Archives: Structure

Grace Roof and Window Flashing Products

By Todd Fratzel on Roofing, Windows

Grace Flashing Solutions One of the most important and difficult components of construction is proper flashing to keep rain, snow and ice out of buildings to prevent water damage and premature rotting of wood framing. On one of our current projects at work the guys have been building an addition for a school that has…

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Vinyl Beadboard Soffit for Porch Ceilings

By Todd Fratzel on Siding & Trim

This article has been updated with additional photos and details at the request of readers. Vinyl Beadboard Porch Ceiling Our new home has almost all vinyl products on the outside of it. We have vinyl windows, siding, trim, shutters, porch posts, railing, vented soffit, solid soffit and beadboard soffit. Vinyl siding products can actually look…

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Help Wanted – Finding Qualified Help Isn’t Easy

By Todd Fratzel on Framing

Hiring Qualified Carpenters Not sure this post will mean much to everyone but it’s my way of venting some upcoming stress. Today my top “go to guy” (foreman) tendered his two weeks notice. So tomorrow my day will start in search of a replacement for a position that’s becoming harder and harder to fill with…

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One TIME Wood Protector – 10 Months Later

By Todd Fratzel on Decks & Porches, Painting and Finishing

One TIME Wood Protector Last summer I tested a product called One TIME Wood Protector on our Cambara Decking. In the past we’ve had horrible luck finding a product that could seal our beautiful deck and stand up to the harsh New England weather (extreme cold winters and searing hot sun in the summer). However,…

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Prefabricated Wall Panels Save Time

By Todd Fratzel on Framing, Green Building

Using Prefabricated Wall Panels I’ve written about using prefabricated wall panels before and how they can save time on a job. Today I wanted to show an example of a job that really benefited from the use of prefabricated wall panels. Today one of our crews set wall panels on the 2nd floor of a…

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Miterless Moulding Systems

By Todd Fratzel on Finish Carpentry, Interior Decorating

Anyone-Can-Do-This Miterless Moulding Systems From Fypon® ARCHBOLD, OHIO – If you can make a straight cut with a handsaw, you can transform a room with a decorative crown Miterless Moulding System from Fypon®. “We’ve completely removed the fear and the hassles for homeowners of adding mouldings to the home,” says Tina Mealer of Fypon. “There…

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Trex Designer Deck Contest

By Todd Fratzel on Decks & Porches

Win An Extreme Trex Deck Makeover Trex® – the nation’s largest manufacturer of wood-alternative decking, railing, fencing and trim products – is giving three lucky homeowners the chance to win brand new outdoor living spaces outfitted with beautiful, low-maintenance Trex decking and railing.  Each winner also will enjoy a professional consultation from one of three…

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Precast Concrete Piers

By Todd Fratzel on Decks & Porches, Foundations

Precast Concrete Piers In a previous posts I wrote about Porch and Deck Pier Footings and I highlighted a really great construction product, the precast concrete pier. Precast concrete piers are really great and we use them exclusively for porches and decks when we build new homes. On a recent project, Total House Construction Series…

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