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AFTER: Adding steel beams allowed for an expansive open space; exposed ceiling joists and shiplap walls, all coated bright white, plus a dozen ceiling lights create a fresh, airy feeling. The polished concrete floor reflects light—and saved money. Painting an exposed duct pink and echoing the color in whimsical wall art amped up the fun factor.TV media cabinet: Blu Dot But turning the 591-square-foot living space into an airy, free-flowing hangout meant significant structural work....

Few things irk a professional designer like living with a drab, dysfunctional interior. For Cillesa Ullman, one sore spot in her 1960s post-and-beam home in Oakland, CA, was the tiny, no-frills guest-room bath on the lower level. “I could not wait to tear it out­, so I literally did most of the demo myself,” she says. Her plan: Enlarge the space by relocating a laundry room and bedroom closet, and move the doorway so the bath could serve the entire floor, which was renovated to create another bedroom....

Hardwood vs. Softwood Wood is classified as either hardwood or softwood. Hardwood comes from deciduous trees (those that drop their leaves in the fall), and softwood comes from evergreens like pine and spruce. The sap in softwoods creates an instant hot fire, but overuse causes creosote buildup in your chimney. Creosote is a sticky substance that adheres to the chimney or flue liner as the wood smoke rises. Comprised mainly of tar, creosote is highly flammable and is the primary cause of chimney fires....

There are a wide range of home security providers available in Tucson, but they differ in the packages and equipment they offer, how they’re installed, their cost, and more. To help you decide on the best security solution for your Tucson home, the This Old House Reviews Team evaluated the best home security systems in the area. Read on to find out about our top home security recommendations in Tucson, Arizona....

Want to save these ideas for later? Create your own holiday gift list to share gift ideas with family and friends. Sullivans Ceramic Vase Set Shop Now To help your host display natural or artificial plants, consider gifting this vase set. These ceramic vases are available in multiple colors. They come in three sizes to hold short and tall plants. However, they can also be used without plants as a standalone decoration....

The This Old House Reviews Team has researched and rated some of the best pest control companies on the market for you. Keep reading this round up to see how the top Milwaukee pest control companies compare on plans, prices, and services. Top Pest Control Companies in Milwaukee Best of the Best Milwaukee Pest Control Companies We named Terminix “Best Overall” because of its affordable plans and top-tier specialty pest solutions....

In this episode: Nathan demonstrates a sanding kit with different profiles on it to make hand sanding easier; Heath clarifies the temperature rating system for ceiling lights and then installs one for a homeowner; Mark explains the purposes and uses for different types of trowels; Tom and Kevin build a tool storage shelf out of leftover lumber from other Build It projects. Testing a Specialty Hand Sanding Kit Nathan demonstrates a sanding kit with different profiles on it to make hand sanding easier....

3 Ways to Make a Guide for a Circular Saw 1. Use a Board as a Straightedge The first and most obvious way to create a guide is to clamp a board to the plywood and run the saw along the edge. The key is to use a wide board so that you can keep your clamps clear of the motor of the circular saw. The downside of this method is that you have to account for the offset of the blade to the edge of the saw’s base, and it can take a while to set up each time because you may need to make repeated adjustments to properly locate the board before making a cut....

This is an easy, straightforward project to build. Working together, TOH general contractor Tom Silva and TOH host Kevin O’Connor managed to complete it in just a few hours, using materials readily available at many home centers. The base is a sheet of ½-inch birch plywood backed by 2x4s, and the rough-sawn boards covering the plywood are stained, kiln-dried poplar from Weaber Lumber. Conveniently packed in boxes, these weathered wallboards are free of the bugs, fungi, and peeling paint that you might find in boards actually salvaged from abandoned barns....

For the deck frame, including the ledger board, rim joists, and posts, make sure you use pressure-treated wood which is designed to withstand rot. The proper use of waterproofing flashing is also integral to the structural soundness of an attached deck. Without flashing, the wood is vulnerable to decay, rendering deck-to-house joints dangerously loose. Here are the steps for attaching a deck, depending on whether you’re working with a new or old one....

Before You Start Building Check with your local building department to see if there is anything you need to do to meet local codes. Typically, there are no building codes governing outdoor gates, unless the gate will be part of an approved enclosure for a pool. Even if there are no special requirements for gates where you live, if it is being used to keep pets or small children safe, you will want to install a childproof latch and make sure the gaps in the gate are small enough that kids or animals won’t be able to fit through....

Since wine perishes, and the way in which it’s stored impacts its flavor, proper storage is essential. In fact, storage and handling affect wine’s taste just as much as the way it’s made does. The trick is to maintain optimal temperature and humidity. What Is Needed for a Wine Cellar? Missing any of these elements jeopardizes the integrity of your wine. Other Considerations: Before picking up your hammer, assess the available space....

Check Basement Walls for Moisture Insulate the Foundation Wall Attach a Wooden Grid to the Foundation Wall Mark out Interior Wall Locations Mark the Wall Stud Locations Assemble the Wall Frame Recommended Tools: title: “How To Frame Out Basement Walls” ShowToc: true date: “2023-01-02” author: “Olivia Sherrill” Check Basement Walls for Moisture Insulate the Foundation Wall Attach a Wooden Grid to the Foundation Wall Mark out Interior Wall Locations Mark the Wall Stud Locations Assemble the Wall Frame Recommended Tools:

If you haven’t already, it’s time to consider beefing up your garage door security. Here are some steps you can take to better protect that area. Steps to Increase Garage Door Security Step 1: Remove temptations Don’t give thieves a chance to scope out the contents of your garage. Chances are they aren’t looking to invade your home—they just want to grab the most expensive items they can access, and that’s often the tools or sports equipment you’re keeping in your garage....

What is the Best Wood to Make a Butcher Block? Butcher block is made from slices of wood that are all glued together into thick slabs, made to withstand heavy daily use. They can be made from nearly any wood, but Nathan chose maple as this is most popular for butcher block counters because it is hard and durable. What is the Best Finish for a Butcher Block? Butcher block cannot be left unfinished as it will stain very easily....

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But we don’t take the idea any further. Those of you with forced-air furnace ducts in place worry that modifying the heating system will be costly and result in inefficiency. And if you don’t have ducts, you can’t imagine how they’re going to be added without destroying the house and costing a bundle. But adding central air is easier and less costly than you might think. How Much Does it Cost to Install Central Air?...

How Hard is it to Shingle a Roof? Adding shingles onto a roof can be challenging and dangerous. It’s important to wear the appropriate safety gear such as a harness and a line attached to the ridge or staging with safety rails around it to protect yourself from falling. Should Shingles Overhang the Drip Edge? Overhanging shingles over the drip edge about a half-inch can help with surface tension. Plan out how you will lay your shingles beforehand, here’s how we recommend you approach your installation....