Archives: Design & Planning

Colonial Home Exterior Design Features

By Todd Fratzel on Design, House Plans

Colonial Home Design Recently a friend of ours shared a photo he took of our home last fall. I wanted to share it here and point out some of the design features of our colonial home. When it comes to two story homes the colonial style is by far the most cost effective type of…

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Save Money – Turn Off Gas Fireplace Pilot

By Todd Fratzel on Heating, Home Improvement Cost Savings

Turn Off Gas Fireplace Pilot We’re all looking for ways to save money this winter. One sure fire way to save some money this winter is to turn off the gas fireplace pilot. The pilot flame can burn as much as $10 per month when it is left on and burning. Here’s the thing, if…

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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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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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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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Slide Into Style in 2010! Quick Fixes for under $500

By Todd Fratzel on Design & Planning

Today we have a great guest post by Barbara Kavovit from Barbara’s Way. So another new year is upon us and that “Rosy Red” paint chip didn’t quite turn out to be the color you thought it was going to be! Sometimes repainting your living room or rearranging your furniture (again!) isn’t enough to really…

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2010 International Builder’s Show – Day 2

By Todd Fratzel on Design

2010 International Builder’s Show Day 2 at the IBS was packed with fun demonstrations and meetings with folks that we’ve been working with on HCI. We also had the pleasure of meeting some new folks from companies that will be excited to feature here. Our second day at the show also featured some of the…

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