How To Use A Comb To Texture Your Ceiling and Walls

Here in the UK, we texture a variety of stunning patterns & designs straight onto the ceiling & walls using tools such as fingers, rollers, sponges, rags, brushes, trowels, etc: your only limit is your imagination; but in this article I want to talk about using 'texturing' combs, to create some amazing affects onto your interior surfaces; these are very reasonably priced & now widely available to you thanks to the internet: plus, the methods for applying the texture coating to the desired surface is usually 'rolled on, sometimes brushed on, or even "troweled on' instead of 'sprayed on.'

As you can imagine, the cost for applying texture coating to your ceiling & walls this way makes it possible for the home 'DIY' enthusiast to 'have a go yourself' because all you will need is a bucket to mix the texture powder in, the tool for mixing, (either an attachment to the power drill, or a plastic texture mixing tool that you attach to a wooden handle,) the texture powder, a roller & tray to hold the mixture & of course, the texture comb;

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Some texturing combs consist of a moulded 'all in one' design, (almost resembling that of a plastic tile adhesive spreader, but the serrated 'comb' edge is slightly tighter together/not spaced as wide apart from each other) whereas, the handle, and the serrated (patterning) edge are made from a moulded, plastic material, the usual length of the comb is around 10 inches long (this is ideal for creating designs onto your larger, as well as smaller ceilings & walls;) whilst other texturing combs consist of a wooden handle, with a slit cut through it, whereas a piece, or two, of flexible plastic (containing the serrated patterning edge,) is inserted; Texturing combs, if looked after correctly could serve you a long time, but please be aware, do not wash out the combs in boiling water as this could shrivel up the serrated edges, plus also remember that, after texturing many surfaces, the serrated edge could become quite worn down, thus giving you a thinner, and more undesirable pattern depth;

To pattern the ceiling, first of all, make sure that the surface is correctly sealed and that the room is cool (no central heating on), you must mix enough texture to cover the whole surface area to be textured; secondly, after you decided which pattern/design your going to attempt, stand at the entrance to your desired room and look up to the ceiling, it is quite normal to actually start patterning alongside the wall, running across the narrow width of the ceiling, viewing from the door entrance, (but this depends entirely upon yours, or your customers personal preference.)
So, for instance, let us say that we are going to start our pattern from the door entrance wall, whereas, the pattern (once completed) will run down the (longer & narrower) length of the ceiling.
Stand with your back against the wall (in which you intend to start the pattern) & look up; this is how your going to work the pattern; as you pattern, the pattern is always behind you, and your working away from it/across the narrow width, & down the length of the ceiling; now with your back against the wall, hold your comb in the hand that feels the most comfortable for you to texture with; if you hold the comb in your left hand, slide across the wall, to the far corner of the right side of the room, this is the corner that, once you apply your band of texture, your going to start your comb pattern, & run it the width of that wall/edge, if you use your right hand, you start at the far left corner of the ceiling.

In summary, using your paint roller, roll on a band of texture, around half/three quarter inch thick depth, across the narrowest width of your ceiling, right across, from one wall edge to the other, the band of texture should be around two roller widths wide, pattern this with your comb, then continue this method throughout the whole ceiling, continuing right down the length of the area.
Everything here is fully covered in 'Texture Revival;' to help you more, look out for my articles concerning mixing texture & also surface preparation.

When you attempt any texturing tasks, always practice on a small area first for best results.
Thank you for reading, I hope that this article will help you further with your quest in learning to use combs to texture with.

Dale Ovenstone.

How To Use A Comb To Texture Your Ceiling and Walls

Dale Ovenstone: Creator of 'TEXTURE REVIVAL' unique & amazing, downloadable books & guides for the home 'DIY' enthusiast; so that you can 'have a go yourself'

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Popcorn Ceiling Repair Options

Popcorn ceilings can be troublesome, so knowing a bit about popcorn ceiling repair is the way to ensure you won't have persisting problems with it. One common problem is getting holes in the ceiling, especially if you've put a hook in it to hang a plant or something else from. Below is some information you'll need to make this easy popcorn ceiling repair.

Popcorn Ceiling Repair for Small Holes (without using popcorn ceiling spray)

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If you have a hole in the ceiling from hanging something, you may wonder if you really need authentic popcorn ceiling repair spray to fix the problem. The answer is, no you don't need the real popcorn ceiling spray, because it's possible to create the same look without it. You need to be careful though, or else the fix will look obvious, and it won't fit in with the rest of the ceiling.

You need to grab a putty knife, and some sort of patching compound. Many people like light-weight compounds, such as One-Time Spackle by Red Devil. It's dryer, and is easier to shape than other compounds. You should be able to pick this up at the hardware store.

