Is Spray Foam Insulation Better Installed In A Ceiling Or Under A Roof

Attics with insulated roof decks benefit from tightly sealed gable windows.

Spray foam insulation is an effective choice for insulated roof decks and traditional insulated ceilings. The main difference between these two types of insulation is how they control the flow of air in an attic. Insulated roof decks are designed to create a warm, conditioned space in the attic, and insulated ceilings are not. Although an insulated roof deck eliminates a number of issues, it is generally more expensive than installing spray foam insulation above a ceiling.

Sealed Ceilings

Most homes have insulation applied above the ceiling to create an envelope that traps conditioned air inside the living areas of the home. Spray foam insulation applied above the ceiling plugs air leaks between the attic and the living areas, and it completely fills irregularly shaped sections of the attic. Unlike loose-fill insulation, sprayed foam does not shift easily and will not block vents or leave sections of ceiling bare.

Insulated Roof Decks

Insulated roof decks are sealed against outside air and typically have fewer moisture problems than attics with an insulated ceiling. An insulated roof deck eliminates the need to install vents and their associated hardware in the roof. Insulated ceilings are often difficult to seal due to gaps around wiring, ducts, fixtures and pipes penetrating drywall. Using an insulated roof deck eliminates the need to locate and seal those gaps. If you decide to insulate your roof deck, however, then the attic gables also must be insulated.

Cost

Spray foam insulation requires professional installation to ensure an even distribution of the product throughout the attic. Spray foam installed on the underside of the roof deck generally costs more due to the larger surface area of the roof deck and gables compared to the ceiling. If your home has air ducts or an air handler in the attic, an insulated roof deck will reduce the amount of energy lost from those systems and increase your home's energy efficiency. The need to heat and cool the additional space in the attic, however, somewhat offsets those gains.

Considerations

Insulated ceilings require 1 square foot of ventilation for every 150 feet of floor space in an attic. If the insulation has a vapor barrier, then the attic requires only 1 square foot of vent per 300 feet of floor space. The ventilation is designed to control the amount of moisture in the attic and cool the home during summer. Insulated roof decks do not require ventilation but do require regular maintenance to ensure that damage from weather, animals and insects does not penetrate the air barrier in the attic.

Tags: roof deck, foam insulation, insulated roof deck, above ceiling, deck eliminates, Insulated roof decks, roof deck eliminates

Repair An Existing Tin Ceiling

Tin ceilings were commonly installed in homes that were built from the late 1800s to about the 1930s. Using tin was cheaper than plaster or wood paneling during this time. This type of ceiling was also installed to prevent plaster from falling off the ceiling, a common problem that still occurs today. You can repair an existing tin ceiling by first determining the condition of the ceiling and the tin paneling.

Instructions

1. Search the entire ceiling to see if there are any small holes or areas of damage that will need to be repaired or replaced. Small holes in tin ceiling tiles can indicate rust spots.

2. Remove loose paint from the tin ceiling panels using a wire brush or a wire brush attachment for a power drill. Lightly apply pressure to the tiles so just the loose paint will come off the tile. You do not want to scratch or ruin the pattern of the tile.

3. Remove rust spots that will prevent paint from adhering to the tin panel. Lightly sand the rust spots using sandpaper or steel wool.

4. Apply silicone caulk to seal any small holes in the tile. Run your finger over the caulk to smooth is out over the hole.

5. Remove damaged tin panels by pulling out the nails securing the panels to the ceiling, using a pry bar or a tack puller.

6. Apply a coat of primer to the new tin panel with a paint brush or roller and let it dry for about an hour.

7. Attach the new tin ceiling panel to the ceiling using finishing nails.

8. Apply a new coat of paint to the ceiling tile with a paint brush or roller to complete the project.

Tags: rust spots, Apply coat, brush roller, ceiling using, loose paint, paint brush

Clean Lights In A Vaulted Ceiling

Don't overlook high lights in a vaulted ceiling.

A vaulted ceiling is dramatic. It also places any lights installed in it out of your direct reach when you need to clean them. Even though it takes a little extra effort to clean the higher lights in a vaulted ceiling, make sure you do it regularly. Just what specific method you use to clean the lights depends on how high the ceiling and lights are. Keep safety as your main concern, and remember to adequately protect yourself from any risky or uncomfortable situations while you clean.

Instructions

1. Turn off the lights in the vaulted ceiling that you intend to clean. Turn on another source of light inside the room, if necessary.

2. Slide any furniture from directly beneath the ceiling light, and lay a drop cloth on the floor underneath the light, to catch any falling dust. Position a step ladder on top of the drop cloth.

3. Put on rubber gloves. Dip a sponge in a bucket of soapy water, squeeze excess water out of it and climb the ladder. Stand securely on the ladder as you dust the light fixture with a feather duster. Wipe the light fixture with the sponge, and dry it with a clean rag. Carefully descend the ladder.

4. Thread a duster attachment onto a telescoping cleaning pole, if the ceiling lights are too high for you to comfortably clean on a ladder. Extend the cleaning pole to the length you need to reach the ceiling lights.

5. Stand underneath the vaulted ceiling lights, reaching up with the telescoping cleaning pole to clean off the lights with the duster attachment. Grip the pole with both hands to make sure you have control over it.

Tags: vaulted ceiling, ceiling lights, cleaning pole, lights vaulted ceiling, clean lights

Installing Ceiling Fans

You can find ceiling fans in most homes.

