Author: <span class="vcard">Duke Foyyer</span>

Build a Man Cave Bar

November 14, 2019
DIY

Materials and Tools for a DIY Man Cave Bar

  • 4×4 wooden posts
  • (12) 2×4 wooden boards
  • Fiberboard
  • Framing Square
  • Circular saw
  • Nails
  • Wood glue
  • Hammer
  • Drill
  • Paint
  • Tape measure

Directions for a DIY Man Cave Bar

  1. Side Frame Construction: The two side panels of the bar will be constructed from two short and two long boards. Using a circular saw, cut four of the 2×4 wooden boards to a length of 42 inches. The, cut four more 2×4 wooden boards to a length of 15 inches. Place the shorter 15 inch boards inside the larger 42 inch boards to create a rectangular frame. Secure the boards together using nails.
  2. Front Frame Construction: Using a circular saw, cut two more of the 2×4 wooden boards to a length of 42 inches and another two 2×4 wooden boards to a length of 84 inches. Again, place the shorter 42 inch boards inside the larger 84 inch boards and secure them with nails to create rectangular frames.
  3. Cut and Prepare Side and Front Panels: Begin by measuring the dimensions of each side panel. Using a table saw cut a piece of fiberboard to cover each of the side panels. Then, measure and cut an additional piece of fiberboard to cover the front panel. Attach the fiberboard initially with wood glue, followed by nailing the pieces together.
  4. Bar Assembly: Using two 4×4 posts, connect the front panel to the two side panels. The posts should be cut to a length of 42 inches. Begin by positioning the first side panel and the front panel at a 45 degree angle with one of the posts. Toenail the post and panels together to form the corner of the bar. Repeat this process to attach the remaining side panel.
  5. Create and Install the Bar Top: Using the remaining fiberboard, cut a piece for the bar top that measures slightly larger than the dimensions of the bar itself. Using wood glue on the underside of the fiberboard, attached the board to the top of the bar frame and fasten to the side and front panels using nails.
  6. Paint and Decorate Your New Bar: Once the bar is constructed, it is time to decorate and paint it! Consider using your team’s colors and even incorporating other team memorabilia to make the overall Man Cave look inviting and cohesive.

 

Maintenance for Asphalt Pavement

November 14, 2019
Home Improvement

Asphalt Maintenance

Although pavement maintenance agendas will differ from property to property, the overall purpose of asphalt maintenance is to sustain its appeal and extend its life. Some paving maintenance tasks can be managed on your own or by an appointed staff, such as inspections and trash clearance; while others are best left in the hands of trained and equipped professionals. An ideal pavement maintenance should include basic tasks like regular assessments, sweeping, crack filling, pothole repair, periodic line striping, and most importantly, seal coating. Without a proper sealcoat, asphalt pavements will experience heightened wear and tear from traffic, weather, chemicals, salts, and more, which shortens their life and diminishes their aesthetic value.

Asphalt Seal Coating

Seal coats are emulsions that are brushed or sprayed onto pavements, providing a clear protective layer against moisture and the above-mentioned threats. There are several types of commercial sealcoats available on the market, but the most popular versions include fog seal, slurry seal, and chip seal emulsions. Some sealcoat products are water-based, which are easier and safer to spread. But there are also waterless versions that use organic or plant-based oils or hydrocarbon solvents instead.

Choosing to Seal Coat

If your asphalt pavement is old and in poor condition, it will not likely benefit from a new layer of seal coat. In some cases, it is more cost-effective to repair or replace deteriorated asphalt pavements instead. However, if your asphalt is in good condition, a periodic re-sealing can be a highly-beneficial maintenance decision. Talk to your trusted paving contractor for a professional recommendation of your asphalt’s maintenance and sealcoating schedule. They will know exactly what your property needs and at what intervals. The cost of having your asphalt seal-coated will depend on several factors, such as the square footage, the condition of pavement, and any additional surface applications needed.