Take your compound and apply it to the hole area. You can do so with a putty knife, or your finger, depending on how big the hole is. Shape it so it looks like it blends in with the rest of the ceiling. Next you'll need to determine if any painting is necessary. It's possible you can get away with not painting, but you'll probably have to. It depends on personal preference.

If you need to paint, go to the hardware store and try to match the color with that of your ceiling. It helps to paint a little beyond the repair area, to make the paint job look more continuous and blend in with the rest of the ceiling.

Popcorn Ceiling Repair for Small Holes (using popcorn ceiling spray)

If you aren't sure you'll be able to pull of the repair without the spray, go ahead and grab a can or packet from your hardware store. You should try to a brand that is similar to your ceiling type. A repair kit may also help.

You'll need to scrape the texture off around the hole in the ceiling, using a putty knife. Once the area is clean, sand it and smooth it down. Add some primer to the damaged area.

Next, if you opted for a popcorn texturing packet, go ahead and mix it in with the proper paint. You want to match the consistency of your ceiling, so you'll need to experiment with this until it matches. Try painting some of it onto a piece of scrap wood to see if you like the texture.

Once you are satisfied that the texture is right, go ahead and apply it to your ceiling with a putty knife. Allow the area to dry, and inspect your work. If it's not thick enough, you can apply more texture. If it's too thick, you can scrape it off and try again.

Popcorn Ceiling Repair Options

Now that you've completed a popcorn ceiling repair, you should feel more confident to be able to do more in the future, whether you live in Marrietta, GA or anywhere else.

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Unique Ceiling Planks - Ceiling Tiles and Ceiling Panels Offer New Options For Home Remodeling

Though it's probably the biggest single surface in any room--and the last thing we see at night--the ceiling is often overlooked by home remodelers as an opportunity to differentiate a home during remodeling or redecorating projects. Yet 98 percent of all homes built today use plain white gypsum drywall for ceiling surfaces, according to a survey conducted by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB).

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That fact presents a unique opportunity for homeowners to create a warm, inviting, custom look and feel in their homes--for less money than they'd spend on some other, less visible remodeling projects.

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Unique, Affordable Ceiling Products

Many new and affordable ceiling surface products are now on the market. Armstrong Building Products, a leader in the ceiling product industry, is one company that is committed to exploring the unique design possibilities for ceilings. Through the company's many different lines of unique, wood-like ceiling planks, patterned ceiling tiles and textured ceiling panels, homeowners now have a wide range of ceiling redecorating options available.

Many of the new ceiling products on the market are well suited for homeowner installation, making a ceiling remodeling project surprisingly affordable for homeowners willing to tackle this kind of remodeling project. "We want customers to have high-end design, but for attainable prices," says Bill Vaughn, marketing manager for the residential ceilings division of Armstrong. "Our WoodHaven(TM) line, for example, gives the warm, cozy look of wood-grain ceiling planks for a fraction of the cost of a real wood ceiling.

WoodHaven ceiling planks are constructed from a medium-density fiberboard so they're lightweight, durable and easy for do-it-yourselfers to install. A tongue-and-groove system is used to allow these ceiling planks to be installed over cracked or textured ceiling surfaces, making this kind of product ideal for use in older home's where the existing ceiling surface is anything but ideal.

New Ceiling Tile Options For An Old World Look

For homeowners interested in capturing a bit of old world charm in their more modern homes, Armstrong also offers a collection of tin-look ceiling tile systems that replicate the look of centuries old pressed metal ceilings. TinLook ceiling tiles are actually made of mineral fiberboard, but are molded in a variety of distinct patterns that resemble the tin ceilings commonly found in upscale homes during the late 1800's in America.

A quick visit to the paint department at your local home improvement center can easily customize these tiles to suit any home decor. Particularly popular among homeowners are faux finishes in bronze, tin or silver colors. Antiquing washes can also be used to accentuate the textures and patterns of the tin look ceiling tiles.

Unique Ceiling Planks - Ceiling Tiles and Ceiling Panels Offer New Options For Home Remodeling

The Home Improvement News and Information Center provides information and resources for home remodeling, home improvement and home energy management projects. For more information about ceiling products and other home redecorating ideas, point your web browser to http://www.HomeImprovementTime.com/consumer/index.asp.

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Installing Recessed Ceiling Box Lights

What do you need to install recessed ceiling box lights? You need 6 recessed can lights, two 4'x8' sheets of birch plywood that are 3/4" thick each, paint (e.g., Ace Sensations Ceiling White), a couple of ladders, skim coat, utility knife, tape measure, blue chalk and chalk line, reciprocal saw, pencil, stud finder, level, sander, table saw, circular saw, hammer, nails, and glue.

