Рубрика: A HOUSE

SIZES AND TYPES OF DRYWALL

Drywall is made by sandwiching a gypsum core between two sheets of paper. The “good" side of the panel is faced with smooth, white paper that takes paint easily. The “bad" side is darker in color, with a rough, porous paper surface. Panels (also called sheets) of drywall are packaged in pairs; to open the […]

WITHIN

Drywall and Painting I’m not sure when drywall—also known as gypsum board, wallboard, and Sheetrock®—was first used in construction. I have seen drywall on pre—World War II houses, but we definitely didn’t have drywall in my old prairie home. It wasn’t until the late 1950s in California, where I was working, that drywall be­came the […]

ENERGY-SAVING TIPS

While you’re thinking about insulation and ventilation, you should also pay attention to a few other details that relate to energy conservation. Taken together, these small improve­ments can make a big difference in how well your house works. ■ Locate the water heater near the kitchen and bathroom. This avoids long runs of pipe that […]

A WHOLE-HOUSE EXHAUST FAN

Although it is not ideal in all climates or seasons, a whole-house fan can be a very attractive alter­native to air-conditioning. A simple fan is more reliable and less expensive than a single window — mounted AC unit, and it can effectively cool an entire house. As shown in the illustration at right, the principle […]

WORKING WITH FIBERGLASS INSULATION

Insulate around electrical boxes. First, divide the batt into two layers instead of compressing it. Slide the back layer behind the outlet box (see the photo above), then cut out the front layer to fit around the box (see the photo below). This technique also works for installing fiberglass batts around electrical wires and plumbing […]

RIGID-FOAM INSULATION

Light, fairly inexpensive, and easy to cut and install, rigid-foam insulation has a lot going for it. This insulation board comes in different thicknesses and sheet sizes. Depending on the manu­facturer, it comes in shades of blue, green, and pink. A 1/2-in.-thick sheet is rated at R-3; a 1-in. sheet is rated at R-5. EXTERIOR […]