Home Related Questions and Answers

Monday, July 8, 2013

Starting a tile installation company?

Q. I want to start installing tile, and I am familiar with the process, but I have no "real" experience except for the DIY (peel and stick) tile. If I got a tile installation book and practiced on a few tiles on a small scale, how hard would it be to tile a floor good enough to get a positive referral from it?

A. I did a 20 x 18 foot room with 12 inch ceramic tiles. It was a snap really. I used a wide grout line because these were mexican tile. No spacers, just did it by eye.

Plan it so that you dont have "sliver" size peices on any wall , if possible. Rent a wet saw. Or buy one for $89, it will get you through the job.

Now if you are talking tiling a shopping mall thats something different. I have looked at some of that work , and man, those lines are straight for miles. But for homes, you will never see the errors after a week.

Cost of Ceramic tile installation?

Q. How much per sq foot should ceramic tile installation cost? I would like to get my kitchen and connected bathroom (260 sqft) done. I plan on spending 2 per sq ft on the actual tile.

A. Contact a ceramic tile installer or go to a showroom which sells ceramic, They will tell you the cost of material and the cost of installation. You can determine if you DIY.

Anyone know of a good place to find leads for tile contractors?

Q. I'm trying to locate tile installation contractors throughout the US, no matter how big or small, anybody have any good contractor refferals, or know where I can find them?

A. Yellow pages

Or find a trade organization for tiling. They would have a directory. Look in Yellow pages and see if any list membership of a trade organization

Sunday, July 7, 2013

Is exterior paint ok for painting interior walls?

Q. I accidentally purchased a 5 gallon bucket of exterior paint to paint my walls inside my house. I can't take it back because the color is already mixed. Am I screwed? What is the difference between the exterior latex paint and interior latex paint?

A. You shouldn't feel too bad.
This was your salesperson's
fault at the paint store. Unless you specifically asked for exterior paint, the salesperson should have asked you where
you were going to use the paint and would have made it
very clear to you, the kind of
paint you SHOULD BE using.
I would lay this problem at the feet of the paint store.
They need to take the paint
back or make an adjustment
on INTERIOR PAINT.
Do not put exterior paint on
the interior of your home.
It is a distinctly different
blend of paints and chemicals. Use only INTERIOR paints INSIDE
your home. Don't think of it
as being "screwed". We all
make worse mistakes than this...and I still say I would
not let your paint store OFF THE HOOK. IT'S THEIR
FAULT. ( I honestly believe
this has happened at the store before and they know just how to handle it. Give them a chance to make it right.)

How can i make a good exterior paint myself?

Q. i live in australia and paint here is very expensive compared to back home in america. I have alot of exterior painting to do some on stucco and some on metal. I know that some people know how to make paints them selves and i would like to find a recipe for paint please

A. with the word good you can't.

Can exterior paint be used to paint an interior room?

Q. I was wondering if I could use exterior paint to paint my son's bedroom? I want something that will be very durable. If I can't use exterior paint to paint his room then I would like to know why I can't and a suggestion for something else that can hold up to being in a child's bedroom. Thanks!

A. exterior paint is a bad idea. it is very durable for outside, but stays much softer than interior paint, so that it will give/flex with the expansion/contraction of your exterior siding. also, it will smell much worse when applied. the epoxy idea that someone suggested is really stupid. you cant put epoxy over regular paint, it will lift/melt the latex paint that is on the walls. bad bad bad idea!!!
my solution:
first: quality if key to a good paint job
use benjamin moore paint, it is very good. i would suggest either an eggshell finish, which is more durable than a flat. as an alternative, the best, most durable, washable paint you can buy is a product called Regal Matte finish. it is a scrubbable flat finish that will be more durable than any other paint on teh market. it is expensive, but VERY good. you can get the regal matte finish at your local benjamin moore retailer. find one at http://www.benjaminmoore.com

I want to start building a miniature house, how should I get started?

Q. I'm a psych major but have a guilty pleasure in designing homes and architecture. I have many sketches that I want to bring to life. How do I get started? Not only have I sketched homes but I've also dobe the interior layout. What type of wood should I use? Not anything super huge just a decent size and I plan on doing all this by hand and from scratch.

A. All my experience says to first have a good complete set of plans and secondly have a good complete set of plans. I honestly believe an arcetec is a good investment in this venture to finalize the plans and bring everything into conformity with building codes When it comes to wood you can save a small fortune by getting green or partially seasoned (recommended) wood from a small independent sawmill in fact many small mills can take the materials list from your complete set of plans and cut out your house for you at a tremendous discount over what a building supply will charge. Pneumatic nailers will also save you a great bundle of time

Photos/ideas for cottage or country themed landscaping?

Q. I want to do work on landscaping the and lawn and need to get ideas that would complemtnt with home architecture. links to websites, additional tips/ideas would be really helpful. thanks

A. Add a picture of the area that you want to work on please, and I will tell you, One set up won't work in two different places.

describe how mature boulevard trees add curb appeal to residential neighborhoods?

