Remove The Light Kit And Cover Plate From A Ceiling Fan

Change the way your fan looks by removing the light kit

Removing the light kit from a ceiling fan can change the way you light a room. Without a light kit, the fan becomes less obtrusive and lets you change the décor in the room without having to take the ceiling fan into consideration. You can also change the look of the ceiling fan by replacing the light kit with something more fitting to the décor of your home. Whatever your reason for removing the light kit, you can do it without removing the ceiling fan from the ceiling.

Instructions

1. Cut the electrical power to the ceiling fan by turning off the breaker in the electrical panel.

2. Remove the ceiling fan cover plate by removing the screws that attach it to the ceiling fan. The cover plate covers the light kit wire housing located at the very bottom of the ceiling fan, beneath the fan blades. The light kit attaches to the ceiling fan cover plate and removing the cover plate from the ceiling fan will expose the light kit wiring.

3. Disconnect the ceiling fan light kit. The light kit will be attached by a black wire and a white wire from the light kit to black and white wires from the ceiling fan. Remove the wire nuts by untwisting.

4. Cap off the bare white and black wires from the ceiling fan. Place an orange wire nut onto the black wire from the ceiling fan. Tape the wire nut to the black wire with electrical tape to hold it securely in place. Cap off the white wire from the ceiling fan in the same manner as the black wire.

5. Remove the ceiling fan light kit from the cover plate. The light kit will thread through a knock-out in the bottom of the cap. It is held onto the cap by a nut on a threaded nipple. Remove the nut and slide the nipple out of the cap. Plug the knock-out with a ½-inch knock-out plug. The knock-out plug is originally provided with the ceiling fan but can be purchased at a lighting store should you no longer have yours.

6. Replace the ceiling fan cover plate onto the ceiling fan with the screws you removed in step 2.

7. Restore electricity to the ceiling fan by turning on the breaker in the electrical panel.

Tags: from ceiling, black wire, ceiling cover, ceiling cover plate, cover plate, wire from, breaker electrical

Install A Return Vent In A Dropdown Ceiling

Install a return air vent in your dropdown ceiling to help with air circulation through your home.

A return vent is placed into a room to draw air from the room and return it to the home's heating and air conditioning system for reheating or cooling before being sent back through the system again. In most rooms, the vent is either in the floor or the wall, but if you're dealing with a room where such placement can be difficult, a basement for example, you can place the vent in a dropdown ceiling instead. The space above the ceiling is usually sufficient for running the ducting through to connect to your vent and the ceiling panel strong enough for vent placement .after a few modifications.

Instructions

1. Locate the air filter on your furnace. The filter covers the return duct in your furnace. Follow the ducting to the room containing your dropdown ceiling, as this is the duct you'll need to attach your new return vent into.

2. Find a section of the duct that's near the location in the ceiling where you wish to place your vent. Place a starter collar onto the side of the duct and trace around the collar onto the duct surface with a grease pencil.

3. Set the tip of a flat-head screwdriver against the duct inside the traced line you've just placed. Hit the head of the screwdriver with a hammer to poke the screwdriver through the surface of the duct. Pull the screwdriver free and then insert the blade of the sheet metal sheers. Cut through the metal along the marked line to make room for the installation of the starter collar in the side of the vent. You'll need to use straight shears for cutting straight lines in the duct and right or left cutting shears to make curved cuts in the same direction for which the shear is made.

4. Slip the starter collar into the hole you've just cut, and then bend the small tabs on the edge of the collar over the side of the hole and into the interior of the duct. Screw three hex-head sheet metal screws through the collar and into the body of the duct using a drill with hex driver bits. Space the screws out evenly around the collar to secure it to the duct body.

5. Connect flexible duct to the starter collar by pushing an end of the duct over the collar and then wrapping the connection joint with metal duct tape. Wrap a piece of duct strapping around the connected area, placing the end of the strap through the strap loop. Tighten it in place by pulling the end of the strapping with a pair of pliers.

6. Run the length of flexible duct to the drop ceiling panel that you're placing the return vent into from the starter collar. Secure the duct to the ceiling joists using duct strapping. Wrap the strap around the ductwork every 5 feet and then use sheet metal screws to attach the straps to the joists. Maintain as straight a path as possible to keep the efficiency of the airflow through the ducting as high as possible. Cut the duct as needed when you reach the ceiling tile with scissors to get through the plastic and insulation, and then with wire cutters for the layer of wire that reinforces the duct.

7. Wrap metal duct tape over any joints in the duct.

8. Place a return air vent onto the part of the ceiling panel exposed to the room, and then press lightly to imprint the rim of the bottom of the vent onto the panel. Cut out the impression with a utility knife. Place the rim on the bottom of the vent through the hole until the ledge around the surface of the vent is against the bottom of the panel. Screw the vent onto the panel using drywall screws to secure it into place.

9. Connect the ductwork that you extended to the panel location to the vent using three of the sheet metal screws around the vent collar. Cover the connection with the metal duct tape, and then place a strip of metal duct tape over the joint. Return the panel to the ceiling grid.

Tags: return vent, starter collar, duct tape, metal duct, metal duct tape

Paint A Plywood Porch

Paint your plywood porch for long-lasting protection and beauty.

Building a porch made of plywood saves money on building materials and provides a durable surface for walls, ceilings and floors. However, the raw, knotty, unfinished appearance of plywood can also become an eyesore. You can beautify and strengthen your porch's plywood walls, ceiling and floors by painting the surface with quality exterior paint, which also hides the cheap appearance and adds curb appeal to the front of your home.

Instructions

Paint Plywood Porch, Ceiling and Walls

1. Fill cracks and holes, using a putty knife and exterior wood filler. Use a step ladder to reach the plywood ceiling. Caulk the corners and seams where the plywood boards meet, using paintable silicone caulk.

2. Cover the floors with canvas drop cloths. Remove porch furniture. If you are unable to remove objects from the porch, use painter's plastic for protection. If you are not painting the porch floor, tape around the edges, where the walls meet the floor. Use blue painter's tape.

3. Wear a respirator or dust mask, and sand the plywood ceilings and walls using a sheet of 80-grit sandpaper, or an electric orbital sander. Wear safety glasses while sanding the overhead ceiling.

4. Wipe the plywood with a tack cloth, or a damp rag to remove the sanding dust. Remove dust from sills or small crevices using an old paint brush or a small floor sweeper.

5. Pour about half a gallon of oil-based exterior wood primer into an empty paint can. Stand on a step ladder and brush around the edges and corners where the plywood ceilings meet the walls. Use a 3-inch paint brush meant for use with oil paints. Prime the wall corners and the edges where the walls meet the floor.

6. Pour the oil-based primer into an empty 5-gallon bucket. Roll the primer onto the ceiling and walls using a 3/4-inch paint roller and handle, attached to an 8-foot painter's extension pole. Allow the primer to completely dry.

7. Brush and roll the ceiling and walls with an exterior latex porch paint. Brush the ceiling and wall corners first, and complete the paint rolling last. Allow the first coat of paint to dry according to the recommendations noted on the paint can. Apply a second coat if necessary.

Paint Plywood Porch Floors

8. Remove furniture and obstructions from the porch floor.

9. Apply floor leveling compound, using a taping knife. Allow the compound to dry.

10. Sand the entire floor, using an electric orbital sander. Use a folded piece of 80-grit sand paper to sand the corners where the floor meets the walls.

11. Wipe the floor with a damp rag or tack cloth to remove sanding dust.

12. Carefully brush around the floor edges, where the floor meets the walls. Use a quality oil-based exterior floor primer and a 3-inch paint brush meant for oil paints.

13. Attach a 3/4-inch paint roller and handle to an extension pole. Dump the primer into a clean 5-gallon bucket. Roll the primer onto the floor, starting on one side of the room, working to the other side. Allow the primer to dry.

14. Brush and roll a quality exterior latex floor paint, using the same application methods used for the primer. Allow the first coat to dry and apply a second coat to achieve true color definition. Allow the final coat to dry.

15. Brush and roll a coat of clear urethane on the floor, using a 1/4-inch paint roller and a china bristle paint brush. Brush the floor edges first and complete the rolling last. Urethane provides added protection. Apply additional coats for optimum protection.

