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Help & advice: Project area

Building, hardware & tools

Insulating your loft, laying floors, repairing walls and ceilings.
No job’s too tough for you with our How To guides and videos. And our Buying guides will help you choose the right tools for any work you’re doing.

Discover our incredibly hand tools range

Building, hardware & tools how to guides

Building, hardware & tools buying guides

Building, hardware & tools inspiration

Over 300 doors to choose from in the latest doors brochure

Doors brochure

Over 300 doors to choose from in the latest doors brochure.

Building, hardware & tools frequently asked questions

  • How do you know if a drill bit can be used on metal?
    It is possible to drill metal however if you were looking to drill bit to do this, it is advised to refer to the packaging.
  • What type of drill will I need to drill into brickwork?
    This is more of a heavy duty task. It is best to use a masonry drill on brickwork.
  • What does a "lock-on switch" feature do on power tool?
    A "lock-on switch" allows you to lock the tool into position, which allows more freedom of your hands.
  • What’s the difference between a hammer drill and a drill driver?
    Hammer drill punches into the material, where as a drill driver rotates.
  • What does PIR means in the alarm section?
    PIR means Passive Infra Red sensor
  • What is a fire blanket used for?
    A fire blanket is used to extinguish kitchen and clothing fires.
  • What is the minimum British Standard Kite mark for locks?
    Locks need to have a minimum of 5 lever security, this is the standard needed for insurance policies.
  • What is Carbon Monoxide?
    A colourless, odourless, tasteless toxic gas produced by fuel burning appliances or vehicle engines.
  • What does MDF stand for?
    MDF stands for Micro density fibre.
  • What timber should you use outside?
    Treated timber should be used outside as this will stop water absorption.
  • What is the difference between sawn timbers and planed?
    Sawn timbers only have cuts at ends. Planed timbers have their outside layers removed.
  • What is chipboard made of?
    Chipboard is remnants of larger wood glued together and pressed.
  • What is the difference between sharp sand and building sand?
    Building sand is for use in brick laying and pointing for when a smooth finish is required. Sharp sand is suitable for bedding paving slabs and driveway products.
  • What tile adhesive would you use in a kitchen or bathroom?
    Due to the build up of condensation in a kitchen or bathroom waterproof adhesive needs to be used when tiling these rooms.
  • What do you need to put in-between the tiles to make sure the gaps are even?
    Tile spacers will make sure that the tiles have the same space in-between them.
  • Can you tile on chipboard or hardboard?
    No, it is not possible to tile on chipboard or hard board as the adhesive will not stick.
  • What is a mosaic tile?
    A mosaic tile is a tiles made up of smaller squares.
  • How many different types of composters do you sell?
    We sell 6 different types of composters to help you with composting your household and garden waste.
  • Do Homebase sell recycle bins?
    Yes, we do. We sell a wide range of recycle bins in all shapes and sizes to fit in with your lifestyle.
  • What is the recommended depth of insulation, and who recommends it?
    The recommended depth of insulation is 270mm and this is set by the UK Building Regulations.
  • How many litres of water does a water butt hold?
    The maximum quantity that a Homebase water butt can hold is 22L.
  • What are the different thicknesses of loft insulation?
    The insulation that we stock comes in two thicknesses - 100mm and 370mm