Welcome to DIY Dad's English articles — real construction logs and how-to guides for DIY home improvement, written by a mechanical design engineer in Japan.
- 🪓 Wood Deck DIY (56 articles)
- 🍳 Kitchen DIY (55 articles)
- 🚽 Toilet DIY (31 articles)
- 🚿 Bathroom & Laundry Room DIY (35 articles)
- 🏠 Living Room DIY (20 articles)
- 🚪 Entryway DIY (10 articles)
- 🏯 Japanese Room DIY (25 articles)
- 🧧 Staircase DIY (2 articles)
- 🍷 Surface Protection (4 articles)
- 🔨 Tools & Materials (10 articles)
🪓 Wood Deck DIY (56 articles)
Complete build series for a large covered wood deck — design calculations, materials selection, and step-by-step construction log.
📚 How-To Concept Guide (11 articles)
Design decisions, material choices, and lessons learned.
- Complete Guide u2014 All Articles (Start Here)
- No.2: Why I Built It Myself
- No.3: Overall Config & Materials
- No.6: Floor Material u2014 Why SPF?
- No.7: Which Structural Members?
- No.7: Choosing Structural Members
- No.9: Roof Structure
- No.9: Strength by the Numbers
- No.10: Roofing Material
- No.11: Floor, Fence & Stairs
- No.12: Final Review u2014 6 Years Later
🔨 Build Log — Step by Step (45 articles)
Chronological log: planning → calculations → construction → completion.
- Plan Pt.1: Why Build?
- Plan Pt.2: Sketching the Layout
- What Is a Wood Deck? (Pt.1)
- What Is a Wood Deck? (Pt.2)
- Design Goals & Requirements
- Floor Material Selection
- Frame Material Selection
- Material Comparison Pt.1
- Material Comparison Pt.2
- Roof Material Pt.1
- Roof Material Pt.2
- Structural Design Pt.1
- Structural Design Pt.2
- Structural Design Pt.3
- Structural Design Pt.4
- Detail #1: Installation Space
- Detail #2: Framing Sketches
- Detail #3: Beam Calc Parameters
- Detail #4: Beam First Calc
- Detail #5: Beam Redesign (v1)
- Detail #6: Beam Redesign (v2)
- Detail #7: Floor Joist Strength
- Detail #8: Decking Strength
- Detail #9: Beam Strength
- Detail #10: Rafter Strength
- Detail #11: Purlin Strength
- Design #12: Column Buckling
- Design #13: Floor Board Layout
- Design #14: Materials List
- Design #15: 3D CAD Drawings
- Build #31: Foundation Pt.1
- Build #32: Foundation Pt.2
- Build #33: Foundation Pt.3
- Build #34: Pipe Painting
- Build #35: Frame Assembly
- Build #36: Floor Joists
- Build #37: Beams & Girders
- Build #38: Purlins
- Build #39: Roof Assembly
- Build #40: Floor Boarding Pt.1
- Build #41: Floor Boarding Pt.2
- Build #42: Floor Boarding Pt.3
- Build #43: Floor Boarding Pt.4
- Build #44: Fence Assembly
- Build #45: Stair Assembly
🍳 Kitchen DIY (55 articles)
Apartment kitchen renovation series — wall repair, appliances, and a full built-in dishwasher installation project.