Tags: 4-inch paint, 4-inch paint roller, Brush roll, edges where, paint brush

Install A Tongue And Groove Ceiling

Tongue and groove is an installation system in which wood planks are held together at the sides by milling that fits together. A tongue fits into a groove. It's generally used for floors, but the system can be used for any surface that's going to be covered with planking, including ceilings. Ceiling boards also generally are longer than floorboards. They will span the whole length of the area and weigh less.

Instructions

1. Mark all joists in the ceiling after locating them with an electronic stud finder using a level and pencil.

2. Measure the ceiling's length from one edge to the other while running perpendicular to the joists. Transfer this measurement to a tongue and groove wooden ceiling board.

3. Cut the board straight across the measured length using a miter saw.

4. Hold the board to the ceiling, at the starting edge, with the groove of the board facing the wall and sitting 3/8ths of an inch from it. This leaves room for wood expansion. Secure the board with nails, shot up with a small nail gun through the board's face into each joist. Shoot two nails for each joist.

5. Cut the next board to size to fit alongside the first. Set the groove of the next board over the tongue of the first. Set the nail gun's nozzle on the outer edge of the board, just above the tongue, and shoot one nail up into it at the first joist. Do the same for each point where the board crosses a joist.

6. Repeat for each ceiling board, nailing them from the sides so that the nail heads are hidden by the next board. Continue until the ceiling is covered. Cut the final board length to fit against a far wall allowing 3/8ths of an inch space there.

Tags: next board, 8ths inch, ceiling board, each joist

Paint Stencils On Ceilings

Stenciled designs on the ceiling can be an ornate decoration.

Stenciling interior surfaces can be an ideal way to add special decorative touches to rooms. Because paint is relatively inexpensive, creating stenciled designs with paint can enable you to decorate and embellish without spending much money. You might even paint stencils on ceilings to add unusual embellishments that will draw the eye upward. Choose your colors and stencil design and get ready to create a masterpiece.

Instructions

1. Stand on a stepladder so that you can reach the ceiling comfortably. Hold the stencil template where you wish to apply stencils and mark small lines on the ceiling with the pencil to indicate the placement of the stencil. Move the template along the ceiling to plan the entire stenciling placement, ensuring that the design you wish to create will fit on the ceiling space. As you move the template along the ceiling, make more marks for stencil placement to indicate where you must move the template as you work.

2. Place the stencil in place on the ceiling where you wish to begin stenciling. Tape the stencil in place with the painter's tape.

3. Add dollops of acrylic paint to the paint palette, placing each color you wish to use onto the palette.

4. Dip the stenciling brush into a dollop of paint and pounce the brush lightly onto the paper towel to remove excess paint from the bristles. To achieve the best stenciling effect, the bristles need only a small amount of paint.

5. Pounce the stenciling brush onto the stenciling template to apply paint to the ceiling. Use an up and down motion with the brush to transfer a light layer of paint to the ceiling through the stencil spaces. Strive for a very thin layer of paint--so thin that it dries quickly after you apply it. Continue applying paint onto the ceiling through the stencil until you complete the entire stencil design, changing colors as necessary.

6. Remove the painter's tape and move the template along the ceiling to continue applying the stencil design. Work carefully to apply paint through the template until you finish stenciling the ceiling in the desired design.

Tags: along ceiling, stencil design, template along, template along ceiling, apply paint

Change An A/C Ceiling Vent

Ceiling Vent

With all the use that your A/C unit goes through, sometime the vents need to be changed. It's pretty easy to do, and you don't need to be Tim the Toolman either!

Instructions

1. Position the ladder just before the vent cover; this way you won't twist your back. Examine the cover. If the cover is circular, measure directly across the vent from one side to the other to find the match you'll need. This is important to prevent a return trip to the hardware store.

2. If the vent is rectangular, measure the width and length of the vent cover to get an exact fitting. If possible, take the old cover with you to hardware store to match it up.

3. Position the ladder just before the vent cover; this way you won't twist your back. Take a look at which screws are holding the vent cover in place. Use the appropriate screwdriver, and carefully hold the cover in place while you remove the screwdriver. Save the screws in case the new cover doesn't include any. It should, though.

4. With your replacement vent, simply attach it by holding the cover in and replacing the screws. Enjoy that nice cool air or warm soothing heat without all the nasty dust!

Tags: vent cover, before vent, before vent cover, Ceiling Vent, cover place, cover this, cover this twist

Coffered Ceiling Definition

Coffered Ceiling Definition

A coffer refers to the appearance of a sunken panel in a ceiling. Typically, in a modern home a coffered ceiling treatment is applied to give the visual appearance of coffering. Sometimes these types of coffers are made of faux beams or even plaster. Frequently they are trimmed out with moldings to enhance the formality and detail of their appearance and it is common for the recessed paneled coffers to be painted in a different color from the decorative beams.

Function

Ancient coffers were often the result of structural needs, as support beams they were used to move ceiling loads outward on wider spans. These beams created an architectural appearance that is also quite visually appealing. Coffers were frequently used under large domes to help carry the load of the domes and the mathematics necessary to calculate the exact dimensions of the coffers required the assistance of mathematicians.

Identification

The term coffer comes from cofre in Old French, meaning basketlike or boxlike. A coffer mounted under a cupola is called a caisson and a series of coffers (openings or boxes) can line the underside of any surface and, when they are collected in a series, they are called laquearia (a group of boxes).

Sound Effects

Peter Arsenault, sound expert with Pro Sound News, rates the Grosser Musikvereinsaal in Vienna as one of the best concert halls in the world and he is not alone. Also known as the Golden Hall, this building dates to 1870. It seats 1744 people with room for 300 more to stand. Overhead, a coffered ceiling spans the hall. For centuries no one has been able to explain why the acoustics are so good in this building.

In a 2005 Forum Acusticum article by Martin Lisa, et.al, an experimental reconstruction of Ancient Roman Odea (roofed theaters) and their acoustics discovered that the use of coffered ceilings in theatrical halls produced similar acoustic properties to modern concert halls, even though the only sound absorption was provided by the audience. This modeling study calculated how the coffering impacted the sound levels over wide spaces.

Features

Coffered ceilings have become popular additions to modern classic or traditional style homes. The most frequently used style is still a symmetrical boxlike pattern although other shapes are also used, such as octagonal or curved, and some ceilings incorporate several different coffer styles or shapes in a single ceiling. The coffer is often ornamented with dart and bead trims and, in some elaborate applications, plaster or plaster-appearing medallions and ornamentation are also applied.

Benefits

Occasionally a coffered ceiling will mask or hide real, load-bearing beams, much as its ancient ancestor did. Sometimes the unfortunate interruption of a flat ceiling by a necessary structural beam will become the motivation to turn what might be an unsightly intrusion into an architectural feature. In this regard, the secondary beams are false in the sense that they are not designed to carry the load merely to look like the beam that is doing the work. The results are often striking.

Tags: coffered ceiling, carry load, Ceiling Definition, Coffered Ceiling Definition, concert halls

Troubleshoot A Hunter Ceiling Fan

A Hunter ceiling fan adds beauty to any room. The fan helps cool a room in the summer and keeps a room warmer in the winter. This versatile fan significantly improves the efficiency of your heating and cooling devices and will reduce your energy bills. When installing a Hunter ceiling fan, follow the manufacturer's directions carefully. After installation, your Hunter ceiling fan may require a few adjustments to ensure maximum operation.

Instructions

Problem: Fan Does Not Move

1. Turn the house power on. Check the house fuse, and replace if necessary or reset the circuit breaker.

2. Loosen the fan canopy, and check all connections. Refer to the fan wiring section of the installation guide.

3. Inspect the plug connection in the switch housing.

4. Push motor reversing switch firmly up or down. Make sure the switch is engaged.

5. Remove any remaining shipping packaging.

Problem: Fan Operates Noisily

6. Check the blade bracket screws, and tighten if needed.

7. Check the blade screws, and tighten if needed.

8. Check the blades, and if any are cracked, replace all of them.

9. Ensure the light fixture glass is secure, and tighten the screws if needed.

10. Check screws in the switch housing mounting plate, upper switch housing and lower switch housing, and tighten if needed.