Sufficient Sub Floor Ventilation

November 12, 2019
Home Improvement

Due to the various activities that take place in the home, moisture is bound to build up in the air. When this air cools down, condensation takes place and water droplets form on cold surfaces such as the walls and windows. The accumulation of water droplets in the home causes it to become damp. The damp surfaces become a breeding ground for mould and if the home has structural supports made from timber, they can rot and get damaged. The supports will then have to be replaced which can be costly.

When there is an accumulation of moisture on your under floor, this moisture can get absorbed by the floor of your home. If this floor is made from timber, it will end up expanding due to the moisture. This will cause the timber to lift up and your floor will become uneven. Termites are also attracted to moist areas and can cause serious damage to the timber on your sub floor.

Mould spreads very fast in moist surfaces and can cause breathing problems, chest pains and you can even end up developing asthma. Dust mites are also attracted to damp areas and you can develop eczema when they land on your skin. The dangers of having too much moisture on your under floor can be life threatening and you should therefore ensure that you have sufficient sub floor ventilation.

Once you have sufficient ventilation on your under floor, your health will be much better as you will breathe in fresh clean air that is free from fungal spores and other allergens. Pests such as termites will no longer be attracted to your home, and you will not have to deal with rats and cockroaches which are also attracted to damp areas. Fungal decay of the timber in your under floor will not occur and the structure of your home will be intact.

You also have the option of installing vents around your under floor that are in a color which will make your home look attractive. As long as you use vents which are resistant to corrosion such as brass vents, there will be no cost of maintenance. If you need to install fans to have adequate sub floor ventilation, you can use the ones which have a timer which will reduce the cost of running them.

Tips to Beat Summer Heat

November 11, 2019
DIY

  • Use fans. Even if your home is air conditioned turning on fans for ceiling fans will make your home feel cooler as the air circulates.
  • Keep plastic water bottles in the freezer. Then, just grab and go. As they thaw, you’ll have a cold, refreshing drink.
  • Hydrate, hydrate hydrate. Speaking of water, you can’t drink too much of it. Avoid caffeine and alcohol as they promote dehydration. Stick to water or sports drinks or other sources of electrolytes.
  • Put your lotions in the frig. That’s right – think about storing lotions and cosmetic toners in the refrigerator. They’re perfect for hot, tired feet
  • Change you eating habits. Instead of hot foods, try lighter summer fare and have small meals or snacks more frequently. Cool fruit should be a summer favorite. You’ll feel lighter and cooler and you don’t have to stand by a hot stove.
  • Cool your head to cool your body. If you’re outside exercising, take off your cap, put a little cold water in it and quickly invert it back on your head. Refreshing!
  • Be especially careful to guard babies and the elderly from overheating. They will dehydrate easily and are more susceptible to heat-related illness. Make sure they’re cool and comfortable.
  • Get your house ready for the summer. Clean blinds and shades and plan on using them. Keep your home a little dimmer and cooler. Have your air conditioning service done by a pro so you know it can keep up with the summer heat and you can avoid a breakdown on a hot summer day. Be sure to keep the A/C filters clean by changing them once a month so your air conditioning unit runs at its peak efficiency.

Benefits of Cowhide Rugs

November 9, 2019
Interior Design and Decorating

Many allergy sufferers are irritated by various carpets and fabrics indoors, especially because the carpet can trap allergens in its fibers, including mold, dust, and dander, and these items can find their way into the air whenever you walk on the carpet. Unlike most traditional carpets, however, cowhide rugs do not trap allergens and do not release fibers into the air. While they do gather dust, these rugs do not trap dust within their fibers like other rugs do. Instead of regular cleaning and vacuuming, all you need to do is take the rug outside and shake it to rid it of dust, and brush it by hand every so often to remove visible dirt. This of course cuts down on the overall time you need to spend cleaning any room in which you place your cow skin rug, which can save homeowners and apartment dwellers money in the long run, because there is no need to have the carpet professionally cleaned periodically. Rugs made from cowhide do not contain synthetic materials and are also unlikely to be treated with volatile organic compounds (VOC’s), such as pesticides and flame retardant chemicals.