Installing ceiling fans is a good way to increase airflow in a room. In many cases, ceiling fans can also add a decorative touch to the room and can serve as a focal point. However, there are many things to examine before you opt to place a ceiling fan in any room in your home.

Permits

Check with your local building inspector or permit office to determine if you need a permit to wire a ceiling fan. In most areas, even if you are the homeowner and are installing the fan yourself, you will need a permit and possibly an inspection after the installation. Installing any permanent electrical appliance without a required permit can result in fines from the permit office.

Room Size to Fan Size Ratio

Installing a 54-inch fan in a 75-square foot room is overkill and will provide a very windy experience for inhabitants of the room. Energy Star.gov has a good guide to help you pick the ceiling fan to fit your room. To determine square footage, measure the width and the length of your room and multiply the numbers together. For example, a 12-by-12-foot room is 144 square feet and requires a ceiling fan that measures 44 inches wide.

Head Room

If you plan to use a ceiling fan in your room, measure the height of the ceiling to ensure the bottom edge of the fan blades are at least 7 feet off the ground. Installing between 8 to 9 feet will ensure maximum efficiency with the ceiling fan. Also check with your local building inspector or permit office to determine if your area has any codes that specify additional clearance needs.

Multi-directional Fans

Multi-directional fans give you the ability to run the fan in the normal operating direction in the summer to push air down and to create a cooling airstream. However, in the winter you can use the fan in reverse to create an updraft that circulates warm air around the room without creating a cooling effect. Not all fans come with this feature.

Tags: ceiling fans, permit office, your room, building inspector, building inspector permit, ceiling your

Cheap Way To Tile Ceiling

Cheap Way to Tile Ceiling

When it comes to installing ceiling tiles in your house, you will find it can be a great way to make your room brighter. Besides, it provides a new, fresh look and is available in variety of colors, styles and materials.

Drop Ceiling

Drop ceilings are a popular, relatively cheap ceiling that hangs about one foot from the ceiling. A drop ceiling is convenient as it has ability to install piping, wiring or recessed lights above the tiles.

Wood Tiles

Wood tiles simulate a wood grain appearance. They are made from plastic and are can be an inexpensive solution to ceiling tile.

Plastic Tiles

Plastic ceiling tiles are easy to find at a tile store or home improvement outlet. They usually are inexpensive and available in different colors and patterns.

Tags: ceiling tiles, Cheap Tile, Cheap Tile Ceiling, Tile Ceiling

Oil Rubbed Bronze Vs Brushed Nickel

Brushed nickel and oil-rubbed bronze finishes are gaining in popularity.

The choices available in fixture finishes is growing. Chrome is still a highly popular choice, but brushed nickel and oil-rubbed bronze have gained favor. These two finish choices are not trendy, they make a statement about the homeowner and the home, adding style and sophistication to any room.

History

Early water lines were made from terra-cotta.

Bringing water into a dwelling from the outside has been in existence since earliest times. The oldest to be discovered dates to 1700 BC, when terra-cotta piping was used on the isle of Crete. From 1000 BC to 476 AD, the Roman public baths used silver faucets. Nickel was the preferred finish from the 1880s until 1930, when chrome was introduced. Nickel was susceptible to tarnish and was hard to maintain without a protective coating. Early in the 21st century, many finishes, including brushed nickel and oil-rubbed bronze, are available and being used for everything from ceiling fans to plumbing fixtures to switch plates.

Oil-rubbed Bronze

During the Bronze Age, man made great strides in the creation of tools.

Bronze is an alloy of copper and tin. Copper was one of the earliest metals that man was able to work with. During the Bronze Age, man made great strides in tool manufacturing, as bronze was easier to work with than copper and was harder when cooled. Oil-rubbed bronze is a cast bronze product, which is hand-rubbed with oil, as the name implies, to give bronze a warm and inviting finish. It's available in a light or dark finish and provides a patina of an opaque brown color. The flat finish hides fingerprints while giving the look of a distressed finish. Bronze is a weather-resistant alloy that requires little care.

Brushed Nickel

Brushed nickel gives a matte finish to the product.

Nickel was discovered in 1751. It is rarely used in its pure form, and is often mixed with copper and zinc. It is resistant to corrosion and tarnish, if properly protected. Nickel that has been brushed produces a matte finish that hides scratches, fingerprints and water spots.

Benefits

Brushed nickel and oil-rubbed bronze resist water spots.

Oil-rubbed bronze and brushed nickel have a distinct advantage over chrome, because they resist water spots, fingerprints and scratches. They are low-maintenance, corrosion-resistant fixtures that add an element of beauty to any room in the home.

Cost

The cost of oil-rubbed bronze, brushed nickel and chrome are very much the same. Chrome is available in a builder-grade style, as of July 2010, ranging from $25 to $49 for a bathroom sink faucet, but most better-grade styles cost about $165. A similar faucet in oil-rubbed bronze is $138. In brushed nickel, it's about $159.

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Drop Ceiling Tile Options

If your ceiling is looking the worse for wear, install drop ceiling tiles to cover it up. Unlike the ceiling tiles of the 1960s and 1970s, today drop ceiling tiles come in a wide variety of popular styles that can help give your room a makeover you'll love for years to come.

Keep It Basic

If the room you're renovating is a simple storage space and you don't care what the ceiling looks like, install basic commercial drop ceiling tiles to create your ceiling. Commercial drop ceiling tiles are one of the most inexpensive ceiling tile options, but commercial ceiling tiles are the white, fissured ceiling tiles you remember from years past.

