Building Materials & Supplies

When wood is pressure treated, chemicals are forced into the wood to preserve it and make it resist rot, decay and insects. Three of the most common chemicals used to treat lumber are discussed...

Compared to conventional stick frame building techniques there are many different means and materials to construct a house.My personal favorites is straw bale . To me this is among the greenest...

Old-fashioned bathtubs are usually cast-iron bodies topped with a porcelain coating. The iron is practically indestructible, but the porcelain will wear, fade and become dull over time. Since...

Normally, hardwood floors are laid over plywood underlayment, with nails or special staples shot through the boards with air pressure. But if your underlayment is particle board, it is not a good...

If you are looking to add High Definition capabilities to your weak television reception or even looking to save some money by stopping your cable or satellite services and still want network...

If you have already dug holes for your footers and are ready to pour concrete without hiring a cement truck, here are some steps to guide you through.

The reason this product is called WonderBoard is for its ease of use. It cuts like plywood, and can be secured with screws. These factors make it a must-have product for ceramic-tile tub...

Building with insulated concrete forms (ICFs) is a construction method that is faster than traditional stick construction and makes for stronger structures that are better insulated than most any...

Have you ever wondered why some bricks have holes and some don't? There are two types of bricks: paving bricks that do not have holes and structural building bricks that have 2-3 holes in each...

An oxy-acetylene torch is a tool that can be used to weld two pieces of metal together. While the torch can make welding seem easy, the safety precautions that professionals take when using the...

Unless you're trying to break out of prison, cutting steel bars is a very easy process with the right tools. Some say that it's possible to cheaply cut steel bars with a mitre saw and an abrasive...

There are many reasons for going green and all of them are good. Whether you want to save money, or protect the environment, it's a good thing to use Reclaimed materials and not waste what we...

There is a reason that cabinet installers make the money they do and that is because there is a bit of skill involved in making the cabinets level. Read on to get a better understanding of how...

Refinishing wood floors is a project for a determined craft person,but is well worth the effort in beauty and money savings. Pine is a soft wood, unlike oak flooring. Oak is much harder because...

HardiPlank™ is the registered trademark name for fiber cement lap siding manufactured by James Hardie International. It is available with a variety of textured finishes to give you the look...

A back to basics approach to roofing would lead you to the age old practice of thatching roofs. Not only functional, but beautiful as well!

Whether you're hauling around building supplies or transporting snowmobiles, have a lawn care company or just find yourself acting like a Sherpa 24/7, nothing beats owning a travel trailer. If...

Rubber roofs are becoming a popular choice among roofing materials. They are durable, low maintenance, energy efficient and environmentally friendly. Made from recycled materials, such as tires,...

With high energy costs, it's wise to make your house as efficient as you can. One way of doing this is by calculating the batt insulation thickness needs of your house, and adding the appropriate...

There are myriad types of robots you can build yourself, but a mini robot is a good start. The parts are cheaper, and the process of putting the arrangement together is an easier task than...

A simple workbench/storage shelf combination is a project that, once completed, can give you fulfillment every time you use it. A workbench/storage shelf allows you to work on other jobs, finish...

Quicklime is used as an additive in cement and mortar and to balance pH in water treatment plants. Calculating the efficiency of the lime-burning process is necessary to assess how much fuel is...

Make your mark on your home by hanging your own custom shelves. A very important part of building shelves is to install the backing plate for sturdiness and extra strength. A well-installed...

A chipping hammer is used to remove rust and scale from boats and broilers. Chipping hammers are lightweight and can be held easily, making them ideal for vertical and overhead work. Chipping...

How you drypack over a radiant heat floor partially depends on the type of radiant heat you have installed--hydroponic or electric. Of course, each hydroponic system differs slightly. Here are a...

Eco-friendly homes and buildings are becoming increasingly popular. Alternative methods to providing insulation in buildings include using straw bales. Following these steps will help you to use...