Q. how do they work together with old homes and architecture to make a neighborhood 'appealing' to a homebuyer?

A. A large percentage of home buyers decide whether or not to look inside a house or take it seriously based on its curb appealâthe view they see when they drive by or arrive for a showing.
Trees add value to a home as well as being essential to a healthy community. The well-placed tree can:
Cut utility costs in half
Protect a home from wind
Cause people to spend more time outside
Act as a sound barrier/buffer
Add dimension to a home's landscape
Contribute to a lower rate of neighborhood crime,it's actually been proven that adding trees to a streetscape lowers crime!

Also, trees in front of an older home evoke a snese of nostalgia...summer days spent playing, the lemonade stand you were sure was going to make enough to buy that bike. They give a sense of the amount of time the house has been there, and the family that must have grown there. People want to feel that the home they are buying has a history, that it has been lived and loved in. Trees do this.

Can you help me identify and locate an old home interior picture?

Q. I can remember almost 30 years ago my mother bought me a home interior picture that was in a very heavy metal frame with a rounded glass, the print was a small boy kneeling and praying into a beam shining down on him.
I know that I have seen the picture in some bibles and I would like to know the name of the print. I would also know how I might be able to buy the picture, frame, glass etc. that was purchased for me. I have tried the homeco and the home int. web site but without the name of the print I'm having no luck.

A. If you go to "vintage pictures.com" you may get the help you need. Lots of luck to you!

Looking for contemporary log home interior pics?

Q. My husband and I were looking to build a log home, but only if we can have a somewhat modern/contemporary look for the interior. Neither one of us are really into the primitive or Americana decor, but we do like the look of the lighter log home interiors like this one:

http://www.mhwood.com/images/image41.jpg

Anyone know of any log home interior pictures that have a modern look?

A. http://search.yahoo.com/search?p=contemporary+log+home+interior+pics&fr=yfp-t-501&toggle=1&cop=mss&ei=UTF-8

Can you help me identify and locate an old home interior picture?

A. http://www.sonyaharrisgiftsandcollectibles.com/images/tn_Boy_Praying.jpg

is that the picture? You may also want to go to art.com and search praying

Whats worth more - changing an attic into a bedroom or finishing a basement?

Q. I hear that even if you finish a basement it doesnt add to your house living space size when you try to sell it. I can also turn my attic into a nice size child bedroom. So which should I do? Also, what exactly does it take to officially be able to call an attic a bedroom> My attic already has finished wood floors and walls, but no power outlets and it get hot as hell in their during the summer. Please advise.

A. In most cases, an attic can't be considered "living space" unless the ceilings are at least 6 feet high - you should probably check with a home appraiser or contractor in your area to see what the guidelines are. If your attic has a high enough ceiling, it would probably add more to the value of your home if you made it livable...add power outlets, run heat & air to it if possible...etc.
On the other hand, if your basement is easier to finish off - if it already has power and heat/air - it'll be more cost effective to do the basement instead.
Bottom line - figure out how much you want to increase the value of your home by and compare it to the cost of fixing up one of these two spaces - don't do either if you won't make the money back on the sale of your home.

What is the difference between I childs room and a teenagers room?

Q. I have to do a English assignment about the differences of a childs bedroom to a teenagers bedroom.
For example, the toys change and clothes.
Who ever comes up with the most answers get 10 points :)

A. perfume
deodorant
cologne
body spray
pornography
make-up
hair products
weights & exercise equipment
posters of celebrities
posters of cars
bikini girls
posters of vampires
novels & books in shelf
computer / laptop
newer & more clothes
less toys
cell phone
journals / diaries

All in a teenager's room that arent typically in a kid's room.

Is there anything I can do to the matte painted walls in my house to make the paint more resilient?

Q. I have matte painted walls in both my childs bedroom and our entryway, and the matte paint is not very forgiving and hard to clean. Im wondering if there is any kind of wash or clear paint coating I can put on it to make it more resilient. Also, any cleaning tips? Any input is greatly appreciated-I really dont want to have to repaint!

A. Buy yourself a good brand vinyl paint such as Dulux of Johnson's paint. Vinyl paint is washable and easy to clean after the children have drawn all over it. I was a decorator for nearly 20 years.
I hope that helps.

Replacing a wall light fixture?

Q. I am trying to replace a bathroom wall light fixture. My dilemma is the fixture I took out of the wall has a strip of light bulbs with 6 wires (3 white/3 black). The new fixture only has 2 wires (1 white/1 black). Which wires do I use? What do I do with the extra wires? Will the connection work without the ground?

A. Remove the extra white and black wires, they should be just jumpers connected to the main wires. Then it is white to white, black to black. The connection for a light will work without a ground, but it is safer and to code to use a ground. Usually there is a green or thin bare wire, from the fixture for the ground. It can be directly connected to the box the main wires come into.

do i paint my cabinets dark and walls light or the other way around?

Q. I want to paint my kitchen walls and cabinets but dont know if the walls should be a little darker than the cabinets or maybe the walls light and the cabinets dark. Also I have paneling I want to paint so do I paint it a different color than the walls and cabinets.

