Tray Ceilings Add Elegance To Rooms

By Todd Fratzel on Design, Framing, Interior Decorating

Tray Ceilings Ceilings are typically quite boring unless you create some special details such as tray ceilings. We built a really elegant tray ceiling in the custom Energy Star ranch style home we’re building for a customer. As you can see in the photos the tray ceiling really adds a unique feature to the room…

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DeWALT Worm Drive Circular Saw Review

By Todd Fratzel on Power Tools, Product Reviews

DeWALT DWS535 Worm Drive Circular Saw DeWALT recently introduced an all new worm drive circular saw, the DWS535 Heavy-Duty 7-1/4″ Worm Drive Circular Saw. Professional framers have long been fans of worm drive circular saws for their higher torques and better balance. Needless to say this new saw is an attention getter! DWS535 Worm Drive…

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Zar Ultra Polyurethane Review

By Todd Fratzel on Painting and Finishing

Zar Ultra Polyurethane – Fast Drying Several years ago when we built our new home we ordered custom Brazilian Cherry stair treads to match the houses Brazilian Cherry floors. We needed to apply our own polyurethane after the stairs were built so we chose Zar Ultra Polyurethane based on a recommendation at the local lumber…

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The Company Store Down Comforter Review

By Todd Fratzel on Interior Decorating

La Crosse Down Comforter Review The Company Store recently sent us one of their La Crosse Down Comforters to review. The Company Store sells Designer Quality Bed and Bath Linens. They sent us the La Crosse Down Comforter to show us how warm they are which turns out to be a great way to save…

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Pump Jacks Are Better Than Ladders

By Todd Fratzel on Safety

Pump Jack Scaffolding Pump Jacks are better than ladders for many reasons. If you’ve ever painted a two story home or installed siding high up on a ladder than you know safety is surely a top priority. Pump jacks are designed to create a moving scaffold system that allows you to get close to the…

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Basement Ceilings

By Todd Fratzel on Basements

Recommended Basement Ceiling Types Basement remodeling / finishing seems to be one of the hottest DIY projects right now. We get tons of emails about how to insulate  basement walls, how to insulate basement floors and what type of basement ceilings are best. Finishing or remodeling a basement requires lots of planning. The basement ceiling…

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Construction Loans

By Todd Fratzel on Financing

How Construction Loans Work If you’re planning on building a new home then chances are you’ll need a construction loan. Understanding how construction loans work is one of the first steps in building your new home. Without the financing you’ll be stuck in limbo waiting for that new dream home! Construction Loans Construction loans are…

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Closet Factory Review

By Todd Fratzel on Closets & Storage, Product Reviews

Custom Storage Solutions from Closet Factory In some previous articles we mentioned that were hired Closet Factory to design and install some storage solutions for a kids play room makeover that we’ve been working on. We are so busy these days that I decided I’d like a break from all the products and decided that…

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