Problem: Fan Wobbles

11. Tighten the blade screws.

12. Install a balancing kit if the fan wobbles too much during operation. A balancing kit is included in the fan packaging. Follow separate instructions enclosed in the balancing kit.

13. Turn off the house power, and check that the fan hanger ball is seated properly in the canopy.

Problem: Using the Remote, None of the Fan Functions Will Work

14. Ensure that wall switch is turned on.

15. Make sure that the transmitter and receiver are set to the same jumper switch setting.

16. Replace the battery in the remote.

Problem: Using Remote, Fan Functions Work Inconsistently

17.Turn off wall switch for 5 to 10 seconds. Turn it back on.

18. Check that the remote battery is installed properly.

19. Change both transmitter and receiver jumper switch settings. The code should be the same for both the transmitter and receiver.

Tags: switch housing, Hunter ceiling, needed Check, tighten needed, transmitter receiver

Replace A Hampton Bay Windward Ii Glass Shade

When the glass shade on a ceiling fan becomes yellowed or develops a crack, it is possible to replace it with a new one. The Hampton Bay Windward II is part of the house brand line of ceiling fans for Home Depot. The Windward II uses a glass shade that threads into the fixture creating a crisp look without visible screws. Replacement glass shades are available at Home Depot and Hampton Bay, although shades from similar brands will match the fixture. Replacing a Hampton Bay Windward II glass shade does require some precautions to prevent injury if the old shade is damaged.

Instructions

1. Turn off the power to the Hampton Bay Windward II fan. Allow time for the blades to stop rotating before removing the glass shade.

2. Position a step stool under the ceiling fan. If the existing shade is cracked, put on a pair of leather gloves and eye goggles to protect your hands and eyes.

3. Push up on the center of the glass shade slightly, and turn the shade counterclockwise. The shade unscrews from the Hampton Bay fixture with only two revolutions.

4. Take the glass shade to the store to match the inside circumference with a new shade. The glass shades for ceiling fans are in the same section as the lighting fixtures.

5. Line up the notches on the new glass shade with the ridge on the inside of the fixture. Push the glass shade into the fixture and twist it clockwise until it is hand-tight. Turn the power back on to the Hampton Bay Windward II fan.

Tags: glass shade, Hampton Windward, ceiling fans, glass shades, Home Depot

Instructions For An Armstrong Hanging Ceiling

A hanging ceiling is also commonly known as a suspended ceiling. These ceilings are an alternative to installing drywall. There are many steps in the installation process, but installing Armstrong hanging ceilings is no different than installing any other type of hanging or suspended ceiling. By following a few simple instructions, you can have your ceiling tiles installed and looking great in no time.

Instructions

1. Measure down 4 inches from the ceiling joists and mark the area with a pencil. Draw a straight line across the entire area using a level.

2. Nail the perimeter molding in place along the marked line with 6d nails. Hammer a nail every 8 inches into the plastic molding around the entire perimeter of the ceiling. Cut the molding to fit around corners with tin snips.

3. Mark the joists every four feet across the ceiling. Screw an eyebolt into every third joist along the four-foot mark and hang 16-gauge wire to each eyebolt. Twist the wire three times around itself and repeat the process for every three joists.

4. Loop the wires through the holes in the vertical runners and install the runners all the way across the ceiling where each of the wires are located. Snap the runners in place at the edges into the perimeter molding. This will help hold it in place.

5. Install the horizontal runners every two feet across the ceiling. Snap them into place with the vertical runners. This will create 2-by-4-foot sections for the ceiling to be installed.

6. Place the 2-by-4 ceiling tiles into the opening beginning at any corner of the room. Set the first tile into the runners and let it drop down so it rests evenly on them. Repeat the process for all of the other ceiling tiles. Drop them down carefully on top of the runners.

7. Cut the ceiling tiles to size with a utility knife to fit the corners and at the ends. Measure and mark the cut location. Score the tile multiple times until it snaps in two and install it just like the other tiles were installed.

Tags: ceiling tiles, across ceiling, feet across, feet across ceiling, molding around

Wire Ceiling Speakers

Setting up speakers on the ceiling can upgrade your home surround sound.

A sound system can greatly add to your audio experience in the home. Setting up ceiling speakers is a way you can upgrade your home surround-sound system. Upgrading your home surround-sound system can involve hooking up stereo and television speakers on the ceiling so you enjoy quality music and movie audio. To set up ceiling speakers you will need to wire the speakers correctly.

Instructions

1. Set up a tarp and ladder under the location on the ceiling you want to install your speakers and use it to access the ceiling. The tarp and ladder should be securely grounded to remove any chance of tipping over when in use.

2. Scan the area on the ceiling where you will fit your speakers and get a good feel of what is above. Ceiling speakers should be installed between ceiling joists. Use a stud finder or a pipe and wire detector to locate ceiling joists when scanning the area on the ceiling you will run the speaker wires.

3. Mark a cut out on the ceiling for fitting the speakers using the speaker template that comes with the ceiling speakers. Hold the template against the ceiling and trace out the outline of the speaker with a pencil. Ideally, the speaker cut out must be about 2 inches from adjoining walls, internal studs and pipes.

4. Cut out the speaker hole on the ceiling using a drywall keyhole saw for installing the speaker.

5. Run speaker wires from your system or amplifier to the speaker. Drill a hole on the horizontal board at the top of the wall where all the vertical studs are attached to (top framing stud) using a wall drill. Attach the speaker wire to a fish tape. Snake the fish tape from your system or amplifier up the wall behind your system through the top framing stud hole to the speaker position on the ceiling. Pass the wires between wall studs and ceiling joists.

6. Connect the ceiling speaker to the amplifier or system. Plug in the speaker wires into the jacks at the back of the speaker and the system or amplifier. Connect the Positive (+) speaker wire to the red terminal on the speaker and the other end of the wire to the red terminal on the system/amplifier. Connect the Negative (-) wire to the black terminal on both the speaker and system/amplifier.

7. Secure the speaker to the ceiling. Place the speaker into the cutout in the ceiling and tighten the mounting screws using a power screwdriver or Phillips screwdriver. Avoid over tightening the mounting screws as this might damage the speaker. Turn the unit on and finish.

Tags: system amplifier, ceiling joists, speaker wires, your home, your system, amplifier Connect

Acoustical Ceiling Installation

Acoustical Ceiling Installation

Also called suspended ceilings or drop ceilings, acoustical ceilings are made with tiles that have a sound-absorbing quality. The tiles, which fit into a metal grid, are available in a multitude of colors, designs and shapes. What was once thought of as an economical ceiling is now also considered a decorative element in many offices, buildings and residences.

Wall Brackets

Determine the height at which you want the ceiling. Standard ceiling heights are 8 feet to accommodate other standard building materials such as drywall. Carefully mark the height around the perimeter of the room. Use a level to ensure that the line remains straight, rather than attempting to make continual measurements.

Once the line is in place, install the outer L brackets. These brackets will mount on top of the line; secure them to wall studs with screws. Install all exterior brackets first before beginning the inner framework.

Main Tees

Install rows of anchors--which can be nails, screws or eye-bolts--in the ceiling joists overhead on 4-foot centers across the width of the room and every 2 feet along each row. Install the main tee brackets on 4-foot center by attaching them to the wall bracket, then supporting them with hanger wires that will attached to the overhead anchor points. You should have one row of anchors over every main tee. Use a level to be certain that the brackets remain level as you tighten each hanger wire. Continue across the room until all main tees are installed.

Cross Tees

Place cross tees every 2 feet along the main tees to form 2-by-4-foot openings. Continue across the room until the entire grid is completed. If you are installing 2-foot-square ceiling tiles, you will add additional cross tees in the center of each of these openings to reduce the opening size to 2 feet by 2 feet.

Ceiling Tiles

With the ceiling grid in place, you can begin to lay the ceiling tiles. Angle them slightly to fit them up and through the opening, then let them rest on the lip of the brackets. Begin in one corner of the room and complete one row before turning and starting back down the next row. If you need to add lights or other items, you will need to install additional support and hanger wires to handle the weight. Custom-fit tiles around lights or vents, or install lights that will fit in a 2-by-4-foot grid hole.

