Supplement to Installing the Corner Bead

How do I get Bubbles and Wrinkles out of My Corner Bead?

It seems there are a few concerns from people installing the corner bead on their projects. This is a normal complaint from most anyone who is a first timer at installing corner bead. Don't worry, you can install it like a pro.

First and foremost, NEVER use Screws! Screws cause more bubbles and wrinkles in the corner bead and WILL inevitably leave you unsatisfied with the finished project. The reason for this is that whether you use metal corner bead or plastic, screws can twist in too tight and rip through the corner bead.

If you use a screw gun the screws will almost always go in too tight. If you want your corner bead project to take you weeks to finish, then you can use the old hand and screwdriver method therefore, you can be really careful not to screw the screws in too tight. One of my favorite sayings: save yourself a dime, do it right the first time.

Nails are the best thing when using corner bead. Everyone has their own likes and dislikes. I prefer to use only metal corner bead with nails. The best nails to use are 1 x 1/8 inch sheetrock nails. I have found over the years that metal corner bead with nails is the easiest to use and makes a cleaner finish.

If I am training someone and there is a need to take the corner bead off and do it again, the piece of corner bead that is damaged cannot be reused but, it can be cut away and a good piece put in its place. I have found that metal corner bead is easiest to do this with. There is less damage to the sheetrock than if using glue and, it seems that more of the corner bead is damaged if using plastic corner bead. More oft than not, things do not need to be redone, but I don't like to be put in a position that makes unnecessary work. Who does?

So, after measuring your corner bead apply the corner bead to the corner making sure the edge of the corner bead is flush against the ceiling. Starting in the middle of the corner bead on either side, is where you want to stick your first nail. As it is the middle of your project, you may want to put a nail on the left side and the right side but it is not necessary.

You can either work upward to the ceiling or downward putting in the nails in an alternate fashion staggering the nails from one side of the corner bead to the other until you reach the top. If You get bubbles or wrinkles and cannot smooth them out while nailing, then you can just stick a nail in the stubborn bubble and it should be fine. Always start in the middle of the corner bead and work one way or the other. This allows the bubbles and wrinkles to be pushed outward as you nail.

If you are using a crimper, make sure you are using the right one. If you are using bullnose corner bead then use a bullnose crimper. If you are using regular corner bead then use a regular crimper with mallet.

Also note, that if you use plastic corner bead you cannot use a crimper. This would be apparently obvious to some, but to others it is not. Therefore, without any disrespect; you can only crimp metal. You cannot crimp plastic.

When applying your second piece of corner bead to the same corner, make sure they do not overlap. Make sure they butt up to each other nice and tight. This will cause less work for you in your upcoming steps of taping, mudding and sanding. And, you will much appreciate your diligence in paying attention to the little things that matter big.

Last and most importantly of all, Make sure you have a double meat hoagie, chips and a beer because you will be proud of a job well done.

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5 Great Basement Room Ideas

Here are some great ideas for your basement. Everyone is always interested in turning that neglected basement into a room that is useful and here are some suggestions you might try:

1) Poker Room - The basement is a perfect place to set up a poker room because it is removed from the rest of the house and people can stay down there late at night and not disturb those trying to sleep. The basement is also a place where you can decorate it just the way you like and not worry about it clashing with the design of the rest of the house.

2) Wine Cellar - Wine needs to kept in a cool dark place where the temperature doesn't fluctuate too much. This is true of the basement as it is usually the coldest and darkest part of the house and the room were the temperature changes the least throughout the year. Additionally, the basement is usually either totally or partly built into the ground so it is the room where there is the least vibration.

3) Basement Gym - Basements are very often the coldest room in the house and so there is no better place to put your workout equipment. Very soon after beginning your workout, you will work up a sweat and the co2218ld room will not bother you at all. Additionally, you can do as little or as much with your basement gym as you like to make it presentable. As this will not be a room to really "hang out" in, you don't have to put down a carpet if you don't want to. Or, if you do want to make it a great looking basement gym, you can do that too.

4) Kid's Playroom - Depending on what type of basement you have, it could be perfect to turn into a kids playroom. Of course you would have to make sure it is carpeted for maximum safety and that if you leave the room you can hear what is going on in case there is trouble. Also, you would need to make sure your basement playroom has ample heat in the winter.

5) Basement Hobby Room - If you have a hobby that takes up space, the basement might be the perfect place for it. The basement can be kept a little more "messy" than the other rooms of the house so if your hobby has to do with paint or something else that might create a mess, the basement may be just the room you were looking for.

These are just some of the great basement room ideas you can come up with if you put your mind to it. Please visit Basement Ideas for more exciting options for your basement.

Do It Yourself Sauna Kit

Today, many do-it-yourselfers are choosing to purchase sauna kits as opposed to pre-built models. Not only does this save money, it allows them to customize their sauna in a variety of ways.

