I Asked Contractors What I Should Never Buy at Lowe’s — Here’s What They Said
Written by
Dawn Allcot
Edited by
Zuri Anderson
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Many people think of Lowe’s as a go-to shop for home improvement and gardening supplies, Halloween home décor and more.
But there are certain things professional contractors refuse to buy at the home improvement superstore. These product categories simply don’t measure up to professional-grade standards.
All-Purpose Cleaners
When you’re giving your home a seasonal cleaning, you might think you can save money by purchasing all-purpose cleaners at Lowe’s. These products may be fine for wiping down kitchen counters, but be cautious about using them on more delicate surfaces, including stainless steel appliances.
“Those all-purpose cleaners are bad for most jobs, especially when it comes to HVAC, appliances and delicate surfaces,” said Keith Wortsmith, president of DASH Heating & Cooling, a family-owned HVAC company in Hot Springs, Arkansas.
He pointed out that they might be too harsh for some surfaces, and too mild for others.
“They are not material-specific. You can end up with corroded metal, degraded rubber or sticky film on the surface that attracts even more dust,” he said. “[Cleaners] should be designed specifically for the job you are going to do.”
Air Conditioner Filters
Wortsmith also recommended against buying air filters for your AC or heating system at Lowe’s.
“They have way lower quality than filters from brands like Filtrete, Trufilter, and other brands professionals use. Lowe’s filters wear out faster and offer less protection for your HVAC system,” he said.
He suggested professional-grade, pleated synthetic filters with a MERV rating from 8 to 13 for most homes.
Lumber
Ben Kuhl, home remodeler and CEO of Shelf Expression, cautioned against buying lumber at Lowe’s.
“The lumber we typically see there is green, meaning it’s been freshly cut and hasn’t had time to dry. The moisture content can often be close to 40%. This leads to boards that are already warped, or worse, flat when you purchase them, but then warp and crack as they acclimate to your shop,” he said.
He suggested sourcing wood for DIY projects from a local lumber yard, instead.
“You’ll get better quality lumber, and you’re supporting a local business. It’s a win-win,” he said.
Door Locks
Jak Daragjati, owner of Dara AV, a Staten Island-based commercial audio visual integrator, who is also renovating a vacation home in Pennsylvania, said he won’t buy “anything with mechanics in it” from Lowe’s. Major manufacturers often reduce the quality of components to keep costs low for mass-market retailers.
“The name-brand lock you get from Lowe’s is very different than the same brand a supply house would sell,” Daragjati said. “If you cut it in half, you’ll see the components from a home improvement store are cheaply made with plastic, while the supply house will sell a lock with metal interior components.”
That means the doorknob from Lowe’s is more likely to fail under stress than one constructed of metal. While many people use locks from mass-market retailers in their homes, if you’re concerned about durability and home safety, consider sourcing them from a professional supply house, instead.
Low-Voltage Lighting
Daragjati said he also steers clear of low-voltage lighting products, which you might install in your home, from Lowe’s.
“They usually have lower quality capacitors and drivers, which tend to fail after a couple of years of use,” he said.
He said he will buy sheetrock and hardware, such as nails and screws, from big-box home improvement stores for his DIY projects.
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