curtains can be made out of bandanna cloth or lace with just a few hours and a sewing machine. Or a set of decorative towels can be created by sewing western accents on to a set of discount store hand towels.

Tags: your bathroom, bring mind, stuck with, western bathroom

Fix A Lamp Cord

Replace a damaged lamp cord to keep your lamp -- and home -- safe.

Lamp cords can become damaged in a number of ways. The cord insulation can be cut or chewed, exposing the bare wiring and creating a fire hazard. The plug can be damaged and unable to plug into the wall outlet. Your cord can also have interior damage caused by something heavy sitting on the cord, like a piece of furniture. Whatever the cause of the damage, the safest way to fix it is to replace the entire cord.

Instructions

1. Remove the lamp shade, light bulb and lamp harp from your lamp. The lamp harp holds your lamp's shade. Remove it by squeezing the sides of the harp toward the socket and lifting it up and out of the harp base.

2. Pull the socket sleeve from the lamp. The socket sleeve covers the interior socket and wiring. Remove it by grasping it with your hand and pulling directly up and out of the socket base. If you should meet some resistance with removing the socket sleeve, you may have to wiggle the socket sleeve from side to side slightly while pulling up.

3. Grasp the interior socket with your hand, and gently pull up on the interior socket to expose the wiring. Use your screwdriver to loosen both the copper and aluminum screws hold the wire onto the socket, and remove the wires.

4. Remove the bottom of your lamp. Each lamp manufacturer designs various styles of lamps, and not every lamp bottom removes in the same fashion. You have to determine how your lamp's bottom is attached and remove it. If you are unsure remove your lamp bottom, visit your local home improvement warehouse to find a lamp that is similar to yours, and ask a lighting employee for instructions.

5. Pull your old lamp cord from your lamp by grasping it at the base and pulling away from your lamp.

6. Install your new lamp cord. Use a lamp cord that is pre-wired with a plug. Thread the new lamp cord through the opening in the base of your lamp and up though the lamp's body until you can grab it from the top of the lamp.

7. Wire the socket onto the new lamp cord. The lamp cord consists of two wires encased in insulation and fused together and is designed to pull apart for easier wiring. Grab one wire in your left hand and one wire in your right hand, and pull the wires apart until your have approximately four inches of wire separated. Feel the separate lamp wires; one is ribbed the entire length of the wire and considered the neutral wire. Connect this neutral wire to the aluminum screw on the side of the interior socket you removed in step 3 and tighten the screw, holding the wire under the screw. The remaining lamp wire is smooth and considered the hot wire; connect this wire to the copper screw located on the side of the interior socket.

8. Pull the lamp wire to remove any slack. Grasp the lamp wire at the base of your lamp, and gently pull it away from the lamp removing the slack and allowing the interior socket to settle into the socket base. Replace your lamp bottom.

9. Slide the socket sleeve over the interior socket, and push it firmly into the socket base. Replace the lamp harp, shade and light blub.

Tags: your lamp, interior socket, lamp cord, socket sleeve, lamp bottom, from lamp, from your

Repair Old Metal Bathroom Fixtures

Most older metal light fixtures were brass plated, chrome plated or painted with baked-on enamel paint. Due to high humidity in a bathroom, it is common for old bathroom fixtures to rust and corrode. You can refurbish an old fixture by removing the old electrical components, replacing them with new ones and then paint or plate the old fixtures to bring them new life.

Instructions

1. Remove the bulb cover from the light fixture. Depending on the type of light you have, the bulb cover is glass or plastic. Look for thumbscrews holding the cover in place, remove them and then pull the cover off. Remove the light bulbs from the electrical sockets.

2. Remove the light bulb sockets from the fixture. In most cases, on the backside of the fixture, you will locate a retaining nut that secures the socket into the fixture. Turn the nut with a pair of pliers and pull the socket out through the back of the fixture. Discard the socket and the electrical wires connected to it.

3. Sand the old paint or plating off the fixture with a sanding block or a palm sander. Knock down all of the surface rust with the sander, until the surface of the metal fixture is smooth. Take your time with this process. The smoother you get the metal, the better the plating or paint will look.

4. Clean the surface of the metal with a degreaser like mineral spirits and a cotton rag. After this, do not touch the metal surface with your bare hands. This prevents getting oil onto the surface of the metal.

5. Spray the surface of the fixture with enamel spray paint primer. Once dried, scuff the paint with a sanding block and add two coats of enamel spray paint. Allow adequate drying time. If you plan to plate your fixtures in chrome or brass, or you want to have a baked finish applied, do not prime and paint the fixture. Take your fixture to the company you want to complete the plating or baking.

6. Slide a replacement electrical socket through the back of the fixture and secure the socket to the fixture with the retaining nut.

7. Clean the light cover in warm soapy water to remove any dirt from the cover.

8. Polish the light cover with a glass or plastic polishing compound and a buffer that you can attach to a hand drill. This will restore shine to the cover.

9. Clean the cover a second time with soapy water to remove any buffing compound residue.

Tags: fixture with, surface metal, back fixture, bulb cover, enamel spray, enamel spray paint, glass plastic

Stomp Ceiling Techniques

Stomp texture creates imprints using a vareity of tools, including paintbrushes.

Stomp ceiling textures use different brushes and tools to stamp a design into wet plaster. Once the plaster dries, it often receives a coat or two of flat latex paint. Ceiling texture creates a sound barrier in rooms and reduces echo; the stomp texture in particular is useful for hiding any flaws in the drywall installation and requires a lower level of professional installation. Dings, seam and nail pops are quickly disguised with the layer of plaster.

Execution

Stomp ceiling techniques use a variety of brushes to create different textures. Round or oval bristle brushes can create an imprint in wet plaster; large plastic bags or crumpled-up plastic sheets pressed into the plaster also create interesting textures. The technique involves rolling plaster onto the ceiling and then pressing the chosen tool into the surface. Clean your tool often using water so the imprint is clean and does not contain excess wet plaster.

Material

One material commonly used to apply a stomp technique is joint compound. Artisans use joint compound because it is readily available in nearly all areas, and relatively inexpensive. Always mix the joint compound prior to beginning the project to ensure it is moist and has a smooth consistency.

Price

Surprisingly, a textured ceiling application often costs less and is less work than leaving a ceiling with a smooth finish. Creating a perfectly smooth, flawless finish on a ceiling is difficult and time-consuming, but a applying a stomp ceiling is fast and hides any installation flaws. This actually saves the homeowner or contractor both money and time.

Finishing

It's acceptable to leave the plaster unpainted once it is dry, but this finish attracts dust and is difficult to clean. Finishing a stomped plaster ceiling typically involves applying two coats of paint. The ceiling often immediately absorbs the first coat of paint; the second coat is the outer coating. Additional stains and color washes brushed over the plaster can create a distressed and antiqued ceiling finish.

Tags: joint compound, brushes create, into plaster, texture creates

Design Living Rooms With Paint

Color is by far the most important element in a living room decor. Color achieved through paint is not only effective in setting a mood, but it remains one of the easiest and most affordable ways to alter or update the look of a room. The strategy you use in selecting a paint color or color scheme for a living room will dramatically affect all other design elements in the space.

Instructions

1. Use the "mood" setting property of colors to literally engineer the personality of a room, and the mood of the people within it. Color has a definite psychological effect on human emotions. Warm and sunny colors invoke feelings of optimism and happiness, while dark, cool colors can make us feel either tranquil or sedate. Some colors have special properties: pink has the scientifically-proven ability to pacify violent people! For this reason, paint selection displays often separate colors into mood-groupings like "Exciting" or "Relaxing," rather than traditional color temperature families.

