My Florida Home Builder

How to prepare the surface for the laminate

I recommend that you use laminate plastic sheets which are 1/16″ thick when used on horizontal work surfaces. If you are using it to cover vertical surfaces then you should use thicker plastic perhaps as thick as 1/32″ thick.

You should make sure that you clean the surface before you are ready to install the laminate, especially if it is a well-used surface such as an island counter in your kitchen. Remove anything which is on the surface such as paint or varnish. Clean the countertop using household cleaners to remove grease and grime. Most countertops which were purchased recently are made from high density particle board. Plywood bases are also suitable for using laminate plastic.

How to Cut the Laminate Plastic to Size

The plastic laminate material is actually fairly easy to cut, you can cut it with a utility knife, backsaw or even a circular saw depending on what you prefer. You should make sure you use a blade with fine teeth so that it doesn’t cause rough cuts. Before cutting you should use masking take to protect the surface from chips.

When you are using a circular saw then you should make a point of cutting from the back of the laminate to the front. These types of saws will cut on the upstroke, by cutting from the back you will prevent causing chips and damaging the surface. When using hand saws you should cut from the front side but at a small angle.

You should always cut the sheets slightly bigger than you need and then trim them with a utility knife when you install them. This reduces the chance of wasting material.

Fitting the laminate

The plastic laminate sheet can be applied using contact cement. You can also use epoxy adhesive however I would suggest using contact cements where possible.

You should roughen the surface by using rough sandpaper, and then clean away the dust using a brush or compressed air.

When laying the sheets you should be very careful to get it right first time. When using contact cement the bond will be strongest if you don’t move it around a lot. You should make sure that everything is accurately located before the glue is touched.

When you are installing the laminate sheets to vertical surfaces it’s normally fairly easy to stick the sheets without needing to use any wooden strips.

The Finishing Touches

When you have taken time to position the laminate correctly you should then remove the rods of dowel individually to stick the two pieces together.

Apply even pressure using a roller which will cause the laminate sheets to stick to the work surface. This will also remove any bubbles and ensure that the sheet is firmly fixed to your countertop. It’s worthwhile spending time on this because it will help your worktop last much longer.

If you don’t have a large enough piece of plastic laminate to cover the surface then you need to make a seam. This is fairly easy, you need to stick two pieces together, start by sticking the larger piece to the countertop and then add the other one.

To finish the edges you should use your router. First make sure that the blade is clean, also put tape on the base to protect your work surface.

Remove any extra adhesive using solvents, or simply nail polish remover if you wish.

Nowadays it seems everyone needs more storage room. Everywhere in the house is full, including the garage. What to do? Renting a storage space could be done, unfortunately you would have to get out and go there every time you required something from storage. An ideal solution would be to have your own storage space. Go out and get yourself an Arrow Storage Shed Kit. They are durable and attractive. Best of all it would be conveniently located on your own property.

Arrow sheds are durable and inexpensive. Arrow is a reliable manufacturer and seller of utility buildings and sheds. They are popular and the shed kits are very easy to assemble. Definitely put them on your list of possible storage shed kits to purchase.

Arrow sheds are strong, because they are constructed out of metal. Metal is more durable than other materials, such as wood or plastic. There are many styles and finishes to choose from. You could choose the electro-galvanized steel, or opt for a thick vinyl coating. Another option available is to add protection by painting with a high grade paint made specifically for metal. You should be able to find a wide array of colors at your local hardware store.

When selecting an outbuilding it is important to consider both the exterior finish and the roof style. It is best to choose an arrow shed or storage building that best complements existing nearby structures. Roof style is perhaps the more important as it is not something easily changed like an exterior finish coat, and can be seen from a great distance. Arrow offers three roof styles to choose from: gabled, sloped, or gambrel.

In order to build an arrow shed, all you will need are a Philips screwdriver, pliers, and a small ladder. In addition, it is helpful to have a partner present in order to help lift and support the pieces during assembly. Protective gloves should be warn during construction in order to avoid injury.

It is mandatory that your shed be on a solid and level foundation that can be made from concrete or wood. To anchor the shed well you can use the Arrow kits which contain augers, cables and clamps. Special kits are also available for Arrow storage buildings that let you build a floor frame on a plywood floor.

If more space is what you are looking for, an Arrow shed will be able to fill that need. These sheds are easy to construct, and come in a vast array of colors and styles. All you need is a few tools and a helping hand or two.

