House Renovation Tips

Unless you have x-ray vision, it’s hard to know exactly what’s inside wall and ceiling cavities. That’s why fishing a cable, like any fishing expedition, takes time, patience and a certain amount of trial and error. Keep in mind that studs and joists are typically spaced with 14½ or 22½ inches between them. Taking time [...]

Paddle fans like this require much more support than a light fixture. Most fans are far heavier than the average light fixture, and the motion of the fan weakens standard lighting supports. In this installation, 2-by-4 blocking nailed between ceiling joists supports a ceiling box approved for fan support. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions carefully.
Electrical connections [...]

The Perfect Fit
The first step in installing prefinished paneling is to place a piece against the wall and make sure it’s plumb (absolutely straight up and down). If it isn’t, you must scribe it to fit. To do that, hold the paneling with one side as close as possible to the corner of the wall [...]

Today, you can choose energy-saving alternatives. However, most home lighting remains to be incandescent. Fluorescent and halogen lamps convert electricity into light more efficiently. Each type of lamp creates its own quality of light. Understanding the properties of each helps you see your home in an entirely different light.
Incandescent Lamps
Your basic light bulb is incandescent. [...]

Extension Cords
Keep your use of extension cords to a minimum. Match any extension cord to the cord you will be plugging into it: two-wire lamp cord for lamps and small appliances, heavier three-wire cord for large appliances and power tools.
Never plug a grounded cord into a two-wire extension cord, run any cord through a wall [...]