E H T 2014 04 Downmagaz.com

8/12/2019 E H T 2014 04 Downmagaz.com

1/93

PLUS:

The Enthusiasts Guide to Home Improvement

What The Pros Know: Four Different Methods of Roofing Installation

April 2014 | www.extremehowto.com

0 0 9 2 8 1 0 3 6 0 0 5

0 4

$ 4 . 9 9 U S $ 4 . 9 9 C A N

The Enthusiasts Guide to Home ImprovementThe Enthusiasts Guide to Home Improvement

DIYHANDY TIPS FOR

SPRING LAWN CARE

PAINT SUPPLIES FOR

YOUR NEXT PROJECT

A NEW RUSTIC-STYLE BED

FROM RECLAIMED WOOD

FRIENDLYFLOORING


2/93


3/93


4/93


5/93


6/93


7/93

CONTENTSAp r i l 2 0 1 4

F E A T U R E S

28 DIY Friendly FlooringEasy installation makes homeowners happy.

42 Turf Takeover

Handy Tips for Spring Lawn Care

56 Roofing RoutinesWe show what the pros know about four

different methods of roofing installation.

42 56

4 www.extremehowto.com

28


8/93


9/93


E V E R Y I S S U E

From the Editor

Advertisers Index

C O L U M N S

Q & A

Tool School

Paint Supplies for Your Next Project

D E P A R T M E N T S

Do-It-Yourself

Make Your Bed

Hot Products

8

87

10

14

68

82

CONTENTS


Cover photo courtesy Lumber Liquidators

16


10/93


11/93

From The

Editor-In-ChiefETTERH

ome-building technology is always evolving, but its a gradual pro-

gression from year to year. Rarely do I get word of new technology

that truly warrants the word "revolutionary." However, I recently

learned of a cutting-edge method of home construction that is reallyturning heads.

You may have heard that the future of manufacturing will rely

heavily on 3D printing. In case you arent yet familiar with the process,

Wikipedia defines 3D printing as a process of making a three-dimen-

sional solid object of virtually any shape from a digital model. 3D print-

ing is achieved using an additive process, where successive layers of

material are laid down in different shapes. The process is basically

the opposite of traditional machining techniques that rely on cutting

or drilling to remove material.

Its all very Star Trek, and the uses for this technology seem endless.

For example, you might remember the recent controversy in the news

about The Liberator, the worlds first 3D printed gun.

Now, researchers from the University of Southern California havecreated a 3D printer that can build a 2,500 sq. ft. house in 24 hours.

To build the house, a giant robot with a hanging nozzle and a crane-

mounted flexible arm layers concrete over a foundation. The robot is

guided by a computer-generated pattern. The layers eventually shape

into walls, complete with all the conduits for electricity, plumbing, HVAC

or other utilities.

While that sounds impressive, I don't think traditional homebuilders

are in any immediate danger of losing their jobs to robots. Homeowners

in the U.S. and Canada typically want a personal touch to the design of

their homes, and need experienced craftsmen to make that happen.

But the researchers hope that in the future the robots could be used

to build emergency shelter for disaster reliefor to create affordable housing.

Imagine a devastated coastal village that's

been wiped out by a tsunami. Now, imagine a

team of giant robots erecting multiple shelters

every day in the face of a humanitarian crisis.

For a situation like that, a "printed" house

sounds pretty revolutionary to me.

Extreme How-To(ISSN 1540-5346) is published and distributedmonthly to DIY home improvement enthusiasts by Latitude3Media Group, LLC, 1111 Edenton Street, Birmingham, AL 35242(executive and editorial offices). All rights reserved. Neither thispublication nor any part of it may be reproduced, stored in aretrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, elec-tronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, withoutpermission of Latitude3 Media Group, LLC. Subscriptions: U.S. andpossessions: 1 year (9 issues $18.97); foreign, 1 year (9 issues $32.50) U.S. funds only. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to:Extreme How-To P.O. Box 4320, Oregon, IL 61061. SUBSCRIBERSERVICE: To order a subscription or change your address, write toExtreme How-ToP.O. Box 4320, Oregon, IL 61061, or call 888-587-8911; or E-mail [email protected]; or visit www.extremehowto.com.To order back issues, call (205) 949.1603.

The information in Extreme How-Toseditorial content is intended toexplain and simplify home-improvement tasks. Tools, products,materials, techniques, building codes and local regulations

change; therefore, Latitude3assumes no liability for omissions,errors or the outcome of any project. The reader must always exer-cise reasonable caution, follow current codes and regulations thatmay apply, and is urged to consult with a licensed professional if indoubt about any procedures. Printed in the USA

EDITOR- IN -CHIEFMatt Weber

[email protected]

ADVISORY BOARDMonte BurchRob RobillardLarry WaltonKathy Ziprik

Mark Clement

CREATIVE DIRECTORWesley Glassco

CIRCULATIONJennifer Pentecost

P U BLI SHERJeremy Hollingsworth

[email protected]

SENIOR ACCOUNT EXECUTIVEJan Logan

[email protected] SALES

Martin [email protected]

Jason [email protected]

Scott [email protected]

ONLINE MEDIA ASSISTANTSonia Griffin

BUSINESS MANAGERDusty Statham

SUBSCRIPT IONSCustomer Service

888-587-8911

PRESIDENTTrent R. Boozer

EXECUTIVE V ICE-PRESIDENTChad Gillikin

EXECUTIVE V ICE-PRESIDENTVal Carrier

Extreme How-Tois published byLATITUDE3 MEDIA GROUP, LLC

1111 Edenton StreetBirmingham, AL 35242

Phone 205.949.1600 Fax 205.949.1601www.extremehowto.com



12/93


13/93

Questions About Home Building, Remodeling? Have Your OwnHow-To Tip? Visit our blog at blog.extremehowto.comand click on Ask Our Experts.

Gota?&

Q:I bought a prefab laminate countertop with backsplash, but the wall behind it is slightly uneven.How do I install it so theres no space between the wall and the countertop?

A:Professional carpenters usually scribe the counter to the wall. This requires a compass and pencil. Slide

the backsplash against the wall. Then adjust so the front edge of the countertop is parallel to the cabi-

nets. Set the compass so its point and the tip of the pencil are equal to the widest space between the wall and

the backsplash. Run the compass along the wall to transfer the contour of the wall to the top of the backsplash.

Use a handheld belt sander to sand the rear of the backsplash to the scribe line. Test the fit and scribe any

adjustments as necessary.

Q:There are some pits in our asphalt driveway in need of repair. Is this something I can fix myself, or do I haveto call a pro?

A:Youll find everything you need at home centers. You need cold-mix asphalt for the holes, such as the

ready-to-use All Weather Blacktop Patch from Sakrete. Remove any loose asphalt with a hammer, cold

chisel and hand broom. Trowel on the patch according to the manufacturers instructions, tamping down each

2-in. layer until the repair is about 1/2 inch above the surface. When properly compacted, the patch will harden

over time.



14/93


15/93

Q:Id like to add a stainless steel backsplash behind a stove, between two wall cabinets. Whats the bestway to attach it without visible fasteners?

A:Ask the supplier to cut the stainless sheet to size. The edges will be sharp, so wear gloves when hand-

ling it. Use a caulk gun to apply a liberal bead of heavy-duty construction adhesive (such as Liquid Nails)

across the entire back of the sheet. Use a putty knife to spread it into an even coating, 1/2 inch from the edges.

Attach a temporary cleat at the bottom of the backsplash to support the sheet while the glue sets. Press the

sheet to the wall. Use a clean, soft cloth to firmly smooth the sheet from the center outward, pushing out air

bubbles so the glue has full contact with the wall. Clean off any excess glue along the edges. Once the glue

cures, remove the cleat.

Q:I saw a denim wall at an open house that Id like to recreate in my home. At first I thought it waswallpaper, but it turned out to be a painting technique. How is this done?

A:The denim faux painting technique is also called chambray. A 12-in. wallpaper brush is used to give thewall surface the crisscross look of soft, worn, woven cloth. First, paint your base color on the wall andallow it to dry overnight. Use an eggshell or stain finish for the base. Then mix up a glaze, which is usually the

same hue as the base coat but a different shade. Working in a 4x8-ft. area at a time, roll on the glaze over the

base. Comb the wallpaper brush straight though the glaze from top to bottom. Experiment with different angles

and pressures to find the pattern you like. Comb quickly to limit irregularities in the pattern. Make three or four

passes to soften the effect. Then, comb horizontally in the same manner to create the crisscross effect of fabric.