Go Classic

If you're looking for a ceiling tile to give your home a classic look, go with textured white ceiling tiles. Drop ceiling tile manufacturers such as Armstrong offer a wide variety of textured ceiling tiles from basic styles that look like an eggshell paint finish to more detailed stucco-looking styles. If classic white isn't for you, cover a basic, inexpensive fissure tile with a fabric you love to create the look you want. Mix and match to make a patchwork quilt effect.

Get Historic

Give your home a touch of historic flair by purchasing tin or tin-look drop ceiling tiles. More inexpensive than actual tin ceiling tiles, tin-look ceiling tiles are usually plastic and come in a wide range of styles and decorative patterns, including circles, fans, squares and raised panels. For a true historic look, check out antique malls and salvage spots for old tin ceiling squares or tiles. Depending on the size and condition of the tile, some old tiles may fit into modern grids.

Tags: ceiling tiles, drop ceiling tiles, ceiling tile, come wide, drop ceiling

Decorate A Ceiling For A Wedding

Decorate a Ceiling for a Wedding

A beautiful way to decorate a ceiling for a wedding is to create a balloon canopy. Depending on the size of the room and the height of the ceiling, this may be challenging, and you may want to talk to a professional. However, it is possible to do on your own. Creating a balloon canopy is time consuming and may require help from multiple people. The canopy described below is one you can make without using helium, which greatly reduces the price.

Instructions

Decorate a Ceiling for a Wedding

1. Hang the one large round balloon in the center of the room. The easiest way to hang it will be to put an eye hook in the ceiling and use fishing line to tie the knot of the balloon to the eye hook.

2. Measure out eight pieces of fishing line. You'll need four pieces to run from the center balloon to each of the four corners of the room and four pieces long enough to run from the center balloon to each of the four sides of the room.

3. Inflate your 18" round balloons. Tie the balloons to the fishing line so that the widest parts of the balloons are touching each other. Continue doing this until the balloons cover the entire length of the fishing line. If you are using two or more colors, make sure you alternate the colors when you attach them to the line.

4. Attach one end of the fishing line to the ceiling in the center of the room, directly above the center balloon, and then attach the other end of the fishing line to the ceiling at the corner of the room.

5. Repeat step four until all eight of your fishing lines are full of balloons and attached to the ceiling. Much the way you did with the center balloon, use eye hooks to attach the fishing line to the ceiling if you can.

Tags: fishing line, center balloon, Ceiling Wedding, Decorate Ceiling Wedding, fishing line ceiling, line ceiling

Fit Pvc Ceilings

PVC ceilings offer a simple and attractive solution to ceiling and wall treatment. The material comes in a wide variety of colors and styles and can be applied to almost any ceiling. The material can be installed quickly and the job completed by individuals with very little experience.

Instructions

1. Ensure that the ceiling surface is clean and flat. Use sandpaper if required.

2. Measure the size of the roof using a tape measure to determine the length of PVC ceiling boards needed. Cut with a saw to required length.

3. Place the first PVC ceiling board on the roof, running parallel to the starting wall.

4. Mark on the wall the locations where screws will be required to hold the board to the ceiling, using a pencil. These locations should already have been cut out of the PVC at appropriate distances. Other methods can be used to attach the boards to the ceiling, including glue and staple guns, however a screw-in system is best for a ceiling.

5. Remove the board from the ceiling and insert screw plugs using drill.

6. Place the first PVC ceiling board on the ceiling and insert the screws.

7. Attach another piece of PVC ceiling board, interlocking with the previous piece. Secure each board with screws.

8. Repeat Step 7 until the entire ceiling has been covered. Cut the final board to ensure a tight fit to edge of ceiling.

9. Attach two-piece edge covering. Mark on the boards and wall the locations where screws will be required to hold the board in place. Hold in place and insert screws. Ensure screws are not too tight, as this may damage the PVC board. Repeat on all wall sides.

Tags: ceiling board, board ceiling, ceiling insert, first ceiling, first ceiling board, hold board, insert screws

Wire Two Ceiling Fans On The Same Circuit

Wire Two Ceiling Fans on the Same Circuit

Ceiling fans are an attractive and cost-effective addition to any heating and cooling plan. The diameter of a fan's blades determine how effective it is in circulating air; the largest fan can handle up to 400 square feet. If your room is larger than this, you can add more than one fan to a circuit and control them with a single switch. This article assumes that you will be adding a new circuit to your building.

Instructions

Planning the Circuit

1. Plan the circuit for the fans. Do not exceed more than 1,440 watts on a 15-amp circuit or 1,920 watts on a 20-amp circuit. Check the fans to see that their wattages fit within these parameters.

2. Check the amperage rating on your breaker box to make sure your home power supply can handle the additional circuit. You can determine this by calculating the total number of amps your home draws and comparing it to the rating on your service panel.

3. Buy cable appropriate for the type of circuit. A 20-amp circuit requires 12-gauge cable, while a 15-amp circuit requires cable no smaller than 14-gauge.

4. Kill the power to the service panel and add the new circuit by attaching the black (hot) wire to the circuit breaker and the white (neutral) wire to the neutral bus bar. Snap the breaker into place.

