MATERIALS
Browse By Tag
Choosing the right bathroom flooring can be a challenge. It’s not just a matter of matching a particular decor. The f...
Highlights The typical cost range for soapstone countertops is from $1,700 to $4,200. Some of the biggest factors t...
There are few experiences better than a sunny evening of relaxing or entertaining on a backyard deck. As a result, de...
Few things can turn a basement into a finished living space like flooring. And since the average size of a basement r...
A good sandblaster can make many tough jobs—including restoring antique cars, returning concrete to like-new conditio...
When you’re planning a kitchen remodel, countertops are one of the most important components you’ll select. Not only ...
Linoleum and vinyl are both popular flooring options for kitchens and bathrooms because they’re durable, water-resis...
Not only is sustainability in vogue, but it is becoming more critical as climate change and other environmental issue...
A worldwide pandemic has made everyone more aware of what they touch. Many bacteria and viruses, including Covid-19, ...
There are so many ways to clad your home’s exterior. Which is the most durable? Least expensive? Learn more about them so you can choose the best option for your ...
Art Deco style was at the height of its popularity during the 1920s and 1930s, but it remains a staple in interior de...
Two-tone cabinets are much more than just a passing trend. With the right colors, two-tone kitchen cabinets can be ti...
Quartz and Corian are two popular countertop materials that have been around for decades. While quartz is a natural m...
Plastic is a massive contributor to global waste and pollution. In fact, the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC)...
When it comes to choosing a countertop for a kitchen or bathroom renovation, quartz and marble are among the most pop...
Founded in 1976, Habitat for Humanity has constructed hundreds of thousands of affordable homes for people who need t...
Garage floor tiles make a garage floor safer and tougher while also improving its aesthetics, so that a home workshop...
As any DIY woodworker or carpenter is likely to find, there are seemingly endless species of wood from which to choos...
Indoors and out, concrete lasts longer and performs better with some protection—which is what today’s concrete sealer...
There’s no need to break your budget when buying building materials, but that doesn’t mean you have to settle for ugly. These 8 reasonably priced materials look g...
Silence is golden for so many of us: DIYers who use loud power tools, night-shift workers who must reduce unwanted no...
You may need to store the lumber you just bought for that new storage shed until you can get around to the project. O...
The to-do lists are long in a home renovation—and that's before you account for unexpected tasks like running to the ...
Novice DIYers eager to get started repairing, replacing, or installing new tile may wonder about the differences betw...
Asphalt shingles have long been known for their cost-effectiveness and ease of maintenance. But now there’s a variety...
From asphalt to brick, basalt to concrete, this is the stuff dream driveways are made of.
Today's vinyl siding products can mimic wood, insulate your home, and even stand up to tornado-force winds, making them a highly desirable exterior cladding option.
Frequently used in foundations, backyard patios, and fence-post installations, concrete is one of the strongest build...
Prominent in the trim aisles of home improvement stores and popular on home remodeling shows, beadboard offers a grea...
If it’s time to install a new roof, the variety of options available can floor you. Asphalt shingles have long been k...
For refreshing summer fun, nothing beats a backyard swimming pool. While the water is the main focus, it’s the deckin...
Homeowners typically use sheds to stash stuff—everything from off-season sporting equipment and unused furniture to a...
Q: I love the warm look of wood for outdoor furniture, but I’m not sure which of the many species will look and perfo...
Unlike natural stone, laminate, or solid surface (made of mineral dust and resins), tile offers endless creative poss...
The iconic white picket fence symbolic of the American dream? It was surely made of wood. Yet wood fences also come i...
Sheds perform a number of functions, from storing tools and lawn equipment to serving as a child's playhouse. Whateve...
Curious about metal roofing? You're certainly not alone. Though at one time its use had been relegated to utility str...
While it’s hard to match the natural beauty of solid wood, it’s an undeniably pricey option. Fortunately, for many pr...
Butcher block countertops are a popular choice for kitchens these days, but as with any countertop material, there ar...
If you’ve had enough of the ruts, cracks, and stains of your current driveway and are considering installing a new on...
The roofing system is one of the most important structural features of a house. A layer of roof shingles on top of th...
Quartz and quartzite, two high-end countertop materials derived from quartz, are so often confused that even retailer...
Sometimes you don’t need to go much farther than your back door to find the supplies you need for your DIY projects. Check out these ingenious creations for the h...
Homeowners who are considering replacement windows have more choices in materials, finishes, and styles today than ev...
The basement is one of the most versatile areas in the home. It can function as work space, storage space, or even as an extension of your living space. But basem...
An exotic sense of romance is associated with tile roofs, which commonly appear on Southwest-style and Mediterranean-...
Though building codes treat both materials equally as "structural panels," plywood and oriented strand board (OSB) ar...
Think linoleum and vinyl flooring are one and the same? Think again. While many people mistakenly call vinyl tile ‘li...
If you’re looking to remodel your kitchen with new countertops—either to boost the beauty of the space or the resale ...
There’s little debate over the proper methods to cut wood. However, cutting plastic—particularly acrylic and polycarb...
Adding a deck? You have lots of materials to choose from. CM_BVNOTES-1737-1Listen to BOB VILA ON DECK MATERIAL OPTION...
There's no shortage of wood fence options. Which is the right type for your property? In the end, it really comes dow...
Most of the year, you practically ignore the backyard, choosing instead to focus your repair and improvement efforts inside your home. Then, ironically enough, wh...
Homeowners rarely do their own plumbing, right? Wrong. Nowadays, intrepid do-it-yourselfers rely on their own skills ...
Subway tile made its debut in the beginning of the 20th century, in the train stations of the New York City subway system. Since then, it has become a design stap...
This article has been brought to you by SupplyHouse. com. Its facts and opinions are those of BobVila. com. For much ...
Stucco siding, a type of hand-troweled masonry plaster consisting of cement, water, and sand, is a definitive feature...
It’s the crowning glory of interior design: stylish overhead molding that adds architectural character while producin...
Beautiful, durable, easy-care quartz is among the most popular countertop materials available—but it is pricey. If yo...
