Building Materials & Supplies

Whether you are building a dog house or a room addition you must have accurate measurements.

Concrete blocks are an inexpensive and versatile building material ideal for the construction of utility buildings like garages. Most concrete blocks are a combination of cement and an aggregate...

Price may be given in linear foot, per item or per square inch, and you have to convert it to price per square foot. For example, a three-inch-wide floorboard may be priced by how long it is, but...

When you install new shingles on a roof, each shingle must overlap the one below it. This is necessary to ensure water runs off and doesn't seep between the shingles. However, it does complicate...

The success of any tile project rests in the preparation and planning phase of the project. Tile remains one of the most popular home improvement materials. It often appears on floors, backsplash...

Installing shingles on a new or existing roof is a big do-it-yourself job, but it's not extremely difficult as long as you are patient, safety-conscious, and accurately calculate the amount of...

Tile is one of the most versatile flooring materials. Floor tiles may be made of vinyl or ceramic materials. They may be used for floors in almost any room in the home because of their durability...

The amount of paint needed to cover a two-car garage will vary based on several factors. The homeowner will need to calculate the square footage of the surface that will be painted and research...

Figuring the square feet for a house roof is the first step in estimating any new materials being applied to the roof surface. This procedure involves simple measuring and basic math and is a...

Painting is one of those do-it-yourself projects almost anyone can realistically tackle, whether it's an inside room or the exterior of a house. The first step is to get an accurate estimate of...

According to MetalsDepot, square tube is an excellent product for building frames, structures, railings and a variety of other home improvement and hobby purposes. Linear feet is a measurement...

Shingles are among the most popular roofing materials used today. There are hundreds of different combinations between material, color, style, and shape; because of this, the prices can vary over...

When you need to pour concrete, you will have to calculate the number of cubic yards required, the standard commercial measurement of concrete. It is a good idea to break your measurements down...

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...

Shingles are an integral part of roofing and building a home. Shingles are sold in squares that equate to 100 square feet. Whether you're roofing an entire building or replacing weathered or...

For thousands of years, humans have prized marble for decoration and as a building material because of its beauty and durability. Today, marble tile is extremely popular for countertops, wall...

There are many different kinds of home siding. Each one has a different price for materials and installation. Before starting any home siding project, it is important to be aware of all costs that...

The measurements and calculations needed to estimate a new siding installation can be made in a few minutes, and won't require anything more complicated than a calculator. You'll need the height...

Learning how to estimate wallboard materials usually only requires basic skills, such as reading a tape measure and doing simple arithmetic. Once you factor in a bit of overage for waste and other...

Saving money is important during any home improvement project. That's why buying the correct amount of shingles for your home can seem like a daunting process. Purchase shingles with confidence,...

Metal has been used for roofing structures for over a century, and has been growing more popular in recent years. Builders and owners alike have noted a long list of advantages over other roofing...

House siding comes in a variety of materials, such as wood, vinyl, aluminum, and fiber concrete. No matter what material you choose for your home, you must first determine the total square footage...

Granite tile is one of the best surfaces you can use for a countertop, both in terms of aesthetics and durability. It's generally not difficult to install, except for the front countertop edge....

Wooden dowels are a standard implement used in the conjoining of various surfaces in woodworking. If you are designing and building your own furniture or cabinets, or doing any kind of carpentry...

Ceramic tile is a popular, time-tested covering for floors and walls. It is a great choice for wet areas and can be budget-friendly. Ceramic tiles come in a wide range of colors and finishes, in...

When figuring a job for construction, a few formulas will help you complete a successful project. With a little practice, you will be an ace at building material calculations.

When roofing a new house, or replacing the roof on an existing home, it is important to make an accurate estimate of your roofing costs. This construction estimate can be calculated in two ways:...

To calculate the square footage of a room, use a tape measure and measure the length and width dimensions. Calculate the square footage with tips from an experienced handyman in this free video on...

Calculating laminate flooring, whether floating or nailed down, is a matter of measuring the room and finding the square footage. Add 5 percent or 10 percent to the total square footage to account...

Before you begin your concrete project, you need to know how much concrete your job will require. Follow these simple guidelines for estimating the amount of concrete needed for a specific project.

When figuring out how much siding you need for a house, you are fortunately dealing in estimates, which means you can put away that 14-foot ladder because you will not need to measure your roof...

A variety of household and steel projects require pipe and steel tubing, such as roll bars for a go-cart, a frame for a work bench or a support on a hay bale holder. Unlike PVC pipe, joints and...

Suspended ceilings, also known as drop or grid ceilings, are composed of metal frames and gypsum tiles. They are one of the most affordable and easy-to-install options for both homes and...

Calculating the weight of lumber can be a useful skill when constructing that outdoor deck or tool shed. By having the knowledge of the load weight of the wood, you can determine the type of...

Electric radiant heat is another word for heated floor mats that are intended to warm tile and stone floors in your kitchen, bathroom, sunroom and entryways. This article will give you basic...

It is very easy to cut dry wall. All you need is a T square and a utility knife.

Basement conversion projects require careful estimates regarding materials. This is especially true when you estimate the amount of drywall you need. There are several ways to estimate drywall...

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

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

When calculating how much paint you need for a room, it's important to calculate paint waste for interior projects into that number. If you don't allocate a certain amount of paint to waste, you...

Acoustical tiles make a beautiful addition to any home and are effective in quieting the noise coming from other rooms. Putting acoustical tiles up as the ceiling is a value-added job that will...

You want to improve your garage and do an addition. You've finished a lot of the work, but now you need to figure out how much drywall you need so you can plan your budget.

When you get ready to do an attic conversion, planning ahead saves money and prevents wasted time. If you want to get a ball park idea of the drywall sheets you need for the drywall installation,...

If you are planning to paint your home, it may be a good idea to calculate the square footage of each room to determine the amount of paint you need for the project. With some simple area formula...

A framing square is made of steel or a lightweight material like aluminum. It has a 2 in. wide arm called a blade and a 1-1/2 in. narrow arm called the tongue. Framing squares are used to cut...

Home improvement projects are controlled chaos that are both frustrating and rewarding at the same time. Many people have watched some form of home improvement show and thought "that looks...

You calculate area for shingles by measuring a roof's square footage. However, to buy shingles you also need to determine the number of bundles because shingles usually come priced per bundle....

When you have to estimate the cost of installing siding for your home or garage, you need to figure out the square footage. To find the square footage, it is necessary to calculate area for...

There a few things more satisfying and secure than settling in for winter under a brand new roof. If your roof needs repair or replacement, plenty of area roofing contractors can help you. What do...