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Home Improvement, Construction and Do-it-Yourself Resources: About Us



About Us:

Only the finest home improvement and do-it-yourself products...

Our merchant partners carry top-of-the-line products. The inventory consists of up to 40,000 different kinds of building materials, home improvement supplies, and lawn and garden products for all of your project needs. They even offer a low price guarantee to beat anyone's advertised specials.


More Home Improvement Know-How:

Cabinets and Countertops

Cabinets and countertops take plenty of abuse. They get nicked, slammed, burned, splattered and scratched. Fortunately, small repair and replacement jobs can keep your kitchen looking great for years. Just adding new hardware, for example, can give an entire kitchen or bathroom character. When the time comes for a whole new look, you can replace cabinets and countertops yourself and save a bundle of money.
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Electrical:

Your home's electrical system isn't as mysterious as it might seem. Power from the utility comes in through your main service entrance, either in overhead or underground wires, and then to the meter that monitors your usage. From there it goes to your home. top of page

Decks

Build a sturdy deck and you'll get years of enjoyment from it. The elements can be tough on a deck, so maintenance is key. Inspect it once or twice a year and make repairs as soon as you spot damage. This saves time and money in the long run. top of page

Doors

Periodic maintenance will keep your doors working smoothly, but eventually the accumulated wear-and-tear will affect their integrity. Replacing a door can help you conserve energy and it's an easy way to make a dramatic change in your home's appearance. top of page

Floors

Floors take a lot of abuse: they get scuffed and kicked, and heavy things get dropped on them. Repair and installation can be big jobs. Specialty tools like sanders, carpet stretchers and tile-cutting saws can make the work go much faster and easier. top of page

Garden Basics

Even simple garden projects can have major impact on the beauty of your landscape. Spend a little time in the garden and you'll have something to enjoy for years to come. top of page

Gutters and Siding

There are two areas of your exterior that need constant inspection and maintenance: your gutters and siding. Both protect your house from the elements and never get a break from hot sun, heavy rains and other harsh weather. Take the time to make sure your gutters and siding are in good condition and you may save yourself some time-consuming, expensive repairs. top of page

Outdoor Projects

Spend a single weekend building a porch swing or a window box and you'll reap the rewards for years to come. For an outdoor project that lasts, select weather-resistant building materials, use solid construction techniques and apply the right protective finish. top of page

Painting

Painting is one of the easiest and most economical ways to beautify your home, inside or out. Fresh paint makes everything seem new, and changing colors can lift spirits and give tired old spaces a blast of new energy. Start with the fun part: shopping for colors. Take paint samples home so that you can look at them during the day, in the evening and under incandescent light. You'll want to be sure you like the colors you choose in different lighting conditions. top of page

Plumbing

Your home's plumbing system isn't as complicated as it might seem. Water enters your home under pressure and is piped to faucets, toilets and appliances. With the help of gravity, it then exits through drains. So that the drains work properly, they're connected to air vents: pipes that go up through your roof. Some plumbing repairs can be messy and aggravating, but most projects are easy. top of page

Storage and Shelving

Eliminate clutter by installing shelves and storage units. Shelf systems save floor space by making use of your home's vertical space. In a crowded closet, the results can be dramatic. top of page

Wallpapering

These days, wallpaper is easy to hang. Pre-pasted varieties are coated with an adhesive, so all you have to do is soak the strips in water and you're on your way. Most vinyl or vinyl-coated wallpapers will come right off when you're ready to re-decorate. The style and texture of a wallpaper can dramatically change the flavor of a room. It can be made from cloth, fabric, natural grasses, embossed paper, burlap, reflective foil or colorful Mylar. top of page

Walls

For the most part, we only notice walls when there's a problem, like a crack, a hole, or a stain. Fortunately, wall repairs are usually straightforward. There are two basic types of walls: bearing and non-bearing. Bearing walls play an important role in the structure of your house and shouldn't be removed without taking the proper precautions. Non-bearing walls aren't part of your home's structure and can be moved or altered as you like. If you don't know the difference, get the advice of someone who does. top of page

Weatherproofing

Within a few years, most weatherproofing projects will pay for themselves by reducing the cost of heating and cooling your home. A well-insulated house also is easier on the environment. By reducing energy use, you help reduce pollution and conserve natural resources. In an average home in a cold climate, reducing energy usage by just 15 % saves the equivalent of 500 pounds of coal. An energy-efficient house is also more comfortable for you and your family.

