7 items that every DIYer needs

If you’re going to be on your feet all day, it’s important to have comfortable shoes. But if that day involves DIY projects, you should also protect your toes and soles from injury with a pair of certified work boots. Look for a green, triangle-shaped CSA label that indicates both toe and sole protection.

Most power tool manufacturers have branched out into heated workwear. Options range from hoodies and jackets to gloves and insole inserts for your boots. If you have a preferred tool manufacturer look into their lineup so you can use the batteries you already have in your collection.

If you heat the cottage with wood and have a large enough property that you can fell your own trees, it’s worth investing in a log splitter. It won’t save you all of the backbreaking labour, but it will definitely reduce the workload.

Speaking of backbreaking work, give your back—and heart—a break from shovelling snow with a snow blower. Studies have shown sharp increases in heart attacks in men 50 and older after heavy snowfalls.

If you are doing outdoor projects in the winter, strap a pair of ice cleats onto the soles of your boots before you head out. These ingenious add-ons give you traction on the iciest of surfaces.

Ladders are essential, but most are bulky and take up a lot of storage space. A telescoping ladder will fit in the trunk, but then expand to ceiling or eavestrough height. Contractor-grade models have a reach up to about 20’.

Sure, you could do the old “tap the wall to find the stud” trick. But that doesn’t always work. A good-quality stud finder does the job and more. Look for a model that can detect plumbing and live wires as well as studs.