Archive for April, 2008

Lessons in How to Drywall a Ceiling

Wednesday, April 2nd, 2008

While it may seem intimidating at first, hanging drywall is usually pretty simple for most homeowners to learn.   We all walk around feeling superior and in charge of things until it becomes necessary to learn how to drywall a ceiling and then you might find out how little you really know about home improvement.  It may help you to realize that hanging drywall on the ceiling really isn’t all that different than on the wall.  You may need some extra time and arm strength though. 

Before you start any home improvement job, the first thing that should be on your list is to gather the supplies and tools you need.  For this project concerning how to drywall a ceiling, you are going to need drywall, a drywall jack, and screw gun as well as drywall screws or nails.  While you are writing out your list include measuring tapes, utility knives, and safety glasses.  An assortment of drywall hammers will help a lot as well.  Finally stepladders and drills outfitted with a screwdriver bit should have you ready.  If you really want, include your handiest friends and a case of beer to make sure they show up.

How to Drywall a Ceiling

Your next step is to mark the ceiling joists.  No how to drywall a ceiling lesson is complete without this step.  You need to know where they are in order to attach the drywall to them in a little while.  All of these little details are why you should also stay away from the beer until the job is finished.

If you are installing a ceiling light fixture as well, this is the time to cut out the space in the drywall you will need for the fixture.  Make sure each drywall sheet you place is in the correct location.  It should be that the end of the drywall is in the center of each joist.  Nail it down around the edges and remove your jack. 

These are the basic steps you need in addition to nailing in your drywall screws.  With a little practice, you can give a class on how to drywall a ceiling.  Seriously, you will be that good.

For more information on how to drywall a ceiling

Bar Countertop Ideas for Your Home

Tuesday, April 1st, 2008

One of the things that home owners typically think of when they are investing their money in home remodeling projects is how to make their homes more conducive to entertaining. Think about it for a minute: holidays, dinners with friends, family gatherings, birthday parties, all of these things are popular happenings in a home. And of course you want to be prepared to play host or hostess to your family and friends. There are a lot of different things that can really turn your home into the ultimate party plaza, and one of those things is a bar countertop. Ideas for bars and bar countertops are everywhere in design books and can be integrated into your kitchen, family room, or even your basement.

Bar Countertop Ideas

Think about your last party of the last holiday your family celebrated at your house. Did everyone have to intrude on your kitchen space to get drinks and snacks? Did you have to continually shoo your friends from near the oven so you could put in or take out food? Were they constantly getting in the fridge and moving things around to find a beer or a bottle of wine? It’s difficult enough as it is hosting a party or gathering; why not make it easier on yourself by installing a bar countertop? Ideas for bars in the home are prevalent everywhere, and you can easily get help at your local home improvement store.

Think about where you want to put your bar countertop. Ideas for bars can be incorporated into almost any room, but the most popular choices are the kitchen, the family room and the basement. You will want to consider where you do most of your entertaining and what would be convenient for you before committing to any of these bar countertop ideas. If you don’t want your bar in the kitchen, but you have plenty of room in the basement where you have the TV, put it there.

Bar countertop ideas also include choosing what type of countertop and cabinetry you want to use. If you are installing the bar in the kitchen, the best option is to match the bar countertop ideas to your existing kitchen counters and cabinets. If you are building it in the family room, use your existing color scheme in the bar countertop ideas. Basement bars are typically more like pubs, with lighted signs and pub glasses.