Questions About Home Building, Remodeling? Have Your OwnHow-To Tip? Visit our blog at blog.extremehowto.comand click on Ask Our Experts.

Gota?&

EHT



16/93


17/93

TOOL SCHOOL

Painting is the most common

home-improvement project,

and the tools and supplies to

do the job are constantly evolving.

Here's a roundup of new products

to make your next color correction

a rousing success.

WOOSTER PAINTBRUSHES

The Wooster Brush Company

has the right paint brush for the

job, no matter what the job is. The

company's popular Alpha brush is

made with a one-of-a-kind synthetic

filament blend for superior profes-

sional-grade painting. Designed to

carry more paint at the end of the

brush, it releases evenly to the sur-

face for less effort while painting.

The Alpha's Micro Tip technology

delivers what many professionals

consider to be the finest paint

finish and smoothest flow on the

market today.

For work in high heat or humidity,

the Wooster Ultra/Pro Extra-Firm

brush is made with an extra-firm

filament blend to reduce flexibility,

resist wear and maintain superior

control. It's perfect for applying a

thick coating like exterior-grade or

low-VOC paint.

Chinex is known as one of the

most durable and easy-to-clean

paintbrush filaments, and lasts

seven times longer than natural

bristle. The Wooster Chinex FTP

(For Today's Paints) pushes paint

farther on the surface for better

coverage, and the soft tips create

a smooth, professional finish.

Versatility and effortless finish

quality make the Chinex FTP a

great all-in-one paintbrush for

the serious home enthusiast.

Wooster paint brushes are

available in a wide range of

handle lengths, brush widths

and sash angles. Visit

www.woosterbrush.com.

FROGTAPE TEXTUREDSURFACE

Extreme How-To's favorite

painter's tape, FrogTape, is avail-

able in a new kit for use on tex-

tured surfaces. FrogTape is treated

with the patented PaintBlock

Technology, a super absorbent

polymer that reacts with the water

in latex paint and instantly gels to

form a micro-barrier that seals the

edges of the tape, which helps

prevent paint bleed. FrogTape

Textured Surface is an easy-to-use,

By Tom Matthews


Paint Supplies for Your Next Project


18/93


19/93

TOOLSCHOOL


frustration-free masking tape that

now makes it easy to create

stripes, patterns

and designs on most common

textured surfaces, including heavy

knockdown, light knockdown and

orange-peel finishes.

The new kit includes a patent-

pending Liquid PaintBlock Edge

Sealer solution, which enhances

the benefits of PaintBlock for sur-

faces with lots of peaks and val-

leys. Once the FrogTape Textured

Surface is in place, just apply the

Liquid PaintBlock Edge Sealer with

the brush applicator in a circular or

back-and-forth motion and let dry

for 15 minutes prior to painting.

Remove the tape after the last coat

of paint is dry to the touch. This

two-step process is fast, easy and

delivers sharp, crisp lines within

minutes. Visit www.frogtape.com.


20/93

AVAILABLE THROUGHOUT

THE USA, ARKE SPIRAL

AND MODULAR STAIRCASE

KITS CAN BE BUILT IN A

DAY BY THE AVERAGE

DO-IT-YOURSELF HOME

ENTHUSIAST.

SPIRAL STAIRSAND MODULARSTAIR CASE KITS

ARKE MAKES BUYING AND INSTALLING A SPIRAL STAIR CASE EASY WITH THE FOLLOWING KEY FEATURES:

ALL-IN-ONE COMPLETE UNITS: TREADS, LANDING, BALUSTERS, HANDRAILS, HARDWARE AND ACCESSORIES INCLUDED

NOTHING TO PAINT, WELD, STAIN OR SEAL

IN STOCK FOR IMMEDIATE DELIVERY www.arkestairs.com

THE KARINA MODULAR SPACE SAVER STAIRKIT IS A UNIQUE AND

STYLISH SOLUTION FOR NARROW ACCESS AREAS, SUCH AS LOFTS

OR ATTICS, WITHOUT COMPROMISING FUNCTIONALITY.


21/93

WAGNER FLEXIO 590 SPRAYER

The FLEXiO 590 Sprayer is an

indoor/outdoor hand-held sprayer for all

projects. It combines the iSpray nozzle,detail finish nozzle and the X-Boost tur-

bine to provide a flexible and powerful

painting solution. The X-Boost turbine

delivers the power of 65,000 RPMs to

spray most coatings with maximum con-

trol, full coverage and low overspray. Not

only is it 3X more powerful, it is also 50

percent quieter and 20 percent lighter

than traditional airless sprayers. The

iSpray nozzle sprays un-thinned residen-

tial paints for broad surfaces both indoors

and out. The detail finish nozzle is idealfor small projects and fine finishing. The

FLEXiO 590 Sprayer produces a slightly

stippled, roller-like finish, perfect for interi-

or walls. Edges, corners and broad interior

surfaces can now be sprayed faster for

better coverage, saving time for other

projects. Visit www.wagnerflexio.com.

TOOL SCHOOL



22/93


23/93

INTELLIGENT SHIELD

ENERGY-SAVING

EXTERIOR PAINT

Intelligent Shield by EnviroECOats

is an innovative exterior coating

scientifically designed to be highly

reflective, self-cleaning, mold-

resistant and energy efficient.

The coating is water-based,

environmentally friendly, low-VOC

(40 g/L), and offers several Cool

Color choices featuring technology

by Industrial Nanotech, Inc. The

product is designed to reduce

cooling costs for homes and com-

mercial buildings, while also reduc-ing maintenance costs. It can be

used over many types of building

surfaces such as brick, drywall,

vinyl siding, wood, stucco, con-

crete and more. This nanotech

coating reflects over 82 percent

of the suns radiant heat. It is

easily applied with a paint spray-

er, roller or brush, and has a flat,

slightly textured finish. The base

color is white, which can be tinted,

and also comes in eight othercolor choices with varying degrees

of reflectivity. Visit www.nansu-

late.com/intelligentshield.htm.

TOOL SCHOOL



24/93


25/93

TOOL SCHOOL

GENERAL FINISHES

AT WOODWORKERS

HARDWARE

Woodworkers Hardware hasadded General Finishes to the

company's offering of cabinet

furniture supplies. General

Finishes is continually improving

all of the products in their line

of water-based stains, finishes

and paints. General Finishes

water-base stains allow you tocreate the truest, deepest colors

possible on any wood species.

All of the brand's water-based

stains, finishes and acrylic milk

paints feature low VOCs, are

non-flammable, and clean up

with soap and water. The finishes

are durable, easy use and theywont negatively impact your

health or the environment. Visit

wwhardware.com.

HYDE PAINTERS

ASSISTANT

Hydes new Painters Assistant

is a simple multi-tool that saves

time and hassle on painting proj-

ects. For both professionals and

do-it-yourselfers, the Painters

Assistant works as a carrying han-dle for 1- and 2-quart containers,

turning even simple plastic buck-

ets into a handy carrier when

youre painting trim or windows

with a brush. It also clips to your

roller tray, providing a magnetic

brush holder right where you need



26/93

it. The Painters Assistants built-

in features include a paint can

opener, a brush and roller cleaner,

belt hook, putty knife/scraper, apaint-can hook for when climbing

ladders, plus a garage tool hanger.

Visit www.hydetools.com.

www.extremehowto.com 23


27/93

TOOLSCHOOL

SHUR-LINE TOUCH-UP

PAINTER

During our research, con-

sumers expressed that touchingup walls is a frustrating part of

household maintenance, says

Shur-Line product manager

Nathalie Pimentel. We designed

a simple, time-saving solution

that makes it easy to keep your

walls looking freshly painted.

The Shur-Line Touch Up Painter

stores your paint inside the tool so

you're always ready to cover up

scuffs and marks on your walls

at a moments notice. When you

wrap up a paint project, simply

fill the Touch Up Painter and store

it for future use. Whenever you

notice a scuff or mark on your

walls, youll have paint readily

available to cover it up. The prod-

uct eliminates the most inconven-ient steps in the process and

makes it as easy as fill, roll, and

store. The roller on the Touch Up

Painter imitates the finish that

is already on your walls, so you

dont have to worry about leaving

brush marks behind. The roller

applicator is also disposable,

eliminating the time-consuming

cleanup. Just snap in a clean

roller for a fresh start the next

time scuffs happen. Visitwww.shurline.com.



