Tips for painting a door

Tips for painting a door by Jakob Jelling

Although painting a door usually seems and is a very easy task, there are some important tips you might want to take into account in order to do the work as good as possible. A door is an important detail in the design and appearance of any room or building, and the way we paint it might have an important impact on the impression it causes to those who walk in to the room.
Before you start painting a door, you should make sure of covering the doorknob, the hinges, and the strike bolt. If you do not do so, you will surely end up painting over them and removing that paint will probably be more difficult than simply covering them before you start. Besides this, you should also try to take the door off of its hinges, since this will allow you to work more comfortably and paint it better. If you do take it off its hinges, put it over two sawhorses or lean it against a wall with two blocks under it.
Also, before painting the door, you should search for any possible holes or cracks in it, and if you find them you should cover them with putty or an epoxy filler. After this, your door will be ready to be painted. When painting it, you should make sure of painting it in the direction of the grain, and start by the area where the door closes into. After you have painted that area, you should continue by the trim around it, and paint the front and the back at the end.
An important tip you should have in mind is to avoid loading too much paint on the paintbrush, since this might cause painting to go into the details of the door. Also, try to avoid using a roller, since even when a door is very flat, a roller will not cause a good effect on it and the painting will not look as good as it will with a paintbrush.
If you are wondering what kind of paint to use, you should go for glossy or semi gloss paint. Glossy and semi gloss paint are very easy to clean and endure for a long time, while also look good on doors, being therefore a great choice. If you are not satisfied on how it looks after the first coat, you should apply a second one, but not until the first is completely dry.
About the Author
Get home design and decorating ideas by watching homes from all over the world - please visit http://www.dwank.com

Some tips for painting furniture

Some tips for painting furniture by Jakob Jelling

Painting furniture can be a fun and exciting way of providing a room with a new style and appearance. Although this work implies creativity and imagination, you might also need to know some basic tips in order to be able to actually make the picture you imagined real, or else the final result might be very different from what you had originally imagined.
Painting furniture, such as for example wood, implies some previous steps you should keep in mind before you start applying the paint. The first thing you should make sure of doing is to sand it using liquid sander or fine grit sandpaper until it looks even and smooth. During this process, it is advisable to wear a dust mask, goggles and gloves.
Once you have finished with the sanding step, you must clean the furniture as thoroughly as possible. If the piece of furniture you paint has any residual sawdust particles or dust, this will be an obstacle during the painting process and will be very noticeable after you finish the work. In order to clean it thoroughly, you should use a brush, a rag, or a vacuum, but never use water or even a wet rag since you need the piece of furniture to be completely dry for painting it.
Also, before painting, make sure of placing the piece of furniture at a well ventilated spot, ideally in a backyard. If you will paint outside, remember being sure you will have a dry day. Also remember covering the floor under the piece of furniture or else it will surely get painted as well.
Before applying the paint you wish, you should apply a coat of gray or white water based primer. This could be applied with a brush if the piece of furniture is small or with a spray-on method if it is big. Wait about two hours for this coat to be completely dry, and then you will be ready to apply the final paint. Apply two coats of it if necessary, always waiting for each one of them to be dry before proceeding to the other.
About the Author
Get home design and decorating ideas by watching homes from all over the world - please visit http://www.dwank.com

