DIY Home Improvement Projects

Spiral Stair Plans
This site has some instructions and pictures which show how to build a spiral staircase. You can purchase the full plans from the site's owner James Self and ask him questions. Self lists the tools and materials needed. There are pictures of the spiral staircases Self has built from the construction process onwards. People who built staircases based on his plans have pictures on the site. There are testimonials about these people's building experiences. The site also has computer generated models of spiral staircases.

Build an Outdoor Backyard Fire Pit
Building your own outdoor backyard fire pit adds a wonderful element of warmth to this part of your property. This type of project will take a commitment of a couple of days and involves heavy lifting and some degree of skill with a stone chisel. For those homeowners who are up to the challenge, the result will be very satisfying. Find out how to lay out the blocks, mark the location and create a trench for the blocks in words and pictures. Filling the trench and laying and leveling the first course are also covered. The steps involved in assembling the walls, filling the pit and capping the blocks are also included.

IDclic
This site features the IDclic kitchen planner. 20-20 Technologies invented IDclic which is a tool that allows you to design your own kitchen décor. The site shows how to design your kitchen in seven steps. The tool is interactive and has instructions and pictures. There are tips from Jean-Claude Poitras, a fashion designer. To use IDclic free, you have to register. A search by zip code shows dealers in your area.

Kitchenfix
This site offers help and advice on fitting your kitchen. According to the site, if you have do-it-yourself experience, you should be able to do this. Sections include the basic tool requirements, site preparation, general fitting, base units, worktops, wall units, and final finishing. The sections have instructions and pictures.

EfficientWindows.org
This web site provides information on the benefits of energy-efficient windows, descriptions of how they work, and recommendations for their selection and use. The site is sponsored by the Efficient Windows Collaborative with support from the U.S. Department of Energy's Windows and Glazings Program.

Knockdown and Mobile Workbenches Provide Flexibility to DIYers
When you want the flexibility of having another workbench in your garage or shop but you don't have enough space for a heavy-duty workbench, consider a knockdown model. As this site points out, you can assemble one in about a minute for times when you want a larger surface to work on. In between times, this style of workbench can be folded and stored against a wall. A detailed diagram showing how the legs of this workbench are held together with interlocking notches and a handy cutting diagram is also provided.

Get Creative and Build Your Own Tabletop Fountain
You may have admired tabletop fountains in other people's homes, but do you know how to make your own signature fountain? It's easier than you think, and this informative site will provide you with the detailed instructions you need to make your dream of designing and building your own a reality. Using a terra cotta bowl as the base, you will discover how to prepare your container, where to cut the holes for the plug on your water pump, and when to add the rocks, moss, and plants you have selected to finish the job.