28/93


29/93

TOOL SCHOOL

WOOSTER LOCK JAW

Approaching any job from the

best possible angle can make a

world of dif ference. Woosters new

Lock Jaw tool holder gives painters

a chance to do just that. It has a

patent-pending design that allows

even non-threaded tools to be

extension-pole compatible. Made

from engineering-grade plastics,

the jaws of this tool open and

close to securely hold any item up

to 1-3/8-in. in diameter, including

brushes, trim rollers, flashlights,

scrapers and more. Its nine differ-

ent positions give the Lock Jaw a

range of 160 degrees. To adjust,

just pull the gears to separate,

turn to the next desired position

and engage. Its designed to work

with standard threaded as well

as no-twist Wooster Sherlock

GT extension poles. Visit

www.woosterbrush.com.

SMALL WALL

Small Wall is a patented sam-

ple board system that takes theguesswork out of choosing paint

colors. End users simply paint the

boards with their desired color,

peel off the adhesive strip on the

back and place the boards on the

walls they wish to paint. The no-

mark adhesive backing allows

Small Wall sample boards to

be positioned and repositioned



30/93

so that they can be seen on vari-

ous walls, in different lights and

in the context of other colors

within a room. Small Wall can

be found at more than 3,500

Sherwin-Williams stores nation-

wide as well as Amazon.com.

Visit www.mysmallwall.com.

COOL-IT CONCRETE

STAIN & SEALER

Rhino Linings Corporation has

released Concrete Solutions Cool-

It, a heat-reflective concrete stain

and sealer. Cool-It is designed to

reduce the temperature of outdoor

surfaces while also providing a

uniform, protective, colored finish.

It's ideal for pool decks, sidewalks,

patios and benches and is avail-

able in nine colors. The company

claims Cool-It has good color

retention, even after several years

of exposure to the sun. This all-in-

one stain and sealer can be paint-

ed on with brush, roller or by using

an airless sprayer. Cool-It can be

applied over concrete, polymer

concrete, asphalt, masonry walls

and even on previously painted

surfaces. It's a single-component

product that provides a flexible,

tough seal that is resistant to

staining, wear and even abrasion.

Visit www.concretesolutions.com.

PURDY MARATHON

ROLLER COVER

The new Marathon roller cover

from Purdy is a premium profes-

sional cover that delivers durabili-

ty, longevity and consistent per-formance over long periods of

time. Made with a proprietary

blend of nylon and polyester ex-

clusive to Purdy, the roller cover

can be used with all latex- and

oil-based paints.

"The exclusive fabric blend of

Marathon provides superior paint

pick-up and greater paint release,

resulting in fewer trips to the paint

bucket," says Andrew Marsden,

Purdy Product Manager. "We havebuilt and designeda durable prod-

uct to maintain performance over

time and provide a smoother finish

with less lint." Marathon is currently

available in 9- and 18-in. lengths.

Visit www.purdy.com.


EHT


31/93


DI


32/93


By Matt Weber

The Kensington Manor laminate

flooring from Lumber Liquidators

features the beautiful look and

texture of hand-scraped wood.

FRIENDLY

FLOORINGmakes homeowners happy.Easy InstallationW

ood floors that require air-

nailers, staples and con-

struction adhesive for instal-

lation can intimidate would-be DIY'ers

and prompt them to call up a con-

tractor. However, many of today's

easy-to-install floor systems make it

simple for even first-time DIY'ers to

renovate a room with only a few basic

tools. A variety of user-friendly floor-

ing products now give home enthusi-

asts the ability to outfit a room with

the look of new wood in just a few

hours. Here's a look at three different

methods currently on the market.

LAMINATE FLOORINGOne of the most popular choices

for DIY installation is click-together

laminate flooring. Laminates are

manufactured from high-density fiber-

board planks covered with decorative

sheeting and a clear plastic wear

layer. The flooring comes in a vast

array of wood appearances, such as

oak, cherry, walnut, beech and tons

more options. Many new laminate

flooring lines show remarkable atten-

tion to detail with realistic textures on


33/93

the top surface, from the look

of worn, rustic wood to high-gloss

finishes.

Compared to solid wood floor-

ing, laminate flooring is notably

less expensive. Durability is anoth-

er key feature. Many laminate

flooring products are impervious

to most stains and very resistant

to scratches. The boards are pre-

finished at the factory and often

feature a built-in sealant to helpprotect against moisture absorp-

tion. Some laminate flooring man-

ufacturers even offer a lifetime

wall-to-wall warranty against wear-

through, stains, fading and water

damage from everyday spills and

damp mopping.

These floating floor systems are

typically installed with tongue-and-

groove boards that connect along

the edges at a slight angle, with

the plank then folded downward to

"click" the joint together, locking

the boards into the floating floor.

No nails or glue are used to fasten

the boards to the subfloor; instead,

the completed floor floats like an

assembled jigsaw puzzle, held sta-

tionary by weight and friction.

Installers will need a circular

saw for cutting the planks and a

jigsaw for notching out obstruc-

tions, but the majority of the

installation can be completed withlittle more than a hammer and

block to nudge together the

tongue-and-groove joints.

A similar product to laminate

flooring, engineered flooring fea-

tures a layer of genuine solid

wood roughly 1/8-in. thick atop a

fiberboard core instead of the dec-

orative sheeting. The engineered

products offer the unique grain

character of real wood, plus they

can be sanded and refinished

(usually only once). These prod-

ucts install just like laminate

floors but are generally more

expensive.

The EHTstaff recently installed

the Kensington Manor laminate

flooring from Lumber Liquidators.

The most unique feature of this

flooring line is its hand-scraped

finish texture, giving the surface

of the floor a beautiful rustic look

and feel. We chose the "WarmSprings Chestnut" color tone,

and Lumber Liquidators backs

the flooring with a 30-year

warranty.

Laminate Flooring

Installation Tips

Prior to installing, allow the

flooring to acclimate at room tem-

perature for a couple days so the

boards don't significantly expand

or contract after installation.


The Kensington Manor flooring

also includes foam underlay-

ment attached to the back of

the boards, which saves time

during installation.

FRIENDLYFLOORINGDIY


34/93


35/93

Ensure the subfloor is flat,

with no high spots or dips. Slight

dips can be built up with contrac-

tor paper, but areas lower than1/4 in. over 6 feet should be filled

with a subfloor leveling compound.

Lay a moisture barrier over

the subfloor if installing over con-

crete or crawlspaces. Lay a poly-

ethylene foam underlayment overthe moisture barrier. (Some floor-

ing products, like the Kensington

Stagger the end joints by at

least 8 inches between rows.

Pro installers often use the cut-

off board from a one completed

row to begin the next row.


Laminate is easy to cut with a

handheld circ saw, miter saw

or even a hand saw. However,

a table saw is the best tool for

ripping boards to width.

The tongues of the laminateboards fit into the grooves of the

preceding rows at an angle.

FRIENDLYFLOORINGDIY


36/93

TOLL-FREE (877) 526-9663 www.elastilonusa.com

Now You Can InstallSolid Hardwood FloorsIn Any Room.

Elastilon is the patented self adhesivehardwood flooring installation system thatis revolutionizing the way floors are beinginstalled around the world. The Elastilon

Strong system replaces nails, nailing guns,compressors, messy adhesives, specializedadhesive trowels and chemical cleanerswith one simple installation tool a utilityknife. Installation times are cut in half andinstallations are so simple that even a homehandyman can do it.

Elastilon allows almost any species andthickness of hardwood flooring up to 3/4thick to be installed over almost any surface,be it wood, old vinyl tiles, linoleum, ceramictiles and, with the proper installation, directlyover concrete above, on or even belowgrade. No fuss, no mess!

Once your floor is installed with Elastilonthere is a permanent elastic bond that allowsfor the natural expansion and contractionof your floor while always helping to reduce

gapping, cupping and buckling. The Elastilonmembrane reduces both airborne and impactsound transmission, increase underfoot comfort,allows for installations over in floor heatingand can be walked on immediately followinginstallation.

Want to learn more about Elastilonand save money at the same time?

Visit us at www.elastilonusa.com/couponfor complete details on becoming anElastilon Expert and find out how youcan receive up to a $500 cash backrebate on your first purchase.

Self-Adhesive Hardwood Flooring Installation System

Now You Can InstallSolid Hardwood FloorsIn Any Room.

NO NAILS,

NO GLUE.

NO MESS.


37/93


38/93


39/93

Manor laminate shown in this arti-

cle, include foam underlayment

attached to the boards.)

Maintain a 1/4-in. expansion

gap around the perimeter of the

room between the floor and walls

to allow space for the natural

movement of the floor.

