Expert Home Improvement Advice
Bostitch Joist Hanger Gun The other day I wrote about how much joist hangers have improved the construction industry. However, anyone that has used these hangers can attest to the slow nailing process of using the special joist hanger nails. Because joist hangers typically are attached to a single ply of 1 1/2″ material the…
One of the great products available for construction these days are the metal hangers and connectors. Almost every house built today uses some type of hanger to connect joists, beams and posts. We use a multitude of these hangers everyday. We use them for joists, trusses, beams, headers, posts, columns and walls. A great resource…
Energy Saving Investments With energy costs soaring out of control I thought the following information would be helpful for people trying to cut their energy expenses. Try following a couple of these tips and you’re sure to see some reduced energy costs. Six Energy Saving Investments 1. Install an ENERGY STAR programmable thermostat away from…
Now that I’ve almost completed the new staircase to my workshop I need to start designing the layout. I must say I’m a bit overwhelmed at the idea of coming up with a great layout that will make me happy for years to come. The actual workshop will be approximately 28′ long by 12′ wide.…
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Todd Fratzel, P.E.Newport, NH I’m a licensed professional engineer in the states of New Hampshire and Massachusetts. Currently I’m employed by a large construction company as Principal Engineer and project manager for the residential and commercial design-build division. I oversee the construction of custom residential homes, commercial building projects and the development of design-build opportunities.…
Selecting A House Lot At work this week we broke ground on a new house lot for some customers of ours and it reminded me that choosing a lot is not always easy. There are many things to consider when evaluating a piece of land to build your new home on. Several key factors include…
One of the hottest topics today in energy conservation is the use of geothermal heat pump systems. The US Department of Energy estimates that 40,000 geothermal heat pumps are installed each year. These systems have been in use since the 1940’s but have only become popular due to the soaring price of fossil fuels. A…
How To Insulate Basement Walls Insulating a basement properly is rather challenging in cold climates. In this article I'd like to discuss how to insulate basement walls in cold climates. Insulating basement walls in cold climates is a great way to keep your home warmer and drier. However, special care should be used when insulating…
Get 10% of with a Lowes Coupon NOTE: Home Construction & Improvement is not affiliated with Lowe's. Looking for a Lowes Coupon? Want to save 10% on a major purchase at Lowe's? Have you moved recently are about to move? If so this is an offer you can't afford to miss! How about a printable…
Tips for Deck and Fence Projects With Spring finally here many of us are considering deck and fencing projects. Maybe you're considering having a new deck or fence built. Maybe it's time to refinish your deck or add some new decorative touches to your tired deck. Spring is the perfect time to plan these projects…
New DEWALT Job Site Table Saws Models DWE7480, DWE7490X, and DWE7491RS DEWALT recently introduced a new line of portable table saws that include significant updates and features. The new line includes 3 new models; DWE7480 - 10" Compact Table Saw, DWE7491X - 10" Table Saw with Scissor Stand, and DWE7491RS - 10" Table Saw with…
I'm full time builder for a large construction company in New Hampshire. I run their design-build division that specializes in custom homes, commercial design-build projects and sub-divisions. I'm also a licensed civil and structural engineer with extensive experience in civil and structural design and home construction. My hope is that I can share my experience in the home construction, home improvement and home renovation profession with other builders and home owners. I'm also the Editor-in-Chief and Founder of Tool Box Buzz. Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions, suggestions or you'd like to inquire about advertising on this site.
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