5. Run the cable as straight as possible to the room where you will be installing the fan.

Hanging the Fans

6. Cut the openings in the wall and ceiling where you will be placing the switch and fans. Cut another, smaller opening directly above the switch where the wall and ceiling meet to make threading the wire from the switch to the fans easier. The ceiling holes should be about 6 inches in diameter and each should be centered between two ceiling joists.

7. Attach the switch box to the wall. Switch junction boxes do not need to be attached to wall studs and can be affixed directly to drywall or plastic.

8. Hang each fan's brace bar, fastening it to the ceiling joists. Attach a junction box to the bar.

9. Run the electrical cable from the service panel to the switch box. Connect the black (hot) wire to one of the brass screws on the switch.

10. Run cable from the switch to the first fan junction box. Attach the black wire from this cable to the empty brass screw on the switch. Connect the two white wires.

11. Run cable from the first fan to the second. At the first junction box, attach the black wire coming from the switch to the black wire leading to the first fan and to the black wire leading to the second fan. At the first junction box, attach the white wires together.

12. Connect the black and white wires at the second junction box to the fan.

13. Attach the fans to the brace bar according to the manufacturer's instructions.

Tags: black wire, cable from, first junction, from switch, service panel

Hang A Suspended Ceiling

Installing a suspended ceiling

Suspended ceilings are a popular choice for homeowners who are remodeling or adding living space. They're inexpensive, relatively easy to install and provide a clean, finished look. With a little bit of care and planning, you can install a suspended ceiling that will look like a pro put it up.

Instructions

1. Make careful measurements of the area where you'll be installing the suspended ceiling, then sketch out the area on a sheet of graph paper. Make a few copies of this so you can experiment with different tile layouts.

2. Decide whether you want to use 2-by-4 foot ceiling tiles or 2-by-2 foot tiles. Then sketch out the pattern for your ceiling tiles on the graph paper. If you'll be installing light fixtures, note where those are on your sketches.

3. Install the wall angles once you've settled on a design and decided on the height of the ceiling. These provide the outer framework of the grid that holds up the panels and hardware. Measure carefully before installing these, and use a level to ensure that your ceiling is level. Use proper hardware for the type of wall you're installing into.

4. Install and space the main tees, or crosspieces, once the wall angles are installed. These are suspended from the ceiling joists by wires. Drive nails or screws into the joists above the ceiling, then suspend wire from each nail or screw. Lay out your main tees to span the room, securing them with wire. Level the main tees and tighten the wire connections to each tee so that they are secure.

5. Lay out, space and secure the crosspieces. Once these are in place, simply slip in each ceiling tile. Carefully measure and cut ceiling tiles that are smaller than standard size.

Tags: ceiling tiles, main tees, ceiling then, graph paper, suspended ceiling, wall angles, your ceiling

Hide Electrical Boxes In Ceilings

If you have an old electrical box in your ceiling that you no longer use, you probably want to patch the area to hide the box. This is a simple project for any homeowner and does not require any knowledge about drywall. A mesh patch kit works well for this project. Purchase one of these kits from your local hardware store.

Instructions

1. Turn off power to the electrical box from the power supply source. Set up a ladder underneath the electrical box. Use a circuit tester to ensure that no power is being supplied to the electrical wires.

2. Back out the screws securing the light fixture or electrical outlet to the electrical box. Remove the wire nuts that secure the electrical wires' connection. Locate where the wiring for the electrical box starts. Pull the wires back to their starting point and disconnect them. Throw the wires away.

3. Wipe the ceiling surrounding the electrical box with a damp paper towel to clean off all the dust and dirt. Allow the area to completely dry.

4. Test the mesh patch over the hole. You need to use a patch that extends at least one inch past the hole on all four sides. Peel the paper backing off the mesh patch. Center the patch over the hole and press it onto the ceiling.

5. Scoop up some drywall compound with a 4-inch putty knife. Spread the compound over the mesh patch and two to three inches beyond it. Aim to make the compound as smooth and even as possible. Wait two to three hours for the compound to dry.

6. Repeat Step 5 to apply a second layer of joint compound over the first layer. Allow the second layer to dry. Use a sanding sponge to smooth any ridges out of the compound and to blend the patched area into the surrounding ceiling.

7. Prime the patched area with an interior latex primer. Wait about one hour for the primer to dry before you paint the patched area to match the surrounding ceiling.

Tags: mesh patch, patched area, compound over, electrical wires, over hole, patch over

Remove A Painted Stomp Textured Ceiling

Sanding off ceiling texture generates lots of dust.

Ceiling texture adds a subtle design element and conceals small drywall taping discrepancies. A stomp texture is made by rolling thinned joint compound on the ceiling, and then tamping the wet texture with a slap brush. Once you paint the ceiling, however, it's nearly impossible to repair small areas of texture without creating a "patched" look. Fortunately, it's not difficult to remove the old texture, but it's a dusty job if you sand it off and a messy job if you scrape it off.

Instructions

Sanding

1. Sand the old texture with a drywall power sander that has an attached dust collection bag. Even with the bag, removing the texture will disperse clouds of drywall dust in the room.

2. Move the power sander from side to side, sanding in swaths about 4 feet wide, from one end of the ceiling to the other, and then back again. After a few seconds, you may not be able to see the ceiling clearly due to the dust in the air.

3. Change or empty the dust collection bag frequently. The bag holds a small amount of drywall dust generated from sanding newly taped seams, so the large amount of dust generated by sanding a textured ceiling will fill the bag quickly.

