Building & Remodeling

A custom frame accents any work of art, whether surrounding an original canvas, a piece of photography or your favorite finger paint masterpiece. But because professional framing can be expensive,...

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...

Ceramic floor tile is one of the most durable floor materials. Vinyl tile is also a good choice, but both require the same installation method when it comes to the door facing. It is much easier...

Laying laminate flooring is a fairly easy do-it-yourself project, but you will want to make sure you properly install the floor, especially in high-traffic areas such as doorways.

Like most construction materials, concrete expands and contracts with temperature and moisture changes. These variables can damage and produce cracks in concrete when not properly controlled....

Successfully connecting two molding corners depends on the quality of the corner cuts. For a corner molding to look good, the cuts need to be precise. Because walls are uneven it isn't possible to...

You should always try to avoid cutting a live electrical wire under all circumstances. But if for some reason you must cut a live electrical wire, there are ways to do it while minimizing the...

Cutting and working with treated lumber is similar to working with regular or cedar lumber except for a few key differences. There are also certain safety precautions that you should take and ways...

Pergo is laminate flooring that can be installed over almost any existing flooring and requires no glue, staples or nails. Costing generally 40 percent less than real hardwood flooring and more...

Cutting a hole in your cubicle wall doesn't have to be an act of workplace sabotage. It can be a way of re-routing cables, connecting electronics to outlets or saying hello to your neighbor....

The railings used on a staircase can make all the difference between a drab staircase that fades into the background and one that adds interest to a room. Be aware that the smallest mistakes in...

Internal corners are the most common obstacle when tiling, quite simply because every room has them. If tile is being laid on more than one wall in a room, you will eventually have to deal with...

Tired of that worn out old carpet, but don't think you have the ability - or the budget - to install a hardwood floor? Try a laminate "floating" floor. It's fast, easy, and could be a...

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...

Concrete is among the most commonly used materials for paving driveways because of its durable and long lasting nature. However, most concrete driveways are installed on a budget and can lack a...

The majority of residential ductwork is built from duct board. Duct board is compressed Fiberglas and is cheaper to install than metal ductwork. Duct board breaks down and releases Fiberglas into...

When cutting metal trim, you need to consider the type and gauge of the trim to determine the types of tools required to cut the metal trim to length. Lighter gauge metal trim that bend easily...

Wooden dowel rods are commonly used in woodworking projects. They are circular rods that come in many different widths and can be used for many different functions. Dowel rods are commonly used to...

A spiral saw is a type of router which works by running a spinning bit sideways against whatever material you're cutting. The bit comes down through a flat base with a hole in the center that...

A wall mount display case can be built to any size using a basic box construction technique. You can vary the look of the display through your choice of wood used, the stain applied to the wood,...

Crown molding adorns the walls in historic buildings and opulent mansions. It adds a touch of class to any room. It also adds anxiety, stress and sometimes sheer panic to the life of the average...

You can save yourself money on labor if you decide to install your kitchen countertops yourself. It is not an easy job, but with some patience and the right advice you can get your countertops...

Vitreous is a term used to describe a tile that is impervious to water. They are usually glass, ceramic or porcelain tiles. Cutting vitreous tiles should be done with a wet saw, which is has a...

When building a new home the most visible parts are the exterior siding and trim. Recently, a new type of siding and trim has come to market that is made of concrete: Hardie Siding and Trim. These...

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

Metal shelving is a strong, reliable source for storage, but occasionally you will need a hole cut in the rear of the shelving to possibly run a cord through it. Metal shelving isn't as easy to...

Whether you are using a corded or cordless Skilsaw, it is important for your safety that you understand how to use it properly and safely. The circular saw is probably ranked near the top of the...

Cutting ducting consists of reducing the length of individual pieces of ductwork and providing a mounting hole for duct accessories. Ducting refers to two types of material. Metal is widely...

Steel roof decking is a cost effective and durable material with seemingly limitless applications. This roofing material is made in rectangular panels at modular sizes; however, most roofs to...

Circular saws are often used to quickly cut trim boards for the interior and exterior of your home. They eliminate the need to always haul around a large heavier saw for cutting. Blades are...

Concrete block is among the most widely used construction materials because it is a strongly built rigid material. Concrete block may need to be cut for partial wall sections or openings or...

A reciprocating saw is a versatile tool that allows you to perform cuts in places that no other saw can access. The versatility of the saw stems from the interchangeable blades used with the saw....

Cutting a hole in a metal faceplate is a fairly simple and straightforward operation; you just need the right tools and approach to complete the job properly and safely. Cutting into metal...

To prevent water from leaking around a chimney, it is essential to install flashing. Chimney flashing is installed between shingles and over the chimney's ice and water barrier. You should also...

If you’ve just spent hours and hours cutting hundreds of 2x4s as part of your remodeling project, cutting the drywall to finish the job is a piece of cake! If you follow the steps in this...

Certain installation situations require laminate flooring to be cut after it is installed. If a diagonal transition between the laminate flooring and another flooring type is desired, laminate...

Cutting floorboards requires care and close attention to detail to prevent damage to the floor surface below the boards you are cutting, as well as other materials, such as pipes and electrical...

You can install newel posts on your staircase for decorative purposes or to replace older posts that are no longer sturdy. To complete the project of installing newel posts you will need turned...

The task of cutting concrete block walls can prove to be a messy one, and even difficult in some situations, as the walls are often built to be permanent structural features, and therefore built...

In this article we will go over great step by step Drywall Tips for installation and tell you how to avoid the most commonly made mistakes.

Cornice or crown molding adds a nice decorative detail to the top of kitchen cabinets. Choose moldings that compliment your existing woodwork and don't overpower the cabinets. For painted cabinets...

Corrugated roofing is a material that has been used for over a century, and is now available in either metal or plastic to fit nearly every application need. One of the greatest qualities of...

There are three main types of ceiling moldings: crown, cove and bed. Crown molding tends to be used for decorative purposes, and is often the hardest of the three to cut properly. With the right...

Granite countertops are almost essential in today's housing market in order to compete effectively with new homes. Solid granite is very expensive and heavy. Older cabinets may not be strong...

Making a perfect cut on a 4-inch-square wood post, requires perfect alignment of a circular saw blade. If your cut if off slightly, the top of the wood post will have a cut mark. Other saws can...

Installing a wood floor in your home can be a very satisfying experience. The process of laying a floor often feels fast, once you have the tools set up and working and once you have done a few...

Hydraulic hose, unlike many other hose types, cannot by cut using snips, scissors or a knife. This is due to the fact that hydraulic hose has steel belting like a tire inside of it. Hydraulic...

Mexican tile should be cut with a wet saw, a type of saw featuring a carbide blade and a wet pan which pumps water onto the cut. A wet saw guarantees a smooth cut that will not crack or crumble...

Plywood is an ideal material to use for garage shelves because it is sturdy and inexpensive. Build adjustable garage shelves that you can rearrange to suit your storage needs.

With attachments, a standard electric drill can quickly become a sheet metal cutting tool. Sheet metal drill attachments range from circle cutters to shears. Shears are the most versatile drill...