July/August Hot Products
July 15, 2015
Kameleon Composite Deck Screw GRK Fasteners presents a new Trex Select approved product, the Kameleon Composite Deck Screw, which is the
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Kameleon Composite Deck Screw GRK Fasteners presents a new Trex Select approved product, the Kameleon Composite Deck Screw, which is the
How to Install Corrugated Roofing By Matt Weber Corrugated roofing panels are made of metal, fiberglass or polycarbonate and typically install over a system of
Did you know that copper can kill bacteria? Antimicrobial copper alloys are the only solid metal “touch surface” materials registered by the U.S. Environmental
Save more by changing your truck’s oil. By Tim Walton I don’t always work on trucks, but when
Wood shims are thin, triangular blocks of wood used as spacers to make minor adjustments to the position of two adjacent objects. In window and
Anyone who has spoken to a professional tradesman or woman has undoubtedly heard the phrase, “Take good care of your tools and they’ll take good
Keep it Clean Longer By Rob Robillard I’m a remodeling contractor in the Northeast and can tell you that most bathroom remodelers do not take
Looks like a cool idea to me . . . – M. Weber
I shudder to think how much of my lifespan has been spent searching for missing tools. I try to
Since there’s not much solid wood in a hollow-core interior door, screws will usually tear out of the door as soon as any weight is
C80 VertiCable Railing Digger Specialties, Inc. announces tits latest line of Westbury Aluminum Railing—the C80 VertiCable.
Q: Should I use concrete to set a fence post? A: Concrete will certainly work to set a fence post, but you should rest the
Q: Is it okay to use treated wood inside? A: Many pressure-treated wood products do not emit any vapors and are safe for interior use,
Q: How do I clean artificial stone in my house? A: First, protect the areas around the stone with a drop cloth. Fill two buckets
Q: Does copper kill bacteria? A: Antimicrobial copper alloys are the only solid metal “touch surface” materials registered by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to
Q: I’m installing additional loose-fill insulation in my attic. How far away from light fixtures should it be kept? A: Electrical codes generally require that
Q: Does track lighting require multiple electrical wires for all the individual lights? A:Track lighting requires only the standard wiring necessary to power a single
Q: How do I install crown molding when the nails won’t reach the ceiling joists? A: Due to the direction of the ceiling joists, two
Q: What’s the easiest way to run electrical lines through a finished wall for a new outlet? A: If you’re running the wire up from
Q: Our bikes where chained to a bike rack that was mounted to the wall of our back porch. Thieves still stole the bikes by
Q: My mailbox has fallen victim to a game of “mailbox baseball.” I’d like the next one to be encased in brick. How are brick
Q: While visiting a restaurant I noticed the walls had a faux finish with vertical straitions like wood grain or the texture of certain plant
Q: Why do building codes vary from location to location? A: In general, building codes are developed by industry associations to provide minimum safety standards
(guest post by Kory Cantor) If you’ve spotted mold growing in your house and are worried sick about the hundreds of dollars you might have
Build a Backyard Paradise that Will Inspire and Relax You So, you’ve decided to install a water feature. Congratulations! Do you know what kind or
Fine-tuning Engine Efficiency with Electronic Controls. By Tim Walton-
Tytan Subfloor High Yield Adhesive The new Tytan Subfloor High Yield Adhesive from Selena USA features innovative collapsing gel adhesive technology specifically formulated for installing
An inexpensive, easy-to-use moisture meter is a valuable tool that every woodworker and DIY homeowner needs to
What do anthills and porch columns have in common? The answer should be nothing, but we know better… By Rob Robillard
It has been said that tools are the bridge between man and machine. But many people might not have thought about the history of tools.