4. Let the dust settle after you make a sanding pass over the entire ceiling, and re-sand areas you might have missed.

Scraping

5. Fill a pump sprayer with warm water, and spray a 3-foot area, just enough to dampen the ceiling. The texture will quickly absorb the water.

6. Wait five minutes, and then use the pole scraper to see if the compound is loose. Depending upon the thickness of the texture and the type of paint on the ceiling, the old texture might come right off -- or it might not budge.

7. Spray the section again, and wait five more minutes before testing the texture. Once the texture begins to come away easily, follow the same procedure of wetting and scraping on the rest of the ceiling. If the texture resists scraping after wetting it thoroughly, you'll have to sand it off.

8. Let the ceiling dry completely, and sand it with a drywall sander before applying new texture.

Tags: ceiling texture, drywall dust, dust collection, dust generated, paint ceiling, power sander

Decorate A Room Around A New Orleans Style Ceiling Fan

Bold and fancy styles will help you capture the New Orleans spirit.

In a city with weather as hot as New Orleans, a ceiling fan is a common fixture in many homes. Whether you live in the Big Easy or not, using a New Orleans style ceiling fan, with its French-inspired ornate metal scrolls, is a great inspiration piece for your home decor. With a splash of color and the right furnishings and accessories, your home will capture the charm of this historic city.

Instructions

1. Paint your walls with bold colors. Rich jewel tones look spectacular in a New Orleans style home. If you cannot paint the walls, disguise them with bold color tapestries and draperies.

2. Purchase French style furnishings, as New Orleans is still heavily influenced by its original French settlers. Use antique 18th and 19th century French furnishings with ornamental carvings and elegant style, or use imitations or French-inspired pieces.

3. Use fabrics to incorporate more color and elegance into the room. Fine, delicate fabrics such as striped silks and toile prints fit the tone, and can be used to integrate patterns into the decor.

4. Cover the floors with decorative area rugs featuring floral patterns and scrolling designs. Use lush throw pillows and window treatments featuring gold fringe and tassels to imbue a formal, regal atmosphere.

5. Look for imperfect but grand accessories such as stately framed mirrors, brass picture frames with a bit of patina, hand blown glass lamps or a fleur de lis decorative plate with a wrought iron stand.

6. Use folk art and accessories with unique New Orleans style. For example, hang mardi gras beads on a room screen, or feathery masks on the wall. Make a voodoo doll collection on a shelf, or hang paintings of quaint French quarter cafes.

Tags: Orleans style, with bold, your home

Control Roof Leaks

Treat a leaking roof as an emergency, because it can wreak havoc in your house in a very short time. Attend to any signs of a roof leak, such as water entry, stains or mold, immediately to limit damage. Locate the leak from inside and then take steps to control the damage until you can have a suitable outside inspection and repair done.

Instructions

1. The first and perhaps most obvious place to look for a roof leak is directly above the leak in a ceiling or exterior wall. Use a flashlight to inspect the attic floor over the leak while it's raining. Look for standing water, water stains, mold, wet insulation or other exposed insulation.

2. Examine the underside of the roof for wetness or mold around points of penetration (plumbing vents, chimneys), wherever different roof planes intersect (valleys) and near dormers. These symptoms indicate holes in the flashing or faulty flashing installation.

3. A leak away from such locations suggests a problem in the roofing material. Keep in mind that water may travel sideways before passing through a joint in the roof sheathing, and may travel in a horizontal joint before falling on the floor or ceiling.

4. Take measurements from points inside that you can also locate from outside. Measure down from a ridge and horizontally from the center of a valley or sidewall; or measure distances from a chimney or other point of penetration.

5. If your ceiling is attached to roof rafters, as would be the case for a cathedral ceiling, all you can do from inside is take the measurements that will help you locate the leak externally, and attempt to control the damage internally.

6. Water can travel on the underside of sheathing or down roof rafters before dropping off in one or more places. To control where it falls, tack a piece of string into the stream of water and let it hang into a bucket. The water will tend to follow the string.

7. Poke or drill a hole in your ceiling to let the water through. This technique prevents the water from spreading across the top of the ceiling to other areas; it prevents the ceiling from becoming saturated, eliminating the chance of collapse and often the need for replacement; and it allows you to collect water from below using the string-and-bucket method.

8. Using any measurements or other information you gathered indoors, make your initial outdoor observations from a ladder and/or using binoculars. Do not walk on a pitched roof during rain or as long as the roof is wet. A wood roof is particularly treacherous.

9. Look for leaves and other debris slowing the natural downward flow of water, as often happens in valleys and adjacent to or above any roof penetration or dormer. If there is snow on the roof, an ice dam may have formed at the roof's lower edge, causing water to back up under overlapping layers of roofing materials. Remove the obstruction if you can get to it safely.

10. If or when you can safely get close enough, examine metal flashings for corrosion or open joints where they connect to a chimney or other roof penetration. You can temporarily patch metal flashings, but replacement is the only permanent solution. Typically, you can replace cracked or dried-out rubber gaskets on plumbing vents.

11. Pay particular attention to any areas already covered with black flashing cement; these indicate locations of previously repaired leaks. Look for pinholes or cracks, which often occur as the material ages. Make temporary repairs by applying flashing cement with a putty knife.

12. If or when you can safely get close enough, inspect attachment points for any antenna, satellite dish or other object screwed or nailed into the roof. A dab of roof flashing in good condition should cover each fastener. The best solution is to avoid mounting anything on your roof in the first place.

