Building Materials & Supplies

Cinder blocks are a common type of concrete block made with cinder aggregate, and usually identifiable by their two or three hollow centers, which make the blocks easier to move and adjust. Cinder...

When building a project using concrete blocks, you need to do a good job with the preliminary planning so you can complete your project with as few cuts as possible. This will make your finished...

Installing a fence around your yard adds curb appeal, value, privacy, and security. While the first fencing quote you get may cause some serious sticker shock, there are ways to drastically...

A fresh coat of stain can enhance the beauty of brand new cedar shingles and rejuvenate the appearance of old, weathered ones, as well. However, before you slap a quick coat on the wooden shingles...

Installing a toilet pipe can be quite challenging and most of the difficulties associated with this work become apparent only once the work actually starts. Installing a toilet pipe in a proper...

Copper was a popular roofing material many years ago, but it was replaced by other cheaper materials, such as, asphalt, ceramics, and wood. Examples of buildings with copper roofing include old...

Slate is a natural stone that generally carries with it a series of earthy colors and undertones that add a certain rustic appeal to any area where it is used, either interior or exterior. While...

While homeowners usually think of insulation as an energy-saving measure, it can also reduce noise. Insulation materials can block the transmission of sound from room to room.

Sheet tile refers to mosaics or other small tiles (two inches across or less) that are pre-mounted on mesh sheets of one or two square feet, so each of the tiles doesn't have to be hung...

Tile is routinely used as a wall covering and as flooring material. Less typical, but just as valid, is to use it as base trim along the bottom 4 to 6 inches of a wall, framing the floor. Bullnose...

It's easier to use outdoor living space if you have a patio cover. A porch-like covering can be made of wood, metal or fabric. A patio cover keeps out excessive sunlight, rain and gusts of wind....

Clapboard sidings are sidings or boards built into the exteriors of homes. Clapboard sidings have a long history of use; when colonizers settled in the U.S., sidings acted as a shield to withstand...

There's nothing quite like the smell of a cedar-lined closet. In addition to its distinctive aroma, the cedar also repels moths and other pests, and makes the walls inside the closet look great....

Grouting a standard tile surface is a simple matter of wiping the grout over the whole tile field, scraping it off the tile face and pressing it into the spaces between the tiles, then wiping down...

Pressure treated wood is used in many decks and other buildings that may be exposed to the outside elements. However, some people aren't sure what pressure treated wood is or what kind of nails to...

Self-tapping threaded brass inserts are easy to install in thick plastics and wood. After you install the threaded brass insert, friction provides a permanent and secure bond between the outer...

"Sidewinder Bulls" is a common name for a Sidewinder Bull Block. A bull block is a machine for the drawing of wire and tubing. Sidewinder Bull Blocks are mainly used in single draw with inline...

Sheet steel forms easily with the proper tools. The tools required to form a piece of sheet steel into a pipe vary depending on the thickness or gauge of the steel. Thinner steel sheets are formed...

Ceramic tile is a popular material to install on walls and floors, and with proper maintenance it holds its beauty and durability for decades. If you have ceramic in your home, it's important that...

Tile floors are generally laid in a grid pattern, but there are other options. One of them is to lay the floor in a diagonal (or diamond) pattern. The process of laying out the floor is almost...

Trees large enough to make traditional solid wood beams have become more rare and expensive. As a result, many construction projects use beams made of laminated wood. By varying the grain...

You've just found a beautiful black walnut burl deep in your woods. With considerable effort, you removed it from the dead tree and carried it home. The burl is easily a foot across, and exhibits...

Bethel White Granite, known as granite, is only mined in the United States. Bethel White Granite was first mined in Bethel, Vermont in the late 1700s. By the early 1800s, immigrants were...

Four common types of simple machines are the lever, axle and wheel, inclined plane and pulley. Pulleys are often used to lift objects, such as bricks, flags and pianos.

Rebar is a solid steel rod varying in thickness from 3/8 inch to several inches in diameter. It has a special design incorporating a raised diagonal pattern over its length. Wet concrete will form...

Drill bits can be made in any size. Manufacturers routinely producing drill bits follow the defined sets of sizes defined by various standards organizations in the United States and United Kingdom.

A screened-in porch is highly appreciated in areas of the country where evening comes with an onslaught of insects. The protection of screening can make all the difference between enjoying a...

Brazing is used when welding similar or dissimilar metals together to create various structures and products either in a factory or at home. Prehistoric ax heads, bicycles and automotive parts are...

Ceramic tile is beautiful, durable and not that hard for do-it-yourselfers to lay on floors or walls. The most important part is making sure that you space our ceramic tiles evenly and...

SmartStraps ratchet tie-downs are used to secure loads to trailers. Their ratcheting device takes up the slack to apply pressure to whatever you are securing. These devices are commonly used by...

Veneer is a very thin slice of finished material (usually wood) that's treated with plastic and glued over a particle board or plywood base to give a presentable surface to cabinets and other...

Acrylic plastic is something you probably know by another name: Plexiglas. This material has a wide range of uses, from the lowly fish tank to skylights. What makes it attractive to builders is...

You have a cabin or log home or a house with a lot of wood panelling. Make your own trim to match your interior. This will give you the look you desire.

Laminate flooring is popular for many homeowners because it is inexpensive to install, mimics the look of real hardwood floors and is easy to maintain. It is important to keep laminate floors...

You've done your homework and picked out the perfect countertops to match your cabinets and kitchen. Now you're ready for the hard part---installing them yourself to save on the steep...

Chromated Copper Arsenate (CCA) was used in the manufacture of nearly all pressure treated wood up until December 31, 2003; these chemicals were deemed harmful according to the EPA and the...

Wall trim is generally cut at the outside corners using a miter saw set at 45 degrees for both pieces, to make the 90-degree corner. Inside corners, however, provide more of a challenge, because...

A new rage in the building field has been cement board siding. If you have a few tools you can do this yourself. Here is the basics to get you started.

While remodeling or building your home spending a little extra time and money on insulation will pay for itself many times over the years in decreased utility bills. There are many types of...