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Select a spot on the ceiling where you want to position the recessed boxes. Take a chalk and mark the spot carefully with accurate measurements. Consider the distance from the wall lying parallel from the line you are drawing.

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Next, create an inspection hole. An inspection hole is very crucial to see what is happening with the electric wires on the ceiling! Measure the section to be cut carefully and use a hammer to create the inspection hole. The opening has to be removed from the structure using a reciprocal saw. Take care when you are doing this task. Do not cut electric cables while doing this or you can cause serious trouble.

After you have cut out the rafters, place a frame at the ends. The opening is removed with the help of drywall. The centre portion has to withstand all the load. Are the cross beams concerning you? Do you want to get rid of them? Try using a hammer in this case. What do you do with the load that the beams supported all along? Place a double header at the end of the drywall to take care of the load, which can be a good option.

Use a table saw to cut pieces of plywood. To make the right shape on it, make measurements taking into consideration the shape and size of the recessed boxes. Dig holes for the recessed lights by using a sharp cutting instrument. You have to dig a minimum of one and a maximum of six holes. Fix the boxes inside the rafters to get a better effect. You can then put the can light above the boxes

Then comes the role of glue and nails. Use these to seal the boxes in the proper way. Smoothen the inside surfaces of walls using a sandpaper. Do it in circular movements so no nicks on the wood remain. You want to get rid of any nicks in the wood and make sure the surface is clean. Finish the job by applying paint on the ceiling and the boxes.

You work is done! Just wait for the paint to dry up. You can then place the lights into these recessed boxes and guess what? You are done! Wasn't that easy? If you want to get comprehensive information about ceiling box lighting, you can refer to various online resources or even books available on these topics. If you do not have all the supplies needed, try to find the best deals online and get all the supplies at prices you can afford.

Installing Recessed Ceiling Box Lights

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The Best Way to Fix Cracks in the Basement Ceiling

Keeping up the maintenance in your property can go a lengthy way toward avoiding larger repairs down the road. For example, whenever you notice that cracks are developing within your basement ceiling, you'll need to restore them previous to they possess a opportunity to expand. Occasionally as a household settles, cracks develop in between drywall sheets, along with a uncomplicated patch is all you'll need for making every thing appear as very good as new again.

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Continually Begin with Security
Any time you might be dealing which has a textured ceiling you wish to ensure that that it doesn't contain asbestos. If you might have a residence which is 25 years old or older, then you ought to possess a sample from the ceiling substance tested prior to continuing with your repairs. If your ceiling tests positive for asbestos, call in the expert to deal with it, since disturbing the asbestos can result in severe wellness problems if not handled properly.

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Suggestions and Methods
When you happen to be specific that you just aren't dealing with an asbestos ceiling, repairing a crack is fairly easy and straightforward. Ensure to wear security glasses any time you happen to be operating on the ceiling, mainly because gravity is doing work against you each and every step from the way. To get a textured ceiling, use a putty knife to scrape the location around the crack and carry on sanding until smooth. As soon as you've a sleek surface to deliver the results with, you'll be able to carry on using the restore inside the exact same fashion which you would for any sleek surfaced ceiling.

Remove any loose materials in the location in the crack, and if it's a little crack, you are able to just fill it with drywall compound. Use a mud trowel to pack the drywall compound in to the crack, and let it dry. For larger cracks, you ought to apply reinforced drywall tape over the crack and cover it having a couple of layers on the drywall compound. Be sure to let the drywall compound dry totally ahead of continuing using the repair. Immediately after the region is dried and cured, you are able to sand the repaired place smooth. Thoroughly wipe away any remaining dust, and if you're functioning on the textured ceiling you are able to blend texture to the patched spot. Again, enable the texture materials to absolutely dry, and then you'll be able to paint the place having a substantial top quality primer. Next paint the spot to match the rest in the ceiling, and your fix is complete.

Other Repairs
Other than cracks, you will find other minor repairs that you might have to have to generate in your basement ceiling. For example, you could have exposed screws or nails that basically will need being reset and covered which has a tiny quantity of drywall patch compound. If your ceiling has any nicks or gouges, basically use a putty knife to apply drywall compound towards the area. For a lot more comprehensive harm towards the ceiling, you could need to have to cut out a damaged section of drywall using a utility knife and replace it using a new section of drywall.

The Best Way to Fix Cracks in the Basement Ceiling

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Recessed Ceiling Box Lighting

We've all seen the basic florescent lighting fixture. Bare, bald, bland and industrial looking lighting isn't the way to go in your interior design much less your garage space. That's where recessed box ceiling lights come into play. Best of all, you can install these recessed light sources into an existing kitchen, bathroom or laundry space with ease. Use this guide and you'll be on your way to getting the most out of your basic florescent tube lighting.

