Builder Confidence Steadies as Material, Labor Woes Persist

Builder Confidence Steadies as Material, Labor Woes Persist

WASHINGTON, DC — Builder confidence inched up this month on lower lumber prices and strong housing demand, even as the housing sector continues to grapple with building material supply chain issues and labor challenges, the National Association of Home Builders reported.

According to the latest in a series of monthly NAHB/Wells Fargo Housing Market Indexes, released yesterday, builder sentiment in the market for newly built single-family homes edged up one point, to 76, in September, ending a three-month decline, the NAHB said.

“Builder sentiment has been gradually cooling since the HMI hit an all-time high reading of 90 last November,” said NAHB Chairman Chuck Fowke. “The September data show stability as some building material cost challenges ease, particularly for softwood lumber. “However, delivery times remain extended, and the chronic construction labor shortage is expected to persist as the overall labor market recovers.”

“The single-family building market has moved off the unsustainably hot pace of construction of last fall and has reached a still hot but more stable level of activity,” added Robert Dietz, chief economist for the Washington, DC-based NAHB. “While building material challenges persist, the rate of cost growth has eased for some products, but the job openings rate in construction is trending higher.”

The NAHB said it expects housing affordability will be a key demand-side challenge in the coming quarters, given the rapid rate of growth for home prices and construction costs over the last year.

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Barn Door Plans

Barn Door Plans

Most of us are short on time and money but still want to make our homes look great. Installing barn doors is a great way to save space in your home while also making it look amazing. However, buying the door can be expensive, which may put you off because you don’t have that extra cash lying around. But there’s no need for this. The following DIY project will show you how you can make your own DIY barn door with free plans. 

With these free printable barn door plans, anyone can create their very own custom-made door. It doesn’t matter if you’re handy with tools or not. All that’s needed is basic woodwork knowledge and access to a few household items like paintbrushes and screwdrivers. This step-by-step guide will walk you through every step of creating this beautiful entryway piece so even beginners can get started right away.

DIY sliding door hardware is also available in the market, but if you’re looking for an antique touch, say barn doors, there’s no better solution than making your own. Here are some of the free printable plans available online that you can follow to build this rustic masterpiece

Here are all the Materials You’ll Need

Barn door hardware kitBrush or rollerDark stainLight gold stainPolyurethaneTape measureWood fillerWood gluePine boards

Instructions

Know Your Options for Barn Door Hardware

Before you start shopping for barn door hardware, it’s important to know your options. Keep in mind that you can’t use sliding glass door hardware for making barn doors. The weight of the panels, together with the movement and pressure involved, means that these two types of hardware are not built to support each other.

Also, consider where you would like to build a barn door and figure out how much room you have to work with. For example, if you’re making a barn door for the bathroom, you have to measure and get the correct dimensions for your bathroom. Choosing the right hardware for your door will also depend on this measurement. Make sure that you get hardware long enough to accommodate your space and design.

Choosing a barn door kit is the easiest and most affordable way to get all your hardware in one package. Kits usually come complete with everything you need for installation and can be easily installed by a DIY-er.

ssemble and Measure the Boards

For you to determine the door width, you have to start by assembling the boards. Make sure that they are placed in a way that you can easily measure them. As its name suggests, it is best to use a barn board for your door construction since these boards are thicker and sturdier than standard plywood sheets.

Your DIY sliding door should extend at least one inch past the width of your door opening that doesn’t have trim or an inch beyond the sides of your door opening. If you plan to build a custom-sized barn door that doesn’t match any existing gaps, then you will have to measure and cut your components on your own.

Get the Right Spacers and Floor Guides

Get the spacers that will hold your door in place and won’t harm your flooring. The size of the gap between your door edges to the guides will determine how thick you should make your spacers. Once you have determined the width of your spacer, then cut it out from an appropriately sized piece of wood.

Install Roller Guide

You’ll need a roller guide to avoid ending up with a swing door. The guide will prevent the bottom of your door from dragging along the ground. Depending on how much weight your door will support, you can install this roller using a few screws or nails. The roller must be installed at least 2 inches above the floor; otherwise, it won’t work. One way of ensuring that the roller guide is always in place is to screw it into studs behind the wall.


Image caption: https://cdn.shopify.com/

Make Shiplap Boards

When choosing boards, don’t worry about knots, scratches, and gouges; instead, pick straight boards and not the carped or warped ones. Determine the number of boards you’ll need by measuring the area you need to cover and multiplying that by 3½. For example, if you have a 10’x10’ area, then you’ll need 35 boards.

Once you get all your wood home, lay them out in 4 stacks of 9 pieces each for a total of 36 boards. Using a framing square or speed square, draw a line across the boards at 6¾” from each end of every board. This will give you two boards side-by-side with a 3½” space in the middle of them, which makes up one half of your board.