13. If you determined from inside that your leak is midroof and therefore not related to flashing, look for damaged or missing asphalt shingles. On wood roofs, look for cracked or badly cupped or warped shingles or shakes. Look for joints in one course that fall less than 11/2 inches (4 cm) to the left or right of a joint in the course below. Flat or nearly flat roofs generally require very close inspection to locate damaged or badly worn areas.

Tags: from inside, ceiling from, chimney other, close enough, control damage, flashing cement, inside that

Small Foyer Entranceway Decorating Ideas

An interesting light fixture is functional decor for your small foyer.

Foyers give the first impression of your home to visitors and guests. Even a tiny front entrance can leave a big impression when you decorate it with the style and d cor that reflects your personality and home ambience. Whether you have an elegant French country home, Asian-inspired decor or the rustic look of a mountain lodge, the front entranceway starts to tell the story of your lifestyle and tastes.

Seating Area

If your foyer is where your family members usually enter the home, make it a comfortable place to sit down and remove your snow boots, running shoes or other apparel before stashing them into a hall closet. Have a decorative can for umbrellas and a table to place your backpack or briefcase on while removing your coat or jacket. A vintage park bench or antique church pew will serve as a functional place to sit after entering the foyer.

Decorative Flooring

Use decorative marble or tile, carpeting with a border or a beautiful rug to reflect the style of your home and make your small foyer a showplace. Rugs come in all types of patterns that can reflect the eclectic, floral, country or Asian influences in your home. Geometric prints, bold polka dots, classic fleur de lis or other patterns will help your decorating style flow from the foyer to the rest of your home.

Accent Tables

Even small foyers can have visual impact with just a few items placed near or on the wall of your foyer. A sofa table, console table or a tiny accent table can provide a base for a decorative piece of artwork, vase or table lamp. Displaying a beloved painting or family picture above the table and a knickknack or two is the only additional touch you will need.

Lighting Fixtures

Lighting fixtures can be expressive works of art that reflect your personality and decor. Whether it is an elegant low hanging chandelier, a rustic antler ceiling fan or a couple of Victorian looking wall sconces, light fixtures can enhance the welcoming look of your foyer.

Tags: your home, your foyer, home make, small foyer, that reflect, your personality

Mount A Projection Screen In A Dropped Ceiling

A dropped ceiling affords an opportunity to mount a remote-controlled projection screen that tucks neatly away when not in use. On the other hand, it also allows for permanently mounting a projection screen if creating a home theatre screening room. Take note of the light surrounding the screen and the area from which the image projects and minimize as much as possible. With a few tools, this is a project the avid do-it-yourselfer can complete and save money in the process.

Instructions

1. Cut a piece of 3/4-inch plywood that is the same size as the screen's mounting bracket using a table saw.

2. Set the mounting bracket on top of the plywood and mark the locations of the screw holes with a pencil. Use a power drill to make the marked holes and drive the threaded rods all the way through the holes until the heads of the rods are touching the wood.

3. Remove the dropped ceiling tiles in the location where you want to install the screen and attach the plywood to the joists directly above with a power drill and screws. The rods should be pointing downward when you attach the plywood.

4. Drill holes in the removed ceiling tiles in order to allow the threaded rods through for a permanent mounting. Reset the tiles back into the ceiling frame. If mounting a retractable screen, reconfigure the tiles for leaving a permanent slot the width of the screen.

5. Slide the mounting bracket over the threaded rods and slip a washer over each rod. Tighten the bracket against the ceiling tile using a nut on each of the rods and secure the nuts with a wrench.

6. Hang the projection screen from the mounting bracket and use the included hardware to attach them together.

Tags: mounting bracket, threaded rods, attach plywood, ceiling tiles, dropped ceiling, power drill, projection screen

Install A Plaster Ceiling

Plaster ceilings add value.

Plaster ceilings are installed with a backing of drywall, since the plaster is applied over the drywall. Plaster ceilings are less likely to crack, more resistant to knocks or denting and have a decorative finish. Though the materials may be more costly, the elegance added to a room or household will benefit in the long run, cutting down on repairs and materials.

Instructions

1. Nail in furring strips across the ceiling joists. If there are any obstructions such as pipes and ductwork, the furring strips will ensure an evenly hanging ceiling.

2. Mark the ceiling joists on the wall studs to use as reference points when driving in screws into the drywall.

3. Apply drywall adhesive using a caulking gun along the length of the ceiling joists. Apply to only the length of the drywall as the adhesive will dry in 10 minutes.

4. Hang the drywall into the corners first using a drywall hanger. Fix it snuggly against the corners. Fit subsequent sheets of drywall snuggly next to each other so that the edges of the drywall butt together.

5. Drive in drywall screws into the drywall 3/8 inches away from the corners and seven inches apart around the perimeter. For the interior drywall, drive in screws 12 inches apart along the ceiling joists.

6. Stagger the seams of the drywall by starting the second row with a half sheet. Measure the drywall and calculate the length for half the drywall. Mark the line and score it with a utility knife. Run the knife repeatedly following the score and snap it off.

7. Tape the drywall joints with drywall tape.

8. Cut out any segments for fixtures with a rotary drill or a keyhole saw.

9. Mix plaster into a plastic bucket following the manufacturer's directions.

10. Apply the plaster onto the drywall using a trowel. Apply several thin coats rather than one thick coat, letting each layer dry before applying the next.