Make sure the planks are

mixed sufficiently when you install

them so that you don't end up with

too many identical, light or dark

panels next to each other.

Stagger the end joints by 8

inches or more.

VINYL PLANK FLOORING

Vinyl plank flooring is a flexible

product that allows DIY'ers to

install on uneven subfloors or over

existing floors, such as wood, con-

crete, vinyl, linoleum and even

ceramic. The vinyl planks look like

real wood (or tile), but unlike lami-

nate flooring, the material is much

more water resistant so it can be

installed in bathrooms and base-

ments. Vinyl planks are also typi-

cally less expensive than laminate.

Vinyl flooring does have its pit-

falls. It doesn't add much resale

value to the home, and although

the flooring is scratch-resistant, it

is not as durable as laminate, and

dog paws have been known to

damage the surface. The product

also might have a chemical odor

that can irritate sensitive individu-

als when newly installed.

Adhesive-backed vinyl planks

and tiles have been available for

years, but some of these products

are notorious for coming unglued

after installation and sliding apart

underfoot, opening ugly joints in

the floor.

However, the EHTstaff recently

installed an alternative system

called TrafficMaster from Allure

Flooring that relies on adhesive

edge strips to assemble a floating

vinyl plank floor. With this system,

no underlayment is required, and

the planks stick to each other

rather than to the subfloor. Just

remove the paper backing from

the adhesive strips, align the

strips between one plank and the

other, and press into place to

close the joints. The thin vinyl

planks can easily be cut as need-

ed with a utility knife.


A mallet and wood block canbe used to lock the end

joints together.

An oscillating multi-tool is a

handy gadget for notching

out floor registers and

under-cutting door jambs.

The Trafficmaster vinyl planks from Allure Flooring feature

adhesive edge strips that glue the planks to each other

rather than to the floor, creating a floating floor system.

FRIENDLYFLOORINGDIY


40/93


Vinyl Plank Installation Tips

Make sure the existing floor is completely clean

and free of debris. The vinyl planks are very thin,

and any small objects that are trapped beneath the

installation will be visible on the surface.

Although this is a floating floor, use vinyl floor

double-sided tape at the first edge to help hold the

first rows stationary during installation.

Use a good, sharp utility knife and a Speed

Square as a guide to make straight, accurate cuts.

A pair of aviation snips works well for making

small cuts around trim.

Some professionals recommend using a hair

dryer to warm the adhesive edges along newly

With vinyl planks, the adhesive strips on the ends

are joined first.

The adhesive strip along the long edge is then

carefully pressed into place. Pro remodeler Richie

Hamilton installs the flooring.


41/93

joined seams to help melt the

glue together and give the planks

a tighter bond.

Finish the installation by

rolling the surface with a vinyl

floor roller, available at rental

outlets, which helps press all

joints together to assist the

adhesive bond while also

ensuring all seams lay flat.

SELF-ADHESIVE

MEMBRANE

INSTALLATION

What makes this method of

installation so unique is that it

can be used to install traditional

hardwoods without the need for

nails, nailing guns, compressors,

messy adhesives or special adhe-

sive trowels. Elastilon is a patent-

ed self-adhesive membrane that

cuts installation time in half. This

Vinyl planks can easily be

cut with a Speed Square

and utility knife.

Once the floor is complete,

roll the entire installation

with a floor roller.


FRIENDLYFLOORINGDIY


42/93


43/93

method allows almost any species

of hardwood flooring up to 3/4-in.

thick to be installed over almost

any surface, including wood, old

vinyl tiles, linoleum or ceramic

tiles. With the proper installation,

it can also be applied directly over

concreteabove, on or even

below grade.

Installation is a simple three-

step process: (1) Lay out the

Elastilon membrane on the

subfloor. (2) Peel off the protec-

tive film. (3) Press your wood

flooring onto the sticky surface.

Once the floor is installed with

Elastilon there is a permanent

elastic bond that allows for the

natural expansion and contraction

of the boards while reducing gap-

ping, cupping and buckling. The

Elastilon membrane reduces both

airborne and impact sound trans-

mission, increases underfoot

comfort, allows for installations

over in-floor heating, and can be

walked on immediately.

Elastilon Installation Tips

Follow the standard rules for

the installation of wood flooring,

such as allowing the boards to

acclimate at room temperature

prior to installing, and maintaining

an expansion gap along the walls.

After a board has been

installed on the membrane, you

only have a brief period of time to

remove it. If necessary, carefully

pull up the board from the

Elastilon, being careful not to tear

the membrane. Reposition care-

fully and press the piece into the

adhesive. Once the adhesive sets

(approximately 20 minutes), the

only way to remove the board is


The Elastilonself-adhesive membrane provides

an easy way to install traditional hardwoods

without the need for nails,

nailing guns, compressors,

messy adhesives or

special adhesive

trowels.

FRIENDLYFLOORINGDIY


44/93


EHT

to cut it out and re-glue the four

sides of a board back in place.

It's necessary to put weight on

the floor (as easy as walking over it)

to help the boards adhere evenly to

the membrane.

To minimize board-end gapping,

apply a quality carpenter's wood

glue to all end joints.

Lay out the Elastilon membrane on the subfloor, peel off the

protective film, and press your wood flooring onto the sticky

surface.

Elastilon creates a permanent elastic bond that allows for

the natural expansion and contraction of the boards while

reducing gapping, cupping and buckling.


45/93



46/93


TURFTAKE-OVERI

f youre a lawn-a-holic like me and relish having a luscious and low-

weed lawn throughout the warm weather seasons, then you'll want

to get out of the gates early this spring. With a total turf takeover,

you can give your grass the fightin-est chance to win the green gold

from spring to fall, so you can mow, stripe and show off while

others are battling brown spots.

For much of the US, grass thrives in cool weather. It likes dewy

mornings, warm days, enough sun and cool nights. Spring and fall

are when grass grows most vibrantly and is the perfect time to jump-start it.

One magic element of cool weather is dew. It practically, but not

entirely, waters your lawn for you, making spring an opportune time

to get new seeds in the ground and growing. For the many lawns Ive

repaired and rescued in my part of the country (northern half), getting

new grass to take hold is the weed-beating lifeblood of healthy turf.

But just because spring hands us primo conditions for getting the

new seed to take, its not enough for many lawns. To be a weed-beater

I prepare my lawn by thatching, core aerating and mowing before

dropping new seed.

Handy Tips for

Spring Lawn Care

By Mark Clement


47/93


Mowing, Phase 1. I mow my

lawn at or near the mowers high-

est setting during the summer.This keeps my grass healthy, green

and growing, while helping to

choke out weeds. In the spring,

however, I cut it shorter because

after the next few steps I wont

be mowing for a few weeks. This

also helps with spring cleanup

by sucking up leaves and twigs

in the process.

Thatch Removal. Over time,

lawns where I live get choked with

broadleaf weeds like violet andclover and/or a net of dead grass

clippings, unwanted grass species,

pine needles and other debris

(mostly thanks to my non-lawn

loving neighbors). My grass roots

are trapped, and the soil is sealed

off from new seed.

While I try to manage weeds

throughout the season with

various weed control fertilizers,

mechanically removing them is

pretty much unavoidable if theweeds take hold. I rent a thatching

machine called a power-rake. This

mini-monster de-populates the turf

of many broadleaf weeds withoutde-populating it of all the dead

grass. A power-rakes vertical,

rotating tines pulverizes and bags

broadleaf weeds (not their roots).

It also pulls up thatched grass and

opens the base of the grass plants

to let air, water and new seed get

in there. It gets some grass, too,

but thats no problem. To gain an

optimum angle of attack on ran-

domly intermingled weeds, I run

the machine over the lawn twicenorth-south and east-westother-

wise the machine leaves material

behind.

Mowing Phase 2. I pick up the

loose material and tufted, twisted

grass left by the power-rake with

my lawnmower and collection bag.

I also have a plan for dealing with

the volume of thatch the yard pro-

ducesseveral contractor bags

worth of waste in my case. I put

some in my compost bin. The restI set out for collection.

If you rent your turf takeover equipment like this walk-behind aerator,

make sure you have a way to safely get the heavy iron off and onto

your truck. Ask the rental company if they have planks or set some-

thing up with 2x10s. And make sure it doesnt slip or move.

I power-rake the lawn in two

directions: east-west and north-

south, or at opposing diagonals,

to make sure the machine can

get at as many broadleaf weedsas possible.