Our habit of occasionally changing houses means that I have been through the ritual of finding
Seventh-grade DIY’er William Simon offers a simple solution to conserve water in the toilets of your home. Check out his video! — M. Weber
Screws often come loose, whether it’s on a door hinge or it’s the fastener holding the armrest onto your rocking chair. The reason screws loosen
Metal brackets make everything square again. Wooden fence gates are notorious for getting out of whack. The wood’s inherent instability during temperature changes coupled with
You can safely replace a circuit breaker in your electrical panel if you follow the proper safety precautions. In some localities, even minor electrical work
A Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI) is a type of electrical outlet that helps protect people from shocks due to hazardous ground faults. Ground faults
Mister Boardwalk Mister Boardwalk is a roll-out wooden walkway that requires no permits or carpentry skills to install. Wooden (or
Replacing an Entry Door and Transom Window By Matt Weber Our latest door-replacement project
Galvanized pipe and 2x lumber make beefy “industrial” shelves. By Matthew Weber
By Larry Walton, Photos by Mark Walton If you’ve ever seen a saloon gunfight in an old western movie, it more than likely involved a
The Seek Thermal Camera is a tiny infrared camera that attaches to your Android or iOS device and uses a downloadable app that shows what
It’s been a long, cold winter, and the Extreme How-to staff is glad to see it go. As you
One of the Extreme How-To staff’s favorite conventions kicks off May 5th, 2015, in Las Vegas, Nevada. The National Hardware Show is where tool makers
(guest post courtesy Atlas Roofing) How Do Architectural Shingles Compare to Traditional Flat Shingles? For consumers building a new home or replacing the roof on
Caulks are used to seal joints for a decorative finish, to seal joints to prevent water intrusion, or both. When it comes to sealing
I recently installed the Speakman Reaction showerhead in one of the bathrooms of my house, and after using it I’m reminded of an old episode
For DIY homeowner to work productively and efficiently, all your necessary tools should be where you need them, when you need them. From easy visibility
Q: How should I paint interior brick? A: First step is to scrub the surface clean using a firm synthetic-bristle brush and a TSP (trisodium
Q: When installing insulation, on which side of the wall should a vapor barrier be applied, the inside or outside? A: Most insulation requires a
Q: How should I transition new wallpaper around an arched doorway? A: Since the wallpaper won’t fold neatly around a curve, and it can be
Q: What’s the easiest way to measure the slope of a roof? A: A carpenter’s square (L-shaped) is probably the simplest tool to measure roof
Versatex PVC Cornerboard for Lap siding Once the cornerboards go on a building, contractors still face the job of hiding the nails or screws that
World’s First Cordless Electric Cut-off Machine—the Stihl TSA 230 There’s something new under the springtime sun. Powered by a 36-volt lithium-ion battery, the TSA
(guest post courtesy Ecolife/Viance) Summertime will soon be here, and with it comes the glories of outdoor living: grilling in the backyard, playing football in
Up Close with Glass Shower Stall Enclosures By Rob Robillard My brother, a master plumber, always says the shower is the heart of the bathroom.
Driver Update By Larry Walton The modern world is held together with fasteners, and whether you’re putting
Water Works By Larry Walton, Photos by Tim Walton
Grow Vertical with a Backyard Arbor By Clint C. Thomas, Esq.
The previous owners of our home had remodeled the basement into a finished living space, but my wife and I thought it could use some
By Tom Matthews The time-honored look of brick paver patios is as popular today as ever. For
By Larry Walton Removing the old mirror was an easy decision. However, that left us with the task of covering the same area or repairing
The Sky is the Limit By Clint C. Thomas, Esq. Photographs by Zoe Thomas
Extreme How-To speaks to Jon DeArment, president and COO of Channellock Inc., about the company’s long-standing tradition of manufacturing high-quality tools in the USA. How
(guest post by Eva Hines) First impressions count, especially when it comes to your home. There are many ways in which you can decorate
Eterna-Kote® Silicone+ Roof Coating provides the ultimate in waterproofing protection, delivering a seamless barrier that even stands up to ponding water challenges associated with
(guest post by Amanda Hill) Whether you are dealing with water or gas lines, replacing threaded shut-off valves in your home is typically easy.