2. Counteract adverse room temperatures with color. Like mood, paint color also affects the perceived temperature of a room. If your living room is on the north or east side of the house, you already know it can feel "chilly," particularly later in the afternoon when the sun is in the west and during the winter months. Correct this problem by intentionally painting the living room in a "warm" color like yellow, orange or red. A living room that is on the south or west side of the house can often feel "hot," especially after lunch and during the summertime. Paint this living room a "cool" color like blue, green or violet to bring the perceived temperature down a notch.

3. Boost light with paint color. If your living room has a shortage of windows, if the windows face north or east, or if the foliage of shade trees blocks the sunlight, you may have a natural light deficit in the room during most of the day. Any paint color that has a predominance of white in it can help enhance the natural light that enters the room. White or pastel tinted paint literally bounces away light and spreads it out much like a photographer's umbrella. If a room is very bright due to too many windows, you can reduce the reflective properties by painting the room a solid dark color. Living rooms that double as media rooms are excellent candidates for dark paint treatments.

4. Convey a sense of historical period and geography with color. Colors can be tracked by popularity through history. The Victorians preferred shocking "cabbage" greens and pinks in decors, while people living in the 1920s were attracted to whites, off whites, silvers and other stark colors in wall paint, reflecting the Art Moderne taste of the time. If you have a special period theme in the room, unify the theme with the correct color. Colors can also reflect location. The pastel, earthy colors of the Southwest are a prime example, as are the browns and dark greens of the Great Northwest. Use these color "cues" to reinforce your overall living room design.

Tags: living room, paint color, color Colors, have special, natural light

Decorate Around An Old Wall Panelling

Wood paneling has a dated look.

Wood paneling immediately darkens a room, which can make the space look and feel smaller. When you have paneling on every wall, the dark color overwhelms the space, making the room feel like a cavern. But there are a few decorating ideas you can use to lighten up the space and tone down the heavy feel of the wood. Decorate around old wall paneling by hiding the wood or bringing in new elements.

Instructions

1. Sand the wood paneling with fine-grit sandpaper and fill any holes or chips with wood putty. Sand down the dried wood putty, prime the walls and paint. The new paint color tones down the naturally dark color of the paneling.

2. Measure the size of the walls if you rent the property and cannot paint the panels. Cut fabric into pieces large enough to cover the walls. Pry off the molding above the paneling, and attach the fabric with hammer and nails. Smooth the fabric down the walls, and attach more nails along the bottom and sides before reattaching the molding.

3. Decorate the room with mid-century modern accessories, if you cannot cover the paneling. This style was popular during the heyday of wood paneling. Give the room a "Mad Men" feel with a leather lounge chair or couch, brass pieces and a starburst mirror or clock hung on the wall.

4. Cover a few bookshelves with a coat of primer and white paint Put the bookshelves aganst the wall flush with the paneling. The white color lightens up the room, and the shelves take the focus off the paneling.

Cut Tegular Ceiling Tile

Cut Tegular Ceiling Tile

Suspended ceilings cover up unsightly plumbing, heating and electrical components. They are used frequently in basements of homes and commercial buildings. Unlike drywall ceilings, they allow quick access above the ceiling in case a repair needs to be made. Tegular ceiling tile is another name for ceiling tiles that have a reveal edge down below the ceiling grid. These require two cuts with the utility knife rather than just one cut for standard ceiling tile.

Instructions

1. Measure the distance between the bottom T-bars of the ceiling grid. This will calculate your reveal dimension (the width of the tile that will hang below the ceiling grid).

2. Lay your ceiling tile so that the reveal edge is facing upward on a flat surface. From the edge of the reveal on one side, measure over and make a mark at the measurement you calculated in Step 1. Repeat this process further up to allow yourself two points to scribe a line.

3. Measure over another 1/2 inch from the above line and scribe a second line on the ceiling tile. This second line should be even further away from the edge you measured from in Step 2.

4. Cut completely through the ceiling tile with your utility knife on the line you scribed in Step 3. Stand the tile on edge so that the cut you just made is vertical.

5. Place your utility knife on the top of the edge. The knife should start where the factory reveal edge is on the adjoining side (typically halfway in between). Pull the knife straight down to cut a groove into the edge of the tile.

6. Lay the tile back down with the reveal edge up. Place a straight edge along the line you scribed in Step 1. A long ruler or yard stick works as a straight edge.

7. Drag your utility knife along this edge repeatedly until a chunk of the ceiling tile comes loose. If you did it correctly, you will have a custom reveal edge cut out.

Tags: reveal edge, utility knife, ceiling grid, ceiling tile, your utility, your utility knife, below ceiling

Light To An End Table

End tables may need lighting.

The end table is remarkably versatile, suitable for numerous purposes in a variety of rooms. An end table can be positioned at one or both ends of a sofa. It can also sit next to a bed or directly adjacent to a larger table. Party guests can use end tables to set down drinks or food. Green plants, flowers and objets d'art often decorate the tables. And avid readers use the furniture to hold books and magazines. Because they're such a center of activity, end tables often require good lighting nearby (or on top).

Instructions

1. Table lamps of interesting designs are available.

Add a lamp to the table. The traditional table lamp with flared shade and sturdy but unspectacular base may be the first thing to come to mind, but other designs, such as globe-shaped, rectangular and cube-shaped lamps are also available. In addition, the base of the lamp may be embossed, carved or molded in unusual ways. Look for a lamp that will not only provide light but reflects your design style.

2. Candles provide lighting on their own or in combination with other sources.

Use candles to light the table; candles, short or tall, can add a note or romance to the table. Candles are available in a seemingly endless variety of shapes, sizes and colors. Scented candles can further enhance ambience. Take all necessary fire precautions when using candles.

3. Place a floor lamp. Depending on the configuration of your other furniture, it may be possible to light your end table with a floor lamp next to it. Available in a broad array of colors, materials and finishes, floor lamps can provide light for both the end table and its surrounding area.

4. A wall-mounted fixture may prove suitable to light your end table.

Hang a sconce or wall fixture. If your end table is positioned close to a wall, add two or more wall sconces or lighting fixtures directly above the end table to illuminate it. Choose a design that blends well with the rest of the room decor.

Tags: your table, floor lamp, light your, light your table, provide light, table positioned

Remove Wood Paneling Adhesive

Use a putty knife or a paint scraper to remove adhesive.

Wood paneling is used to hide plaster or concrete block walls. Construction workers attach the paneling to the wall with nails, screws and wood paneling adhesive. This adhesive is tough and water-resistant, which makes it tricky to remove with regular adhesive removal products such as WD-40 or gentle solvents. Instead, use heat and a tough adhesive removal product. Be aware that tough adhesive removal products are toxic and may cause irritation to your eyes and skin.

Instructions

1. Put on gloves and goggles to prevent your eyes and skin from becoming irritated.

2. Turn your hair dryer to high heat.

3. Concentrate the hair dryer over the wall paneling adhesive residue on the wall. Do this until the adhesive begins to peel away from the wall.

4. Gently scrape the adhesive off the wall with a putty knife. Be careful not to scratch the wall.

5. Continue heating and scraping until you've removed all of the adhesive from the wall.

6. Apply adhesive remover paste to a clean cloth if some of the adhesive is still on the wall. Use tough adhesive remover that markets its ability to work on wood paneling adhesive.