These rugs are also very simple to clean should there be a spill. You don’t need to panic and rub the rug with potentially toxic chemical carpet cleaners like you would with other kinds of floor coverings. Instead, you simply need to apply a moist cloth to the cowhide rug to remove spills, and a dry cloth to anything that is spilled on it that could cause a stain.

Another plus to rugs made from cowhide is their durability. Most carpets wear down in a fairly predictable way, becoming worn, faded and dirty with age due to foot traffic and constant exposure to dirt and debris from outdoors. But a cowhide rug can sustain foot traffic much more easily than other kinds of rugs, and thus lasts longer. The cowhide also contains natural oils that help the rug resist the penetration of the surface via liquids and other contaminants. If you want to keep the rug looking its vibrant best and prevent fading, all you need to remember is to keep it away from direct sunlight.

Use Decorative Vases

November 6, 2019
Interior Design and Decorating

Important factors to consider

First of all, if you don’t have vases already, you may want to buy a few. When buying, however, make sure you take into account three fundamental factors: color, shape and size. Apart from these factors, you may want to decide on the type of vase you need. You can opt for a ceramic, metal, glass or wood vase. Besides, you should consider the overall design of your room before you choose a vase. Actually, the purpose of considering the theme is to make sure that the vase will match the room décor.

Types of flowers

Unfortunately, you can’t put all types of flowers in a vase. The first thing that you need to consider when putting flowers in a vase is the size of the vase. If your vase has a narrow base and big mouth, we suggest that you opt for flowers with big petals like lilies and dahlias. Apart from this, flowers with single stem like sunflowers and roses are an ideal choice for vases that are narrow.

Decorative pieces

If you put another vase next to the one you chose, it will make the table look more refreshing. What you need to do is put some decorative pieces like marbles, stones, small rocks, seashells, colorful buttons, old coins, ferns, or dried leaves in the vase. These small items will look great in the transparent vase. So, you may want to buy another vase to serve as an additional decorative piece.

Other creative ideas

Aside from the ideas given above, you can try out tons of other creative ideas to arrange your vases. For a modern style and look, we suggest that you line up a few vases on the table. Make sure that these vases are of the same type, color, size and shape. Apart from this, you can use candles to put beside the vases for a romantic theme. So, you can use these creative ideas in order to decorate your room with decorative vases.

Characteristics of Lightweight Stone Panels

November 5, 2019
Home Improvement

As it becomes obvious reading or learning the name of light weight stone panels, they are rather light in terms of weight. With that said, they are easy to be used just anywhere. Also, they are effortless to handle and has reduced handling cost. Additionally, they are readily removable and re-installable. They are even easy to be installed on the furniture’s surface as well. Depending on your specific tastes and architecture’ style and needs, you can look for these amazing lightweight stone panels online and order that suits you to a T. They are available ubiquitously on the Internet, so you won’t have any hard experience while searching for them.

A variety of well-known natural light weight stones exist in the market including marble, granite, limestone and travertine which are universally put into practice for decorating a house, an office, a hotel or any other structure you want. Whichever of the aforesaid lightweight stone you wish for, you can get them online readily.

Natural stones such as granite has become the material of choice for kitchen remodeling. Granite is a perfect material for countertops in the wake of their strength and picturesque looks. These natural stones are available in a limited number of colors yet the granite color typically remains as luminous and colorful over the time of usage. Light weight stone panels boast of bang-up thermal lineaments with minimum autogenously drop-off odds.

Unblock A Down-Pipe

November 3, 2019
DIY

So you finally decided that you will clean the guttering and unblock the down-pipes yourself. Then there’s a few things that you should really know before you undertake the task. When climbing ladders and working at heights it is important that safety is carefully taken into consideration. Always make sure that you wear enclosed footwear as this helps to prevent slips and falls. You should also look above when setting up or climbing a ladder to make sure there are no power lines or telephone cables that can cause a safety issue.

