Drywall is a type of wallboard made of gypsum and covered with paper. Because it is fire-resistant, its use is mandated by most local building codes for covering interior walls. Drywall is sold in 4-foot-wide sheets, and when it is installed, the edges of these sheets must be covered with tape befor

Closed captioning (CC) places a text translation of the dialog associated with the show you are watching on your TV screen. The text appears along the bottom of the screen and lets you follow what's happening in the program without having to hear it. Toshiba flatscreen TVs are equipped with the clos

The sun is the most powerful energy source in our solar system. Harnessing even a small part of that energy can provide a renewable, pollution-free source of power for a household and, in many cases, can provide excess energy that can be sold to a local power company.

CTM has showrooms throughout South Africa, elsewhere in Africa and Australia. CTM sells a variety of tiles including porcelain and ceramic glazed and unglazed tiles for the kitchen and bathroom. You can install CTM tile the same way you install any kitchen or bathroom tile, using an adhesive, tiling

A metal roof can be an excellent choice for your home. Metal roofs are naturally strong, durable and can last for many years. Traditionally, metal roofs were made of tin. These were far inferior to the material options of today. Now, you can find metal roof options for your home in materials such as

California kitchens are bright, open and airy.the kitchen. image by guiney from Fotolia.comCalifornia home decorating relies primarily on bright colors and expensive items, or at least items that look expensive. The state is full of oversized houses, as well as smaller houses where...

Tyvek is a DuPont product line of air and vapor barriers used for residential construction. Its goal is to protect the building's wood framing from moisture and air penetration by wrapping it in the product. Air and vapor barriers need to be installed behind the drywall when used for interior applic

A brick hearth in front of your fireplace protects your flooring from ashes and sparks that may burn or damage the surface. The hard, sharp surface of the brick, however, can cause traumatic injuries to a crawling or toddling baby. It is important to protect your child by using special materials to

One way to organize the many types of fertilizers is by purpose -- which plants they're designed for. Another is by dividing them into organic and inorganic, or synthetic, fertilizers. Organics come from something that was once alive, and synthetics come from chemical processes. Each has its advanta

A breakfast bar can be a gathering place.kitchen image by Rich Johnson from Fotolia.comNo one says a breakfast bar is just for breakfast. It's a place to seat friends or family members while you work facing them from the kitchen. It can be a space where you spread homework or paperwork....

Laminated wood flooring is durable, easy to maintain and easy to install. The tongue-and-groove installation system common with laminated wood flooring makes installation easy. However, you can continue the look of your flooring on an adjacent staircase if you prefer, even though you don't install i

Restoring instead of remodeling has become the rage among homeowners who find themselves skipping the McMansions of the '90s and buying century homes in the suburbs. Home restoration has become increasingly popular. Recreating vintage charm in the bathroom while adding today's desired features take

When it comes time to replace your roofing, give some thought to what you put on it. Don't just buy the cheapest because it could cost you more in the long run. Consider using shingles that provide some insulation. If your roofing can help keep cold out in the winter and heat in the summer, it can h

Building a house will likely be the most expensive thing you ever do, as a house is usually the biggest asset most people will ever have. Whether you're building the house yourself or contracting it out yourself or even just a hiring a company to build the house for you, estimating the cost is criti

Installing your own solar-powered electric system will help to save you the costly installation services of your solar provider. Although the job is difficult and requires a high level of expertise and knowledge of electrical systems, it is within the grasp of the typical do-it-yourselfer. As with a

DuPont vinyl tile flooring differs from traditional vinyl tile only in the way it is installed. Rather than using individual tiles, DuPont manufacturers sheet vinyl that is printed to resemble tile, including grout lines. This product offers the appearance of ceramic or stone tile but the convenienc

Green building has proved so much more than a trend; it has staying power. However, people who plan to remodel their existing homes often feel excluded from the green building movement. In reality, green remodeling projects can result in some of the greenest structures around. Before you begin a gre

Old or discolored tile grout can quickly date an installation. When the grout is in good shape, with cracks or gaps, removing it simply because it looks dingy can seem like a lot of work. The good news is that grout can be recolored or painted to look new again. Regardless of whether you want the co

Integrating a flat-screen TV into your family room can complicate furniture placement and room decor. Whether you decide to mount the TV on the wall or place it on a console, the choices you make about the walls, windows treatments and lighting come into play.

Countertops come is a variety of styles. Many countertops are made from stone or tile giving them an antiquated look. Acrylic is an ideal material if a contemporary look is required. Stone and tile can be difficult to work with, often requiring specialized tools. Acrylic is lighter and can be cut wi