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.

Custom Tile Shower & Tub Surround

By Todd Fratzel on Bathrooms, Interior Decorating

One of my favorite features of our new home is the master bathroom suite. Anyone that knows me might find this odd and even think I’d say the utility room, garage or basement, but the master bathroom is definitely my favorite room. The best feature hands down is the custom shower that I designed. The…

Continue reading »

Wainscoting Adds Elegance To A Room

By Todd Fratzel on Finish Carpentry

DIY Wainscoting Wainscoting is an easy way to add some elegance to a room. In our new home I wanted to have a more formal feeling dining room and wainscoting helped us achieve that feeling. Do-it-yourself wainscoting can be achieved in a couple different approaches. You can create faux wainscoting by applying small pieces of…

Continue reading »

Window Condensation – Part II

By Todd Fratzel on Windows

I recently posted about winter window condensation and I’ve received a lot of questions. I found some more information that should be useful in answering some of the questions: Humidities should be controlled so that little or no condensation appears on the inside surface of the glass. With double glazing this still permits quite high…

Continue reading »

Radiant Heat Cont’d. | In Slab Tubing

By Todd Fratzel on Air Conditioning

In my previous post, Radiant Heat New Construction, I wrote about using radiant heat in homes. In the basement slab of my new home I have radiant heat and I thought I’d share some pictures of the tubing and insulation layout. As you can see in the photos the PEX tubing is layed out on…

Continue reading »

Vinyl Cupolas – Part 2 of Cupolas Create Curb Appeal

By Todd Fratzel on Curb Appeal, Design

My recent post on cupolas, Cupolas Create Curb Appeal, was quite popular and I’ve received quite a few questions regarding vinyl cupolas. I personally have not used a vinyl cupola but I did some research and there are quite a few manufacturers. Two of the sites that I found with vinyl cupolas are, SkyArt Studio…

Continue reading »

Woodworking Tools for Beginners

By Todd Fratzel on Power Tools

Woodworking And Tools Go Hand In Hand! by Douglas Taylor There has never been a better time to get started in the woodworking hobby. Information is everywhere with woodworking how to books and magazines at every bookstore. Add the Internet into all of this and you have a lot of choices to learn from. One…

Continue reading »

Selecting Replacement Windows

By Todd Fratzel on Energy Conservation, Windows

Trying to decide what type and brand of replacement window to purchase is a difficult decision. There are so many different styles, manufactures, options and details that I suggest you spend quality time researching and evaluating different windows. The most important feature will be the energy efficiency or rating for the window. Three key measures…

Continue reading »

Winter Window Condensation Problems

By Todd Fratzel on Air Conditioning

If you live in a cold part of the country you are familiar with condensation and ice forming on the inside of windows. This problem is becoming more prevalent with new home construction due in part to the increased insulation and “tightness” of the houses. As the temperatures continue to drop outside I receive lots…

Continue reading »

Copyright © 2009-2023 Front Steps Media, LLC. All Rights Reserved. Home Construction & Improvement™ is a Trademark of Front Steps Media, LLC.