DUAL PANE WINDOW GLASS REPAIR

DUAL PANE WINDOW GLASS REPAIRFor the past few weeks, I have been explaining how to repair a broken window pane in your home. But, what if you have dual pane windows? Is the process the same? Well, pretty much, except for a couple of variations. So, let's review the single pane repair process, and I will point out the differences regarding dual pane windows.When we start talking about dual pane windows, one of the first things that comes to mind is vinyl window frames instead of aluminum. When dealing with dual pane windows, you can have either aluminum or vinyl frames, depending on the year the house was built. Dual pane glass got popular in the 1980's, but vinyl frames didn't really catch on until the 1990's. So, if your house is less than 10 years old, chances are you have vinyl framed windows. In either case, I will discuss the differences. Let's say you have a sliding aluminum frame window with dual pane glass. The procedure for removing the frame from the opening and the glass from the sash is the same as with the single pane windows. The differences are, first, the glass goes into the frame about twice as far as the single pane window. The single pane window glass went 1/4" into the surrounding rubber. The dual pane usually goes 1/2" into the rubber. So, if both pieces of glass have been broken, you are going to have to order a new IGU (Insulated Glass Unit) from the local glass shop. They are going to want to know the width, height, overall thickness, and possibly the individual glass thickness. The best way to get the dimensions is to measure the width and height from rubber to rubber, write those numbers down. Then, remove the panel from the opening and place it on a table like we did with the single pane window. Remove the screws from opposite corners and pull of the frame. You will be able to see how far the glass goes into the surrounding rubber. If it's 1/2", then you want to add 1" to the width and height that you measured previously (1/2" times two sides= 1"). Then, measure the overall thickness of the unit by removing the rubber from the glass edge. Typically, this dimension is 1/2", but not always. There is a metal spacer that divides the two panes of glass. Make a note of the color so you can request the same color in the new IGU. It's either going to be silver or bronze. If you want to get the same size spacer, you need to give the glass shop the thickness of each piece of glass in the IGU. If the old unit has 1/8" glass on both sides, and the overall thickness of the unit is 1/2", then they will use a 1/4" spacer. If the glass is 3/32" on both sides, they will use a 5/16" spacer. If you don't care about matching the spacer thickness, you can request the thicker 1/8" glass, and they will automatically use a 1/4" spacer.When you get the new IGU home, the installation is the same as the single pane window. Now, what if only one side of the IGU has been broken? Many times the outer pane will break, but the inside pane is fine. You can order a whole new IGU like we just did, or, if you're the adventurous type, you can order only the single pane of glass that was broken and replace it. I'm going to explain how to do it, then i'm going to tell you the things that can go wrong. After you have the window pane on the table with the surrounding frame removed, you will see a black rubber type substance around the edge where the spacer is applied. This is a butyl sealant, and you have to separate the broken glass from this butyl. The best way to do it is to take a utility knife with a new blade and break through the butyl where it meets the broken glass. Then, take a new hacksaw blade, and push it into the area where you sparated the butyl from the glass. You don't want the hacksaw blade to be attached to a hacksaw. Using your hand, saw back and forth as you work your way around the edge of the glass. This should allow you to remove the glass. Once that's done, lay rags on top of the good piece of glass to catch any debris, and scrape the surface of the spacer that will be contacting the new glass. Use a putty knife. Then, remove the rags and debris. When you are ready to put the new glass on, clean the inside of the good piece of glass that you didn't remove. Remember, once you install the new glass, any debris or finger marks on the inside will be permanently sealed. So, clean it real good and check it from all angles. Do the same to the side of the new glass that will be going to the inside of the IGU. Then, run a thin bead of clear silicone around the entire perimeter of the spacer. Set your new glass on the spacer and use finger pressure to adhere the glass to the silicone all the way around.Then, come in from the side, and run silicone around the side where the glass and spacer meet. Cover the window opening with something for 24 hours. You do not want to touch the IGU for 24 hours. The silicone needs to cure. After 24 hours, you can assemble the unit and install it back into the opening.There are a couple of things that can go wrong. The first one is leaving marks on the inside portion of the glass. Once you seal the glass, you cannot clean what's between the panes. The other thing involves condensation between the panes. If you have even the slightest break in the silicone seal around the glass, chances are you will begin to see moisture form as soon as the nights get cold and the days get warm. You are going to have to decide if you are confident enough in your ability to do the job right, or if it's better to pay the extra money to have it done for you. Just because you pay someone to do it, doesn't mean you still won't encounter the same problems. The difference is, they have to guarantee their IGU for a minimum of 1 year. I have received many units over the years that had marks in between the glass. The beauty of it is the manufacturer can't dispute it, because there's no way anyone else could have done it except them.OK, what if the window frames are vinyl instead of aluminum? Well, the main difference is the glass in a vinyl window no longer has the rubber gasket around the edge. You don't remove the opposite corner screws and separate the frame from the glass. What they do is put either silicone or a two sided tape on the lip of the frame where the glass rests. That's what holds the glass in the frame, then they apply a snap in stop on all four sides of the glass. So, you have to remove the stops first, then turn over the panel and break the seal holding the glass to the frame using a utility knife. Wear gloves during this procedure. If only one side of the IGU is broken, don't even think about repairing just the one side. You will never get that IGU out of the frame without breaking the other piece of glass in the process. But, on the positive side, you can remove the stops without taking the panel out if it's a slider. You can then measure the dimensions of the glass, and order the new IGU. That way you eliminate any need to temporarily cover up your window. The same is true for the stationary portion of a slider, or a picture window. Before you install the new IGU, be sure and clean the lip that had the tape or silicone, and apply either silicone or tape. Either will work.You will discover that replacing an IGU in an aluminum frame window is a whole lot easier than a vinyl window. But, in either case, you can do it yourself and save a few bucks.
About the Author
John Rocco has been installingreplacement windows since 1978.To learn more, visit How To Install Windows
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Home Improvement Tips

