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
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
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
First impressions count, especially when it comes to your home. There are many ways in which you can decorate and enhance the appearance of your
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, but offers a wide array of other uses.
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
By Rob Robillard Building a board-and-batten door is a task that can be completed in a relatively short period of time and is a project
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
A particular news story caught my attention during this holiday season. During a Christmas gathering, twenty members of a Kentucky family gathered on an
(guest post by Lindsey Schroeder ) You have finally decided to tackle that painting project and you couldn’t be more excited. The living space is
The holidays seem to arrive sooner every year, so there’s no time like the present to organize your shopping list for friends and family. This
SawStop, LLC, the world leader in table saw safety, today announced the introduction of a new saw: the SawStop Jobsite Saw. This saw is the
Customized single-pieced wainscoting makes installation easy. By Matt Weber
“DIY is in decline because today’s men are too soft.” This was a recent headline by UK-based newspaper, The Telegraph. Regarding a cultural
The Big Benefits of Snow Melting Systems By Rob Robillard In the Northeast, winter means shoveling and salting your walkway and stairs to keep your
(Guest post by Vicki Clary) For most Americans, the place where you live is your biggest and most expensive investment — and that’s why protecting
Wolmanized Wood University A new educational program from Arch Wood Protection Inc. addresses the wood-treatment process and proper
Last week the Extreme How-To staff went to the 2014 Remodeling Show/DeckExpo in Baltimore, Maryland. Aside from the good beer and great crab cakes, here’s
Wolverine takes comfort to new levels with the Cabor Boot featuring Wolverine EPX
The SKILSAW® brand began with the invention of the circular saw in 1924, and for decades their worm drive SKILSAWs have been regarded as the jobsite
By Justin White When you face a non-working garage door, you may fear an expensive repair bill. The good
Guest post by Francesca Holmes Even a cursory glance at the top interior design websites highlights the growing popularity of frameless glass. Most often used
I spent last Friday touring a Georgie-Pacific manufacturing plant in Thorsby, Alabama. I saw first-hand how log trucks deliver the raw Southern pine that is
Q: How can I keep mice out of my dryer vent? A: Replace the dryer vent on the outside of your house with a two-part
Q: What’s the best way to keep new tile grout clean? A: Cementitious grout is subject to staining because it is a porous material. Most
Q: Can I use 2×8 treated lumber as deck boards? A: No, that’s a not a good idea. Lumber wider than 6 inches should not
One of our recent EHT projects was a DIY “roof-over,” in which we covered an existing single layer of three-tab asphalt roof shingles with architectural
Tualatin, OR — October 1, 2014 — SawStop, LLC, the world leader in table saw safety, is celebrating 10 years of designing and manufacturing the
Milescraft 1312 DrillBlock The DrillBlock from Milescraft guides your drill bit for straight holes every time. The two V-grooves allow for drilling on corners and
Here’s a funny Craiglist ad I stumbled across this weekend. – M. Weber
Land Pride’s SA20 Skid Auger fills a need for users that require a quality post hole attachment but don’t
By Tom Matthews Mold is a top concern for indoor air quality and remains a common problem in homes across the country. Mold and mildew
Over the weekend I came across some information on generating heat from compost, which struck me as a really interesting idea. Composting is the
Don’t Flush your Money Away By Clint C. Thomas, Esq. Photography by Zoe Thomas
Protect and beautify your outdoor wood—fast. By Matt Weber
Ever since the first caveman broke open a nut with a rock, we’ve used tools for anything and everything at work and at home. Lucky
By Matt Weber Fasteners hold together everything we build. These are the unsung heroes of construction, because
LAND PRIDE SNOW PUSHERS:SSP15 & SSP25 SERIES
New streamlined ceiling finishing system for hotel and motel bathrooms, laundry rooms, food assembly lines, and other spaces where aesthetics, minimal maintenance,
Learn the basics from professionals with years of experience. By Matt Weber A dock is essentially a deck built on piles in the water, and
The L.S. Starrett Company announced that in addition to exhibiting at various trade shows, it will host its first virtual exhibition in September. “Traditional tradeshows
Thanks to more cutting edges and no center spur, the KIK spade bits from TG Tools can be used to drill curved holes. The spade
Superdeck Cleaning & Stain Products Wood decks are a popular home addition and a great investment. According to Pro Deck Builder Magazine “Adding a basic
Use corded tools in remote areas that have no electrical supply. Supply power to electronic equipment for a campsite or tailgating party. Operate vital appliances
Q: What is meant by “wire-feed” welding? A: Wire-feed welding (MIG welding) has become popular over the last few decades because you can pick up
Q: I’m starting a compost bin to use as fertilizer for a vegetable garden. I know to use plant matter, etc., but is there anything
Q: Should block retaining walls be angled backwards or built vertically plumb? A: A very short retaining wall built of only a couple of courses
Q: What’s a good method for cutting aluminum gutter material? A: One basic method is to clamp the gutter material firmly to a couple of
Clamps that deliver the highest clamping force with the least effort.
Give your Carpentry an Edge By Rob Robillard Wouldn’t it be nice if we could apply thin layers of skin to cover our aged, wrinkled
Get the Look of Traditional Tile with the Easy Installation of Adhesive Vinyl. By Matt Weber
We love pergolas. We love designing them. We love building them. We love how they make the backyard not just a place you go to
Reclaim Valuable Cabinet Space with New Dearborn® Space-Saving Sink Drain Kits Installing a new vanity or sink should be straightforward. But existing plumbing doesn’t always align with the new fixture location, creating a frustrating challenge for remodelers and DIYers alike. What begins as a simple upgrade can quickly turn into a time-consuming project involving extra […]
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