A. I'd paint the cabinets lighter and the walls a little darker shade. Nothing hardly makes a house look as old or as out of style as dark cabinets. Dark cabinets just scream 1970's and 1980's. The paneling color partly depends on where it is. You also may want to use some wood putty over the grooves in the wood paneling if it's the wide 1970's style paneling. If the panels are narrower (about 2" or so), I'd leave the grooves in place.

Don't worry about the room being too dark if you go with a slightly darker color for the walls. The walls don't have to be all that much darker than the cabinets. I'd go with a medium tone for the walls and a light tone for the cabinets.

Why is my outside wall light going on and off?

Q. I have a mains powered wall light with a motion sensor. Since that very cold weather, when it senses motion and comes on, it flashes on and off, on and off...
Could something have been damaged by the severe cold?
Is there a part I can replace/fix, instead of replacing the whole light?
Thanks folks

A. My light suffered the same way. The sensor is a sealed unit so a new light is the only solution. I bought a new one and it looks better than the other one and works better.
My old one sometimes came on in bright sunlight and took ages to come on when dark.

What kind of bar stool goes with a victorian sofa?

Q. I just bought a beautiful victorian style sofa, but I also need bar stools. I'm in a one bedroom apartment and have used the dining area as an office area, so I want to put two bar stools at the pass thru to the kitchen. The only problem is that this is directly behind the sofa. I really would like something comfortable - a broad seat with a back. Please send your ideas - links to pictures or places I could purchase are most welcomed! (I'm in TX)

A. Heaps of bar stools here:
http://www.homedecorators.com/Furniture/Home_Bar/Stools/

I think one of these would look good with your sofa:
http://www.homedecorators.com/P/Aberdeen_Berkely_Swivel_Bar_Stool/250/
http://www.homedecorators.com/P/Hand-Carved_Amboise_Round_Swivel_Bar_Stool/120/
http://www.homedecorators.com/P/Briarwood_Rounded-Back_Bar_Stool/850/
http://www.homedecorators.com/P/Brookside_Swivel_Bar_Stool_with_Diamond_Back/810/

Where can I find a cheap mini bar in San Diego?

Q. I don't have a lot of space in my living room so a mini bar would be perfect. Just to give an idea on the kind of mii bar I'm looking for, it would have cabinets opening from the front and possibly even have a top that opens to reveal stuff. Or if you know any plans for a mini bar that might help too. Any advice would help, thanks.

A. Your best bet is to order online. Here are some sites that you might like:

This one is on ebay with a buy it now price of $210
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=4410078944&category=20485

This one is a swing open portable bar, sounds most like what you are looking for
http://www.greathomebars.com/indoor-home-bars/wood/products.cfm?action=view&key=HMS011

This one is really nice for the money
http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/product.do?BV_UseBVCookie=Yes&vertical=HSWR&pid=00824508000&cat=Furniture+%26+Storage&subcat=Accent+Furniture

Bad smell from new furniture in nursery-how do i get it out?

Q. About 2 months ago my husband and i bought a crib and dresser combo for our baby who is due in about 2 weeks. Got it home and out of the boxes and it smells bad. I cant explain the smell. It doesnt smell like hard wood, its more like a chemical-ish odor from the finish or laquer it has on it. It's making all of his cloths in his dresser small the same way. It's really annoying to me. I feel like ill be putting him in a room full of fumes. Anyone have any idea HOW i can get rid of the smell naturally? I have heard of taking it out in the sun everyday over long period of time to let it breath out and get the fumes out but is that the only way. I dont have alot of time really.
By the way, this isnt a smell that would be easily covered up. Its not one of those- dog pissed on the carpet type of thing- and its hard wood so if i spray something like air freshener it doesnt work.. but thanks

A. I would open the windows in the nursery to air it out. Point an oscillating fan on them as well w/the drawers open (remove the clothes so they don't absorb the scent-give them a wash if they don't air out on their own in a few days). If you have a ceiling fan, turn that on too. The air circulation will help get the smell out quicker than anything else. If you are running your air condition, close the door to keep it out of the rest of your home. This isn't exactly energy efficient, but it's the easiest. The 12 week waiting period for a new crib won't be helpful to because the new one will have similar issues, unless you get a wrought iron crib-but those have their own issues (significant cost, danger of getting hurt on bars, etc).

Volatile compounds (VOCs) used in staining products tend to take longer to dry/cure especially when they are in oil based products. (Also why people shouldn't use oil based paints to paint interior spaces if they are sensitive to smells.)

I assume that you have allowed the mattress to air out also. Most mattresses have a smell to them as well. This also goes for newly installed carpets.

If you plan on using a bassinet/pack-n-play w/included bassinet then, I suggest using that (not in the childs room) in the interim. Your momma super smeller is working, which is a good thing in this case. When you can no longer smell the "new" smell, it will be safe to put baby in the crib.

Congratulations! I hope you have an easy delivery with your son. Btw, I found out w/mine that when they say "bouncing baby boy", they mean when he gets old enough to start bouncing on furniture or whenever they get excited about something :-)