Home Improvement Tips by John Pawlett

It's all finally over now and you can rest back with a cup of steaming coffee in your hands and a contented smile on your face. It took you a lot of time, money and stress, but you got through it with flying colors and you can appreciate your newly redecorated home with great pride. All those home improvement tips you found in the various magazines came in handy after all.
A thought comes to you and you bound out of the chair and head for the corner where you went and stashed all your magazines. There were about two knee-high stacks worth of these magazines and you didn't know what to do with them.
You might have thought about giving them to a charity or something like that, but you hadn't bothered. But now, when you realized just how useful those improvement tips had been, you were struck by what you can only call brilliance. Since all the home improvement tips had come in handy once, couldn't it do so again?
Considering this to be likely, and since you now had time on your hands to start a new project, you get started immediately sorting through the magazines and cutting out the home improvement tips to put into a binder with clear pockets. That would make your life much easier when you eventually succumbed to the decorating bug again.
And having done it once and learned from your mistakes and enjoyed yourself immensely into the bargain, you're pretty sure there's a good chance that you'll be at it again before the season is out. And since these home improvement tips definitely wouldn't date you could use them time and again, only changing the things here and there which might need it.
Basically though, the home improvement tips would come in good stead for you when you did your redecorating jaunt again. Besides, since most of these handy home improvement tips were suitable for small-budget d'cor changes they were all the more welcome for you.
And one thing that you could be certain of almost one hundred percent was that by the time you got through compiling your folder of handy home improvement tips, everyone you knew would want to borrow it. Especially after they saw how well your own redecorating attempts had fared. There's nothing like the knowledge of a job well done to bring a sense of satisfaction to your mind.
So, if you want, a good home improvement tip would be to cut and store carefully all those home improvement tips that you find in magazines for a future date when you may want to use it. Besides, it makes a great conversational piece when you have the girls over for coffee!
About the AuthorImage Bathrooms can supply beautiful and affordable Home Furnishings. and products for all styles and tastes. Find out how Image Decor can expand your horizons

Home Interior Decorating - Anyone Can Do It

Home Interior Decorating - Anyone Can Do It by Lee Dobbins

As with anything the process of decorating your home in order to make it look nice becomes much easier especially when it complements the fabric and architecture of the house. In relation to home interior decorating by applying certain wallpapers, or painting the walls, or selecting furnishings and fittings (lights etc) and by including small accent decorations to the rooms (paintings or prints) it will provide the house with a certain feel.
There are many interior designers/decorators as well as some architects around who can provide a professional interior decoration service and you will soon see the difference between a home interior decoration and interior design.
With respect to home interior decoration this specifically focuses on the finishing touches such as wall paper, window coverings (curtains, blinds etc.,), furnishings and paint, whilst interior design is more involved with the architecture as well as room layout and other design parameters (cabinet making) that go into making a house a home.
The idea of home interior decoration first found its place in late 18th Century Paris and London and the more modern home interior decoration was began by Jeanselme from Paris, Lenygon and Morant from London and Ogden Codman who was based in New York. Over the last few years the idea of home interior decoration has gone through many phases and trends and certainly the most current trend is for trying to find ways to decorate a home on a budget.
With any home interior decoration scheme the whole idea is to improve the functionality of the home as well as reflect the owners taste and personality.
In 2003 homeowners had spent about $175 billion to improve their homes and about 65% of this was actually spent on the interior decoration of the home. Certainly the latest trend when carrying out any home interior decoration is for people to spend money on expanding their kitchens and livening up their outdated bathrooms. Also more emphasis is being placed on people creating a room for a specific purpose (family room, child's play room) as well as on areas for individual members of a family (child's bedroom, master bedroom).
As with respect to colour schemes these seem to be undergoing a change also with more and more people looking towards more earthy tones and turning away from the vibrant colours of the past. More and more people seem to prefer blue and grey colours in all different shades against the dull reds and dark blues of previous years.
Certainly the more innovative home interior decorating ideas around that do not cost much but give the same impression as a more expensive and ornate scheme are the latest trend for new career professionals and young married couples.
Often you will find that the focus relating to home interior decorating has changed from the more unique look of the 1980's to a much more functional and harmonized look.
Over the last 15 years there have been some dramatic changes where home interior decoration is concerned and therefore for any good interior decorator keeping track of the latest trends is essential in much the same way that a computer geek will keep track of the latest hardware and software that has hit the market.
About the Author
Lee Dobbins writes for http://www.a-kitchen-decorating-idea.com/ where you can get more home interior decorating tips for the kitchen.