TURF

TAKE-OVER


48/93


49/93

Core Aeration. Sometimes

called plugging, aerating the

grass does two major things for

me in a turf takeover: The plugs

pulled from the ground by the

machine soften the soil and allow

air and water to gain greater

access to the grass plants roots.

But maybe even more important

for germinating new seed is that it

increases the dirts surface area

by orders of magnitude, creating

thousands of holes and ridges for

individual seeds to catch on, in

and underneath.

This is of particular value when

watering because it minimizes run-

off, which is key for getting the

seed to set where I sow it and to

germinate evenly across the yard.

Sowing. I use a high-quality

seed suitable for my area and light

conditionsa blend of sun and


The power rakes tines are the keys to its weed-beating power.

When these get whirring they rip and bash the weed leaves

but leave the lawn in tact.

TURF

TAKE-OVER

Fix faded mulchwith

Hippie Mulch

www.HippieMulch.com

SAVE TIME, SAVE MONEY, SAVE TREES!

Hippie Mulch Color is a simple do-it-yourself way to rejuvenate

the look of your faded wood mulch or pine straw. This awesome,

spray-on dye will save you from buying new mulch year after year,

by making your mulch look new again.

Approved to be non-toxic and safe for:

Kids Pets Plants The Environment


50/93

shadeand one thatll grow a

deep green grass blade that I like.

And because I can get it growing

when the grass is at its strongest,

and most of the weed leaves are

in a bag by the curb, a healthy

lawn will help curb weed growth

during the season.

Also, I try and stay away from

contractor mix types of grass.

They typically have a rye grass or

perennial rye grass in the blend.

This rye pops up fast, which is

great in some circumstances, but

the blades are lighter green than

other seed blends and can make

the lawn look spotty. And even

though it says perennial it does-

nt mean forever. Whats worse,

as these grass plants fail, it sets

the stage for weed takeover.

Thatching. Ironically, theres one

place thatch is great: bare spots.


Ironically, the thatch we pull out of the lawn with the power rake is ideal

for holding seed on bare spots. After sowing the seed, loosely sprinkle

thatch on the area and gently water until the seed and thatch set.


51/93


The power rake leaves a lot of

thatch behind and the easiest

way to gobble it up is by mow-

ing and using the bagger. Thisprocess typically exposes the

actual grass you have in your

lawn and leaves bare dirt where

the weeds used to be.

We like to use a high-quality seed mixed

for our area and lawn conditions. We

used Pennington seed on this lawn. We

stay away from contractor mix typeblends for turf takeovers because they

contain a lot of light green rye grass. It

comes up fast but its not the deep

green were after.

TURF

TAKE-OVER

A vacuum to fit your need, we offer a range of vacuums

from 5.5HP mounted units to 11HP tow behind units.

For more info call:

Palmor Products, Inc.1-800-872-2822 or visit us on the web at trac-vac.com

Quality Lawn Vacuums, Lawn Equipment,

& Lawn Accessories


52/93


53/93

For places where the machines

have left bare dirt, I want to make

sure the seed can hold. So after

seeding, I drop a thin layer of

thatch over the bare spot. The

thatch will compost while the

seeds grow through it. Plus, it

keeps the seeds from washing

away when I water the lawn.

Watering. Water is the secret of


For weeds and grass in driveway

cracks, try to pull out the plants by

the root. If you can't get an ade-quate grip, then cut them down

with a string trimmer and apply

weed killer to the root system.

Pro landscapers often flip the

head of a string trimmer verti-

cally for use as a lawn edger.

If you have a lawn tractor with

a tow hitchand a big yard and

garageit may make sense to

buy and own the thatcher and

aerator attachments. Used annu-

ally, theyre sure to pay for them-

selves in short order. But for

smaller yards, renting may be

the best course. If you do rent,

and you do the picking up and

dropping off, then plan ahead.

The rental company guys will help

you lift the gear onto your rig

when you leave the shop, but at

home youre on your own. A beefy

plank like a 2x10 or 2x12 and

maybe someone to help guide

the machine are the better partof safety.

RENTING

TURF

TAKE-OVER

The simple solution topatio cover problems!

Made in USA


54/93


55/93

grass growth, and skipping or

skimping will almost surely mini-

mize growth and cause you extra

work. I water gently the first twodays to soften and open the dirt

so the seed can sink into the

ground a little where I sowed it.

After that I increase the water-

ing to 20-30 minutes at a time.

Depending on soil type and geo-

graphic area, applying a starter

fertilizer or low-level organic fer-

tili-zer (like Milorganite) may help

get the seed germinated. This

will get your grass on a path to

a healthy season.

Editor's Note: Mark Clement

is a home improvement

expert and co-host of the

MyFixitUpLife show. Visit

www.myfixituplife.com.


EHT

Watering is the secret for any turf takeover. I water gently at first, just to

soak the soil enough so that the seed sets. Then I haul out the sprinkler

and soak it for 20-30 minutes per watering until the grass has started

growing. Assuming it rains enough, I typically dont have to water my lawn

at all for the remainder of the season.

TURF

TAKE-OVER


56/93

DR FIELD &

BRUSH MOWER

DR Power offers a new way to

reclaim your overgrown fields and

meadows. The DR Field & Brush

Mower mows down saplings up to

3-inches thick, grass up to 6 feet

high, and brush up to 8 feet high.

Blaze trails through wooded areas,

clean up overgrown roadsides, and

maintain picturesque meadows

with ease. Self-propelled and tow-

behind models are available. For

even more versatility, DR offers

four optional attachments. Simply

slide off the brush deck and slide

on the 42-in. Lawn Deck, Chipper,

Grader/Snow Blade, or Snow

Thrower. The attachments make

your Field & Brush Mower a year

round workhorse for your landscap-

ing needs. Visit www.drpower.com.

ETHANOL SHIELD

2-CYCLE OIL

Two-cycle oil is a must when

running fuel in 2-cycle equipment,

but standard 2-cycle oils come

with problems. First, all fuel con-

taining ethanol contains water

bound to the ethanol. Ethanol is

also hygroscopic, and it continues

to attract unbound water (e.g. in

fuel, atmosphere). Phase separa-tion is the point this ethanol/water

mixture reaches saturation and

falls out, settling on the bottom

of a tank. This leads to issues like

corrosion, varnish, rust, brittle rub-

ber/plastics and more. Oil and

water don't mix, so when 2-cycle

oil is added to fuel, it weakens the

ethanol/water/gasoline bond,

accelerating phase separation.

Second, 2-cycle oils contain deter-

gents that are not capable of mix-

ing with ethanol, leading to excess

deposits, adding to fuel problems

and engine issues. Ethanol Shield

2-Cycle Oil is the bridge that

bonds fuel, ethanol and water,

preventing phase separation and

the associated problems. This

award-winning 1-gallon, 50:1

mix ensures maximum protection

for any 2-cycle engine, including

those found on string trimmers,

blowers, snowmobiles, chainsaws

and more. Visit

www.B3CFuel.com.

STIHL FBD-KM BED

REDEFINER

The Stihl FBD-KM bed redefiner

is the latest attachment to join

the versatile gas-powered Stihl

KombiSystem. When combined

with the Stihl 130 R KombiMotor,

the FBD-KM bed redefiner enables

pro landscapers to maintain exist-

ing mulch and flowerbed edges

up to seven times faster than

manually with a shovel. "The STIHL

FBD-KM bed redefiners open

deflector design minimizes clog-

ging for smooth, efficient opera-

tion, and the solid drive shaft

increases torque and durability,

says Marv Mathwig, Stihl product

manager. The attachments easily

adjustable depth wheel and line

of sight indicator provide more

precise control, offering cuts with

depths up to 2.6 inches. An

affordable alternative to a dedicat-

ed bed redefiner, the FBD-KMattachment is recommended for


NEW LAWN &

LANDSCAPE GEAR


57/93

use with the KM 130 R, STIHLs

most powerful KombiMotor, and

also works well with the KM 90 R

and KM 110 R. Each of theseKombiMotors is part of the Caring

for Nature product line that fea-

tures reduced exhaust emissions

and improved fuel efficiency over

traditional 2-cycle engines. Visit

www.stihlusa.com.

LAND PRIDE CA15

CORE AERATORS

The Land Pride CA15 Series

Core Aerators relieve soil com-

paction and allow air circulation ingrassy surfaces such as lawns,

soccer fields, football fields, base-

ball fields, municipal parks and

golf course fairways. They utilize

replaceable hardened spring steel

spoons mounted on rotating discs.

The pulled soil cores are deposited

on the surface for subsequent

drying, pulverization or removal.

