Ceramic and porcelain tile cannot bend, flex, or shift. Complicating matters, groutthe material that fills tile seamscannot flex or shift. Tile needs a rock-solid base and one that will not transmit cracks into the tile. The Spruce / Ana Cadena Attaching the tile directly to the concrete is the third and least preferable method. Acting as a buffer layer, it is flexible and does not mimic the actions of the concrete....

poligonchik / Getty Images Verticalshiplapis the sophisticated cousin of horizontal shiplap. Horizontal shiplap boards mimic house siding, presenting afarmhouse-styleimage. How to Buy Shiplap Boards Use interior-grade, interlocking shiplap boards. poligonchik / Getty Images Shiplap boards come in 4- and 6-inch widths. Shiplap published widths differ fromactual widths. So, a published, or nominal, 6-inch-wide shiplap board will actually be 5-1/4 inches wide. Nominal 6-inch-wide boards are actually 5-1/4 inches wide. Nominal 4-inch-wide boards are 3-1/2 inches wide....

Learn how to install vinyl plank flooring in just a few simple steps. Installing plank vinyl flooring is generally safe. But be careful when cutting the planks with the utility knife. The Spruce / Kevin Norris Alternatively, you’re free to use a fine-tooth handsaw to cut through the plank. It’s also helpful to wear knee pads, as you’ll be kneeling for much of this project. Prepare the Floor High spots should be sanded to create a flush surface for the new floor....

The Spruce / Jason Donnelly Wall shelves can be installed easily using metalstandards and brackets. These systems work by means of metal standards attached vertically to the wall with screws driven into studs. Brackets are then placed in the standards to extend out horizontally to support the shelves. The Spruce / Jason Donnelly For most applications, the double-slotted, heavy-duty products are the best choice. Once you decide on a suitable wall for your shelves, sketch your plan....

asbe / Getty Images Walltileis largely thought of as a shower or tub surround element. But wall tile is a highly versatile material that can be used all throughout the house. In the kitchen, wall tile is used as a backsplash to protect the walls from spills and splatters. asbe / Getty Images In bathrooms, wall tile covers bathroom walls and around the shower or tub. Cement backer board is a thin, dense panel that is used mainly as a base for tile installations....

Learn more about window flashing, why it’s recommended, and how to install it. Use tape to hold the weather-resistant barrier in place. drop in the Sill Pan Flashing Sill pan flashing is installed at the bottom of the window. Huntstock / Getty Images Use an adhesive sill pan or a pre-shaped sill pan wedge. It should also extend up either side of the window at least 6 inches. If you use a pre-shaped sill pan wedge, slide the wedge over the window sill....

Head to a local slab yard and see what types of remnants they have available," she says. Want more design inspiration? “Try using peel-and-stickcountertop covers,” she suggests. Ashley Montgomery Design “Just measure your counters, cut the paper to fit, and smooth carefully.” Countertop Paint Kits Another great affordable DIY choice comes in the form ofcountertop paint kits. Plus, they can be strategically placed to cover any unused outlets. JK Interior Living...

“If youre going to splurge anywhere in a bathroom, make it thevanity area,” she says. “Moody greens,rich navy, or even a fresh white can make it look brand new.” Want more home reno project tips and inspiration? The Spruce / Alyssa Vela “Dont underestimatethe bathroom mirror,” Odesanya says. “Ditch the builder-grade one, and hang a framed mirror instead. “Swapping out the plumbing fixtureswill elevate a space without the big investment,” Carmona says....

Margot Cavin / The Spruce Most contractors will tell you thatre-tiling a bathroom flooris a costly endeavor. Using low-quality peel-and-stick tiles. I had to rip it up after a few weeksit looked horrible, she says. Margot Cavin​ / The Spruce Needless to say, I did some research before taking the project on again. The Spruce / Jacob Fox Michelle Berwick Design The Spruce / Margot Cavin

Anatoli Igolkin / Getty Images Earth is one of the best insulating materials for a home. On those upper floors, wood stud walls enclose soft fiberglass insulation batts. The batts are faced with paper. Anatoli Igolkin / Getty Images The edges of the paper are stapled to the studs. This system does not work for basement walls. Fiberglass insulation facing foundation walls readily absorbs moisture if it is exposed to humidity or if it becomes wet....

Instead, for do-it-yourselfers, the easiesttype of insulationto use is rigid foam on the walls. With a plastic vapor barrier on the floor, the two materials are joined with tape. The plastic is a 6 mil or thicker reinforced polyethylene plastic sheeting. Bilanol / Getty Images But moisture eventually builds in the crawl space and grows on this highly porous surface. Moisture-laden fiberglass will sag and fall. It is the favored insulation for crawl space inside walls....

Outside temperature fluctuations are mirrored inside the shed. Even itsability to be a safe storage space is diminished. The solution is to insulate the shed. Peter Cade / Getty Images In fact, one jot down of insulation, mineral wool, is remarkably good at limiting outside noise. Most sheds can be insulated in a day. Fiberglass is less expensive than mineral wool, readily available, and comes with an attached paper vapor barrier....

Insulating water pipes is a key element to any efforts towinterize the plumbing in the home. When preventing freezing is the goal, insulate both the hot- and cold-water pipes. Hot water pipes can also freeze unless water is actively running through them. The Spruce / Kevin Norris When exposed cold pipes contact warm, humid air, condensation can form on the pipes. Insulating the cold water pipes can prevent this condensation....