Home Tools & Materials: How Tos and Project Advice

Tools & Materials

Good home improvement tools and materials make repairs and upgrades easy. Learn about lumber sizes, types of wrenches, and more in our tool guide.
Woman vacuuming a home
9 Reasons Your Vacuum Smells, and How to Fix It
Cutting the tile with a wet tile saw
How to Cut Glass Tile Like an Expert: 5 Ways
Types of plywood
Everything You Need to Know About Different Types of Plywood
How to Change a Drill Bit
How to Change a Drill Bit Like a Pro
Reclaimed Plank Wood Flooring
What Is Reclaimed Wood, and How Can You Use It?
How to sharpen a drill bit
How to Sharpen Drill Bits in 5 Easy Steps and Extend Their Life
induction cooktop
What Is an Induction Cooktop? All the Pros and Cons to Know
Man using oscillating tool on tile grout
How to Use an Oscillating Tool and Knock Out Home Projects Faster
using a multimeter tool for electricity
A Complete Guide to Multimeter Symbols
Closeup of knotted hemp rope
25 Types of Ropes and How to Choose the Right One
Blue and white kitchen with quartz countertops
Quartz vs. Quartzite: What's the Difference?
How to use bolt cutters
How to Use Bolt Cutters
Person working with types of wood
Hardwood vs. Softwood: Everything You Need to Know for Your Next Project
Pressure washing a concrete patio
Electric vs. Gas Pressure Washer: What's the Difference?
caulking around the windows
Where Not to Caulk Around Windows
Door handle
10 Types of Door Handles Homeowners Should Know
Measuring the bottom width of the lamp shade
How to Measure Lamp Shades for the Perfect Fit
How to cut laminate flooring
How to Cut Laminate Flooring Without Chipping
Man using a chisel on a piece of wood
20 Types of Chisels and How to Choose the Right One
Mixed grout dropped on tile floor
Grout vs. Caulk: What's the Difference?
Tightening the table hardware if it's loose
How to Fix a Wobbly Table 3 Ways
towel bar
How to Install a Towel Bar Securely
green paint
Eggshell vs. Satin Paint: What's the Difference?
paint brush in paint tin
Semi-Gloss vs. Satin Paint Comparison Guide
Closeup of trying to remove a rusted screw
How to Remove a Rusted Screw, 3 Ways
Closeup of a stripped Allen screw and person holding an Allen wrench key
How to Remove a Stripped Allen Screw
How to remove a stripped bolt
How to Remove a Stripped Bolt
Radon Mitigation System
What Is Radon Testing?
Slightly raised closeup of someone cutting glass
How to Cut Glass
caliper
How to Read Calipers
Plexiglass being cut to size
How to Cut Plexiglass
Sealing wood floor
Polycrylic vs. Polyurethane Comparison Guide
power tool storage ideas
22 Power Tool Storage Ideas to Make DIYs Even Easier
Cutting a Mirror
How to Cut a Mirror in 6 Easy Steps
Person staining wood furniture
Varnish vs. Stain Comparison Guide
Cutting Granite With Wet Saw
How to Cut Granite 3 Ways
Best materials for kitchen sinks
13 Best Materials for Kitchen Sinks
Types of wrenches
25 Types of Wrenches and How to Choose
pantry shelves
How to Build DIY Pantry Shelves and Corner Shelves
Types of wood
16 Types of Wood DIYers Should Know
clamp on wood
29 Types of Clamps and How to Choose
wooden tray with coffee
How to Make a DIY Wooden Tray
Illustration showing the different types of wood joints
15 Types of Wood Joinery and Where to Use Them
Types of drill bits
20 Types of Drill Bits and How to Choose
Front door lock with key
8 Types of Locks and Where to Use Them
Overhead view of a DIY cutting board with sliced cherry tomatoes
How to Make a Wooden Cutting Board
wooden stool
How to Build a Wooden Stool
Drilling a pilot hole in wood
How to Drill a Pilot Hole
Recessed LED lights
10 Types of LED Lights and How to Choose
Ventilated wire shelving
How to Cut Wire Shelving
Hammering an anchor into a stripped screw hole
How to Fix a Stripped Screw Hole
wood stain
How to Remove Stain From Wood
A DIY router table for woodworking
How to Build a Router Table
diy window frame
How to Build a Window Frame
A group of different types of pliers
5 Types of Pliers and How to Choose
modern living room with ladder shelf
How to Build a Ladder Shelf
The different types of nail guns
9 Types of Nail Guns and How to Choose
wood oil
Tung Oil vs. Linseed Oil Comparison Guide
Types of drills and how they are used
10 Types of Drills and When to Use Each
An overhead shot of a selection of screws
13 Types of Screws for Metal, Plastic, and More

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