Home Remodeling

Home Remodeling by John Pawlett

Home remodel jobs are going left right and center but unfortunately youre unable to take any on. Not because youre not qualified, but because youve gone and sprained your ankle and really who would hire you with that being the case. So now youre frustrated and ready to pull your hair out by its roots, and you're bored stiff to boot. All those lovely home remodel jobs and you can't get to any one of them.
So now, because you're bored and just for the fun of it, and because you really haven't paid any attention to your own home ever since you went into the remodeling business, you start to work your way through, room by room.
That's not literally of course, only figuratively speaking. If you could walk then you'd be up and at your job within a second! That not being the case however, you instead list everything in your home that could use a good home remodel makeover from you. You go through the entire house step by step, visualizing everything in your mind.
Luckily you have a pen and notepad kept handily within your reach. Next you list the rooms that need doing, and then you write down exactly what it is you need for this surprise home remodel makeover.
You might not be able to get to it yourself just now, but if you have everything listed properly you can then shanghai your husband and kids into helping you when you're at least able to hobble around. Your home remodel project will naturally enough start with the living room since that's where you've currently been landed and that's the one you can see the most of.
New coat of paint, perhaps a new carpet, and definitely a new couch, this one's too uncomfortable to sit in for any length of time. Out go the drapes and the ring-marked coffee table along with it. The cat gets to stay but only because you noticed him in time sleeping in the storage space under the coffee table!
Next, the dinning room because you can see that if you turn around on the couch a fraction and strain your head even more. So, definitely a new coat of paint there as well, not to mention the drapes.
In fact it might be easier to just write down drapes and new paint for the entire house and be done with it. What the cat hadn't destroyed in the past few years, the kids had, so there was no use in quibbling with such a basic aspect of your home remodel project.
And on and on you go, making your lists till your hand's cramped and you're in dire need of another cup of coffee. But ultimately you feel good about everything and when the family comes home later you've got a big smile on your face and you can hardly wait to tell them about the lovely time you had on your home remodel project.
About the AuthorImage Bathrooms can supply beautiful and affordable Home Furnishings. and products for all styles and tastes. Find out how Image Decor can expand your horizon

