The walls and ceilings of your home are often neglected despite being your house?s most important structures. Understanding more about how your walls and ceilings are constructed will help you make repairs and properly care for them as well as make improvements to get the most out of these crucial constructs.
Basic Ceiling and Wall Construction
In most homes, walls and ceilings are constructed of wood. Wooden frame ceilings are still in wide use. In some modern buildings, concrete ceilings are used although the practicality of this may depend on your region. Walls may use either the single skin or cavity design. As with ceilings, concrete walls are also popular. The design and material of the wall may depend on whether it is a loadbearing wall.
Once the walls and ceiling are constructed, they are finished with drywall and insulated. Drywall application often varies in thickness, and additional materials, such as fire retardants, may be worked into the mix.
Hanging Drywall
Because drywall is so commonly used in today?s homes, homeowners should have an idea of how to hang drywall in case their own is damaged. Drywall can be damaged in a number of ways. Something hard, such as a doorknob, could punch through the drywall if enough force is used. Alternatively, flooding or a mold problem could also necessitate the replacement of drywall.
Basic drywall is a sheet of plaster in varying thickness that is covered with paper. The coloring of the paper often indicates its use. Drywall covered in blue or green paper is waterproof and appropriate for use in bathrooms, and gray-covered drywall is for more general use.
Drywall replacement should be done by two people because the drywall sheets are heavy and can break if dropped. Start hanging your drywall from the top and secure it to the studs with drywall screws. To work around obstructions like light fixtures, measure carefully then draw the outline onto the drywall. Use a utility knife to cut through the backing and score the drywall. You will then be able to snap off the part you will not be using.
Tips for Painting Walls and Ceilings
Paint is one of the easiest ways to personalize your walls and ceiling and bring a splash of color to your home. Different paints are designed for different rooms, so before you choose your paint, read the label carefully to make sure it is appropriate. If you aren?t sure, discuss your needs with the paint expert at the hardware store. They can help guide you to the appropriate paint for your project.
Before painting, especially on new walls, use a primer to give yourself a smooth surface to work on. This will greatly improve your final result. Protect light fixtures and door jambs with painter?s tape, and drape your floor and furniture with plastic. Use a roller to apply your paint in smooth, even strokes working in narrow strips, and use a paintbrush around fixtures and in corners. Wait until the first coat has dried, then apply a second coat for the brightest color and best results.
Elongating Your Walls
A higher ceiling makes the whole room look larger. While it?s impractical to actually lengthen your walls or replace your ceiling, you can use certain tricks to make your ceiling appear higher than it actually is:
? Use white paint or a colored paint that is a lighter shade than the paint on your walls. Darker shades will bring the ceiling down lower and make the room look smaller.
? Vertical patterns like stripes will elongate the appearance of your walls. You can either paint stripes or use patterned wallpaper.
? Hang your artwork high up on your walls to draw the eye upward.
? When painting your wall, use special effects like sponging to lighten the color as you approach the ceiling. This will give the illusion that your ceiling is higher than it actually is.
Source: http://daydaily.com/2013/01/03/home-improvement-tips-for-walls-and-ceilings/
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