Slate is a stunning natural material that is used for a wide variety of home building materials. Some of the uses include roofing, landscaping and tiles. You can carved decorative designs into slate tiles for your walls or floors to create a custom tiles using a high speed rotary tool such as a Drem

When you put a border around your ceramic tile flooring, it gives it a finished, artisan look. Place a plain line in a contrasting color near the edge of your tile floor, design a geometric shape to repeat every few inches, or choose from a spectacular array of pre-made, handpainted, ceramic floor

First Alert is a leading manufacturer of home security systems that also specializes in home security equipment such as fire extinguishers and smoke alarms. First Alert smoke detector fire alarms monitor the air in your home and alert you to the presence of smoke or carbon monoxide. The First Alert

Skylights are installed on the roofs of houses. They add light and warmth to a room or area that does not have a window or get a lot of sunlight. Skylights are available in various sizes and styles. They can be either fixed, meaning they do not open, or they can be operational, meaning they open and

Bringing your own style to living areas is as important outdoors as it is indoors. A new yard can be whipped into shape in no time. Planning around what already exists and how you want to use the space can save time and money and result in a yard to be proud of.

Sliding patio doors are becoming increasingly popular. According to the National Glass Association, homeowners want to bring the outside in, and the easiest and most convenient way to do that is with glass sliding patio doors. According to Ducker Research, patio doors sales increased by 20 percent f

When decorating a room used for personal space, many of your decisions depend on what you'll use the room for. Personal space is typically used for sleeping, reading, dressing or meditative or quiet time. This means you should look for decor that provides a serene, cozy or calming environment. Howev

One of the keys to a successful building project is making a proper determination of the amount of materials you'll need. When considering foundations and footers, it's essential that you know how many cubic yards of concrete is necessary for the foundation. This is true whether you're laying a foun

Window bench seats are a great addition to your living room or a dining area. They can also provide additional storage,which is also a smart idea. The easiest way to make a window bench seat is by using kitchen cabinets from your home improvement store. These are fairly quick to make, they re

Tile floors are durable, moisture-resistant and easy to maintain, making them a practical fit for kitchen flooring. Tile floors are offered by many retailers and in a wide price range, allowing for flexibility in budgeting. Tile floors also come in a wide variety of colors and patterns, making them

Get replacement windows for increased energy efficiency or to give your house a new look. Although replacement windows are often measured and installed by a professional, a seasoned do-it-yourselfer can easily do the job. Make sure that when you take measurements for vinyl, glass or plastic replacem

Corian is a manufactured surface created by DuPont. The surface is most often used as a countertop, around sinks and for backsplashes. It is nonporous, low-maintenance, food-grade and comes in a wide variety of colors. Unevenness or a blotchy appearance on the surface of Corian usually has one of tw

Lock n seal laminate flooring is relatively easy to lay and provides a durable appealing alternative to real hardwood. These steps will show you to basics of how to lay lock n seal laminate flooring.

If you're planning on hanging something on your walls---whether you have drywall or plaster---most directions will tell you to hang the item on a stud. Studs are vertical wooden beams that are a part of the wall frame. The drywall or plaster is placed over the studs. Although you can easily use a st

From now until the end of 2010, an energy efficiency tax credit is available. This is not a tax rebate or deduction, it is a full tax credit. There are different improvement to choose from to improve the efficiency of your existing house. This article will help you get started so you can get an e

Brick is one of the sturdiest and oldest building materials, and is frequently used for homes, walkways, patios, and fireplace hearths. Brick is pest and weather resistant, fireproof, energy efficient, low maintenance, and adds value to homes, making it an ideal choice for construction. However, bri

Your new flat-panel television produces images clear and crisp like you never thought possible -- unless it is covered in dust and fingerprint smudges. You can't always prevent your television from gathering dust particles or smudges, so the best you can do is be prepared to clean them off. That way

Natural slate shingles are roughly cut.slate image by BONNIE C. MARQUETTE from Fotolia.comSlate roof shingles can add beauty and sophistication to the exterior of any home. These shingles are very expensive and heavy, however, and can be difficult to install. With recent advances in...

Add cohesion to your home's interior by continuing the trim detail of your room up the stairway with chair rail molding. Chair rail molding is a decorative molding that runs horizontally on interior walls. Originally it was used to protect the wall from damage due to chair backs hitting against the

Sliding glass doors are a common feature in modern homes, but some are less energy efficient than others. Newer models are more efficient, but homeowners may not find them attractive. French doors are a desirable replacement -- not only do they add charm to your home, but they are also great for let