Archives: Home Improvement

Circuit Safety Tip

By Todd Fratzel on Electrical, Safety

Best Way To Label Home Electrical Circuits I recently learned a new electrical circuit safety tip that works really well. Turning off the circuit breaker for the circuit you’re working on is the first electrical safety rule to follow. So being able to identify the circuit you’re working on quickly and accurately is very important.…

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Framing A Raked Wall

By Todd Fratzel on Framing, Garages

Today I finally got a chance to work on framing the walls that will enclose the stairs to my work shop located in the attic above the garage. The walls for the stairway enclosure are more complicated than traditional framed walls. I will be framing raked walls in order for the walls to follow the…

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Ranch Style Home Floor Plan

By Todd Fratzel on House Plans

The Ranch Style home that we’re getting ready to build that I mentioned in the Total House Construction Series – Foundation To Finish has a rather large footprint for a ranch style home. The house has a living square footage of 2,348 with only two bedrooms. 2,348 square feet may not sound like much but…

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ZIP System Wall and Roof Sheathing

By Todd Fratzel on Framing, Product Reviews, Siding & Trim

People who read my blog on a regular basis know that I’m a huge fan of AdvanTech sheathing products. Huber Engineered Woods manufactures AdvanTech and their newest product the ZIP System. I just saw a demonstration on this product and I was so impressed that we’ll be trying it on a new house very soon.…

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New House Energy Efficient Details

By Todd Fratzel on Design, Energy Conservation

Over the next few months I’ll be showcasing the construction of a new home from the foundation to finish, Total House Construction Series. One of the interesting aspects of this new home will be all the energy efficient design features. There’s a very good chance this house will be certified as an Energy Star home…

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Bosch 1590EVSK 6.4 Amp Top Handle Jigsaw

By Todd Fratzel on Power Tools

The Bosch 6.4 Amp Top Handle Jigsaw is the best all around home improvement jigsaw you can buy. I’m a huge fan of Bosch tools and they make really great jigsaws. For me it’s all about accuracy. I think Bosch tools are very accurate and precise. I also highly recommend their sliding compound saws and…

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Lawn Aerating Tips

By Todd Fratzel on Landscaping, Lawn Care

Lawn Aerating I’ve written several posts on aerating your lawn and the benefits it provides to healthy growing grass including one with core aeration tips. I’ve also written several posts about the John Deere Plug Aerator I bought to aerate my lawn. Now that I’ve had some time to work with the equipment I wanted…

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Cooking Safety On Decks

By Todd Fratzel on Decks & Porches, Safety

Every year dozens of homes are destroyed by fires that start while cooking on decks. After reading a friends blog the other day about a grease fire they had on their grill I thought I’d take the time to remind folks of the dangers that cooking on decks can pose. Grilling on your deck can…

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