🏠 Apartment #1 Kitchen Renovation (10 articles)
- Apt.1 Kitchen Wall Vol.1: Removing Old Wallpaper
- Apt.1 Kitchen Wall Vol.2: Primer & Top Coat
- Apt.1 Kitchen Wall Vol.3: Paint Application
- Apt.1 Kitchen Wall Vol.4: Discovering Old Walls
- Apt.1 Kitchen Wall Vol.5: Covering Up
- Apt.1 Kitchen Wall Vol.6: Finishing
- Apt.1 Kitchen Wall Vol.7: Paint & Wallpaper
- Apt.1 Kitchen Equipment Vol.1
- Apt.1 Kitchen Equipment Vol.2
- Apt.1 Kitchen Equipment Vol.3
🆖 Kitchen Renovation 2 — Full Project (45 articles)
- Kitchen2 Vol.1: Project Overview
- Kitchen2 Vol.2: Light Switch Installation
- Kitchen2 Vol.3: Gas Stove Removal
- Kitchen2 Vol.4: Gas Equipment Removal Pt.1
- Kitchen2 Vol.5: Gas Equipment Removal Pt.2
- Kitchen2 Vol.6: Ventilation Fan Disassembly
- Kitchen2 Vol.7: Ventilation Fan Cleaning Pt.1
- Kitchen2 Vol.8: Ventilation Fan Cleaning Pt.2
- Kitchen2 Vol.9: Wallpaper Removal
- Kitchen2 Vol.10: Silicone Caulk Removal
- Kitchen2 Vol.11: Faucet Removal
- Kitchen2 Vol.12: Sink Light Removal
- Kitchen2 Vol.13: Faucet Installation
- Kitchen2 Vol.14: Reinstalling the Ventilation Fan
- Kitchen2 Vol.15: Outlet Addition Pt.1
- Kitchen2 Vol.16: Outlet Addition Pt.2
- Kitchen2 Vol.17: Floor Repair
- Kitchen2 Vol.18: Floor Base Treatment
- Kitchen2 Vol.19: Floor Finishing
- Kitchen2 Vol.20: Cushion Floor Laying
- Kitchen2 Vol.21: IH Cooktop Installation
- Kitchen2 Vol.22: Silicone Caulking
- Kitchen2 Vol.23: Dishwasher Pt.1 u2014 Series Kickoff
- Kitchen2 Vol.24: Dishwasher Pt.2 u2014 Space Survey
- Kitchen2 Vol.25: Dishwasher Pt.3 u2014 Miele Does Not Fit
- Kitchen2 Vol.26: Built-in vs. Countertop
- Kitchen2 Vol.27: Rinnai Model Comparison
- Kitchen2 Vol.28: Breaking Through the Wall
- Kitchen2 Vol.29: Full Install u2014 Hoses, Leveling, Test Run
- Kitchen2 Vol.30: Placement Decision
- Kitchen2 Vol.31: Cabinet Door Removal
- Kitchen2 Vol.32: Cutting Out the Rear Wall
- Kitchen2 Vol.33: Building the Raising Platform
- Kitchen2 Vol.34: Platform and First Insertion
- Kitchen2 Vol.35: Top-Mount Bracket Fabrication
- Kitchen2 Vol.36: Front Panel Final Adjustment
- Kitchen2 Vol.37: Dishwasher Pt.15
- Kitchen2 Vol.38: Dishwasher Pt.16
- Kitchen2 Vol.39: Dishwasher Pt.17
- Kitchen2 Vol.40: Dishwasher Pt.18
- Kitchen2 Vol.41: Dishwasher Pt.19
- Kitchen2 Vol.42: Dishwasher Pt.20 u2014 Complete
- Kitchen2 Vol.43: Installing the Sink Light
- Kitchen2 Vol.44: Installing Accessories
- Kitchen2 Vol.45: Renovation Complete!
🚽 Toilet DIY (31 articles)
Complete toilet renovation series — full bowl replacement, custom wainscot paneling, diatomite plaster walls, and washlet installation.
🏠 Apartment #1 Toilet Renovation (6 articles)
- Apt.1 Toilet Vol.1: Demolition
- Apt.1 Toilet Vol.2: Entrance, Wall & Floor Base
- Apt.1 Toilet Vol.3: Wall Putty & Wood Frame Painting
- Apt.1 Toilet Vol.4: Ceiling, Wall & Floor
- Apt.1 Toilet Vol.5: Toilet Installation
- Apt.1 Toilet Vol.6: Silicone Caulking & Finish
🚽 Main Toilet Renovation (25 articles)
- Toilet Renovation Vol.1: Project Overview
- Toilet Renovation Vol.2: Toilet Removal Pt.1
- Toilet Renovation Vol.3: Toilet Removal Pt.2
- Toilet Renovation Vol.4: Toilet Removal Pt.3
- Toilet Renovation Vol.5: Accessories Removal
- Toilet Renovation Vol.6: Floor Repair
- Toilet Renovation Vol.7: Wall Base Preparation
- Toilet Renovation Vol.8: Cushion Floor Installation
- Toilet Renovation Vol.9: Diatomite Wall Finish
- Toilet Renovation Vol.10: Wainscot Panel Making Pt.1
- Toilet Renovation Vol.11: Wainscot Panel Making Pt.2
- Toilet Renovation Vol.12: Wainscot Panel Making Pt.3
- Toilet Renovation Vol.13: Wainscot Panel Making Pt.4
- Toilet Renovation Vol.14: Wainscoting Finish Pt.1
- Toilet Renovation Vol.15: Wainscoting Finish Pt.2
- Toilet Renovation Vol.16: Wainscoting Finish Pt.3
- Toilet Renovation Vol.17: Toilet Bowl Install Pt.1
- Toilet Renovation Vol.18: Toilet Bowl Install Pt.2
- Toilet Renovation Vol.19: Toilet Bowl Install Pt.3
- Toilet Renovation Vol.20: Toilet Bowl Install Pt.4
- Toilet Renovation Vol.21: Accessories Installation
- Toilet Renovation Vol.22: Wall Shelf Installation
- Toilet Renovation Vol.23: Washlet Installation
- Toilet Renovation Vol.24: Silicone Caulking
- Toilet Renovation Vol.25: Complete!