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Before you begin

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Before doing any electrical work, always turn off the breaker to the source. You can test if the power is shut off by testing it with an electrical meter. You can buy these for less than at any hardware store. If you're not sure, just turn off the breaker to the entire house. Be sure you have a flashlight handy to work in the now dark place.

Besides electrical wiring causing shocks, the recessed area where the light fixture is going to be installed in needs to be checked for structural irregularities that might make this job impossible. As long as there is room between joists, trusses or other structural material, you can remove the material and create the box; otherwise, you will need to choose a suitable location for your recessed light.

Padding out the space

Ensure that your lighting fixture is going to fit into the space with a quick measurement. You're going to want to add a minimum of two inches of space around the ballast on all sides. This will prevent any fire problems from occurring. That means if you're going to use ½ inch drywall, you'll need to add an extra three inches to the space around the box. Using a few studs or other suitable deadwood material, frame the box so that each side is plumb and square.

Trimming

Trimming the interior or exterior of the box out is the next step. First, install the wiring and ceiling light fixture into the center of the opening. Now drywall can be attached and cut around the inside of the recessed box. Next, attach a piece of trim around the inside edge of the recessed box. Cut the trim on 45 degree angles on each end to get a picture frame look. Ensure that the frame hangs in on each side ½ inches. Square the trim using the 3-4-5 measuring method. This is accomplished by measuring in the vertical direction three inches, then in the horizontal four inches. Now connect the two marks with a diagonal measurement. If it equals five, then the frame is square. If it's not, some minor adjustments may be needed to make the frame square. Once the frame is square a piece of frosted glass or crushed ice plastic may be used to cover the florescent ballast.

Recessed Ceiling Box Lighting

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Ceiling Water Damage

Repairing water damage is never a pleasant prospect, but drywall damage repair is less onerous than repairs to some other materials. Ceiling water damage repair for drywall is rather more complicated than repairs to walls, and presents some extra issues.

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First of all is the possibility that enough water may have accumulated behind the ceiling drywall that it presents a danger of collapse. While most modern houses have 5/8" fire-stop drywall on the ceilings, this can be a blessing or a curse. It is a blessing in that the extra dimension of the material will withstand greater water weight before collapsing catastrophically. On the other hand, if one isn't able to safely drain out that water before collapse, not only will there be a greater weight and volume of water accumulated, but the extra heavy drywall material itself can present an increased risk of injury to people and things beneath.

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Once the source of the ceiling water damage is accounted for, if there is a downward bulge in the ceiling drywall, you will know that there is some amount of accumulated water suspended there. After removing all furnishings and other moveables from the affected area, lay down plastic sheeting to catch the inevitable falling of water and soaked drywall. Obtain a supply of buckets and ideally, a wet/dry vacuum and prepare to catch as much of the water as possible. Pierce the drywall at its lowest point and catch the outflow with the vacuum or in buckets. Once you start, the water will flow until it's gone, so don't skimp on the buckets.

Once the immediate danger of collapse is removed, you can proceed with drywall repairs as in repairing wall water damage. However, note that working overhead presents problems not associated with repairing walls.

Drywall is heavy, and the thicker, fire-stop types are the heaviest of all. If you have to replace any area of substantial size, plan to have one or more helpers to hold the patch in place while it's secured with screws or nails.

Also, take account of the fact that you'll be working overhead, and some means of reaching the work area will be required. Doing this sort of work can be accomplished on a ladder. However, be aware that working on a ladder on a patch that you can't reach all of will require trip after trip up and down the ladder. Drywall repairs demand a number of steps, all of which must be done in their own time. A good idea is to buy or rent scaffolding to maximize the amount of area you can work on each trip up and down. It's safer in the long run, and your knees will thank you when it's over.

Ceiling Water Damage

If you enjoyed this article, you might enjoy reading more about ceiling water damage or other home related topics like converting an attic.

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How to Drywall a Ceiling Layout

Whether the job is big or small you need to estimate the amount of materials needed. For estimating drywall finishing you will need know much board you will need for installing the drywall, and you have to be good at estimating drywall screws and mud and tape. You'll also have to be able to calculate such as adding up number of linear feet.

For smaller jobs like rooms you'll have to figure out how you're going to place the drywall panels and the sizes you're going to buy. ( Quick note ) estimate the amount of drywall you will be using not accounting for doors and windows just a straight room with none of these openings. Wallboard panels ( drywall ) come in eight and 12 foot lengths by 4 feet wide. The 12 foot length is more expensive but it covers more area so you'll have to do less taping. Of course the 12 foot length is a little harder to handle than a 8 foot one.

