Home Project Construction

The Value of Insulation

As you know, the cost of heating your home rises each year. The best way to combat those rising heating bills is to use insulation. It’s not only easy, but very cost effective. Adding insulation to an existing home or thoroughly insulating a new home, will reduce your energy costs and repay your investment many times over during the life of your home. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, most houses are under-insulated. A lot of energy is being wasted. This wasted energy is not only expensive, but hurts our environment. The more energy we consume, the more pollution we produce, which in turn destroys our air, land, and water. Insulating your home will save you money and save the environment we live in.

Insulation Estimates and Appraisals

To get the most value for your dollar, insulate well and be sure your attic is properly ventilated. To obtain information or an estimate on insulating your home, look in your local yellow pages under Insulation Contractors. Be sure the contractor you choose is fully insured. Some states require certification for insulation contractors. Free estimates are usually available for your home. There are a lot of different types of insulation on the market. Ask your contractor to explain anything you may not be familiar with. Depending on the type of insulation you choose and the work involved, costs can vary from a few cents to a dollar per square foot. If you are getting more than one estimate, make sure each contractor has the same information for your comparison. Before you begin to work, get your estimate in writing, check references, and verify the contractor with the Better Business Bureau. For further information, contact an insulation contractor.

Types of Insulation

There are many different types of insulation which can be installed in your home. Blanket, loose filled, and reflective are some examples. Blanket insulation is in a strip form and measure from four to eight feet and is usually placed between wall studs and roof rafters. Loose filled insulation is blown in to hollow walls through holes. The cost associated with insulating your home will vary depending on the size, design, and geographical location of your home, as well as the type of insulation used. It’s best to be insulated during construction, but it can be added to existing homes fairly easily. Whatever you pay to insulate your home will be recovered many times over in savings on your energy bills. Good insulation is cost effective.

Winter Proofing Your Home

Keeping the warm air in your home and the cold air out is accomplished through winter proofing. Cracked walls should be filled, leaks in your basement fixed, and insulate heating ducts. Of course you should also insulate all windows and doors. Storm doors and windows should be put up as soon as it starts to get cold. Caulk around windows will help keep the cold air from coming in. Dry rot in windows should be replaced by newer, energy efficient windows. Winter proofing expenses will be recovered in savings on your energy bills.

Tools

Hardware – Building a Basic Set of Tools

There are some basic tools you should have which will be necessary for most of the project you will do. A measuring tape, combination square, carpenter’s square, chalk line, electric drill, level, hammer, screwdriver, C-clamps, and pry bar. Your measuring tape should be about 20 to 25 feet long so it can handle a variety of projects. To lay vertical cut lines and joint alignment you will need a carpenter’s square. For a long and level line you will need the chalk line marker. The drill you buy should be able to go forward and reverse and come with a variety of bits. To keep your work level, you should use a 24 inch level. Your hammer should be about 16 ounces and have a curved claw for inserting and removing nails. Your screwdriver set should include a few standard types and a phillips head, also. C-clamps will hold the project together while you’re working. Finally, a pry bar will help in the tear down. The bar should have a claw for removing nails and a hammering surface.

Plumbing

Quick Plumbing Repairs

Some plumbing repairs can be handled by the average homeowner no matter what your skill level. A dripping faucet usually means the washer needs replacing. Water dripping from the handle itself means the packing nut came loose or the packing material is worn out. A screwdriver and an adjustable wrench should be sufficient in solving these problems. A constantly running toilet could mean you have malfunctioning inlet valve or faulty float ball. The salesperson at your local hardware store should be able to give you the parts you need. A clogged sink is easily remedied by cleaning the trap below the drain.

