Tips & Trends

How to Lay a Floor Tile

Installing your own tile can save you allot of money. The staff a GNH will help you get all of the materials to accomplish the job.

Preparing for the tiles to be installed is the most important part of installing a great tile floor The first step is to install a solid level subfloor, using cement backer boards. If the subfloor is not installed properly, the grout or the tile itself will crack. Lay down the cement board using as many full sheets as possible, and stagger the boards for stability. Cut partial sheets when necessary with the circular saw after measuring and marking them with guides. Secure the cement boards to the floor/subfloor with screws.

Watch the video to layout the tiles properly. Find the midpoint of the floor, then layout the tiles from the center to the walls. Adjust the layout so that the tiles bear the traffic, not the grout lines (straddle the traffic area). Leave a 1/4″ space for the grout using the plastic spacers. Mix the grout to the consistency of peanut butter. Use the notch trowel for tile adhesive (ask GNH what size groove to get). Create ridges of thinset adhesive with the notch trowel, quickly to place the tiles into the adhesive. With a rubber hammer or wood block, gently tap the tiles down into place. Use a level to test the alignment levelness of the tiles. Occasionally wipe the tiles to keep them clean. Let the tiles set for 24 hours.

Before grouting the joints, use stone sealer if you are installing porous slate or marble. Ceramic tiles do not have to be sealed. Mix the grout and put it into the grooves with the grout float and then wipe the excess with a moist rag but do not make it too wet. Finish the grout off with your finger for a smooth and finished look.

How to Measure for Tile

Looking to install a new DIY ceramic tile floor? By accurately calculating floor space, you can be sure that you won’t end up with not enough tile, or too much.

The easiest way to get an accurate measurement is to first sketch a rough diagram of the layout of your room (and indicating where objects such as islands might be). Next, divide up your sketch into squares or rectangles so then you can find the area of each by measuring the length and width and then multiplying, and then adding all the areas from each square or rectangle together for the total area.

When dealing with objects in the middle of the floor (like an island) – measure the length and width of the island and multiple to get the area, and then subtract this number from your final number.

Solar Attic Fan

Does your attic get hot in the summer? Looking for a solution to reduce energy costs? Learn how to keep attic cool by installing your own solar attic fan.

Solar Star offers a variety of solar attic fans to provide better ventilation in your attic, which will help lower the temperature in your home during the summer months. Solar powered attic fans don’t cost anything to operate, will save you money on your cooling bill, and are environmentally friendly.

Solar Star offers both roof-mounted attic fans as well as interior-mounted fans that can turn existing attic fans into solar-powered solutions. This DIY video shows the easy installation of a roof-mounted attic fan. But remember, safety always comes first when it comes to working on your roof!

Installing FOMO Products Handi Foam Insulation

The FOMO products Handi-Foam brand offer easy to use foam products are perfect for air ceiling structures, and the FOMO Work Smart program will help you identify the easiest most efficient way to use FOMO polyurethane spray foam products.

Tip: Safety is essential, no matter the size of the project, so always read the operating instructions before each use.

Tip: Make sure you have all the proper personal protective equipment ready for the job. Never spray foam without Nitrio gloves, safety glasses, and cover exposed skin. Avoid inhaling vapors and only use in well ventilated areas. For bigger jobs where 2 component spray foam is necessary, make sure all proper equipment is used as well as organic vapor respirator.

Consult material safety data sheet before using any FOMO products. FOMO products are professional use only and sold only through professional distribution.

How to Add Batt Insulation to your Attic

Adding batt insulation to your attic not only can save money on your heating and cooling bills, but it can also protect your home from running the risk of having ice dams form in the winter. Up to 45% of energy can be lost through an inadequately insulated attic – and with a few simple steps, you can install additional insulation yourself. Having a well-insulated attic will reduce your energy costs, keep your home temperature more comfortable, and add resale value to your home.

Most homes have only a mere 3-6″ of insulation, but it is recommended to have at least 12″ of insulation to help keep your heating and cooling bills down.

