How To Upgrade Light Switch Covers

In the design debate between form and function, light switch covers also called “switch plates” generally fall squarely in the functional category. But they don’t have to, says Audrey Scheck, founder and principal designer of Audrey Scheck Design in Austin, Texas. In fact, upgrading switch covers is one of the easiest and most inexpensive things you can do to completely transform your living spaces.

“I like to think of light switch covers as the room’s jewelry, subtly acting as an elevated way to make a functional part of your home feel unique and special,” Scheck says. Gone are the days of plain white plastic: Scheck says there are now a “plethora of manufacturers creating beautiful switch plate options that can fit nearly any design aesthetic.”

Ahead, Scheck explains how something as simple as upgrading switch covers can make a big impact. Then, I’ll walk you through swapping them out it’s easy! I’m an electrician, but you don’t need any fancy tools or knowledge. You do need to be safe, though, so get ready to turn off that circuit breaker.

Why You Should Change Your Switch Covers

A better question is: Why not? Upgrading switch covers is a great way to express your style, making the space feel truly reflective of your home’s character, Scheck says. “I love seeing how surprised clients are when they see the finish and appreciate what a difference a light switch upgrade makes.”

It’s also important to swap out switch covers if yours are broken. When I bought my house a few years ago, a couple of the switch plates were cracked and barely hanging on by the screws. Even if a cracked plate seems minor, it’s an electrical hazard. If the plate falls off, the electrical connections within the switch box will be exposed.

Switch Cover Decor Options

A trip to your closest home improvement center might make you think your options are limited. It’s time to rethink that. “We’ve come a long way from traditional plastic light switch covers,” Scheck says. “There are now a plethora of manufacturers creating beautiful switch plate options that can fit nearly any design aesthetic.” So think outside the big-box store and search online for new colors and styles.

“When it comes to aesthetics, the color of your walls along with the overall design plan will give you a pretty good idea of the elements you want to complement,” Scheck says. “There’s so much variety out there; just make sure the cover feels like a charming addition rather than a distraction.

“Most of the rooms in my home have decorative light switch covers in either brass or matte black finishes, which have been such a fun and simple way to personalize spaces,” Scheck says. “There are plenty of custom options available with a variety of unique functions like dimmers, toggles, and various controls.”

How To Swap Out A Light Cover

Ready to do this? Upgrading switch covers takes just a few minutes. But “[f]irst and foremost, think about the practicality of the switch to ensure that the function is suitable to the room’s needs,” Scheck says. Fiddling with designer knobs in a laundry room? No thanks.

Once you have the right covers for the right rooms, here’s what to do:

1. Read the instructions. I’m a big proponent of reading the paperwork, even when you’re doing something simple like upgrading switch covers. I know electricians who don’t, and it’s not a good habit to get into.
2. Turn off the power. Find the circuit breaker that controls the light switch and shut it off. (Just turning off the light won’t do itthe power coming into the switch is always on, even when the switch is off.)
3. Remove the switch plate. Use a small, flat screwdriver to carefully unscrew the plate. Be ready to catch the tiny screw(s) in your hand. If you have a screwless-style face, pop off the external plate by the edges, then unscrew the base plate.
4. Verify the power is off. Use a non-contact voltage tester to test the circuit attached to the screws on the switch. Unless you’re replacing the switch itself, you won’t need to touch the circuit at all, but it’s still important that it’s off in case your screwdriver slips.
5. Align cover plate. Hold the switch plate up to the switch and align the screw hole(s) to the holes in the switch. Insert the provided screws (be careful, they are tiny!).
6. Level as you tighten screws. Hold a torpedo level along the side of the plate, or just eyeball the placement, and tighten the screws (don’t overtighten, or the plate could crack). Metal levels will leave a mark on painted walls, so wrap with electrical tape if that’s a concern.
7. Attach finish plate. If you have a snap-on cover plate, attach it over the base plate and you’re done.
8. Finish screws neatly. Align any visible screw slots vertically or horizontally (I always go vertically) for a neat appearance.

About the Expert

Audrey Scheck is the founder and principal designer at Audrey Scheck Design in Austin, Texas. After designing and remodeling her own home in Los Angeles, Scheck moved back to her home state of Texas to start her own firm. Now one of the top interior designers in Austin, Scheck’s residential and commercial projects can be found across the country, showcasing multiple styles, scopes and budgets.

