Other Materials

These premium products offer time-tested longevity, so your choice depends on price, appearance, and installation requirementsby Harrison McCampbell

Copper- and borate-based preservative treatments have proven effectiveness, but structural plastics are more durableby Scott Gibson

It's better-looking and more affordable than everby Justin Fink

Cross-linked polyethylene tubing is cheaper to buy, is faster to install, and won't corrode or explodeby Andy Engel

How much time, trouble, and money does it take to install deck planks? It all depends on the fasteners you use.by Justin Fink

These plastic-based barriers help to keep wind and water at bay, but only if you choose the right product and install it correctlyby Fernando Pagés Ruiz

Today's handsaws cut all kinds of material with renewed comfort, control, and durabilityby Brian Pontolilo

We help you sort through the choices with reliability, style, and function in mindby Nena Donovan Levine

Alternative trim may not be cost-effective when you buy it, but it becomes cost-effective after you've saved money on maintenance or replacementby Gary M. Katz

It's the hottest thing on the market, but the installation is trickier than with ceramic tileby Tom Meehan

A look at the pros and cons of vinyl siding and polyvinyl chlorideby Alex Wilson

From tropical hardwoods to man-made plastic composites, the choices are more varied than everby Scott Gibson

Available as single-shot, semiautomatic or full automatic, these low-velocity tools are the ones carpenters choose when driving fasteners into concrete or steelby Bruce Greenlaw

If you think the choice is as simple as gas vs. electric, you could end up with a great-looking stove that takes forever to boil water and even longer to cleanby Roe A. Osborn

Whether aluminum, copper, steel or plastic, gutters need good design and proper installation to put roof runoff where it belongsby Andy Engel

by Paul Fisette

They're the largest and most visible moving parts of your house, but with all the options out there, don't leave the choice up to someone elseby Roe A. Osborn

One-piece fixtures are quick to install, but should you buy a gelcoat or an acrylic model?by Scott Gibson

The kind of ducts you use and the number and types of turns they make dramatically affect HVAC-system performanceby John O'Connell, Bruce Harley