Floors are the unsung heroes of our homes, at once establishing the look of a space even while taking a beating under...
Looking to add a sense of warmth and history to your home? For your next project, eschew stock lumber in favor of sal...
Have you ever wondered which holds up better against the elements, stainless or galvanized steel? Well, that depends ...
Quick-connect, push-fit plumbing has been taking a bite out of local plumbing trades, as homeowners discover the ease...
Medium-density fiberboard, MDF for short, can be a cheaper, more stable alternative to plywood, if used in the right ...
Anyone shopping for a new hardwood floor quickly discovers that there's no shortage of options on the market. Homeown...
Engineered wood flooring has made great strides in the last two decades, providing homeowners with options in affordable, stylish, and easy-install wood flooring ...
If you feel a bit confused when you walk down the lumber aisle in your local home store, you’re not alone. For a basi...
Thinking of building a fence? Looking to add a deck? Both projects will be subjected to the whims of Mother Nature, s...
Homeowners often refer to vinyl and linoleum interchangeably, but they are not the same thing. These resilient floor ...
Cork flooring has been in the news recently, but cork is anything but new. It’s been marketed as a flooring material ...
Floors are an essential and important element in an interior design scheme. Small wonder, then, that the eye-catching...
Why do we drive on the parkway and park on the driveway? That’s just one of life’s little mysteries, but there’s no m...
Brick is an extremely sturdy construction material. It’s attractive, fire resistant, and low maintenance—and it stand...
If you're remodeling or adding a bathroom, use cement board as an underlayment. A bit of hardened mortar is sandwich...
Rubber slate can be a good choice when re-roofing a Victorian. Made from the same material as car bumpers, rubber sl...
Framing a house using engineered wood has many advantages. Glue-laminated beams are stronger than their conventiona...
Metal roofs have long been associated with agricultural and industrial use, but these days, new metal roofing system...
Glass block has been used as a building material for more than a century, but it experienced a big surge of popularit...
A manmade material prized for its great versatility, plywood appears in elements of the home as varied as flooring, w...
For an elegant look in your bathroom, try using cultured marble. It's easy to work with, because it's made of real ...
For exterior trim work and siding, pre-engineered lumber has several key features that make it a practical option. It...
In a restoration project, reusing the original brick is a great idea. Water damage and neglect can destroy the morta...
Aluminum siding first became popular in the wake of World War II, when this metal, which had been so crucial to the w...
A butcher block table can help make your kitchen much more efficient. Built to take a beating, butcher block doubles...
Thinking about putting a new roof over your head? Maybe a metal roof is right for you. Today’s metal roofing—whether ...
Here's a way to save time and energy when repairing floorboards. Instead of drilling and chiseling damaged floorboar...
Glass block walls are a great design feature that let extra sunlight into any room in your home while still providin...
The pharaohs capitalized on the beauty and strength of stone, overseeing the construction of architectural gems whose...
For a very unusual floor finish, you might want to try wood blocks. Lay out your floor the way you would any cerami...
When roofing your house, consider using a metal roof. Available in a variety of colors and styles, metal roofing is ...
From plain to pristal, glass block injects surprising style into interiors and exteriors alike. Check out these 10 glass block blockbusters.
Wooden fences are a terrific finishing touch. They give a home privacy and character. They surround and define your ...
Kitchen makeovers are among the most popular of home improvements. They can be costly—a mid-range minor kitchen remod...
Here are a few tips on laying your own bricks. Prepare a mortar mix that is neither too firm and nor too runny. Spre...
Here's a way to replace damaged ceramic tile. Remove the grout with a grout saw. Crack the tile with a hammer and c...
Reclaimed wood floors give new life to old timbers. Made from lumber recycled from demolished buildings, heart pine,...
Whether you are building a new house or renovating your current home, the roof will be one of the most important choi...
The exterior of your home faces a ceaseless barrage of threats from the hot sun, strong winds, precipitation in all i...
Brick houses are hard to damage. Anyone familiar with The Three Little Pigs knows that. Inevitably, however, there co...
There are many wood species that can be used for outdoor decks, but not all offer the same benefits and maintenance r...
When you’re remodeling a kitchen on a budget, laminate is the best affordable option for countertops. Nowadays this t...
Many Americans nowadays care about making eco-friendly choices. And when it comes to countertops, engineered stone is...
The metal roofing industry has taken a page from vinyl flooring manufacturers. They’ve started with a 'plain Jane' ma...
Granite. It’s the most popular natural countertop surface for kitchens and baths in America. And for good reason—it’s...
Consumers have a great deal of choice when it comes to kitchen countertops. There are options available from moderate...
Wood remains the most used flooring material. Its warm feel and appearance, affordability, and sheer variety probably...
Everyone is doing it—internet shopping. In fact, this year 148 million U. S. consumers age 14 and older will make a...
If your designer has specified all the fixtures, appliances, and building materials needed for the job, you may not h...
Most of the wood-frame houses built in the last hundred years have been assembled of dimensional lumber, the standard...
More than 90 percent of the homes in North America are constructed of wood — and for good reason. Wood is plentiful, ...
Whether it's called SmartSide, Catawba, or TruWood, engineered wood siding products all claim to have a technological...
Wood is a perennial favorite choice for siding options throughout the United States and Canada. Whether it is vertica...
Reclaimed LumberGorgeous rediscovered and recovered woods are being offered by fine mills and merchants throughout th...
Amid growing concerns about preserving older forests and increasing demand for wood products and applications, new, b...
Ceramic coating has been around for almost 20 years and is highly effective in preventing unnecessary heat loss or ga...
There is no material more capable of protecting a structure from wind, rain, hail, fire, or rot than a durable and en...
Blown-In InsulationBlown-in insulation products are competing to bring improved performance per square inch and the l...
Glass block floors add a unique accent to wood, tile, stone, and concrete. Consider them a dual purpose floor: Glass ...
Cork has been used for flooring for over a century. Finished cork floor can have the look of textured hardwood, the s...
If your designer has specified all the fixtures, appliances, and home building materials needed for the job, you may ...
