Finding a hardware store that actually has what you need can be surprisingly difficult in Vermont. Big-box chains stock the most common items but run thin on specialty products, hard-to-find fittings, and the kind of commercial-grade materials that contractors and municipalities depend on daily. Smaller shops may offer great service but lack the depth of inventory to cover a full project without sending you to a second or third store. The result is wasted time, extra trips, and the frustration of cobbling together materials from multiple sources.
Johnson Hardware & Rental in Johnson, VT is a different kind of hardware store. Our 25,000-square-foot converted dairy barn holds one of the deepest inventories of building supplies, plumbing and heating materials, electrical components, excavation supplies, paint, fasteners, and concrete tools in the region. We serve homeowners tackling weekend projects, contractors running full build schedules, and municipal crews maintaining Vermont's infrastructure. This guide walks through what we carry, who we serve, and why the trip to Johnson is worth it for your next project.
A Hardware Store Built for the Way Vermont Works
Vermont is a state where people build, fix, and maintain things themselves. Whether it is a homeowner replacing a water heater, a plumber running PEX through a new construction project, an electrician wiring a service panel, or a municipal crew repairing a water main, the work demands reliable materials and a supplier who understands the job.
Johnson Hardware & Rental has been that supplier for over 30 years. We are family-owned and locally operated, and we have built our inventory around the actual needs of the people who walk through our doors every day. That means stocking the standard items every project requires alongside the specialty products that are hard to find anywhere else in the area. It means keeping commercial-grade materials on hand for contractors and municipalities, not just consumer-grade products for weekend DIYers. And it means staffing our store with people who know the products, understand the trades, and can help you find the right solution without wasting your time.
Our store sits at 1442 VT Route 15 in Johnson, VT, just 25 minutes from Stowe, 15 minutes from Smugglers' Notch, and about an hour from Burlington. We are a destination for professionals and homeowners across northern and central Vermont who have learned that one trip to Johnson Hardware covers what would otherwise take visits to three or four different stores.
Plumbing and Heating Supplies
Our plumbing department is one of the most well-stocked in the region, and it is a big part of what sets Johnson Hardware & Rental apart from other Vermont hardware stores. We carry a massive selection of standard and hard-to-find plumbing supplies that serve municipalities, maple producers, professional plumbers, and homeowners alike.
Our plumbing inventory includes sewer and drain pipe supplies, plumbing materials, pipe, fittings, valves, and accessories across multiple material types. We stock copper, PVC, stainless steel, and ductile iron pipe along with a deep selection of fittings for each. PEX tubing, fittings, tools, and accessories are always in stock for the residential and commercial projects that increasingly rely on PEX for water distribution.
For municipal and commercial customers, we carry ductile iron fittings and valves in both domestic and import options, municipal water pipe and line supplies, saddles and saddle valves, and the specialized components that water and sewer infrastructure projects require. We also offer on-site pipe threading, which saves contractors the time and hassle of sourcing that service elsewhere.
Water heaters, pressure tanks, and accessories round out the department. Whether you are installing a new water heater, replacing a pressure tank, or sourcing parts for a repair, we carry popular brands and the right accessories to complete the job. We also stock heating accessories including radiant, oil, gas, and LP parts and supplies.
Electrical Supplies
Johnson Hardware & Rental's electrical department stocks commercial-grade electrical supplies for homeowners, contractors, and municipalities. We carry a wide variety of electrical products and components, including hard-to-find items that keep projects moving without the delays that come from waiting on special orders.
Our electrical inventory covers the full scope of residential and commercial work. We stock plastic and metal boxes, load centers, meter sockets, circuit breakers, switches, outlets, light fixtures and accessories, and electrical and service wire. For conduit work, we carry PVC electrical conduit in Schedule 40 and Schedule 80 from half-inch to five-inch diameters, EMT conduit from half-inch to two-inch, and a full range of conduit fittings and sweeps including 90-degree long sweeps, standard short sweeps, 45-degree sweeps, terminal adapters, repair couplings, and expansion joints.
