Building & Remodeling

Installing flashing around an area where a skylight meets a sloping roof is known as step flashing. In this style of flashing, an L-shaped piece of metal goes under the shingles and onto the...

If you have various types of metal and want to sell them to a scrapyard or metal recycling facility, you will need to know how to identify each type of metal. There are several different types of...

The right porch railings can complement a home's architecture, bringing unity to the overall design. Porch railings come in numerous different styles, with something to fit every taste.

Often times, the connections for a metal gate do not fit a wooden post. In order to attach the metal gate to the post, it is necessary to adjust the attachment fittings and drill through the post....

Modern metal roofs are made to last---no color fading, rusting, or chalking if the right paints and protective finishes are used. Metal roof colors should retain their original bright and glossy...

Metal wall studs are used to frame non-load-bearing walls and are an affordable, eco-friendly alternative to wood studs. Unlike wood studs that sit on either 16- or 24-inch centers, the wall...

Before you use a Metabo grinder, you need to learn how to use the grinder and familiarize yourself with the tool's controls and safety features. The type of grinding wheel you are using will...

A gambrel roof is a well-known and much-used style of roof. It looks like the classic barn roof, with two slopes on each side and with the lower slopes slanting at a sharper angle than the higher...

If you're updating your kitchen or looking for a project to make a splash, you may want to consider a modern metal backsplash instead of tile or plain old paint. Metal backsplashes require no more...

A pop rivet is a fastener that consists of a pin-style shaft that is mushroomed on one end and a flared hollow rivet that as a smooth conical shaped head. Pop riveting guns pull the pin into the...

The valleys that comprise corrugated metal make cutting with standard power tools difficult. The thin gauge of the metal compounds the problem when attempting to cut the metal with a toothed blade...

Installing metal trim can be a tricky endeavor. Self-tapping screws will walk along the surface of the metal trim and if your metal trim is pre-finished, this can scratch and mar the surface. The...

The key components of a metal framed wall are the runners and the metal studs. Each component needs to be secured to the ceiling and floor joists to support the weight of the drywall that will...

The intricate details seen in rusty older scrollwork require additional attention before painting as even a little rust left behind will ruin the finish you apply to the metal scrollwork. If left...

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...

A variety of options exist for roof construction, including metal and asphalt shingles. Metal shingles are more durable and environmentally friendly. Asphalt shingles are more commonly used, cost...

Often times, the connections for a metal gate do not fit a wooden post. In order to attach the metal gate to the post, it is necessary to adjust the attachment fittings and drill through the post....

Durable, strong and relatively inexpensive, steel is an essential metal of our modern society. It is made from iron ore, a resource plentiful in the earth's crust.

Metal roof color choices will vary from manufacturer to manufacturer and product type to product type. Exploring the possible needs of the roof and considering the region the building is located...

Metal lathes are designed to machine hard materials. They are primarily used to remove material from a rotating piece of metal. There are several different types of metal lathes available to...

You can paint metal floors in much the same manner in which you would paint any other surface. However, a metal surface requires a few more steps.

This is the 4th part of a series. So far we're already stood up the posts, attached headers, and mounted the rafters and purloins. Now its time to do the ridge beam and metal roofing. Before you...

Metal surfaces should always be kept properly cleaned for a number of different reasons. Cleaning metal is especially important when there's visible debris forming on the surface, the metal is...

Sheet metal roofing can prove to be a durable and long lasting material that is available in several different styles and shapes. While sheet metal is an option applicable for just about any...

Metal and 3-tab shingles are two options commonly used on residential roofs. While 3-tab shingles are considered an industry standard in roofing and are the most economical variety, their...

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...

Metal roofs and architectural shingles are two common options for residential home roofing. Both represent an upgrade from standard asphalt shingles. Architectural shingles are durable,...

Gas torch welding originated in the early 1900s. It's a method of binding certain metals to each other in order to make structures. This process of welding can be rather slow and frustrating, but...

If you are one of the fortunate people who can build your home from the ground up, you are blessed indeed. You are in charge of specs, implementing your ideas, and building a structure that is of...

A machine vise is a mechanical instrument frequently used in metalworking and woodworking. The vise holds a piece of metal or wood when an engineer, metalworker or woodworker needs to alter it...

The inner sleeve of flex duct is either a thin plastic membrane supported with an integrated wire or lightweight ribbed aluminum. Both types of inner sleeves require support when connected...

There are two types of flanges used to connect rectangular duct: transverse duct flange (TDF) and transverse duct connection (TDC). Both types of flange use a metal cleat to pull the duct...

The carport is a low-cost option that provides homeowners with a way to provide shelter for their vehicles without paying for additional square footage in their home. There are a variety of...

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...

Self-drilling or self-tapping metal screws increase productivity by reducing the number of steps required to screw together pieces of metal. A self-drilling screw has a chisel tip similar to a...

Claw hammers are the most common general-purpose hammers used today. Wood handles are quite common on claw hammers, and over time they can get worn out and break. But replacement handles are...

Carports are important for maintaining your car. They keep your vehicle sheltered from sun and weathering and can act as a storage space for garden and sporting equipment. DIY metal carports are...

Choosing the siding that will cover your house is among the highest-impact decisions you will make concerning the appearance of your home. Depending on whether you go with wood, bricks, vinyl or...

The first rule of caring for a rusted handsaw is don't let your handsaw get rusty. But sometimes we break the first rule and have to make things right. Whether you left your saw in the rain for...

Every machine shop has a metal lathe. Many metal industry workers consider it the most basic and important tool in the shop. It is used to cut or "turn" metal. As the piece of metal is rotated on...

Metal ceilings are becoming a fast favorite in new construction. Offering sleek appearance, optimal acoustic properties and ease of maintenance, metal ceilings can be used anywhere from office...

Metal roofing has been used for over a century, and has grown to be among the most popular roofing materials. Among the many benefits of choosing metal roofing, several different colors and types...

Deadbolts are excellent protection against undesired entry because they hold the door more firmly against direct pressure than more common spring-bolt locks. At some point, however, most people...

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...

A basic part of metal fabrication, making a metal pipe requires a firm grasp of math and knowing the seam required for the pipes application after installation. Heavier gauged pipe used in...

To successfully drill a hole in a thick metal plate, you need to keep the drill bit and metal from producing too much heat. Lowering the drill speed, using a lubricant and drilling a pilot hole...

Creating a countersink in a metal plate allows a fastener with a conical countersink head to rest flush with the surface of the metal. Countersink holes require heavy gauge metal that is thick...

A variety of jobs require the use of a chisel. A chisel can be used as a pry bar or to chip off items. A chisel head is very hard because it needs to be able to take a lot of wear and tear. A...

Rust has a way of finding its way into a lot of pieces of metal, and stopping it before it gets too bad is really important if you want to keep that item in one piece. In the case of a metal...

Standard sheet metal flanges are used for mounting accessories to duct work. Sheet metal flanges can be bent to any size, but there are two common types of flanges. The flange is designated by the...