Most dealers offer sauna kits in either clear or knotty grade cedar. Typically, paneling is included as an exterior finish. But, cedar can be substituted, if desired. (This will raise the price of the kit.)

Basically, there are two types of sauna kits. A traditional sauna kit contains all of the inside materials needed to construct a sauna. It is, then, up to the builder to frame the sauna, insulate it and finish the exterior...in whatever style he or she chooses.

It is also up to the builder to attach this type of sauna to the walls and ceiling, assemble the benches and hang the door, as well.

Traditional sauna kits, such as these, can be constructed in 14-20 hours. They are intended to be permanent structures.

Prefabricated sauna kits are factory assembled and then disassembled, before shipping or purchase. This type of kit needs no additional insulation or framing of any kind. The walls are self-supporting and no special tools are needed to assemble it.

On average, it takes 2-3 hours from start to finish. Prefabricated sauna kits can be disassembled and then reassembled, at any time.

Although not recommended, it is possible to obtain all materials needed to build a sauna, at a home supply store. This may save money, but in the long run it is a much more difficult process.

Purchasing a sauna kit ensures the boards are cut properly and there is no waste, in regard to excess lumber. Hard-to-find items such as moldings and door casings are included. Building a sauna from a kit almost guarantees unnecessary visits, to the local lumber yard or home shop, in search of missing materials.

All sauna kits come with step-by-step instructions, which are easy to understand. Whether you are a licensed contractor or just an average homeowner, you will find that building a sauna from a kit is easy to do.

Probably the most difficult thing to accomplish is the actual framing. But, once that is completed, the rest of the assembly is quite simple and goes quickly.

For those who feel the job of framing is something they would rather not attempt, a prefabricated sauna kit is the best option.

Thomas Oak writes articles for http://www.hot-sauna.com/ if you are in the market for a 2EDnew home sauna stop and take a look at what of all the latest information on new saunas and sauna kit for your home.

Do It Yourself Soil Retention Wall

When it comes to holding back tons of dirt, you basically have two choices. Hire a mason contractor and have a traditional concrete block wall constructed, or you can do it yourself with interlocking (or segmented) retaining wall blocks.

The use of retaining wall blocks as opposed to traditional concrete retaining wall construction is increasing in popularity. You may notice many new commercial construction projects that are using the stacking blocks method of retaining wall construction for many reasons.

Advantages of using retaining blocks

• Do it yourself and save money
• These blocks create a strong wall that can be considered permanent
• Building permits are not required until the wall becomes over 4 feet high - Building codes will vary. Check your local codes.
• The wall can be re-configured or removed if needed in the future
• The block can be re-used
• The wall can be planted to create a "living wall" (depending on the type of block used)
• Build at your own pace
• You have more block color and style choices

Case Study

In my case, the wall I needed is about 75 feet long and from 3 to 4 feet high. The estimate received for the traditional concrete block wall was $6,510FC00. The cost of materials for interlocking blocks was $1,200... a $5,300 savings. Make no mistake about it, this is hard work. The basic steps you take are to dig for your foundation row, stack block, check for proper alignment and level, then backfill and compact. These block weigh 62 lbs. each, but if you are up to the task and want to save some serious money on a project like this, the stacking blocks are a great option. For my project, I chose to use the Verdura 30 block made by soilretention.com and available at Home Depot in California.

This is a great project for the Do It Yourselfer with a strong back and the will to save some serious money on a soil retaining wall. It is very satisfying to stand back and look at your completed project with pride as well as gain the envy of your neighbors.

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Clawfoot Bathtubs - A Classic Touch in Your Own Home

Flat TV's, contemporary art, remote controlled curtains, and all things modern can be found everywhere in a typical American home. They may be pleasing to own but too much of it can make your house too "modern" to look at and sometimes dull and boring.

You may remember the times when simple things were beautiful to look at. Today, many people are considering adding a touch of history in their homes. The warmth and homey look of a home isn't found in modern appliances and fixtures. Even bathroom fixtures are now integrated with state-of-the-art technology. Home bathtubs are integrated with personal Jacuzzis with a large plasma TV and a floating remote control. These things can be great but it just lacks that classical, homey look that a home should have.

Whenever you visit your grand parent's house, you will notice the inviting look of a simple yet very classic look inside their homes. No plasma television, no remote controlled curtains, simple kitchen fixtures and those great cookie jars. You may even notice that their bathroom is equipped with simple yet attractive fixtures.

Even the bathtub has its traditional look. If you want this in your own home, you may try and consider buying a clawfoot bathtub. A clawfoot bathtub is very popular for people who want to have that classic American look in their bathroom. It is very simple in design and very pleasing to look at.