Odd-Sized Tiles

Unless the room's measurement is divisible by 4, you will be left with one odd-sized row that is less than 4 feet in width. Take careful measurements of the leftover space and mark a ceiling tile to match the measurement. Using a box knife, cut the ceiling tile along the mark. Place the tile in the appropriate opening and take the measurement for the next opening. Measure each opening separately instead of using the measurement from the previous tile. This will insure a custom fit for each opening.

Tags: Acoustical Ceiling, Acoustical Ceiling Installation, across room, across room until, Ceiling Installation, ceiling tile

Repaint A Ceiling

Repainting a ceiling.

Paint is one of the least expensive, most dramatic, renovations that can be done in a room. But, often the most neglected paint application is to ceilings. While ceilings don't get soiled in the same way that walls do, they do get dirty and grungy over time. But a well-painted room must include painting the ceiling. With a good decorator, the ceiling is seldom painted white. For the optimum painting effect follow a few simple steps and your room will become more appealing and increase in value.

Instructions

1. Prep your room by removing all furniture and window treatments. Dust the ceiling with a duster or broom to remove webs, dust and any loose plaster.

2. Repair any small holes using spackling.

3. Seal any ceiling stains using a stain sealer for your paint type.

4. Tape off any crown molding. If you don't have crown molding, tape the edge between the wall and the ceiling. Use the correct painter's tape if your wall paint is also newly painted.

5. Using your plastic sheeting, tape off your doors since ceiling paint tends to splatter and leave small drops everywhere. Spread your canvas drop cloth across your entire floor surface.

6. Select a paint that is appropriate for your room. Flat latex paints are used in most areas except for kitchens and baths. Generally, you want to select a paint color that is two shades lighter than your selected wall color. If you are using a dark wall color like brown, then your ceiling color may be many shades lighter, but it should be in the same color tonal family. This makes the wall and ceiling colors work together. If you need a primer it should be from the same manufacturer and may be tinted to work with your colors.

7. Prime the surface with a paint primer if your current ceiling color is dark or if you are covering many stains and ceiling repairs.

8. Move your ladder to one corner and using a small amount of primer in a bowl and your angled paint brush, dip your brush in the paint one third of the way up the bristles. Paint along the edge of your ceiling tape pulling the brush toward you such that the longer bristles trail. Turn the front (smaller bristle side) of your brush away from the wall so that just your longer bristles are cutting along the tape. You will soon see how the brush feeds paint to the trailing bristles, this is what you want to work with for the cleanest look. Prime a four inch border along the inside edge of your ceiling.

9. Set your brush and bowl aside and clean any unwanted paint with your wet rag. Assemble your roller and fill the base of your roller tray with primer. Prime the ceiling by moving the roller along the ceiling. Work the roller in front of you by working a W pattern. Prime to the four inch area being careful not to roll to the walls. Cover the entire ceiling.

10. Wash out your paintbrush, bowl and roller tray, discarding your used roller. Wipe down your extension rod as once the paint dries on it, you won't be able to get it back off. Allow time for your primer to dry completely (check manufacturer's recommendation).

11. Mix your ceiling paint thoroughly and repeat the painting process, this time using your ceiling color. Repeat as necessary until your ceiling is an even solid color with no thin spots or streaks. Allow it dry and touch up any spots that may show up during the drying process. Clean everything up.

Tags: your ceiling, ceiling color, your brush, your room, ceiling paint, crown molding, edge your

Size Ceiling Fans

A ceiling fan is ideally no lower than 7 feet from the floor.

A ceiling fan is an energy efficient way to keep your home cool in the summer months and circulate heat in the winter. A fan can also be a design element in a room. Ceiling fans are available in a wide array of styles and sizes. Determining the appropriate size of ceiling fan for your room is relatively easy; as a general rule, larger rooms will benefit from larger fan blades.

Instructions

1. Take measurements of both the length and width of your room. Multiple the two measurements to determine the room's square footage.

2. Use the American Lighting Association's Guide to determine the appropriate fan size, based on the footage of your room. The figures below represent the diameter of the fan, not the length of the blades, or radius.

Small rooms up to 75 square feet -- fan size 36 inches or smaller

Medium-size rooms up to 144 square feet -- fan size 36 inches to 42 inches

Larger bedrooms and family rooms up to 225 square feet -- fan size 50 inches to 54 inches

3. Measure the distance between the wall and where the fan blade will end; there should be at least 18 inches of clearance between the blade and the wall. If there isn't, use a smaller fan blade.

Tags: feet size, feet size inches, rooms square, rooms square feet, size inches, square feet, square feet size

Tips For Spray Painting A Ceiling

Painting a ceiling is one of the most tedious and frustrating aspects of indoor painting. One good way to avoid aching arms and hours spent on ladders is to color your ceiling using spray paint. This method, however, brings its own set of challenges. Use the proper colors, types of spray and sound application techniques to make your spray painted ceiling look as good as any job applied in a traditional manner.

Different Colors

When painting a room where you plan to spray paint the ceiling with a different color or matte than the rest of the room, paint the ceiling before you start on the walls, which will allow you to correct any mistakes or slop over on the walls when you paint those. Accidentally getting small amounts of spray paint in places you don't want it is easy, especially when you're working close to the edges of the ceiling.

Cover the Floor

Coat the floor completely with painter's plastic before you begin spray painting the ceiling as it's almost inevitable that some paint will drip or drift down to the floor level. When applying strips of plastic, ensure they overlap by at least 5 inches, and tape the upper layers to the lower layers with a strip of tape over the entire length of the seam to ensure that no paint gets through. Secure the edges of the plastic to the walls using masking tape.

Directional Spray Paint

Most spray paint cans are designed to spray while being held upright and won't spray very well when held on their side for prolonged periods, and you will need some time when spray painting your ceiling. To compensate for this, look for spray paint cans designed for multi-directional use. You may end up spending a little extra for these types of cans, but you'll be grateful for the difference.

Light

Try to arrange your painting schedule so that you can work during daylight hours, and take advantage of sunlight, provided your room has windows. Full, natural light is the best way to ensure thorough coverage since dim light and shadows can mask mistakes or inconsistencies in the spray painting. If using daylight isn't possible, use bright lights that you can direct to point at the ceiling; most normal ambient room lights leave ceilings shadowed.

Distance

When spraying, consult the spray paint manufacturer's instructions regarding the proper distance to hold the can away from the ceiling while spraying. Keep this distance as consistent as possible throughout the entire paint job to avoid inconsistent thickness of the paint you apply.

Tags: spray paint, spray paint, cans designed, ceiling most, paint cans, paint cans designed

Calculate The Required Tiles

Correct measurements are vital to calculating tile needed.

When you're preparing for a tile job, you may find it confusing when it comes to calculating the number of tiles required for the job. While 12 inch-by-12 inch square tiles are calculated at one per square foot, other sized tiles will need a bit more math to compute the proper quantity needed to tile an area. By learning basic conversions, you can calculate required tiles without worrying that you'll purchase too few to finish the job or so many that you have cases left over when the job is completed.

Instructions

1. Multiply the length and width of the area to be tiled in feet and add ten percent to the results. This is the total amount of square feet of tile needed, including cutting waste. For example, an area that is five feet by seven feet would be five times seven equals 35 plus ten percent: 35 plus 3.5 equals 38.5 square feet of tile needed.

2. Determine the amount of tiles per square foot for the tile you have chosen by multiplying the tile length and width of the tile in inches. For our example, a tile that is six inches by eight inches would equal 48 square inches.

3. Divide the square inches of your tile into 144, which is the number of square inches in one square foot: 48 into 144 equals three tiles per square foot.

4. Calculate the total number of tiles needed for the job by multiplying the total square feet needed by the number of tiles per square foot and rounding up: 38.5 square feet times three tiles per square foot equals 115.5 rounded up equals 116 tiles required for the job.

Tags: square foot, square feet, tiles square, tiles square foot, number tiles

Wire A Ceiling Fan In An Old House

A ceiling fan is a low-cost option for home cooling.