Gutter And Downspout Cleaning - Why It's So Important

Gutter And Downspout Cleaning - Why It's So Important by Terry Edwards

As you make up your spring cleaning list, gutter and downspout cleaning needs to be on it. Why? Because keeping your rain gutters clean is vital in protecting your home from water damage caused by clogged gutters.
Gutters and downspouts are a key element in protecting your home during heavy rains. Gutters will prevent your roof's fascia boards from getting wet and rotting out. They also protect the underneath side of your roof from getting water in there and doing more damage. Downspouts prevent water from pooling beside your foundation and seeping into your basement.
Obviously, gutter and downspout cleaning will keep your gutters cleaned out and prevent water from backing up and causing this type of damage. Water flows smoothly through the gutter channel and out the downspouts and away from your home.
Cleaning your gutter and downspouts can be done in one of two ways. Either by doing it yourself, or hiring it done by a professional.
If you do not feel comfortable climbing up a tall ladder with a garden hose, or getting on top of the roof, then don't attempt to clean the gutters yourself. Call a gutter cleaning company to come out and do it for you. It's not that expensive and it will eliminate the risk of you getting injured. You can easily find someone to do this kind of work in the yellow pages, or look online. You might also be able to get a good referral from your local home improvement or hardware store.
If you do decide to clean your rain gutters yourself, just be careful. You can use a garden hose to wash them out, or you can use a leaf blower and blow them out. This may or may not work very well. It all depends on how much debris is in your gutter.
One thing you'll want to do is make sure you wear safety glasses when doing any kind of gutter and downspout cleaning. You'll have a lot of flying debris and if you're on a ladder then you are right at eye level. Don't take unnecessary chances with your vision.
No matter which way you decide to go, don't neglect the importance of gutter and downspout cleaning. It will help you avoid any costly future repairs for years to come.
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About the Author
You can learn more about Gutter And Downspout Cleaning as well as much more information on all types of gutters and downspouts at http://www.GuttersA-z.com
Unique Decorating Styles for Your Bedroom by Andrew Caxton

One of the best ways to ensure a relaxing transition to a good night's sleep is to have a bedroom setting that is calm and tranquil. If you have a bedroom that feels cluttered and chaotic, this atmosphere may interfere with a good night's sleep, according to sleep experts. The clutter and messiness will activate your mind, making it difficult to relax and drift off to sleep. For the best night's rest, you have to create an oasis of peaceful calm. There are so many wonderful ideas for decorating your bedroom, that you will be sure to find a decorating choice that suits your taste, and also creates a peaceful retreat.
You can find decorating ideas for your bedroom in a variety of sources. Decorating magazines, store catalogs or displays, even in the movies and on T.V., you will see bedrooms that appeal to you. Don't forget the new decorating shows that are on T.V. now. Decide on the theme you want for you bedroom and be sure to pick relaxing colors that will not jangle your nerves as you try to fall asleep. Bright, primary colors such as bright yellow or red are probably not the ideal choices. However, if you love red or yellow, you may be able to work with a softened version, such as a deep maroon or butter yellow. The color should appeal to your sense of style, but at the same time be soft and relaxing, not bright and wake-you-up vibrant.
To bring color into your bedroom, you have a lot of choices. You can paint, or you can choose wallpaper, or a combination of the two. The secret, in either case, is that you do not choose bright colors or loud patterns. Make it something that is soft and soothing to the eye. Shop around for colors or wallpaper patterns that you like. You may have no ideas when you start out, but after looking through dozens of paint chips and wallpaper pattern books, you will find something that strikes you as uniquely yours.
The new television series, such as Trading Spaces or the HGTV station are great places to get ideas for decorating bedrooms and other rooms. As a matter of fact, you may get way too many ideas and lose sight of what you want. As you watch, jot down ideas that you like for your room and then stop watching for a while so you can digest these ideas and start to incorporate them into your bedroom decorating scheme. You may get overwhelmed otherwise. Once you have narrowed down the ideas you like best or work best in the space you have available, you can start shopping for materials.
If you have a hard time finding or deciding between decorating ideas, you might want to consider hiring a professional decorator to help you out. There will be a fee for this, but if you are having a hard time finding your style, it may be better in the long run because you won't be wasting time and money on decorating mistakes. Just tell the interior designers what kinds of things you like, what colors you prefer, and they will use their professional expertise to find the paint colors, wallpaper and fabrics to suit your needs and create the perfect bedroom for you.
About the Author
Andrew Caxton enjoys writing about interior decorating for http://www.home-decorating-reviews.com. Find more publications about decorating styles at his website.