There are different styles in a clawfoot bathtub. You should consider choosing one that will compliment your bathroom more. There are clawfoot bathtubs that are made from cast iron or acrylic. The style also varies from roll top, dual and dual slipper. You can also choose from different kinds of feet for your clawfoot bathtub like a ball & claw, lion paw, imperial pedestal and skirt.

Choosing what kind of clawfoot bathtub you want for your home is up to you. Basically, here are the things you should know about the two different kinds of materials used in the clawfoot bathtub.

If you are a strict traditionalist and want a clawfoot bathtub to have that original look, you may want to consider having a cast iron clawfoot bathtub. These bathtubs can be painted and repainted to match the dcor in your bathroom. Cast iron clawfoot bathtubs are heavy and are not suited for people with bathrooms in the second floor of their house. And, since it is metal, it will not retain heat too long. One advantage of cast iron clawfoot bathtubs is that it can last a long time.

On the other hand, the acrylic clawfoot tubs are light weight and are easier to move and install. It is also perfect for upper story baths because of its weight. Acrylic clawfoot bathtubs are good insulators that can keep your water warm longer.

One disadvantage of acrylic is that it will break down if strong cleaning chemicals are used, like acetate.

You can also install different kinds of faucets for your clawfoot bathtub. Try experimenting or think about what designs you want your faucets to be in your clawfoot bathtub.

If you want your home to have that classical touch, you can start redecorating it in your bathroom. Having a clawfoot bathtub installed in your bathroom can have a pleasing effect with the things around it. With a clawfoot bathtub, you will surely have an enjoyable and relaxing experience while you are bathing.

Claire Bowes is a successful freelance writer and owner of Clawfoot Bathtubs where you will find further tips to spruce up your bathtub.

Be Ready With Your Layout

"Imagination is the layout; reality is the product".

Whatever, your imaginations are, it's now time to draw them on a paper. Layout your measurements and the details with your ideas to get a picture on how the final product will look like. With this picture, reality is definitely one step ahead of imagination.

The kitchen will be your main focus when it comes to the layout. Think about things that will take place in your kitchen in future before you start doing the layout- from preparation of food to cooking and not to forget those special sharing moments during the festive seasons with your family. With that in mind you can start to think on ways to get things organized and well pl5B4an. Maybe you will need some extra storage space or a bigger pantry. That's quite a lot going on in your kitchen.

Designing the layout is the time to think where do you locate your dishwasher, refrigerator, oven, stove and sinks. Draw a simple symbol on top of each box to help you identify the location for each appliance. Make sure these appliances are located nearby their sockets or pipes.

Planning to add an island in the middle of your kitchen, don't forget to draw it down. Remember to draw every detail you want your kitchen to project precisely as this will help you when it comes to fixing.

Drawing a layout is simple, easy and fun! Just take a pencil and start sketching. If you do still find a hassle in drawing or perhaps have a phobia towards art, then try using kitchen planner software to get this done. The results are more than just amazing. All you need to do is just clicking on your mouse together with your mind thinking. Pick your theme before keying in your measurements and you're almost done with a 3D image of your dream kitchen. Get this software now at no price at all from the Internet.

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Small Bathroom Makeovers - 3 Things You Must Do Before You Hire A Bathroom Remodeling Contractor

Small bathroom makeovers are a lot of work and you need a good contractor

Remodelling your bathroom can be one of the most rewarding things that you do to your property. Not only can you make it look beautiful you can often rearrange things to fit more into even the smallest of spaces. But how do you go about getting the work done? You probably don't want to do the work yourself because even the smallest bathroom makeovers are a lot of work. No you want it done and finished so that you can start enjoying it. The most common way to go about it is to hire a contractor to do the job for you.

Hiring a professional bathroom remodelling contractor to do the work for you is the obvious way to go. You should expect him to follow your instructions, do a good job and finish it in a reasonable length of time.

But how do you choose the right contractor?. One that will do a good job and not rip you off in the process. Remember that you will be letting this person, or gang of contractors into your property and leaving them alone for long periods of time trusting that they are getting on with the job and not rifle through your jewellery.

I'm going to give you 3 things that you absolutely must do before you hire your contractors. Remember that you are going to be paying out a fair amount of money for your new beautiful bathroom so it's worth spending a little time and effort making sure you select the right people for the job:

1. Use your gut feeling or intuition
2. Get a background check done on your contractor
3. Take up references

Use your gut feeling or intuition

Meet with your prospective contractors and talk to them about your bathroom renova5B4tion job. When you run out of bathroom things to discuss ask him about himself. Where does he come from? How long has he been doing this type of work? Where did he get his qualifications? Does he have a family?

Talk about anything and everything you can think of to try and build up a picture of this person. When you have that picture in your mind you can then say to yourself "Do I like this person?" Does everything add up? Do you feel as if you're being lied to or perhaps not being told the whole truth?