Weight can be added to the weight

tray to help achieve maximum

spoon penetration. When your

turf begins to suffer the effects

of compaction and wear, such

as shallow root zones, thatch

buildup, worn pathways, com-

pacted soil, poor surface percola-

tion or standing water, a Land

Pride CA15 Series Aerator can

provide immediate seasonal

relief. Visit www.landpride.com.

ECHO CS-590 TIMBER

WOLF CHAINSAW

The new CS-590 Timber Wolf

chainsaw from Echo is built to

withstand the roughest ranchand farm environments. It's

equipped with a 59.8-cc 2-stroke

engine that delivers 3.89 horse-

powermore than the leading

competitor models in the same

size class. The saw features

a decompression valve and a

digital ignition system for easy

starting. The G-force Engine Air

Pre-cleaner is engineered for

top performance and reduced

air filter maintenance. Availablewith 18- and 20-in. bar lengths,

the CS-590 has a handy side-

access chain tensioner, a clutch-

driven oiler and a dual-post chain

brake system. The saw's housing

features a spring anti-vibration

system for comfortable extended

use with less physical fatigue on

the user. Echo backs this tough-

as-nails chainsaw with a 5-year

consumer warranty. Visit

www.echo-usa.com.


NEW LAWN &

LANDSCAPE GEAR

EHT

TURF

TAKE-OVER


58/93


59/93


Roofing manufacturers and industry associations are hesitant

to suggest a DIY approach to roof installation, and with good

reason. Working at heights can be particularly dangerous,

the scope of the job generally requires a crew of workers, and

problems with the installation will void the warranty of the roofing

product. The very idea of pack-muling heavy shingles up a ladder

and onto a hot roof is enough to chase away most do-it-yourselfers.

Roofing is something a homeowner definitely wants to get right,

since leaks can cause costly damage inside the home. For this

reason alone, roof installation without professional guidance is not

the best project to experiment on. However, for simple roofs with

moderate roof pitches on small homes, sheds and workshops, a

savvy team of DIY'ers armed with the right knowledge and equip-

ment can feasibly get the job done.

Depending on the type of roofing, installation techniques can

vary dramatically. Whether you're planning the bold move of tack-

ling the project yourself or planning to hire a pro, this article will

touch on the differences between the installation techniques of

four popular roofing types.

Asphalt shingles are the most common roofing material in North

America. Today's architectural shingles feature a dimensional design

to achieve the look of wood shake. Photo courtesy Certainteed.

We show what thepros know about four

different methodsof roofing installation.

INGROOFI


60/93


ROUTINES


61/93


As a general rule, all roofing

should be installed over a solid,

sturdy roof deck and properly

flashed at all valleys, wall intersec-

tions and roof penetrations. Thirty-

pound roofing felt (or equivalent

underlayment per local codes)

should be installed beneath theroofing, per the manufacturer's

instructions, and roofing nails

should always be long enough

to penetrate the decking by at

least 3/4 inch.

ASPHALT ROOFING

Asphalt roofing is the most com-

mon roofing material in North

America. It's durable, affordable

and readily available in a wide

range of colors. A single layer of

asphalt shingles (sometimes two

layers) can also be covered with

new shingles without requiring

removal of the old roof, making

asphalt shingle installation the

most DIY-friendly project in this

article. The large shingles cover

more area than smaller single-tile

products, which speeds installa-

tion, and today's architectural

asphalt shingles offer a three-

dimensional design to mimic the

look of wood shake.

To fasten the shingles, drive

roofing nails through the tabs

just below the sealant line,

spacing them according to

the shingle manufacturer's

recommendations.

Shingling a roof starts at the

roof edge with a starter strip.To create the starter strip, first

cut off the tabs of the first shingle

and discard them.

If re-shingling an existing roof

with standard three-tab shingles,

install the starter strip over the

reveal area of the existing first

course, creating a flat surface for

the starter row of new shingles.

Trim the top of the new first-course

shingles so they butt against the

bottom edge of the old third

course. Using the old shingles to

guide your layout, fill in the field

with new shingles, positioning

them so the slots do not align

with the slots of the old shingles.

If installing a new roof on a bare

roof deck, cut 6 inches off the first

starter-course shingle and apply

the rest of it on the lower corner of

the roof, overlapping the rakes

and eaves by 1/2 inch. Continue

applying full-length starter-course

shingles along the eaves.

With the starter strip complete,

apply a full shingle on top of the

starter course. The tabs of the

shingle should be flush with the

edges of the starter course.

Next, snap a chalk line from the

top of the shingle to the opposite

edge of the roof. This helps guidethe layout. Then move to the first

shingle of the second course. Cut

Whether you're applying a first

layer of shingles or a second,asphalt roofing always begins

with a starter strip.

Re-shingling an existing roof is the

easiest method of installation for aDIY homeowner.

ROOFINGROUTINES


62/93


63/93

6 inches off the first second-

course shingle. Align the bottom

edge of the shingle with the top

of the tabs of the first shingle.

Nail it in place.

With those shingles in place,

move to the third course and cut

12 inches off the first shingle.

Continue progressing up the

roof, nailing the first shingle of

each course 6 inches narrower

than the one beneath. After the

sixth course, you'll start the pat-

tern over. Working up the roof in

this way, rather than lengthwise,

prevents you from having to con-

stantly reposition the ladder.


Follow the shingles

manufacture's

guidelines for fas-

tener placement.

In today's tight economy, customers are looking for viable new options for extending

the life of their roof shingles and delaying expensive roof replacement," says Naomi

Levesque, C.O.O. of Shingle Life Inc. "We have a solution."

Preventative maintenance is key to ensuring the long service life of asphalt roofs.

Treating your roof with Shingle Life will clean and brighten your shingles and help prevent

premature curling, cracking and granule loss. Eighty percent of homes in North America

use asphalt shingles, so extending the service life of shingle roofs makes good economic

sense, says Levesque.

Shingles fail when their sealant strips lose their adhesive properties and the shingles

begin to curl and crack. This makes them highly susceptible to wind damage. Almost 15

percent of all asphalt shingles roofs are replaced simply because the shingles facing

south have failed due to sun damage.

According to Levesque, replacing just the south facing shingles on a roof and treating

the remaining area with Shingle Life can add 3 to 5 years to a roof's service life and

saves homeowners thousands on immediate roof replacement.

This patented restorative roof cleaner is applied to both organic and fiberglass shingles

every 3-5 years to help extend roof life and prevent premature failure. Shingle Life cleans,

rehydrates and restores color to dull roof shingles in a simple one-step spray process using a

garden sprayer or roller. The treatment prevents premature granule loss, as well as main-

taining the integrity of seal strips that keep asphalt shingles watertight.

Shingle Life offers a free demo kit that enables homeowners to perform a color test on a small section of their own

roof. The product is distributed in the US and Canada by Roofers World. Visit www.roofersworld.com.

Find out more at www.shinglelife.com.

SHINGLE LIFE EXTEND THE LIFE OF ASPHALT ROOF SHINGLES

This layout

pattern shows

how to stagger the

joints between rows

of three-tab asphalt shingles.

ROOFINGROUTINES

Sealant

Nail here

On steep slope roofs (over 21/12), apply 1 spotsof roofing cement beneath the corner of each tab

Removet

heseportions

6thcours

e

5th

4th

3rd

2nd

1stcours

e

612

18

24

30Full

shingle

(36)

Starter

cours

e


64/93

After youve worked up to the

roof ridge, nail a full-length shingle

against each of the starting shin-

gles that are already in place.

Follow this shingling procedure to

complete the rows. All the remain-

ing shingles are full-length except

the ones at the rake, which are

trimmed to overhang by 1/2 inch.

Hips and ridges are covered

by overlapping 12-in. ridge-cap

shingles.

CEDAR SHAKE & SHINGLE

Authentic cedar shake or shin-

gle roofing offers a classic look,

strong wind resistance, high insu-

lation value (twice the R value of

asphalt), and it's made of a renew-

able resource. Fifty-year war-

ranties are available on this

durable, natural roofing product.

Cedar shingles and shakes are


No need to fake it here: Genuine cedar shake or shingle roofing offers

that signature classic look and long-term weather protection.


65/93

normally applied one at a time in

straight, single courses. Each

shingle is fastened with two nails

spaced about an inch from the

outside edges.

According to the B.C. Shake &

Shingle Association, regardless of

style, shingles must be doubled or

tripled at all eaves. Butts of first

course shingles should project

1-1/2 inches beyond the fascia.