7. Let the adhesive remover sit on the adhesive for a few minutes according to the manufacturer's recommendation.

8. Gently scrape off the adhesive.

9. Wipe the walls down with a cloth soaked in clear water.

Tags: adhesive removal, adhesive remover, paneling adhesive, tough adhesive, adhesive removal products, eyes skin, from wall

Install A Halogen Replacement Bulb

Halogen light bulbs (or "lamps," as they are called), give off a brighter light than the older incandescent bulbs. However, halogen lamps also create far more heat, so you must be careful where you place these lamps, and keep flammable materials away from them. Most halogen lamps last a long time, but all of them will burn out eventually and will need to be replaced. Since halogens do not simply screw in like the older incandescent bulbs, you must take care when replacing them. The procedure is not difficult, but it does take a little time.

Instructions

1. Unplug the halogen floor lamp; or, if you are replacing the bulb in a ceiling fixture, turn off the power at the fuse box. If the lamp has been burning recently, allow it to cool before attempting to replace it.

2. Remove the tempered glass cover over the halogen bulb. You may have to remove small clamps or screws that hold the glass cover in place. Set the glass cover and any screws or clamps aside.

3. Using a cotton handkerchief or paper towel, grasp the halogen bulb and remove it from the fixture. Some small bulbs have straight pins in their bases, in which case you can simply push in and then pull out the bulbs. Other bulbs twist and lock, rather like a fluorescent tube, while some halogen bulbs are held in place by a spring-loaded holder--so you will need to press the bulb against one end or the other.

4. Make sure the new bulb is of the same type, size, and wattage as the old one. Carefully take the new bulb out of the container; do not touch it with your bare fingers. Use a cotton handkerchief to remove it from the package and place it into the light fixture.

5. When the bulb is firmly in place, replace the tempered glass cover and any screws or clamps you removed earlier. Plug in the floor lamp or turn the power on at the fuse box, then turn on the light.

Tags: glass cover, cotton handkerchief, cover screws, cover screws clamps, floor lamp

Fit Upvc Cladding

UPVC is a durable siding material.

UPVC, or unplasticized polyvinyl chloride, is a weatherproof, lightweight and cost-effective material installed as cladding or siding to a structure. In addition to this, it is highly durable, and boasts high levels of ultraviolet light protection. Installing UPVC siding may be a laborious task, but will provide a finish that will last for years.

Instructions

1. Affix wooden batten boards around the bottom of the perimeter of the area you will be siding, using your screwdriver and 1 1/2-inch screws.

2. Screw battens vertically from your horizontal line up to the top of the area you will be covering. Space them 2 feet apart, and saw them to a length that leaves a gap at the top of the surface for another ring of horizontal boards.

3. Repeat Step 1, but this time at the top of the area you will be covering.

4. Use a jigsaw to cut the rows of cladding to fit the width of your surface.

5. Nail a flange for your first row of cladding to the bottom horizontal row of battens, then slide the first cladding panel onto this flange. This provides a nice finish to the bottom row of cladding panels. Start at the bottom and work your way up, nailing each panel through the top into the vertical boards, and overlapping the panel above.

6. Nail another flange for the horizontal trim to the top row of batten boards. Cut the trim to fit and hang it in place on the flange to ensure the nails in the top row of cladding panels are not visible.

Tags: area will, area will covering, batten boards, cladding panels, first cladding

Hide Problems Where Crown Molding Meets

No matter how carefully you measure and cut, sometimes crown molding simply doesn't make a perfect fit in the corner. If you have the ability, you can cope the molding for a more precise fit on inside corners, but outside corners have more limitations. After many attempts at home improvement, most do-it-youselfers eventually realize that successful home improvement is more about what you can hide than what you can perform perfectly. Before you cut hundreds of dollars worth of molding trying to fix a 1/8 inch crack, try repairing the crack instead.

Instructions

1. Squeeze a line of caulk into the gap between the molding. Make sure you use a stainable/paintable caulk. Wet your finger and smooth the caulk into place. If the caulk sinks into the crack, allow the caulk to harden just a bit, then apply another line of caulk to the crack. Repeat this process as many times as necessary to completely fill the crack with caulk. Allow the caulk to dry completely.

2. Sand the caulk with a small, fine-grit sanding block to make a smooth connection between the two pieces of molding. Your objective is to make the caulk an extension of the molding itself so that the naked eye sees no difference unless scrutinizing the joint. If you have a steady hand and a Dremel or other rotary tool, you can use it to sand the caulk.

3. Wipe the sanding dust from the molding with a soft, dry cloth, and touch up the caulk with the paint or stain you used to finish the molding. Allow the paint or stain to dry completely before applying another coat.

Tags: caulk into, caulk with, home improvement, line caulk, paint stain

Fish Electrical Wire Through A Ceiling

Without attic access, running wire across a ceiling can be challenging.

Electrical wire can run behind a ceiling to conceal it when a new receptacle is added. Usually, the cable extends across the ceiling to a wall, then down the wall to a switch. If you have access to an attic, fishing the line to the wall is fast work, requiring only a minimum amount of holes in the drywall. But if access to an attic is unavailable, several holes must be cut to bring the wire to the wall plate and down through the wall space.

Instructions

With Attic Access

1. Drill a hole up through the ceiling in the center of the spot where the receptacle will be located.

2. Thread the end of the wire cable up through the hole.

3. Enter the attic and find the cable. Pull it through the hole and between ceiling joists to the wall plate above the wall where the cable will be sent.

4. Drill a 3/4-inch hole into the wall plate so that the cable can be threaded through the wall.

No Attic Access

5. Drill a hole up through the ceiling in the center of the spot where the receptacle will be located.

6. Visualize how the cable will need to travel between ceiling joists to the wall above where the switch will be placed. Determine the point where the cable will need to transition from moving across the ceiling to downward through the wall.

7. Draw two boxes, each about 2 inches wide and 4 inches long: one for the ceiling and one for the wall at the point where the cable will transition. Use a pencil and ruler for the layout.

8. Score the drywall with a utility knife and cut it away with a drywall saw. The top plate of the wall now should be exposed. The top plate is a two-by-four stud that runs along the top of the wall and to which the wall studs are nailed.

9. Cut two parallel lines in the top plate with a drywall saw. The lines should be about 3/4-inch apart and the cut should go about an inch deep into the plate. Remove the material between the two lines using a hammer and chisel to create a notch for the cable to run through.

10. Run a fish tape up through the receptacle hole in the ceiling and push the tape down between the ceiling joists until you find it at the openings made in the wall and ceiling. Pull the end of the fish tape through the opening. A fish tape is designed for pulling wires through walls and ceilings and is available at home improvement centers.

11. Attach the electrical cable to the end of the fish tape, then reel the tape back into its holder. The cable will come along as well. One end of the cable now should be at the receptacle hole and the rest of it at the wall.

12. Push the cable into the notch created in the wall plate and cover it with a metal nail guard.

Tags: cable will, fish tape, wall plate, across ceiling, between ceiling

Get Rid Of Mice From A Residence

Mice will never leave you alone if your house remains an inviting place to them

Mice have been notorious household pests for centuries. They get into the kitchen cabinets, the garbage, the walls, and even the ceiling and air ducts throughout your house. They chew holes in your insulation and your fabrics, and make nests out of the pieces. The only way to permanently get rid of these small pests is to make your home as uninviting as possible from now on, so you won't attract any new mice once the current residents are gone.

