Building – Amcap Home Loans https://directhml.com We are here for you! Sun, 26 Apr 2020 16:22:28 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=5.4.1 How to make better paint and make it nice #how-to-make-better-paint-and-make-it-nice/ #how-to-make-better-paint-and-make-it-nice/#comments Wed, 13 Sep 2017 04:50:09 +0000 https://xtheme.us/construction/2017/09/13/hello-world-8/ Painting advice: To avoid lap marks, roll the full height of the wall and keep a wet edge

Lap marks are those ugly stripes caused by uneven layers of paint buildup. They occur when you roll over paint that’s already partly dry. (In warm, dry conditions, latex paint can begin to stiffen in less than a minute!) The key to avoiding lap marks  when doing DIY wall painting is to maintain a “wet edge,” so each stroke of your roller overlaps the previous stroke before the paint can begin to dry.

Here’s some painting tips: To maintain a wet edge, start near a corner and run the roller up and down the full height of the wall, moving over slightly with each stroke. Move backward where necessary to even out thick spots or runs. Don’t let the roller become nearly dry; reload it often so that it’s always at least half loaded. Keep the open side of the roller frame facing the area that’s already painted. That puts less pressure on the open side of the roller, so you’re less likely to leave paint ridges when doing DIY wall painting.

Source: FamilyHandyMan

]]> #how-to-make-better-paint-and-make-it-nice/feed/ 1 How to repair floor and make it nice #how-to-repair-floor-and-make-it-nice/ #how-to-repair-floor-and-make-it-nice/#comments Wed, 13 Sep 2017 04:50:09 +0000 https://xtheme.us/construction/2017/09/13/hello-world-2/

Your wood floors are looking tired, but the idea of refinishing them is just too daunting. Not to worry: There are a number of ways to bring dated, dull or damaged floors back to life – without the long and arduous process of sanding, restaining and resealing.

•THE PROBLEM You like the color of your floors, but the finish is scratched and worn.

THE SOLUTION Screen and recoat.

Screening, also known as buffing, is a quick, relatively inexpensive method of shining wood floors, which involves lightly abrading the top coat of polyurethane, then applying a new coat of finish. This works best when the finish has been damaged, but the wood hasn’t. “It’s a fast way to revive a floor that is in decent condition,” said Oliver Keeley, the owner of Woodlawn Floor Supplies in the Bronx.

Screening and recoating a 700-square-foot living room floor, he said, typically takes a day and starts at about $1,000. (By contrast, refinishing a floor of the same size can cost double that amount and take two or three days for the same size area.)

One caveat: If your floor has been waxed, screening won’t work. In that case, your best bet is to hire a handyman to rewax and polish the floors using a buffing machine with a steel wool pad, which will cost about $300 or $400. A reputable floor refinisher will be able to determine your floor’s finish. Or, if you want to experiment, Mr. Keeley said, clean an inconspicuous spot, like behind a door, then apply a small amount of paint thinner or mineral spirits to a white rag and wipe the floor. If the rag turns yellow or brown, the finish is likely wax.

Source: NYT

]]> #how-to-repair-floor-and-make-it-nice/feed/ 1 Make your dream house in low budget #make-your-dream-house-in-low-budget/ #make-your-dream-house-in-low-budget/#comments Wed, 13 Sep 2017 04:50:09 +0000 https://xtheme.us/construction/2017/09/13/hello-world-3/

Be patient. New home construction is a lengthy, exhausting process. But remember, your dream home awaits.

If you are struggling in today’s economy, it may seem like building the house of your dreams is out of the question. My husband and I thought so, too! But when we decided to stop renting and looked into buying a home, we realized we could build for the same price and get more of what we wanted in a custom house.

  • Design with the an eye for future changes. This is key. Choose a house plan that you love, but consider future options: Is it possible to add on later? Can you add a second story in five years? Porches can also be very expensive, and it might be easier to add one in the future. Your builder will be able to help in this area and knows what can be changed cost-effectively.

  • Lower the square footage. This is an easy money saver when you are building a house, and it won’t necessarily be a huge sacrifice. Many formal dining rooms aren’t used very often, and large bedrooms can be wasted space if they aren’t used for much more than sleeping. Stick with an open floor plan and consider not having vaulted ceilings. These can make a space seem less cozy and raise your energy bill.

    Source: SFGate

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