Durable, colorfast, and resistant to mold, mildew, and rot, composite decking is taking center stage in backyards across the country.
Animal hooves and horns. Wheat paste. Urine. Beeswax. Rye whiskey. No, these aren't the makings of a potent witches'...
Outdoor spaces add value, not only for resale, but in lifestyle terms as well. If you're in the process of designing ...
For what is meant to be a relaxing outdoor refuge, a deck can sure be a lot of work. Sanding, power-washing, refinish...
Sometimes you’ve got to hand it to prehistoric man. Not because he discovered fire, and not because he invented the w...
Whether you are replacing an old roof—or building a new home from the ground up—you'll want to check out these seven popular roofing choices.
Contrary to popular belief, redwood can be a very environmentally-friendly building material especially when compared...
While it’s been around for years, there are several reasons that fiber cement siding is becoming more and more popula...
As you plan landscaping for your yard, consider the potential of bringing it to the roof. The benefits of reduced runoff, improved insulation and longevity may b...
Next time you pull on a pair of jeans, consider this: You can use denim to keep your house cool in the summer and war...
Thinking of re-roofing your home? So-called green roofs proffer many benefits for the environment and your community—...
This article has been brought to you by SupplyHouse. com. Its facts and opinions are those of BobVila. com. Polyethyl...
Bamboo flooring has won fans both for its look and performance, not to mention its environmental sustainability.
If you’re looking to install new hardwood floors, why not consider today’s eco-friendly alternative, bamboo?Considere...
There are two types of wood roofing—shingles and shakes. Neither boasts the practicality of a modern roofing material...
Durable composite roof shingles arguably improve upon the traditional slate and wood shake shingles they are engineered to mimic.
Coming up with alternatives for traditional shingle materials has proved a steep and slippery slope for a surprising ...
Brick has a timeless appearance and requires little maintenance, making it a popular material for a variety of applic...
Before You BeginThe first thing to know about cleaning concrete? You don’t need to be delicate. After all, it’s one o...
Recently my wife and I moved into a co-op. It’s kind of like a condo but with a few additional restrictions about wha...
You have the desire, the energy, and the skills to beef up the insulation around your house, but the cost of material...
You can't beat the low cost and easy installation of a laminate floor. It's a great do-it-yourself project that can r...
It used to be that foam-core board was only useful to architects building models. Now that foam technology has taken ...
Sustainable, versatile cork floor options abound for today's eco- and design-conscious homeowner.
Something’s stirring underfoot—a growing interest in cork floors. Crafted from sustainable materials and available in...
Learn the truth about five common misconceptions that involve metal roofing.
Not just for barns or cabins any longer, today's metal roofs are enjoying renewed popularity. Here are ten stylish reasons why.
Get to know the industry leaders in kitchen, bar, and bath surfaces before you get started on your renovation.
When it comes to naturally beautiful countertops, it’s hard to beat the warmth and character of wood. Before you opt ...
Whether you like the classic look of slate or the long life of metal, when it’s time for a new roof, there’s somethin...
If it's time to replace your home's siding and you're looking for an alternative to wood or vinyl, it's worth looking...
Despite what the three little pigs might say, even the hardiest of brick buildings will require repair and restoratio...
60% to 70% of the homes in the U. S. contain carpeting made from nylon, polyester, or vinyl—materials dependent on no...
After so many years of classic chrome and nickel faucets dominating in kitchens and baths, bronze finishes are finall...
Weathered wood floors grayed from years of wear go so well with the ubiquitous reclaimed wood and industrial furnitur...
Like it or not, working on the car, washing the dog, rinsing the lawnmower and all the other work we do on our drivew...
Of all the siding materials you could use on your home, cedar shingles are one of the most attractive and long lastin...
Pavers are a versatile, DIY-friendly, landscaping material that can be used for laying paths, steps, driveways, pool ...
There are a lot of decisions to make when constructing a new home. Having a large production builder as our contracto...
According to eMareter, a publisher of data, analysis and insights on digital marketing and commerce, more than 7 out ...
While design, color, and surface appeal are important considerations, you’ll also want kitchen flooring that can live...
Design, color, and surface are important considerations, but don't overlook comfort, durability and easy care—particularly in kitchen flooring.
The choices are many, but which kitchen countertop is the best for you? Find out here.
Economical to produce, relatively easy to install and widely available, asphalt shingles are today’s most popular roo...
Asphalt shingles are one of the best values you can buy with regard to roofing materials for your home. They are simple to install, and their prices are reasonabl...
The basic requirement of any floor surfacing material—from ceramic to wood—is that the subfloor remain free of moistu...
Bob introduces homeowner Howard Brickman. Steve Ivas, an environmental engineer, describes the area wetlands, which must be accommodated. Innovative building tech...
The walls in the new addition are just about ready for paint. The new fireplace, trimmed with fieldstone, will make this new in-law suite very cozy. Interior door...
A big farmer's porch will run the whole width of the house. Bob discusses the boiler, which will heat the domestic hot water, radiant floor heating, and hydro-air...
While the house is being dried out, fiber-cement siding is put in place, as well as a cellular PVC trim that has the look of wood boards without any of the hassles.
Work is being done on the roof—laying Deck-Armor and installing metal roofing and photovoltaic panels. Bob talks with Jeff Wolf from GroSolar about the photovolta...
Bob talks with Robert Rainey of PJ Overhead Door as the new and improved garage door panels and tracks are installed on the Norwell home.
Bob works with contractor Bob Ryley and carpenter Chris Clark installing new wood-shingle siding.
Bob helps carpenter Bob Ryley build a redwood deck. Carpenter Danny Ruffini installs a custom-made redwood-and-cedar fence on the perimeter.
Carpenters Bob Ryley and Danny Ruffini and copper-work specialist Fred Mitchell install custom fabricated copper-lined wood gutters on Bob's home.
Bob meets carpenter Danny Ruffini to see how a metal stud wall is built in the basement.
Bob reviews plans for the kitchen remodeling and visits the second floor, where one of the bedrooms has been removed to accommodate his and her bathrooms. He help...