Installing a ceiling fan in an old home sometimes requires a bit more work than installing on in a new home. Getting the wiring box for the fan up to standard may require that you knock out the old electrical box to ensure that your wiring meets today's electrical standard. The extra work is worth it; it's for your safety. Installing your wiring properly prevents fires and also secures your fan, reducing the likelihood that it will fall on your head.

Instructions

1. Turn off the electricity to your room by shutting off the circuit breaker to the room at the circuit breaker box.

2. Measure the slope of the ceiling by holding a 2-foot level against the ceiling. Adjust the end closest to the electrical box for the ceiling fan until the bubble in the spirit level is in between the two level brackets. Measure the distance from the end of the level to the ceiling and divide the number by two to get the drop for the 12 inches leading away from the electrical box. Use this measurement to purchase the down rod for the ceiling fan.

3. Stick a wood block into the old electric box and hit the end of the wood block with a rubber mallet to remove the box.

4. Place the new ceiling brace into the hole and twist it until it is secure. Slide the saddle of the brace into the hole in the ceiling.

5. Slide the wiring coming from the ceiling through the new electrical box using a pair of pliers. Screw the box to the saddle using a screwdriver.

6. Cut a length of copper wire and wrap it around the grounding screw that comes with your fan. Attach it to the grounding wire hole in the electrical box, which is marked with a "G."

7. Screw the hanger bracket to the ceiling, over the electrical box. You fan will hang from this bracket.

8. Assemble your ceiling fan according to the instructions included in your kit. Slide the wiring through the down rod you purchased for your ceiling slope.

9. Bring the down rod, with the ceiling fan unit, up to the ceiling, having a friend hold the bottom of the ceiling fan to keep it from falling.

10. Connect the bare grounding wire (the copper wire you installed) to the green ground wire attached to the bracket. Connect the neutral white wire coming from the fan to the neutral wire in the electrical box. Connect the blue and black wires coming from the motor to the hot wire, usually black or red, coming from the box. Twist the ends of the wires together using wire nuts.

11. Assemble the rest of the fan as indicated in the assembly instructions.

Tags: coming from, brace into, brace into hole, circuit breaker, copper wire

Install A Harbor Breeze Ceiling Fan Kit

Once popular before the advent of air conditioning and again during the energy crisis of the 1970s and early '80s, ceiling fans are staging a comeback. As consumers look for ways to cut back on energy use, more are choosing easy-to-install ceiling fan kits as a way to save money over air conditioning.

Instructions

1. Attach the fan blades to the the motor. Use a Phillips screwdriver or drill. Screw the blades in securely, but do not over-tighten.

2. Add the lighting kit, if needed. Remove the cover on the bottom of the ceiling fan, and connect the black and white wires labeled "Light Kit" to the black and white wires in the light kit using the wire nuts that come with the kit.

3. Next, mount the ceiling fan bracket. The bracket screws into holes in the electrical gang box located in the ceiling. Tug on it to make sure it is securely mounted.

4. Hang the ceiling fan. Harbor Breeze Ceiling Fan kits come with a metal hook that attaches to a hole in the ceiling fan bracket. Secure the hook to the bracket, and then connect the ceiling fan to the hook.

5. Join the white, black and green wires coming from the ceiling fan to the same colored wires coming from the electrical gang box in the ceiling, using wire nuts.

6. Remove the fan from the hook and the hook from the bracket. Place the ball at the top of the ceiling fan down rod in the ceiling bracket. Carefully tuck the connected wires around the bracket and install the bracket cover to hide the wires and the bracket.

Tags: ceiling bracket, black white, black white wires, Breeze Ceiling, come with, coming from, electrical gang

Repair A Motorhome Ceiling

As your motor home ages, the ceiling can start to yellow and sag. If the motor home has had problems with leaks in the past, water stains may be present on the ceiling as well. Repairing the ceiling is costly if you take the vehicle to a repair shop, but you can do this repair in a few hours at home. The repair is not hard with the right tools, supplies and instructions. Your sagging or old motor home ceiling can look showroom-new in no time.

Instructions

1. Place a drop cloth on the floor below the spot you want to repair on your motor home's ceiling. Cover the wall below the spot with a drop cloth as well. Next, tape off any windows or trim underneath the area getting repaired.

2. Remove any cabinets that may be in the way of the ceiling. With gloves and eye goggles on, start pull down any sagging or old ceiling material.

3. Measure the spot you need to repair on your ceiling. Cut a piece of the vinyl fabric according to your measurements. Be neat---no jagged edges.

4. Paint a coat of the cement or adhesive on the back of the fabric and then some on the ceiling. Let the cement stand for a few minutes and become tacky. Then carefully place the vinyl on the ceiling and smooth out from the center towards the edges with a putty knife or straightedge. Keep smoothing and add a small amount of cement around the edges to ensure bonding with the ceiling.

5. Check the repair job after about 10 minutes to make sure the edges are sealed. Add a small amount of cement to the edges if needed. Then move to next spot and repeat steps to repair.

Tags: motor home, amount cement, below spot, drop cloth, home ceiling

Flush Mount With No Extension Rod On A Harbor Breeze Fan

Flush mount your Habor Breeze ceiling fan.

Harbor Breeze, Lowe's house ceiling fan brand, offers the option of flush mounting when extension or angling the fan is not required. Harbor Breeze fans come with the hardware and mounting brackets needed to perform the installation, with only common household tools required. Flush mounting a Harbor Breeze fan is made easier by a system that allows both hands to be devoted to wiring, without having to support the unit.

Instructions

1. Turn off the breaker supplying power to the fan box at the main panel.

2. Screw the fan's mounting bracket to the two threaded tines on the metal fan box in the ceiling, using the supplied screws and washers and a Phillips screwdriver. Ignore the cup in the center for the downrod; it is not used for a flush-mount installation.

3. Locate the black, white and bare/green wires leading from the fan box. Pull these wires through the mounting bracket.

4. Screw the fan shroud to the top of the fan's motor mount, using the Phillips screwdriver. Hang the fan from one side with the J-hook on the ceiling bracket.

5. Match the wiring inside the fan with the wires protruding from the ceiling. Place them parallel to one another. Twist a supplied wire nut over each pair, until hand-tight. Wrap a layer of electrical tape around the wire and wire nut junction.

6. Push up on the fan, aligning the holes on the shroud with the threaded holes on the mounting bracket. Drive a Phillips screw through each hole in the shroud to mate it to the bracket.

7. Unscrew the plastic motor blocks from the fan blade arm locations, using the Phillips screwdriver. Screw the fan arms to the underside of the motor mount with the supplied Phillips screws and washers.

8. Screw the fan blades to the arms with the supplied hardware and Philips screwdriver. Turn the breaker back on and test the fan by pulling the pull chain.

Tags: Harbor Breeze, mounting bracket, Phillips screwdriver, motor mount, screws washers, Turn breaker, using Phillips

Make A Coffered Ceiling

Coffered Ceiling

Creating a coffered ceiling is a project that can be tackled by anyone who has basic to moderate building/carpentry skills. Aside from adding value to your home, it also creates an interesting and unexpected focal point in the room. After all, how often does a ceiling get much attention? The possibilities for your coffered ceiling are literally endless, from designs, to finishes, to types of woods; your imagination is the limit.

Instructions

1. Measure the length and width of the ceiling you will be working on. Calculate the layout of your ceiling grid by drawing a diagram on a piece of graph paper.

2. Determine how many beams you will want down the length and width of your ceiling, making sure that the longest beams run parallel to the ceiling joists for added support.

3. Draw chalk lines across the ceiling where each beam will be placed. Measure the exact length of each line and then cut the designated 2-by-4 down to the needed size. Attach each 2-by-4 in position on the ceiling.

4. Measure and cut the finished pieces of oak and then attach them to the 2-by-4s, using a nail gun. Measure the length needed and cut the interior crown molding and then attach it to the ceiling, being sure to cover the joints where the vertical pieces meet the ceiling.

Tags: Coffered Ceiling, coffered ceiling, length width, Measure length, then attach, your ceiling

Hampton Bay Remote Installation Instructions

Install a remote control and stop reaching for those chains.