Distress Your Boards with Grinder

Use a brush knot cup mounted on a pole for this. Dip the bristles into the drywall compound, then scrub it onto your boards in short bursts. The dry compound will flake off like an eraser, highlighting the wood’s natural grain and giving it an antique look. 

The grinder will also abrade your softwood and expose the grain, giving your wood a weathered look. Start by nailing the board to the sawhorses, then use your grinder to remove wood from the back of it. Make sure you tip the grinder so that the wheel is on the edge and parallel to the board. The nail holes will add that rustic appearance to your door.

If you tip it too much, the grinder will cut into the boards and ruin them. This is not a problem when using softwood, but it’s best to err on the side of caution with hardwood. Keep your grinder moving back and forth in an effortless motion so that you don’t burn out the motor when you’ve finished with the grinder; sand down your board and add a coat of stain to add some color.

pply Base Coat of Stain and then Add Dark Stain

Start by applying a base coat of light gold stains, then add some dark gold stains. This will help to give your door an eclectic look that is both elegant and bold, like the wine it adorns. Use a rag to wipe down any excess stain. Use the rag to dab the stain on, taking care to brush the wood with your strokes rather than dragging the cotton rag around. This will help to avoid streaking. Wipe until you are satisfied with the result and allow it time to dry completely.

Finish with Gray Stain

Apply a thin topcoat of gray stain to the barn door. Here, the gray stain is used in lieu of white paint to let the beauty of the wood show through. Gray has become a popular color for doors and cabinets because it adds a modern touch without being too bold or ornate for a kitchen or bedroom that calls for lightness and freshness. Remember also to finish the ends and the edges of the barn door.

Square the Vertical Slats

Arrange the vertical boards on the door on your work table, spacing them out evenly and leaving a small gap between each board. Measure the distance from one end of the top board to another. Mark that measurement on the bottom board and use it as a measuring stick to ensure all boards are spaced equally apart.

Fasten the Rails

Mark the height of the rails and make sure you attach them with the appropriate distance apart. Use a level to make sure the rails are even when they are attached. Drill pilot holes for the nails and attach the rails to the boards.

Mark the Hanger Holes

Follow detailed instructions included in your door DIY door hardware to determine where to attach the hanger bolts—place pencil marks on the top board at those spots. Make sure you have appropriately sized hardware for your door before you begin this part of the process. Drill pilot holes in the top board and hammer hanger bolts through them, attaching to the bottom board.

Install the Track

Measure 3/4 inch above the door casing and mark where you want to place the track. Screw the track into place, using a drill/driver and screws included in your door hardware. The step you take to mount the track also depends on the design of the hardware you use.

Install Your DIY Sliding Barn Door

You are now ready to hang your barn door. Lift it into place on top of the track. There should be a metal bracket on either side of the door that fits on top of the track. Once you have it in place, hook all four brackets onto each end piece of the track. Now, screw on a hook and eye at the top of the door to hold it shut when it’s closed. Then, install a catch at the bottom, near one of your wall studs, to keep the door from swinging out into the room when you open it.

Install Your DIY Sliding Barn Door
Image caption: https://diy.sndimg.com/

DIY Barn Door Ideas

There are different types of barn doors you can create for your home. They include a traditional rustic look, fresh and simple white doors. Here are the barn door ideas that are available:

Modern Barn Doors for Contemporary House

Install this DIY barn door project with a contemporary design to create a modern look in your house. However, what’s common in this type of door is they’re normally made from aluminum. It means that it won’t cost too much budget for you to buy and install such doors at home.

Wide DIY Rustic Barn Door

If you’re looking for more privacy at home, then this DIY sliding barn door should be your best bet. Its extra-large feature makes it cover a wider space at home.

Dutch Barn Door

Make your door unique with a dutch door: the top and the bottom of this door open separately. You can also open the sections as one door. Its unique feature and attraction make it suitable to incorporate in a pet or baby gate between two rooms.

Closet Sliding Barn Doors with Windows

Add more character to your bedroom by installing this DIY sliding barn door. It’s a great alternative to a tight space that uses mirrored closet doors.So, save space with this DIY sliding barn door.

DIY Barn Door

This sliding barn door hardware adds a nice separation between the kitchen and living area. Installing it is also very easy and requires less capital.

Bi-Fold Barn Doors

Make your own barn door by taking your existing bi-fold and then using decorative slats to look unique. It also adds beauty to the living room.

Colorblocked Barn Door

Make your barn door more modern by adding color to it. This type of door also adds a rustic feel to the living room and dining area.