Source

• Audrey Scheck, founder and principal designer, Audrey Scheck Design; email interview, Nov. 13, 2024

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The Real Reason Aluminum Foil Has a Shiny Side and a Dull Side

If youve ever used aluminum foil, you might have noticed something curious: one side is shiny, while the other is dull. For a long time, this difference has sparked debates in kitchens everywhere. Is one side better for cooking? Does it matter which side faces up or down? The truth might surprise you.

Lets examine why aluminum foil has this dual-sided finish and whether it affects how you use it.

How Is Aluminum Foil Made?

To understand the shiny-versus-dull mystery, it helps to know how aluminum foil is made. Foil starts as a massive slab of aluminum, which gets rolled into thinner and thinner sheets. By the end of the process, the aluminum is so thin that it becomes fragile. To prevent tearing, manufacturers roll two sheets together at the final stage.

Heres the twist: the side that touches the rollers comes out shiny, while the side sandwiched between the two sheets turns dull. Thats itits a purely mechanical result of the manufacturing process. No special coatings, no secret treatments, just physics.

Does the Shiny Side Cook Better?

One of the most common myths about aluminum foil is that the shiny side reflects heat better, so you should face it toward your food. While that might sound logical, its not actually true. The difference in reflectivity between the shiny and dull sides is so minor that it has no noticeable impact on cooking.

Whether youre wrapping a potato to bake or covering a dish for the oven, you can use either side of the foil without affecting the outcome. The shiny-versus-dull debate is more about aesthetics than performance.

What About Food Safety?

Another question people often ask is whether one side of the foil is safer for food contact. The good news is that both sides of aluminum foil are food-safe. Theres no chemical difference between the shiny and dull sides. So, whether youre grilling veggies or freezing leftovers, you dont need to worry about which side touches your food.

However, its worth noting that foil shouldnt come into contact with highly acidic foods, like tomato sauce or citrus, for extended periods. Acid can cause the aluminum to break down slightly, leaving behind a metallic tasteor even tiny amounts of aluminum in your food.

When Does the Side of Foil Actually Matter?

Theres only one situation where the shiny-versus-dull sides of foil make a difference: non-stick foil. This specialized type of foil has a coating on one side, and the dull side is usually marked as non-stick. In this case, youll want to follow the packaging instructions to ensure youre using it correctly.

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Why You Need to Keep the Cap on When Recycling Plastic Bottles

We’ve all heard that recycling is important and that we need to do our part to take care of the planet. And while this is true, recycling is not quite as straightforward as it sounds. Take plastics, for example. There are many different kinds of plastics that need to be recycled in different ways. Plastic bottles are often made up of at least two kinds! Whether you collect your bottles to take to a center or just toss them into the blue bin, you need to know the correct process for recycling plastic bottles.

How Are Recycling Materials Sorted?

According to the Association of Plastic Recyclers (APR), sorting recycling materials is a multi-step process. Once items are picked up from their bins and delivered to Material Recovery Facilities (MRFs), there’s a pre-sort process to remove any non-recyclables mixed in. Then, the items get sorted by type.

The APR explains that plastics are “sorted into types using optical sorters.” They clarify that employees still check to prevent machine error. The different types of plastic are then gathered together into bales and sold to recycling facilities. Once at a recycling facility, the APR continues, the plastics are ground down and then sorted again.

Why Does It Matter If The Cap Is On?

The APR explains that different plastics have different densities. During the sorting process at the recycling facility, separating things out in a tank of water allows dense plastics to separate from the ones that float. Once ground up and dropped into the tanks, caps “often made of HDPE plastic, float to the top of the float-sink tank.” Bottles, on the other hand, are often “made of PET, [and] sink to the bottom of the tank.”

Generally, the recycling center will utilize both types of plastic. So, keeping the caps on the bottles when you toss them into the bin allows them to travel safely together until it’s the appropriate time to separate them.

Is This Always True When Recycling Plastic Bottles?

As with most things in life, the answer is “sometimes.” If you take your bottles to a recycling center, you can ask the staff there what the best practice is. This way, you can save them time and ensure that your items are recycled as efficiently as possible. If, however, you toss things in the recycling bin and let the trash trucks handle it, you should assume that keeping the caps on when recycling plastic bottles is best.

Source

The Plastic Recycling Process, Association of Plastic Recyclers.

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