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The other day, I did something I've never done before. I painted a ceiling -- all 5 feet 2 inches of me. I've always pa...
Install wood paneling in any room to inject architectural detail, warmth, and character into your home. Traditionally...
Hurricane Sandy proved to be a trial for many of us. My wife and I were fortunate, and our home suffered no major dam...
As of January 2nd, U. S. drywall manufacturers increased their prices by 25 to 30%. On top of a similar increase last...
Picture rails are strips of molding that adhere to walls and run horizontally around the room, typically aligning wit...
It used to be that foam-core board was only useful to architects building models. Now that foam technology has taken ...
If you're looking for ways to dress up your dining room for the holidays, nothing works better than some good, old-fa...
If your home doesn't have the style and panache you wish it had, adding crown molding can help. Listen to BOB VILA ON...
When industrial sawmills started cranking it out in the late 19th century, beadboard came on the scene as a quick and...
Removing walls that don't have a function and making spaces work together is a great way to improve the traffic flow ...
Drywall has been the wall finishing material of choice for most of a century, because it’s so easy to install and fin...
If the idea of a freshly plastered wall does not overly excite you, it’s because the options for plaster have been fa...
Whether you're removing a wall or just hanging bookshelves, you've got to know where the studs are before you start. ...
Although the two words are often used interchangeably, sheetrock is actually a brand name for the generic drywall, wh...
Hanging a framed picture is about as DIY as many homeowners get. But although it may seem easy, hanging art properly ...
Water spots on ceilings and walls aren’t just unsightly--they can be a symptom of a much bigger problem that needs at...
While it's not uncommon for a hallway to be the 'problem child' of a home decor scheme, most people never encounter o...
Wood. It makes up so much of our homes, from the framing to the flooring we walk on. And it appears in all kinds of f...
Cleaning your painted walls may seem like a daunting task, but it’s actually quite simple (though somewhat time-consu...
If your next home renovation requires framing new walls, think twice before you reach for those ubiquitous two-by-fou...
Who doesn't need more shelf space? Hanging shelves is a great do-it-yourself project that can help you get organized....
Before hanging anything, it’s important to find out what your wall is made of. Ideally, you should attach floating sh...
Everybody calls it sheetrock, but the generic name is drywall and it comes in various thicknesses and sizes. LISTENLi...
A true plaster job is the best way to complete a wall in a period home.
Why wallpaper when a simple stencil will add the perfect personal touch? With a little elbow grease and imagination, even the most uneven old wall can become an a...
Historic fabrics known for their scenic depictions now tell more modern tales.
Here's a before-and-after worth noting. The wood wall paneling inside an 1890s NYC brownstone was severely damaged ne...
Advice and information on types of walls and ceilings and how to implement construction of them.
So you bought a new towel rack—or some shelving brackets, or a paper towel holder—and you want to attach it to the wa...
We've all been there, right? "Oh, I just need to find a stud to hang this picture" and fifteen holes later you're con...
Follow these step-by-step DIY methods for repairing small and large holes in your drywall.
Most of the time finishing drywall joints isn't one of those jobs that has people jumping up and down with excitement...
Customizable, ready-to-assemble systems have made wall paneling and wainscoting more accessible than ever.
The roof of the new addition is being insulated – in an environmentally conscious way – to retain the heat from the radiant heating system. Moisture- and mold-res...
Bob explores innovative construction technologies – Insul-Tarp and ReddiForm polystyrene blocks – as the structure is reinforced and the first-floor walls start t...
The home's concrete-slab floor is constructed with foam decking and connected to PEX tubing that will heat the home. The ReddiForm foam blocks enable a single con...
Bob meets carpenter Danny Ruffini to see how a metal stud wall is built in the basement.
Bob reviews plans for the kitchen remodeling and visits the second floor, where one of the bedrooms has been removed to accommodate his and her bathrooms. He help...
In the dining room, carpenter Bob Ryley installs a chair rail and works with carpenter Danny Ruffini on the glass doors that will be added to the corner cupboard—...
Furniture maker Todd Allen builds a staircase from scratch, which will run from the basement to the kitchen, using a technique that is a couple of centuries old.
