Get a real stone look with Cultured Stone® prices. Use stone veneer for a fireplace, manufactured stone for a cobblestone walkway, or try manufactured stone veneer wainscoting or a concrete wall with artificial stone. The possibilities for a natural stone look with Cultured Stone® veneer are exciting!
Cracks in concrete slabs can be permanently repaired. The trick is to use high-strength epoxies that are easily injected into the cracks. Epoxy repair kits are affordable and can be found readily.
Installing a garage door is not as hard as it seems. There are many parts and you must follow instructions for your garage door installation, but it can be done in as little as three hours. Larger garage doors are harder than smaller doors. Special DIY spring kits are available that make it easy to achieve professional results.
Wood siding has been used on houses for hundreds of years. Engineered wood siding is an improvement on traditional siding as it allows us to make the most of our natural resources. If you want the best exterior wood siding, look for wood that contains natural preservatives and has vertical grain. Western cedar is a great wood siding species.
Brick and cinder block are set using differing mortar mixes. Purchase all mortar and sand for the job at the same time to keep mortar color consistent.
Replacing older siding on your home may be easier than you think. Ask demolition companies to be on the lookout for it. Check with neighbors to see if they can help.
Masonry surfaces can be protected and colored to suit your decorating instincts with penetrating sealers and stains. These masonry products overcome the peeling and blistering problems of paint coatings. Masonry sealers can either block or allow water vapor to pass through, both necessary in different situations. Be sure you read all masonry product labels for application instructions. This will allow for proper usage - and avoid possible danger from exploding fumes if used in the wrong areas!
A starter list of masonry paint, sealers and stain manufacturers. Be sure to read and follow instructions for all masonry products before you start on fresh masonry.
Stucco is durable and basically maintenance free. However, in hot and wet climates, water can be absorbed and cause stucco repair problems. Study your regional climate and consult these excellent publications from the Portland Cement Association.
Cement stucco suits a variety of architectural styles and is rock solid, proving its durability over time. EIFS, or the newer synthetic stucco, is waterproof, but without water management systems can cause rot damage. Whichever type of stucco you choose, be sure it is installed properly, enabling water vapor to escape.
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