Redecorating with Color

Redecorating with Color by Nigel Costolloe

Using paint in home decorating is a powerful way to express who you are, and how you want your home to be perceived. Many people are afraid to paint the walls of a room, either out of fear that the room will seem smaller, or because the commitment of color on the walls is intimidating. But never fear! Redecorating with wall color can give your room a whole new look and feel!
Painting a room in your house can have a whole host of positive effects. It can make your home feel more comfortable to you and to your guests, and it will have a whole new updated and stylish appeal. You will be surprised by how changing the color of your room can be such a simple way to improve your home!
Painting a room can set a mood or tone
Something as simple as adding a splash of color to your walls can set any particular mood you might be going for.
• Use earthy tones like browns, and dark reds or greens for a warm and cozy feeling
• Use bold colors like bright blues, reds, or even purples for something fun and funky
• Use subtle pastels like yellows, pinks, or light grays and blues for something light and airy
The sky's the limit when it comes to the feeling you want to convey in your newly painted room!
Painting a room can help establish a theme
Using wall color is an excellent start for a particular room theme that you might want to achieve. This can be useful in nurseries and kids' rooms, bathrooms, and family rooms. For example, if you are designing a nursery that is a "moon and stars" theme, you could use a dark blue paint color, or even a lighter blue (for a girl's nursery), to simulate the night sky. Wall color can literally be the backdrop to your room's theme!
Painting a room can be an extension of your personality
Adding wall color to a room can not only improve its appearance, but it can also be a fun way to express your personality. Your home is an extension of who you are, and by expressing yourself through its color and décor, you are showing the world your personality, whether you are fun, laid back, or intense!
Painting a room can make it feel larger
Many people resist wall color out of fear that it will box the room in, making it feel smaller. This is simply not true! In fact, using bold and darker hues can actually make the room feel larger, by helping to blend the corners of a room together. This gives the feeling or continuous space, and therefore, more space!
Painting can define the limits of a room
Many modern floor plans are open, meaning that it is hard to define where one room starts and another room begins. This can make painting a bit tough. But, by defining spaces with wall color, you not only break up big white spaces, but you create a stylish living environment. But remember, try to coordinate the colors you choose for each space. Otherwise, the walls will look choppy rather than cozy, and the effect you are going for will not materialize!
Are you afraid to paint the whole room one solid color? If so, then take baby steps! Start with one wall in the room. Paint it the color of your choice! This wall can act as an accent wall, or even be used to establish the focal point of the room, such as a fireplace, a piece of art, or even a piece of furniture. You will be surprised at how effective painting just one wall can be! Even the subtlest of changes can make a big difference!
The bottom line is, do not be afraid of color on your walls! It's only paint, it can be changed if it doesn't look the way you envisioned it! But, you never know, by taking a chance with wall color, you might end up tapping into a hidden creativity that you never knew you had! Redecorating a room with color can change the entire look and feel of your home, and how you feel in it!
About the Author
Nigel Costolloe is the principal of CatchLight Painting, a fine residential painting company that specializes in historical home renovation in the Greater Boston area. Visit CatchLight at http://www.catchlightpainting.com

Tips for House painting

Tips for House painting by Anna Josephs

Some think that house painting is very easy job, but it is not. House painting needs proper preparation to make your painting easier and reduces the possibility of making mistakes that could reduce your painting cost and which will give you quality and long lasting job. Here are some of the tips which will help you to know what are the thing that are required you to do while painting your house.
Removing Wallpaper
You may find it difficult but if your house walls are having wallpapered then remove it for better result. Although you can paint it like this but you may not found the good results so it is better to remove it. After you remove all the wallpaper wash the wall with an abrasive cleaner, rinse it well and wash it again. And it is dry for 24 hours.
Scraping or Stripping
Before applying new paint hipped or peeling paint must be scraped off. Sometimes paint hipped cant removed so easily the trick is to scrape hard enough to remove the paint but take care that you won't dig into the surface. If it is not working then the best way is to make use of metal file which are easily found in the market. Use wire to remove any paint that is lightly flaking. The easiest way to strip old paint from woodwork is with a commercial liquid paint stripper; carefully follow the instructions on the container.
Making Small Repairs
Before starting with the actually painting hide all the small holes, cracks, and other minor surface blemishes which sometimes problems to fix on your own. Make use of sand to hide and when the material is dry, sand and spot-prime the surface area.
Sanding
The main reason to sand a surface is to smooth it. Before beginning to paint you should sand newly patched areas, bare wood, and areas that have been scraped. Use fine-grade sandpaper.
These are very small things which if you consider while painting your house you will defiantly come with very good results.

About the Author
Anna Josephs is a freelance editor having experience of many years in writing articles and news releases on various topics related to health, automobile and social issues. Currently, she is working on http://www.benzer3.com. To get more details on House Painting, please visit http://books.benzer3.com/house-painting.html . Please feel free to write feedback on this article. Anna Josephs can be contacted at annajosephs@gmail.com