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If your designing your drywall layout on your ceiling for example, let's say you have a 16' x 10' ceiling. This will allow you to have two pieces -- 4' x 12' panels, two pieces 4' x 4' panels, and two pieces of 2' x 8' panels. This will give you the least amount of joints hence less screws, less drywall tape, less drywall compound, hence less time spent. So it is important that you lay out the drywall sheet arrangement on a piece of paper to figure out how to place your drywall cost-effectively.

Estimating drywall screws

Screws are typically placed at 16 inches center to center This would be the way your ceiling joists are put in. Therefore a 4' x 8' panel will use up 28 screws

Determining how much drywall tape to use

Drywall tape usually comes in 100 foot rolls, since you know how many boards you will be putting up and their sizes you can tackle it by adding up all the sum of the edges, this will give you the amount of tape you need. About 400 linear feet of drywall tape is usually used up on 1000 ft.² of drywall

Calculating your corner beads

Corner beads are used outside corners and they are made of metal. Use full lengths for corners, don't make the corners out of pieces of corner bead this won't work very well.

Calculating how much joint compound to use

Joint compound is sold in various ways, plastic pales, cardboard boxes with bags inside them filled full of compound. Buying the box is the cheapest way just a little less convenient. To tape 1000 ft.² would take approximately about 150 pounds of compound to get it finished wall using standard all-purpose premix if you want to use lightweight all-purpose ill be less than half of that for 1000 ft.²

How to Drywall a Ceiling Layout

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Easy Drywall Ceiling Repair

A working knowledge of drywall ceiling repair is essential for anyone who owns property with drywall in it. Drywall wallboard can be damaged by water leaks, by hanging heavy paintings on them, or even by accidentally throwing a baseball through it. The good news is, repairing this damage can be a breeze if you've got the right tools, the motivation, and the general know how. In many cases, there's no need to call a professional to do the repair job for you. Below are some basic drywall ceiling repair problems you might run into.

Fix a Large Hole

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What You'll Need:

Pencil Level Drywall saw Utility knife 1 x 4 piece of lumber Construction adhesive C-clamps Scrap drywall Drywall screws Power drill Drywall knife Fiberglass mesh tape Drywall compound Hand sander Primer Paint

1. Draw a square around the hole using your level and pencil. Use the level to create one side of the square by centering it on a stud.

2. Saw three sides of the square with the drywall saw (don't cut the side centered on the stud just yet. Continually clean off the debris while you cut, so it doesn't fall into the hole.

3. Take out the drywall stud by using the utility knife. With the knife, cut all the way down the line centered on the drywall stud.

4. Back the repair with the 1 x 4 piece of lumber. Do so by putting a lot of constructive adhesive on the back of the board, and placing it in the square.

5. Secure the backing board to the rest of the drywall using C-clamps. You should see some adhesive coming from the joint. This shows a secure bond.

6. Allow the adhesive to dry, according to the instructions on the tube. While it's drying, cut out a piece of scrap drywall to fit the square. Fasten this to the piece of lumber, and the drywall stud, by using drywall screws and the power drill.

7. Place fiberglass mesh tape over the seams of the scrap drywall. Let the tape overlap at the corners to increase the strength.

8. Apply drywall compound over the fiberglass mesh tape with the drywall side of the drywall knife. Allow this to dry, and then smooth the compound using a hand sander. Try to match the look of the surrounding wall to make this repair as unnoticeable as possible.

9. Apply a few light coats of drywall compound over the area you've repaired. As before, you'll use the knife to do this. Allow each coat to dry before applying the next, and then on the final coat, use the hand sander to lightly sand it.

10. Apply primer to the drywall repair area, and then paint with a matching color. Allow the paint to feather out several inches beyond the repair area for continuity's sake. This will complete your drywall ceiling repair job.

While a little time consuming, drywall ceiling repair is not impossible to do. If you take care, and follow directions, you can complete a nice looking (and cost-effective) drywall patch crack repair on a weekend afternoon.

Easy Drywall Ceiling Repair

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Available Options For Drywall Ceiling Repair in Your Home

No matter how new your home is or how vigilant you are about maintenance, drywall ceiling repair is something that will need to be done throughout your home at one time or another. The best thing that you can do is to be prepared and to know what options are available to you when a repair must be completed. Problems that need repaired can range from small to medium sized cracks to large damaged areas of drywall caused by water damage or other forms of destruction. The information below provides you with the various options you have for repair of your drywall ceiling.