11. Sand the ceiling with fine sandpaper.

Tags: ceiling joists, Plaster ceilings, drywall adhesive, furring strips, inches apart, into drywall, screws into

Cut Tegular Ceiling Tile

Cut Tegular Ceiling Tile

Suspended ceilings cover up unsightly plumbing, heating and electrical components. They are used frequently in basements of homes and commercial buildings. Unlike drywall ceilings, they allow quick access above the ceiling in case a repair needs to be made. Tegular ceiling tile is another name for ceiling tiles that have a reveal edge down below the ceiling grid. These require two cuts with the utility knife rather than just one cut for standard ceiling tile.

Instructions

1. Measure the distance between the bottom T-bars of the ceiling grid. This will calculate your reveal dimension (the width of the tile that will hang below the ceiling grid).

2. Lay your ceiling tile so that the reveal edge is facing upward on a flat surface. From the edge of the reveal on one side, measure over and make a mark at the measurement you calculated in Step 1. Repeat this process further up to allow yourself two points to scribe a line.

3. Measure over another 1/2 inch from the above line and scribe a second line on the ceiling tile. This second line should be even further away from the edge you measured from in Step 2.

4. Cut completely through the ceiling tile with your utility knife on the line you scribed in Step 3. Stand the tile on edge so that the cut you just made is vertical.

5. Place your utility knife on the top of the edge. The knife should start where the factory reveal edge is on the adjoining side (typically halfway in between). Pull the knife straight down to cut a groove into the edge of the tile.

6. Lay the tile back down with the reveal edge up. Place a straight edge along the line you scribed in Step 1. A long ruler or yard stick works as a straight edge.

7. Drag your utility knife along this edge repeatedly until a chunk of the ceiling tile comes loose. If you did it correctly, you will have a custom reveal edge cut out.

Tags: reveal edge, utility knife, ceiling grid, ceiling tile, your utility

Wire Ceiling Fans With Four Conductors

Installing a ceiling fan can be confusing because of the four conductors attached to the motor. The confusion starts with the light kit conductor. This conductor can be blue, black with a white stripe or even yellow, depending on the fan manufacturer. Knowing which conductor connects to which wire helps ease confusion when wiring the ceiling fan. Do not confuse the light kit wire with the ground wire and connect it incorrectly to the electrical house wiring.

Instructions

1. Turn the power off to the ceiling fan circuit by turning off the breaker at the main electrical panel.

2. Assemble your ceiling fan, following the directions provided with your ceiling fan and using a Phillips or slotted screwdriver. Identify the four conductors from the ceiling fan motor. The white wire is the neutral conductor, the green wire is the ground, the black wire is the hot conductor that supplies power to the fan and the remaining wire is the hot conductor that supplies power to the light kit.

3. Hang the ceiling fan on the hanging bracket, following the manufacturer's directions. Identify the wires inside the ceiling electrical box. The wires include a white or neutral, black or hot and a bare copper ground wire.

4. Wire the white conductor from the ceiling fan to the white wire from the ceiling electrical box by twisting an orange wire connector onto both wires. Repeat this wire connection for the green ground ceiling fan conductor and the bare copper ground wire.

5. Wire the black wire from the ceiling electrical box to the two remaining hot conductors from the ceiling fan, using a red wire connector. Push all the wiring into the electrical ceiling box.

6. Complete the installation of the ceiling fan following the manufacturer's directions, using a Phillips or slotted screwdriver. Turn the power back on by turning the breaker on inside the main electrical panel.

Tags: from ceiling, ceiling electrical, ground wire, bare copper, bare copper ground, black wire

Hang A Bike From The Ceiling With Hooks

Wall mounted bicycle storage on a porch.

Bicycles are important means of transportation for many people living in urban environments but it is important to be able to store your bicycle when you are not using it so that it is up off the floor and as much out of the way as possible. This is a common problem and several manufacturers have designed hooks which allow you to easily hang the bicycle from the ceiling. If your ceiling joists are exposed, such as in a garage or on a porch, then you will not even have to screw in your hooks.

Instructions

Exposed Ceiling

1. Examine the ceiling of your storage space. If the ceiling joists are exposed you will see rafters and other framing members supporting the roof or floor above the storage area. These types of exposed beams offer the easiest way to hang a bicycle.

2. Select an S-type padded bicycle hook, which home improvement stores stock. One part of the hook goes over the top of the rafter and the other part hangs down to hold your bicycle tire.

3. Place two S-type hooks on the same rafter, spaced as far apart as your bicycle tires. Turn your bicycle upside down and hang it.

Unexposed Joists

4. Measure the distance from the center to the outside of the handlebar. You will need this distance plus 2 or 3 inches away from the wall. Mark the ceiling with the distance.

5. Move a stud finder this distance from the wall, parallel to the wall. If you don't encounter any ceiling joists then the joists may run parallel to the wall. Move the stud finder away from the wall until you locate the ceiling joist. Measure the distance between each bicycle wheel.

6. Drill a hole for your first bicycle hook screw. Screw the hook into the ceiling joist. Measure along the joist the distance between your wheels and drill. Screw in your second bicycle hook. Invert your bicycle and hang it from its wheels.

Tags: your bicycle, bicycle hook, ceiling joists, from wall, away from

Wire Bathroom Light Fixtures

Install a new light fixture in your bathroom.