Home Depot markets their own line of ceiling fans under the Hampton Bay brand. Select Hampton Bay fan models include a remote control, which allows you to stay in one place and adjust the fan speed or dim the lights. The remote has four buttons, "Hi," "Med" and "Low" to select fan speed and "Off" to turn off the fan. The "Light" button allows you to turn on or off the light and adjust brightness.

Paint Acoustical Tile

It is possible to paint your acoustical ceiling tiles and make your ceiling look new again. That's the good news. The bad news is that some acoustical ceilings are easier to paint than others, and no matter what type of acoustical ceiling you have, painting it will almost certainly reduce its sound absorbing properties. So if sound absorption is important it may be a better idea to replace rather than repaint. However, assuming that repainting is still your goal, let's get to it.

Instructions

1. Wipe the entire ceiling with a microfiber cloth to remove as much dust, dirt and cobwebs as possible.

2. Determine how solid your ceiling tiles are. In other words, can you use a paint roller on the tiles while they are still in the ceiling, or will the pressure of the paint roller pushing on the tiles cause them to shift position? The answer to this question depends on how the tiles were originally installed. If the tiles are solid and can be painted in place, go to Step 3.

3. Remove as much furniture from the room as possible and cover any remaining furniture and the floor with drop cloths to protect from paint drips.

4. Roll a thin coat of latex paint on your ceiling using a split foam roller or a roller with an extremely thick nap. Allow the paint to dry completely following the manufacturer's instructions. In all probability one coat will not be sufficient. Once the first coat is dry, roll on a second thin coat and allow it to dry.

5. Remove ceiling tiles from the ceiling only if they cannot be painted with a roller while in place. Lay tiles on a flat surface with a drop cloth under them and gently roll on a thin coat of paint using a split foam roller. When the paint has dried roll on a second think coat and allow it to dry.

6. Reinstall the newly painted tiles once they are fully dry.

Tags: ceiling tiles, thin coat, your ceiling, acoustical ceiling, coat allow, foam roller

Apply Popcorn Ceiling Texture

Cover walls and floors before spraying popcorn ceiling texture.

Popcorn ceiling texture was a popular ceiling treatment in the '70s and '80s. It was a fast way to finish ceilings, and the heavy texture hid most drywall finishing blemishes. Popcorn ceilings are not as prevalent today, but many people still like the look of this retro texture. It is not difficult to apply popcorn ceiling texture, but it is a messy job. However, doing it yourself will save you money over hiring a contractor to perform the task.

Instructions

1. Remove all furniture from the room.

2. Place drop cloths on the floor. Tape the drop cloths to each other and to the baseboards with masking tape. Cover the walls with lightweight plastic sheeting, taping the plastic at the top, bottom and sides with masking tape.

3. Consider the condition of the existing ceiling. If the ceiling is new drywall or plaster, apply a coat of PVA drywall primer with a paint roller. If the ceiling is any color except white, apply a coat of white ceiling paint with a paint roller. Allow the primer or ceiling paint, if used, to dry for at least four hours before applying the popcorn texture.

4. Put on safety glasses, a paint suit and a head covering. Wear shoe covers that encase your entire shoe, as you will be stepping in wet texture mix.

5. Pour half of the recommended amount of water for the popcorn texture mix into a 5-gallon bucket. Add half of the white texture compound to the water and stir with a paddle mixer attached to a power drill. Add all of the popcorn texture next, stirring again with the paddle mixer to fully incorporate and mix the popcorn texture into the wet mix.

6. Add the balance of the recommended amount of water and white texture compound into the bucket and mix with the paddle mixer until all ingredients are combined. Follow the popcorn texture mix manufacturer's directions for the thickness and consistency required.

7. Pour some of the mixture into the hopper. Follow the directions that come with the hopper to determine how much mixture to put in the hopper.

8. Turn on the compressor or the electric texture sprayer. Spray the popcorn texture on a scrap piece of cardboard, adjusting the texture trigger or texture ring until the desired texture is achieved.

9. Spray the popcorn texture on the ceiling, applying a thin coat with even strokes. Cover the entire ceiling in this manner and allow it to dry.

10. Apply additional coats of popcorn texture, if desired, allowing each coat to dry before spraying the next coat.

11. Clean off excess popcorn texture mix from yourself and your equipment with soap and water.

Tags: popcorn texture, ceiling texture, paddle mixer, with paddle, with paddle mixer

Discount Hotels In Honolulu

The city name Honolulu means "sheltered bay" in Hawaiian.

Honolulu is Hawaii's state capital, and also one of the most populated cities in the Hawaiian Islands. The city of Honolulu has something for everyone including fun family attractions, exceptional beaches, and a variety of restaurants, discount hotels and sightseeing tours. Delve into Hawaii's history and visit traditional landmarks like the island's palaces, statues and churches, or visit Waikiki Beach and enjoy a variety of water sports available, including surfing, swimming, snorkeling, parasailing and bodyboarding.

Banana Bungalow Waikiki

Just a few steps from Waikiki, the Banana Bungalow is the closest hotel to the beach and many of Honolulu's attractions. It offers discount rooms and suites for travelers including multiple person dorm rooms, semi-private rooms and one-bedroom suites. The hotel's featured amenities include an Internet cafe, water sports activity rentals, laundry facilities, 24-hour front desk security, air conditioning, private patio's, color TV, and a convenient restaurant and deli right next to the beach. The Banana Bungalow staff also can book moped and car rentals for guests, as well as a variety of scenic tours of the Honolulu area.

Banana Bungalow Waikiki

2556 Lemon Road

Honolulu, HI 96815

808-923-9566

bananabungalow.com

Aloha Inns at Plumeria

This two-story, 85-room, apartment-style hotel is perfect for any visitor expecting to stay in the Honolulu area for a week or more. The Aloha Inns at Plumeria also is convenient for anyone who's making a move to Hawaii, and needs a place to live while they are getting settled in the area. The hotel is made up of three- to five-bedroom apartments, each with a shared bathroom and kitchen. Guests can expect to share their apartment with up to three to five other guests, but will have a lockable private bedroom in the apartment. Amenities of the hotel include all utilities paid, free Internet access, weekly housekeeping service, ceiling fans, a barbecue area, refrigerators and cable television.

Aloha Inns at Plumeria

1111 Piikoi St.

Honolulu, HI 96814

808-596-2080

alohainns.net

Waikiki Beachside Hostel

The Waikiki Beachside Hostel is the largest accommodation of its kind in all of Hawaii. This type of hotel is perfect for large groups vacationing together, and offers discount dorm rooms as well as private and semi-private suites. Super-saver specials at the Waikiki Beachside include a free seventh night upon booking a weekly stay, and free daily meal tickets good for one breakfast, lunch or dinner. Other free amenities the hotel offers include Internet access, local calls, coffee or tea, and hotel sponsored activities and rentals.

Waikiki Beachside Hostel

2556 Lemon Road

Honolulu, HI 96815

866-478-3888

waikikibeachsidehostel.com

The Big Surf Hotel

Locally-owned and operated since 1972, The Big Surf Hotel is the ideal discount hotel for families. Located in the heart of Waikiki, the hotel features 16 floors and 47 rooms, including small studio's, mountain-view studios for single or double occupancy, and ocean-view suites that can accommodate up to four people. All rooms of the hotel offer the following amenities including in-room coffeemakers and refrigerators, cable TV, daily housekeeping and smoke alarms. Select hotel rooms have either a terrace or balcony with ocean or mountain views. Nearby attractions guests can enjoy are Honolulu's Friday night fireworks display, which can be seen from the hotel's courtyard; Ala Moana Shopping Center; The Waikiki Aquarium; and the Honolulu Zoo.

The Big Surf Hotel

1690 Ala Moana Blvd.

Honolulu, HI 96815

808-946-6525

bigsurfhonolulu.com

Tags: Banana Bungalow, Waikiki Beachside, Aloha Inns, Aloha Inns Plumeria, Beachside Hostel, Honolulu 96815, Inns Plumeria

Adjust Computer System Fans

Computer fans are necessary to the overall life of your machine, as they remove damaging heat away from the vital components of your personal computer. While the speed of many computer fans cannot be adjusted by default, you can always change their speed settings using a commercially available fan controller. A fan controller can modulate the voltage sent to your fans, increasing or decreasing their speed to fit your needs.