Bob and carpenter Bob Ryley install the restored door hardware, and artist Kim Sweet faux finishes the mantle in the den, taking as inspiration a piece of Bob’s f...
Bob reviews the progress of his western red cedar custom fence, designed to provide privacy and block the carport from the neighbors’ view.
The generously sized workshop has a functional layout and a unique vinyl floor designed by architect Gregory Rochlin.
Bob joins carpenter David Ives, who is installing the paneling in the master bedroom closet, and then checks in on artist Kim’s faux finishing work on the walls.
Bob discusses installation and care of the new kitchen soapstone countertop and tours the kitchen, showing the cabinetry, storage, future mudroom, and small offic...
Bob meets with Mark Marini of Schumacher Landscaping to discuss the installation of the bluestone pavers on the lower terrace.
Bob meets with California Closets to review plans for his walk-in closet and checks out the careful herringbone floor installation in the library that is nearly c...
Bob quickly reviews the completed work in the kitchen, and then oversees the installation of a herringbone-patterned floor in the den, which will essentially func...
Inspired by designs found in the Isaac Bell historic house, paneling is installed on Bob’s entrance door to the living room. Bob looks at the completed tiled show...
Bob talks with Owens Corning experts about the basement finishing system and discusses staircase repairs.
Bob reviews the work done on the existing plumbing in the basement and the replacement of obsolete brass water pipes.
Exterior stucco walls and wood trim are painted, and repaired shingles are stained.
Backyard landscaping has progressed with the completion of stone work, new plantings, weed control, and the installation of artificial grass.
Old gutters are replaced and external landscaping continues with the trimming of a tree, installing a front garden, and creating steps from recycled granite.
Bob discusses the installation of a plastic subfloor to prevent water damage and the selection of a basement dehumidifier.
An energy-efficient door is cut down in size to replace the small exterior door leading to the new basement mud room.
Bob talks with a fencing expert about installing a white-cedar fence in sloped areas at the Melrose house.
Stone workers install a granite retaining wall, replace a front walkway, and build a backyard patio.
Scott Lawyer makes a template for a Corian kitchen countertop and installs the sink section, Andrea Johnson discuss Corian colors.
Bob meets with Jack Ballantine to discuss and install Maple kitchen cabinets.
Bob and Anthony Lopez install porcelain tiles for a decorative look.
Bob visits PGT Industries to learn what it takes to make impact-resistant windows.
Cindy O'Reilly is on site with Bob to install the natural bamboo, sliding-panel shades.
Bob works with Bob and Dan Gerry to install kitchen sink fixtures. Then the ceiling fan is put in and a Square D All House Surge Arrester is installed.
Jesse Bartuesek joins Bob for the installation of Brazilian Walnut floors
Bill Jasper joins Bob for the installation of a removable Baby Barrier pool fence.
Bob watches as a pool cage is constructed. It is rated to withstand a wind load of 130 miles per hour
Interior beams, walls, and ceilings have been sandblasted, exposing raw surfaces that will become an integral part of the interior design. Reggie Ray of Georgia-P...
Dino Koukoudakis of Dino's Construction prefers using metal studs, because of their light weight and resistance to warping. Easy to cut and fasten, metal studs to...
Bob tours the multi-story luxury loft space of developer and artist Jane Walentas. Next, Bob and his son, Chris, consult with Cas Stachelberg about the history, a...
An ironworker secures the rooftop deck's safety railing to its footings. Then, Bob meets with the window installer who is putting frosted thermal glass walls on t...
Bob looks on as the window installer puts in the glass walls for the head house (the structure surrounding the stares that lead up from the penthouse).
Bob watches as flooring specialists put in red rosin paper as underlayment before installing Ash hardwood floors in the penthouse apartment.
Bob talks to Nick Tagios, of Tagios Tile and Marble, who's laying down the marble tile bathroom floor using a traditional installation technique.
Gam Danziger from Craftline Cabinets reviews the assembly of the contemporary Cherry kitchen cabinets being installed in the penthouse apartment.
Karen Brooks Hopkins, president of the Brooklyn Academy of Music (BAM), gives Bob a peek at the restoration of the main building.
Bob consults with the project's stone and tile specialist, who explains the process of attaching the Pietra Cardosa countertops to the Cherry Craftline island cab...
Bob puts in a Mahogany windowsill that's been precut with a cleat and bevel to make the installation easier. He also helps install Poplar floor molding and observ...
Bob watches over the installation of a few bathroom fixtures, including a custom vanity countertop and undermount sinks from Toto USA, as well as an acrylic soaki...
Bob watches the ongoing installation of the roof deck, which is being built woth a sustainable tropical hardwood decking called Ipe.
Bob gets a final status update on the restoration of the façade, as the ground-floor commercial storefront undergoes construction and the bluestone steps are laid...
Bob surveys the interior decorating of the penthouse apartment, as well as the top-quality materials and appliances in the kitchen. Also, Bob learns about the dif...
Bob confronts the remodeling challenge of choosing a flooring material that will deaden sound without sacrificing the sleek, clean look of tile or stone. So contr...
Bob assists Princeton Custom Cabinetry as the crew crafts custom countertops on-site for the Miami Beach condo remodel.
Bob and interior decorator DD Allen visit a Miami apartment designed by Pierce Allen.
Chris Vila discusses the benefits of a factory-built foundation system with Mel Zimmerman of Superior Walls.
Bob meets with Dave Boniello from Simplex Industries to discuss the custom modular kitchen being built and installed at the factory.
Bob looks on as workers instal a solid-surface countertop called Zodiaq (from Dupont), which is made of natural silica, quartz, and polymer.
Bob talks with Mark Murphy (Owens-Corning) about a new man-made stone product for the exterior of the modular home.
Kevin Corcoran from Englert Roofing Systems explains to Bob the benefits of the Englert environmentally-friendly maintenance-free metal roofing product.
Jeff Smith from Al Smith Gutters demonstrates the installation of a modern metal roof panel.
