Handyman Chicago - Kitchen and Bathroom Remodel Blogs & More

Handyman Life

December 26, 2014 in Uncategorized

Add Some Mystery To Your Home With This Secret Bookcase Door

Final product by OhSkizz

I don’t know about you all, but I’m always looking for clever storage solutions. I think everyone has a little pack rat in them and for those of us who have a little more of it than others, we need simple, cool ways to clean up our space. And this bookcase door from Reddit user, OhSkizz, managed to do just that. Not only does the bookcase add visual interest but makes the most of the square footage in any room.

The supplies for this awesome project won’t cost you much either! All you’ll need is two 2″x4″x8’s, one 2″x6″x8’s, three 1″x6″x8’s, wood paneling, wood trim, screws, gorilla wood glue, hinges, a gate latch and a staple gun. These can all be picked up from your local hardware store and cut to size for your door’s measurements.

Your first step is to build the doorframe. You will use two 2″X6″X8′ for the sides of the frame and two 2″x6″x8’s for the top and bottom of the frame. Attach these pieces with your screws and gorilla wood glue.

Next you will start working on the shelving. Cut your three 1″x6″x8’s to create the top, bottom and sides of the frame of the shelving insert. The remaining wood will be cut to size and used as the shelves. Secure the pieces of woods to each other with more screws and gorilla wood glue.

Initial Cuts by OhSkizz

When you have created both the door frame and shelving insert, it is now time to fasten them to each other. This will again be done with screws and gorilla wood glue. Warning: if you don’t like glue, this project might not be for you.

Before you continue to the final steps of the project, test fit the frame to the door. If it fits, awesome. If not, you will have to do some adjusting to make it flush with the doorway.

Staining frame and shelving by OhSkizz

The next steps involved are staining and connecting the wood panelling. Apply as much staining as you deem necessary. Once the stain dries, you can screw the paneling into place. With all badocams the pieces fit together, you will now begin to fit it into the doorway.

After screwing in the two hinges to the door, it is time to cover them up with the trim. The trim should be stapled down and make it flush with the doorway and outer trim. Then you will stain the trim to match the bookshelf.

The final step is to create the secret book latch. This is done by choosing your book and cutting a wedge to insert a piece of wood into it, secured with glue and a screw connected to the back of the bookshelf. By mounting the latch on a 2X4 block of wood, the latch sits close enough to the door to catch the metal catch pin and make the door open simply by pulling a book.

Secret Book Lock by OhSkizz

All that’s left to do is add the rest of your books and accessories. Once you’re done, this door not only gives extra storage but a magical touch to your house.

For all your other door needs, call Chicago Handyman for a free estimate on door installations!

October 21, 2014 in Uncategorized

Refinishing Hardwood Floors

Hardwood floors are undoubtedly the one feature any renter or prospective home buyer is looking for when searching through pages and pages of listings. However, destroyed hardwood floors tend to detract some buyers from investing in an otherwise great home. Their first instinct is to completely scrap the floors and invest unnecessary money in new flooring. But a smart buyer knows that with a few tools from their local hardware store, they can make their floor look like new again.

Take for instance this Reddit user, wkendrider. An admitted home improvement novice, this renter was able to improve the look of his home completely with $250 and less than a week of work refinishing hardwood floors.

After first pass through with sander by wkendrider

Depending on how damaged the floor is, you may have to experiment with what sander and grit to use. A random orbital sander with 60 grit will work just fine for slightly damaged floor, a 120 grit being more appropriate for completely ruined floors. Be warned, the sander you rent from your local hardware store will probably weigh upward of 110 pounds. So if you struggle with carrying laundry up the stairs or have existing back problems, you may want to get a helpful friend or neighbor to give you a hand.

Once the scratches, stains and damages have come up from the floor, you will want to decide on what kind of stain to refinish the floors with. This of course depends on how close you want to remain to the original floor color. For a warmer hue, you will want to go with red oak. But if you’re going for a lighter look, limed oak might be more your speed. Apply as many coats as it takes to get it to the color of your liking.

After the stain dries, you will want to apply Minwax Fast-Drying Polyurethane for Floors to finish your floors. Depending on what look you want the hardwood to have, you will again have to choose from multiple options. From glossy to satin, apply this poly evenly with a roller to get your hardwood shiny and presentable.

After Refinishing from wkendrider — After adding poly by wkendrider

Once the poly dries, it’s time to put the furniture back in the room. You have completed the task of reviving the seemingly unsalvageable. The time you invested will be invaluable and allow you to have a larger budget for some other home projects.

And if you pull up some carpet and find you don’t have the hardwood you desire, reach out to us for all your Chicago flooring needs!

July 29, 2014 in Uncategorized

Home Automation Basics

Home automation is fast becoming a buzz word in home improvement. Those videos of yesteryear featuring automatic homes and clever gadgets are a reality. Chicago Handyman can show you home automation options that enable you to control all the electronics in your home from the palm of your hand.

Perhaps your coming home from a long day and want to turn the jacuzzi on so its warm when you arrive. You can also set the room temperature and the lighting with a simple swipe of your smartphone.

So what does a home automation system look like in your home? Typically there is one central access point to which all the information from your home will travel. The video below is a great demonstration of what a full scale home automation installation will look like.

“a good automation system is one that you forget you have…” – youtube guy

July 27, 2014 in Uncategorized

What Would You Do With Your Own Ghost Town?

Screen Shot 2014-12-23 at 4.44.15 AM

Kitsault, British Columbia, is a town not unlike many written about in fantasy novels and movies. However, this place and its history is entirely real. U.S. mining conglomerate, Phelps Dodge, founded this community for the workers of its molybdenum mine in 1979.