Bathroom light fixtures add beauty and style to this otherwise underappreciated area of your home. People spend a lot of time in their bathroom, especially in the morning to get ready for the day. Updating bathroom lighting options can change the color of the light in the room, making it more appealing for people interested in setting the mood for the day and for seeing what they really look like in the light. When you decide it's time to change bathroom light fixtures, you can wire up a new fixture in one afternoon.

Instructions

1. Turn off power to the bathroom at your circuit breaker. Any time you work with electrical wiring, it's safest to work with no voltage running through the lines.

2. Remove your existing light fixture. Unscrew it from the wall and disconnect the wiring.

3. Strip ½ inch of the wire shielding off each wire, then connect the bathroom light wiring from your new light fixture to the wiring in your electrical box. Pair the green or copper wires together, the white wires together and the black or red wires together. Insert both wires of the same color into a wire nut, then twist the nut to make the connection between the two wires.

4. Tuck the connected wires into the electrical box so they're out of the way when you install your bathroom light fixtures.

5. Hold the bathroom lighting fixture in place over the electrical box and insert screws through the base of the light fixture and into the electrical box. Repeat for the other side of the light fixture to secure the light to the wall or the ceiling.

6. Place a lint-free cloth on top of your light bulb, then insert the bulb into the socket on your bathroom light fixtures. Rotate the bulb to the right until it doesn't rotate any farther to install the light bulb in the bathroom light fixture.

7. Secure the shade to the light fixture to finalize assembly of your new bathroom light fixtures. Look for small screws at the top of the light fixture and loosen those screws. Slide your glass shade or globe into position in the lip where the small screws are, then use your fingers to tighten the small screws. Those small, tightened screws hold the shade in place.

Tags: light fixture, light fixtures, bathroom light, your bathroom, small screws, wires together

Wire Bathroom Heaters

Wiring from standard ceiling fixtures can be used to wire bathroom heaters.

Central heat and air installers typically minimize or avoid installing ventilation in bathrooms to prevent condensation buildup due to the extra moisture already present in the space. This can make for uncomfortable room temperatures. Air conditioning is typically not a major problem, but winter temperatures may make your bathroom nearly unusable, not to mention the increased risk of frozen pipes. Installing a forced air radiant heater is one way to alleviate this problem.

Instructions

1. Turn off the breaker to the bathroom. Remove the cover from the vent fan. Typically these are fastened with a single thumbscrew in the center. Twist it counterclockwise to remove it. Remove the bulb from the light. Locate the mounting screws and remove them with your cordless drill.

2. Pull the fixture down from the ceiling and twist off the wire nuts holding the wires together. Twist them counterclockwise to remove.

3. Match up the wire leads from the back of the heater unit with the cable in the junction box above. Match black to black, white to white and green to green. Use a wire nut to fasten each pair of wires together. Twist the wire nut clockwise to fasten.

4. Tuck the wires into the junction box and push the heater into the opening. Fit the new fixture to the face of the junction box. Install the mounting screws that came with your new fixture into the threaded holes in the junction box.

5. Install a lightbulb into the light socket of the unit. Install the glass cover and screen or over the heater, if installation is required. Follow the installation instructions that came with your heater for specifics.

Tags: with your, came with, came with your, counterclockwise remove, junction Install, mounting screws, that came

Hang A Chair From The Ceiling

Hanging unused chairs gets them out of your way.

Our ancestors, whose homes were usually small, took full advantage of walls and ceilings to get their clutter off the floor and up where it was out-of-the-way until needed. With the trend away from larger homes, and with more people turning to cottages or apartment living, clever storage and built-in furniture solutions are a must. Suspending furniture from ceilings works for both. Hanging chairs for seating keeps floors free of clutter stylishly.

Instructions

Storage

1. Tap on the ceiling or use a stud finder to locate wooden joists to provide a secure place to hang your chair.

2. Drill a pilot hole, using a small drill bit, through the ceiling material and directly into a joist in the area you wish to hang your chair.

3. Screw a large bicycle hook securely into the joist, using the pilot hole as a guide.

4. Hang the chair on the hook from a rung on the back or upside down from the leg rungs. You also can hang chairs that don't have convenient rungs by using a rope tied securely around the chair and placed over the hook.

Off-the-Floor Seating

Quiet A Loud Ceiling Fan

A loud ceiling fan can be annoying, especially if it makes a squeaking noise or prevents you from falling asleep. A ceiling fan can be loud for a wide variety of reasons, including blades that are dirty or out of balance. A loose screw can also be the cause of the noise. Once you identify the reason behind the noise, it is usually a fairly simple fix.

Instructions

Procedures

1. Check to see whether excess dust (or dirt) is on the blades of the fan. Excess dust can make the fan out of balance, which causes it to squeak. Clean the blades. A wide variety of brushes are designed specifically to clean ceiling fans.

Creative Lighting Ideas For Kids' Rooms

In order to play and learn, children need proper lighting.

While your child's bedroom should help stimulate his or her imagination, it should also feel restful enough to encourage a peaceful night's sleep. Because of this, the lighting scheme needs to be multifunctional and appropriate for everything from doing homework to socializing to reading and falling asleep. However, children grow and change so quickly that spending money on expensive specialty lighting can be wasteful. Instead, embrace inexpensive lighting solutions that easily can be changed to accommodate your child's tastes and needs.

Paper Lanterns

Paper lanterns are a fun, inexpensive way to upgrade your child's lighting.