Instructions

1. Take food out of all the rooms in your house except the kitchen. Do not allow anyone to eat outside the kitchen or the dining room (at least for awhile), so there isn't any food laying around to attract mice. Wipe up all crumbs and spills, and re-package or throw away any food in the kitchen that isn't closed up tight in mouse-proof containers. Eliminate the easy food sources and the mice will have to look somewhere else for a meal.

2. Clean the house from top to bottom. Eliminate piles of clutter and organize all closets, drawers and cabinets. You'll be getting rid of hiding spots that mice could use to avoid you otherwise.

3. Locate any holes, gaps and other places in your house where mice can get in. These places will need to be patched up or blocked, and should be checked once in awhile to make sure the mice don't open them back up again.

4. Lay traps out to catch or kill the mice already in your house. It's best to lay the traps in a direct path used by the mice (such as in front of a hole they used to use). If you choose to use live traps, make sure to release the mice several miles from your house so they don't return.

5. Sprinkle natural mouse deterrents such as onion, peppermint or mint along walls, window sills and doorways.

6. Call a professional pest control service if you are unable to get rid of the mice after a few weeks.

Tags: your house, attract mice, make sure

Decorate A Serene Bathroom

Add some candles around your tub in a soothing scent.

For some, the bathroom is merely a functional room, necessary for personal hygiene but not much else. For others, the bathroom can be a retreat -- a place to get away from it all and soothe away the stresses of the day. If you fall into the latter category, you will want to decorate your bathroom with serene colors and calming decor. With the right color palate and accessories, your bathroom will become the soothing, spa-like getaway you deserve.

Instructions

1. Paint the walls. Choose a soothing color. Neutrals -- especially those found in nature such as browns, grays and soft greens -- are especially calming, according to House Beautiful.

2. Accent with white. White tiles, molding and shelving give a spa-like feel to any bathroom.

3. Accessorize with luxurious touches. Invest in some large, fluffy white towels. Roll them up and place them on shelves. Place clear glass jars full of bath salts next to the towels for added color and interest.

4. Hang serene art on the wall. Soft photos of nature are a soothing choice, according to Spa magazine. In fact, adding touches of nature to your bathroom will create a calming effect. Set a green plant on a shelf, such as a lucky bamboo plant. Or fill a pretty bowl full of polished rocks.

5. Set out candles around your bathtub or on the vanity. Choose candles with a soothing scent, such as lavender.

Tags: your bathroom, around your, bathroom will, candles around, candles around your, soothing scent

Install Metal Ceiling Panels

Ceiling panels are a great alternative to common painted ceilings. Ordinary ceilings often look plain, bare and too simple, so adding ceiling panels can improve a space and make it more interesting. Metal ceiling panels are an especially interesting element, since they lend themselves well to both traditional and contemporary interiors. These panels come in a variety of metals, patterns and sizes. When it comes to quality and price ratio, tin ceilings are one of the best options available.

Instructions

1. Measure the width and the length of your ceiling to get its surface area and therefore the number of metal ceiling panels you will need.

2. Prepare a base for attaching the tin ceiling panels. The best and the most inexpensive underlayment is common plywood. Attach the plywood to your primary ceiling using a power drill and 2-½-inch decking screws. Make sure to mount the panels to the ceiling joists only. Drill small exploratory holes to find one joist before you do anything else. Then you will know that the next joist is 16 inches away and so on for the entire ceiling area. Mark the joist locations with chalk so you know where to drill for the decking screws. Continue laying the plywood until the whole ceiling is covered. If you don’t have a friend to help you hold the panels until you attach them, use a T-brace made from 2x4s.

3. Mark the layout lines for the metal ceiling panel on the plywood with a pencil. This will help you plan the disposition of the panel and will show you if you need to cut any in order to make a perfect fit. If you need smaller tin panel pieces, use tin snips, a marker and a straight edge to cut the metal.

4. Lay the tin panels on the plywood base by nailing them with a nail gun. Start from one corner, and make sure to follow the guidelines you made on the plywood. Always leave one side unfastened so you can tuck in the edge of the neighboring panel underneath. Continue nailing the tin panels onto the plywood until you cover the whole ceiling.

5. Seal the seams between the tin ceiling panels using a caulking gun. Make sure to use a high-quality clear silicone caulk for this task.

6. Finish your ceiling with tin molding in the corners and on the edges. Every manufacturer has a palette of various moldings and cornices designed to be compatible with certain tin panels. Choose the decorative cornice from your tin panel’s collection to achieve a matching and harmonious look.

Tags: ceiling panels, decking screws, Make sure, metal ceiling, plywood until, whole ceiling, your ceiling

Replace A Recessed Light With A Light Fixture

Locate a ceiling joist to secure your light to the ceiling.

Recessed lighting isn't the style for everyone. It looks modern, and some people think it doesn't fit with their home's decor. If you would prefer a light fixture that extends from a ceiling, then you can replace recessed lighting. Replacing the light is not difficult, and the project can be completed in a few hours.

Instructions

1. Turn off the electrical power to the room by flipping the appropriate switch in the electrical box.

2. Remove the screws holding the recessed light to the ceiling. Remove the light bulb.

3. Pull the recessed light casing out of the ceiling. If the casing is anchored to the ceiling joist, use an angled screwdriver to remove the screws.

4. Untwist the house wires from the back side of the light cover.

5. Measure the opening, and make it larger if necessary to fit the wire housing of the replacement light fixture. Use a jigsaw to cut the ceiling material.

6. Feed the house wires through the replacement light fixture's housing. Slide the housing into the ceiling hole, and extend the mounting bars on either side that attach it to the joists. Raise it just high enough to feed a side-angle driver in, and drill the brackets to the joists with 3-inch screws. In some cases, you might find a housing that has extension bars that twist to tighten and don't need to be screwed in place.

7. Attach the bar bracket across the wire housing with the light fixture's hardware. Feed the wires through the hole in the middle of the bar.

8. Twist the ends of the wires from the fixture to ends of the house wires. Attach like-colored wires together. Some fixtures have black wires instead of red wires. If that case, attach the black wire to the red wire. These are live wires. White wires are neutral. Ground wires, if present, may be plain copper or coated green. Wrap electrical tape around the twisted points to cover them. Then cap them with wire nuts.

9. Attach the fixture to the cross bar with the fixture's hardware. Use a drill for this task. Cover the area with the fixture's decorative plate to finish.

Tags: light fixture, house wires, ceiling joist, fixture hardware, light ceiling, recessed light

Removable Ceiling Ideas

Install textured ceiling panels to hide flaws.

If your ceiling is unsightly with minor cracking, stains or simply an unattractive treatment, you can cover the blemishes with a removable alternative. Depending on the treatment you choose, you can change the look and feel of your room with the option of removing the new ceiling later. An added benefit of many of these ceilings is the ability to leave the old ceiling in place, avoiding the huge and messy job of removal. Some treatments can be installed directly over the old ceiling material, while others require hardware or additional support.

Pressed-Tin Panels

For a casual, but polished and eye-catching ceiling, try pressed-tin panels. These patterned-metal sheets usually come in 2-by-4-foot sheets along with cornices and filler pieces for finishing the look. The panels can be installed by first securing furring strips to the ceiling joists, which provides an even surface to accept nails. There are pressed-tin options intended for use in a suspended ceiling application. Several colors are available, along with paintable versions that allow you to match your walls or create a striking contrast.

Suspended-Grid Ceiling

If your ceiling has excessive blemishes, add a new suspended-grid ceiling, which hangs beneath the old ceiling. You will avoid tedious patching or repairs, which is a preparation requirement for treatments that are intended for direct application over an existing ceiling. Suspended-grid ceilings are also suitable for hiding exposed fixtures such as pipes and ductwork. An open metal framework is hung from the ceiling joists, and individual panels are inserted into the openings, hiding the old ceiling.

