Engineered Wood

The best alternative to natural wood flooring is engineered or laminated wood. Using the same wood species as real wood planks, engineered wood comes in different tones that very much resemble the real ones. They can also be mixed and matched for an interesting look.
Although quite expensive, this wood has been processed or “engineered” with better wear protection than natural wood. They also have high tolerance for scratches and impacts. If ever they are bruised, most engineered wood flooring can be sanded and refinished like real wood as they have a thick wear layer. They are also the best to use in areas prone to spills and moisture, like kitchens since they have very high moisture resistance.
Installation of engineered wood is just like putting together a jigsaw puzzle. Their edges are routered with tongue and groove joints, locking together effectively. Hence, most do not require adhesives for installation, although some do require nailing and gluing down. One of its advantages is that it can be installed on top of other flooring materials like ceramic or vinyl, making it unnecessary to dismantle old flooring.

Even though we have taught you DIY tips and Renovation ideas and such it’s always good to go back to the basics, which is a very good reminder to us all

Always Remember : SAFETY FIRST

• Glasses Probably the most important safety measure, glasses are especially crucial if you’re working with power tools; they come in a variety of styles, some with tinting for outdoor work.
• Gloves protect your hands from injuries such as cuts and blisters, as well as from harmful chemicals and solvents; they are available in a variety of styles and materials (latex, rubber, canvas, etc.).
• Masks guard against respiratory damage caused by airborne particles and harsh solutions such as insecticides and paints.
• Hearing protection is important even when mowing the lawn, as prolonged exposure to high decibel levels can cause permanent hearing damage.
• Full-face mask and hard hat are especially important when you’re performing tasks that could result in head injury, such as tree-trimming.
• First-Aid Kit always keep a first-aid kit handy. You’ll never know when accidents will happen even for the most prepared and most organized of us, accidents to tend to happen, be prepared.

Be the over-all handyman in your home. Repair a cracked tile, Here’s how :

If you notice a cracked tile in your bathroom, repair it immediately. Even the smallest hairline crack can allow water to seep behind the wall and cause serious damage. Besides, it’s not that difficult.

Materials:

• ready-mixed adhesive
• putty knife
• ready-mixed grout
• tile
• hammer

1. Remove the cracked tile by tapping it with the back of a hammer. But also be careful not to damage the other tiles.
2. Chisel it out the pieces of the broken tiles along with the old grout and adhesive.
3. Use the putty knife or a small trowel to apply ready-mixed tile adhesive to the opening for the tile. Small tubes of ready-mixed grout and adhesive can be found at most home-improvement centers.
4. Press the new tile in place, and let it dry overnight.
5. Fill the gap around the tile with ready-mixed grout. Wipe away excess grout, and let it dry overnight.
6. Buff any dried grout off the tiles, and apply a sealer to prevent water from soaking into the grout.

There you’re done! easy as pie!

by: Larla

When you are having your house renovated, you will eventually find things that you would want to dispose of but before doing that think if they can still be utilized in one way or another.

Appliances. If they are still working then you might consider moving them to another place where they can be of use. If you are planning to buy new appliances, move them to the basement or garage.

Cabinets. They may be moved to another part of the house which requires space for storage. You can also store tools and other supplies to sturdy cabinets and place them in the garage.

The best way to go is that when household items are damaged or broken already beyond repair, throw them immediately to avoid clutter. You can also put up a garage sale. You’ll never know that what may be of no use to you, might be a treasure to other people.

Here’s how to install a deadbolt lock for a more secure lock.

Things You may need :

• Electric Drill with drill bits, spade bits, and driver bits
• hole saw
• Wood chisel
• Deadbolt lock
• Marker or Pencil

1. Most deadbolt-lock manufacturers provide a template to help you install the lock. This template is will help to work easier with doors of different thicknesses and has reference points that may be marked on the door with an awl. The deadbolt should be at least 6″ above your doorknob.
2. Mark the reference points from the template, then start drilling with the use a hole saw and cut a hole for the deadbolt.
3. Use a 1 1/2″ spade bit to drill a hole through the edge of the door for the bolt .
4. Dry-fit the bolt into the hole, and trace around the faceplate. Use a wood chisel to mortise the area around the faceplate so that it will be flush with the door.
5. Continue mortising until the faceplate fits properly. Drill pilot holes, and secure the bolt to the door with screws.
6. Dry-fit the cylinder and thumb plate so you’ll know how the pieces fit together. Fit the exterior side onto the door first, making sure the writing is upright. Then set the interior piece in place, and align the screw holes with the mounting holes inside the lock. Fasten the deadbolt in place with screws.
7. Mark the end of the bolt with lipstick or paint. Close the door, and turn the deadbolt several times to mark the doorframe. Use a 7/8″ spade bit to drill two overlapping holes in the doorframe for the deadbolt (figure F). Mortise the area around the hole so the striker plate will fit flush with the doorframe. Drill pilot holes, and secure the striker plate to the door with screws.

Sketching the floor plan of your home will to familiarize yourself with what you already have, and thus helping you make a decision based on the floor plan of your home.

Now these are the things to consider when Planning to Renovate your Home.

How will the space/room be used by you (or your family)?
What sort of activity will take place in the said room, who would use it, for what activity and when?

Check out each room to see it’s potential, which activities would happily coexist and/or would conflict with each room or space.

Map out rooms that are based on the blueprints look for possible routes around your home. How much space is used for circulation? Is the amount of space being taken up by the stairs, halls, and landings excessive and if so could it be used for other purposes as well as storage and work areas?

Flexible Love

A single chair – that can seat up to 16 people? As hilarious as it sounds, the Flexible Love is indeed flexible to giving some love to standing people. Amazing how it can extend to accommodate 16 people, without having to worry later on if it will fit back to its normal place inside the house. Of course, it’s not everyday that you’d be having such number of people over but you just might, once they find out what an amazing furniture you have in your house. (They would love to check it out!)

Tagei

A graduate of Industrial Design, Akemi Tanaka came up with truly innovative convertible furniture. The Tagei is meant to be a regular coffee table on regular days but it can also be a special bench for special occasions. Bored with conversations over coffee? Extend the Tagei and punch up a party!

Mongga

Now that everyone’s seated, a table is in order. The Mongga, initially a solo elegant chair, can be transformed into a table. If all the munchies are gone, the Mongga can convert back into a chair for one more tired (and maybe tipsy) guest.

Photo Links
Flexible Love
Tagei
Mongga