Call in a Professional

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One of the most commonly used methods of drywall ceiling repair is the calling in of a professional to take care of the task at hand. These professionals will need no help from you and can make the necessary repairs in a short amount of time. This is a good option if you are completely lacking in the home improvement field or if the repair that needs to be made is quite large. If you are in doubt and are able to afford the bill, this may be your safest option.

Get Detailed Advice and Guidance

If you must repair the drywall on the ceiling yourself, then it is best to first seek out the help guidance or advice of a person who knows a lot about these types of repairs. This can be a close friend who is handy around a home or a person at a local home improvement store who can walk you through the process and the items that you will need to purchase for the repair. These types of individuals can help guide you not only in the drywall ceiling repair, but also in the ability to accomplish the right texture once the repair is done so that the area matching the surrounding ones.

Do It Yourself Kits for Small Repairs

If you have one a small crack or two in your ceiling, it may be quite easy to make the repair yourself. There are so it yourself drywall ceiling repair kits sold in all home improvement stores and these kits can walk you through the process step by step. In the case of a small repair, you generally need only y to fill the area with mud or putty and then flatten it out and wait for it to dry. The compound will seal the crack and you can doctor the area to disguise the work that has been done.

Large Patching Options

For larger jobs, whole sheets or at least part of a sheet of drywall may need to be replaced. With these large drywall ceiling repair jobs it is important to know what you are doing, have a good do it yourself guide or to hire a professional to get the work done. The drywall will need to be removed, a new piece put in its place and then attached to the surrounding area and mudded in. It can be tricky to install the new drywall and you may require an additional set of hands.

Drywall ceiling repair can be done by home owners if the damage is not too extensive. Once you get a significant amount of damage, there may be a need to call in a professional. The information above can help you determine what course of action would work best, should a repair need to be done to your ceiling.

Available Options For Drywall Ceiling Repair in Your Home

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Strapping a Ceiling

Prior to hanging sheetrock to ceiling joists it is important that strapping first be installed.

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Strapping helps prevent cracks and seams from showing up later in your home's ceiling, as well as provides more surface area for securing the sheetrock or drywall to the ceiling.

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Strapping typically consists of 1"x 3" boards that are nailed perpendicular to the ceiling joists. Strapping can be purchased at any home improvement center as individual sticks or in bundles of 10, and comes in lengths from 8 to 16 feet.

Strapping should be applied every 16 inches on center perpendicular to, and across, the ceiling joists. Care should be made in installing the strapping such that two pieces of abutting sheetrock each have access to approximately 1.5" of surface area of the strapping material. For example, the centerline of the 3rd row of strapping from a wall should be at 48 inches (the width of a piece of sheetrock). Not the edge of the strapping!

The installation of strapping is straight forward in concept, however significant care should be given to ensure that it is securely nailed and runs straight. Otherwise the sheetrocking effort may not go smoothly or be installed properly.

On pitched ceilings, it may help to use a chalk line and level to ensure straight lines. Also, the use of a Nail Gun is very helpful in this task, as nailing over one's head can quickly become tiring. Not to mention, the job goes much faster.

If you want a quality drywall or sheetrock ceiling make sure you, or your contractor, does not short change your home and install strapping first.

Strapping a Ceiling

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Top 10 Tips for Installing Drywall Over Popcorn Ceiling

Are you thinking about installing drywall over popcorn ceiling while remodeling your kitchen, bathroom or any other area in your home? While you probably already have directions or a helpful guide to give you ideas of how this project needs to be done, professional tips and techniques are always appreciated in home improvement jobs of this size.

1. When locating the ceiling joists, always use a stud finder and do not be afraid to make a few pencil marks to help guide you when you are trying to line the drywall up.

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2. It is recommended to use ½ inch drywall as it is light and won't add too much additional weight to your current ceiling.

3. Have someone help you hang the drywall or go to your local home improvement store and rent a drywall jack to hold the pieces in place while you are working.

4. Never have corners from four pieces of drywall line up together. What you want to do is stagger your ceiling. It may seem like you are doing a lot of extra work but you won't be stuck with weak joints that may crack later either.

5. Always use drywall finishing screws rather than nails. Not only do these grip significantly better, you won't end up with those unsightly nail pops that show up in some homes months after the remodeling has been completed.

6. Measure and cut your joint tape into appropriate lengths before attempting to hang them. This also helps keep your seams smoother.

7. Always allow your joint compound time to dry completely between applications and keep it as smooth as possible so you won't have so much sanding to do after.

8. Never rinse excess compound down any drains because it can easily clog them. Scrape your tools off well in a trash bag before you start rinsing them in the sink. Always clean all tools that you use completely between use.

