ceilings: Articles tagged with “ceilings”

This information can clarify and help answer some questions about common skylight problems.

This information can clarify and help answer some questions about installing a skylight.

Q: I want to remove an exterior wall that separates my living room from a sun porch. It is a load-bearing wall and I would like to support the 14 foot 6 inch span with as small a beam as possible, wood or steel.

Can you let me know my options for temporary support and permanent post and beam size requirements?

Drywall panels cover most walls and ceilings built over the last 40 years. Drywall can also be called sheetrock, wallboard and gypsum board. These panels are made of a layer of gypsum sandwiched between heavy paper facings. A waterproof type, sometimes called "green board" because of the color of the paper, is used in bathrooms and other areas subject to heavy moisture.

Drywall panels cover most walls and ceilings built in the last 40 years. These panels have a layer of gypsum sandwiched between heavy paper facings. A waterproof type sometimes called green board is used in bathrooms and other areas subject to heavy moisture. The sheets, which are relatively inexpensive, are 4 feet wide, 1/4 to 5/8 inch thick, and 6 to 16 feet long. The standard size is 1/2 inch thick and 8 feet long.

Styles of drywall have changed a lot over the years. Using drywall techniques to add new architectural or design touches, or simply retexturing ceilings and walls, can dramatically change the overall appearance of a home with a relatively small investment. Following are some basic ideas to get you started.

A skylight can be a beautiful addition to any home. Some people get depressed without sunlight and, for those who fit that description, a skylight can help to make the home bright and cheery. A skylight is designed to fill your home with sun, but certainly not the rain. Unfortunately, nothing is perfect and even skylights can develop structural problems.

Classic cathedral ceilings are beautiful and timeless. They give the home an open, airy feel but they are also more prone to moisture damage than a traditional ceiling. The design of a cathedral ceiling creates isolated air spaces which are more difficult to treat. For years there has been an ongoing debate among experts who feel that ventilation is necessary for cathedral ceilings. Some say it is required to help eliminate the moisture buildup, while others say a simpler method will suffice. The question many are asking is, "What is best?" The real answer, however, lies with only one question. "What is best for my home?" You, and only you, can make a well-informed decision about how to properly care for and protect your ceiling.

There are many resources on how to find a roof leak but most of the time, homeowners can locate the problem themselves within minutes. A leaking roof should be repaired promptly before further damaged is caused to the structure of the roof itself, or to the home. If a leak is left untreated, the structure will likely be damaged along with some belongings inside your home.

Q: I'm trying to find out if a hip roof can be framed as a true cathedral. I know that when you are framing a gable roof, you can use collar ties in lieu of attaching ceiling joists to the bottom of the rafters. Can the same be done for a hip roof?

This information can clarify and help answer some questions about planning for an addition.

Q: I would like to make two bedrooms and a bathroom in my attic. To do this I would have to lift my ceiling. Can you recommend a contractor who would be able to come in and give me a free estimate?

Many basements are dark areas used to store seasonal decorations, old toys, sporting equipment and anything else not used on a regular basis. We rarely go down to the basement, and much of the stuff gets thrown out or given away when we move. Perhaps it is time you reconsidered how you use your basement? Here are some tips on how to reclaim it as "living" space you can actually use.

Painting is one of the most economical and long-lasting ways to enhance the interior of a home or office. It can transform raw space into a warm and inviting environment. Paint can revive a room by defining and illuminating the architectural details. It can also breathe new life into an old home with color and texture. But the results can only be as good as the paint job itself. Here are the steps to take to get a perfect paint job anywhere in your home.

Walls and ceilings can be textured in two ways; by applying texture directly to the surface before painting or by adding textured material to the paint before applying it. Most commonly, texturing is included in the drywall installation process. However, many new products have been developed for use by painters to create "faux" and other specialty effects.

Texture-sprayed ceilings with the appearance of "popcorn" or "cottage cheese" are difficult to clean. Cobwebs and dust around vents can be removed by holding the wand of a vacuum about an inch from the surface of the ceiling. However, more forceful action such as sweeping can remove the loose popcorn-like texture. If an acoustic ceiling is discolored from age, however, there is really no way to "clean" it.

Q: We have bumpy ceilings in all rooms of our home. They really need to be painted. When I tried painting the bathroom, the bumpy stuff started to come off. So we scraped it off and wallpapered the ceiling. However, it would be impossible to do the whole house. What is the proper way to paint them or clean them?

Q: How much does it cost to have the interior of a house painted? Can you give me a price range? We have six rooms and a couple of cathedral ceilings that are all popcorn ceilings.

Check the Warranty

Since many ceiling fan motors have long warranties, be sure to check the owner's manual before proceeding with repairs. Let the manufacturer deal with a faulty motor if it's still under warranty.

Even when covered with insulation, standard recessed lighting fixtures still allow significant amounts of conditioned air to escape and unconditioned air to enter between the fixture and the ceiling opening.