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.
Using an oscillating multitool on drywall
How to Use an Oscillating Tool and Knock Out Home Projects Faster
Closeup of knotted hemp rope
25 Types of Ropes and How to Choose the Right One
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: What's the Difference?
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
14 Types of Wood Joints and How to Choose
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
wooden drawer divider
How to Make Wooden Drawer Dividers
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
Hinge With Screw
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
Nail gun on a wooden background
9 Types of Nail Guns and How to Choose
Rolls of tape used for home improvement
How to Choose the Right Tape for Home Improvement Projects
wood oil
Tung Oil vs. Linseed Oil Comparison Guide
A person using a power drill to drill a nail into wood
10 Types of Drills and How to Choose
An overhead shot of a selection of screws
13 Types of Screws for Metal, Plastic, and More
diy wooden cold frame
How to Build a Cold Frame
Torque wrench on a white background
How to Use a Torque Wrench
wine rack
How to Make Your Own Wine Rack
Flathead screwdriver
How to Use a Flat Head Screwdriver
metal washers and nuts
How to Use a Lock Washer
Overhead shot of a woman looking at a tool kit
10 Tools Every First-Time Homeowner Needs
pile of sockets
How to Build a Socket Organizer
Types of saws and their uses
15 Types of Saws and How to Choose
Types of screwdrivers hanging from a peg board
10 Types of Screwdrivers and How to Choose
A hand using a paint roller
How to Choose a Paint Roller
A circular saw
How to Buy a Circular Saw

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