9. Prior to painting, prime the ceiling with a PVA drywall specific primer. This will also allow you to spot any imperfections that slipped through. Using flat ceiling paint helps reduce the appearance of any surface imperfections as well.

10. Be sure to wear goggles when installing drywall over popcorn ceiling. You are always looking up where particles can easily fall and drip so it is crucial to protect your eyes at all times.

Top 10 Tips for Installing Drywall Over Popcorn Ceiling

Dave Stevens writes more about drywall over popcorn ceiling at: http://www.popcorn-ceilingremoval.com/drywall-over-popcorn-ceiling.php

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5 Creative Basement Ceiling Ideas to Liven Up Your Area

Although the ceiling of your basement will not be the main focal point, it can still add some glamour to the room while not being over the top. There are many basement ceiling ideas that can add hints of style while not taking away from the room itself!

Finishing the basement ceiling can pull together an entire room. Here are five creative basement ceiling ideas that you should consider for your home:

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1. Drywall

2. Suspended Ceiling

3. Mirrors

4. Artwork

5. Paint

Drywall

Hanging drywall is a common concept for a basement ceiling. Although it is a basic element, it is not so easy to install. This decently priced material is a bit tricky to install unless you have previously installed it before. If you have never hung drywall, it is recommended that you hire a professional to assist you or do it completely. If that is not an option, there are more DIY options you can try.

Suspended Ceiling

A suspended ceiling is one of the most commonly known basement ceiling ideas. It is frequently used and easily installed. When compared to other types of basement ceiling materials, suspended ceilings are cost efficient. Because it is easily installed, you can also save money by doing it yourself and not having to hire a contractor. You can cover up unattractive piping and previous ceiling issues with a suspended ceiling, which is a far more attractive option. Suspended ceilings seem quite plain and boring, but you can choose from many colors, styles, and patterns to provide the look and feel you desire.

Mirrors

Adding mirrors to basement ceilings creates a very modern feel. The lighting in most basements is poor or minimal. Adding some mirrors can help reflect some of the light while also creating the illusion of more space. Mirrors are not extremely difficult to place on the ceiling, making this another easy do it yourself project.

Artwork

Hanging or creating artwork to the ceiling of your basement ceiling can be very creative and reflect your personality while also giving the room a brightened feel. You can use many different mediums to do so, either painting directly onto the ceiling or hanging already made pieces. There are also cling-ons available at most home improvement stores that adhere onto the surface. There are many different sizes and designs that are easily placed on the ceiling. Most of these are able to be removed and re-adhered to other areas if you are not satisfied.

Paint

Paint comes in almost any color you can imagine and it easy to do yourself. This is a low skill level solution that is moderately inexpensive. You can add a sense of style to your ceiling by painting different patterns or by using more than one color. You may not be able to paint your ceiling, however, depending on what materials it is made of. Be sure to check with a contractor before applying your first coat.

Basement ceiling ideas can help you to finish your space while also adding a unique twist to the room.

5 Creative Basement Ceiling Ideas to Liven Up Your Area

Read more about Basement ceiling ideas. Visit Basement Focus.

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Sheetrock - Hanging the Ceiling and Walls

Hanging Sheetrock for the Ceiling and Walls

sheetrock lifter

Hanging Sheetrock on the ceiling for your remodeling project does not have to be hard. It can be easy and fun. It just depends on you. Using the right materials for the project is what it's all about. Like the right length, thickness and kind of board.

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Over the years, I have found that while doing Home Remodeling Projects, it is best to have 2-3 people to hang the ceiling; it's much easier than using a Drywall Jack. Drywall Board of 1/2" x 4x8 standard sheetrock is best for ceilings, depending on the area of the ceiling. If there is a large area then use size 4x10 or 4x12.

Have 2 people to put the piece of sheet rock in place and to hold it tight, while the other person screws it in place with 1-3/8 Drywall screws. Screw at least 3 screws in the middle of the piece of sheetrock about 12 inches apart in order to hold it in place before screwing the borders. This will prevent the sheetrock from spinning or moving while screwing everything in place. Next, screw around the whole boarder. Then, finish screwing the sheetrock on the ceiling. Always remember to stagger your joints like laying brick.

To hang the walls, do not stand the sheet rock upright; lay it flat across the walls. Start with the first piece up against the ceiling, and then place the next piece on the bottom of it. After screwing the perimeter, put 2, 1-3/8 screws in the middle of the sheetrock about 12 inches apart, it adds support. Remember again to stagger your joints.

