Author Archive: blogger

If you really think of customizing your sleeping space with adding trundle bed to your present bed, than you need to get some nice bunk bed and trundle plans. I mentioned both since they may be closely related and both are good space savers.

Of course the best place to look for the free plans to make a trundle bed is the Internet. You can find nice places there with a lot of information on how to build a trundle bed. The name “trundle” itself means the small trundle bed wheels which help to slide the trundle easily under the main bed. The purpose of having such bed points to the idea of providing comfortable sleeping place and at the same time of saving floor space when there is no need in extra bed.

Before you start making your trundle bed, search for the trundle bed kits which can make your undertaking much easier. It will only require some trundle bed assembly and contains manuals how to do it. So there won’t be any problems with that. Still this may not fit everyone since you need the kit wich will ideally suit your bed. It is when you may try to make a trundle bed by yourself.

In the beginning you have to get some good instruments and bunk bed and trundle plans (the first you need if you plan to make a bunk bed with trundle). The first step is to measure everything, especially the height of a trundle bed with mattress to make it nicely fit beneath the main bed.

The next step is making a wood frame,where you have to provide boards to the bottom of the plywood base and add sides. To strengthen the corners use L-brackets.

You can purchase cut to size plywood at many home improvement centers or trundle bed hardware stores, which will substantially reduce your workload, the time you spend on the undertaking. The wood must be sanded and passed over before you put primer or paint on it.

When you finish the frame, you can make it to glide easily by mounting trundle bed wheels or casters. You may like to impart drawer pulls to the front to make the trundle bed easier to pull out.

When it comes to protecting your family or your business, you need the best security systems available. But there is no need to spend tens of thousands of dollars on a massive, state-of-the-art alarm system. What you may not know is that so-called “passive security systems,” including window bars and security gates, are actually more effective at safeguarding your property than alarm systems.

Passive security systems are designed to prevent entry, keeping intruders out of your building by blocking windows and doors with security screens. And unlike burglar alarms that only activate after a prowler has entered your home or business, passive security systems stop them from getting into the building at all! Also known as burglar bars, passive security systems provide residential safety in marginal neighborhoods, protection for business inventory and infrastructure, and defense against theft, vandalism, and other crimes.

Most security experts recommend security bar installation for both windows and doors, especially those on ground level. These security precautions work best when all possible access points have burglar bars installed. Components of a passive security system may include some or all of the following:

Window bars

Security gates

Window well grates

Burglar bars

Keep in mind that security bars and grates dont have to be ugly or utilitarian in appearance. There is a wide selection of ornamental window gratings and door gates available to protect your home or business without compromising aesthetics.

Some homeowners have concerns about window burglar bars preventing exit during an emergency (like in the event of a house fire), but by law, all window security bars installed on sleeping spaces must have emergency releases. This enables you and your family to escape in an emergency, while still keeping intruders out of your house. Visit a local home security store or talk to your local burglar bar installer for information on the various window bar models and their emergency escape features.

One passive security measure that building owners frequently overlook is boarding up windows. Ideal for unoccupied properties such as foreclosed homes and vacant commercial spaces, window board ups prevent entry as well as broken windows. Be sure that you contract a professional window board up service, though; some contractors actually screw plywood directly into your window sashes, irreparably damaging them. A reputable window covering service will take measures to prevent injury to your windows for a safe, correct board up.

As our nation struggles through these difficult economic times, dont let your home or business become a target. Protect your family, belongings, and business by taking security precautions. By having security bars and window grates installed on your home or business, youre preventing thieves and prowlers from entering your building, unlike with traditional burglar alarms. Passive security systems are affordable and effective; stay safe and sheltered with security bar installation.

Termites can wreak havoc on the framing of your home or business. If you have caught and dealt with the infestation of termites before they have actually eaten the home to pieces from around you, and if it is still standing, here are a few hints on how to repair and replace the damaged framing. If the home is totaled from the termite damage, it may be time to read up on building a new home.

If termites have eaten into the main sill plate of your home it will be important to replace this sill plate. Did you know that until fairly recently builders were not required to use treated wood for a sill plate. If you happen to own a home that does not have a treated sill plate and termites have destroyed it, you will need to replace this damaged piece.

Install a temporary beam in the basement of your home. This beam could be made out of doubled 2x10s or 8s. Jack the temporary beam with either screw jacks, hydraulic jacks or just plain doubled-up 2x4s. You dont need to lift up more than possibly 1/16 of an inch or just enough to relieve the bearing weight that is on the offending member. This weight may consist of the exterior walls, roof and interior floor joists. If you have any questions on the jacking process it would be wise to consult either a professional contractor or engineer. Keep in mind if your home is brick a different method must be used.

Once the weight is off it will be time to remove the old sill plate. Keep in mind that sill plates are often bolted to the foundation. If this is the case it may be necessary to chisel out small sections at a time. This part of the procedure can be very time consuming, so make sure you dont get impatient and dont mind getting dirty. It may be necessary to use a sawzall with a metal cutting blade to cut the nails, just be careful not to let the sawzall blade poke holes in the exterior siding.

Once the old termite damaged sill plate is removed measure where the existing foundation bolts are located. Transfer these measurements onto the new sill plate and cut slots wide enough to allow the installation of the new sill plate.

Install the new sill plate, slipping it into the location of the old one. After it is in place use oversized fender washers, or washers that the engineer has specified, and properly sized nuts. Tighten up the nuts to snug the new sill plate into place.

After the sill plate is installed it will be time to remove the jack system and the temporary beam. Once the weight of the home is back onto the new sill plate, it will be necessary to nail all of the joists into the new sill plate. This procedure can be tough, especially in tight spaces. If you dont have a nail gun or if the space is to small to fit a nail gun, specialty fasteners may be needed and these can be specified by an engineer.