When you have take care of all the necessary safety and equipment requirements. Then you should start locating the down-pipes along your guttering system. Often a simple check and forcing the end of a garden hose into each down-pipe will sufficiently unblock them. You should also always get below each down-pipe with the hose running inside to make sure that water is flowing properly and all the way through.

If the down-pipes are really blocked up with dirt and other debris. Take the end of your hose and push it into the down-pipe as far as it will go. Move it around and try and get just under 1 Meter into the down-pipe. When you have pushed a sufficient amount of the hose into the down-pipe, you can turn on the water tap. Usually this will unblock most down-pipes.

Once you have unblocked and cleaned out your guttering system, then you can also look into further prevention. Many people install gutter guards and other guttering systems that help to prevent the gutters and down-pipes from getting blocked all the time. You can either buy a cheaper gutter guard from your local hardware store or pay a professional to install a higher quality gutter guard.

Importance of Fire-Rated Chute Doors

November 2, 2019
Home Improvement

There have been many instances when a fire broke into someone’s home and, because their laundry chute door was malfunctioning, a tunnel effect was created and the fire spread through the entire house faster. In these cases there are very few things that the fire-men can do. So every time you have to replace the door of your chute, make sure it has been fire-rated and it fits perfectly the available space. Many people make the mistake of not verifying the type of door they need. Even though the one they purchased was fire-rated, if it does not fit properly the available space, it can still be dangerous to those living in that establishment. Everybody thinks that a fire could never happen to them, but reality is they do happen to some people and when they do, it is best to have your house or building protected against anything that might worsen the situation.

In addition, aside from purchasing a fire-rated chute door, people should also make annual inspections to determine if everything is functioning properly or they should change something. There are so many excellent online stores on the market where people can find any type of product or replacement part they need to fix their chute and keep their families and themselves safe. Fire is probably the most important reason why you should check if your chute is functioning properly or not, but other factors come into play too. If your laundry chute door does not close properly bad odors can be spread around the house and small children and pets can suffer accidents.

To conclude, all those who need to buy chute doors should consider buying only those that are fire-rated. This is a very serious issue that no person should overlook because the repercussions can be severe. Regardless of your budget you should be able to find something that fits all the safety requirements as well as the technical specifications of your chute. These doors can be ordered online, so you don’t have to worry about looking though the entire city for what you need. Just sit comfortably in your home and they will be delivered to you in the fastest time possible.

Types of Access Panels

October 31, 2019
Interior Design and Decorating

General Purpose

The general purpose panels are practical for indoor or outdoor use and often installed in ceilings or walls. Plus, for the more attractive finish they can include the recess to frames with flush latches and concealed hinges to avoid interrupting the existing surface finish. This type of panel is perfect to install where it isn’t necessary to conceal high security items or comply with specific fire codes. The type of doors in this category includes those that have code locking, temperature control and draft resistant designs.

Drywall

Most of the commercial and residential buildings have walls with drywall that fills an area of steel or wood framing. In the event of needing to complete plumbing or electrical repairs, it is usually necessary to cut into this area of drywall to reach the parts that need repairing. But with a proper drywall access point it is much easier to complete the repairs without causing unnecessary damage. Most of these openings are designed to fit flush to the wall surface and can be painted to match the existing decor to completely blend with the surrounding environment. For greater security, it is possible to install a concealed safety system that can prevent children or strangers from opening these areas.

Plaster Bead

If the ceilings or walls are made of plaster, the preferred option is the plaster bead access panels that are less likely to cause any interference with the plaster surface or structural integrity. Plaster is significantly less resilient than the more hard-wearing drywall, so it is necessary to use a different method of insulation. This is achieved by using a very strong frame that can accept the door and also prevent issues with chipping. The preferred style includes those that have a recessed frame to make sure it is able to stay flush with either the ceiling or wall surface.