We also stock transformer vaults, cabinets, and enclosures for commercial and municipal installations. These are the kinds of items that most hardware stores simply do not carry, and finding them locally saves contractors and municipal electricians the time and cost of sourcing through specialty distributors.
Whether you are wiring a new home, upgrading a service panel, running conduit for a commercial build, or maintaining municipal electrical infrastructure, our electrical department has the inventory to support the work.
Excavation Supplies
Excavation work in Vermont involves a unique set of challenges, from rocky soil and high water tables to strict erosion control requirements and seasonal weather that narrows the window for outdoor work. Johnson Hardware & Rental's excavation department is stocked to handle all of it.
We carry one of the largest inventories of culvert pipe in the area, with black double-wall plastic culvert from 6 inches to 60 inches, gray double-wall plastic culvert from 12 to 60 inches, and galvanized spiral culvert from 8 to 48 inches. That range covers everything from residential driveway culverts to municipal road projects.
Erosion control is a critical component of any excavation project in Vermont, and we stock the full range of materials contractors and municipalities need to stay compliant. Our inventory includes single-sided and double-sided straw blankets with both jute and poly netting in state specification options, straw wattles, silt fence including standard and state-spec wire-backed versions, grade stakes, landscape staples, geo grid, and turf matting.
Filter and road fabrics are available in 4.5-ounce, 6-ounce, and 8-ounce weights across widths ranging from 3 feet to 17.5 feet. We also carry septic tanks from 300 to 1,000 gallons with risers, covers, and filters by Polylok, water storage tanks in horizontal, elliptical, and utility configurations, and pumps for every application including submersible, sewage, sump, and transfer.
Paint and Staining Supplies
A fresh coat of paint or stain can transform a room, protect exterior surfaces, and extend the life of decks, siding, and trim. Johnson Hardware & Rental's paint department carries Valspar paint and Cabot stain along with a full line of brushes, rollers, primers, prep supplies, and finishing accessories.
Valspar offers a range of interior and exterior paint formulas that cover everything from flat ceiling paint to high-durability semi-gloss for kitchens and bathrooms. Custom color matching is available in store, so you can bring in a sample and walk out with the exact shade you need.
Cabot stain is a trusted name for Vermont homeowners and contractors who need to protect exterior wood surfaces from the state's harsh weather cycles. From deck stains and semi-transparent finishes to solid-color stains and clear sealers, Cabot products are formulated to penetrate and protect wood against moisture, UV damage, and temperature swings.
Our paint department team can help you choose the right product for your surface, your application method, and your project timeline. Whether you are painting one room or staining an entire deck, we have the supplies and the knowledge to help you get a professional result.
Hardware and Fasteners
The fastener aisle may not be the most glamorous part of a hardware store, but it is one of the most important. The wrong fastener can compromise the integrity of a joint, fail under load, or corrode in Vermont's wet and freeze-thaw conditions. Johnson Hardware & Rental stocks a large selection of hardware and fasteners from brands like GRK, Grip-Rite, and Fasten Master, covering everything from structural hardware to finishing nails.
Our fastener inventory includes finishing nails and screws, lag screws and bolts, drywall and wood screws, deck and exterior screws, and roofing and siding fasteners. We carry fasteners in the materials and coatings that Vermont conditions demand, including stainless steel, galvanized, and ceramic-coated options for exterior applications where corrosion resistance is critical.
For structural work, we stock the heavy-duty fasteners and connectors that building codes require for framing, deck construction, ledger board connections, and load-bearing applications. Our team can help you identify the right fastener for your specific application, whether you are building a deck, hanging cabinets, or framing a wall.
Concrete Tools and Supplies
Concrete work is a regular part of Vermont construction, from setting deck posts and pouring footings to building retaining walls and finishing slabs. Johnson Hardware & Rental stocks concrete tools and supplies including Sakrete products, SonoTubes for forming round columns and piers, and the hand tools and finishing equipment you need for clean, professional results.
