Hanging and mudding drywall can be an intimidating project especially if it’s your first time. While you could hire a professional, a small drywall project can be a great first do-it-yourself job to get you familiar with the process. You can find tutorials online or on DVD but here are some basics to get you familiar with drywall installation and mudding.

Having the right drywall equipment is essential. Basic drywall tools aren’t expensive so there isn’t a large investment and you’ll be able to reuse the tools on future projects.

You’ll need measuring and fitting tools such a measuring tape, a t-square that is large enough to run the width of a panel of drywall, a plastic or metal corner tool and a leveling tool. To cut the drywall you should use a jigsaw but for small projects that only require right angles, you can use a cutting tool. You’ll also need other cutting tools such as a utility knife and other knives of various lengths for finishing.

For putting up the drywall you’ll need drywall screws or nails and tools to affix them, such as a hammer and screwdriver or drill. You’ll also need an all purpose drywall compound which comes in powder form or premixed as well as a mud pan for mixing the compound. Special paper tape and textured tape is required to hide the seams prior to mudding. You’ll also need trowels for applying the compound and sandpaper (course and fine grit) for finishing. These are the basic drywall finishing tools you’ll need for any job.

The key to hanging drywall is planning and having patience. Don’t rush through it. If you do, it will show in the results. If you take several days the results will look professional.

Take accurate measurements of the area you’re going to apply drywall and add a bit more for cutting and waste. Purchase the right drywall for the job. There is special drywall that is moisture resistant which should be used for the bathroom or homes in tropical climates. Measure out the drywall using your t-square to ensure you cut the drywall straight. Score the drywall will a utility knife and then break off the excess.

Attach the drywall so there are as few seams as possible and the pieces are as close together as possible. Start from the top and move down so that most of the horizontal seams are at the bottom. Make sure all your screws and nails are flush (if not a bit indented) with the drywall. Once it is hung, use the drywall tape to cover over the seams.

Use a putty knife to apply the compound and smooth it out. Wait 24 hours and apply another coat and repeat this two more times. For finishing, use a putty knife and sandpaper to make sure the wall is smooth.

If you happen to have several pieces of garden equipment and want to make sure that they remain in good condition, then you need somewhere to store them. There are plenty of timber and metal sheds which are completely perfect for this purpose and depending on their size are not that expensive to purchase. As well as keeping all the necessary pieces of equipment for caring for your garden in good condition, you will be easily able to find what you want.

As you will soon discover when looking to purchase a shed there are a large number of different styles, shapes and sizes to select from. But which one you purchase will depend on a number of factors including the size of your garden and how much equipment and supplies you wish to store inside it. Certainly, there are many advantages to be gained from installing either a metal or timber shed in your garden.

A large number of people prefer to install sheds made from timber as they enhance the overall look of their gardens. But you should avoid those which are made from softwoods and instead go for those that are made from hardwood such as cedar. These are more expensive but they are unlikely to rot as easily as softwood ones can when it becomes exposed to the elements.

Although a wooden shed may look more aesthetically pleasing to the eye in the garden, they also need to be maintained. This means that you will regularly need to check to ensure that water has not been absorbed into it. Plus you will also need to regularly check the roof to ensure that there is no damage especially after the winter or when there have been strong winds.

Metal sheds are certainly increasing in popularity as unlike timber ones they need little or no maintenance. One which has been made from galvanized steel will not rot, it protects what is inside from the elements and unless you leave the door open rodents will not be able to gain access into it. These sheds unlike wooden ones will never crack or warp and once installed will not need to be repainted each year.

Another advantage to owning a metal rather than timber shed is that they are far more secure. Whereas breaking through a wooden door is relatively simple even with a lock on it, a metal one would be very difficult indeed. So not only is your garden equipment protected from the elements but also from would be intruders.

When you are looking for a shed to use for storage in your garden it is important that you choose one which will provide you with ample space that everything can be stored in it, and can be reached easily. So try to go for as big a shed as your garden and budget will allow. However, you should be aware that if you purchase one that is more than 100 sq ft then you will need to confirm with your local authority what building permits are required for it.

Above we have shown some of the reasons for choosing either between timber and metal sheds for use as storage in your garden. If you are someone who wants to have a shed that is not going to ruin the look of their garden then a wooden one is probably the best option. However, if you want one for practical purposes and not have to worry about the costs of maintaining the shed once installed then a metal one is probably the best option for you.

Bamboo flooring is a very beautiful alternative to using hardwood flooring. Bamboo floors are very popular at the moment because they are so attractive, using bamboo is also an environmentally friendly material. There are a number of popular manufacturers such as Armstrong, Columbia and Mohawk flooring which produce these types of flooring.

Construction of Bamboo Flooring

Bamboo is a very strong material, it is much stronger than many other cheap flooring products. Bamboo is extremely durable which makes it perfect for wooden flooring. It is much stronger and durable than linoleum. It is also more comfortable than walking on stone floors.

Bamboo flooring is available in two different forms, either solid bamboo floors or engineered floors. Engineered bamboo floors use bamboo with another type of wood. Most engineered floors have a plywood base with a top layer made out of bamboo. Bamboo can be stained with urethane which is similar to other hardwood stains. I installed bamboo flooring throughout my home last year. The look of it with the granite countertop in the kitchen is amazing.

Bamboo floors are installed in the same way as other hardwood floors. These are normally nailed down to prevent them from moving. There are newer products which are simply clicked together, these do not need any glue or nails to fix the panels down.

Before installing the floor it is important to make sure that the ground and subfloor are completely level. If it’s not level then you can level it out using asphalt shingles. You must ensure that the subfloor is dry, moistness can damage your bamboo floor.

Environmentally Friendly

Many people are starting to be worried about the world’s health and the depletion of our natural resources. Trees can take a very long time to grow, especially some of the more expensive products such as oak or walnut. There just aren’t enough of these trees being replanted to keep up with demand. People are trying to find alternative ways to protect the trees.

Bamboo is extremely fast growing, the plants only take five years before they are fully grown. Even after harvesting the bamboo new shoots will start to grow very quickly. The bamboo does not need to be replanted as long as care is taken when harvesting.

Caring for Bamboo Flooring

You need to make sure you remove all dirt and dust from your bamboo floor by using a mop or a broom. A great tip is to use a solution made from four parts water and one part vinegar. Soak a sponge or a cloth in this liquid and wipe it over the floor. As soon as you’ve finished dry the floor immediately using a towel. You should be careful not to wet the floor too much.

If you spill anything then make sure you use a damp cloth. Then dry the area using a towel straight away. If your floor does get dull then you can use a buff sander to improve the shine on the floor. By looking after your floor there is no reason why your floor can’t last for many years to come.