🚿 Bathroom & Laundry Room DIY (35 articles)
Bathroom and laundry room renovation — floor demolition, under-floor storage, ceiling access hatch, and full vanity installation.
🏠 Apartment #1 Laundry Room (8 articles)
- Apt.1 Laundry Room Vol.1: Partition Wall Installation
- Apt.1 Laundry Room Vol.2: Door Installation
- Apt.1 Laundry Room Vol.3: Plasterboard Overlay
- Apt.1 Laundry Room Vol.4: Partition Wall Base Treatment
- Apt.1 Laundry Room Vol.5: Wallpaper Finishing
- Apt.1 Laundry Room Vol.6: Cushion Floor Finish
- Apt.1 Laundry Room Vol.7: Vanity Installation Pt.1
- Apt.1 Laundry Room Vol.7b: Vanity Installation Pt.2
🚿 Main Bathroom Renovation (25 articles)
- Bathroom Renovation Vol.1: Project Overview
- Bathroom Renovation Vol.2: Switch & Light Removal
- Bathroom Renovation Vol.3: Vanity Unit Removal
- Bathroom Renovation Vol.4: Floor Demolition Pt.1
- Bathroom Renovation Vol.5: Floor Demolition Pt.2
- Bathroom Renovation Vol.6: Floor Joist Repair
- Bathroom Renovation Vol.7: Subfloor Installation
- Bathroom Renovation Vol.8: Floor Base Preparation
- Bathroom Renovation Vol.9: Cushion Floor Installation
- Bathroom Renovation Vol.10: Washing Machine Stand Pt.1
- Bathroom Renovation Vol.11: Washing Machine Stand Pt.2
- Bathroom Renovation Vol.12: Under-Floor Storage Pt.1
- Bathroom Renovation Vol.13: Under-Floor Storage Pt.2
- Bathroom Renovation Vol.14: Under-Floor Storage Pt.3
- Bathroom Renovation Vol.15: Wall Base Preparation
- Bathroom Renovation Vol.16: Ceiling Access Hatch u2014 Design
- Bathroom Renovation Vol.17: Ceiling Access Hatch Installation
- Bathroom Renovation Vol.18: Wallpaper Finishing Pt.1
- Bathroom Renovation Vol.19: Wallpaper Finishing Pt.2
- Bathroom Renovation Vol.20: Vanity Installation Pt.1
- Bathroom Renovation Vol.21: Vanity Installation Pt.2
- Bathroom Renovation Vol.22: Light Switch Installation
- Bathroom Renovation Vol.23: Washing Machine Setup
- Bathroom Renovation Vol.24: Storage Shelf Installation
- Bathroom Renovation Vol.25: Complete!
🏠 Living Room DIY (20 articles)
Living room renovation — roof leak repair, ceiling reinforcement, wallpaper, doors, video intercom, ceiling fan, and air conditioner installation.
- Living Room Renovation Vol.1: Project Overview
- Living Room Renovation Vol.2: Switch & Fixture Removal
- Living Room Renovation Vol.3: Intercom Removal
- Living Room Renovation Vol.4: Floor Protection
- Living Room Renovation Vol.5: Wallpaper Removal
- Living Room Renovation Vol.6: Wall Undercoat & Primer
- Living Room Renovation Vol.7: Roof Leak Repair
- Living Room Renovation Vol.8: Ceiling Reinforcement Pt.1
- Living Room Renovation Vol.9: Ceiling Reinforcement Pt.2
- Living Room Renovation Vol.10: Ceiling Reinforcement Pt.3
- Living Room Renovation Vol.11: Wall Patching & Repair
- Living Room Renovation Vol.12: Wallpaper Installation
- Living Room Renovation Vol.13: Door Adjustment Pt.1
- Living Room Renovation Vol.14: Door Adjustment Pt.2
- Living Room Renovation Vol.15: Switch Panel Installation
- Living Room Renovation Vol.16: Video Intercom Installation
- Living Room Renovation Vol.17: Ceiling Fan Installation
- Living Room Renovation Vol.18: Air Conditioner Install Pt.1
- Living Room Renovation Vol.19: Air Conditioner Install Pt.2
- Living Room Renovation Vol.20: Complete!
