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.

HardiPlank Lap Siding Butt Joint Flashing

By Todd Fratzel on Siding & Trim

HardiPlank Lap Siding Field Butt Joint Treatment HardiPlank Lap Siding is a fantastic siding material that we’ve been using for years on both residential and light commercial building projects. HardiPlank Lap Siding is a fiber cement siding product that looks like wood clapboards but outperforms it when it comes to weather resistance and finish performance.…

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Porch Skirt for Farmers Porch

By Todd Fratzel on Decks & Porches, Finish Carpentry, Siding & Trim

Farmers Porch With Lattice Skirt The farmer’s porch in the adjacent photo has a complete pvc lattice skirt around the bottom of the porch framing. Raised porches look best with some sort of skirt to hide the framing and keep small animals and children out of the space. Materials The entire porch skirt is built…

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Home Depot Specials 7/29/10 to 8/4/10

By Todd Fratzel on Coupons

10% Off All Appliances at Home Depot Online Are you in the market for a new appliance? Already spent some time in the stores searching out the model you want? If so you can get 10% Off All Appliances $398 or More. Online Only at homedepot.com. Hurry up as this deal will only last from…

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Armstrong Introduces Custom Creations™

By Todd Fratzel on Basements, Interior Decorating

StyleStix Moldings Suspended Ceilings Just Took A Leap Forward Over the last couple of years we’ve written quite a few articles on finishing basements to increase the livable space in your home. The articles have ranged on every topic from basement insulation to basement ceilings. So when I recently learned of a new line of…

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Blower Door Test Results

By Todd Fratzel on Energy Conservation

Understanding Blower Door Test Results Last year we built an Energy Star Home for a customer and we used a blower door test to evaluate the houses air infiltration performance. Simply put a blower door is a diagnostic tool used to measure how much air infiltration (air leakage) occurs in a house. The blower door…

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Rockwell H3 Review

By Todd Fratzel on Power Tools, Product Reviews

Rockwell H3 3in1 SDS Rotary Hammer Rockwell Model RK2513K2 12V Lithium-Ion Rotary Hammer Over the last few weeks we’ve had the pleasure of testing Rockwell Tools new H3 12 Volt Cordless SDS Rotary Hammer. We first got a chance to see the H3 over the winter at the International Builder’s Show and it was one…

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Intex Easy Set 18 Foot by 48 Inch Round Pool Set Review

By Todd Fratzel on Landscaping

The weather here in the Northeast has been very warm this summer which prompted us to give in to the backyard inflatable pool fad that seems to be spreading like wild fires. Our children are beginning to learn how to swim and it seems as though every neighbor has one of these big blue swimming…

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Uponor Supports Local Non-Profit Montessori School

By Todd Fratzel on Heating

Uponor Helps Montessori School Go Green Uponor is a leading manufacturer of plumbing and heating systems for both residential and commercial buildings. Uponor manufactures Wirsbo hePEX plus tubing which we have used quite a few times on both residential and commercial projects for radiant heating. Montessori School Chooses Radiant Heat As a full time engineer…

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