Tongue and Groove Planks

Tongue and groove planking, available in wood and fiber options, works well as a removable ceiling. Sold in manageable sizes, pieces fit easily around lighting, ceiling beams and other obstructions. Both plank materials can be stained or painted to coordinate with your room. Lighter than wood options, fiber planks can be glued or stapled directly to a drywall or plaster ceiling. Wooden ceiling planks must be secured to the ceiling joists to support their heavier weight.

Paneling

Sheet paneling is a popular removable ceiling, especially for covering large areas. Sold in 4-by-8-foot sheets, you can cover areas quickly and the large panels work well on both flat and sloped ceilings. A beadboard pattern is available in both wood and fiber panel options, adding a casual feel to any room. The panels must be secured to ceiling joists and though it makes removable more difficult, adding adhesive first provides extra strength.

Tags: ceiling joists, along with, must secured, must secured ceiling, removable ceiling

Repair Drop Ceiling Tiles

Damaged foam drop ceiling tiles should be repaired or replaced immediately.

Drop ceilings, also known as acoustical ceilings, have been used for years to camouflage the pipes, wires and joists above many basements and work areas. The panels can be lifted out of their grid for easy access to the utilities for inspection and repair. One of the most frequent complaints about drop ceilings is the fact that the tiles break, crack or otherwise damage easily. Replacing damaged ceiling tiles is easy, but if you don't have a matching replacement tile, fix your damaged tile and maintain the look of your ceiling.

Instructions

1. Stretch out the drop cloth in an unused area. Place the damaged ceiling tile face down and press the pieces as close together as you can. Take your time and line up the sides of the cracks or pieces to maintain the shape of the outer edge.

2. Apply a bead of adhesive to the crack. Press the halves of the tile together to be sure the adhesive did not separate them. Smooth the bead of adhesive with your finger. Be careful not to disturb the tile pieces. Gently lay the board on top of the crack. Let the adhesive cure for 12 hours.

3. Remove the board and gently flip the tile. Apply a bead of caulk to the crack on the face of the tile. Smooth the caulk with your finger while pressing hard enough to push it just below the surface of the face of the tile. Let the caulk cure for 12 hours.

4. Use your artist's paintbrush to paint the caulk. Take your time and dab the paint over the caulk and the tile edge on both sides to make it blend with the rest of the tile. Apply several coats of paint, allowing each to dry completely before the next application.

5. Gently lift the tile. Hold it at an angle and slide it up into the ceiling grid. Position the tile over the hanging track and gently lower it into place.

Tags: Apply bead, bead adhesive, ceiling tiles, cure hours, damaged ceiling

Find Someone'S Address For Free

Get in touch with long lost friends.

Whether you are trying to track down lost family members or surprise old friends, it is fairly easy to find someone's address for free using the power of the Internet. There are many resources available online, although you may have to check multiple sources and use a little bit of diligence. Still, it will be very rewarding once you get back in touch with family and friends.

Instructions

1. Gather all of the most current information you have on the people you're trying to find. Even though you may have lost touch with them in recent years, knowing where they've been recently, as well as any recent name changes due to marriage, divorce, and so on, will help.

2. Use online white pages. Both Yahoo! and Yellow Book have comprehensive white page listings, but there are also a few other sites, such as AnyWho and SwitchBoard, that also have a fair amount of listings.

3. Look into other personal information sites. If the traditional white pages aren't getting you the information you want, places like Zaba Search can scan public records (such as home sales) to find someone's address. Note: Although these sites use public records, they are not always accurate, and if someone requests that his information be removed, it will be.

4. Check around popular social networking sites. Many people use sites like LinkedIn, Facebook and MySpace to connect with old friends and lost family members. Simply searching for someone's name could lead to a connection (and a possible address).

5. Use a search engine. This is a last resort, as simply typing a name into a search engine can yield imprecise, outdated or falsified information. However, if you have had no success with the other methods, it is worth a try.

Tags: touch with, family members, find someone, find someone address, lost family, lost family members, public records

Handantique Ceiling Tiles

Antiqued ceiling tiles add a unique, sculpted beauty to any decor. Your guests will be dazzled when they see the work of art you have created on your ceiling. One of the most beautiful faux ceiling tile painting techniques is the "verdigris" process. It creates a stunning "French Bronze" patina effect that gives the ceiling an antiqued old world charm that is so lovely it will make your guests feel as if they are visiting a European chateau. This process works for either old or new raised relief ceiling tiles.

Instructions

1. Sand the ceiling tiles with 100-grit sandpaper to prepare them for the metallic copper undercoat.

2. Apply a coat of metallic copper acrylic paint, and allow it to dry.

3. Sponge on a light, diluted coat of the dark brown paint over the metallic acrylic copper, allowing the brown to settle into the low spots of the relief pattern on the ceiling tiles. Allow it to dry.

4. Sponge on the dark green paint in an irregular pattern. While it is still wet, lightly dab the high relief areas of the green with the paper towel, allowing the copper and dark brown colors to come through.

5. Sponge on a coat of the light green in an irregular pattern and repeat the dabbing process used in step 4. If you want the green to go lighter or darker, simply apply another coat and repeat the process.

6. Sponge on a watered-down irregular layer of light blue paint (mainly on the high points of the relief ceiling tile) to replicate the patina of aged bronze.

7. Apply a coat of clear acrylic varnish to protect the finished faux verdigris antiqued ceiling tiles.

Tags: ceiling tiles, Apply coat, ceiling tile, ceiling tiles, dark brown, irregular pattern, metallic copper

Design A Finished Basement

Design a Finished Basement

A finished basement adds value and living space to your home. Finishing a basement can be a big job if you need to do a lot of prep work on the floor and walls. Damp walls and floors can ruin a project. Ceiling heights lower than 7 feet also create problems. Consider these elements when you sketch out a plan for your basement. Calculate the costs and be prepared to call in plumbers, electricians and construction experts.

Instructions

1. Address moisture issues. If the basement is damp, determine how the moisture is getting into the room. Fix cracks in the foundation and paint the walls with a vapor barrier like Dry Loc if you won't be adding insulation or constructing walls. Insulation is installed with a vapor barrier.

2. Check that the floor is relatively even. If there are large differences in height, either excavate the floor or install a floating floor above the existing floor. Excavation is a big job, but you gain the benefit of creating more space between the floor and ceiling.

3. Lay a floor that's appropriate to the use of the basement. Laminates can be used over concrete if the concrete is properly prepared. Use a heavy duty carpet like berber in play areas. Ceramic tile and natural stone can be used if they're sealed to prevent staining.

4. Conceal ductwork and pipes in a drop ceiling. A drop ceiling is suspended from metal runners and then filled in with acoustic tiles. Use fire retardant insulation between the drop ceiling and the ceiling of the basement. This will also add sound proofing.

5. Plan rooms based on the use of the basement. A mother-in-law suite requires a bath, bedroom and kitchenette. A media room or playroom should be large enough to accommodate toys and furnishings. Frame out a separate laundry room and a utility room to hide the furnace, circuit breaker box and water heater.

6. Add a full bath. If there isn't room for a full bath, build a ¾ bath or powder room. Situate the new bath under an existing bath upstairs to avoid having to run new plumbing. Add a bar for entertaining. Install surround sound in home theaters.

