About the author

Todd Fratzel

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.

Sherwin Williams DeckScapes Clear Deck Sealer

By Todd Fratzel on Decks & Porches, Painting and Finishing, Product Reviews

The other day I power washed the deck and farmers porch. Now I need to choose a sealer to protect the Cambara decking. When we built the house I used Penofin Penetrating Sealer to seal the cambara decking. Well I’ve been pretty unhappy with that sealer. I don’t think it has held up well at…

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Makita LCT300W 18V Compact Lithium-Ion 3PC Cordless Combo

By Todd Fratzel on Power Tools

The Makita LCT300W 18V Compact Lithium-Ion 3PC Cordless Combo is a serious 1/2 inch cordless drill combo package for the serious handyman. The Makita 3 pc Combo Kit includes: Makita BTD142HW 18V Lithium-Ion Cordless Impact Driver Makita BDF452HW 18-Volt Compact Lithium-Ion Driver Drill Kit Makita BML185W 18V LXT Flashlight If you purchase these separately they…

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How To Install Cabinet Door Hardware Quickly and Accurately

By Todd Fratzel on Cabinetry, Power Tools

Cabinet Hardware Template In this post I’d like to share with you a great piece of advice on how to install cabinet door hardware quickly and accurately. Once you’ve spent thousands of dollars on new cabinets the last thing you want to do is ruin them by doing a bad job installing the hardware. Next…

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Cleaning Decks With Power Washers

By Todd Fratzel on Decks & Porches, Maintanence

Pressure Washing Decks Cleaning decks with pressure washers is a very easy home improvement project that doesn’t take much skill. The best part is you don’t have to own an expensive power washer to do the job. Almost all rental centers carry pressure washers. Today I rented a 3,100 psi gas powered pressure washer from…

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Take Photos During Construction To Document Hidden Utilities

By Todd Fratzel on Plumbing

Construction Photos – Document Plumbing and Electrical One of my biggest pieces of advice for anyone building a new home or under going an major renovation is to take as many photos as you can during construction to document hidden utilities. Every house contains hundreds if not thousands of feet of wire, piping and duct…

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Plan Your Duct Work To Maximize Attic Space

By Todd Fratzel on Air Conditioning, Closets & Storage

Most houses built today use common trusses that don’t provide for attic space like older homes framed with traditional rafters. In a recent post, Creating Storage Room With Attic Trusses, I pointed out the benefit of using attic trusses to create inexpensive storage space. In order to take advantage of that newly gained space it’s…

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How to Tile Shower Ceilings

By Todd Fratzel on Bathrooms

Last week I was asked if I could explain how to install tile on an overhead surface (shower ceiling). Well I’ve done it once so I thought I’d share my experience installing marble tile on a shower ceiling. The first thing that I’d like to share is the importance of a proper substrate surface to…

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How "Green" is Bamboo Flooring?

By Todd Fratzel on Flooring

I’d like to share a post that I wrote the other day over at Today’s Green Construction. The post, Is Bamboo Flooring Green?, looks at the question of how environmentally friendly is the popular bamboo flooring that everyone seems to be buying lately. You might find it interesting to read about why I don’t think…

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