Selecting A Safe For Fire Or Theft Protection
When you start to make up your mind about what safe or storage box you will buy, you may be presented with some strange looking test numbers and letters. There are all kinds of tests that fire and burglar safes can be subjected to. Ask the ... [... more]
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Dust Mask Manufacturers
Some masks are disposable, while others have cleanable or replaceable filters. Disposable dust masks may work for you if you feel that you only need them for a small period of time. Dust masks with replaceable filters are generally designed for ... [... more]
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Solving Stucco Problems
A major problem that many homeowners with stucco homes have is efflorescence. This is the white dust or deposits that mysteriously form on the surface of the stucco. Efflorescence is simply a by product of evaporating water. People in the ... [... more]
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Stone Veneer
The fact that these products are lightweight gives them a unique advantage over natural stone products. Artificial stone products do not require foundations beneath them for support. They are attached to buildings in a manner very similar to ... [... more]
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Dust Control
Consider setting up a 'negative' ventilation system to suck the dust out of the work area. This is an effective method when using a high CFM fan and proper cross ventilating techniques. This type of dust control system is somewhat easy to setup. ... [... more]
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Eifs - Can Be A Nightmare
Because local building code authorities can modify model building codes, barrier EIFS construction may still be sold to unsuspecting builders and homeowners like you. Certain manufacturers maintain that barrier EIFS is less expensive to install ... [... more]
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Front Porch Wood Flooring
Tongue and groove lumber is a very interesting building material. One edge of the piece of lumber has a u-shaped groove cut into it. While the shaping machine is cutting this edge, another blade is shaping the opposite edge so that it has a ... [... more]
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Cement Stucco - Synthetic Stucco / Eifs
If you choose to use cement stucco and want it colored, use a masonry penetrating stain. Avoid film forming paints that may peel at a later date. If you choose to use EIFS, be sure that a waterproof barrier paper is used between the system and ... [... more]
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Did You Say Hearing Protection!
Decibels (dBA) are a unit of measure used to compare relative sound intensity. The noise produced by a bowl of crackling Rice Krispies is equal to 30 dBA. An ordinary electric hair dryer may produce 80 dBA of noise. Circular saws and table saws ... [... more]
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Closet Organizers - An Installation Primer
Closets are no different. For years all builders ever did (me included!) is install a simple pole and a plank in a closet. What a waste of space! How many boxes, sweaters, or balled up articles of clothing fall off those simple, singular shelves ... [... more]
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A Central Vacuum Gets The Dirt Quietly
I really like the fact that my central vacuum system removes all dirt from my house. In other words, there is an exhaust tube that extends from the power unit motor to the outside of the house. All the dirt that gets sucked into the vacuum hose ... [... more]
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Glass And Acrylic Blocks Do Many Things
Two traditional rooms where you often find the greatest use of glass block are the bathroom and the kitchen. Glass block makes for a very contemporary shower stall. One of the coolest uses is to purchase a special molded shower base that has a ... [... more]
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