The Nuts and Bolts: 3 Painting Project Ideas for Labor Day Weekend

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Three Home Improvement Ideas for the 3-Day Weekend

Three-day weekends are a perfect time to revisit the home improvement checklist. Many homeowners agree--more than one in five undertake some sort of home improvement project on the Labor Day weekend. Dunn-Edwards Paints has dozens of how-to paint videos to help you tackle a DIY project like a pro.

1. Paint Your Front Door
Pick a vibrant shade and have the boldest door on the block in less than a day. Switching up colors can reenergize an entryway, making walking into a home a whole new experience. Since the door isn't competing with interior decor elements, there's no need to switch up furniture, lighting or accent pieces to complete this project. Watch this video on how to paint a front door from Dunn-Edwards.

2. Paint an Accent Wall
Labor Day marks the end of summer, so switch it up for fall and redress a room with a new accent wall. An accent wall is an easy way to perk up a space, adding personality to a room next to monotone walls. Plus, shifting colors can inspire a whole new list of home decor ideas! Here's a video introduction to choosing wall paint colors from Dunn-Edwards.

3. Paint a Wood Gate
The sun's out, there's a fresh batch of lemonade and guests are streaming in through the backyard gate for an outdoor Labor Day party. Don't tarnish summer memories with a shabby wood gate--freshen up with a new coat of paint. Depending on how worn the gate is, the wood can be painted, dry and ready for the weekend within a few hours. Watch this video tutorial on painting a wood gate from Dunn-Edwards.

A helpful tip: Purchase all paint and supplies before Labor Day week to avoid long lines and get an early start on projects at the beginning of the three-day weekend. For more paint tips and tricks from the pros at Dunn-Edwards Paints, click here.

Forty-two States At Risk for Earthquake: Residents Should Prepare Now

Citing Sunday's 6.0 magnitude Northern California earthquake, the nonprofit Federal Alliance for Safe Homes (FLASH) urges residents in 42 USGS-identified earthquake states to take immediate action to prevent injuries, property damage, and post-earthquake fires.

According to new national seismic hazard maps published by the U.S. Geological Survey, all states have some potential for earthquakes, while 42 of the 50 states have a reasonable chance of experiencing damaging ground shaking from an earthquake in 50 years (the typical lifetime of a building). Scientists also conclude that 16 states have a relatively high likelihood of experiencing damaging ground shaking. These states have historically experienced earthquakes with a magnitude 6.0 or greater. The hazard is especially high along the west coast, intermountain west, and in several active regions of the central and eastern U.S. such as near New Madrid, MO, and near Charleston, SC. The 16 states at highest risk are Alaska, Arkansas, California, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Kentucky, Missouri, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, South Carolina, Tennessee, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming.

"Buildings constructed with strong, modern seismic codes and standards will perform better in earthquakes, but it is up to the resident or building owner to take actions inside and around the structure to prevent injuries and interior damage from falling objects, broken glass, and gas leaks," said FLASH President and CEO Leslie Chapman-Henderson. "Most of these critical preparations require only household tools and basic home improvement skills, so acting now before the next earthquake can mean the difference between life and death."

Chapman-Henderson provided prevention examples for homes and small businesses, including:

  • Support ceiling fans and light fixtures using bracing wire secured to a screw eye embedded at least an inch into the ceiling joist.
  • Anchor the tops of bookcases, file cabinets, and entertainment centers to one or more studs with flexible fasteners.
  • Secure loose shelving by fastening screws into the cabinet or with museum putty placed at each corner bracket.
  • Secure china, collectibles, trophies, and other shelf items with museum putty.
  • Install a lip or blocking device to prevent books or other articles from falling off shelves.
  • Secure televisions, computers, and stereos with buckles and safety straps that also allow easy removal and relocation.
  • Install latches on cabinet doors to prevent them from opening and spilling out contents.
  • Hang mirrors, pictures, and plants using closed hooks to prevent items from falling.
  • Cover windows with approved shatter-resistant safety film to protect against broken glass.
  • Ensure appliances have flexible gas or electrical connections.
  • Strap the top and bottom of a water heater using heavy-gauge metal strapping secured to wall studs.
  • Locate gas shutoff valve and know how to turn off the gas supply with the use of a specialty wrench. (video)
  • Relocate flammable liquids to a garage or outside storage location.

More free information and videos are available online at flash.org, www.youtube.com/stronghomes, and QuakeSmart.

Composite Panel Building System Announces Innovative Composite Structural Insulated Sheathing

Composite Panel Building Systems (CPBS) announces the launch of a new, eco-friendly, fully composite sheathing for new construction and retrofitted homes and apartments. The Composite Structural Insulated Sheathing (C-SIS) is the most energy efficient sheathing in the industry using cutting-edge building technology that dramatically improves building strength and air quality while earning Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) points and National Association of Home Buildings (NAHB) green certification.

The 5-in-1 performance of C-SIS yields low energy bills, meets 2012 energy codes and generates a long term return on investment by providing continuous insulation, enhanced structural performance, water resistive barrier, air tight building envelope and vapor retarder.

C-SIS is made with 100% composite materials and manufactured without adhesives; the fiberglass reinforced thermoset (FRT) skin is bonded by a chemical reaction to the polyurethane foam insulation during manufacturing so the risk of delamination is eliminated. The FRT skin yields a stronger, long term sustainable skin that is impervious to moisture and mold damage. Working together, the FRT skin and joint sealing system block air infiltration; no house wrap is needed.

CPBS has teamed with major materials manufacturing companies including 3M and Screw Products to produce an integrated accessory system that drives additional energy savings. These innovative accessories for the tight sealing of the joints, fastening and flashing measurably increase the long term, sustainable air and water barrier capabilities of the entire C-SIS System.

"Everything architects and builders need in a sheathing product, the C-SIS System delivers and allows the process to be streamlined, speeding construction time, saving labor costs while increasing building performance," said a CPBS spokesperson.

For more information on all of CPBS' innovative building products, visit www.cpbsco.com or call 361-767-5505.