Building Materials & Supplies

Sheetrock, also known as drywall, is one of the critical elements of home construction. Although it doesn't support the weight of the home the way the wood or steel frame does, sheetrock provides...

If you're like most people, a home is the most expensive purchase you will ever make, whether you're building new or buying a previously lived-in house. If your dream is to build a new home, it's...

Whether adding it to your home or building a new house, there will come a time you'll need to pick insulation. You have a choice between blown-in cellulose insulation, which can hug...

Since the early 20th century, many homes and buildings have been constructed using cavity walls. This means that the exterior walls of the home are separated from the interior walls by an empty...

Termites are insects of the Isoptera order, and feed primarily on dead plant material, including wood. About 10 percent of termite species are responsible for extensive damage in homes and other...

Using a few simple techniques, I've found a quick and easy way to save up to 20% at my local Home Depot or Lowes home improvement store.

A green home is designed to use fewer non-renewable resources, create less waste, and create a healthier living environment for the occupants. The goal in building a green home is to reduce impact...

Negotiating or haggling works best during a recession when contractors are hungry for work. Learn how to negotiate with a contractor to get a fair price for work on your home.

In this depressed housing market, every little bit counts when trying to up your house resale value. Even if you don't have a lot of money to throw around, there are things you can do throughout...

Spending time on home and garden projects is an enjoyable process for many. Perhaps you are planning to paint, landscape, start a herb garden, or install hard wood flooring. Regardless of which...

There are many things to consider when selecting roofing shingles for your home. This expensive, long-term investment will enhance the value of your home. The right roofing shingles also will...

Don't let the beauty of granite fool you: This natural stone is hard-working and durable, making it an ideal choice for countertops. It is becoming an increasingly popular material for counters in...

Ceramic tiles made today, like pretty much all similar products, do not contain asbestos. However, until the 1970s, asbestos was frequently mixed with clay to create strong, fire-resistant tiles,...

If you are living in an apartment or a home, ladders always come in handy for painting, around-the-house improvements and maintenance, or just hanging pictures. You can choose from several kinds,...

Over a third of newly built homes feature vinyl siding. Vinyl siding is an extremely common building material because it is easily obtained and inexpensive. However, before installing vinyl siding...

When the Chinese drywall problem was first discovered, experts thought that those affected only resided in Florida. However, this is not the case. Chinese drywall has now been found nationwide...

Changing a blown fuse in a home requires locating the right fuse, which would be purplish and damaged, and replacing it with a new fuse of the same amperage. Fix a blown fuse after finding the...

Changing a doorknob entails unscrewing the old knob and replacing its existing parts with the new doorknob, which would be available at any hardware or home improvement store. Fix a doorknob with...

I am a licensed home inspector in one of the 50 United States who did NOT renew his license to further inspect homes due to the state of our economy. I thought perhaps I could give an...

If you're considering building a house, instead of hiring a contractor to construct a building from the ground up, you may choose to purchase a house building package instead. There are many home...

Asbestos is a building material that was commonly used for many building needs in previous years, especially in the 1970s. It was a material that provided heat insulation and fire resistance to...

Imagine a vacation retreat in the mountains, or a summer cottage by the lake. Or maybe you would like the full-time pleasure of a log home. Whatever your motive, the rustic romance of having your...

A-frame houses are just like regular houses except they rely on perhaps the simplest architectural structure: a triangle for the entire frame of the house. A frames look like a house that is all...

Here are ways to save money on home improvement and remodel projects.

Updating the look of the exterior of your home is as easy as replacing the siding. Not only will you be happier with your home's bright, new look, but the resale value of your home should increase...

When you plan for building a timber frame home, you'll need to start by finding out all the information you can about timber homes. Get a broad picture of who makes them and how the timber frame...

When remodeling a home, adding crown molding can accentuate the room and enhance the beauty of the home. When you're looking to install this crown molding, you must decide which type of crown...

As you build a new home, it's smart to consider all the ways you can help save the planet as well as save money. By using the renewable power of the sun, solar building materials can help lower...

Building or remodeling a home or office building can be an exciting time. You get to choose the floor plan and architectural details, as well as the building materials. For many, learning to...

Whether you're working small, like building a stool or a piece of furniture, or you're building a larger structure like a storage shed, you must find out where to buy your materials. Once you...

Taking on a home project, whether it’s building a new fence or just painting the living room has upsides and downsides. On the upside, you’re adding value to your home and you get the benefit of...

Straw homes have come a long way from the days of the "Three Little Pigs." Despite the fears of traditional homebuilders, homes made from bales of straw have proven to be structurally sound, well...

Rammed earth construction is nothing new. Portions of the Great Wall of China were constructed with rammed earth. The method of building a house from rammed earth is similar to building an adobe...

Poured earth is very similar to standard cement. A typical poured earth mixture will even use a small amount of Portland cement to bind the other materials together. Whereas cement contains a...

Straw homes have come a long way from the days of the "Three Little Pigs." Despite the fears of traditional homebuilders, homes made from bales of straw have proven to be structurally sound, well...

Rammed earth construction is nothing new. Portions of the Great Wall of China were constructed with rammed earth. The method of building a house from rammed earth is similar to building an adobe...

Poured earth is very similar to standard cement. A typical poured earth mixture will even use a small amount of Portland cement to bind the other materials together. Whereas cement contains a...

The electrical panel is the hub of activity for your home. It is where the local power company hooks into your home to provide electricity for most of today's appliances, computers, lights,...

With a basic set of tools, you can often take care of small jobs around the house yourself. Buy the best quality tools you can afford and gradually add more. Look for brands such as Sears'...

Protect your largest investment, your home, with a roof that looks great and lasts a long time.

Adding insulation to your house is fairly inexpensive and can really help cut your energy bills. Here's what to consider when buying.

Unsatisfied with your home's exterior? Instead of watching home improvement shows and getting jealous, why not do it yourself. If you want to improve the looks of your patio, sidewalk or driveway...