Believe it or not your gut feeling can often be remarkably accurate. You should listen to what your intuition is telling you and if it tells you that you don't trust this contractor then don't hire him. This isn't a very scientific test and you can't use it as the only way to select your contractors but if it tells you to run then you should. Move on to your next prospective contractor as quickly as you can.

Get a background check done on your contractor

Getting a background check done on someone can be as simple as entering their name and a few details into an online public records database. Discover how to do that in the article How To Do A Public Records Criminal Background Search On Your Bathroom Remodeling Contractor. It's important that you try to find out some information about5B4 your contractors past. Does he have a criminal record? Does he have arrest warrants out for him? Has he been made bankrupt?

Take up references

When I did my small bathroom makeover I asked if I I could see some examples of the contractors work and made a point of actually going to see it first hand. This turned out to be a fantastic way of selecting the good contractors from the bad and it was a lot of fun visiting people who had used the same guy that I was about to let loose in my house.

Bad contractors will avoid giving you any references like this and definitely won't want you visiting them. If this is the case then turn away and don't look back. If this contractor can't show you an example of his work then he isn't likely to do a good job for you is he?

The contractor that I used gave me 3 of his customers in the local area and made arrangements for us to go and visit the properties. This was great because not only were we able to see the results of his work we were also able to talk to his customers and find out exactly how the job went. Make sure that you ask whether it was completed on time and to the original budget. You can also ask how the contractor dealt with any problems that arose during the bathroom remodelling project. You can't stop problems from happening but it's how painless the contractor makes it for you that's important.

The information that you will gain from the t54Fips above can be invaluable to you in making your decision about the person you are about to invite into your home to do your small bathroom makeover. Take your time about your decision, it will pay off for you in the end.

You can do background checks on almost anyone in less than 10 minutes. Learn how to check for arrest warrants, criminal record and bankruptcy at the same time How Do I Check For Arrest Warrants? Don't know what an arrest warrant is? Learn about them here http://www.howdo-i.com/backgroundcheck/whatisanarrestwarrant.php

Stylish Storage Solutions for Your Bathroom

Due to the recent boom in the property market, and subsequently house prices, many owners have chosen to increase the number of bathrooms to add value, particularly in relation to the addition of an en-suite on a master bedroom. With this increase arises an issue of limited space and storage.

The bathroom, unlike any other room has not had storage solutions publicised, as the concentration is on the ceramics and brassware items and creating a contemporary and minimalist look. Although a minimalist appearance is very 'in Vogue' and fashionable in bathroom design, this is achieved through reducing the number of items in your bathroom or creating the illusion of space. What many designs fail to recognise is the practical uses your bathroom has. There are countless numbers of productsEE0 that are used in a bathroom, from shampoo and conditioner to toothpaste and razors, and leaving them to scatter your surfaces will add clutter to your bathroom and negate the luxurious haven that you have created.

Therefore, bathroom furniture is the obvious storage solution, and their design needn't be cumbersome, fussy or expensive. There are many different manufacturers on the market who offer modern storage solutions, from freestanding units to bespoke furniture sets.

There are four different types of storage solution that you could choose; units, complete sets, cabinets and accessories. Firstly, units are a simple way of creating a cupboard beneath your basin, and remove the need for a pedestal in your bathroom. Units can either be wall hung at your desired height, or floor-standing using a leg and plinth set. They are available in a variety of sizes and finishes, from traditional wood to gloss white.

Sloegrin have created a range of units which are minimalistic in style and represent real value for money. Their gloss white mini units offer a solution for smaller bathrooms, and the gloss finish creates the added illusion of space and will tie in with any white tiles. All their furniture comes pre-assembled, so there are no awkward flat-packs to create.

Secondly, similar to units, complete bathroom furniture sets include a basin, but in addition, they also include a back to WC, with the cistern concealed within the furniture itself. Some items also include a bath and taps within the price. These give the added advantage of the set creating a unified look in your bathroom, and the illusion of one larger piece of furniture against a wall, rather than lots of smaller ones.

Another storage solution to stow away bottles and clutter is a mirrored wall cabinet. Placed above a basin, this has the dual purpose of storage and using the mirror to shave. The mirror will also add the illusion of space in to your bathroom. The compact slider by Sloegrin will create a simple and effective storage solution in any bathroom, and has additional features such as a magnetic closure system, sliding mechanism and interior shelves.

Finally, accessories can also be used as a means of storage. However, unlike cabinets, these do not hide the products out of sight, but simply create somewhere to store them close to hand. Styled in a chrome effect, a soap and sponge holder is also suitable for small bottles of product, and is a stylish storage solution that will tie in with other features in your bathroom.

Whatever storage you decide to use in your bathroom, rest assured that there is a solution out there to suit your needs and designs, from corner units to bespoke furniture, you are bound to find something to your taste.

Ruth works in Marketing at WD Bathrooms, online suppliers of a wide range of products for your bathroom interior.