Step-by-Step Instructions for Installing Pre-hung Doors

If you’re building or renovating a home, installing your own doors is a great way to save a little money. Many builders and homeowners prefer pre-hung doors because they are convenient and fairly easy to install. Unlike a slab door, a pre-hung door is already attached to the frame. All you need is a rough opening to install it in, a few tools, and a little bit of know-how. Although slab doors are a little less expensive to purchase up-front, pre-hung doors can save you time and effort during the installation process. Following these steps will help ensure that you install your pre-hung doors correctly:

1. Gather Your Tools

Pre-hung doors can be quite heavy, so you should recruit at least one other person to help you install them. Before you begin, gather up the following tools: tape measure, finish nails, shims, hammer, nail punch, utility knife, circular saw (or jigsaw), level, and screwdrivers. You may not need the circular saw, but it will come in handy if you need to trim your doorjambs. Wood putty is important to have on-hand when you are ready to hide the nail holes in your installed doors.

6 Tips for Making Your Construction Site Safer

Working as a construction worker is almost similar to being a superhero. Each day you are entrusted with the responsibility of bearing heavy loads and using expensive equipment. Squatting on scaffolds and riding in cranes puts you so high up in the sky that you have the feeling you are flying. What makes your job extraordinary and enjoyable can also put a lot of stress on you. If you don’t take care, you can incur injuries while working. Here are some safety tips to follow to avoid common injury and stress on the construction site.

1. Lift objects properly

As a construction worker, backaches are your primary enemy. It is easy to get injuries while carrying heavy loads, but you can avoid this hazard altogether. Always bend your knees so that you don’t twist to the side while lifting. For a better balance, put one foot in front of the other.

2. Use ergonomic portable and high-powered tools

Tools are meant to make your work simpler. You may not realize it, but frequent use of poorly designed tools can make you develop conditions such as trigger finger, white finger, carpal tunnel syndrome, and tendonitis. Even powered tools can make you develop serious problems due to their excessive noise and high vibration. Thus, as an employer or supervisor, ensure the tools you select for your workers have a long trigger and low vibration levels. For the hand tools, safety coordinators or employers must select those that require less force and don’t put a strain on the hand when held tight. The hand tools must also be balanced, and not conduct electricity or heat.

Getting the Right Window for Your Home

A good window can provide comfort to those who live in a house, make it more attractive to potential tenants or make it more attractive to potential buyers. Modern windows tip out to make cleaning easier and may be more energy efficient. This can help regulate the temperature in a room and keep the amount of heating and cooling systems to a minimum.

Energy-efficient windows may qualify for a tax break for those who purchase them. If a discount is available, it may be possible to recoup the entire cost of the window through a combination of that tax break as well as a monthly reduction in energy usage. Over a period of several years, you may be able to profit from the transaction.

How to Pick the Right Railing for Your Exterior

When most people think of railings, they assume that they are for the interior of a house or building. However, railings are commonly installed on the exterior of houses and other landscapes to add beauty and detail to these areas. Since there are so many options in terms ofhandrails, ranging from aluminum, iron, and steel, it can be difficult to pick the right railing. Fortunately, the following guide will help you make the right decision.

Choose the Right Finish

Arguably the most important decision you will make when you are installing a railing outdoors is the type of material. Most people like to use durable finishes. These include the following:

• Aluminum
• Steel
• Iron

Although wood is less expensive, it can deteriorate faster. It also does not hold up as well during harsh weather conditions. For this reason, it is often best to extend the life of your railing by picking a finish that lasts.

Select Something That Coordinates With the Interior

When you are deciding between finishes and styles, it is important to consider the interior of your home. You want to be sure that the railing will coordinate well with the interior so that the outdoor space serves as an extension of your home. If you interior is extremely modern, then it makes sense to choose a railing that is simpler. You should look for something with a straighter design. However, if you have a country home, a detailed railing might be more appropriate.

Make Sure the Railing Coordinates With the Exterior

It is also important to choose a railing that coordinates well with the landscape and plants in your outdoor space. If you are considering a modern railing with minimal details, it might get lost in a setting with a lot of plants and flowers. You might need something that is a little bolder and more patterned. This might stand out a little more against the texture of your exterior.

Pick the Right Railing for the Length

Another important aspect to choosing railings is to consider the actual length of the railing. If the railing is long, then a larger pattern is appropriate. However, if the railing is shorter, this larger pattern doesn’t make that much sense in such a small amount of space. It might be better to pick something simpler or select a smaller design. This way, your eyes will not get overwhelmed or lost with the design.

Choose the Correct Height

Finally, make sure that you choose the correct height for your outdoor space. You do not want to pick something that is too high or too short. If it is too high, it will close off your space. If it is too low, it might defeat the purpose of a railing. When you are not sure what height looks best, try to look around for inspiration. Other exterior environments can help you select the best option for you.

Once you know what railing is right for your space, you can purchase the parts and install it in your space. You will be surprised how much this simple improvement can enhance your curb appeal. It will also make your indoor and outdoor spaces feel like they belong together.

Decorating with Hanging Lanterns

Hanging paper lanterns are a fun and elegant way to decorate for special occasions such as birthday party or wedding reception. They add a bit of whimsy to any event without going overboard, and can be incorporated into the decorations in various ways.

For a daytime event, you probably won’t light the lantern and can hang them by simply tying a piece of fishing line to the wire hook and then hanging them from the desired area. Another option is to string fishing line from point A to point B, and then hang single lines at different lengths attached to the paper lanterns on the main line. If the event takes place after the sun goes down, you can use illuminated paper lanterns to give a stunning glow to the party. Illuminated lanterns can be hung in the same manner as ones that are not lighted.

3 Benefits of Owning a High Quality Toolbox

When your tools are your livelihood, it's essential that they're well cared for. As you invest in high quality tools for your trade, it's important to also spend the money on a toolbox of the same caliber. A quality toolbox will last you for your entire professional career, keeping your tools safe, organized, and protected. While it can be tempting to skimp on this essential business purchase, doing so will only hurt you in the long run.

Let's look at a few of the benefits of purchasing storage for your tools:

Organize Your Tools
When you're working on an automotive repair or a home improvement project, it's important to be able to put your hands on the exact tool that you need. Cutting corners or making substitutions can lead to injury, inconvenient delays, and sub par work. This makes it especially important to own a high quality toolbox that allows you to organize your tools. An organized toolbox allows you to get the job done quickly and effectively, in a manner that you can be proud of.

The Durability and Convenience of Aluminum Hand Rail

Designing rooms in your home can be a fun adventure. If your room contains stairs, you will have to choose what type of stairs you want to install, whether you want to have carpet on them and what type of hand rail you would like running parallel to the stairs. When you want quality and durability, you will want to choose aluminum.

A hand rail made from aluminum will give you a lightweight product that has the durability to stand the test of time. You can find aluminum options in all sizes and shapes to meet your design needs. If you are decorating an outdoor space, you can still use an aluminum option because it is a material that can resist damage from excessive heat, cold and other weather elements that may be a normal part of your particular climate. Aluminum hand rails also work great when you are designing commercial spaces. It can save contractors a few dollars and provide the designer with an interesting option to design around.