Bob surveys the modular home project in the Berkshire Hills of Western Massachusetts, paying special attention to the products used on the exterior of the house.
Bob meets with Joe Adams and Ralph McGrath in the media room of Elm Court. Adams and McGrath are installing a sound-attenuating grid-ceiling system from Owens-Cor...
Dave Colette from Doorworks talks Bob through the installation of the garage doors.
Ron Boffoli from Cape Cod Vacuum Supply installs the components for a central vacuum system.
Work continues at the sister project house where a new laminated floor system is being installed.
Evan Zgonis and the crew form Olympia Marble and Granite are installing the marble countertops in the kitchen.
Interior Designer Leslie Curtis takes Bob on a tour of the Lyman Estate in Waltham, MA.
Howard Brickman has begun sanding the old growth Eastern white pine floor in the bedroom of the modern Colonial.
Bob visits the McLellan House in Portland, ME, part of the Portland Museum of Art.
Bob shows the Woodport medium-density fiberboard doors selected for the Manhattan Brownstone then works with the crew from Thorough Construction as they prepare t...
In a progress report, Ted Riley shows Bob the pre-primed red cedar siding , the heavy-duty metal Bilco bulkhead installation, and the Quechee home's standing seam...
Bob talks with Ron Holen from Georgia-Pacific as the finishing touches are completed on the redwood front porch deck. Bob also visits with farmers at Cedar Mounta...
Bob Ryley is on site to help carpenter Pat Cloutier construct tapered columns on the front porch.
Bob observes as carpenter Pat Cloutier finishes off installing the tapered columns on the front porch.
Bob checks out Shaw's Chateau wood flooring, which contractor David LaFosse and his crew are about to install in the great room.
Bob meets Lance Olson of Louisana Pacific as LP's Smartside lap siding is installed on a Mashpee house.
Bob talks with general contractor Ted Riley about the fireplace construction.
Bob meets up with landscape mason Hector Santos, who is building a dried-laid stone retaining wall.
Tom Sullivan of Bellawood is in one of the four Mashpee affordable homes where they have donated hardwood flooring for the living room, dining room, and kitchen o...
The mason on-site installing a retaining wall, Hector, shows Bob how to split a piece of granite that is too large and heavy to use as is.
Bob meets University of Vermont professor Tom Visser in Plymouth Notch to visit the birthplace of President Calvin Coolidge. They then go to see the Burtch-Udall ...
Bob looks at the finished wall tile from Shaw in a second-floor bathroom at the Vermont farmhouse project site.
Bob focuses on the exterior of the Manhattan Brownstone, where paint has built up over the last 100 years and now obscures the details and carvings on the facade.
Thomas Bump of Fine Custom Cabinetry shows Bob the Maple and hardwood panel cabinets that were built specifically for the Brownstone kitchen.
Bob meets general contractor Wes Lohr at the Colonial-style affordable home in Mashpee, Massachusetts.
Bob is outside the Manhattan Brownstone to show off the refurbished facade of the building and then goes inside to show us the completed living room of the floor-...
Bob experiences the Panasonic Replay TV with the show-stopper feature and he tours the master bedroom suite, admiring the space, scope, and the view.
Bob introduces Medford, MA, a city five miles north of Boston. Settled in 1630, Medford once flourished with industry, including the shipbuilding building. Today,...
General contractor Charlie Tomaszewski completes the restructuring of the kitchen/family room, having replaced a rabbit warren of rooms with a 35-foot wide-open s...
Bob tours the first floor of the house, then turns his attention to the family room addition. Demolition has taken place in the barn, where a concrete floor has r...
Much of the space on the first floor has been opened up to give the house a 21st-century lifestyle feel. The framing of the new addition is ongoing, and the Kohle...
Bob talks with Ray Adam (from Pella Windows) about the new French doors to be installed in the library. It's an active/inactive door with all hardware. The most i...
A representative from Owens Corning tells Bob about the architectural shingles that have been selected to replace the old roofing material. And Velux VSE skylight...
Bob goes up to the attic of the Victorian project house, where an ODL tubular skylight is being installed. Also, Bob looks back at the installation of windows on ...
Bob Fulmer (from Harraseeket Restoration, Inc.) joins Bob on the roof of the breezeway to install a double-lock standing seam copper roof.
Bob joins Joe Sheridan (from Energy Guard) to learn more about the US Greenfiber Cocoon cellulose insulation being used in the barn.
Bob joins insulation contractor Joe Sheridan to witness the process of blowing insulation in behind original plaster walls.
Fred Goode (from Brattle Works) joins Bob to view the trellis and lattice fencing, and Bob visits the Brattle Works workshop to see how the fencing is manufactured.
Bob observes as general contractor Charlie Tomaszewski finishes up the picture framing for the mahogany deck.
Workers replace the old barn doors with an oversized Ponderosa Pine door (from KML Industries in Canada).
Fred Giuggio (from QuickStep) and his crew are busy installing wood laminate flooring in the barn of the Victorian restoration project house.
Mary Lou Pace (from Circle Redmont) joins Bob to watch the installation of the monolithic glass block floor panel system custom-manufactured for this project.
Bob and Tim Colgan (from Kahrs) discuss the white oak flooring being installed in the bedroom.
Mark Van Sickle (from Merillat) installs the hardware on the cabinets destined for the kitchen in the Victorian restoration project house.
Dick Deshant (from Counter Intelligence) tells Bob about the new Silestone countertops. And while Brece Rupolt (from Northern Marble & Granite) demonstrates the t...
Bob tours the exterior of the completed Victorian restoration project house, remarking on the color scheme, breezeway, and artist's studio. Inside the house, Bob ...
Carpenter Bob Ryley meets with Jim Whiteside, construction manager with Habitat for Humanity, and Dennis Hodgrin of APA.
The crew is using a crane to install the engineered wood flooring system.
Bob visits the Willamette I-Joist Mill in Woodburn, OR, before returning to Yonkers where the crew is assembling the second floor walls with structural insulated ...
Workers set the glulam for the roof ridge and, assisted by a crane, put down the roof panel system.
