Building Materials & Supplies

Trimming off the end of a laminated kitchen counter top isn't as simple as just taking a circular saw to it. If that cut isn't razor-straight, its imperfections will be very noticeable, especially...

According to the Trex.com, Trex decking materials have "the natural beauty of wood, but leave behind the rotting and splintering." It is very easy to maintain, because it does not require painting...

Hardie board is a cement-board siding made from combining sand, cement, water and cellulose wood fibers. It is produced by James Hardie and revered by builders and homeowners as a durable, rot...

Deciding what material to use to cover the exterior of your home is an important decision. Two popular options are cement board and vinyl siding. Each has its own set of pros and cons to consider...

Devoloped by James Hardie, Hardie board is a siding made of fiber cement. Cement is combined with sand, water and cellulose wood fibers to make a solid building material well suited for protecting...

Using plastic, formica-style laminate to build rugged work surfaces and countertops has become a skill that the average cabinet maker takes for granted. To the uninitiated, it may seem like...

Wall tiles don't have to sustain weight the way that floor tiles do, so the tile backerboard you use on walls doesn't have to be as strong as the tile underlayment you use on floors. However, it...

Insulation board, also known as fiberboard sheathing panel, helps to insulate your home and make it air tight. Before installation, you must measure the amount of footage required for your...

"Square foot" is a measure of area. It equals the area of a square that is a foot on each side. "Board foot" is a measure of volume. It equals the volume of a piece of wood 1 foot square and 1...

Pieces of wood fiber glued together create a cheap material known as particle board. The amount of moisture from the glue adds to the weight of this product when compared with lumber. Determine...

Stone or clay-based tile has no "give'' to it, meaning it will break if it moves at all. That makes it important to have a solid, immobile underlayment. The only truly perfect tile floor...

Melamine particle board is a material commonly found in inexpensive, pre-made furniture. While melamine has been in use for a while it remains an inexpensive and fairly durable way to add colors...

Man has been using natural materials in home building since the beginning. With the more common use of artificial materials in home constructions, many of us like to use the looks of nature to...

Fiber cement siding is a construction material used to cover the exterior walls of a home. It is made from a blend of cement, silica sand, This product is a popular alternative to traditional...

Cords and board feet are two measurements used when describing wood. Cords are often used to describe the amount of cut and split firewood. Board feet describe the amount of wood in lumber for...

Foam core board is a handy material that has a variety of uses in the home. Foam core board looks somewhat like oversized sheets of plywood, only they're made out of a dense foam material. This...

When purchasing lumber for home improvement projects it often pays to be picky. Especially if you are working on a smaller project, are on a tight budget or are doing finishing or furniture work...

Cork is a completely natural, renewable material that comes from the outside layers of the cork oak, a tree that typically grows in the Mediterranean region. Cork is far more renewable than other...

Foam board insulation, also called rigid insulation or beadboard, consists of large sheets of plastic foam. There are a variety of R-values, or measures of thermal resistance, used for different...

If you've ever traveled past a tumbledown old barn and wished there was something you could do to preserve this chunk of American heritage, there is. Old barns can be recycled into furniture,...

Grading begins by identifying the type of wood. Wood is referred to as soft wood or hard wood. Each has its particular uses. Hard wood is for cabinets and furniture, and softwood is used for...

HardiePlank, a brand of cement-board siding, has rapidly gained popularity as an alternative to using real wood or vinyl siding on your home. If you like the look of wood siding but don't want to...

After a building is torn down, the only thing that is left is the concrete slab that was under the building. Building something new on top of the old concrete slab may seem impossible, but it is...

Bead board wainscoting hails from the Edwardian era when opulent interiors featured coffered ceilings, paneled walls, ornate casework and finely crafted wood furnishings. The use of bead board is...

Higher and higher energy costs have driven a large number of consumers to consider spray foam insulation. Spray Foam Insulation is a popular solution to skyrocketing energy costs because of its...

Adding a pergola to an existing deck creates a framework for flowering vines, shade for lounging, and makes a beautiful visual focal point for a home, too. Here's how to build one on a basic 16 x...

When planning a project for the home, whether it be building a deck, putting up a porch railing or fence, constructing wood cabinets, installing wood flooring, adding wood trim and moldings or...

Lumber can be expensive, and the larger your project is then the more lumber you're going to need in order to finish it. Buying discount lumber can often be difficult, since many of the discounted...

When working with wood, it's often satisfying to bring new life to old pieces of wood by using them in new creations. However, not all boards are evenly sized, which makes finding the centerline a...

Learn How to Calculate Board Feet for a building or remodeling project in this free home improvement video from our construction expert.

At times, woodworking or construction projects may require that you buy the amount of wood that you need in board feet. The board foot is the method of measuring lumber and it is equal to 144...

If you have less than perfect lumber, this little trick will get your boards true and ready to become a work of art.

Ripping a wooden board is the process of cutting the board lengthwise. This is the most basic table saw technique, but it can be dangerous if you don't do it correctly. Take precautions when you...

When you install shingle siding, you create a beautiful texture for your home. Wooden shingles also provide additional insulation. While the work will go faster with multiple people, you can...

Backer boards are installed underneath or behind ceramic tile and natural stone installations in your home. Backer board comes in various sizes and is similar in construction to drywall. With the...

Taking an electronic device to a service center can be very expensive, sometimes costing as much as purchasing a new device. If an electronic component ever goes bad, knowing how to solder will...