Tip: In Greene County NY, the normal recommendation for insulation in your attic is R-49, which is roughly 16″

Tip: If your attic already has insulation and you are adding more insulation, don’t use the kind with the paper vapor barrier as this can trap moisture between layers.

Once the cavities between joists are full, add your additional layers of insulation perpendicular across the joist.

Sealing your driveway

Important: Prep the driveway:
Clean with a hose and cleaner,
Degrease any oil spots, fill cracks, pull any weeds or grass.
Sweep away any pebbles

Use the Henry 532 asphalt resurfacer. This product has a 7 year warranty. The rubberized gel formula goes on easy and you only need one coat.

You want the temperature to be above 50 degrees. You don’t want rain in the forecast for 48 hours and you don’t want to drive on the product for 48 hours. Begin early in the day to give it time to dry

Hose down the driveway with a good cleaner and pull any weeds. Fill all large cracks with a crack sealer. Fill any holes with a pothole patch. Let any patches fully cure before you apply the sealer.

With the Henry 532, use the brush side of a driveway applicator to work the sealer into 4 foot by 4 foot sections. Work in 2 directions to get the product into any cracks and pits in the driveway. Apply one thin coat.

Blacktop Crack Repair

Do you need driveway repairs? In need of blacktop crack repair? Repairing those cracks can be done easily in just a few simple steps. The best type of product to use for this type of project is Asphalt Repair material that resembles simple caulk. After you have your cracks good and cleaned out with a broom, the blacktop repair material is easy to use.

Tip: After the asphalt repair material has been applied, use a small stick to spread the sealant and smear it on both sides so that it bonds well to the blacktop.

Tip: Use small pebbles that you find in your driveway to insert into larger cracks. Simply press into the repair material and fill in around the edges of the pebbles so that they are inserted securely.

Tip: You can also use sand from your driveway to sprinkle over the wet repair material which will prevent tracking and also help disguise the crack even more.

How To Build A Doghouse

Building a dog house is a great way to provide an outdoor shelter for man’s best friend. This informative DIY dog house tutorial will help you build a great structure for your dog to help protect him from the elements, keep him warm, and keep him safe. Not only does this dog house have well-insulated wall panels, but the roof is also covered with roofing shingles to prevent leaks. This dog house project can easily be finished in one afternoon, for a fraction of the cost of buying one.

Tip: Don’t use pressure treated wood for the inside flooring of the dog house, chemicals used to treat the wood are not good for your pets to walk on. Pressure treated wood should only be used where it might come in direct contact with moisture.

Tip: Make sure any insulation used is completely enclosed by plywood to prevent your pet from chewing on it.

Looking for more pet products at GNH? Learn more about what we offer at GNH.

How to Build a Screened In Porch

A DIY screened in porch is a great way to transform your existing porch into a mosquito-free space to enjoy during the warmer weather. No matter what the shape or design of your existing porch, with just a few simple steps, it is easy to choose a cost-effective solution that can be done by your average do-it-yourselfer.

This DIY video shows examples of both how to attach screening with staples and enclosing the edges with strips of wood, as well as how to create removable screen frames for larger spaces.

Gutter Guard Installation

Gutter guards are a great way to make sure that your gutters are kept free of leaves and debris – this inexpensive solution that will save you time and money while protecting your home from damage. Clogged gutters is the main cause of gutter failure, which can lead to serious problems such as basement flooding.

First, you will want to make sure your gutters are clear. While using heavy gloves, make sure all debris is removed from your gutters.

Tip: Safety first! Use a latter rather than chancing your footing by standing on your roof!

Gutter Guards are made from materials that won’t rust (such as vinyl) and are easily cut with shears. Installing the guards is easy; simply snap them into place into place.

Tip: For outside corners, you can cut miter cuts with your speed square and then cut with your shears. For inside corners, you do not want a mitered seam – run your gutter guard to the inside edge of the gutter, and then butt up the edges so that there is no seam in the corner.