Bob meets with Dave Probst (from Louisiana Pacific) to learn about LP's Smart System Products and Lisa Francis (from the Engineered Wood Association) joins to wat...
Bob visits the Simpson Plywood plant in Shelton, WA, where Jim Langenberg shows Bob how plywood, especially MDO, is made.
Tim Smyth, the plastering contractor, provides a drywall update and offers a few tips on quality, speedy installation.
Bob takes a helicopter tour of the major reforestation efforts underway on Mount St. Helens.
Carpenter Bob Ryley joins Steve Yates (from Pergo) to learn installation tips for, and the features of, Pergo wood laminate flooring and installation tips.
Bob visits the Perstop Flooring Factory to see how Pergo, wood laminate flooring, is made.
Carpenter Bob Ryley meets Steve Wilkinson in the kitchen to install the Corian countertops, and Bob talks with Ren Anderson (from the National Renewable Energy La...
Bob discusses the advantages of engineered wood flooring with Steve Barth (from Willamette Industries).
Bob talks with carpenter Bob Ryley and general contractor Kevin Kalman, as they lay down the subflooring.
Bob discusses the wall layout with carpenter Bob Ryley and, with Bryan Readling (from the Engineered Wood Association), the talk surrounds the use of laminated ve...
Bob helps lay rafters and the ridge pole for the vaulted roof of the Lifespan House.
Masons install the throat and flue for the Rumford fireplace in the Lifespan House.
Bob meets with the president of the Metal Roofing Alliance, who demonstrates the process of installing metal roofing panels.
Work has begun on the exterior finish. Contractors are installing the cedar trim, casing, and grounds, and continue on to begin installing the clapboard siding.
Bob gets up to speed on the progress made, before joining Kent Forsland (from Designer Doors) to discuss the new custom-made, cedar-faced garage doors, which have...
General contractor Kevin Kalman and carpenter Bob Ryley lay plywood to the soffit of the front porch ceiling.
Bob talks with contractor Tim Galvin, who is installing limestone tile over a heavy bed of mortar.
Bob looks over the shoulders of Rick and Brian (from Star Granite Interiors), as they install a granite vanity top in the first-floor bathroom.
Bob observes, and assists with, the installation of Cherry cabinets, a Northland refrigerator, and a wine storage system.
Carpenter Bob Ryley and contractor Grady Garrett install a reclaimed Yellow Pine hardwood floor.
Bob tours Virginia House, which was once an English abbey. In the 1920s, it was shipped to Richmond stone by stone.
Bob Ryley installs replica baseboard molding inside a room of the Virginia governor's mansion, which is under restoration.
Bob looks at the old doors, then meets with local artist Elaine Havaland, who demonstrates a faux-finishing technique.
Carpenter Bob Ryley and Bob George (from New England Window) install a bronze aluminum replacement window in an arched-top masonry wall.
Bob and carpenter Bob Ryley review the interior construction, which must satisfy stringent fire codes.
Joel Trepitti (from Pergo) talks Bob through the installation of the wood laminate flooring.
Bob checks in with Greg Rockland, the plumber installing a marble countertop in the loft conversion unit.
Bob visits a stainless steel fabrication shop to see how the kitchen counters for the loft project unit are made.
Bob observes Bob Watts weld together the stainless steel kitchen countertops on-site.
Bob meets with Joel Scanlon, who installs legs on a butcher block top and explains how to care for the wood surface.
Bob observes Bill Brody (from Classic Glass) installing a large mirror, a glass shelf, and a glass partition wall.
Bob highlights the long curved wall in the loft's hallway. The wall provides a great deal of storage, and serves as a divider between the private and public space...
Carpenter Bob Ryley installs plantation shutters against a bedroom wall.
Bob explains the engineering and construction of the truss system supporting the roof of the accessible home.
Roofing contractor Jack Viera demonstrates installing three-tab asphalt roof shingles.
Bob meets with plumbing contractor, who demonstrates how all the waste lines come together in a residence and how they exit the house.
Carpenter Bob Ryley continues to fashion a wooden bracket for the exterior of the accessible home.
Installer Juan Gonsalves shows Bob how to install steel stair stringers.
Bob talks with factory representative Chris Hoff and heating contractor Peter Lydon during the installation of a Buderus high-efficiency boiler.
A Northern White Cedar picket fence is discussed and installed.
The first Elmwood project concerns remodeling a Gothic Carpenter-style home, built in 1871.
The old flooring in the Gothic Carpenter-style home in Elmwood has been removed. Bob outlines the process of installing the new floor and discusses the new suppor...
Bob Riley and Howard Brickman install a reclaimed hard pine floor. The orientation of the boards is explained, and the moisture content of the subfloor is checked...
Bob talks with contractors Jim Azerroe and Mike Burk. Jim is installing a granite kitchen countertop, while Mike puts in the new cabinets and drawers.
Carpenter Bob Ryley works on the mahogany deck, while new kitchen appliances are installed and the lighting and cabinets undergo examination.
Joe Murphy installs a direct vent gas-driven fireplace, and Howard Brickman refinishes the hardwood floor.
The second home in the Elmwood project, a Colonial Revival, is complete, after the second-floor bathroom gets a new vanity, new doors for the laundry closet, and ...
The mahogany roof deck is complete, with the hot tub sturdily supported. Bob takes a final tour of the residence, the third Elmwood project house.
Porch restoration continues on the fifth Elmwood project house, with Forester Moulding and Lumber re-milling many porch elements.
The restoration of the front porch continues with workers putting the decking down and replacing the old columns. In addition, anti-termite control stations are p...
Homer Earl (from the Cedar Shake and Shingle Bureau) explains what makes a quality shingle. The group takes a look at Sikkens Cetol shingle stain products, and Bo...
The home's side entry will be restored using the original columns, which homeowner Jim Verity found in the basement. On the front porch, new support beams and rai...
Landscaping work continues, as the new security system is installed and the reproduction railing is going into place on the front porch.
Bob points out that the side porch is nearly complete and remarks on the landscaping, before he meets homeowner Jim Verity on the completed front porch.