Windows

Periodic maintenance will ensure that your windows work efficiently, but eventually, weather and everyday use will take their toll. Fortunately, replacing or repairing a window can be a relatively easy project if you've got the right tools. It's also a great opportunity to dramatically improve the appearance of your home.

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Source: our merchant partner, Home Depot

About Us

Are you looking for a Hampton Bay scone or a Pegasus Valenza vanity? Whether you're looking for a few drywall screws, door and window hardware, indoor lighting, ceiling fans and chandeliers, plumbing supplies, lawn irrigation equipment or even a major home appliance, our goal is to help you make informed purchasing decisions based on your specific needs. As an online consumer, you may know what an overwhelming task it's to sort through all the listings on the Internet -- given the sheer quantity of products that are available from countless online merchants. We do the homework for you by carefully hand-selecting each merchant (also known in the industry as a vendor), and sometimes even each individual product. Although this type of research is time consuming, it's the only way we know to filter out bad vendors -- leaving only those that offer quality products. Our final two criteria for vendor selection are that their products are reasonably priced and backed by superb customer support.

Product Categories:

We offer over 31,000 in-stock products on this web site. Use these alphabetized lists to find items by category or sub-category (each page contains 100 items)

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Our Top Book Picks...

Building Codes Illustrated: A Guide to Understanding the International Building Code
Building Codes Illustrated: A Guide to Understanding the International Building Code
by Francis D. K. Ching, Steven R. Winkel, Francis D. K. Ching, Steven Winkel, AIA "The existence of building regulations goes back almost 4,000 years..."

From the Back Cover
From bestselling author Francis D.K. Ching and building codes expert Steven Winkel . . .

Building Codes Illustrated combines highly illustrative explanations with expert guidance to provide an accessible, timesaving companion guide to the new International Building Code® (IBC). Understanding the criteria for code development and the reasons for code provisions is essential to unlocking this unified code, and no better team than Ching and Winkel can demystify the complex, layered sections of the IBC with more direct, insightful interpretations.

Organized to correspond with related subject matter in the IBC, Building Codes Illustrated enables architects, engineers, and other design professionals to quickly find clarifying information on the nonstructural provisions of the IBC and gain a clear and complete understanding of those sections at a glance through enlightening computer-rendered illustrations and succinct, thorough interpretations.

Experienced practitioners can no longer rely on memory or old habits when picking construction types or assemblies based on prior practice, and emerging professionals must have a strong understanding of the new Code to avoid costly mistakes–both need Building Codes Illustrated.

Book Description:
A practical, illustrated guide to the new International Building Code
With the publication of the International Building Code, the building industry is moving toward a single universal set of construction codes, rather than the three regional codes previously in use. Now more than ever, architects need an interpretive guide to understand how the building code affects the early design of specific projects. This unique reference blends the graphic skills of bestselling author Francis Ching with the code expertise of Steven Winkel. It closely examines the portions of the building code that are most relevant for the architect and provides a simple and practical interpretation through words and illustrations. All the changes in the new code are explained in simple, user-friendly language that allows architects to get up to speed on the new code quickly and easily.
Francis D. K. Ching (Seattle, WA) is a registered architect, a professor at the University of Washington, and the author of eight highly acclaimed architecture books, all for Wiley.
Steven R. Winkel, FAIA (San Francisco, CA), is a project manager at Field Paoli, and an expert in building codes and regulations. He is also an AIA Board Member and past president of the AIA California Council.

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New Fix-It-Yourself Manual

New Fix-It-Yourself Manual
by Reader's Digest "A set of good-quality tools can simplify home repair jobs and help you handle emergencies with confidence..."
Book Description:
The indispensable bible for keeping a home in tip-top shape, it's the time- and money-saver every homeowner needs. It functions as a repair manual, an evaluation guide, a compendium of household hints, an emergency reference, and a homeowner's encyclopedia. Over 3,000 illustrations.
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The Complete Guide to Home Plumbing

The Complete Guide to Home Plumbing (Black and Decker Home Improvement Library)
by Black and Decker (Editor), The Editors of Creative Publishing international "Each day in the United States, roughly 500 billion gallons of water are withdrawn from surface and underground water supply sources for use in homes..."