Lighting

Selecting a Lighting Fixtures Company

When shopping for light fixtures, keep in mind that lighting will be a permanent addition to your home and will add value and security to your property. In selecting a company, find one that’s local, open convenient hours, and appropriately priced and fits your needs.. If you’re mainly concerned about aesthetics, find a dealer with a large selection. Professional lighting dealers can offer suggestions to help you with your lighting plans. The dealer should be knowledgeable and give positive suggestions for lighting and energy efficiency. A dealer with a large stock will be able to supply all of your lighting needs. To learn more, consult the yellow pages for a lighting dealer in your area.

Types of Lighting Fixtures

There are a variety of lighting fixtures available on today’s market. By learning some key types, you can save yourself some time and money. When shopping, keep in mind the location of the fixture, the amount of light needed by people using the room, aesthetics, quality, and cost. For the most part, you’ll be dealing with ceiling fixtures because they’ll provide the most light for average rooms, entrances, and stairways. Wall fixtures provide extra lighting and also enhance your decor. For a formal dining room or entranceway, you may want to consider a chandelier. For your bathroom you may want to use strip lighting above the vanity. Recessed lighting is good for indirect sources of light and does not force you to put in a fixture. One final type is track lighting. This is easy to install and comes in a variety of lengths. To find out more about different fixtures, consult the yellow pages for a local dealer.

Energy Efficient Lighting

If you want the most efficient lighting available, you should be using florescent tubes. These tubes give off an uneven amount of light which will provide shadowless non-glaring lighting. Generally speaking, this type of lighting will give you more light and use less electricity than regular bulbs. Florescent tubes are more expensive then regular bulbs, but will last much longer. Fluorescent lighting comes in a variety of soft colors. The conventional fluorescent lighting uses a special fixture, however for your traditional light fixtures, you can put in a screw type bulb. Another helpful hint for saving energy is to install timers on your lamps. This way if you leave a light on the timer will eventually shut it off for you. For more information, contact a lighting retailer in your area.

Lighting Design

The lighting design you choose for your home should enhance and beautify your home’s decor. Lighting accessories and fixtures will become permanent parts of a room. By using light to your advantage, you can create a look which will make others feel comfortable. A lighting fixture retailer can provide you with all of the information and ideas you need. You can find a retailer by checking the local yellow pages. If there is an area you want to show off, light them up brightly, or install accent lighting. You should figure out how much light you need for different rooms in your home. Reading rooms need bright lights. Other rooms, like the dining room or living room for entertaining, will need something decorative or elegant. Keep in mind height and position of fixtures is important and fixtures should compliment your decor. Fixtures can be purchased in all different types of styles. So, whether your home is country, traditional, or contemporary decors, your lighting dealer can advise you on any choice you make.

Lumber

Choosing a Lumber Store

Lumber stores vary in size and usually serve a variety of needs. When choosing a lumber store for your project, keep the following in mind. Before you decide on a particular store, visit a couple of them. Take a good look around. An established business will have a variety of saws for cutting and shaping the lumber they sell. See if the store has a forklift which is usually associated with a store dealing in large volume. Customer service must be good, and employees should be knowledgeable in lumber and hardware. Employees should also be friendly and eager to help you. Most modern lumber stores sell tools, paint, and accessories as well as lumber. This will save you time and allow you to do one stop shopping.

Types of Lumber

Lumber is available in two main types, soft wood and hard wood. Soft wood lumber comes from evergreen trees. Soft wood is the main type of lumber used in homes, decks, and fences. The most common types are S.P.F., which is a spruce, pine, and fir mixture, and S.Y.P., southern yellow pine. If lumber will be exposed to moisture, you should use pressure treated lumber which is treated with a salt solution. Mahogany and cherry are the most common types of hard wood. Hard wood is used for furniture, floors, and paneling. A lumber dealer can help you find the right lumber for your job. Lumber comes in standard sizes. For example 2 x 4’s are most common. The size measures the dimensions in inches of cut lumber. To make lumber strong, it is dried in a kiln before it can be sold. This drying causes shrinking so your lumber measurements are actually smaller. Lumber prices are a certain amount per thousand board feet. Any lumber dealer can help you transfer your dimensions into board feet for cost estimation.

