Beginner To Advanced Tips From The Carpentry Pros

There are lots of small home repairs that you want to be able to do yourself without hiring a contractor.  For all those weekend projects, we’ve outlined a few carpentry tips that only experience can bring. The more you practice, the better you will perfect your home DIY skills.  

     Beginner

1.    Make sure you write your measurements down.  I know a lot of people are saying “duh!”  But those are the same people who say “Duh, I can remember 5 and 3/8 inches” and accidentally cut 3 and 5/8 inches.”  It’s the simplest thing you can do to ensure your success.  Measure twice and write it down!  Throw some masking tape on your measuring tool to make it that much easier to jot down.

2.     Use a pencil whenever you can instead of your measuring tape.  Not only can it be faster, but making a mark on the lumber you’re planning on cutting can be the most precise.

3.     Having the best all around hammer can make your life easier.  Lots of people have different opinions on this, but a smooth-faced, 20 ouncer with a straight claw can do most any job.  The straight claw is a much better shape for removing nails.

     Intermediate

1.     If you’re doing projects like adding interior trim, an air powered trim gun can give your project faster and more accurate results.  You won’t be burdened by hitting the nail precisely every time while not knocking your trim out of place.  Plus it only gives you tiny little holes to fill in!

2.     When you’re building a deck, use the construction lumber as a template!  You don’t need an elaborate strings and stakes set up to guide you.  Use the construction lumber to outline the structure by roughly tacking it together, move it aside to dig the posts and put it back to set the posts.  Easy.

3.     Use what you already have lying around to make a miter saw bench for your project.  Not only does it double as a super convenient work surface, but you won’t have to kneel or hunch to make your cuts.  Often times means more accurate and easier cuts.

     Advanced

1.     No matter how advanced you are, getting the perfect miter cut can be tricky.  Use a test piece first!  Use smaller pieces to achieve the perfect miter angle, then cut the real thing.

2.     Estimate framing materials for walls using this formula: One stud for each foot of wall.  Five feet of plate material (bottoms, tops and ties) for each foot of wall.  Yes, it’s going to seem like a lot, but you’ll need it for windows, door frames, blocking and braces.  

3. Position your lumber using the toenail trick.  To adjust stubborn boards, drive a nail at an angle through the edge of a stud to coax it into place.

 

No matter what your skill level, remember that when it comes to carpentry for your home, practice makes perfect.  Of course you might make a few mistakes, but learning from them is crucial.  Hopefully some of these tips will help you with your next project!

A Passion for Restoration

We've often wondered what sets a construction apart from others. We basically all do the same thing, we make or fix things for customers. Simple enough, right? 

Working in this industry for twenty years we've noticed that one of the things we get complimented the most is about the quality of work. We've asked our customers why they say this since it has been brought up more than a few times. Their answers seem to be the same all the time to various degrees. 

According to our customers, New Earth doesn't take shortcuts and has a kind of experience that not everybody has. In addition to this we are truly passionate about what we do, we think of wood working as an art that requires great attention to detail.

Could we make more money by using non-natural but cheaper materials? Absolutely, but we are not interested in doing that. We want to make sure that our clients are fully satisfied with the products that we make for them, not only that but we also want these products to last. 

Some of the houses that are in downtown Richmond are a few decades old, the reason why they stood the test of time? Because the materials that they used were natural quality materials, New Earth does its best to ensure that we use some of the same building techniques. It has worked before and it will work again. 

We are one of the few companies that has their own saw mills on site. What this means to the customer is that we are able to build customer parts and pieces depending on the type of project we are working on. This is very unique to our industry since we don't have to contract that out which in turn is cheaper to our customers. This also allows us to have quality control over the product produce and ensures that it meets specifications accurately. 

We are more than just a construction company, we are a cause to the restoration and preservation of Richmond, Virginia. 

For more tips and tricks for all your home needs visit:
NewEarthVA.com

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Eco Friendly Homes

(Image Courtesy ChicagoMag.com)

There has been an increasing amount of homeowners that are considering building green, not only because it is better for the environment but because it can be better for homes in the long run. These options can also end up saving some money on utility and repair bills. 

Insulation

You can get different type of materials, both synthetic and natural for insulation, but did you know you could use things like old carpets and curtains as insulation? These materials may already be readily available to you in your home or you may know of someone who has an excess amount of these supplies laying around the house. These items can easily be found in thrift stores or discount stores. 

Geothermal Heating

This isn't an option that a lot of people know about, this option is something that harvests the heat from the soil beneath us. It is expensive to install at first but can save you a lot of money over time. It uses minimal electricity and no gas. It can be incorporated into the whole HVAC system and is regulated in a traditional way, with a thermostat. 

Water Based Paints

Most paints have a chemical element to them, water based paints don't. These are better for your overall health and the environment will help you since they are biodegradable. An added bonus to using this type of paint is the more natural look that you'll get. Chemical paints to have a much harsher tone to them. 

Furniture & Material Repurposing

One of our favorite past times is to find old furniture or using found pieces of wood and giving them new life. You can find many amazing pieces of furniture at places like antique shops or thrift stores, a fresh coat of paint and some adjustments and you can have a piece of furniture that is unique and has character. Turning a piece of found wood into something completely different like a coffee table is another great way to make a statement piece. If you haven't done so already, visit our website at www.newearthva.com to find some examples of how this can be accomplished. 

For more tips and tricks for all your home needs visit:
NewEarthVA.com

Or follow us on
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