7. Paint the walls light colors to create the illusion that the room is larger than it is. Hang floor-to-ceiling drapes over the windows to make the ceiling seem higher. Add vertical design elements that draw the eye upward, like large potted plants and free standing screens. Install can lighting and mini-spotlights that draw the eye to appealing features of the room.

Tags: drop ceiling, Design Finished, Design Finished Basement, full bath, that draw

What Can Cause Cracks In Ceilings

Overnight Cracks

Cracks in the ceiling can seem to appear overnight. In some cases this can be true, depending on the environment in which you live. Heavy moisture, cold weather, hot weather and the ground on which the home is built could all be factors in creating a cracked ceiling. Another factor that can be a cause for cracked ceilings is the load placed on the home. In some cases, heavy loads placed on wooden floors especially second stories of homes can be the main cause of ceiling cracks.

Seams and Joints

Most cracks appear at the seams, joint and corners of the ceilings. Seam can come from a number of reasons. Improper drywall finishing techniques can be a factor. When drywall is finished, there should be a well laid coat of drywall compound below the seam tape so the paper can adhere well to both sides of the joint. If the compound was applied sparingly, even the smallest amount of movement can create a crack line. Cracks that appear in the upper corners, where walls meet the ceiling, could be the result of collected moisture. Moisture can work its way into a corner joint and begin to affect the bond of the drywall compound. Generally, if the corners are cracking from moisture a small area may be turning black from mold growth.

Too Much Weight

Heavy loads placed on floors and ceilings can create movement in the wood framing, causing the drywall to shift. The addition of bookshelves along side a wall can place an extremely heavy load on the floor. If the floor is a wood framed floor, it can create a sag in the framing members if they're not properly supported. This can cause the walls to move ever so slightly and crack joints in the corners and above the floor that has the heavy load placed upon it. A heavy load placed in a storage area or room above the first floor can cause the ceiling joists to bow and sag also, which in turn will shift the framing members to crack drywall joints.

Lightweight Foundations

Improperly constructed foundations can also cause ceilings and walls to crack. If the foundation for a home is not properly constructed with correct depth and drainage, the load bearing part of the footer may move. This movement can create permanent damage to the foundation and cause ceilings to buckle and crack. Excessive moisture in the ground can actually cause a foundation to "float" from the water table lifting and moving the foundation. This is generally caused by poor drainage surrounding the foundation of the home. If the home is an area of extreme cold weather, the frost can "heave" a foundation up and down with the seasons. This movement is again from an improper depth of foundation. In areas that are use to dry climates, a heavy rain can force water into the ground and cause it to swell. This swelling can force movement on slabs and foundations, creating the concrete to shift slightly, translating into cracks in the ceiling and surrounding walls.

Tags: heavy load, load placed, cause ceiling, cause ceilings, cold weather, drywall compound, foundation home

Hang Fabric From A Ceiling For A Wedding Reception

Decorate the ceilings of your wedding reception venue with fabric.

Hanging fabric from a ceiling is an easy way to add color and style to any room. Use fabric to hide aluminum frame ceilings at a wedding reception venue. Or, create a compelling vertical centerpiece above the joyous action and entertainment below. Fabric can transform a gym, church hall or otherwise plain room into a unique space that complements your wedding theme and creates an environment guests will remember long after your wedding is over.

Instructions

1. Use a ladder to reach the ceiling of your wedding venue. Measure the length and width of the ceiling as well as the heights of the walls in the room you are decorating. Determine how much fabric you will need for each length you wish to hang.

2. Choose a design for your fabric hangings. Consider the dimensions of the room when selecting a hanging pattern. Hang fabric panels straight down from the ceiling to a few inches above the floor along the two longest walls to emphasize high ceilings or a long, narrow venue. Hang fabric in this way to create a regal feel. Highlight an elegant chandelier or series of chandeliers by looping fabric panels from 10 feet to 12 feet around the chandeliers into the center, about 3 inches away from the chandeliers themselves. Create a tent design by stringing fabric panels in a sloping, triangular pattern from the center of the ceiling to the sides.

3. Choose colors of gossamer fabric that complement your wedding colors. Pair the fabric hangings with strands of white or single-color indoor twinkling lights strung in the same pattern as your fabric panels.

4. Cut the fabric into panels that are 24 inches wide and equal in length to your measurements for the venue.

5. Use tall ladders or lifts and assistants to reach the ceiling of your venue. Use staples colored the same color as your fabric and a staple gun to attach the fabric panels to the ceiling. Repeat this process to staple the other end of the fabric panels to the walls, if your design calls for it. Attach embroidery hoops and curtain rods to the ceiling with wire and wrap fabric panels around the hoops or rods to secure your design.

Tags: fabric panels, your wedding, your fabric, ceiling your, fabric hangings

Find Cheap Discount Contemporary Lighting Fixtures

Discount Contemporary Lighting Fixture

Contemporary lights can ad crisp clean design to any room. However, contemporary light fixtures can be hard to find if you don't know where to look. Luckily there are many retail stores as well as online retailers that carry great selections of cheap discount contemporary lighting fixtures.

Instructions

1. Search your local flea markets and auctions for cheap contemporary light fixtures. You can find some great vintage as well as modern contemporary lighting fixtures here for pennies on the dollar. As recent as 10 years ago, contemporary lighting fixtures and furniture weren't as popular as they are now a days. So the prices were a lot more affordable for buyers.

2. Head to Ikea. The Swedish based furniture manufacturer is well know for it's affordable contemporary lighting fixtures. They have a large selection of lighting fixtures that range in price anywhere from $20 to $300. Go to their web site to find the closest Ikea furniture store near you. Even if you have to drive a couple hours, it will be well worth it.

3. Search the internet for cheap discount contemporary lighting fixtures. There are a few web sites dedicated solely to contemporary fixtures. Funkylights.com is one of my personal favorites.

4. Browse through the listings on ebay. You can sometimes come across some great finds that someone found in their basement or attic. Try to avoid buying large pieces on ebay however as they tend to be expensive to ship. Also if they are made with mostly glass they can be extremely fragile and difficult to keep intact during the shipping process.

Tags: contemporary lighting, lighting fixtures, contemporary lighting fixtures, cheap discount, cheap discount contemporary

Paint A Room & Crown Molding

White crown molding complements the off-white walls in this room.

Painting a room with crown molding isn't much different that painting a room without unless there is a color change. A room with crown molding can be painted the one color. Walls, ceiling and crown molding can also be painted in different colors. If the walls, ceiling and molding have never been painted, though, this can add extra time to the job. If the job is a repaint, minimal prep work is required.

Instructions

1. Prime the walls and ceiling of the room with a drywall primer using a 3/4-inch nap on a 9-inch roller frame and an extension pole. Dip the roller into a bucket of paint repeatedly throughout the priming process to keep the nap of the roller loaded with fresh primer. Roll off excess primer on an in-bucket paint screen. Feather the lines between the strokes to even out the primer over every surface.

2. Prime untreated crown molding with a wood paint primer and paint brush before it's nailed to the corners of the room. Once the molding is in place, fill the finish nail holes with wood putty and putty knife. Wipe away any excess putty with a dry, clean rag. Lightly sand the crown molding with a 120-grit sandpaper. Wipe away any sawdust. Use a paint brush to apply paint the crown molding.

3. Cut in the ceiling and walls with a paint brush using the the straight edge of the crown molding as a guide. Within painting, cutting in is a technique that keeps paint off of abutting surfaces, according to Fine Homebuilding. Paint at least 4 inches out from the crown molding and baseboards.

