Recent content by Bill

central Texas... 30 miles north of Austin City Limits

the good security storm doors are custom made to fit you opening. They have a steel frame and double as a storm door (has glass). I have used a couple brands but do not remember the exact name. I looked up a web site that may help. I do not endorse this co. but it may be a place to start...

I have a dog and a gun... One thing nice about Texas is if you kill an intruder IN your home you usually get off scott free...

A dehumifier will remove the normal condesation and is a must for all basements in humid areas. high humidity air will cool and condense in a normal basement because the basement is cooler than outside. this does not address the seepage of water. cement is porus and will allow moisture to...

It is rare when remodeling is cheaper than building new... So if there is a compelling reason that the existing structure speakes to you just be sure it is not cost savings. The rule of thumb I have used is that remodeling will cost from 1 1/2 to 2 1/2 times new construction. There are many...

YES THEY ARE NECESSARY!!! When it gets hot outside the air comes in from your soffit and rises under your roof sheathing. This warm air goes out the vents thus your attic space is cooled. This helps in the winter also by removing water vapor from your attic area. The condensation will cause...

Some building supply companies have a fixture to attach to you garden hose which should work on one story homes and maybe some two storys. If you can walk on your roof a leaf blower could be used. Gutter helmet or some other gutter cap may help. Now you can see why I almost...

I posted the following for someone earlier... the extra dirt can be used for a waterfall or river. You have to put it some where so put it next to the hole you dig for your pond. Use the liner to control the water flow. Place different size stones for the water to flow over. Let your...

Simply just dig a hole the size and shape you want and put a liner and fill it with water. The best liner I have found is the rubber roofing used on flat roofs. They are available from most roofing suppliers. They are available in ten and 20 feet wide and as long as you want. Important that...

There are many manufactures (probably over a hundred) that can meet that need. One is Pella. A trip to a good building supplier is a first step.

Just as th previous note. you can cut wider and install a header in the wall above the door opening and support that header with a support on each side of the door. You will have to cut the header above your existing window. This can be done with a sawsall and a long blade. If you are...

the previous memo is for a floor to ceiling bay window. If you just want to replace the existing two windows with a bay window, you can do that by getting a bay window manufactured for that opening size. The existing windows are removed and replaced with a custom window. You will have to...

If that is a wood beam supported at each end you probably do not have to worry about the weight of any light fixture. some beams are only decoration and are not supported very well. if it seems loose be careful.

More important than noise... make sure the unit can breathe. if you stop the noise and stop the air circulation you will have more trouble than a little noise.

Be careful!!! a wood fireplace needs a lot of fresh air and the air comes from inside the home. Nice home heated air which is expelled through the flue with the smoke and replaced with nice fresh cold air from out side. because of this it one of the most inefficient forms of heat and is...