Only 18 months after the residents established their place in this community, they were forced to evacuate in the middle of the night. With the prices of molybdenum crashing, Phelps Dodge could no longer afford the town and ousted his residents without notice.

Follow this virtual tour and discover this gorgeous relic from the 1980’s:

This rustic sign leads you into this town preserved by time and vacancy.

These picturesque views of mountains and lakes surround you as you drive into town.

kitsault 14

kitsault1

kitsault2

kitsault3

kitsault4

kitsault5

kitsault7

kitsault8

kitsault13

kitsault16

Apartment buildings were available for those who didn’t need a single family home.

Screen Shot 2014-12-23 at 11.42.50 AM

And while weather may have worn on the outside of this home…

Screen Shot 2014-12-23 at 11.22.27 AM

…the inside, while dated, is in great shape. Must be the lack of people lousing it up!

And now, this once deemed worthless town has just been sold to businessman Krishnan Suthanthiran to the tune of 7 million dollars! Check out this video below where he shares his vision for the future of this ghost town:

He seems pretty passionate, but if you have a little over $7 million to spare, maybe you can barter a deal and make your very own dream town!

kitault11

kitauslt9

This plaque became futile not even a year later.

This town hall is just one beautiful aspect of Kitsault’s community center

Screen Shot 2014-12-23 at 11.34.53 AM

Screen Shot 2014-12-23 at 11.52.04 AM

This Maple Leaf Pub served as the post-work watering hole.

Screen Shot 2014-12-23 at 11.18.17 AM

ghost-town-23

ghost-town-18

Screen Shot 2014-12-23 at 11.44.56 AM

This trailer-esque elementary school housed 85 students.

Screen Shot 2014-12-23 at 11.40.56 AM

A fully stocked library remains in tact today.

Screen Shot 2014-12-23 at 11.14.06 AM

A grocery store full of shopping carts is ready to filled with food.

Screen Shot 2014-12-23 at 11.21.02 AM

While this town may be stuck in the 80’s, it has the modern conveniences of a gym…

Screen Shot 2014-12-23 at 11.42.10 AM

Screen Shot 2014-12-23 at 11.41.56 AM

Screen Shot 2014-12-23 at 11.22.08 AM

…and pool and jacuzzi

Kitsault18

Screen Shot 2014-12-23 at 11.37.54 AM

Screen Shot 2014-12-23 at 11.37.03 AM

Screen Shot 2014-12-23 at 11.45.21 AM

ghost-town-15

July 26, 2014 in Bathrooms, Tile

Bathroom Tile Installation

Bathroom Tile Installation in Chicago: A Close Call That Revealed Hidden Damage

It all started on a sunny October afternoon with a simple caulk job around a bathtub. What looked like a routine touch-up quickly turned into a full-scale bathroom tile installation and wall rebuild. As soon as I began scraping away the old tiles, they crumbled right off the plaster wall—revealing water damage so severe I could practically see through the wall. The underlying structure was compromised, with no seal between the tub and the walls. To fix it properly, I had to reinforce the walls, install a waterproof membrane, and rebuild the entire area to ensure a lasting finish.

Chicago tile installations are as Diverse as its People

In a city as diverse as Chicago, you never know what architectural surprises await behind each tile. Even so, there’s nothing more rewarding than transforming an outdated, water-damaged space into a clean, modern, and structurally sound bathroom. By the time the project wrapped up, this bathroom had not only brand-new tile but also a solid, leak-free foundation—proof that a little extra work goes a long way. If you’re in need of a Chicago tile installation, give me a call. Let’s make your bathroom fresh, functional, and built to last.

Chicago bathroom tile remodel — Chicago Bathroom with plaster walls. There was no seal between the walls and tub causing water to destroy the wall.

With the first flick of the scraper tool, the tiles start crumbling off the wall. Before I know it, I am looking right through the wall. I put my hand against the wall behind where the tile was, when I pulled away, my hand was dripping water. I explain to the owner that the walls need to be reinforced, and completely rebuilt with a waterproof membrane.

The Deeper I get the worse the condition is revealed. This doesn’t deter me. I rip open the wall and tear back to a point where I feel comfortable that I can get a good seal around the tile, and create a solid wall.

I’m not going to bore you with the details, because believe me, its a snooze fest. But suffice it to say, I left the bathroom in better condition than I found it and that is more than I can say for most bathrooms I visit just after thanksgiving.

Below you will find a photo of the finished bathroom tile installation. Chicago has a large spectrum of building and construction styles that have rolled through over the years. Its always fun to use an old structure, to make something modern clean, and structurally sound.

Well that’s all the big words I can think of today, I’ll catch up with you next time. Be sure to give me a call for an estimate on your Chicago tile installation. Cheers!

Here is the completed tile installation in the Chicago 3 flat. The White tile makes for a cleaner look, and brightens up the room a ton.

Professional Tile installation in Chicago

At Chicago Handyman, we bring years of experience and craftsmanship to every tile installation project, ensuring precision, durability, and style. Our team specializes in handling a variety of tile materials, including ceramic, porcelain, marble, and mosaic, transforming outdated or damaged spaces into beautifully finished surfaces. Whether it’s a simple backsplash update or a complete bathroom renovation, we focus on proper surface preparation, waterproofing, and seamless installation to deliver long-lasting results. With a keen eye for detail and a commitment to customer satisfaction, Chicago Handyman is the trusted choice for expert tile installation services throughout the city.

Handyman Life