4 flooring trends that will blow your mind
New innovations in flooring materials and application procedures offer Pros and their clients unlimited possibilities for a luxurious, affordable revitalization. With the floor’s emergence as a haven...
View ArticleHow to prevent nail pops in drywall
Nail pops – too many and you’ve got a real problem. Here’s how to prevent nail pops in drywall and how to fix them when they occur. It’s not uncommon to have a dozen screw pops out of 25,000 to 35,000...
View ArticleHow to meet the new energy codes
As the 2015 IECC (International Energy Conservation Code) works its way into state and local jurisdictions, the required R-values will eclipse what you get by simply insulating between the studs....
View ArticleDepot’s pro merchant picks his favorite saws and blades
The last few years have been particularly exciting. It’s almost like the world of consumer electronics. Every time you turn around someone is introducing the “next big thing.” We could spend days...
View ArticleConstruction Podcast Episode 54: Hardwood flooring installation problems and...
Ken Fisher has been installing and selling hardwood flooring for decades. He provides Pros expert tips for avoiding installation woes, especially ones due to excessive moisture in basements and...
View ArticleNew anti-vibe cordless reciprocating saw
A new anti-vibe cordless reciprocating saw from RYOBI cuts 40 percent faster than the previous cordless model. The new anti-vibe cordless reciprocating saw – the RYOBI One+ model P516 – features the...
View ArticleShould you buy a new cordless tool every few years?
Should I buy a new cordless tool every few years? We were wondering the same thing. To find out, we put the old and new Milwaukee M18 Fuel 2763 impact wrenches through side-by-side tests. Here’s what...
View ArticleRIDGID Beast 10 inch wet tile saw
RIDGID Beast 10 inch wet tile saw cuts small or large material with 34-inch rip and 24-inch diagonal cuts. The RIDGID Beast 10 inch wet tile saw (model R4092) with laser and included stand can rip...
View ArticleMulti-surface push broom from Quickie Bulldozer
The multi-surface push broom from Quickie Bulldozer with built-in scraper blade removes dried spackle and other sticky debris. The Quickie Bulldozer multi-surface push broom is built for tough jobsite...
View ArticleNew Crescent locking adjustable wrench
New Crescent locking adjustable wrench – adjust for fit and lock for grip. The latest news in hand tools is this new Crescent wrench. With its anti-slip jaws and quick-release locking feature, the...
View ArticleHeavy-duty Spray Nine Cleaner Degreaser
Heavy-duty Spray Nine Cleaner Degreaser cleans, degreases and disinfects. Spray Nine cleans the toughest tasks with less scrubbing and degreases, quickly breaking down heavy grease, oil, tar,...
View ArticleConstruction Podcast Episode 55: Got air? How to clear up indoor air quality...
Gord Cooke, an engineer and building scientist, provides Pros with easy ways to improve the indoor air quality (IAQ) of clients’ homes so that the homeowners and houses both remain healthy. Cooke, a...
View ArticleSafety tips for chainsaws
Kickback is one of the greatest dangers with chain saws. Injuries from chainsaws require the most stitches of any power tool and are known for being particularly gruesome. Because this is a power tool...
View ArticlePower tool safety tips for miter saws
Make sure you get the safety improvements when upgrading miter saws. And always look through the manual for recommended safety tips for miter saws. Following safety tips for miter saws will help you...
View ArticleMust-know angle grinder safety tips
The biggest risk from an angle grinder is an abrasive wheel or disk shattering and flying apart at high speed. Grinding or cutting with an angle grinder presents some distinct dangers not found with...
View ArticleSafety tips for table saw users
There are many ways to use a table saw more safely, including saws with flesh-sensing technology that shut off and retract the blade upon contact with skin. Following these safety tips for table saw...
View ArticleHow and where to install insulation
Roof insulation thermal resistance (depth) at truss heel (roof perimeter) should be equal to or greater than the thermal resistance of the exterior wall. While you may think you know how and where to...
View ArticleSafety tips for nail gun users
Nail guns are called guns for a reason; if they can fire a nail through wood, they can fire a nail into any part of your body just as easily. Following safety tips for nail gun users will help you...
View ArticleSmart solutions for construction business problems
An efficient way to increase revenue is to expand the scope of your jobs. If you’re working inside a home, suggest relevant upgrades. Managing a business is difficult – from winning new clients to...
View ArticlePower drill safety tips from the pros
The primary hazard associated with power drills is reaction torque, which suddenly jerks the tool when a bit binds up or when a fastener is fully tightened. To be sure you’re using your drill safely,...
View ArticleThe latest advances in cordless tools
Milwaukee’s new High Demand 9.0 Ah battery is due out this September. It will enable the company to provide cordless tools with as much or more power than their corded counterparts. The latest advances...
View ArticleSafety tips for using circular saws
Despite their ability to be used one-handed, circular saws should be held with both hands for maximum control and safety. Whether a right- or left-blade saw, worm drive or sidewinder style, circular...
View ArticleConstruction Podcast 56: Best new tools for the Pro
Clint DeBoer, editor in chief of Pro Tool Reviews, talks about the best new tools for professional contractors, including DeWalt’s FlexVolt technology and ones from RIDGID and RYOBI. He also reveals...
View ArticleConstruction Podcast 57: Building profits by building composite decks
Tim Stephens of Archadeck talks about why homeowners love composite decks and how easy they are to build. Best of all, Stephens, who has been building decks for decades, says composite materials reduce...