4. Paint the walls and ceiling using a roller on an extension pole. Feather the lines between each roller stroke to keep the paint finish even. Roll slowly when nearing the crown molding to avoid paint splattering onto the finish paint of the molding.

Tags: crown molding, crown molding, paint brush, room with, walls ceiling, crown molding with

Diy Faux Wood Beams

Add interest to your ceiling with DIY faux wood beams. These manufactured wood beams are easy to handle and come in lengths you can easily cut to fit your ceiling space. Modeled from real wood beams, manufactured wood beams made from polyurethane are easy to care for and add value to your home. They work equally well with a flat ceiling or with cathedral ceilings to give your room a new look.

Order samples

You can find many styles of faux wood beams on the market today. Many companies that sell manufactured wood beams are more than happy to send you samples of their product so you can look at it and get a feel for what it would look like installed in your home. Some wood beams have a smooth texture, and others have a rough-hewn, antique look about them.

As you look at samples consider the lighting in your room. (See References 1) Wood beams can affect the way light reflects in your room. Also a lighter colored wood beam can make a ceiling appear higher, while a darker one can make a room appear smaller.

Measure your room

Determine how many sections of wood beams you need to complete the room. Since you can cut wood beams easily with a circular or hand saw, it's easy to get the right size. You can also piece faux wood beams together if you need a longer beam than the standard length.

Gather your tools

To facilitate the installation of your faux wood beams, gather all your necessary equipment. Set up your electrical saws so you can make cuts yet still continue to work efficiently. In addition to basic carpentry tools and ladders, you should have a stud finder, a caulk gun and a chalk line or painter's tape.

Install the faux wood beams

Bring the wood beams indoors for at least 24 hours before you begin the project to allow them to acclimate.

Cut wood blocks out of two-by-four lumber slightly smaller than the inside of the faux wood beam. These are necessary to attach the beam to the ceiling.

Measure and mark where you wish to hang the faux wood beams. Use chalk line or painter's tape to mark where both sides of the beam are going to set.

To make sure the beams are square with the room, use a chalk line or painter's tape to mark where to install them.

Use the stud finder to locate a ceiling joist within the marked lines and within two feet of the side walls. Mark the spot. Secure a block of wood to the ceiling using anchor bolts if necessary. Continue attaching wooden blocks every three to six feet.

Hold the wood beam in place to make sure it fits properly. Trim if necessary. Run construction adhesive along the side of the beam that mounts on the ceiling. Set the beam in place over the blocks of wood. Make sure the beam is flush with the ceiling. Secure the beam with screws in the sides of the wood blocks.

Repeat this process until you finish hanging all the beams. Wipe up any excess adhesive. Caulk uneven ceiling areas and the sides if you wish. Cover screws with wood filler.

Tags: wood beams, faux wood, faux wood beams, your room, chalk line

Design Your Own 3d Kitchen Online

Due to the increased influence and power of the Internet, it is now possible for homeowners to build three-dimensional (3-D) models of their kitchens and to determine remodeling designs and ideas with the click of a mouse. Using one of these programs is simple as long as you follow proper instructions.

Instructions

Designing Your Kitchen

1. Go to www.Bobvila.com, and select the "kitchen designer" option on the main Web page. Once the page loads, upload a template to the website and allow it to create a 3-D representation of your new kitchen. Templates that can be chosen include: Habitat for Humanity, Victorian Updates and Honey Maple. Experiment with each one before making your final choice.

2. Once the template is chosen, the application will load in your Web browser. On the screen, you will see a variety of icons that allow you to choose different countertops, cabinets, furniture, sinks, appliances and other accessories, according to your taste. Take the time to look at all of the options.

3. Select each of the products you want in your kitchen, and determine their ideal locations. Click the screen to determine where you would like each item placed (your mouse placement at the time will determine where the item will show up on screen). Once the major items have been placed (i.e., cabinets, countertops, furniture), determine wall colors, floor composition and the finishes you would like to use for the various parts of your kitchen.

4. Print out the image of your 3-D creation, and bring it to an architect or builder to begin the actual remodeling process. Congratulations, you have created your own new kitchen without the help of a professional!

Tags: determine where, would like, your kitchen, your kitchen

What Do I Need To Mount An Lcd Projector To A Ceiling

The ceiling can provide a steady, out of the way mount for a projector in a home, office or recreation space. It won't get bumped or knocked around, and it can be installed for optimum positioning in relation to the screen.

Supplies

You will need a ceiling mount that fits your particular projector. You also will need bolts or screws to secure the projector. You may also need plywood, depending on your installation method. Don't forget a power cord long enough to reach an outlet.

Procedures

Safe methods of ceiling mounting a projector usually involve screwing through ceiling joists. One mounting method with several variations is to cut a section of plywood to fit the ceiling mount, bolt the projector to the mount and hang the plywood from the ceiling with lag screw straight through the drywall and into the ceiling joists.

Alternatives

Installing a ceiling mount projector with drywall anchors may be tempting, and some anchors can hold heavy loads, but they often are designed to hang things on a wall, not from a ceiling. The safest way to fasten them is to bolt or screw them directly to wood. You also can send mounting bolts down through the ceiling if you have access to an attic or second floor.

Considerations

Changing projector bulbs can be a hassle if the projector is out of reach. You will need a ladder or other means of access. You also will want to have a remote control-operated projector. Consider also how you will plug the projector into a wall outlet or other devices, if applicable. You may need long cables, cable ties, conduit or other accessories.

Tags: also will, ceiling mount, will need, ceiling joists, from ceiling, mount projector

The Impact Of Soundproofing A Ceiling For Noise

The Impact of Soundproofing a Ceiling for Noise

Domestic noise is a common problem, particularly in apartment buildings. Soundproofing a ceiling can reduce, but will not completely remove, unwanted noise, according to the DIY Data website.

Significance

Sound travels through the air or through a building structure by vibrations, which means walls as well as ceilings should be soundproofed for maximum impact.

Features

The most effective way to reduce sound from an upstairs apartment or commercial building is to install a false ceiling. These suspended ceilings containing noise insulating materials, such as acoustic ceiling tiles. Bear in mind that up to 6 inches of room height is lost in rooms up to about 15 feet wide, DIY Data says.

Considerations

The impact and effectiveness of soundproofing a ceiling and surrounding walls depends on the quality of the installation and the type of sound insulation materials used. Loosely packed fiber effectively insulates noise, according to the Noise Help website. The insulating materials' impact also depends on the type of noise and how it travels, so it's worth researching this before purchasing expensive insulation materials. Simply asking an upstairs neighbor to install carpeting with a heavy duty underlay will also help to reduce ceiling sound.

Tags: Ceiling Noise, Impact Soundproofing, Impact Soundproofing Ceiling, insulating materials, insulation materials

Faux Paint Oilrubbed Bronze

Oil-rubbed bronze is commonly used on light fixtures.

Oil-rubbed bronze is a paint finish commonly used on objects such as doorknobs, light fixtures and home d cor items. The base coat is a metallic finish usually in dark browns, with an antiquing glaze over the top. You can create this look by painting with certain types of black, bronze and brown paint in layers.

Instructions

1. Paint your object with a black primer. Coat all areas. Several layers may be needed. Spray paint works well to get into all the crevices of an intricate item. Allow to dry.

2. Add bronze paint to the object being painted. The bronze paint can be sprayed on, sponged on or brushed on. Several layers may be needed, since metallic paint can be transparent.

3. Mix glaze and paint to form an antiquing stain. Glaze can be mixed one part paint to two parts glaze. The latex paint can be black or a dark brown. Mix well.