Instructions

1. Purchase a fan speed controller from your local electronics store or online. You're likely to find better prices online, so order there if your need is not absolutely imminent. Good online sources include electronics retailers like Fry's (frys.com) or Newegg (newegg.com), or all-purpose retailers like Amazon (amazon.com).

2. Open your computer case to install the fan controller. Remove the two screws on the rightmost back side of your computer, then slide the side of the machine straight back before pulling it off to the side. If your computer uses screwless entry, consult your instruction manual for the proper method of operating the clasp.

3. Unplug your fans from their connection to the power supply, routing the connection through the ports on the back of the fan controller. The fan controller will act as an intermediary between the raw voltage coming from the power supply and the fans, modulating that voltage where necessary to adjust the performance and speed of your equipment.

4. Adjust the computer fan speed using the dials or buttons on the front of your chosen fan-speed controller. Don't let the fans run too slowly, as the computer could potentially overheat. Strive to find the appropriate balance between fan noise and cooling ability.

Tags: your computer, controller controller, power supply, retailers like, side your, side your computer, speed your

Calculate Board Feet For A Ceiling

Have a tape measure on hand when calculating square footage.

You can install a wood ceiling as a transition from a basic drywall ceiling in a remodel or when building a new home. The wood ceiling material ranges from an inch to a foot in width, depending on your needs. To install a wood ceiling in your home, you must first determine how much square footage of board you'll need to cover the entire area, using a tape measure and basic math skills.

Instructions

1. Measure the ceiling perpendicular to the wood course direction in inches, using a tape measure. Divide this number by the width of the board you're using to determine how many courses of board you'll need to span the entire ceiling.

2. Measure the length of the room in inches to determine how long each course of wood will be across the ceiling.

3. Multiply the board course length indicated in Step 2 by the number of courses of wood determined in Step 1 to calculate the total inches of wood you'll need to cover the entire ceiling.

4. Divide the total inches of wood determined in Step 3 by 12, which is the number of inches in a foot, to determine how many feet of wood you'll need to cover the entire ceiling.

Tags: cover entire, entire ceiling, need cover, need cover entire, tape measure, wood ceiling, board need

Set Ceiling Fan Direction For Winter

Set Ceiling Fan Direction for Winter

Most people think of ceiling fans as a way cool rooms during the hot summer season. However, ceiling fans can be just as useful during winter months. By changing the direction of your ceiling fan's rotation, you can direct the blades to force cooler air upward, towards the ceiling. This will displace the warm air that naturally rises, forcing it down into your living space. While the heating properties of a ceiling fan aren't likely to offset the need for a conventional heating system, it can reduce your dependence on heaters and lower your energy bill.

Instructions

1. Turn off your ceiling fan. You can accomplish this by pulling the string located on the fan or by using a remote control device. You should also flip the fan's wall switch to the "off" position.

2. Wait for the ceiling fan's blades to stop turning. For safety's sake, you don't want to try reaching your hand towards the ceiling fan while it's still in operation.

3. Find a ladder, step stool or chair that you can use to stand on while you're changing the direction of your fan's blades. Make sure to use something that's structurally sound and safe. Whatever you use, make sure that it's tall enough for you to see the ceiling fan's body completely.

4. Search the ceiling fan's cylindrical body for a small toggle switch. On most brands of ceiling fans, this switch will be no more than 1 to 2 inches long and will be vertically oriented. Most toggle switches are made from black plastic, making them easy to locate against a ceiling fan's lightly colored body.

5. Set the ceiling fan's toggle switch in the opposite direction. It should click firmly into place.

6. Dismount your step stool. Move it aside so that you have enough space to stand directly beneath your fan.

7. Turn on your ceiling fan again. Pull the string and flip the wall switch.

8. Pay attention to the direction in which the fan blades begin to spin. During winter months, the fan blades should turn in a clockwise direction.

9. Double-check your results by testing for a breeze. Once your fan is set correctly for winter, you should not be able to feel a breeze from directly beneath the fan.

Tags: ceiling fans, your ceiling, Ceiling Direction, Ceiling Direction Winter, changing direction

What Is The Easiest Way To Get Rid Of A Popcorn Ceiling

Popcorn ceiling

Removing a popcorn ceiling is an easy process and requires very few tools. However, proceed with caution. Popcorn ceilings were popular from the late 1950s to the early 1980s. They were cheaper and required less labor than applying texture and paint; but in 1978, the Environmental Protection Agency banned the product due to its asbestos content. Their popularity faded drastically among residential homes, although contractors continue using asbestos-free popcorn ceilings, also known as acoustic ceilings, which are often seen in apartment complexes.

Instructions

1. Take a sample of the ceiling. Find an area in the corner of a secluded room in which to remove a small sample for examination. Follow the listed process for popcorn ceiling removal and drop it into a sealable plastic baggie. Mail the sample to a testing facility for examination and wait for the results. Testing facilities inspect samples beginning at around $20.

2. Continue with the popcorn ceiling removal if the results come back showing no asbestos content. If the results show asbestos content, contact an abatement contractor for proper removal and disposal. Several paint and commercial contractors offer this service.

3. Soaking the ceiling reduces clean-up

Cover the flooring with a plastic drop cloth. Tape the edges to the walls to reduce the mess. Fill a squirt bottle with warm water and a mild liquid detergent. Shake well and begin to squirt down the ceiling using a wide spray. Allow ten minutes for the popcorn ceiling to absorb the water solution. Saturating the ceiling will have an adverse effect on the process, so apply in sections at a time.

4. Use a putty/joint knife with a 6-inch blade

Protect yourself with long-sleeved clothing, eye protection, and a paper mask. Use a sturdy ladder for climbing. Climb the ladder and place the putty knife at a 15-degree angle to the ceiling and scrape away the popcorn ceiling from the drywall. It will come off in sheets as it falls to the floor. Use long, continuous strokes and avoid short, choppy strokes. Be sure not to gouge holes into the drywall.

5. Clean up and properly dispose of the old ceiling. Check with local ordinances if conditions apply. Circulate air into the room and onto the ceiling so that moisture does not seep into the drywall and cause mold.

Tags: asbestos content, popcorn ceiling, ceiling removal, into drywall, popcorn ceiling, popcorn ceiling removal

Make Beaded Fan Pulls

A beautiful, beaded fan pull not only makes the air current regulation in the house accessible to veritically challenged family members but also adds charm and character to a room. You can make a beautiful, one-of-a-kind beaded fan pull using old items of jewelry, fun charms off key chains or just letting your creativity run wild with beads. All you need is a fan, and your imagination will do the rest.

Instructions

1. Cut off a length of jewelry wire for your fan pull. To determine how much wire you need, decide how long you want your fan pull to be. Usually, this will be about six inches to make the fan accessible. Don't create an obstacle that will hit taller members of the room in the head. Double the length you want, and add two inches to allow for extra slack while you are tying knots.

2. Tie the large charm or bead in the middle of the length of wire. Use a double knot. This means that you will tie the two ends of the length of wire over the charm or bead as if you were tying your shoe. Instead of finishing off with two "bunny ears" and a bow, however, repeat the initial step to create a solid double knot.

3. Thread the rest of the beads over both ends of the jewelry wire. You can create a pretty pattern, or just string the beads randomly. Punctuating the larger beads with the smaller crystal beads creates a light-catching, sparkling effect. Stop when there is about an inch of jewelry wire left at the end of the fan pull.

4. Attach the fan pull to the ball-end of the ball-chain eclosure. Wrap the ends of the wire around the bottom ball of the ball-chain enclosure twice, then finish off with a double knot. Secure the knot with a drop of craft glue to make sure it doesn't slip, and let the glue set for 20 minutes. The enclosure end of the ball-chain enclosure will attach to the end of the existing fan pull and hold the beaded fan pull in place.

5. Trim off the ends of the jewelry wire. Cut off any extra jewelry wire using the wire cutters. Now you are ready to customize any fan in your house.

Tags: jewelry wire, beaded pull, double knot, ball-chain enclosure, charm bead

Grid Ceiling Clips For Hanging Plants

Use clips to hang plants from grid ceilings.

