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The Art of Drywalling: What You Need to Do for Your Home to Make a Great First Imprssion



Do you remember the first impression some of the most important people in your life made on you when you first met them? Chances are good your initial impression was positive. Shouldn’t you give your home the same chance to make a great first impression on those around you?

Drywalling is one place in your home you need to spend money and plenty of effort to do well. Improper drywalling shows every imperfection to those who visit your home. Great drywalling is inviting and makes your home appear loaded with value.

Here are a few areas you should focus on when drywalling or interviewing someone to drywall your new home:

Corner Bead

A corner bead is a material used on the corners of walls in drywall construction to make the corners crisp and professional looking. You can choose the look of your corners. You can select square, rounded or a 45 degree angle. In addition to making the corners look neater, the corner bead also reinforces the corners, making them less apt to dent and sustain other types of damage.

Metal and plastic are both used to make a corner bead. The advantage of metal is the fact it is extremely sturdy and durable, and it will last for the lifetime of the wall. The disadvantage of metal is its tendency to rust. This rust will eventually bleed through the paint and leave you with an unattractive looking wall. Plastic corner bead is obviously not prone to rusting, but it may not be as durable as traditional metal corner bead. Plastic corner bead is also easier to work with.

Fireproof Drywall

Make sure to install a piece of fireproof drywall above any place in your new home where there will be a heat source. This applies even if you plan to put tile in an area. The dry wall acts as a barrier from any heat source and protects your home.

Drywall Return
The area around the windows is prone to moisture from rain and snow. It is important to put wood around the window area on top of the drywall surrounding the window frame. The reason is the wood protects the drywall from moisture and other damage.

If moisture does get into a window and settles on the area around the window and the area is covered with wood, it is easy to replace. It is much simpler to pull out a narrow, damp piece of wood that is nailed on top of drywall than it is to pull out an entire piece of wet drywall.

Watch for the “drywall return.” This is when the area around a window is shielded by drywall, rather than the more desirable wood. When you notice a home with “drywall returns” you know that the builder cut a few corners to save some money. It should also make you wonder what other corners have been cut and hidden beneath the newly built home.

Drywalling is an important part of a new home. It is the number one area people will notice when it is done well or when it is done poorly. It worth investing extra money to get just the right person to do it well so the house looks spectacular and wonderfully inviting.

Showers and Bathtubs – Is the Pressure There?



Your shower and bathtub are an important part of your new home. In fact, you probably spend a good portion in one of these places each morning. There are a few things to take into consideration before you install these two systems so they operate great for years to come and become a place of rejuvenation in your new home.

Showers

The showers installed in homes today are not the showers of just a few years ago. There are now a wide variety of showers that cater to many different types of needs and styles. Frequently multiple head showers are installed, the rain style that simulates natural rain are also popular, as well as the handheld shower variety. Almost anything you can dream can be installed in your shower today.

While any of these showers are great for a new home, it is very important to make sure you have enough water pressure to supply the needed water so the shower you selected runs properly.

Bathtubs

There are a few things to keep in mind when you install a whirlpool bathtub in your new home. First, remember insulation is very important, particularly if you plan to finish your basement completely. The insulation keeps the temperatures from fluctuating, but it also cuts down on the noise a bathtub creates.
You will also want to make sure you get a larger hot water heater if you get a big whirlpool tub. These styles of tubs take a considerable amount of hot water to use and, if you don’t have a large enough hot water tank, you will quickly run out of hot water. A larger tank will allow you plenty of water for your bathtub and other appliances that need hot water around your home.

You want to make sure you have the proper framing under your bathtub so it does not sink after the tub is installed. This can lead to all sorts of problems with the tub in later years.

In addition, you want to make sure you put the motor in a place that is relatively easy to access. This doesn’t mean you want to leave it exposed, but put it in a place that will take minimal effort to access. This way, if the motor breaks, it can be fixed or replaced with minimal effort. If it is not in a place that’s easy to access, the entire tub may have to be removed simply to fix the problems with the motor.

Showers and bathtubs are an important part of a new home. With careful consideration on several issues, you can have a high quality shower and bath system that exceeds your needs and expectations.