Exterior Front Doors All homes have exterior front doors, and all exterior doors have a few similar features. Every exterior front door is solid, not hollow-core. The door swings inward and is capable of being fitted with both a doorknob and a deadbolt for greater security. Beyond that, it is a matter of personal choice for style and security. Wood has long been the material of choice for exterior front doors since it is solid and is both stainable and paintable....

Electric wall heaters will require a dedicated electrical circuit of 120 volts or 240 volts, depending on the unit size and the size of the room to be heated. (Click here for a tutorial on installing a 240-volt circuit). Electric heaters work by convection or radiant heat. Convection heat uses the natural law that hot air rises and relies upon natural convection to move the heat around the room. Radiant heat or infrared is different in that it heats objects, not the air....

Varieties A putty knife can come in a number of variations including: Flat edged blade and chiseled edged bladeStraight edge and angled edge bladeStiff blade or flexible bladePlastic, carbon steel, stainless steel or brass bladeBlade widths from 3/4" to 6" wide Spreading and Applying Compounds Application of a compound is a common use for the generic putty knife. A compound can include any number of paste-like materials such as wood filler or wood putty, base application drywall compound (used in taping drywall joints), spackling paste or other filler materials or even adhesives....

When undermount sinks first hit the consumer market, they were expensive and considered difficult for pros and do-it-yourselfers alike to install. But now that professionals are just as comfortable installing undermount sinks as they are with drop-ins, and prices of undermount sinks have become more competitive, the choice is that much harder. What a Drop-In Sink Is A drop-in sink, also known as a self-rimming sink or top-mount sink, is installed by resting the sink into a hole in the countertop....

It can be used for people traveling to another city for business meetings or to house temporary employees or contract workers. While corporate housing began as a housing option for company employees, the service has grown to include vacationers, students and people requiring short-term housing when moving. While the fees can be higher than one might first expect, the units are usually well-stocked with everything you need for a comfortable stay....

Check out these fun, unexpected, and occasionally eccentric designer headboard ideas that will inspire you to dream up your own.

It might be referred to as a tree, but it doesn’t tend to grow over six feet in height, and the abundant leaf stalks at the base mean it more closely resembles a giant, sturdy herb. Despite being a tropical perennial, it’s surprisingly cold hardy. In warmer regions, it remains evergreen and although not as spectacular as when it’s in bloom, it can still add some winter interest to your garden....

Fast Facts Scientific Name: Icterus icterusCommon Name: Venezuelan Troupial, Turpial, Troupial, Northern Troupial, Common TroupialLifespan: UnknownSize: 9 inchesWeight: 2-2.3 ouncesWingspan: 12-14 inchesConservation Status: Least concern Venezuelan Troupial Identification At first glance, the Venezuelan troupial looks like an oriole, and in fact they are closely related. These birds, however, have distinctive traits that help set them apart, and birders who recognize their unique field marks will have no trouble identifying Venezuelan troupials....

After being heated, not only does it curl, but it also expands and comes away sterilized. Both of these traits are important to gardeners. Due to its expansion, vermiculite’s capacity to retain water is increased. Plus, the fact that it is sterile means that gardeners do not have to worry that vermiculite is harboring pathogens that could kill their plants. The porous surface is great for retaining moisture and nutrients....

Garden gates receive lots of use: opening, closing, taking you from outside to inside or a more public part of your property to a private space. While practical, a gate can be designed as a welcoming structure hinting at a beautiful garden awaiting. Traditional materials for gates include: Wood: One of the most perennially popular materials, woods can be stained, left raw, or painted Metal: Can include practical chain-link, aluminum, cast iron, wrought (not rod) iron, or corrugated metal Vinyl, PVC, or Polyresin: Also used for fencing, these materials are similar to the materials used for vinyl decking Alternative Natural Materials: Like rattan or bamboo Composite: Have you ever seen a gate that looks like stacked stone or ashlar?...

Parts of a Spline Roller A standard spline roller consists of a wooden handle with a metal wheel on each end. The wheels appear identical at a glance, but close inspection reveals that one has a thin edge grooved outward (this is the convex wheel) and the other has an inward-grooved edge (this is the concave wheel). The convex wheel is only used when installing metal screens. This pushes the new screen into the channel of the screen frame before you install the spline, pre-shaping the screen inside the channel so the spline will go inside willingly....

Cotyledons Cotyledons are the first leaves produced by plants. Cotyledons are not considered true leaves and are sometimes referred to as “seed leaves,” because they are actually part of the seed or embryo of the plant. The seed leaves serve to access the stored nutrients in the seed, feeding it until the true leaves develop and begin photosynthesizing. In the photo provided, the two narrow leaves lowest on the stem are the cotyledons....

You can dry herbs for both culinary use as well as for crafts. A market exists for both. Place your dried herb material into jars or tins and be sure to offer samples of food that has been made with them, if possible. More customers will try something new if they can taste or smell it first. Don’t overlook mixing teas and smoking mixtures as well. They are the simple combination of herbs that become your own special recipes....

Keep reading to learn more about how dryer balls work and what the benefits of using them are. How Do Dryer Balls Work? Most dryer balls are made from wool, but you may also see some made from rubber and even plastic. Whatever material they are made from, they are an excellent way to avoid using single-use dryer sheets and produce less waste and save money at the same time....

When situations are extreme, culling might be necessary under certain circumstances, such as: Rare or endangered birds are being threatened by hybridization. This interbreeding can affect the genetic purity of the species that might lead to genetic extinction if hybridization goes unchecked. This is the case with birds like the red junglefowl, which is in danger of being lost because of interbreeding with free-ranging domestic chickens in its native range....

Hardscape elements can also define the use of a space, such as with a driveway, or it can lead visitors through different zones of softscaping, as with a gravel path that winds through a grassy area and into a secluded garden. There are so many ways to use hardscape elements to enhance your property: Stone retaining walls create planting areas or convert a slope to flat yard space. Concrete patios are the classic low-maintenance and versatile patio option....

Enter: Kindercore. It’s simple, yet unabashed and perfect for anyone who wants to add a little fun to their home. This design aesthetic is a relatively recent one, but where minimalism holds back, Kindercore goes all out. A decidedly happy-go-lucky movement, this trend centers around primary colors and almost childlike pieces. Kinder means “children” in German. What Is Kindercore? The key element of Kindercore is simplicity. It’s imperfect and a bit silly, but also makes a statement....

History of Tudor Revival The origin story of Tudor Revival architecture can be traced all the way back to the building styles of the late Medieval period, when the legendary English House of Tudor dynasty reigned (1485-1603). Like the Tudor architecture of old, Tudor Revival combines Renaissance and Gothic design elements to create a style that is best known for signature details such as half-timbering, steeply pitched roofs, and asymmetrical design....

Identifying Buzzards vs. Vultures: Key Differences There are key differences that can help you tell a buzzard apart from a vulture. Vultures are large, bald birds that sniff out carrion (decaying flesh of dead animals) and then feast on the carcasses. Buzzards are smaller than vultures and they prefer to hunt, attack, and eat their prey while the creatures are somewhat alive, though they will also eat dead animals. What Is a Vulture?...