Archives: Home Improvement

How To Build Attic Stair Cover | Big Energy Savings

By Todd Fratzel on Energy Conservation, Insulation

Attic Stair Cover Insulated attic stair covers can reduce your heating and cooling energy consumption drastically. If you have an attic access hatch or a set of pull down attic stairs chances are good that you also have a tremendous amount of heat loss through that opening. We all know that heat rises and we…

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Top 10 Power Tool Gift Ideas for 2010

By Todd Fratzel on Feature Story, Power Tools

2010 Power Tool Christmas Ideas Each year we like to share our suggestions on home improvement and construction related tools that would make great Christmas gifts. This year we’re starting out with a list of the top 10 power tools. This list has some expensive tools on it but trust me they are really great…

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Dremel Tool Pumpkin Carving

By Todd Fratzel on Tools & Products

Carving Patterns On Pumpkins with Dremel Tools Today is Halloween and I thought it would be fun to share some photos of our pumpkin carving fun from last night. And seeing that I’m such a huge Tool Geek what better way to carve pumpkins then using a power tool. Last year we used some power…

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American Standard WaterSense Faucets Go To School

By Todd Fratzel on Energy Conservation, Plumbing, Product Reviews

American Standard WaterSense Faucets One a recent design-build project we used American Standard Faucets certified with the WaterSense label. We were building a green addition for a local non-profit Montessori School and the folks at American Standard were very generous to donate both WaterSense Labeled toilets and faucets. The WaterSense Labeled toilets and faucets were…

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What Are Structural Insulated Panels (SIPs)?

By Todd Fratzel on Design, Energy Conservation, Framing

Structural Insulated Panels (SIPs) A reader asked me the other day to explain what’s the difference between Structural Insulated Panels and Prefabricated Wall Panels. Before answering the question on the difference it is important to answer the of: What Are Structural Insulated Panels or SIPs? Structural insulated panels (or structural insulating panels), SIPs, are a…

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Security Camera System Tips

By Todd Fratzel on Safety

Security Camera System Tips for the Home Owner Increasingly homeowners are looking to security camera systems as a means of protecting their home or property. This is especially true of home owners who are away often or own second homes like a vacation home. A security camera system is a great deterrence from break-ins and…

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Scotch-Blue™ Painter’s Tape

By Todd Fratzel on Painting and Finishing

Scotch-Blue™ Painter’s Tape The folks from 3M recently sent us samples of their Scotch-Blue™ Painter’s Tape to use on a project. We just finished painting our daughter’s new bedroom so it was the perfect project to test some of the new Scotch-Blue™ Painter’s Tape. Frankly I’ve never been much of a “tape” kinda guy preferring…

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How To Install EcoSmart LED Downlight Fixture

By Todd Fratzel on Electrical

EcoSmart LED Downlights for Recessed Light Fixtures In a recent article we talked about our trip to The Home Depot learning about LED Lighting Options. One of the most impressive options available for recessed lighting was the EcoSmart LED Downlight. The EcoSmart Downlight is a 65 watt equivalent LED bulb with integrated trim which fits…

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