Good home improvement tools and materials make repairs and upgrades easy. Learn about lumber sizes, types of wrenches, and more in our tool guide.
Painter using paint thinner
What Paint Thinner Is—and How to Use It Properly
Paint and Lacquer Thinner Cans
The Difference Between Lacquer Thinner and Paint Thinner
Toggle Bolts
How to Install Toggle Bolts
Pouring concrete in building
The Best Temperature to Pour Concrete for High-Quality Results
Young carpenter using an electric jigsaw
How to Use a Jigsaw for Neater, Safer Cuts
Tamper tool with other tools
How to Use a Tamper Tool
Multitester tool on electronic scheme diagram.
How to Use a Multimeter
Lawn mower in garden
How to Troubleshoot Issues With Your Lawnmower for a Better Mowing Season
Man using gas snowblower.
How (and Why) to Drain Gas From Your Snowblower
a shop vacuum sitting on the garage floor
How to Use a Shop Vac for Water
Trisodium Phosphate
What Is Trisodium Phosphate?
Mineral Spirits
Mineral Spirits vs. Paint Thinner: What's the Difference?
Bend PEX Tubing 90-Degree Joint
How to Bend PEX Tubing
Screw extractor
How to Use a Screw Extractor
tape measure
How to Read a Tape Measure
Illustration of tools for electrical projects
17 Basic Tools for Electrical Projects
PVC Pipes Glue
How to Remove PVC Glue
Bending Copper Pipe by Hand
How to Bend Copper Pipe 4 Ways
Basin wrench
A Specialty Basin Wrench Makes it Easy to Replace a Faucet
Lumber
Dimensional Lumber Sizes For Building and Remodeling
Paint sprayer spraying white paint on unfinished wall
Paint Sprayer Basics to Know Before You Buy
Plumbing pipes
10 Must-Have Items for Plumbing Projects Around the House
Nails
How to Pick the Right Nail for Your Next Project
Close up detail of circular saw
Before You Buy a Circular Saw
Drywall work tools
What Tools Are Needed for Drywall Work?
White geometric wall tiles with grout float passing over
Essential Tools for Installing Tile
compressed air carry tank
These Are Uses for a Portable Compressed Air Tank
Hitting nail into wooden beam
8 Tips for Good Hammering
Tiling with a square notch tile trowel
When to Use a V-Notch or Square-Notch Tile Trowel
Oscillating Multitool
6 Paint Stripping Tools For Exteriors
Nail set hammered into white baseboard
How to Use a Nail Set
Torch solders copper pipe
Top Tools Needed for Soldering Copper Pipe
Home Improvement Store
Lowe's vs. Home Depot Comparison
Cellulose insulation in attic
What You Should Know About Blow-In Cellulose Insulation
Greasy and Oily Rag at Auto Repair Shop
Can Oily Rags Really Catch Fire on Their Own?
Man clearing the drains
The Right Way to Snake a Sewer Drain
Hammer driving in yellow concrete nail gun
Anchoring Wood to Concrete With a Powder-Actuated Nail Gun
Male architect and tradesman discussing plan on laptop at construction site
HomeAdvisor: What To Know and How It Works
Expanding Foam
10 Genius Uses for Expanding Foam That You Probably Never Thought Of
Cutting with Manual Saw and Miter Box
Why a Manual Miter Saw and Box May Be Right for You
Hand Plane and Wood
How to Use a Hand Plane
Man applying grout using a grout float.
What Floats Your Boat? Learn About Different Kinds of Floats
Impact Drill
When to Use an Impact Driver vs. a Drill
Woman patching drywall with putty knife
Why Putty Knives Would Be a Great Addition to Your Toolbox
Caulking gun
Dripless Caulk Guns Are Superior to Ratchet-Style Guns
Laying brick foundation
Basic Masonry Tools and Materials to Get You Started
Tools and eyeglasses laid flat on wood surface and covered in black Plasti Dip
How to Apply Plasti Dip to Surfaces
Cropped image of a man's hands grabbing a tool from his toolbox.
Popular Tools That Are Overrated
Speed square measuring wooden beams
How to Use a Speed Square
Sharpening a Chainsaw
How to Properly Sharpen a Chainsaw
Ryobi Airstrike Nailer
Best 18V Ryobi Cordless Tools
Worker measuring Laminated Veneer Lumber or LVL with a measuring tape and L-ruler.
How to Use Microllam or LVL For Home Remodeling
Caulk Gun
Tips for Using a Caulk Gun
circular saw
What Is the Best Way to Clean Your Circular Saw Blades?
parquet floor sanding
How to Use a Drum Sander on Hardwood Floors
chainsaw working on wood
Tips for Using a Chainsaw
Pieces of mosaic tile with nipper
Safely Cut Ceramic Tile With Tile Nipper
Organized wall of home improvement tools
Do You Have These Essential Tools In Your Home Workshop?
cutting tile with a wet saw
How to Use a Wet Tile Saw
Cutting tile with a wet saw
Tile Saw Rental vs. Purchase Guide
extension ladder
Choosing the Right Ladder for Your Job
Nail Gun on a Wood Background
See How You Can Simplify Your Remodel With an Electric Brad Nailer
orbital floor sander
5 Types of Sanders for Home Projects
Drain snake
Got a Clog? Choose the Right Type of Plumbing Snake for the Job