Ready Mixed Concrete Producer - You need to know how many yards are needed for concrete projects when placing an order. A yard is just another name for 27 cubic feet. Since a standard yard contains 3 feet, a cubic yard is 3' x 3' x 3'. That's 3' wide, 3' wide, and 3' long.

Most concrete projects are measured by the foot for length and width, and inches for thickness. So how do you determine the cubic yards of concrete to order?

Let’s say you are pouring a slab that measures 20 feet wide, 20 feet long, and 4 inches thick. Start by calculating the square feet of surface area. The formula is:

Stucco Colors - Stucco is very durable. The newer types have a long lifespan and are resistant to the elements. But small cracks do occasionally appear. There is also the problem of mechanical damage from something hitting the surface. Use acrylic latex paint to cover small cracks. You can also fill them with latex caulking compound and then paint with acrylic latex paint. For larger cracks, chisel around the edges of the crack and brush away loose material. Paint the edges with concrete bonding agent and allow to cure. Then use a trowel to fill the crack with stucco patching compound.

Make sure the color and texture are similar to the stucco around it. Matching the texture and color is the hardest part of stucco repair. Make a few trial patches on scrap wood before applying to your house. Keep the patch damp for 4 days to allow it to cure.

Backsplash Mural - If you are looking for a way to add character to your kitchen, consider a ceramic tile backsplash. This is a great project that will add a nice finished look. The project is low cost and does not require a lot of time or specialized equipment to accomplish.

Before starting, review the features of the area. What color are the walls, countertop, floor and appliances? Are the cabinets light or dark? What type of lighting is present, and what does it illuminate? What color and type are the fixtures? If your cabinets are dark, you may want to lighten-up the area. If you have under-cabinet lighting, the backsplash could probably be done in a medium color tone so it doesn’t contrast with the cabinetry.

Surface Preparation

Tile can be installed over most substrates if they are clean, smooth and dry. Check with your supplier to see if the tile you have chosen requires a specific underlayment. Repair and level any damaged or uneven areas. Make certain your countertop is level. If not, insert shims between the lower cabinets and the countertop. Turn off power and water to any outlets within or near your work space. Be careful! Electric wires and plumbing run between studs in walls. Don’t make the mistake of cutting into either while they are still live.

Oil Painting - All house paints are either water based latex or oil based. Latex is the most commonly sold paint today. It covers well, cleanup with water is fast and easy, and it is durable.

Water based latex paints offer significant performance advantages. Compared to oil based paints, top quality exterior latex paints have greater durability, color retention, and chalk resistance, so they continue to look good for years. Since they are less brittle and more elastic than oil based paints, they have better resistance to cracking. Latex paints also dry much faster than oil based paints, which allows for a quicker second coat. When compared with other latex paints, those with 100% acrylic binders are especially durable and highly flexible. They tend to adhere extremely well to a variety of exterior surfaces, and have greater resistance to troublesome paint failures like blistering, flaking and peeling.

Bathroom Flooring Tile - In order to achieve a professional and attractive look, be sure to take your time during the planning and surface prep stages. The substrate to be tiled has to be clean, smooth, and free of defects. Any damaged areas must be repaired and smoothed before work begins. Even small high spots will make alignment nearly impossible.


The horizontal lines are drawn first. Make sure all lines are accurate and easy to see. The way to do this depends on whether your tub or shower pan is level or not.

Level Tub or Shower Pan - If the tub is level to within 1/8″, measure and mark your horizontal line from the high point of the tub. The 1/8″ difference (if there is a difference) can be hidden with grout. Measure up from the lip of the tub, the width of a tile plus 1/8″. Make a line using a level and a straight edge, along the back wall and the two end walls.

Out of Level Tub or Shower Pan - If the tub is not level to 1/8″, mark your horizontal line from the low point. Determine a level line just like for a level tub and run a batten along the bottom of the line. It is usually best to nail a straight wooden batten so that the top of the batten is set to the horizontal line. This provides a level surface for the tile. After all the tile is laid, remove the batten and install the bottom row. You will have to cut the bottom row of tiles to fit along the uneven top edge of the tub or pan.

Vertical Working Lines

Setup the tiles so each edge (border) tile is the same width on each end, and more than half a tile wide. To do this, first locate the mid-point on the back wall and mark it on the horizontal line. Then place a row of loose tiles along the back of the tub, making sure that a joint matches up with the center mark. The distance left at each end gives you the dimension of your border tiles. If the end tiles turn out to be larger than half a tile, make the vertical center line all the way up the wall using a level and straight edge.

Pocket Door Hardware - Most doors are sold as pre-hung units, where the door is already installed into a jamb. These are easier to install and align than trying to get a new door to fit into an old frame.

Brick homes are especially prone to having jambs that cannot be removed. For some reason, there are builders that will install the doors, then apply brick right over the outer part of the door frame. In this case, removal would require the jambs be broken apart in small sections for removal, and the new frame would have to be modified in order to fit.

Hanging a door can be a frustrating experience. The problem is usually due to not keeping the new frame square and plumb. Sometimes, it can be quite difficult to get a good fit due to the opening being out of alignment. Houses settle with time and door openings can move around a lot.

Removing an Existing Door

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Century Tile - Ceramic tile comes in many shapes, sizes, textures and types. Before starting your tile project, take some time to investigate the types and installation procedures. You need a clear idea of the area you are going to tile as well as performance characteristics. Will the area be exposed to a lot of moisture? If you are tiling a floor, how much foot traffic will the area be exposed to? What about weight of heavy objects, such as refrigerators?

Remember accessories like soap dishes and towel holders if you are planning to install ceramic bathroom tile. Do you have the necessary equipment? Cutting tile is not difficult, but does require patience and a few tools to do the job right.

Measure the floor and wall areas to be tiled. If the tiles are normal sized then you should add no more than 10% for waste. Some tiles will have to be cut, while others may be damaged or blemished. Always order an extra 10%. Even if you don't use them, they often come in handy for repairs at a later date.

If you are using a floor or wall border, measure the distance to be tiled and divide it by the length of each border to arrive at the number of tiles required. Again add a few extra pieces for waste.