Hanging plants frees up space on tables and windowsills and adds color to the upper half of a room. While home gardeners frequently screw hooks into ceiling beams to support hanging baskets, this is dangerous or impossible in drop ceilings, where metal or wooden grids support thin ceiling panels. You can use special ceiling grid clips to hang plants in a room with a drop ceiling.

Instructions

1. Select an appropriate location for your plant according to its sunlight needs. If your plant needs full sun, for example, select a ceiling area near a south-facing window.

2. Snap the clip around one of the ceiling grid's visible metal or wood bars. Depending on your specific clip, you can pull the clip's prongs apart or push in metal detents to open the prongs, then release the clip once you fit it around a bar.

3. Hang your basket's hook to the clip. The clip will have a pre-drilled hole or built-in metal loop for easy hanging.

Tags: ceiling grid, clips hang, clips hang plants, hang plants, your plant

Make Unique Fan Pulls

Make Unique Fan Pulls

Let's face it, standard fan pulls can be pretty boring. However, with just a little innovation and less than an hour of your time you can create fan pulls that reflect your personality and style. You can choose whimsical fan pulls or create sentimental pulls that tug at your heart strings as well as the fan. Whatever route you choose to take, the fan pulls that you design will be anything but boring.

Instructions

1. Retrieve your discarded jewelry and put it to use. Dangle charms, baubles, large earrings, and broaches from your fan string. Knot a loop at the end of the fan pull. Attach the jewelry using the clasps that come with each piece. Dab a single drop of hot glue on the ends of pins or sharp points.

2. Interchange ornaments that reflect various holidays. Using the knotted loop, hang your favorite Christmas ornaments from the fan string in the winter. Hang four-leaf clover pins from it in March. Snap two halves of a plastic Easter egg over the end of the string for a large and fun fan pull. Be sure to form a knot at the end so that the egg doesn't slide off every time you pull it.

3. Turn your collection of trinkets into fan pulls. Loop the fan chain through large colorful buttons or cuff links. Hot glue your favorite kids' meal toys to the end of the chain for a truly funky fan pull that will entertain as well as provide practical uses. You can hang bells by tying a knot tightly around the handle. To keep the bells from hanging at an angle, you can hot-glue them in place, but allowing a slight tilt will keep them intact.

4. Put your favorite wallet size pictures of all those nieces and nephews in small acrylic frames. Place the string from the fan in the top end of the frame and place a single dab of hot glue to hold the frame in place. Use two pictures per frame.

5. Turn your nursery decorations into practical but unique fan pulls. Tie rattles from the ends of the fan or use baby hair brushes instead. Teething rings are also easy to hang. Screw bottle lids tightly over the string or loop the chain around the pacifier ring for delightful fan pulls.

Tags: pulls that, your favorite, frame place, Make Unique, Make Unique Pulls, over string

Reset My Ceiling Fan Remote

Your ceiling fan remote control is actually a small radio transmitter that sends a signal to the fan to control its function. To work properly, the ceiling fan and its remote control must be set to the same frequency. Whether you have purchased a new remote control or are switching to a "universal"-type that can control multiple appliances, you must set the control to match the ceiling fan. This easy procedure will quickly have the cool air flowing again.

Instructions

1. Access the ceiling fan motor housing and record the two-, three- or four-digit dip switch setting. The dip switch panel is typically located on one side of the motor housing toward the top of the motor out of sight from the floor.

2. Remove the battery cover from the back side of the remote control. The cover is usually removed using a thumb-slide toward the base end or prying the cover with a coin or screwdriver tip to unsnap the cover and reveal the battery compartment.

3. Remove the remote control's battery or batteries, if necessary, to access the remote's dip switch panel.

4. Shift the remote control's dip switch setting to match the ceiling fan's setting determined in Step 1.

5. Replace the remote control's battery or batteries, if removal was necessary. Reinstall the battery cover and test the function buttons on the remote control for proper response by the ceiling fan.

Tags: remote control, battery batteries, battery cover, ceiling remote, ceiling remote control, control battery, control battery batteries

Use A Universal Remote For My Ceiling Fan

Operating by remote can add convenience to the functionality of ceiling fans.

Remote-operated ceiling fans can be a way of avoiding the trouble of turning your fan on and off and adjusting its settings by hand. Typically, ceiling fan manufacturers include remote controls along with their remote-controlled ceiling fans, but if you misplace or break your remote, purchasing and programming a universal ceiling fan remote can also work.

Universal Remotes

Numerous manufacturers offer universal remotes to replace ones that no longer operate a ceiling fan for one reason or another. Most offer full functionality, including turning the fan and light on and off, adjusting the speed and adjusting the direction of the fan blades. Most also have limited range, but since you will most likely need to adjust a ceiling fan only when you're in the same room as the fan, this isn't much of a drawback.

Dip Switch Programming

Remote controls and ceiling fans operate by way of a series of dip switches, tiny switches that are placed in either an up or down position. Your remote won't be able to control your fan unless each dip switch on the fan and the remote are placed in the correct positions. Just as if your purchase a universal remote for your TV, when you purchase a new universal remote for your ceiling fan it will come with instructions that guide you through programming the remote to the fan via dip switches.

Incompatible Fans

Fans that were not built to be controlled by a remote control to begin with can be converted to have remote control functionality. All you need do is purchase a remote control and receiver adapter kit and install it on the remote. Sometimes, it's more economically viable to simply purchase a ceiling fan that you can operate by remote out of the box. Alternatively, some manufacturers offer standard ceiling fans that you can operated by a pull-chain, and fans with remote receivers added at an extra cost that you can operate by a pull-chain or a remote.

Other Considerations

Obvious as it may seem, you can resolve many ceiling fan remote issues by either replacing the batteries or reprogramming the dip switches on the fan and remote. If your remote fails to operate your ceiling fan, then check the troubleshooting steps listed in the documentation that came with your remote if you still have it, or contact the manufacturer's customer support line if you don't. Take a few minutes to fix the remote on your own rather than risk spending time and money on replacing a remote that you didn't need to replace.

Tags: ceiling fans, remote your, remote control, ceiling remote, manufacturers offer, purchase universal

Install A Ceiling Fan That Includes A Light Kit

The lighting on a ceiling fan is fed by a separate wire.

Ceiling fan installation is simpler today that it once was, thanks to modern kits that cater to do-it-yourself homeowners. In most cases, you can install a fan unit in place of an existing ceiling light in an hour. Many kits include lights as part of the fan unit, controlled by a separate pull switch on the unit, with all of it controlled by the wall switch connected to the original fixture. You generally don’t have to do anything special to hook up the light except to tie one extra wire into the connection.

Instructions

1. Cut power to the room at the fuse box.

2. Remove the existing ceiling fixture, unscrewing the screws around the base, pulling it straight down, and disconnecting the wire behind it. You will be left with an exposed ceiling electrical box with wires hanging down from it.

3. Attach the mounting bracket from your kit to the electrical box, using the provided machine screws and lining up the screw holes on the bracket with the screw holes in the face of the box.

4. Assemble the fan motor housing and light on the floor, if necessary, according to the instructions that came with the kit. Don’t attach the blades. Take the housing to the top of the ladder, and connect the white wire from the housing to the white wire from the box. Wrap a piece of electrical tape around the connection to seal it. Connect the black wire from the box to the two remaining wires from the housing, which will be either two black wires or one black and one blue. (The extra wire is for the light.) All three of the wire ends should be in one wire nut. Wrap it in electrical tape.

5. Connect the copper grounding wire from the ceiling box to the green grounding screw in the fan housing, twisting it around the screw and tightening.

6. Hold the fan housing up to the electrical box, pushing the wires and wire nuts into the box. Turn the housing so the screw holes in the housing line up with the screw holes on the mounting bracket. Insert the screws that came with the kit.

7. Put a light bulb in the socket. Turn on the power and test the bulb at the wall switch. (Note: If it doesn’t go on immediately, pull the light cord to see if it was turned off at the housing.) Test the fan motor as well. If everything works, attach the fan blades using the screws and washers provided in the kit.

Tags: screw holes, wire from, attach blades, came with, electrical tape, existing ceiling