10 Things You Should Always Buy From Ace Hardware

With industry-leading customer satisfaction, Ace Hardware offers fantastic opportunities for DIYers. Check out this list of 10 items that are always worth a trip to your local Ace Hardware.

1 / 10
Painting the ceiling
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Paint

Whether you’re just touching up the spare room or giving the entire house a new look, Ace Hardware stores are a great place to get paint. Beyond their selection, the store’s experts are focused on customer service, making the paint buying process as smooth as a gloss finish. available to help you match samples and pick the right sheen for the job. Ace Hardware features paints from Benjamin Moore, Magnolia Home and Clark+Kensington, their proprietary brand.

2 / 10
plants on patio outdoors
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Fragile Plants

You’ll often find that the staff at Ace Hardware stores give their plants a little extra attention in a way that big-box home centers can’t match. That’s especially true with plants that require extra care. While rare specimens are best sought at dedicated nurseries, Ace can be a great place to find healthy plants. Check to see whether or not your local Ace Hardware has a nursery, not all location do.

3 / 10
FH01MAR_02249001 use a pressure washer to clean the exterior
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Tool Rentals

Looking for a chainsaw or a power washer? Look no further than Ace Hardware; many locations rent tools. Most store typically have a limited selection, but that’s a good thing in this case. That means the staff can take good care of their rental equipment, which is great when you don’t want the hassle of dealing with damaged or poorly-maintained tools. And when it’s time to retire these items, you can sometimes find them for sale there at deep discounts!

These are the things you should always buy from Ace Hardware:

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fasteners
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Specialty Fasteners

Ace can’t stock bulk quantities like the mega-stores. But it can help a frustrated DIYer find the unusual fastener for a specific application, whether it’s a binding post or a dowel-and-cam lock combo. Ace employees can help identify unusual fasteners and suggest creative solutions for difficult projects. Plus: Check out these Labor Day sale finds for all things DIY.

5 / 10
tape measure
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Bargain Bin Finds

Most hardware stores have a clearance section. But at Ace, you’ll find a dedicated bargain bin with low-priced items perfect for DIYers searching for things that won’t be used every day, or can be used and disposed of. That bargain bin tape measure may not be the most rugged you’ll ever find, but it works great as a spare and won’t break your budget.

6 / 10
torn screen
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Services

Ace Hardware is one of the best places to go when you want to hand over specific tasks, like screen repair or blade sharpening. Sure, you can do these on your own. But sometimes it’s worth paying a few dollars to save yourself time.

7 / 10
wood stain
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Wood Stains

Often grouped with paints, matching an existing stain is a separate art that takes time to master. The pros at Ace Hardware will help identify the type of wood and stain on your existing sample, and walk you through the options for finding a modern stain that will match. Or, if you’re starting a project from scratch, they can help you find the best product and offer advice on application.

8 / 10
tarps on roofs
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Local Specialty Materials

Every part of the country has unique building styles and needs. Some areas may be known for specific kinds of roofing, such as slate or clay tiles, or have weather conditions that require extra environmental conditioning. Ace locations are locally owned, making them a great source when you need to purchase an item that isn’t on the radar of the corporate decision-makers who run the big box stores.

9 / 10

Ace House Brand

Ace has one of the more reliable and higher quality home improvement “house brands.” Often sold at a significant discount to the brand names, you can find Ace brand caulks, tapes, adhesives and more, all with DIY-friendly pricing.

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hardware store expert
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Expert Advice

And finally, Ace is a great place to start when you’re working on a project requiring skills or materials unfamiliar to you. Always start with basic research from a trustworthy source like Family Handyman, and then stop by Ace to stock up on supplies and to consult the in-store pros. Don’t be afraid to ask if someone on staff is an expert in the specific topic. You’d be surprised at what a resource those helpful hardware folks really are. And the advice is free!

Dan Stout
Ohio-based freelance writer and author Dan Stout is a former residential remodeler, commercial site supervisor and maintenance manager. He’s worked on nearly all aspects of building and DIY including project planning and permitting, plumbing, basic electric, drywall, carpentry, tiling, painting and more. He also publishes noir fantasy thrillers, including The Carter Series, from Penguin imprint DAW Books.