Home Tools & Materials: How Tos and Project Advice

Tools & Materials

Good home improvement tools and materials make repairs and upgrades easy. Learn about lumber sizes, types of wrenches, and more in our tool guide.
Person using a tape measure on a piece of wood
What Does the Black Diamond on a Tape Measure Mean? Plus Other Symbols to Know
Hand using red caulk gun to apply white caulk to baseboard on marble floor.
How Long Does It Take for Caulk to Dry? And Why It's Essential to Let It Cure
Carpenter using a table saw
Miter Saw vs. Table Saw: Is There Really a Difference?
orbital sander
Palm Sander vs. Orbital Sander: Which One Is Actually Right for Your Project?
electric drill into the wall
Hammer Drill vs. Impact Driver: Which One's Right for Your Project?
satin hardware
Satin vs. Brushed Nickel: Which Finish Is Actually Right for You?
Attic ladder pulled down from ceiling
How to Choose an Attic Ladder
Installation of solar panels to the side of a building.
Comprehensive List of Eco-Friendly Building Materials
Axe wedged into the top of a tree stump
20 Types of Axes and Their Uses: What Every Homeowner Should Know
Woman vacuuming a home
9 Reasons Your Vacuum Smells, and How to Fix It
Closeup of white marble countertop
How Much Do Marble Countertops Cost, and Are They Actually Worth It?
Cutting the tile with a wet tile saw
How to Cut Glass Tile Like an Expert: 5 Ways
Blown in insulation in an attic
How Much Does Blown-In Insulation Cost? Plus Signs You Need It ASAP
Types of plywood
Everything You Need to Know About Different Types of Plywood
Person applying glue to pieces of wood
How Long Does Wood Glue Really Take to Dry? What to Know for the Best Results
Person plastering walls
Plaster vs. Drywall: What's the Difference?
Person installing spray foam insulation
How Much Does Spray Foam Insulation Actually Cost?
How to sharpen a drill bit
How to Sharpen Dull Drill Bits in 7 Simple Steps
induction cooktop
What Is an Induction Cooktop? All the Pros and Cons to Know
Man using oscillating tool on tile grout
How to Use an Oscillating Tool and Knock Out Home Projects Faster
using a multimeter tool for electricity
A Complete Guide to Multimeter Symbols
Blue and white kitchen with quartz countertops
Quartz vs. Quartzite: What's the Difference?
Person working with types of wood
Hardwood vs. Softwood: Everything You Need to Know for Your Next Project
Pressure washing a concrete patio
Electric vs. Gas Pressure Washer: What's the Difference?
caulking around the windows
Where Not to Caulk Around Windows
Door handle
10 Types of Door Handles Homeowners Should Know
Measuring the bottom width of the lamp shade
How to Measure Lamp Shades for the Perfect Fit
How to cut laminate flooring
How to Cut Laminate Flooring Without Chipping
Mixed grout dropped on tile floor
Grout vs. Caulk: What's the Difference?
towel bar
How to Install a Towel Bar Securely
Eggshell vs satin paint finish
Eggshell vs. Satin Paint: What's the Difference?
Semi gloss vs satin paint finish
Semi-Gloss vs. Satin Paint Comparison Guide
Closeup of trying to remove a rusted screw
How to Remove a Rusted Screw, 3 Ways
Closeup of a stripped Allen screw and person holding an Allen wrench key
How to Remove a Stripped Allen Screw
How to remove a stripped bolt
How to Remove a Stripped Bolt
Radon Mitigation System
What Is Radon Testing?
Plexiglass being cut to size
How to Cut Plexiglass
Sealing wood floor
Polycrylic vs. Polyurethane Comparison Guide
power tool storage ideas
22 Power Tool Storage Ideas to Make DIYs Even Easier
Cutting a Mirror
How to Cut a Mirror in 6 Easy Steps
Person staining wood furniture
Varnish vs. Stain Comparison Guide
Best materials for kitchen sinks
13 Best Materials for Kitchen Sinks
Types of wrenches
25 Types of Wrenches and How to Choose
pantry shelves
How to Build DIY Pantry Shelves and Corner Shelves
clamp on wood
29 Types of Clamps and How to Choose
wooden tray with coffee
How to Make a DIY Wooden Tray
Illustration showing the different types of wood joints
15 Types of Wood Joinery and Where to Use Them
Types of drill bits
20 Types of Drill Bits and How to Choose
Front door lock with key
8 Types of Locks and Where to Use Them
Drilling a pilot hole in wood
How to Drill a Pilot Hole
Ventilated wire shelving
How to Cut Wire Shelving
Hammering an anchor into a stripped screw hole
How to Fix a Stripped Screw Hole
wood stain
How to Remove Stain From Wood
diy window frame
How to Build a Window Frame
The different types of nail guns
9 Types of Nail Guns and How to Choose
wood oil
Tung Oil vs. Linseed Oil Comparison Guide
Types of drills and how they are used
10 Types of Drills and When to Use Each
An overhead shot of a selection of screws
13 Types of Screws for Metal, Plastic, and More
diy wooden cold frame
How to Build a DIY Cold Frame
Flathead screwdriver
How to Use a Flat Head Screwdriver
Types of saws and their uses
15 Types of Saws and How to Choose
Types of screwdrivers and how to choose
17 Types of Screwdrivers and How to Choose
Different types of paint rollers
How to Choose a Paint Roller
A dog on a set of stairs
How to Build DIY Dog Stairs

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