The front porch is undergoing full restoration, due to excessive water and pest damage to the columns and other structural elements. Demolition begins and repair ...
Front porch restoration continues with the roof being replaced and new red cedar shingles being applied on the porch wall. Bob demonstrates the shingle weaving pr...
Contractors put the finishing touches on the front porch by adding new Yellow Pine shutters and a coat of Sherwin Williams latex paint to the exterior.
Owners of the tenth Elmwood neighborhood project house, Peter Haraty and Brent Bachelder, want to create one large space on the attic level, a change requiring wa...
Homeowner Don DeSantis is transforming the attic level into an exercise space. The floor structure is being shored up in order to hold the wieght of excercise equ...
A granite tub surround is installed, as well as an in-floor heating system and unique fiber optic lighting.
As part of a Miami kitchen renovation, Bob frames a partition wall made to resemble a banana leaf. He also pours concrete to patch a floor.
Bob tours the heavy-duty, no-nonsense kitchen of Yuca, a Cuban-American restaurant in Miami.
Bob helps demonstrate the installation of man-made slate roof shingles.
Bob and contractor Cortney Lofton discuss the Indian slate tile being installed on the pool deck and back porch.
Bob confers with carpenter Cortney Lofton, as he lays the redwood decking for the back porch.
Bob learns the process of creating stained glass windows. Designs begin on paper before they are traced onto glass using a light table. A variety of glass types a...
Bob and homeowner Gavin repair and refinish a 75-year-old oak floor. Because the new patch floor panels have a different thickness from the original, a belt sande...
Bob meets with Donald Young for a tour of the home's Zen garden. Donald discusses the plant choices and lighting requirements in a garden of this size. Slate tile...
Bob meets with the contractor to inspect the poured footings and discuss the pouring process. Next, Bob helps install the sill plate and explains the various type...
Bob reviews the framing for the new addition. Homeowner Linda points out the corner notches, which add architectural interest. And a large opening punctuates one ...
Bob assists the crew installing sidewall on the second floor of the addition.
Bob joins carpenter Bob Ryley, who is putting sidewall shingles onto the exterior of the new addition.
Bob and carpenter Bob Ryley continue working on the backyard deck. Once they've finished theframing, they begin laying the deck boards.
Bob and Bob Ingram (from Rover Tile) discuss the tile that's going into the master bath and children's bathroom. The tile is a combination of marble chips, Veneti...
Flooring specialist Mary Docker introduces Bob to Amtico. A flooring product from England, Amtico is vinyl that mimics the look of wood and marble. It's water-res...
Bob meets with restoration contractor Richard Marks and roofer Joe Wells to go over the proper techniques for installing slate roofing.
Alongside restoration specialist Richard Marks at the Federal-style home in Charleston, Bob watches painter David Snyder scrape and sand old wood siding.
Bob chats with painter Rick Snyder in the dining room of the Federal-style home, while Rick experiments with color on intricate wood detail.
The architect pays a visit to check on progress, while Bob and contractor Bob Ryley begin installing the Paralam rafters. Ryley goes into depth discussing these m...
Bob and contractor Bob Ryley install sloped glazing on a greenhouse with the help of Mark Santos.
The wood has arrived for the perimeter benches, so Bob and contractor Bob Ryley begin constructing the architect-designed benches for the greenhouse. The wood is ...
Contractor Bob Ryley shows off the greenhouse's motorized windows. At the touch of a button, or via a thermostat, the windows open and close. Bob helps Ryley asse...
Bob helps contractor Bob Ryley install 4x10 douglas fir floor joists, and also put in 2 x 6 spruce tongue-and-groove decking on the second floor.
Bob and contractor Bob Ryley tour the exterior of the cabin, whose exposed wood surfaces will pose some problems for the builders. The plumber installs a drain li...
Contractor Bob Ryley installs tongue-and-groove yellow pine flooring, as Gary D'Lessio (from Pergo) installs high-pressure laminate flooring.
Contractor Rick Davenport demonstrates the installation of wet-spray cellulose insulation. Jets of water moisten the insulation as it leaves the blower hose nozzl...
The Malibu beach house gets a pair of Cantera stone columns in the entry foyer. The pieces are fit together and Bob learns what to odo when they don't come togeth...
Bob and interior decorator Robyn Peterson tour the master bedroom and bath. The 'antiqued' wood carpentry adds warmth to the bedroom, as does the use of unbleache...
Bob and contractor Bob Ryley join exterminator Dean Bailey (of Fowler and Sons) to discuss termite control in and around the garage. Also, concrete contractor Sha...
Bob confers with Paul Pacella (from Maine Post and Beam of Cape Cod) about framing the barn. Eastern white pine is being used; this type of pine is a popular lumb...
Bob tours the Ralph A. Esty & Sons Lumber Corporation in Groveland, MA. Operations Manager Ken Monaco explains the process of aquiring and milling the lumber. The...
Bob and Paul Pacella (of Maine Post and Beam) discuss the cutting and placement of the engineered wood glulam ridge beam for the garage.
Bob visits the Willamette Industries glued laminated timber facilities in Eugene, OR to learn first-hand how glulams are manufactured.
Bob travels to Canada for a tour of the Ainsworth oriented strand board (OSB) mill, one of the most modern OSB factories in the world.
Bob helps contractor Bob Ryley install a salvaged door on the side of the dream garage, which is undergoing construction.
Bob and contractor Bob Ryley create an overhang detail with eyebrow returns and cedar plywood siding.
Bob tours the American Plywood Association testing facilities with Tom Williamson, the Executive Vice President of Engineered Wood Systems. Tom explains the diffe...
Bob oversees the installation of a Velux skylight in a standing-seam metal-shingled roof.
Bob looks on as the roofing crew installs a standing-seam metal-shingled roof.
J & G Lightning Protection, Inc. installs a lightning rod system that will draw lightning toward the two copper rods, which perch on the garage roof. The copper p...
Bob and contractor Bob Ryley install southern yellow pine plywood on the interior of the garage. On the exterior, Bob talks with Greg Binford about adding a stain...