4. Dip a rag sparingly into the glaze and then begin to rub onto the bronze surface. Pouncing or stippling with a dry brush also works well.

5. Drying time is around 24 hours for glaze. Make sure the object is not touched or moved. Add a protective clear coat if necessary.

Tags: bronze paint, commonly used, layers needed, light fixtures, Oil-rubbed bronze

Mount Projectors On A Plaster Ceiling

A projector mount that allows your video projector to hang from the ceiling helps place the projector in an out-of-the-way spot where it can perfectly project on the wall. A plaster ceiling, however, can cause problems because the plaster alone is not strong enough to support the mount and projector. You must use the ceiling joists within the plaster ceiling to brace and support the mount. If the joists are too far apart for your mount to reach them, you must create a bridge to properly mount the projector to.

Instructions

1. Choose a projector mount that will fit your projector. Weight is the most important factor, as the mount must be able to support your projector. Consult the vendor for the right mount that will support your projector.

2. Pick a spot on the ceiling where you want the projector and check the position of the joists (wood supports) within the ceiling above. This is much easier if the attic is above you, as the floor is likely open upstairs; otherwise, tap the ceiling and listen for the hollow sounds where the joists are separated.

3. Install the projector mount to the ceiling through the joists if possible. Position the mount so it lines up with a joist on each side. Apply the mount's screws into the joists as described by the mount's assembly instructions.

4. Mount a ledger board to the ceiling to use as a bridge in between the joists. If the ceiling is open from the upstairs, insert the board between the joists and screw it into the plaster from above. If not, screw the board to the ceiling through the joists from below. Attach the projector mount to the ceiling through the joists and/or ledger board.

5. Connect the projector to the mount as per its instructions. It mainly involves screwing the projector in place through its mounting holes.

Tags: projector mount, ceiling through, ceiling through joists, mount that, through joists

Living Room Furniture Layout Ideas

Arrange furniture to get the most from your living room.

Deciding on a living room furniture layout depends on the room's primary use. Most people entertain guests or watch television in their living rooms. For families with children, the living room may double a a playroom. Regardless of how you use your living room, you can arrange it in a way to get the most from the room.

Focus on Television

Furniture placement emphasizes certain items or areas of a room. If you use the living room primarily to watch television, put the television in a prominent area. Arrange the furniture so the television is visible from every seat. You'll end up with a U- or an L-shaped arrangement depending on the amount of furniture in the room. Make sure there are tables within reach of every seat for drinks and snacks. Use an entertainment stand with enough storage to keep all the videos and video equipment accessible. Allow plenty of room for people to enter and exit the room by keeping the furniture an appropriate distance away from the television or by placing the television on the wall opposite the entrance.

Focus on Conversation

If you use the living room to entertain guests, avoid making the television the main focus of the room. Consider two couches rather than a couch and a love seat. Put the two couches, facing each other, on either side of the room. Place a coffee table between the couches to create a comfortable separation. Place the television to the side of the two couches. It will still be visible, but it will not be visually intrusive.

Place lamps on either end of the couches to provide plenty of light, and end tables on each side to provide space for drinks and snacks. Add Armchairs to the side of the room opposite the television to increase the available seating in the room.

Focus on Children

The living room often has a variety of purposes. It may be the room for watching television, visiting with friends and entertaining children. In this case, it is helpful to create zones. Space furniture close together and away from one wall to create an area for conversation and visiting with guests.

Place the television in a location visible from all seats, but consider using an entertainment stand with doors that close over the television. This will allow you to visually eliminate the television when you don't want it to be the room's focus.

On the side of the room opposite the television, leave an area between the wall and the furniture for children to play and move around. Establishing a distinct children's area will allow them to play at the same time others are watching television or visiting.

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Fasten A Wood Ceiling

Wood ceilings effectively enhance any room with only a small investment.

Wood ceilings are inexpensive ways to enhance any room in your home. With only a handful of tools and a little practice, you can hang your own wood ceilings. The steps involved are simpler than you may believe. Even a novice wood worker can complete this home improvement with ease and increase the value and beauty of his home.

Instructions

1. Place the stud finder against the ceiling along the wall. The stud finder indicates the location of ceiling joists (studs). Mark in pencil areas where the ceiling joists meet the wall. Mark both ends of the joists.

2. Have a helper hold one end of the chalk line on the pencil mark at one end of the joist, and you hold the chalk line against the pencil mark on the other end of the joist. Mark the full length of each joist with the chalk line.

3. Apply adhesive to the back of a piece of paneling, and press the panel against the ceiling. Leave a 1/4-inch gap between the first row of paneling and the wall. Run the paneling perpendicular to the ceiling joists.

4. Hammer a finishing nail through the panel and into the ceiling joist. Follow the chalk line marked earlier to locate the joist and where the nails should go.

5. Glue and nail a second piece of paneling along the wall, even with the first piece of paneling. Continue this procedure until you have completed the first row of paneling.

6. Cut 2 inches from the end of the first piece of paneling in the second row to make sure that the joints in the paneling are offset. Apply the second row of paneling in the same manner as you did the first row.

7. Cut 4 inches off the end of the third row of paneling to prevent the joints from lining up.

8. Repeat the steps to hang the first three rows of paneling until you have covered your ceiling. Cut each row as needed to stagger the joints.

9. Cover the 1/4-inch gap between the ceiling panels and the wall with trim once the ceiling is complete.

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Living Room Design Ideas In Black & White

Try black-and-white patterned fabric for throw pillows or window treatments.

Black and white is always a good color combination for living room decor. It's simple, classic and looks good with a variety of decorating styles. Whether you favor stark contemporary, casual cottage or traditional elegance, update your home with a few black and white decorating ideas.

Floors

Paint a badly damaged wood floor with glossy white paint, and then add a scrolling black border around the edges. Or, paint the planks in alternating black and white stripes. For hardwood in good condition, add a geometric black-and-white area rug, or create one by arranging black and white carpet squares in a checkerboard pattern.

If you have wall-to-wall carpet over concrete, rip it out. Score your concrete floor into large squares, and faux paint it to look like alternating black and white marble tiles.

Walls

Try painting your walls inky black with glossy white trim. For casual living rooms, use black chalkboard paint instead. Keep plenty of white chalk on hand, and use the walls to sketch or write poetry. If you're overwhelmed by the idea of black walls, try just an accent wall or keep them stark white with white trim. You can add the black with your furnishings.

Upholstered Furniture

Crisp white slipcovers look stunning against black walls. Against a white wall, add definition by piping your white upholstery with black welt cord. Upholster an accent chair in wide black and white stripes. Toss a pair of black-and-white toile or geometric pillows on the sofa. Better still, use both.

Wood, Metal and Other Furniture

Paint a piece or two in black or white, but resist the urge to paint all of your furniture. Temper the black and white with natural wood and metallic finishes. Mirrored and Lucite furniture also complement black-and-white decor, while still adding a visual break to the color scheme.

Window Treatments

Simple white Roman shades work great in any black-and-white living room, no matter how casual or formal. Add black grosgrain ribbon detail to the edges for a designer touch. If you prefer panels, try simple white draperies against dark walls. Enhance white walls with panels made of black velvet. Use black-and-white toile, stripes or damask if your room needs some pattern. Hang your drapery panels over natural woven shades for a casual look.

Artwork

Choose your artwork because you love it, not because it matches. Colorful paintings won't detract from your black-and-white color scheme. The contrast will only enhance it. But if you want to stay with stark black and white, hang black-and-white photographs, antique engravings or a collection of white ironstone plates.

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