Molding can add a special look to the rooms in your home. Crown molding goes around the top of walls and often provides an ornamental look to rooms. Chair molding goes below the center of walls, and baseboard molding goes around the bottom of the wall. Regardless of the types of molding you install,

Underlayment is a flooring treatment used for leveling, insulation or reinforcement. Adding underlayment to a Quikrete floor can help finish and smooth out or repair the floor before carpeting, tile or other material is added. The process for laying underlayment onto Quikrete is the same as laying i

A power transfer switch (PTS) controls an emergency power backup supply, and is wired into a home's electrical service or sub-panel. In the event of power disruption from the local utility company, a backup generator can supply power through the switch. The power is automatically distributed to the

The short answer to whether a water heater can be enclosed is "Yes," but there are some important things to consider when placing a hot water heater in an enclosed area, whether the unit is gas or electric. Any hot water heater must be installed in such a way as to prevent spills and allow easy acce

Changing a wood finish always involves some sanding and the application of the new finish. There are two fairly simple methods of moving from a light stain or light colored wood to darker stains and colors. It is a bit more difficult to move from dark to lighter colors as the original dark stain wil

These days, bar tables come in all shapes and sizes, all styles and materials. Some people prefer the classic style of a heavy pedestal pub table, while others go for the slim look of a Caribbean tiki bar table. But a perfectly acceptable bar table can be built from 2 x 4s, and it will be stylish, a

Light fixtures are a must for the exterior of your home. When you arrive home after dark, they illuminate driveways and walking paths. They also deter burglars and vandals, helping to keep both your home and family safe. Installing fixtures on vinyl siding can be a challenge -- use a mounting block

If you've been looking at your kitchen and bathroom lately with an especially decorative eye and want to start renovating either space, you may want to add tile to the walls or flooring. While there aren't usually any technical differences between bathroom and kitchen tile, you should be aware of so

If you've got a pool in your yard or if you just want to keep people and animals from wandering across your property you need a fence to keep them out, and part of that fence is a gate. Here's a plan that you can easily adapt to build a gate to meet your needs.

Cinder blocks, often used for the foundations of homes, are strong, durable and long lasting. But that is not always enough to protect the inside of the house from weather conditions. Insulating the top row of the cinder block helps keep the inside of the house warm in the winter and cool in the su

Wood tables can take a large amount of wear and tear before they're simply too damaged to restore. They can become badly scratched, gouged and chipped. If you have an old scratched and gouged table, you can refinish it. But sometimes it's best to go ahead and resurface the table. New laminate or ven

Tiled showers are quite tough and hard-wearing, but even the toughest ones sometimes begin to crack because of constant moisture, steam and heat. Retiling the entire area can be expensive, and it may not be possible to find tile that matches the existing tiles. Shower inserts are an easy alternative

There are two ways to approach the shower base tile installation project if you do not already have a base in place. You can build the base or buy a precast base. The key to a shower base tile installation is to take the steps to make the installation waterproof. The last thing you want is for the

Removing the slender wall strips in manufactured homes is the first step to making your trailer look more like a traditional house. Removing the wall strips automatically reduces the feeling of being in a manufactured home because the walls are smooth like regular house walls. This is a simple proje

Don't despair if you live in an apartment with no yard or balcony. Your sunny window sills are mini-gardens waiting to happen. When you select the right plants, you can create a habitat that encourages herbs, vegetables and bright blooms. You can even risk a jungle of exotics with a little environme

Reupholstering furniture is like assembling a puzzle. Each piece consists of sections that, when sewn together, make a cover that slips on and gives a new, custom look to your furniture. Learning how to estimate the yardage of fabric you need to complete your upholstery project is important and a mo

In urban locations noise is a problem because you have neighbors surrounding you on all sides. Noise is a two way street. There's the sound that enters your home and the sound that's created in your home. Commercially available soundproofing products can be expensive and difficult to find. Many of t

Vinyl wallpaper is often used in high-traffic areas such as bathrooms and kitchens. It withstands repetitive cleanings and moderate moisture better than other wallpaper types. Due to the heaviness of the material, be sure to purchase wallpaper paste manufactured for vinyl wallpaper. Clear vinyl wall

Both granite and marble have become extremely popular for countertops; however they are also expensive and very heavy. Reproducing a faux marble takes artistic skills and lots of practice, but black faux granite can be achieved much more easily by almost anyone. For best results, practice your techn

The business tax credit for solar energy is called the Business Investment Tax Credit by the Internal Revenue Service. This tax credit allows corporate taxpayers to deduct a portion of their expenses related to the purchase and placement of a solar energy system to help power their business. Congres