Spacing between adjacent shin-

gles (joints) should be a minimum

of 1/4 and a maximum of 3/8

inch. Joints in any one course

should be separated not less

than 1/2 in. from joints in adja-

cent courses; and in any three

courses, no two joints should

be in direct alignment.

At roof hips and ridges, site-

made or factory-assembled hip

and ridge shakes may be used,

but both types must have alter-

nate overlaps and concealed

nailing.

Cedar shake, which typically

features a hand-split appear-

ance, will have slightly different

spacing and installation guide-

lines than shingles. The degree

of roof pitch also affects the rec-

ommended weather exposure for

shakes and shingles. Always refer

to the roofing manufacturer's

guidelines for specific instruc-

tions for your product.


Exposed through-fasteners are

typically self-drilling screws, but

most installers will still pre-drill

holes in the roofing from the

backside to ensure proper place-

ment. Over time, the metal pan-

els expand and contract, applying

a great deal of pressure to thethrough-fasteners, often wallow-

ing out the holes in the panels or

even breaking the fasteners.

These exposed hex-head

screws are typically sealed with

neoprene washers for water tight-

ness. They should have an over-

sized cap to protect them from

the elements. The sun's ultravio-

let rays can deteriorate the wash-

ers and cause the seals to fail.

Concealed clipped-fastener

systems address these problemsof exposed roof fasteners.

THE PROBLEMWITH EXPOSEDFASTENERS INMETAL ROOFS

ROOFINGROUTINES


66/93


67/93

The carefully spaced shingle-

by-shingle approach to cedar roof

installation can be challenging

even for professional installers.

COMPOSITE ROOFING

The publisher of Extreme How-

To recently had his home re-roofed with a state-of-the-art syn-

thetic productBellafort Shake

polymer roofing from Davinci

Roofscapes. These composite

roofing tiles have a multi-width

appearance that replicates hand-

split real cedar shakes with slant-

ed sawn edges and staggered

lengths. The tiles come in 49 col-

ors and a selection of five color

blends. The lightweight material

helps reduce installation timeand transportation costs, and it's

100-percent recyclable. Although

the composite roofing costs more

upfront than asphalt roofing, it's

an investment that will pay off

over the course of its long lifes-

pan. The Davinci roofing products

are backed by a 50-year limited

warranty.

With Davinci roofing products,

all old roofing must be removed

prior to applying the new roof.To make installation easy, the

Bellafort tiles are manufactured

with snap-fit tabs and a self-

alignment ledge. These handy

features make it easy to quickly

line up the tabs from side to side

and row to row, and to nail down

the shingles in rapid succession.

Once the first of the tiles are fas-

tened, contractors can complete

the remaining rows quickly and

accurately. The rakes, hip andridges of the roof require special

Bellafort tiles that give the

installation a complete, finished

appearance.


The self-aligning features of

Bellafort shake tiles make

installation a speedy process.

ROOFINGROUTINES

Illustrations courtesy B.C. Shake & Shingle Association


68/93


Bellafort tiles are available with

the look of wood shake or slate.

The finished Bellafort shake

roof has special hip-and-ridge

tiles and rake tiles for a

detailed, finished appearance.


69/93

METAL ROOFING

A metal roof is a favorite among

many homeowners because, when

properly installed, it can performfor a lifetime. Metal roofing prod-

ucts are available as shingles,

shakes, tile and standing-seam

panels, and in a wide array of col-

ors. Due to their very low weight,

many metal roofs can also be

installed over existing roofing

materials

As is the case with any roof sys-

tem, metal roofing must be proper-

ly installed, and installation

requires a wide assortment oftools, accessories and special

techniques that only come from

working with professionals. A DIY

roofer may be able cover a shed or

outbuilding with simple standing-

seam panels, but most metal roof-

ing systems are best left to those

with experience. Homeowners

should fully investigate both the

metal roofing materials and the

contractors they're considering for

installation.Installation methods fall into two

primary categories: through-fasten-

er systems and clip-fastener sys-

tems. Through-fastened panels are

systems in which the screw or nail

that secures the metal roofing to

the roof deck actually penetrates

through the panel itself. Clip-fas-tened panels, on the other hand,

have specialized clips that attach

to the panel or shingle. The fasten-

ers are then driven through the

clips and have no direct contact

with the metal roofing.

In most cases, clip-fastened

panels are designed so that the

clip and fastener are concealed.

The fastener can also be con-

cealed on certain types of through-

fastened panels as well.According to the experts at

Classic Metal Roofing Systems,

through-fastened panels that uti-

lize exposed fasteners are most

common and are often driven

through an overlap between pan-

els (and other strategic locations).

Exposed fastener systems are usu-

ally subject to lesser warranties

than concealed fastener systems,

because the exposed fasteners

are susceptible to the elementsand tend to fail much sooner.

Concealed-clip fastener systems

also have another advantage:

Because metal expands and

contracts with temperature

changes, sometimes panels have

a tendency to wrinkle or oilcan".

This distortion in the metal occurs

when fasteners that are driven too

tightly cannot move when the

metal expands and contracts. If

the fasteners are driven through a

clip and not the panels, the result

is a system that floats over the

roof deck and is less susceptibleto oilcanning.

CHOOSING A ROOFER

While work on a simple roof, an

outbuilding or adding a new layer

of shingles might be in the wheel-

house of a skilled DIY'er, roofing is

primarily a job for the prosno

matter which material you choose.

Your investigation into hiring a

roofer should include looking at

past jobs and talking with pastcustomers. Make sure the contrac-

tor has experience with your spe-

cific product of choice. If the con-

tractor is unwilling or unable to

share references or to speak with

you about proper installation pro-

cedures, then it might be wise to

look elsewhere. Check also for

proper insurances and licenses,

and make sure the crew that will

be installing your roof is the same

crew that completed the jobs refer-enced by the contractor.


EHT

Metal roofs are available in a

wide array of colors, from bright

red and forest green to solid cop-

per and aged bronze (shown).

Today's metal roofs are available in many tiles and patterns, such as

"country manor shake", and are installed utilizing a concealed-fastenersystems. Photos courtesy Classic Metal Roofing Systems.

ROOFINGROUTINES


70/93


71/93

My grandmother owns a

house built sometime

in the 1940s which has

been in our family for decades.

The house was formerly used as

a residence, then as a barn and

finally just for storage. It was

recently slated for demolition, so

I decided to rob it of its usable

materials. The interior walls were

clad with tongue-and-groove pine

that had a rich, distressed quality.

This slow-growth pine has tightly

spaced rings for a warm, detailed

character that enhances its

dimensional stability, so the

boards stay straighter and the

grain is less likely to check than

much of the lumber available

today.

I pulled the boards off the wall

studs using a couple of heavy-

duty pry bars, including a Gutster

Demo Bar typically used for deck

demolition.

I was collecting the boards to

make the bed's headboard for my

three-year-old son. Not only did this

beautiful wood have that distinct

character, but I liked the idea of

repurposing a memento of my fami-

ly's history in a project for our next

generation. I guess I'm sentimental.

Here's how I built the bed.

BED FRAMEI used new lumber for the bed

frame, since it would basically be

invisible beneath the bedding.

Plus, I needed the supporting

strength of 2x lumber, and the

T&G boards were only 3/4-in.thick.

For my design I cut the bed

posts from an 8-ft. 6x6 and

notched each one to receive the

2x4 bed rails. You'll need seven

8-ft. 2x4s; four for the rails and

three for the cross-members.

First, carefully cut the 6x6 as

square as possible into four equal

posts, measuring the height you

prefer for the bed frame (minus

By Matt Weber


This rustic-style bed is a new piece of furnitureI made from some very old materials.

DO IT YOURSELF

Make Your Bed


72/93


73/93

the thickness of the plywood top).

My posts were 11 inches high. A

12-in. sliding miter saw is ideal for

cutting the 6x6, but you can get

the job done with a circ saw if you

finish the cut with a hand saw or

recip saw.

The end of the posts must be

cut in the same plane so the bed

will sit flat. To make sure they

matched, I strapped the posts

together and sanded the ends

even with a belt sander.

Next, the posts need to be

notched to accept 3-1/2 inches of

each bed rail. These 2x4 notches

should be made so the rails fit

into the posts flush with the tops

and the outer edges of each 6x6.

(See photo for notch orientation.)

To make the notches, I marked

off the waste areas using a Speed

Square and cut away as much as

possible with a circular saw. I fin-

ished the notches with a hammer

and wood chisel.