Bob takes a tour of the Isaac Bell historic house in Newport, RI, exploring one of the finest examples of the Shingle Style to be found anywhere.
Inspired by designs found in the Isaac Bell historic house, paneling is installed on Bob’s entrance door to the living room. Bob looks at the completed tiled show...
Bob joins carpenter David Ives, who is installing the paneling in the master bedroom closet, and then checks in on artist Kim’s faux finishing work on the walls.
Bob meets with faux-painting expert Kim Sweet, who is applying a gold parchment effect on the master bedroom walls. Bob tries his hand at applying some color.
Before putting on the blue board, Bob looks at what goes behind the walls: wiring, light fixtures, heat ducts, water lines, and a pocket door frame.
Bob heads to the library to discuss the plaster patchwork in progress, and then visits the second floor, where ceramic tile is being installed in a guest bathroom...
Bob interviews Carlos Londono, a plastering contractor, who demonstrates how to apply a veneer coat of plaster over blue board.
Bob talks with Owens Corning experts about the basement finishing system and discusses staircase repairs.
Bob recaps the project and the installation of a new ceiling and walls begins.
An old basement window is replaced, and experts explain the costs of the Owens Corning finishing system.
Bob discusses the installation of a basement half-bathroom, including wiring, plumbing, and radiant heating.
Bob meets with Leslie Chapman-Henderson from the Federal Alliance for Safe Housing (FLASH) and Randy Shackelford to discuss an assortment of storm-resistant roof ...
Bob meets Thad Goodman to install fiberglass-faced wallboard.
Mark Newton and Jesse Gonzales explain what happens when the metal frames are removed from the poured walls, then they apply a three-coat plaster.
Dino Koukoudakis of Dino's Construction prefers using metal studs, because of their light weight and resistance to warping. Easy to cut and fasten, metal studs to...
Bob spends a moment with the drywall contractor before speaking with Thad Goodman of Georgia Pacific. Mr. Goodman tells Bob about the unique, mold-resistant prope...
Bob and Chris Vila visit the plastering contractor and receive a lesson in plaster mixing. Next, they talk to Dino from Dino's Construction, who's installing the ...
Bob discusses the custom wall finish with designer Jonas Everets, who is using marmorino, a centuries-old lime-based plaster, on the kitchen walls of the top-floo...
Bob looks on as custom wall finisher Jonas Everets demonstrates the process of waxing a surface plastered with marmorino, a Venetian plaster.
Bob surveys the interior decorating of the penthouse apartment, as well as the top-quality materials and appliances in the kitchen. Also, Bob learns about the dif...
Bob tours the Simplex Industries modular home plant and learns how the different pre-fab parts are made.
Chris Vila discusses the benefits of a factory-built foundation system with Mel Zimmerman of Superior Walls.
Bob tours the Simplex Industries manufacturing facility where workers are precutting the plywood as they construct the interior and exterior walls.
Bob witnesses high-speed drywall finishing taking place in the Simplex modular home building plant.
Pella windows are being set into the modular home, one section of which is being sided with a board-and-batten product from Georgia-Pacific.
Bob surveys the modular home project in the Berkshire Hills of Western Massachusetts, paying special attention to the products used on the exterior of the house.
Bob takes the first of many visits to the Winterthur Garden and Museum in Delaware's Brandywine Valley.
Bob walks through the farmhouse interior and points out some of the challenges the home's design posed for the drywall contractors.
Latex paint is being applied on the exterior of the Vermont farmhouse by workers using airless sprayers.
Rob Shedrofsky from Davinci Stone explains the tiling process to Bob as the Porcelanosa wall tile is installed in the bathroom
Bob and Professor Tom Visser (UVM) visit the Burtch-Udall house in Quechee, VT, and the nearby Sumner Mansion-- suitable locales for a running discussion on prope...
Bob talks with Ray Adam (from Pella Windows) about the new French doors to be installed in the library. It's an active/inactive door with all hardware. The most i...
Bob goes up to the attic of the Victorian project house, where an ODL tubular skylight is being installed. Also, Bob looks back at the installation of windows on ...
