Archives: Structure

Metal Studs – DensGlass Sheathing – Foam Board

By Todd Fratzel on Framing, Insulation

Exterior Metal Stud Walls I recently wrote an article, How To Install DensGlass Exterior Sheathing On Metal Studs, which detailed the use of DensGlass Sheathing on exterior metal stud walls behind a brick veneer. Now we are installing a layer of 2-inch thick Dow Foam Board over the DensGlass sheathing prior to installing the brick…

Continue reading »

Stairs Construction – How To Build

By Todd Fratzel on Finish Carpentry, Framing

Staircase Design / Drawing We built our new garage with attic trusses so I could have a space for a workshop. In order to get to that space I need to build a staircase.  As you can see from the sketch my plan is to build a staircase that has a short run to a…

Continue reading »

High Tech Tools For Large Concrete Slabs

By Todd Fratzel on Foundations

Concrete construction has been transformed significantly in recent years by the use of laser guided power tools. This week I had the pleasure of watching some really great laser guided equipment used to pour 200 yards of concrete for a large slab. I thought it would be fun to give some examples of these impressive…

Continue reading »

Final Cut | Sanding Saw Blade Review

By Todd Fratzel on Finish Carpentry, Product Reviews

Final Cut Blade Recently I had the pleasure of trying out a new saw blade product. The Final Cut saw blade is a unique carbide tipped saw blade with a 100 grit sanding disc attached to both sides of the saw blade. The saw blade is designed to cut through trim work and sand it…

Continue reading »

How To Install DensGlass Exterior Sheathing

By Todd Fratzel on Framing

DensGlass Exterior Sheathing DensGlass Exterior Sheathing is an excellent gypsum sheathing product specifically designed to be moisture resistant and fire resistant. It’s an excellent substrate behind lots of exterior cladding systems including brick, stucco, EIFS and lap siding products. It has a moisture resistant gypsum core and fiberglass exterior mats instead of similar paper faced…

Continue reading »

How To Remove Ground Frost Before Mother Nature

By Todd Fratzel on Foundations

Deep Ground Frost Here in New England it’s not uncommon to find frost over 4 feet in the ground after a long cold winter. Before building a foundation all of the frost has to be removed from the sub-grade. You can let mother nature do the work and wait weeks or even months for the…

Continue reading »

Must Have Metal Stud Framing Tools

By Todd Fratzel on Framing, Power Tools

Metal Stud Framing At work we are getting ready to start framing some office space for a commercial project with metal studs. I thought it might be useful to discuss some of the must have tools required for metal stud framing. Metal stud framing has gained significant popularity in the building trade and is used…

Continue reading »

Router Table Extension | Must Have Table Saw Add-On

By Todd Fratzel on Power Tools, Structure

Route Table Extension I’ve been wanting to get a router table extension for my Delta Table Saw for quite some time. I haven’t really seen one that caught my eye until today! Today I happen to stumble upon the Bench Dog Tools 40-102 ProMax Cast Iron Router Table Extension that fits contractor style table saws.…

Continue reading »

Copyright © 2009-2023 Front Steps Media, LLC. All Rights Reserved. Home Construction & Improvement™ is a Trademark of Front Steps Media, LLC.