Book Description:
This complete volume shows beginning, amateur and advanced to-it-yourselfers everything they need to know about home plumbing. It includes complete how-to information on basic skills, major renovation, and the installation of all-new plumbing systems - the only consumer book to cover the subject matter this comprehensively. DIY plumbing offers the best cost-savings of any home improvement project. Homeowners who perform their own plumbing repairs and installation using this guide can easily save hundreds or even thousands of dollars on major projects.

As a major revision of America's best-selling plumbing book, this edition has been updated to comply with the most recent code changes; and has added material on servicing well pumps, installing water filters, fixing water softeners, and installing drip irrigation.

Here's why you owe it to yourself to buy this guide:

** Suitable for do-it-yourselfers of all levels - beginning to advanced - with more than 650 color photos that make all directions easy to understand.

** It's updated from the previous edition to meet the requirements of the latest Uniform Plumbing Code and to show the latest styles from major manufacturers of sinks, faucets, and plumbing materials.

** Includes complete sections on replacing an outdated plumbing system entirely.

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The Complete Guide to Home Wiring: A Comprehensive Manual, from Basic Repairs to Advanced Projects

The Complete Guide to Home Wiring: A Comprehensive Manual, from Basic Repairs to Advanced Projects (Black and Decker Home Improvement Library; U.S. edition)
by Black and Decker (Editor), The Editors of Creative Publishing international "A household electrical system can be compared with a home's plumbing system..."

One of the most daunting endeavors for any would-be do-it-yourselfer is dealing with the electrical--namely, electrical repairs, improvements, and wiring and rewiring projects. The reason for this is simple: mistakes can cause fires, major disasters and expense, and even death. But anyone can learn about safe and correct wiring in order to complete repairs or add new wiring to an aging and inadequate system. This is the book to show you how, from the basics of how electricity works and simple repairs and projects, all the way to complicated rewiring you might otherwise assume must be done by a professional. Included are the most up-to-date electrical code requirements; guides to evaluating, planning, and installing new electrical circuits; repair advice on switches, receptacles, and fixtures; and a detailed and well-illustrated lighting design section. A total of 288 pages of hundreds of illustrations and photographs and a comprehensive reference index make this an ideal book for the beginner, and an up-to-date refresher course for the professional. --Mark A. Hetts--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Book Description:
Few homeowners will ever need another wiring book. Wiring is a subject matter that makes most homeowners nervous, but in reality, most wiring repairs and installations are simple, especially for readers working with this guide in hand. In 304 pages and with more than 600 color photos, this guide covers just about any wiring project a reader is likely to tackle - from replacing a broken appliance plug to rewiring an entire home.

This is an updated version of one of America's best-selling wiring books. The new version is critical because it includes current code requirements. top of page

1001 Do-It-Yourself Hints & Tips: Tricks, Shortcuts, How-Tos, & Other Great Ideas for Inside, Outside, & All Around Your House

1001 Do-It-Yourself Hints and Tips: Tricks, Shortcuts, How-Tos, and Other Great Ideas for Inside, Outside, and All Around Your House
by Readers Digest "Knowing what to turn pull of shut of can be a home saver and litesave in the throes of an emergency..."

Now you can work like a pro-and accomplish all your maintenance, repair, and decorating projects more easily, at less cost, and with better results. Takes you through every task you'll ever face as a homeowner, presenting handy hints and savvy shortcuts.
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The Complete Photo Guide to Home Improvement

The Complete Photo Guide to Home Improvement
by Black and Decker (Editor), Creative Publishing international "Remodeling requires examination of your home's existing structure and various systems-plumbing, writing, and HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning)..."

From Book News, Inc.
Intended to render home improvement projects manageable with or without professional help, this manual covers planning with universal design in mind; basic carpentry, plumbing, and wiring techniques; and remodeling of specific rooms/features. Includes step- by-step instructions for 250 projects; some 1,700 color photos and "anatomy" illustrations; boxes highlighting tools, materials, and project tips; conversion and tool charts; and additional resources.

