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Exotic Lumber - Softwood lumber is used for construction or remanufacture. Construction lumber is graded and sized after being processed at the mill. Lumber used for remanufacture will undergo secondary processing. Some examples include stock for pencils, ladders, poles, boxes, etc. |
Lumber intended for general construction is subdivided into stress graded, non-stress graded, and appearance categories. Stress graded and non-stress graded lumber are required to have consistent structural integrity. With appearance lumber, visual quality of the piece is most important and structural integrity is a secondary requirement. The term "yard lumber" is often applied to the non-stress graded and appearance lumber that is sold by retail lumberyards. With such lumber, grading is done on the better side of a piece after drying and surfacing, and grades are designated by specifying the allowable size and number of defects (e.g., knotholes). This contrasts with hardwoods where most grades are determined from the poorer side of each piece on the basis of a specified number of clear cuttings. Another distinction is that hardwoods are typically graded prior to drying and surfacing. Non-Stress Graded Lumber With non-stress graded lumber, pieces are graded primarily for serviceability but appearance is also considered, especially in the higher grades. Imperfections such as knots and knotholes are allowed to become larger and more frequent as the grade drops. The primary product is boards that are less than 2 inches in nominal thickness and 2 inches or more in nominal width. Common nominal widths are 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 10, and 12 inches. Lengths are usually from 6 to 18 feet in increments of 2 feet. Three to five different Common grades may be applied to boards in this group depending upon the species and the lumber manufacturing association involved. In descending order of quality, the grades are: ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
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Reinforced Concrete Design - You need to know how many yards are needed for concrete projects when placing an order. A yard is just another name for 27 cubic feet. Since a standard yard contains 3 feet, a cubic yard is 3' x 3' x 3'. That's 3' wide, 3' wide, and 3' long. |
Most concrete projects are measured by the foot for length and width, and
inches for thickness. So how do you determine the cubic yards of
concrete to order?
Let’s say you are pouring a slab that measures 20 feet wide, 20 feet long,
and 4 inches thick. Start by calculating the square feet of surface
area. The formula is:
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Stucco Siding - Stucco is very durable. The newer types have a long lifespan and are resistant to the elements. But small cracks do occasionally appear. There is also the problem of mechanical damage from something hitting the surface.
Use acrylic latex paint to cover small cracks. You can also fill them with latex caulking compound and then paint with acrylic latex paint. For larger cracks, chisel around the edges of the crack and brush away loose material. Paint the edges with concrete bonding agent and allow to cure. Then use a trowel to fill the crack with stucco patching compound.
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Make sure the color and texture are similar to the stucco around it. Matching the texture and color is the hardest part of stucco repair. Make a few trial patches on scrap wood before applying to your house. Keep the patch damp for 4 days to allow it to cure. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
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Ceramic Tile Backsplash Ideas - Installing a ceramic tile backsplash will give your kitchen or bath a completely new look. Because the area you’re covering is not very large, it’s easy to keep the expense to a minimum. This type of project is well within the skills of the average do it yourself handyman and makes an excellent weekend project. Just take your time during the planning and layout stages for a professional looking job. |
Before starting, review the features of the area. What color are the walls,
countertop, floor and appliances? Are the cabinets light or dark? What
type of lighting is present, and what does it illuminate? What color
and type are the fixtures? If your cabinets are dark, you may want to
lighten-up the area. If you have under-cabinet lighting, the
backsplash could probably be done in a medium color tone so it doesn’t
contrast with the cabinetry.
Surface Preparation
Tile can be installed over most substrates if they are clean, smooth and
dry. Check with your supplier to see if the tile you have chosen
requires a specific underlayment. Repair and level any damaged or
uneven areas. Make certain your countertop is level. If not, insert
shims between the lower cabinets and the countertop. Turn off power
and water to any outlets within or near your work space. Be careful!
Electric wires and plumbing run between studs in walls. Don’t make the
mistake of cutting into either while they are still live.
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Glidden Paint - All house paints are either water based latex or oil based. Latex is the most commonly sold paint today. It covers well, cleanup with water is fast and easy, and it is durable.
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Water based latex paints offer significant performance advantages. Compared to oil based paints, top quality exterior latex paints have greater durability, color retention, and chalk resistance, so they continue to look good for years. Since they are less brittle and more elastic than oil based paints, they have better resistance to cracking. Latex paints also dry much faster than oil based paints, which allows for a quicker second coat. When compared with other latex paints, those with 100% acrylic binders are especially durable and highly flexible. They tend to adhere extremely well to a variety of exterior surfaces, and have greater resistance to troublesome paint failures like blistering, flaking and peeling. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
Bathroom Shower Tile - In order to achieve a professional and attractive look, be sure to take your time during the planning and surface prep stages. The substrate to be tiled has to be clean, smooth, and free of defects. Any damaged areas must be repaired and smoothed before work begins. Even small high spots will make alignment nearly impossible. Horizontal Working Lines The horizontal lines are drawn first. Make sure all lines are accurate and easy to see. The way to do this depends on whether your tub or shower pan is level or not. |
Level Tub or Shower Pan - If the tub is level to within 1/8″, measure and mark your horizontal line from the high point of the tub. The 1/8″ difference (if
there is a difference) can be hidden with grout. Measure up from the lip of the tub, the width of a tile plus 1/8″. Make a line using a level and a straight edge, along the back wall and the two end walls.
Out of Level Tub or Shower Pan - If the tub is not level to 1/8″, mark your horizontal line from the low point. Determine a level line just like for a level
tub and run a batten along the bottom of the line. It is usually best to nail a straight wooden batten so that the top of the batten is set to the horizontal line. This provides a level surface for the tile. After all the tile is laid, remove the batten and install the bottom row. You will have to cut the bottom row of tiles to fit along the uneven top edge
of the tub or pan.
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Patio Door - Most doors are sold as pre-hung units, where the door is already installed into a jamb. These are easier to install and align than trying to get a new door to fit into an old frame. |
Brick homes are especially prone to having jambs that cannot be
removed. For some reason, there are builders that will install the
doors, then apply brick right over the outer part of the door frame.
In this case, removal would require the jambs be broken apart in small
sections for removal, and the new frame would have to be modified in
order to fit. Hanging a door can be a frustrating experience. The
problem is usually due to not keeping the new frame square and plumb.
Sometimes, it can be quite difficult to get a good fit due to the
opening being out of alignment. Houses settle with time and door
openings can move around a lot.
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