Sliding Barn Door

You can make a sliding barn door out of almost anything circular or cylindrical for this DIY project. It’s very easy to do, and you will have plenty of extra materials left over from the project. 

FAQS on Barn Door Plans

What is the best wood for a barn door?

The most durable woods for barn doors would be oak and pine. Both types of wood are rot-resistant and should last for at least a few years, even in an outdoor environment.

What is barn door hardware?

The hardware that makes the door slide smoothly and also attaches to the other parts. These pieces will determine whether or not your project can be installed as expected.

Final Thought on Barn Door Plans

As you can see, DIY barn doors are very popular. They are easy to complete, and they do not cost much in terms of materials or tools. You can easily find cheap barn door hardware, or you can always make your own if you have the correct plans. The final result is doors that are beautiful, strong, and functional at the same time. These DIY barn doors are perfect for any home improvement and you don’t have to rip off or reframe your wall to install this pocket door.

 

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How to Grow Four Oclocks Mirabilis Jalapa

How to Grow Four Oclocks Mirabilis Jalapa

If you are looking for a beautiful plant that will grow in your garden, then a four O’clock family is one of the best choices. However, it’s not easy to get started growing them.

The good news is that it isn’t hard if you follow some basic steps and use our guide on growing at four o’clock. We also have tips on how to make sure they thrive in your garden or pots so you can enjoy their beauty every day.

This article has everything you need to know about these plants, including what they look like when fully grown, where they come from and why aren’t more people using them? You’ll also find out which soil mix works best with these flowers, as well as how much water and sunlight they require for optimal growth. Finally, we’ll show you step-by-step instructions on how to care for this plant.

Four Oclock Plant Care

As we’ve already mentioned in this article, Mirabilis Jalapa, also commonly known as four o’clock flowers, is a species of flowering plant which belongs to the genus Mirabilis and is a member of the family Nyctaginaceae. Native to South America but now cultivated worldwide, it has a very long blooming season that starts in the early summer and goes until late autumn. It can also self-seed, but that’s not a bad thing as it ensures the survival of species as well as maintaining good soil quality due to the dropping of its seeds by heavy rains.


Image caption: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/

Maintaining four o’clock is not that difficult. They also grow through other plants nicely, making them great for underplanting. Make sure you water your plants regularly if there are no rains. It’s better to water them early in the morning to not wet their leaves under the hot sun for hours. If you have children, don’t forget to keep it away from reach as they might get poisoned when nibbling on its juicy fruit.

Light

Four o’clock does well in full sun. This means that they need approximately six to eight hours of direct sunlight. If your four o’clocks are not doing very well, try repositioning them in a place with more sun exposure. They also tolerate partial shade, although they might not bloom as heavily.

Water

Water your four oclocks regularly during the growing season so that the soil’s surface is always moist. It’s better to water them early in the morning to not wet their leaves under the hot sun for hours. This will also keep your plant safe from rot and mildew.

Also, avoid overwatering as this could lead to fungal diseases due to root rot. On the other hand, make sure that your four o’clock does not dry up. These plants can also grow in wet soil, but make sure that the soil drains well; otherwise, they may suffer from root rot or stem rot which could eventually kill them. You can also keep the soil moist by mulching around the base of the plant.

Temperature and Humidity

Four o’clocks thrive in warmer temperatures and are grown as annuals in colder regions. They should be grown outdoors if possible during the summertime to enjoy their fragrant blooms. However, they can still bloom indoors if you provide them with enough light and warmth during winter.

Four o’clock prefers an average temperature of around 70 degrees Fahrenheit or 21 degrees Celsius for best growth. When grown in cooler climates outside their growing zones, the plants will die once the frost date and cold fall temperature arrive. So, they must be brought inside for winter.

On cloudy days, the flowers droop and do not fully open. On sunny days, the flowers are more erect and shiner than on cloudy days. This is not due to lack of light but because of lower temperature than usual.

When it comes to humidity, mirabilis Jalapa is a bit particular. The plant must not be exposed to high humidity during its blooming stage in order to prevent the development of fungal diseases, especially on foliage and flowers. When grown indoors, misting with water can help increase humidity levels for short periods.

Soil

Mirabilis Jalapa grows best in rich, loamy, and well-drained soil. Plant or transplant seedlings in nutrient-rich soils with acidic pH. Plant mirabilis Jalapa is very deep so that the base of the stalk is covered by at least 2 inches of soil. This plant prefers neutral to slightly acidic soil and is a heavy feeder, so ensure that you add plenty of organic matter to enrich your soil with nutrients. Mirabilis Jalapa grows poorly in alkaline soils so you must ensure you test the soil pH

Mirabilis Jalapa can be grown in pots or planters at least 10 inches deep and 10 inches wide, with an adequate drainage system to prevent root rot. Be sure to provide plants with plenty of sunlight, even when grown indoors. Mirabilis Jalapa cannot tolerate low light.