Bob joins Joe Sheridan (from Energy Guard) to learn more about the US Greenfiber Cocoon cellulose insulation being used in the barn.
In the barn of the Victorian restoration project house, Bob talks with a rep from US Gypsum about the new technology that makes blue boards stronger and lighter t...
A crew from US Gypsum is installing drywall in the barn of the Victorian restoration project house. This is a traditional installation with drywall wallboard and ...
Chris Borovka (from US Gypsum) joins Bob to explain about patching with plaster.
Bob visits the site to watch the Steve Thompson and his crew from Premier Building Systems raise the SIPs walls. Jim Tracy (from Premier) provides SIPs details.
Bob visits the Willamette I-Joist Mill in Woodburn, OR, before returning to Yonkers where the crew is assembling the second floor walls with structural insulated ...
Tim Smyth, the plastering contractor, provides a drywall update and offers a few tips on quality, speedy installation.
Decorator B. Smith paint a lavender stripe pattern on a bedroom wall.
Bob discusses the wall layout with carpenter Bob Ryley and, with Bryan Readling (from the Engineered Wood Association), the talk surrounds the use of laminated ve...
John Galvin is applying veneer plaster to the walls along the stairway.
Carpenter Bob Ryley and the finish carpenter install interior trim in the dining room.
Carpenter Bob Ryley and Bob George (from New England Window) install a bronze aluminum replacement window in an arched-top masonry wall.
Bob interviews Brian Dauphinee, who's hanging blue board, installing corner bead, and applying the scratch coat of plaster.
Bob observes Bill Brody (from Classic Glass) installing a large mirror, a glass shelf, and a glass partition wall.
Bob and carpenter Bob Ryley put up a grab bar in the bathroom to facilitate a wheelchair-bound person's maneuvering.
The old flooring in the Gothic Carpenter-style home in Elmwood has been removed. Bob outlines the process of installing the new floor and discusses the new suppor...
Carpenter Bob Ryley and Tim Grether (from Owens Corning) install insulation and vapor barrier in the bathroom. And Jim Larson (from Georgia Pacific) installs a sp...
The seventh Elmwood neighborhood project house has rotting sidewall and old asphalt roof shingles in need of replacement.
Homer Earl (from the Cedar Shake and Shingle Bureau) explains what makes a quality shingle. The group takes a look at Sikkens Cetol shingle stain products, and Bo...
As part of a Miami kitchen renovation, Bob frames a partition wall made to resemble a banana leaf. He also pours concrete to patch a floor.
Bob watches a concrete slab foor being poured, and looks on as sets of insulated forms are filled with concrete to make walls.
Bob meets with stucco contractor Angelo Dattini, who walks Bob through the first steps of stucco application.
Bob meets with stucco contractor Angelo Dattini, who is mixing Rinker-brand stucco with Pompano sand in a wheelbarrow.
Bob interviews Mike Casas, a plastering contractor applying plaster over drywall and metal lath over wood lath.
Bob and carpenter Cortney Lofton install clapboard siding on the front porch of the bungalow. In addition, they reinforce the gable to correct an existing sag, th...
Bob tours the home's exterior, noting that the crowned gates are complete and that a locking latch has been added to secure the pool. Bob also remarks on the land...
Bob and carpenter Bob Ryley look at the corner of the house, where the sidewall has been removed to reveal the plywood and Douglas fir sheathing. Next, Bob helps ...
Bob assists the crew installing sidewall on the second floor of the addition.
Bob and carpenter Bob Ryley demonstrate how to lay out and build interior partitions.
Bob and carpenter Bob Ryley demolish a wall on the second floor in order to connect the framed-in addition to the existing house.
Bob meets with the architects, Mark and Geoffrey, who visit the project site every two weeks in order to check on progress, and to make sure their plans are being...
As he watches the plaster being applied, Bob discusses the advantages of using blueboard and plaster, instead of drywall.
Bob joins carpenter Bob Ryley, who is putting sidewall shingles onto the exterior of the new addition.
Bob surveys the plaster cornice in the project home. Water damage has ruined a large section and much of the remaining plaster needs repair. Bob and restoration c...