Book Description:
If you're one of the 50 million plus homeowners who will perform some type of home improvement project this year-here's your chance to save some serious money. Armed with The Complete Photo Guide to Home Improvement, readers can improve the value of their home while saving hundreds or even thousands of dollars each year by doing some or all of the work themselves.

The Complete Photo Guide to Home Improvement is the most up-to-date book of its type available. Unlike other books, which blend home repair with improvement projects, this guide is devoted entirely to step-by-step remodeling projects designed to improve the livability and value of your home. It features the very latest tools, building materials, and construction techniques to ensure professional results every time. Check out the reasons why every homeowner needs this guide: Complete step-by-step directions for more than 200 of the most popular, money saving improvement projects. Offers extensive sections of basic how-to skills - including wiring, plumbing and rough carpentry. Includes a wide range of projects, from simple window and door replacement, to extensive demolition and renovation projects. Includes comprehensive sections on remodeling bathrooms, kitchens, and finishing attics and basements. Offers information on Universal Design - methods for designing or adapting living spaces to meet the needs of people of all ages, sizes and abilities.
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The Complete Guide to Home Carpentry: Carpentry Skills & Projects for Homeowners

The Complete Guide to Home Carpentry: Carpentry Skills and Projects for Homeowners (Black and Decker Home Improvement Library)
by Not Applicable (Na ) "Begin any carpentry project by making pencil drawings of the project you have in mind..."

About the Author
About The Author: Daniel London (editor) led the editorial team for The Complete Photo Guide to Home Repair, Outdoor Wood Furnishings, Easy Wood Furniture Projects, and The Complete Guide to Home Masonry, and authored Small Engine Care and Repair.

Book Description:
About This Book: The Complete Guide to Home Carpentry combines the most popular carpentry projects with up-to-date information on tools, techniques, and materials required for home projects. Easy-to-use photo-driven pages show readers the most common saw cuts, nailing techniques, router designs, and skills for using dozens of other tools. Projects range from framing a partition wall, building shelves, and installing windows and doors, to hanging cabinets, cutting countertops, and installing trim. Readers even learn how to remove walls for remodeling projects.
This book contains everything readers need for their projects - both new construction and repairs - in user-friendly detail. Color photos accompany each technique and project. The result is an indispensable resource for any homeowner planning a carpentry project, large or small.
Highlights::

Contains hundreds of the indoor and outdoor carpentry projects and techniques most useful to homeowners.

Covers basic framing, window and door installation, and trim detail, plus installing cabinets, countertops, and shelves.

Shows how to use and maintain carpentry tools, such as hand and power saws, routers, drills, sanders, and more.

Includes attractive projects, such as tongue-and-groove wainscoting, and practical repairs for stairways, exterior siding, and more. top of page

Wiring Simplified 2nd Edition

Wiring Simplified 2nd Edition

About the Author
H. P. Richter wrote the first edition of Wiring Simplified in 1932 and updated the subsequent 31 editons of this guide. W. Creighton Schwan is a registered professional engineer and electrical consultant, the coauthor of Practical Electrical Wiring, and a columnist for Electrical Contractor magazine. He revised the 33rd through the 39th editions of this guide. Frederic P. Hartwell is the author of Illustrated Changes in the 1999 National Electrical Code: Engineers and Electricians Editions and Understanding NE Code Rules on Grounding and Bonding. He is a licensed master electrician and electrical inspector and has been responsible for nearly 1,000 successful proposals and public comments regarding changes in the Code beginning with the 1987 edition. He is a principal member of the NEC Committee and the secretary of the Massachusetts Electrical Code Advisory Committee. He lives in Amherst, Massachusetts.

Book Description:
Detailing how to apply National Electrical Code rules in completing safe, convenient, and economical wiring installations, this handy fit-in-a-toolbox wiring manual has been used with success by generations of both professional and do-it-yourselfer readers, providing the confidence to tackle wiring jobs small and large, from repairing a table lamp to wiring a whole house or farm. Revised and completely updated every three years to conform to the current National Electric Code and the latest trade practices, it's organized into four parts to guide the reader through a range of wiring jobs. Featured are such basics as standards, codes, safety practices, arrangement of circuits, and a description of how electricity is measured and delivered. Also included are revised illustrations and detailed sections on wires, circuits, grounding, installing service equipment, and special wiring situations, such as home computer network wiring. top of page

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