How Does A Doorknob Work?
A standard doorknob set uses a simple spring-loaded mechanism to hold the door closed and to allow the door to open when the knob is turned. Other types use slight variations on this mechanism.
Read MoreEvan Gillespie
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Stories By Evan Gillespie
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Wall Patching Compounds & Plaster: Which Is Right For A Repair?
Minor damage to plaster walls can be repaired with spackle or drywall joint compound, but substantial repairs should be made with plaster. Learn about the best options for your project.
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Is Lemongrass An Annual Or Perennial?
Lemongrass is a perennial, but it's able to reliably survive winters only in warm climates. In cooler climates, it may be treated as an annual by gardeners.
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Cedar Vs. Pressure-Treated Lumber
Cedar lumber is naturally resistant to decay, but its natural abilities come at a significant premium. When considering cedar vs. pressure-treated lumber for your project, cost will be cedar's biggest detractor.
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How To Repair An Enamel Bathtub
You can repair a damaged enamel bathtub either with some homemade ingredients or with an enamel repair kit. Minor scratches may be buffed out with baking soda; other scratches, chips or cracks may need a glaze or epoxy.
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How To Plant Strawberries In Texas
In Texas, strawberries are usually grown as annuals with spring-bearing varieties offering the best results. Planting usually happens in fall or late winter.
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Types Of Gravel For A Driveway
Choosing gravel for a driveway is a budget-friendly project with a lot of choice. Gravel comes in many sizes and colors, of course. Beyond those options, you’ll need to choose between rough and rustic versus rounded river stones, plus what to use for edging material.
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What Is A DX HVAC Unit?
A DX, or direct expansion, HVAC unit uses a condensed refrigerant liquid and is the type of air conditioning technology most commonly used in residential air conditioning units in the U.S.
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What's The Difference Between Sunflowers And Weeds?
Sunflowers are able to spread easily and tend to be a very hardy plant. The fact that they can be quite invasive means they often earn the status of a weed.
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How To Grow Grass In Sandy Soil
Sandy soils drain well, but they tend to be nutrient-deficient. When preparing to grow grass in sandy soil, it may require additional preparation and maintenance to ensure healthy turfgrass.
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How To Find A Microwave Oven's Wattage
A microwave oven's output wattage is usually clearly labeled on the back of the oven, but if the label is missing, you can estimate your oven's power.
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Bermuda Vs. Fescue Grass
Bermudagrass is a warm-season grass that grows quickly and can be invasive in warmer parts of the country, while fescue is a cool-season grass ideal for colder regions. Both are drought-tolerant, and some fescue can grow in partial shade.
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Standard Height Of Toilet Paper Holders
The standard height of a toilet paper holder is 26 inches above a bathroom's finished floor, which is measured from the floor to the center of the dispenser. The ADA height requirement is a minimum of 18 inches and a maximum of 48 inches.
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Dimensions Of An Average Walk-In Pantry
A well designed walk in pantry adds a lot to a kitchen's functionality. Creating a good one requires some attention to the ideal size of your storage space.
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What Is The Typical Size Of A Microwave?
Microwave sizes vary, based on the interior volume and outside dimensions. A typical microwave oven is 22 inches by 18 inches with a volume of 2 cubic feet.
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What Is The Standard Spacing Of A Roof Rafter?
Although there is not one standard rafter spacing measurement, many builders follow standard increments for simplicity. Calculations determine the maximum spacing based on the material used, rafter size and load the roof needs to hold so that the roof is safe and meets all building codes.
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What Is The Proper Distance To Separate A Microwave & A Range Top?
Some microwave ovens are designed to be installed over cooktops, but placing the two appliances too close together can be both unsafe and inconvenient. When determining how high to install an over-the-range microwave, always defer to the manufacturer's specific instructions.
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Framing Techniques For Vaulted Ceilings
The trick in framing a vaulted ceiling is figuring out what to do with the ceiling joists. These horizontal framing members tie a building's outer walls together and resist the outward force exerted by the roof rafters in conventional framing. Without joists, the walls can bow outward and the roof ridge line may sag.
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How Much Weight Can You Hang From A Roof Truss?
Roof trusses are designed to support a structure's roof solidly while using the least amount of material possible, which decreases the labor and material costs associated with the roof's construction.
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The Average Cost Per Square Foot Of A Concrete Garage Floor
As is the case with most construction jobs, the cost of installing a concrete garage floor is subject to many variables that make it a challenge to find a typical per-square-foot cost for the job.
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What Is The Difference Between A Knee Wall & A Pony Wall?
The terms knee wall and pony wall are commonly used as if they were synonymous, and both terms are often used to refer to the same types of wall structures. However, some types of walls, such as pony walls that rest on a building's foundation or an attic knee wall, cannot be properly referred to by both names.
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What Is The Standard Roof Pitch?
Although there is not a single standard roof pitch, or slope, most homes with sloped roofs are built with a roof pitch that falls within a conventional range.
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Can I Use Maple Board For Outdoor Furniture?
Natural resistance to decay and insects makes some types of wood especially well suited for use in patio furniture and other outdoor structures. Unfortunately for lovers of maple wood, that natural resistance isn't a characteristic of maple, a hardwood that is otherwise an excellent choice for furniture construction.
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The Differences Between Blueberries And Black Currants
Both blueberries and black currants are small, dark-colored berries that grow in dense clusters on the branches of their bushes. The similarities end there, however -- the two types of plants are quite different in both their growth preferences and the flavor of their berries.
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Full-Grain Leather Vs. Oiled Nubuck
Suede has a soft surface; however, it is made from leather that is inherently less durable than the highest-quality leathers. If you want suede, you have to compromise. Nubuck offers the best of both worlds. Made from the strongest of leathers, it's as soft and touchable as suede.
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Wood Vs. Fiberglass For A Shovel Handle
For centuries, shovel handles were made of wood, and that was good enough for the workers who used them. The invention of fiberglass changed all that, and fiberglass shovel handles have become a common alternative to handles made with the traditional material.
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How Much Electricity Does A Neon Light Use?
Besides being one of the most attractive options for colorful signage, neon tubes are a comparatively energy-efficient light source that consumes much less power relative to the brightness of the light it puts out, than incandescent or fluorescent light sources do.
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