Bob helps painting contractor Milo Moran roll solid stain over the yellow pine plywood walls on the boat storage side of the garage. Though not often applied insi...
Bob pays a final visit to the garage for a tour of the full building and a review of all the features installed. Along the way, he details the construction techni...
Bob tours the lavish interior of Chateau-sur-Mer in Newport, RI. The entrance walls are painted canvas and the ceiling is adorned by a fresco. Hand-carved walnut ...
Having reviewed their work on preparing the site, Bob and contractor Bob Ryley begin laying the first-floor decking by using glue and nails to attach the plywood ...
Bob tours Lyndhurst mansion, a testament to high living during the Victoria era in New York's Hudson River Valley. The 40-odd rooms include a Gothic dining room w...
Bob and Tom Moran (from Pella) discuss the anatomy of the doors chosen for the Martha's Vineyard Victorian project, and contractor Bob Ryley demonstrates the proc...
Bob reviews progress in the kitchen, which includes the installation of a pantry, and contractor Bob Ryley demonstrates how to build a door into a wood-paneled wa...
Landscape designer Ruth Foster visits the project site to explain her choice of plantings for the formal courtyard garden.
Bob meets with a project manager for the restoration of the U.S.S. Constitution, "Old Ironsides", dry-docked in Boston Harbor. They review the 21-inch-thick hull ...
Contractor Larry Landers installs V-groove pine on the ceiling of the new front porch and demonstrates how to stagger and miter boards for an attractive, old-fash...
Flooring contractor Leo Boudreau shows Bob how to recycle hardwood flooring. First, the floor must be salvaged. A pry bar is used to lift and remove the wood, pie...
Bob and the contractor discuss the concrete walkway, with the contractor giving Bob tips on how to make concrete cure harder and have less cracks. Also discussed ...
Bob helps carpenter Bob Ryley replace the storm windows on the Plymouth project house, and the newly designed bathroom needs tiles.
Work continues in the kitchen with the resurfacing of old counters. Tips on using contact cement are imparted.
Bob observes as workmen create a template that's used to cut vinyl sheet goods for an exact fit on the floor.
Bob helps carpenter-contractor Bob Ryley build an insulated floor so as to extend living space into the basement.
Due to flood plain regulations, the deck cannot be attached to the house-- it has to be free-floating. Bob helps the contractors set up the posts and joists, and ...
Bob helps install cultured marble panels in a bathroom. The tile professional on the job, Jack Miklaus, shares information on fabricating the panels and tips on i...
Bob observes as gunite is poured over rebar to form the bottom and sides of the swimming pool cavity.
General contractor Ron Gan talks through the process of bricking in a window in the new kitchen. Ron also addresses the installation of a smaller bathroom window.
Bob visits Shepley Wood Products to discuss what to look for when ordering lumber.
Bob helps carpentry contractor Bob Ryley and his crew install a wooden window at the Cape Cod project house.
Bob goes over the electrical wiring with John Hickey. Also, cedar clapboards are put up on the exterior.
Carpentry contractor Bob Ryley demonstrates how to put up the pine interior paneling in the living room.
Bob looks on as tile setter John Boardman applies bathroom floor tile at the Cape Cod project house.
Bob and general contractor Ron Gan review the demolition and discuss replacing the bearing walls with special engineered beams.
Bob joins David Parker at Macmillan-Bloedel’s Parallam plant in Vancouver, BC to see how the special engineered beams are manufactured.
The crew installs a Parallam beam in the living room along with iron beams on the back masonry wall.
Contractor Carleton Bergere explains the advantages of vinyl siding and demonstrates how to install it.
Bob finds an authentic iron fence for the front yard and watches as the welder installs it using the arc welding process. Next, Bob heads inside to join general c...
Installer Ed Janecek demonstrates how to add a creative touch to vinyl flooring, while painter Dirk Van Kinette rolls high-gloss paint onto the master bathroom wa...
Bob joins architectural historian Susan Benjamin for a tour of some of Chicago's landmark buildings.
Ironmonger Frank Szablewski constructs an iron staircase and balcony entryway outside the front door.
Once stripped down, an ISBU's exterior is finished with heavy-gauge steel, then faced in sheet-metal wrap and covered with SuperTherm insulating ceramic coating. ...
Bob joins Steve Armstrong, the project architect and engineer, to discuss the project. The challenge of building a home like this is marrying new methods of const...
Bob helps general contractor Tim Berky put a solid-core cherry-veneer door on its bronze butt hinges, and install matching door hardware.
General contractor Tim Berky trims out the windows with custom millwork created from a profile of the home's original trim. Bob looks at the four-panel cherry poc...
The Silestone island countertop arrives, with the cooktop cutout done on site. Matt Lihous (from DCS/Fisher & Paykel) explains the features of the Dynamic Cooking...
General contractor Tim Berky is installing Merillat cherry cabinets in the remodeled kitchen. Berky roughs in the base wall cabinet, shims it, and checks for leve...
Retaining walls, foundation work, and curving stairways are faced with Cultured Stone from Owens Corning. These cast cement, pumice, and iron oxide products are m...
General contractor Tim Berky is building the cedar deck railings, first by notching the edge board to receive posts, then by fitting one post into each notch. Onc...
Bob reviews the structure for the new deck. Paul Mackie (of the Western Red Cedar Lumber Association) joins to discuss the benefits of building with western red c...
Rich Melo of Newton Roofing Company joins Bob for the installation of the copper roof on the Rowley addition. The Dutch cleat system has a crimped edge and a rece...
General contractor Tim Berky is completing trim on the oriel window that faces onto the deck. He begins by covering the underboard with MDO (medium density overla...
Rick Kleiner (from the Southern Forest Products Association) joins Bob to talk about using pressure-treated deck members. Such lumber resists fungal growth, termi...
General contractor Tim Berky installs the white oak, tongue-and-groove floor. Since the flooring will be nailed over the hyrdronic heat system, it is critical to ...
The extensive new deck will have multiple levels and various sections. General contractor Tim Berky digs holes for the footings before setting them in concrete.