Bob observers the expert plasterer add detail to the cornice, which is under reconstruction due to water damage.
Bob joins restoration contractor Richard Marks to see how the existing plaster and cornice work is blended with the new drywall.
Bob meets with John Clancy who is applying "California" stucco inside the greenhouse. A tint is applied to the mix to match the interior, and a latex bonding mate...
The second-floor walls are framed and erected at the Malibu beach house.
Contractor Rick Davenport demonstrates the installation of wet-spray cellulose insulation. Jets of water moisten the insulation as it leaves the blower hose nozzl...
Contractors explain their methodology as they apply stucco finish to the Malibu beach house in a multiple-step process.
Bob visits with plaster sub-contractor Mike Bennet, who is floating mortar bed walls in the shower space of the beach house bathroom.
Bob and contractor Bob Ryley review the Insulspan structural insulated panels (SIPs). These Styrofoam panels save steps in construction, since they include struct...
Bob interviews drywall contractor Mark Richardson, as he hangs drywall inside a skylight and attaches the corner bead.
Bob and contractor Bob Ryley install southern yellow pine plywood on the interior of the garage. On the exterior, Bob talks with Greg Binford about adding a stain...
Bob tours the lavish interior of Chateau-sur-Mer in Newport, RI. The entrance walls are painted canvas and the ceiling is adorned by a fresco. Hand-carved walnut ...
Contractor Bob Ryley is creating a Victorian-style breezeway using modern materials, which will bridge the old and new wings of the home.
Bob meets with carpenter Ron Jackson, who is installing Atlantic white cedar shingles and sidewall flashing.
The wallpaper installers, Jim and Tracy Matheson, show Bob how wallpaper is measured, cut, and applied.
Bob visits a wallpaper factory, where the design, paper-milling, and printing aspects of the wallpaper fabrication process all take place.
Bob reviews progress in the kitchen, which includes the installation of a pantry, and contractor Bob Ryley demonstrates how to build a door into a wood-paneled wa...
Bob and contractor Bob Ryley confer about adding trim to the curvilinear top edge of an arched window. After sheet lead is installed as flashing, Ryley attaches s...
The designer shows Bob around the addition, pointing out certain highlights, such as the breezeway with exposed studs and the Victorian-influenced lighting design...
Bob remarks on how much progress has been made in one week of work on the Wayland project home. The footings have been established and the crew has begun building...
Bob meets with Lynn from the Shirley-Eustis Colonial Governor's Mansion Association. Together they tour the Federal-style home, noting an Irish crystal chandelier...
Bob joins plastering contractor Bob Fragakis, who will install blueboard, then apply a skim coat of plaster over it. Fragakis explains the tools and materials use...
Bob joins siding contractor Brian Quinn, who is constructing a beautiful gable-end sunburst fan from clapboard siding. Quinn explains how to lay out the center mo...
The interior decorating process has begun. Bob receives some tips on selecting and hanging wallpaper.
Refinishing the basement continues with the installation of wood paneling.
Bob and carpenter-contractor Bob Ryley review the exterior of the home, pointing out the new trellis and the new entryway. Next, they move inside to have a look ...
Bob interviews Larry Lelflar (from Bonita Drywall) as he and his team hang drywall on the ceiling, then apply the first coat of tape and compound.
Bob tours the interior of the in-progress Naples project, discussing the installation of ceiling boards with the drywall contractor.
General contractor Ron Gan explains the advantages of metal wall studs, as the studs are cut and installed in the kitchen, complete with plywood backing plates fo...
Carpentry contractor Bob Ryley demonstrates how to put up the pine interior paneling in the living room.
The crew installs a Parallam beam in the living room along with iron beams on the back masonry wall.
Bob looks on as plaster contractor Sabino Lux performs plaster patching and adds drywall details.
Bob tours the Georgia-Pacific drywall plant in Marcus Hook, PA with Monty Palmowski.
Contractor Carleton Bergere explains the advantages of vinyl siding and demonstrates how to install it.
Bob looks on as general contractor Tim Berky clads the Queen Anne Victorian project house with clapboards, taking cues from the home's original 1890s exterior.