The answer when you do not have enough storage and do not want to rent a storage unit is to create your own storage space. Arrow storage buildings are perfect. Assembled in own yard,, they are convenient and very economical. There are many different finishes in a variety of styles that are durable and maintenance free. Basic tools are all that is needed to assemble the kits and a foundation kit is available to firmly anchor your building.

Straw bale houses provide their occupants with many benefits. Before listing some, I’ll describe these houses for you. Their walls are built out of bales of straw. The straw needs to be kept dry so it is covered with plaster, on both the exterior and interior sides. An overhang is often added to the outside of the house, providing shade and additional protection to the house.

Most frequently, straw bale houses are built with a post-and-beam framework made of lumber. The bales are used as infill. This method is described as non-load-bearing since the weight (load) of the roof does not bear down on the straw. Building codes that address straw bale building are likely to require this technique.

In contrast, a “load-bearing” straw bale house has the roof resting right on the straw bales. This requires care in construction so that the weight is properly balanced. This method is more ecological, as it uses less wood.

This approach is considered easier for beginners to tackle. The straw bale walls go up very rapidly, which is pleasing to everyone working on the project. Naturally, they still have much more to do, like wiring and plastering!

Straw bale building is probably most popular in the southwestern desert states of the US, but it is now being done in many other places too. Building codes exist that directly address the specifics of straw bale construction, and some banks will make loans for straw bale houses.

What benefits does a straw bale house offer its occupants?

1. Insulation: Because of its thick walls, a straw bale house will be slower to heat up in summer or cool off in the winter. This means energy savings, often considerable ones, every year…. a very nice bonus that the homeowners will probably gloat about to their friends!

2. Renewable resources: Since straw is easy to grow, it does not need to be brought in from far away and it is probably being grown anyway. It does not diminish our forests. People who care about building sustainably — more and more people all the time — find this very attractive.

3. The experience of living: Straw bale houses tend to be beautiful, with their thick walls and handmade aspects. The walls make the inside of the house very quiet, with outside noise coming in much less than in a conventional house. The plasters used to cover the bales are lovely, often natural tones.

In sum, building a straw bale house offers environmental and quality-of-life benefits. People who know little about building can learn to do a lot of the construction themselves. Sure, building any house is a lot of work, but if you go the straw bale route, look what you end up with… something very special indeed!

Crime is always on the rise and home security has never been more important. Your home is at risk all the time but there is a rise in crime during hotter days as people become more and more careless with their home security. It is unbelievable that people still leave a spare key under the doormat or above the doorframe or even under a plant next to the front door. Thieves do check these obvious places for keys and if one actually saw get a key this way you can guarantee they will be round for a visit the next time you leave you home.

It’s a really warm day and like everyone else you open your windows but whatever you do make sure you close them before you go out. Even if you think you are going to be a few minutes that’s all a thief could need. You also run the risk of your alarm going off because of a small wind moved some curtains and set off a motion sensor in one of your rooms. A thief can be in and out with your valuables in a matter of minutes so don’ let them

It’s amazing what garden furniture and gardening equipment costs if you were to add it all up you will be surprised at what the replacement costs would be. Don’t leave it in plain site try and move it behind a wall or bushes. Make sure gardening tools are locked away as these could be used to break-in to your home.

For simplicity and as a cheap solution a door entry system offers a quick way to protect your home. There are two types of door alarm, one is attached to the door with a small sensor at each side. Every time the door is opened the alarm goes off so you know someone has come in. The other option is a small battery operated motion sensor alarm, which can be placed above or aimed at the door.

This motion sensor can be places in a hallway, at patio doors or even slightly away from the door so that the children can come and go into the kitchen for drinks but if anyone went into another part of the house the alarm would go off.

The motion sensor mini alarm offers the easiest and quickest set up to improve the security in your home or business. Usually the sensors come with two settings so you can have a short chime to let you know someone has entered or continuous alarm so you know someone is somewhere they shouldn’t be.

Another great use for these mini motion sensor alarms is on vacation to protect your personal safety whilst you are asleep. The last thing you want is to be woken by an intruder standing above you.

Most thefts are of an opportunistic nature and if you don’t give them the opportunity you are less likely to be the next victim. Remember it is always better to prevent someone getting into your home so if possible keep your doors locked at all times. For more information contact your local police station for crime prevention advice.