Jeff Wilson Everyday DIY Blog

Signage is a functional and communicative element found both inside buildings and along paths of travel that are outside of buildings.  They convey information to an intended audience for any given set of circumstance by means of text, graphics, colors, icons, logos, shapes, or other features. Signage also plays an important role in creating an atmosphere that is visually appealing for all those who engage in the environment.

Service walls are wall assemblies, wall-mounted units or modular units that contain specific services intended for use within an interior space.  Types of services may include: medical services, drinking fountains, electric outlets, clocks, fire hoses and alarms, extinguisher cabinets, telephone and internet connections, waste receptacles, or other services.  This type of system is most commonly used in the health care industry, although the term service wall can also be used to describe other typical wall assemblies where services are installed.

Tub and shower doors are fixed, operable enclosures that are used to access a residential tub or shower and keep the water in.  Besides being functional, they are a decorative selection that takes the place of a traditional horizontal rod and curtain.

Manufactured fireplaces are prefabricated steel boxes.  Fires inside of dwellings have been around since early man built a fire on the floor for heat and cooking.  In these early dwellings, smoke would escape by whatever route it could, or be blown back into the space.  Chimneys were invented much later, and aided a great deal in correcting the ventilation problem.

Metal storage shelving assemblies are used for general storage in a variety of building types.  Several types of metal storage shelving are available, such as end-panel-support, post-and-shelf, post-and-beam and cantilever.  Storage requirements are ever-changing today, as we accumulate more stuff in our homes and businesses, and metal storage shelving offers a durable option for organizing all of these possessions and supplies.

Storm panels are used to protect the inside of buildings from damage caused by storms.  Closeable shutters, mounted at the edge of building openings, have been used for centuries as protection against storms. Today's storm panels are demountable or movable, and rated for hurricane protection and flying debris.  They are constructed of a variety of materials, such as plywood, aluminum, steel, plastic and fabric.  They are affixed, when needed, to the outside of the building with screws or bolts and clips, or they can be installed as part of a track or motorized system.  When not in use, storm panels should be properly stored.  Storm panels are effective at minimizing damage; however, their use requires advanced planning prior to a storm.

This topic includes information related to sliding visual display units installed during construction.  Sliding visual display units are writable and tackable surfaces that communicate to an audience.  Panels slide horizontally or vertically and can be operated by a motor or manually.  Educational facilities are a common location for sliding visual display units.

This topic includes information related to display cases installed during construction.  Display cases are used to display plaques, trophies, awards, photos and other types of showcase items.  Display cases are manufactured cases that can be recessed, wall or floor mounted.  Face of unit and side panels includes fixed glass and operable glass doors that swing or slide.  Case frames are produced from wood, metal and plastic materials.