You can plant seeds or existing Mirabilis Jalapa plants. Sow seeds 1/4 inch deep in potting mix and covers with a fine layer of sand to retain moisture. Keep the soil moist until seedlings germinate.

Fertilizer

Apply general-purpose fertilizer in the spring and continue feeding them monthly until the plants are in full flower. But if you already have rich soil in your garden, you should not need to fertilize. You can also make a composter and feed your plants with manure rich in nutrients.

Flowers

Four o’clock flowers open in the late afternoon when the sun is going down and close the next morning. This characteristic makes Mirabilis Jalapa one of a large group known as moonflowers. The late afternoon flowers attract butterflies, which love its nectar, so your garden will benefit from this plant even if you have nothing to gain from eating them. It also attracts nocturnal pollinators such as bats and night-flying birds.

The trumpet-shaped portion of four o’clock flowers resembles those of tropical hibiscus. If you have a greenhouse or grow house, they are well cultivated as permanent flowers.

Plant Propagation

Four o’clock plants are grown from large seeds, making them easy to plant. Four o’clock seeds germinate quickly and grow faster. Make sure you keep your seedbed moist during germination. Plant four o’clock seeds directly to your yard or garden before the last frost in your area.

How to Grow four O’clock Plant from Seed

Four o’clock seeds can be sown directly in the garden once the soil has warmed in the spring. Or, you can start them indoors 6 to 8 weeks before the areas projected for the last frost date. Sow your four o’clock seeds 1/4 inch deep and cover with fine sand to retain moisture. Keep the potting mix moist until germination occurs (7 to 10 days).

How to Grow four O’clock Plant from Seed
Image caption: https://garden.org/

Place them by the light source and keep the soil moist but not soggy for the first three weeks. Gradually introduce them to more light over the next month. Feed four o’clock plants every two weeks until they are in full bloom with a water-soluble fertilizer high in blooming ingredients.

Make sure you plant four o’clock in full sun or partial shade as they can tolerate both. These plants are native to Mexico and South America but are grown in the United States as annuals. They’re also called Marvel of Peru. You can grow this marvel of Peru in garden beds, containers, borders, around patios, and walking paths.

Overwintering

After your plant is done blooming in the fall, cut the stalk down to a few inches. You can leave this in place or remove it, whichever you prefer. Store it in a cool, dark place. You can then replant them the following spring in warm temperatures.

Insects and Diseases

Insects and diseases are not common problems with four o’clock plants. The four o’clock plant is disease resistant, unlike other plants. You can also treat insects and diseases if they become a problem. Rust, especially white rust and brown rust, and leaf spot can affect four o’clock. Insects that may attack four o’clock plants are spider mites, thrips, and aphids.

How to Get Four O’clock Plants to Bloom

Four o’clocks mirabilis Jalapa bloom each year, starting from summer towards the fall. They have large, attractive, scented flowers. The tubular flowers are known for their strong fragrance and come in different colors. Mirabilis Jalapa blooms after its leaves are fully grown, so you can expect to see the first flower within six weeks of sowing the seeds.

How to Get Four O’clock Plants to Bloom
Image caption: https://www.thespruce.com/

If the plant doesn’t bloom, the problem may be environmental. Four o’clock needs at least six hours of full sunlight every day to bloom, so if you live in a place with alternating periods of sun and rain, four o’clock plants will never produce flowers. You can also try to affect the blossoming time by changing the growing season or temperature.

Poor soil can also lead to sparse blooms. Make sure the four o’clock has enough room to spread its roots throughout the pot. When you water the soil, make sure it’s moist but not soggy. Spent flowers also don’t naturally fall off; instead, they require to be manually removed when they become too shabby.

FAQs on How to Grow Four O’clock Plants

Why is it called the four o’clock plant?

The four o’clock plant derives its name from the flowers that usually bloom open between four to six in the evening. They stay open until six the following morning before closing up again.

How often should I water my four o’clock plant?

It is recommended to water your four o’clock twice a week during summer, and once every three days in winter. Make sure the soil stays moist but not wet or soggy.

How long does it take four o’clock to grow?

Four o’clock takes about six months to grow. However, growing four o’clock can be sped up drastically by cutting off flowers that are starting to fade. This should be done every two weeks.

Final Thought on How to Grow Four O’clock Plant

As you can see, growing and maintaining these morning glories is simple. With minimal effort, you will be able to watch these beautiful flowers take over your yard in three months or less. The best part about growing four o’clock is that once they are established, it won’t take much work on your part to keep them alive and healthy.

 

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