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On the Level: How to Hang a Picture Properly

Hanging a picture may seem like the simplest of all home improvement projects. While it is quite easy, there are factors like wall type and object weight that you need to consider before hammering away. If youre a beginner or if youve hung pictures before but always done some in a hit or miss kind of manner, these tips will come in useful.
The first thing you need to do is purchase the right fasteners for your picture and your walls. The most common fasteners for hanging things are picture nails and hooks. While these are the most common type of fastener, they are not the most appropriate or effective ones to use in all cases.
If you are going to hang anything on a concrete, stucco or brick wall, then you should not try to use a regular nail. A concrete screw will securely anchor your object and will prevent you from chipping the walls surface. If you use a nail in a concrete or stucco surface, you can end up removing chunks of the wall around the nail when hammering.
If your object is heavy, then you might want to insert a plastic anchor or molly bolt-for fastening into the hole to ensure that there is no damage to your wall. Make sure that you are using the right type of fastener for your wall surface.
Once youve figured out the type of wall surface and the most appropriate fastener to use, you will need to decide on placement.
The first thing you want to decide is how high you want to hang the object. The basic rule of thumb is to hang pictures so that the center of the picture is at eye level. Have someone hold a tape measure against the wall and then stand back and see what number is at your eye level thats where the center of your picture should be.
Once you decide on the height on the wall, you need to measure the picture itself to determine the mounting height. You will then measure from the bottom of the picture to the highest point of the hanging wire. You can then figure out the hanging height by subtracting half of the pictures height and adding the difference of the eye-height level you measured before.
Your measuring isnt done yet though. You want to take that figure and measure that distance on the wall so you can make a mark where the bottom of the hook will hit. After you have that vertical mark, you want to measure horizontally to ensure that your picture is in the center of the space. Next you will mark where the vertical and horizontal lines cross.
Holding the faster in place, you will nail or screw the fastener into the wall. After the nail or screw is in place, you want to carefully hang the object on the wall. Make sure you are careful not to mark or scrape the wall with the frame.
Once the picture is on the hook, you should step back to see whether it is level. You can shift the picture to either the left or the right to adjust the level.
If you find (after hanging) that the picture is either too low or too high, you can adjust the wire on the back of the picture rather than making a new hole.
If you are planning on hanging multiple pictures and/or objects on one wall, then you want to plan out your measurements very carefully. Start by holding up your pictures or laying them on the floor in the pattern you want. Measure the wall space and measure each picture to ensure that you have enough space. You want to make the vertical and horizontal marks for each picture rather than just guessing. It is often easier to offset the pictures when you estimate. If you do want all of the pictures even, then you need to use a level and be really exact in your measurements. A laser level can be useful in these types of situations.
Dont be intimidated with all of these steps if this is your first time hanging a picture. Taking your time and doing all the prep work outlined above will ensure that your picture is centered, level, and really adds character to your space.

Focus on the tag price and always be reasonable and logical in weighing the prospects, or in analyzing if the investment would be a worthwhile and practical one.

Groovin Grouting Tips: Five Key Things to Consider Before Applying that Grout

When selecting a new tile floor, you dont want to forget about grout. It may seem like a trivial decision to make, but grout color and width will make all the difference in the appearance of your new floor. Before you apply grout to your new tile floor, there are five key things to keep in mind.
1. Selecting the Right Color
No matter what the thickness of your grout, it will be visible so you want to choose a shade of grout that will compliment your tile and your dcor. You can get grout in all sorts of colors now, so you can try to match the color of your tile so it blends in more or you can choose a contrasting shade the will emphasize the spacing between each tile. Remember that white and lighter shades of grout will show dirt and stains more than darker colors. Grout color can also change over time so youll want to keep that in mind when selecting a shade for your new floor.
2. Purchase the Correct Tools
Just as with any home improvement project, having the right tools is important if you want to complete the project effectively. You should purchase a good quality grout to ensure that it stands up over time. You will need some kind of tool to apply the grout a palette knife or spatula or trowel will decrease the mess on the floor and on you. Using these tools will also help you keep the grout level. You dont want the grout to be too much lower or higher than the level of the tiles. You will also need a sponge or cloth and a bucket to remove any excess.
3. Spacing
Spacing the tiles and the grout is a tricky business, but you need to be patient and take your time to ensure that your tiles look evenly spaced out. You might want to take the time to layout your tiles and ensure the correct spacing before even gluing them in place. You will need to work somewhat quickly once the glue is down, so planning ahead like this can save a lot of stress and aggravation later.
Once you have your tiles and know the size, youll want to figure out how much grout you want to have showing. When it comes to actually laying down your tile, you can purchase spacers at your local home improvement or hardware store. These will help you keep the tiles a specific distance apart and ensure a consistent width of grout all around the tiles.
You need to make sure that your tiles are in the correct spot before you put the grout down. The grout only fills the spaces between the tiles, so if you find that the grout lines are uneven it is the result of the tiles being crooked, not the grout itself.
4. Sealer
To protect grout, you need to apply a sealer. This sealer will protect the grout from damage and stains. You can purchase these sealers at your local home store or at a specialty tile store. It may take some time to apply this sealant, because you have to go over each grout line without getting any on the tile, but it will really help protect your grout from all sorts of harm. Your grout will probably show age quicker than the tiles themselves, so you want to do everything you can to protect your grout right from the start.
5. Maintenance
You need to clean and maintain your grout, just as you do the tile itself. In fact, you probably need to pay more attention to the grout since over time it will build up dirt faster than the tile surface. If your grout is not perfectly level with your tile, your mop may miss some of the dirt and stains and cracks or holes in the grout can also hide bits of dirt and bacteria. Every once and awhile, you should carefully clear all of the grout lines to ensure you remove any hidden dirt and stains that might be missed during your usual cleanings. Over time you may even want to apply more sealer since it can be worn down by high traffic and scrubbing.