The outside dimensions of the

bed frame should match the size

of bed you're trying to build. This

was a queen size, so my frame

measured 60 by 80 inches. I cut

the four 2x4 bed rails to length

and fastened them into the notch-

es using a combination of screws

and wood glue.

The center cross-member

mounts at the midpoint between

the side rails and flush with the

tops. From each side I drove two

3-in. wood screws through the


A Bosch 12" gliding miter saw

made it easy to cut the 6x6 bed

posts.

I gave the old boards a quick,

light wash to remove decades of

loose dirt, and then allowed them

to dry in the sun immediately

afterward.

A strap clamp from Bessey Tools

held the posts together while I

sanded the ends even.

I reclaimed old 3/4" tongue-and-groove pine from a

house built in the 1940s.

DO IT YOURSELF


74/93


75/93

2x4 rails and into the end grain

of the cross-member.

The other two cross-members

are spaced evenly between

the rails and fastened in the

same way.

Once the skeleton was complete,

I covered the entire frame with two

sheets of 1/2-in. plywood, screwed

down every 18 inches over the

2x4s and cut flush with the outer

edges of the frame. Locate the

joint between the sheets on center

of the middle cross-member.

Note: Since I now had a large,

sturdy platform sitting in the floor

of my shop, the bed frame, I

used it as a makeshift work table,


The notches in the bed posts

were marked with a Speed

Square, allowing 3-1/2" of each

2x4 to set inside the post.

I adjusted the blade of a circular

saw to cut along the notch lines.

The round shape of the blade

can't complete the square cuts,so I finished off the notches with

a hammer and wood chisel.

DO IT YOURSELF


76/93

providing a convenient support

surface for cutting the plywood.

I cut the sheets using a circular

saw with a rip guide. When

cutting, it's important to support

the sheet on both sides of the

cutline, so one side doesn't fall

away and tear out the wood as

the cut is completed.

I finished the bed frame with

wood stain and two coats of

polyurethane.

HEADBOARD

The finished surface of the

headboard was comprised of

mostly the old T&G boards, along

with three lengths of new 2x8

(see diagram p. 78).

This photo illustrates the orienta-

tion of the notches to accept the

bed rails.

I cut the bed rails to length on

the miter saw.

Wood glue used at all joints will

help eliminate squeaking in the

bed.



77/93


Fasten the bed

rails with glue

and at least two

offset screws

through each

end.

Screw the cross-members

through the bed rails and into

the end grain.

The bed frame served as a

makeshift work table for the rest

of the project.

Cover the bed frame with 1/2"

plywood, joining the sheets

over the center cross-member.

DO IT YOURSELF

I ripped the edges of the 2x8s square

on my table saw to eliminate the rounded

corners. I then ripped a 3/8-in. rabbet along

one edge of two 2x8s (the legs of the head-

board). The 2x legs will frame the 3/4-in.

T&G boards, and the rabbets will conceal

the butt joints.

Because the new 2x8s and the old boards

looked differentlythe purchased boards

were much brighter and not as wornthey


78/93


79/93

required different treatments

to achieve a matching look. I

stained and distressed the 2x8s

to match the old wood. If this is

the case with your project, I rec-

ommend pre-finishing the woodto match prior to assembling the

headboard.

Construction of the bed's head-

board began with a 4x8 sheet of

1/2-in. plywood. I used the sheet's

entire 48-in. height but trimmed

its length to 61-1/2 inches.

I mounted a 61-1/2-in. 2x8

across the top of the plywood,

flush with the edges, and

screwed and glued it from

the back with cabinet screws.

Beneath the upper 2x8 I

installed two perpendicular 2x8

legs, butted flush with the first|2x8 and aligned with the plywood

edges. Make sure to orient the rab-

bets of the 2x8 legs facing inside.

The legs are screwed and glued

from the rear, and extend beyond

the bottom of the plywood the

same distance as the height of the

completed bed frame. In my case,

the legs extended 11-1/2 inches.

At this point it helped to turn

the entire headboard upside

down. This allowed me to slide

the old T&G boards (cut to length),

down between the legs with their

end joints concealed in the rab-bets. I aligned the groove of the

first T&G board flush with the 2x8

cross-member and fastened from

the rear of the plywood. Next, I slid

the second T&G board, joining its

groove onto the exposed tongue

of the first board, and fastened

from behind. As I progressed in

this fashion, only a couple of the


I ripped the rounded edges

off the new 2x8s.

I ripped rabbets along the

inside edges of the 2x8s to

conceal the ends of the T&Gboards.

60

80

11

2x4framing

6x6posts

DO IT YOURSELF


80/93

Crack-Isolation:

Proflex membranes will bridge cracks and control

joints up to 3/8, eliminating the transfer of cracks

to the finish flooring surface.

Moisture Vapor:

Proflex membranes, installed in a specific manner, will

provide a barrier against the transmission of moisture

vapor from a substrate to a finished flooring surface.

Waterproofing:

Specific Proflex membranes may be used in some waterproofing

applications (contact technical support for additional information).

Sound Reduction:

Proflex membranes provide sound abatement properties. The specific

sound reduction will be unique to each type of Proflex products. Refer

to individual data sheets for specific sound insulation performance.

Proflex Elastomeric

self-bonding membranes

are composite underlayments consisting

of petroleum and rubber based materials

laminated to a high-strength reinforcing

facer fabric. The product has

excellent strength and elongation

properties designed to be

used in a variety of building

and remodeling applications.

Proflex membranes provide

a variety of benefits

and protection in the

following areas:

PROFLEX

Membranes

877-PROFLEX (877-577-6453)

www.proflex.us

CERAMIC TILEOR STONE

PROFLEXSEAM TAPE(OPTIONAL)

PROFLEXMEMBRANE

SUBSTRATE

PROFLEXPRIMER


81/93

boards required muscle to lock

the T&G joints. When necessary,I tapped them together with a rub-

ber mallet and scrap T&G block to

prevent damage to the boards. For

the most part, the old joints con-

nected easily.

I ripped the final T&G board to

width and screwed it on to com-

plete the field of the headboard.

I then flipped the headboard

back upright and mounted it to

the bed frame to hold it uprightand sturdy. The headboard should

be centered on the bed frame. I

fastened the legs to the 6x6 posts

using two offset 4-in. RSS structur-

al screws on each side. The RSS

screws from GRK fasteners are

designed for heavy-duty applica-

tions like fastening a deck ledger

to the side of the house, so they

have the strength to cinch up a

very tight, strong connection

between the bed components.

To give the headboard some

shadow lines and a more finished

appearance, I wrapped the edges

of the headboard in 3/4-in. trim

that I ripped from the old T&G.

First, I ripped two trim boards wide

enough to conceal the edge of theheadboard, plus a 3/4-in. reveal. I

aligned the rear of these two side

pieces with the back of the ply-

wood and used a combination

square to keep the 3/4-in. reveal

consistent at the front. The trim

boards began at the floor and

ended flush with the top of the

plywood. I fastened them with

wood glue and finish nails.

The last step is adding top trim

board, which creates a kind of nar-row mantle shelf on the headboard


I fastened the 2x8 cross-piece

to the top of the plywood, fas-

tened with wood glue and

screws through the back.

The legs get attached next, and

clamps help to hold the work-

pieces steady while you fastenthem together.

After turning the headboard upside-

down, I was able to slide the T&G

boards down into the rabbets and

lock the joints together, fastening

them with screws through the back

of the plywood.

5912

1112

3/4T&G

rippedto

width

636112

2x8

3/4 T&G

2x8

DO IT YOURSELF


82/93


The final top trim piece created a

narrow mantle-like shelf atop the

headboard.

Once the field of the headboard was

covered with T&G boards, I flipped itback over and mounted it to the bed

frame with two 4" RSS screws through

each leg and into the 6x6 posts.

A combination square helped

to keep a consistent reveal

on the side trim pieces.


83/93

(but deep enough for a TV remote).

The top shelf should be cut 1-1/2-

in. longer than the headboard to

create a 3/4-in. reveal over the

trim boards on each side. The

shelf should also be ripped 3/4-in.

wider than the side trim boards to

create a 3/4-in. reveal at the top.

I fastened with glue and finish

nails.

Once the headboard was com-

plete, I coated the entire assembly

with three coats of gloss poly-

urethane.

The finished product was a very

sturdyand heavyrustic-style

bed. To move it indoors, unscrew

the headboard from the frame, call

a friend with a strong back, and lift

the two pieces separately.

I was so impressed w

E H T 2014 04 Downmagaz.com

Documents

Transcript of E H T 2014 04 Downmagaz.com