Plumbing → Plumbing is the system of pipes and drains installed in a building for the distribution of potable drinking water and the removal of waterborne wastes, and the skilled trade of working with pipes, tubing and plumbing fixtures in such systems. A plumber is someone who installs or repairs piping systems, plumbing fixtures and equipment such as water heaters. The plumbing industry is a basic and substantial part of every developed economy due to the need for clean water, and proper collection and transport of wastes. The word "plumbing" comes from the Latin plumbum for lead, as pipes were once made from lead.
Interior design → Interior design describes a group of various yet related projects that involve turning an interior space into an effective setting for the range of human activities that are to take place there. An interior designer is someone who conducts such projects. Interior design is a multifaceted profession that includes conceptual development, liaising with the stakeholders of a project and the management and execution of the design.
Do It Yourself → Do it yourself (DIY) is a term used to describe building, modifying, or repairing of something without the aid of experts or professionals. The phrase "do it yourself" came into common usage in the 1950s in reference to home improvement projects which people might choose to complete independently.
Paint → Paint is any liquid, liquefiable, or mastic composition which after application to a substrate in a thin layer is converted to a solid film. It is most commonly used to protect, color or provide texture to objects.
Carpentry → A carpenter (builder) is a skilled craftsperson who works with timber to construct, install and maintain buildings, furniture, and other objects. The work, known as carpentry, may involve manual labor and work outdoors.
Remodeling → Renovation (also called remodeling) is the process of improving a structure. Two prominent types of renovations are commercial and residential.
More on remodeling...
Renovation (also called remodeling) is the process of improving a structure. Two prominent types of renovations are commercial and residential.
Process
The process of a renovation, however complex, can usually be broken down into several processes. They are:
- Planning
- Engineering
- Structural repair
- Rebuilding
- Finishes
Wood and renovations
Wood is versatile and flexible, making it the easiest construction material for renovations. Wood buildings can be redesigned to suit changing needs, whether this involves adding a new room or moving a window or door. Few homeowner or professional remodelers have the skill and equipment needed to alter steel-frame or concrete structures.
Forest certification verifies that wood products are from well-managed forests. Most certification programs have on-line search options so consumers can find certified products – the Certification Canada includes a search option for all the certification programs used in Canada,
In North America, most structures are demolished because of external forces such as zoning changes and rising land values. As well, buildings which no longer serve the functional needs of the occupants and which cannot be modified are subject to demolition. Very few buildings are demolished because of structural degradation. (Cite the Athena Study of demolitions in Minnesota.)
The Athena Institute surveyed 2 ... Read the rest of this article