Removing walls that don’t have a function and making spaces work together is a great way to improve the traffic flow and the view in your home.
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Listen to BOB VILA ON LOAD-BEARING WALLS or read the text below:
Drywall has been the wall finishing material of choice for most of a century, because it’s so easy to install and finish. And when it’s damaged, it’s easy to repair.
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Listen to BOB VILA ON PATCHING DRYWALL, or read the text below:
If the idea of a freshly plastered wall does not overly excite you, it’s because the options for plaster have been fairly limited in this country until now.
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Listen to BOB VILA ON PLASTER, or read the text below:
Whether you’re removing a wall or just hanging bookshelves, you’ve got to know where the studs are before you start.
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Listen to BOB VILA ON LOCATING STUDS, or read the text below:
Although the two words are often used interchangeably, sheetrock is actually a brand name for the generic drywall, which is gypsum plaster sandwiched between two sheets of paper or fiberglass. Any way you say it, drywall makes finishing walls very practical.
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Listen to BOB VILA ON INSTALLING DRY WALL, or read the text below:
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A classic building material from the late 19th and early 20th century is experiencing a comeback. Fans of Victorian architecture, hardy souls who rehab historic homes, and homeowners looking for that extra-special “something” can all rejoice in the renewed availability of tin ceilings.
Slideshow: 10 Great Looks in Tin Ceiling Tiles
Tin ceilings initially became popular in the United States in the late 1800s, as many recent immigrants sought an affordable alternative to the exquisite but expensive ornate plasterwork used in Europe. The abundance of tin in America—along with the advent of mass production—created a ready market for thin, rolled tin plates that were individually stamped with embossed patterns. Tin ceilings remained popular throughout the Art Deco period before gradually falling out of favor in the 1930s.
Water spots on ceilings and walls aren’t just unsightly–they can be a symptom of a much bigger problem that needs attention. Blistering or peeling paint, loose plaster, yellow or brown streaks, and spotting are all caused by chemicals in the wall material reacting to water that shouldn’t be there.
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Listen to BOB VILA ON WATER SPOTS, or read the text below:
Cleaning your painted walls may seem like a daunting task, but it’s actually quite simple (though somewhat time-consuming). Whether you’re doing regular yearly cleaning or hoping to say goodbye to a stain, the first step in cleaning your walls is to assess what type of paint you have. Semi-gloss and glossy enamel paints tend to stand up best to washing. Flat, satin, and eggshell latex paints, on the other hand, may fade or rub off with overly abrasive cleaning.
If your next home renovation requires framing new walls, think twice before you reach for those ubiquitous two-by-fours. You might want to consider steel studs.
Metal Studs in "Building Reinforced Concrete Storm-Ready Homes in Florida: Storm-Ready Design" Season 16 Episode 4
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Listen to BOB VILA ON METAL STUDS, or read text below:
Everybody calls it sheetrock, but the generic name is drywall and it comes in various thicknesses and sizes.
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Listen to BOB VILA ON DRYWALL TYPES, or read text below: Read the rest of this entry »