🚪 Entryway DIY (10 articles)
Entryway renovation — lock replacement, wallpaper, built-in shoe cabinet, and electrical work.
- Entryway Renovation Vol.1: Project Overview & Checklist
- Entryway Renovation Vol.2: Key Lock Replacement
- Entryway Renovation Vol.3: Switch Removal & Electrical Safety
- Entryway Renovation Vol.4: Shoe Storage Removal
- Entryway Renovation Vol.5: Wallpaper Removal
- Entryway Renovation Vol.6: Wall Patching & Repair
- Entryway Renovation Vol.7: Wallpaper Installation
- Entryway Renovation Vol.8: Shoe Cabinet Installation
- Entryway Renovation Vol.9: Switch Installation
- Entryway Renovation Vol.10: Complete!
🏯 Japanese Room DIY (25 articles)
Japanese-style room renovation — shoji screen replacement, tatami mat replacement, diatomite plaster walls, ceiling repair, and air conditioning.
- Japanese Room Renovation: Project Overview
- Japanese Room Renovation: Shoji Screen Replacement
- Japanese Room Renovation: Tatami Mat Replacement
- Japanese Room Renovation: Diatomite Plaster Wall Finish
- Japanese Room Renovation: Wood Surface Cleaning
- Japanese Room Renovation: Air Conditioner Install Vol.1
- Japanese Room Renovation: Air Conditioner Install Vol.2
- Japanese Room Renovation: Air Conditioner Install Vol.3
- Apt.1 1F Japanese Room: Ceiling Repair Vol.1
- Apt.1 1F Japanese Room: Ceiling Repair Vol.2
- Apt.1 1F Japanese Room: Ceiling Repair Vol.3
- Apt.1 1F Japanese Room: Wall Repair Vol.4
- Apt.1 1F Japanese Room: Wall Repair Vol.5
- Apt.1 1F Japanese Room: Floor Repair Pt.2
- Apt.1 2F Japanese Room: Ceiling Repair Vol.1
- Apt.1 2F Japanese Room: Ceiling Repair Vol.2
- Apt.1 2F Japanese Room: Ceiling Repair Vol.3
- Apt.1 2F Japanese Room: Ceiling Repair Vol.4
- Apt.1 2F Japanese Room: 2nd Ceiling Repair Vol.5
- Apt.1 2F Japanese Room: 2nd Ceiling Repair Vol.6
- Apt.1 2F Japanese Room: Wall Repair Vol.9
- Apt.1 2F Japanese Room: Wall Repair Vol.11
- Apt.1 2F Japanese Room: Sliding Door Repair Pt.1
- Apt.1 2F Japanese Room: Sliding Door Repair Pt.2
- Apt.1 2F Japanese Room: Floor Repair Pt.2
🧧 Staircase DIY (2 articles)
🍷 Surface Protection (4 articles)
Practical guides to masking and protecting surfaces during renovation work.
- Surface Protection: Masking Film & Sheeting Guide
- Surface Protection: Masking Techniques
- Surface Protection: Masking Tape Guide
- Surface Protection: Protective Tape Guide
🔨 Tools & Materials (10 articles)
Practical guides to the tools and materials used in real DIY renovation projects — surface prep, masking, painting, and flooring.
- Tools Vol.1: Wallpaper Installation
- Tools Vol.2: Cushion Floor Installation
- Tools Vol.3a: Wall Base Prep u2014 Wallpaper
- Tools Vol.3b: Wall Base Prep u2014 Fiber Plaster
- Tools Vol.3c: Wall Base Prep u2014 Sand Plaster Pt.1
- Tools Vol.3d: Wall Base Prep u2014 Sand Plaster Pt.2
- Tools Vol.3e: Wall Base Prep u2014 Plywood & Plasterboard
- Tools Vol.4: Masking & Protection
- Tools Vol.5a: Painting u2014 Brush & Roller
- Tools Vol.5b: Painting u2014 Spray Application
Translated from the original Japanese blog at diytosan.com. Comments welcome.