Q: How are clinch nails used? A: Clinch nails are made of soft metal or are cut so the pointed end may be bent over
Q: I’ve seen composite decking for sell as solid boards as well as boards with arched voids on the underside. Is there an advantage to
Q: What’s the best way to deodorize a refrigerator? A: Placing an open box of baking soda in the fridge is an old standby method
Q: How Do I Replace a Circuit Breaker? A: If you’ve already tripped the circuit breaker and the circuit did not reactivate, then you likely
Q: I need to replace a dimmer switch. Are the switches universal? A: Dimmer switches are rated to handle a specific maximum wattage. For example,
Q: Is there a right and wrong way to use wood shims? A: The best method for using wood shims is to insert them in
Q: When replacing a door and transom, do the replacements come as a single unit or separate pieces? A: You should consult with your door
Q: I have new stained wood kitchen cabinets. What’s the best way to care for them? A: Wood cabinets and furniture of all types require
Q: Should I use sanded or unsanded grout for bathroom tile? A: The sand in sanded grout makes it stronger than the unsanded variety so
Q: Why are nails designated in “penny” sizes? A: “Penny” sizes originally referred to the price for a hundred nails in England in the 15th
Q: My son broke a wooden spindle on the stair’s handrail. Since the spindle is trapped in the holes at the top and bottom, how
Oneida Air Systems New Gorilla Duct Gorilla Duct from Oneida Air Systems is a new affordable clamp-together ductwork for a dust-free work environment. This revolutionary
By Monte Burch When our deck weathered to splits and splinters we had a major problem. With more than 1,800
Solid surface material, a popular alternative to natural stone, is most commonly used for seamless countertop installations,
By Matt Weber Selecting the right generator should be a balancing act. You’ll need adequate electricity to power your equipment arsenal, with greater output required
Clean Craftsman Trim for Stain-grade Wood Windows By Larry Walton
This week I made some “industrial style” shelves for my son’s room. The shelf brackets are made from 3/4″ galvanized pipe, floor flanges and
Hands-down the most popular project among do-it-yourselfers, painting is a fundamental way to transform the look and feel of any room or object, indoors
One of our recent EHT projects was a “roof-over” in which we covered an existing single layer of three-tab asphalt roof shingles with architectural shingles.
If you’re reading this blog, then it’s a safe bet that all the rights and responsibilities which come with owning a home are extremely important
Setting a Medallion in a Tile Floor By Larry Walton Photos By Bruce W. Smith
(guest post by Francesca Holmes) If you have thought of doing away with a lot of your household stuff on various occasions but haven’t been
Nu-Wal Restoration System Tired of looking at the same cracked walls day in and day out? What if the
By Larry Walton, Photos by Tim Walton Rapid deployment is an important characteristic of most of the professional building trades these days. Even if your
Removing Wallpaper to Create a Painted Wall Surface By Larry Walton
New Tools & Accessories Impact Drivers are a relatively new power-tool category that’s taken the construction world by
Build a patio with composite pavers in an interlocking grid system. Julie Quigley wanted a large backyard patio with the look of traditional pavers. Her
Congratulations to EHTcontributing author Robert Robillard, who has a taken a new position with the Boston Globe. He’s charged with writing and responding to
I freely admit that I have no first-hand experience with 3D printing or any particular knowledge of its technical wizardry, but I recognize it
Modular kits make design and installation easy for the DIY’er. Adding a traditional spiral staircase can be an intimidating project for a homeowner, because the
Waterproofing the ledger board is a critical step in preventing moisture damage and ensuring the structural integrity of a deck over time. To fully protect this essential component, the makers of Trex® Seal™ Ledger Tape have introduced a new butyl tape engineered specifically for use beneath the ledger board. Measuring 22 inches wide, Trex® Seal™ […]
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