Whether you are a contractor pouring multiple footings on a commercial project or a homeowner setting a few fence posts, we carry the right products in the right quantities. And if your concrete project requires heavier equipment, our rental department has concrete tool rentals available to complement the supplies you pick up in the building department.
Chimney Supplies and Foam Insulation
Two categories that Vermont homeowners and contractors frequently need, and frequently struggle to find locally, are chimney supplies and foam insulation rated for below-grade application.
Our chimney supply inventory includes black stove pipe, Selkirk all-fuel stainless pipe, and through-wall and ceiling installation kits. With so many Vermont homes relying on wood stoves for primary or supplemental heat, these are not seasonal items for us. We keep them stocked year-round.
Our foam insulation is rated for below-grade application and compliant with Vermont's regulation prohibiting the use of insulation that releases harmful gasses. We carry 2-inch gray DOW board and 2-inch black foam board, both rated at R-10 with 25 PSI compressive strength, in multiple size configurations. For contractors and homeowners working on foundations, basements, and below-grade walls, having access to compliant, high-quality foam insulation locally eliminates the need to special-order through a distributor.
Serving Homeowners, Contractors, and Municipalities
One of the things that makes Johnson Hardware & Rental unique is the range of customers we serve. Walk through our store on any given morning and you will see municipal employees picking up pipe and fittings for a water line repair, contractors loading erosion control materials for a site prep job, and homeowners browsing paint colors for a kitchen renovation. All of them are shopping in the same store because we stock the inventory to serve all three.
For homeowners, we offer the product selection and expert guidance that makes DIY projects manageable. Our staff can help you figure out the right pipe fittings for a bathroom remodel, choose the correct circuit breaker for a panel upgrade, or select the best deck screws for your new outdoor space. We take the guesswork out of the process so you can focus on the work.
For contractors, we provide the commercial-grade materials, competitive pricing, and in-stock availability that keep your projects on schedule. Our dedicated outside sales contacts, Trevor for municipalities and large contractors and Cole for small and medium contractors, are available to help with quotes, large orders, and ongoing supply relationships.
For municipalities, we are a trusted supplier of water pipe, ductile iron fittings, culvert, erosion control, and the specialized infrastructure materials that Vermont towns and state agencies need to maintain roads, water systems, and public facilities. We have spent over 15 years building relationships with municipal purchasing departments across Vermont, and we understand the documentation, pricing, and delivery requirements that public sector projects demand.
More Than Building Supplies Under One Roof
What makes a trip to Johnson Hardware & Rental especially efficient is that building supplies are just one part of what we offer. While you are picking up plumbing fittings or electrical wire, you can also stop by our Milwaukee tool department, the largest authorized single-store Milwaukee dealer in New England. You can check out our professional workwear from Carhartt, Ariat, Timberland Pro, and Dovetail. You can browse our equipment rentals if your project needs a lift, compactor, or generator. And you can pick up pet supplies, gardening products, outdoor recreation gear, or a gift from our toy department on the same visit.
That breadth of inventory in a single location is something no big-box chain and no online retailer can match. It is the result of 30 years of listening to what Vermont customers actually need and building a store that delivers it all in one place.
Visit Vermont's One-Stop Hardware Store in Johnson
Johnson Hardware & Rental is more than a hardware store. It is a 25,000-square-foot destination built to serve every customer who walks through the door, from the homeowner replacing a faucet to the municipal crew sourcing pipe for a mile of water main. We are family-owned, locally operated, and committed to keeping Vermont green with 100% renewable energy.
Stop by our store at 1442 VT Route 15 in Johnson, VT to see the inventory for yourself, talk to our team, and find everything your project needs in a single trip. Give us a call at 802-635-7282 with questions or to check stock on specific items. For municipal and contractor inquiries, ask for Trevor (large contractors and municipalities) or Cole (small and medium contractors). We are open Monday through Friday 7am to 5pm and Saturday 8am to 4pm.