DIY-Installation of Light Switch Plates

Switch plates are an easy way to add some color or contrast to any room in your home or business. Most buildings, unless otherwise specified, come with pretty standard ones. They are usually a solid color that matches the walls and don't add anything to the room or hallway. Today there are literally hundreds if not thousands of different styles that you can use. Swapping them out is one of the easiest and least expensive ways to change the appearance of a room.

In what styles to the come?

Switch plates today come in many shapes and sizes. While you can still buy the standard solid color ones, you can also find professionally painted ones. For example, at there are switch plates with painted images of anything from classic bar room signs to ones that have images of Farmall tractors. You can also fine switch plates that are quite creative. There are some out there that aren't flat but really stand out from the wall. As a matter of fact, you can find switch plates that are different shapes and sizes. Gone are the days of the boring wall plate.

What materials are they made of?

Switch plates can be made of a number of different materials. The most common material is plastic. Plastic ones are found in the majority of homes and apartments. Many public buildings use brushed metal materials and are fastened with rivets instead of screws. When changing the switch plates in your home you can buy ones that are made of wood, heavy duty metal, bronze, brass, and other types of metals. You can even find them made of glass, stone, and rope.

Installation

Installing new switch plates is a fairly straight forward project that anybody can do. There are, however, a few steps that you should follow to make sure that the project is safe.

The first thing that you should do is turn off the power for the room that you will be in. This can be done at the breaker box in your home. In most cases your breakers are labeled. If this is not the case you should contact an electrician. Turning off the main power to the space you will be working in lessens the chance of being shocked.

The next step is to remove the old switch cover. To do this remove the screws that hold the plate in place. Make sure to use the proper screwdriver so that the screws don't get damaged.

When installing the new switch plate make sure to line it up properly. You may want to leave the screws loose until they are all in place. This makes it easier to get them all started. When you are happy with the position of your new decorative switch plate tighten all the screws.

This very simple and easy do-it-yourself project can really make a difference in the appearance of a room or hallway. And if at some point you need a change, well just swap out wall plates.

Visit http://coolsignsandstuff.com to see some cool professionally painted switch plates