View Article12 award-winning Pro tools for 2016
Throughout the year the editors of Tools of the Trade look for award-winning Pro tools and technologies that will help Pros do their jobs better, faster and more easily − and then recognize the best...
View ArticleRIDGID introduces first cordless 18V dual bevel miter saw
RIDGID cordless dual-bevel miter saw adjusts 0 to 48 degrees left and right. RIDGID’s new 18v 7¼-inch dual bevel brushless sliding miter saw delivers more than twice as many cuts per charge and, at 24...
View ArticleNew safer Reaxx jobsite table saw
The new safer Reaxx jobsite table saw from Bosch uses flesh-detecting technology. Bosch has introduced the Reaxx jobsite table saw – the first saw with the company’s flesh-detecting Active Response...
View ArticleFirst cordless 10-inch sliding compound miter saw
Milwaukee’s cordless 10-inch sliding compound miter saw is the first cordless version of this popular tool. The 18V saw runs on Milwaukee’s M18 Fuel platform and uses only one battery (yes, this is an...
View ArticleTop tools of finish carpenters
Like most finish carpenters, Jesse Wright of Architectural Molding has a lot of tools. Many of his larger ones stay in his shop or truck until he needs them, but his small tools − hand tools mostly −...
View ArticleHome security products that can save lives
Prioritize home security products to strengthen client relationships. Home security continues to worry homeowners with nearly 90 percent expressing home protection as a concern in a recent survey....
View ArticleBuilding a staircase step by step
Start building a staircase by carefully measuring the area. Make sure both the base of the staircase and its landing will not obstruct any air vents, electrical sockets or similar obstacles before you...
View ArticleWhat that wood panel grade stamp means
Given the number of options in rated wood panel siding, information in an order must be precise. Here is how to interpret what wood panel grade stamp means to insure you receive the correct product....
View ArticleCrown molding: Coping vs mitering inside corners
To cope a crown molding corner, the installer trims the profile on the end of one piece of molding so it fits into another one − like two pieces of a puzzle. The greatest debate among installers pits...
View ArticleInstalling plywood sheathing and house wrap
With blocking installed and once satisfied with the alignment, we attached the sheathing using 2½-inch 8p nails hammered into the studs. Installing plywood sheathing and house wrap is a straightforward...
View ArticleConstruction Podcast 58: Effective communication = success working with...
Elizabeth and Anthony Wilder have owned a successful remodeling firm for decades — and they’re still married. They say the key to a productive work relationship with relatives and staff is effective...
View ArticleNail gun innovations
Brushless motors bring pneumatic-like power and performance to cordless nailers in a more compact, comfortable alternative. 5 enhancements that are changing nail guns for the better. The latest nail...
View ArticleTop tool picks of a site supervisor
David McGuirk has been doing renovation and painting work for years − including building his own house after marrying at 19. These are his top tool picks. He’s now a site supervisor with Haston General...
View ArticleTop tile trends for bathrooms
Tile continues to be the top choice for walls and floors in bathroom remodeling jobs. Here are the top tile trends for bathrooms in 2016 that your customers are craving. Top tile trends for bathrooms —...
View ArticleMake crown molding seams invisible
When crown molding seams that join two long lengths of crown molding are obvious, what is meant to embellish a room can be a distraction. Here is how to make crown molding seams invisible. Jonathan...
View ArticleBest tips for comparing cargo vans
5 tips for comparing cargo vans to help you find the right commercial vehicle for your business needs. And 5 new vans to compare. If a new commercial vehicle is in the cards for your company,...
View ArticleConstruction Podcast 59: How to close more sales
Andy Wells, president of Normandy Remodeling, tells Pros how to clinch more sales. First, he says, you have to win the homeowners’ trust, then they won’t be focused on price. The second thing potential...
View ArticleFanning the Flames on Fire Safety: Hassle-Free Upgrades for Added Property...
Preventative fire safety measures that can safeguard homes from fire are of paramount importance to homeowners. Faulty wires or improperly connected smoke detectors are dangerous for families and can...
View ArticleThe hunt for the best portable jobsite table saw
Table saws are undeniably the kings of rip cuts on the jobsite and in shops but which is the best portable jobsite table saw? The concept is simple: Place a motor below a solid table to turn a blade...
View ArticleRent vs. Buy: Five Essential Tool Evaluation Criteria for Pros
When in the rent vs buy dilemma, many pros default to purchasing tools, believing they offer a superior long-term investment. Often, they are right. However, there are a variety of factors that can...
View ArticleHow to clean drywall and construction dust
No job is complete until you clean drywall and construction dust and debris created by the project. At the end of each work day, sweep the area thoroughly with a heavy-duty broom made for the job ,...
View ArticleUsing a fall arrest system and safety harness correctly
Trusting a fall arrest system and safety harness to protect you without knowing if you’re using it correctly could be deadly. If you work more than 6 feet above a lower level, you are required by OSHA...
View ArticleConstruction Podcast 60: Free content and rebates for Pros
Kevin Kilpatrick, founder and publisher of Pro Construction Guide, tells listeners about the latest happenings with the brand, including why Pros should subscribe to the free newsletters and a new...
View ArticleThe hottest new building and remodeling trends
Check out the hottest new building and remodeling trends so you’ll be prepared when your clients ask what’s popular. Kitchen trends Talking about building and remodeling trends, check out the list of...
View ArticleHow to measure crown molding before you cut
Crown molding installation requires three steps: measuring, cutting and nailing. Measuring, most installers agree, is the most important. Here is how to measure crown molding before you cut. The...
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