Building Materials

Wood is the most common building material used. Lumber shrinks after being dried and treated. For example, a standard 2 x 4 is actually one and a half to three and a half inches. Lumber is sold in grades and you may not need the highest quality wood for your project. Handy homeowners like to do some remodeling themselves on floors and walls. Sheet rock is a commonly used wall material and comes in different sizes to suit your needs. Paneling can be sheets of solid wood, plywood, or fiber board. Solid wood is the most expensive and the best quality. If you’re doing a ceiling, you’ll probably use wood, metal, or plaster. Fiber and fiberglass tiles will cut down the noise. When doing a floor the most common building materials used are wood, carpeting, and ceramic tiles. In choosing a floor, you should pay careful attention to what the room will be used for. For example, carpeting will cut the noise level and hard wood floors may not be practical for homes with small children.

How Much Lumber Do You Need?

While trying to figure out how much lumber you will need for your project, you should consider the dimensions of the room or structure. A blue print or architect drawing of the project will greatly aid in measurements. Your own drawing of the project can also help. A skilled lumber salesperson will be able to help you even if you’re not sure what you need. In building a deck, you will need to know what area you need to cover and how high you want it to be. A lumber salesperson can advise you on how much you will need for a standard deck and extra seating if needed. Lumber comes in standard sizes like 2 x 4’s and 4 x 8’s. You can purchase close to the amount of lumber you need for your project.

Building Materials – What’s Available

A building materials dealer can provide you with whatever you need to make your home project a success. Services may vary from dealer to dealer. Truss design is a service available which can take a blue print or drawing you’ve made and design and build trusses for your project. An onsite mill can help with window and door replacement even if they are very old. Some dealers will offer computerized paint matching even if your paint has faded. The machine, by using lasers, determines the exact spectrum of light from a sample and provides the information needed to duplicate the color. To find out what services a particular building material dealer has, check your local yellow pages.

Building Materials – Lumber

Lumber is the most common thread in any building or project. Lumber comes in a variety of lengths, widths, shapes, and sizes. The most common types of lumber we use to build with are plywood and pressure treated. Plywood is usually common pine and generally used inside. If you’re worried about rain while you’re building, you can use fir plywood which is treated. Outdoor work should be done using pressure treated wood. Building grain in pressure treated wood shows the quality of the wood. The number one grain will last up to 50 years, while the number two grain will last from 10 to 15 years. Lumber is not cheap so shop around to get the best prices and quality for your job.

How to Choose the Best Building Materials for Your Job

For help in selection of the right tools and supplies for your project, see your local building material supplier. Some dealers have videos and books available which can help you with a wide variety of projects. Remember, you get what you pay for so it’s a good idea to buy the best quality of materials that you can afford. While you may be paying more up front, a higher quality material will last longer and be easier to work with. Don’t get cheap when it comes to your home especially on functional materials. Remember to keep in mind all applicable building codes. By educating yourself before you start a project, you can prevent possible problems from occurring and setting you back.

Building Materials – All about Fasteners

There are a variety of fasteners available for assembly of construction projects. The most common are nails and screws and wall mountings. Nail measurements are in pennisize (penny-size) or width from one inch to six inches in length. Nails are made from a variety of materials. For example, you can get bright, galvanized, glued, or cement coated steel, iron, aluminum, brass, or bronze. The shaft can have different cuttings and the heads of the nails come in different sizes. The different composition of the nail makes it useful in different construction projects. Some nails are fine for finishing work while others are rough for better gripping. Screws come in a variety of lengths and widths. The heads can be flat, round, or oval, and have a slatted or cross mark on the top. Some screws have a hexagonal head and are turned by wrench. There are eye screws, cup hook screws, and dry wall screws which are used in specific situations. Wall mountings come in molded, fiber, and aluminum. They’re used as anchors and work with screws and nails. If you have a hollow wall you should use wall expansion anchors.