This is your first step to your Home Remodeling Project Look for Our Next Edition on Installing the Corner Bead

Sheetrock - Hanging the Ceiling and Walls

Ask a Sheetrocker has been sheetrocking, metal framing, painting, pouring concrete, plumbing, hauling sheetrock at 24 ton per load and other constructional labour for over 23 years. During the course of time, life has caused a loss of limb due to a motorcycle accident. Being lack of a leg doesn't stop this sheetrocker from doing what he does best. Sheetrocking.
Ask A Sheetrocker

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Ceiling Fans - Safely Installed

There are so many styles of ceiling fans to choose from out there. We have one in our dining room. We do not have Air Conditioning and we have about a dozen days a year that it is very nice to have the ceiling fan for air circulation.

sheetrock dolly

I was talking with one of my clients whose new house we are trimming out right now and the topic came around to the ceiling fan/light combination that is going into the family room. He told me of his neighbor across the street who had installed a ceiling fan by just replacing a light fixture on the ceiling. After about a week while it was running they saw the fan fall from the ceiling. No one was hurt, luckily.

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I reassured him that the fan going into the new house was solidly anchored onto a truss joist in the ceiling. When I am done you will be able to hang on that fan and it will not move in the slightest from its anchor point.

If you want to install a ceiling fan in your house then, I suggest that you make sure that it is securely anchored to a joist or ceiling beam. Most ceiling light fixtures today are hung on plastic boxes that are nailed onto a joist with two nails. These are defined in The National Electric Code (NEC) 314.27(A) as able to suspend fixtures weighing less than 6 lb.

For ceiling fans there are two specifications, these are in NEC 314.27(D), specialty boxes marked for up to 35 lb of fan, and those that can support 70 lb of fan. These boxes usually straddle a joist or beam, or it has a very serious anchoring mechanism that spans between two joist/beams and suspends the fan between the joists.

Ceiling fan mounting base sizes range from the rather common of about 4" diameter to 8". You have now reached a decision point. If you have a fan with the small base, mounting it on the joist without changing the box will mean that the box will be exposed and possibly the wiring too. With the 8" base you can anchor it onto the joist and still cover the box.

I would consider using a 3/0 pancake box (metal) or a special fan box that straddles the joist. Find the edge of the joist (next to the existing box), the joist is usually a 2x something so it is 1 ½ inch wide, therefore the center is ¾" from the edge. I then place the 3/0 pancake on the ceiling and draw an outline of the new box on the sheetrock. If you have a hole saw that size you can use it, otherwise use a razor knife to cut the rock away from the joist. I want to save the cut out piece of rock to use as a filler in place of the old box.

Next, remove the old box. This can be done with a metal hacksaw blade to cut the nails holding the old box to the joist. CAUTION, you do not want to go deep and cut or damage the wire to the box which is stapled close by. Once the box is loose, remove the wire from it. Pull the wire through the ceiling, insert it into the pancake box and anchor the box to the joist. The mounting ears of the box need to be in line with the joist. Use 10x2" screws to anchor the box.

Now find a paint stir stick or something similar to go into the ceiling hole. Run it parallel to the joist centered on the existing hole. Attach it to the ceiling with two 6x1' or 6x1 ¼" sheetrock screws. Next, fit the cutout piece of rock to the hole. Once it is properly sized, get some caulking to go around the edge of the piece and on the stick, press it into place and use another rock screw to anchor it to the stick. Wah Lah, hole gone, use caulking as necessary.

I mount the fan mount base to the pancake box using the 8x32 screws AND I use a 10x2" screw at each end of the mount, anchoring it securely to the joist. The fan will now be securely anchored to the ceiling. Install fan.

If it turns out that your light is on a span mount between joists, then this entails a bit more of a challenge. Start by removing the screws holding the box to its span bar. Box comes out smoothly. If there is attic access above this, go up there and remove the span bar and replace it with a 2x4 that you nail between the joists, put a pancake or fan saddle box on the 2x4, pull in the wire and install the fan.

When you do not have attic access, then the real fun begins. You will need to go to the supply store and get a span mount for a ceiling fan. You get to do all of the work through the 3 ½" hole where the original light box was. Reaching in to remove the span bar nails or staples can take a while. Once that is done then insert the new heavy duty span bar and make sure that it is perpendicular to the joists AND is at the right height for the new box to be flush with the ceiling. Turn the center section of the span bar to expand it solidly into the joists. Mount the box and then mount the fan.

We have finally reached the point where we can turn on the fan/light. Enjoy!

Ceiling Fans - Safely Installed

I have been working as an electrical contractor on the Russian River for 30+ years and installed many hundreds of fans in that time. I also do electrical design and consulting. Keith Hall, Electric Services, Guerneville, California http://www.HowToHomeWiring.com

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