Building Materials & Supplies

Tile cutters don't actually "cut'' the tile, but rather break it to size, which is much easier. The cutter works by scoring the surface of the tile, then snapping it at the scored line. Cutting...

Grout is a type of mortar made to sit in the spaces between tiles, providing a solid connector. "Floating'' the grout refers to the method of pressing the grout into the lines and wiping off the...

Porcelain, when fully glazed, is one of the most solid and moisture-proof kinds of floor tile you can buy. But that won't mean much if moisture can seep under the tile through the grout in...

White grout is not always the best choice for a ceramic tile application. White gets dirty quickly, creates a stark contrast with some tile colors, and is particularly impractical in high traffic...

Tile grout is the cement that fills the spaces between tiles. It looks rock-solid, but it's actually the most porous and vulnerable part of any tiled surface and is apt to absorb moisture and...

Cutting a perfect hole in a ceramic tile requires a specialized hole saw---and even then is difficult to get right. Luckily, you seldom need to cut a perfect hole in the tile. Usually, a hole is...

A wall tile that's loose, cracked or broken can ruin the look of an otherwise nice tiled wall. It can also literally ruin the wall, if moisture gets under it and migrates beneath the other tiles,...

Ceramic tile is generally the easiest kind of tile to cut, owing to its relative softness compared to stone, and its tendency to break in a straight line. For straight cuts, all you need to do is...

What if you have to a cut a hole in a tiled wall to install a plumbing fixture? The simplest way is to buy a masonry hole saw, which bores through the tile at any size you want and makes a perfect...

Ceramic tiles are the easiest kind to cut, because if you score the surface and apply pressure on both sides of the scored line, it will snap in two right at that line. This is the principle on...

Cutting a straight line in ceramic tiles is about the easier tile-cutting chore you could ask for---you just score and snap it with a manual tile cutter. Angled and corner cuts can be made with a...

Normally, you'll want to lay your ceramic tile floor over a strong, flat underlayment like thick plywood or (preferably) cement board. However, if there's already a ceramic floor there, it...

Mailing a ceramic tile can be a bit of a tricky process. They are hard and durable when used for the floor or wall of a room, but they don't hold up quite so well to the rigors of the postal...

Tumbled travertine is a unique-looking form of tile made from mineral-rich rocks, with a lot of a natural craters and holes in the surface. These holes are part of the travertine look---but they...

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...

The invention of peel and stick tile made using tile easier in your home. Instead of fighting with laying down adhesive, and then the tile and grouting over everything, you simply needed to peel...

Handheld tile cutters are a necessity for anyone who enjoys do-it-yourself projects around the home. Whether you are tiling a bathroom floor or a kitchen backdrop, handheld tile cutters allow you...

Porcelain tile is so hard and strong that it's easy to assume it must take a wet saw or other extreme measures to cut it. In fact, for straight cuts, all it takes is to score a line through the...

Different types of tile have varying water absorption qualities. The water absorbing characteristic of a tile is determined by immersing an unglazed tile in water. After it has soaked, it is...

Ceramic tile comes in several forms ranging from lightweight wall tile designed for bathroom décor to rugged quarry tile. Ceramic tile is used in many ways as well, including to cover...

There are several ways to cut tiles--a wetsaw, a hand-saw, tile nippers--but the easier is a score-and-snap tile cutter. This method isn't actually a cut but a controlled break. The cutter is a...

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...

A do-it-yourselfer has options when it comes to buying a blade for cutting ceramic tile. The decision should be based upon whether you're just doing one project or many, how fast you want to cut,...

Electrical sockets are a tricky issue when re-tiling a wall, and not just because of the cuts you have to make around it. Sockets are set in electrical boxes that sit flush against the wall, then...

Tile is very versatile. This is especially true if you happen to have white tile. Almost everyone loves the look of fresh and clean white tile. If you have been considering taking on a project...

Tile can be applied to metal as easily as any other material. As long as you have the right adhesive you should have no problems. You can use any type or color of tile on metal surfaces and the...

Laying tile requires a few basic tools--tape measure, pencil, chalk snap line (for the layout)--and a lot of specialized ones. You'll need highly specialize materials for the process as well....

Removing ceramic tile from plywood is a physically difficult job but a relatively straightforward one. The idea is to break the mortar bond between the tile and the underlayment, which can be...

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....

One of the tricks to grouting tile is to avoid letting the grout stick to the tile face. The proper method is to press the grout into the lines with a grout float, edging it at an angle so it...

Home roofing materials have evolved over the years. Common materials like tin or shingles are available in many colors and shapes, giving home owners options to create a roof that makes a...

One of the biggest dilemmas when laying ceramic tile is what to do when you get to a pipe sticking out of the surface or some other obstruction that requires the cutting of a hole. Your...

When choosing flooring for a restaurant, there are a number of important factors to consider. First is sanitation and cleanliness, as these are critical to any restaurant's operation. Next,...

Suspended ceilings are a type of architectural design element used in commercial and residential buildings. They are created using metal grid systems, which are suspended below the ceiling or roof...

When building or remodeling a home, the cost of materials can often become staggering. As hard woods become more scarce the price sky-rockets, and the price for most other items continues to...

Travertine is a gorgeous stone that is purchased as tiles and can be used inside and outside of your home for almost any purpose: as shower tiles, countertops, pathways or wall paneling....

To remove tile, aim the chisel toward the grout line and tap it in with a hammer to pop the tile off. Remove tile with tips from an experienced handyman in this free video on home remodeling supplies.

Keep the soil around your foundation as dry as possible to minimize heat loss from your home. Wet soil acts as a heat sink and will pull heat from your home right through your foundation. In...

Not only does ceramic tile add a distinct beauty to your home, it is also easy to care for and quite durable. Clean up is a snap. Floors require occasional sweeping and scrubbing, while counters...

Here are some great ideas to help with decorating, and repairing your home if you are living on a budget. These are totally beneficial for single parents, or if you are living on a fixed income.

Constructing a tile floor can add a pleasing dimension to any remodel. It can spruce up a kitchen or add class to a bathroom. If you are installing your own stone tile, you'll eventually run...

Traditionally roofs have been covered with materials at hand. Rushes and grass, woven or tied together, were early natural materials used to cover homes; in some areas thatch still keeps...

Before installing drywall, make sure the application area is clean and free of debris. This may require removing old drywall or other materials before installing the new. In overlay situations,...

Footing drains, also known as drain tile, are imperative in areas where the ground saturates during any time of the year, particularly if the home sits on a basement. The easiest time to install...

How long will various components of your home last?

Consider using travertine stone throughout your home, inside and out. For a formal look, polish the travertine smooth and ensure that all the pits are filled. For a more casual appearance or for...

Grouting tile is easy and just about anyone can do it. There are two different types of grout: sanded and non-sanded. The sanded grout has sand mixed with it for additional strength and is used...

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...

There are many types of tile cuts used for special areas in your tile installation. Some cuts may be circular, diamond shaped or cut on an angle. For a more intricate the design, you'll probably...

With so many different colors of grout available today, you may want to choose a bold color to make your tile-work truly unique. Most experts, however, advise you to use a color that blends with...