Sealing Paper Flooring: I used all paper flooring in my Mary   Englebreit house.  I used something called Super Sealer that is a liquid.   I applied it with a foam brush.  It worked great, it gave the paper a nice sheen and didn't bubble.  If you'd like to go take a look at it, once you get to the ME page --   http://fayzerplace.homestead.com/MEhouse.html   -- then go to Living Room and Bedroom to see the wood look.  The bathroom and kitchen have "tile" not "wood."

Fay in St. Louis

Sealing Paper Flooring: I used to finish paper flooring using Mod Podge.   Lay the flooring using yes glue & let it dry thoroughly.  Use a sponge brush & brush the Mod Podge lightly over the floor & let dry.

Sari

Paper "wooden" floors: This might not be what you are looking for, but I used laminating paper.. the adhesive kind, and got wonderful results.   Everyone that doesn't actually lean and look close or touch it thinks it's a real wooden floor with a glossy finish. (wow, that's 2 posts for me in 10 minutes, a late starter am I but when I get started I guess I don't waste any time eh?) :o)

Kim

Paper flooring: I finished my dollhouse floors by going to a printable site and printing the patterns I wanted to glossy photo paper.  I then applied three coats of clear acrylic sealer gloss (Plaid brand spray) about 20 minutes apart.   This gave my "linoleum" looking floors a very realistic look.  I've also done this with cobblestone and wood patterns, and was very satisfied with the results.

Joan/Indiana

Paper flooring: I score between my paper flooring, once it's glued down, then go over it with tea or coffee. It runs into the cracks and looks quite authentic.

Lynne Connolly

Future Floor Wax for Fimo: Yes, Future Wax works beautifully for getting a shiny coat on Fimo items. I learned this from Judy Kafka, renown for her Fimo Candy Castles and trains. No stickiness whatsoever. Future is made by Johnson Wax Co. of Racine, Wisconsin and is still available as far as I know. I've used it on my no-wax floors, too, to enhance them.

Jeanette in Wisconsin

Reflective Surface: In this month's 'Walls, Windows & Floors' (Women's Day special publication) they had a Krylon product which can be painted onto glass (maybe onto other things?) to make a reflective surface (they used it to make a glass vase into a mirror finish - tres cool).  The info phone# is 1-800-457-9566.  Sounds interesting and may be your answer.

Catherine from Toronto

Toile wallpaper: I stock Toile de Jouy wallpaper in three different colors.   You can see it on my website http://www.littlebylittle.co.uk

Karon

Tab & Slot Houses: I too have the Tennyson and here's how I fixed those gaps and filled in the "slots".  I used "Patch N Paint", a light weight spackling that I bought at Home Depot.   It is so easy to use and can be smoothed with a wet finger.  I think it's really for spackling drywall, but I used it and it works fine on the dollhouses.   It's very inexpensive too!   After it is dry thoroughly, I then sand it lightly and then paint over it. It holds up too! 

Anita....Bel Air, MD

Future Floor Wax for Fimo: Yes, Future Wax works beautifully for getting a shiny coat on Fimo items. I learned this from Judy Kafka, renown for her Fimo Candy Castles and trains. No stickiness whatsoever. Future is made by Johnson Wax Co. of Racine, Wisconsin and is still available as far as I know. I've used it on my no-wax floors, too, to enhance them.

Jeanette in Wisconsin

Dado, Groove or Rebate: Not that it matters, but since you asked; a dado goes across the grain, a groove is with the grain, a rebate is along an edge, so its open on one side.

Tom Berkner

Foamcore; foamcore will warp if too much moisture is applied at one time to only one side. I would prime BOTH sides with gesso. This creates a tooth that will grab your paint, tissue, etc. and protect your creation.   I reinforce my walls with wire coat hangers that I snip apart with my wire cutters and slide down the foam interior just like studs in our real walls. I have structures of foamcore that are over 25 years old and look GREAT!!! I still make prototypes from foamcore.  

Becky Holliday

Copper Foil: I sell 32 gauge copper foil in a roll 12" wide by 3'. http://www.JBsDollhousesMiniatures.com

Jackie

Dulling a Shiny Finish: Delores asked about how to reduce the bothersome glare found on heavily coated furniture. One thing that might be attempted if you have some spare time, is to gently hand-rub the pieces with some very fine ( 0000 ) steel wool. You don't need to remove the finish, just evenly scratch it, so that the top coat can adhere to the surface

Corrugated Metal roofing: Here are a few suppliers of this product. Model train sources offer a good selection of mini bulbs, metal products etc.
http://www.williamsbrosinc.com/buildings.html

http://www.oakridgehobbies.com/Gpage/G_scale_62A.html

George Hoffman

Finishing Order: I do ceilings, floor, then walls.   But it's pretty much up to you.  You can also make windows by just putting stripwood trim on the outside and inside(after inside walls are finished) and sandwich Plexiglas in between.   I still think real windows are the best and you could maybe buy them one at a time.  But the other way will work.

Fannye in TX

Slate Roof:  you can make pretty convincing "slate" tiles just by using Formica. The reverse side is slate color.   So, just cut it up into little rectangles and Bingo!

Rosemary in Cleveland

Primer: Anything that seals a porous surface is technically a sealer. That is why additional coats of paint and sanding between coats are as satisfactory as a commercial primer followed by paint. The only time I use a true primer is when I need to create a tooth on the surface for the paint to adhere to, then Gesso is my choice. It is inexpensive and foolproof.

Becky

Walls: what I do for making 'natural' walls: I use thick waterbased paint (wallpaint), sample pots for sale at the large do-it-yourself stores, use an old, hard brush and move it around, then put bird sand on it and you have a very natural effect!

Dienke

Textured walls: I am no expert on any of this but I have an idea for your outside walls maybe this would work if you take tissue paper crumble it up and then dip in watered down glue and paste to your walls, or decoupage it to the wall and then paint over it. Also if you get the tissue with the color you want all ready on it would be even better. I did a box like this and it came out pretty good.

Leilani