Archives: Structure

Foundation Drainage and Damp Proofing

By Todd Fratzel on Foundations

Proper foundation drainage and damp proofing is critical in keeping your basement dry. This post is another in the Total House Construction Series – Foundation To Finish in which I’m documenting the construction of an energy efficient ranch style home. Having a dry basement is one of many requirements in order to maintain a healthy…

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Tools For Coping Moldings

By Todd Fratzel on Finish Carpentry, Power Tools, Product Reviews

The best way to get a professional looking inside miter corner for moldings is to cope one piece to fit into the other. Whether you’re installing crown molding or baseboard the coped inside corner creates a very professional look. Using a coping saw is the most basic and proven way to cope moldings. You can…

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Using Concrete Pump Trucks To Pour Foundations

By Todd Fratzel on Foundations

Using concrete pump trucks to pour foundations is becoming quite popular. Pump trucks provide several major benefits which most concrete sub-contractors are taking advantage of on a regular basis. The concrete pump truck pictured on this site has a reach of 100 feet horizontal. Traditionally concrete trucks would pull up to the forms and dump…

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Forming Concrete Foundation

By Todd Fratzel on Foundations

As I continue to share with you the Total House Construction Series – Foundation to Finish the time has come to show you how the concrete foundation walls are formed. Forming concrete foundation walls is a very labor intensive and time consuming process. This new house is also rather large compared to typical houses. The…

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Building Concrete Footings For A New House

By Todd Fratzel on Foundations

As you probably know I’m documenting the construction of a new house with the Total House Construction Series – Foundation to Finish. This series will follow the construction of a new home with lots of energy efficient design features. Yesterday the concrete footings were built that will eventually hold up the concrete foundation walls and…

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Initial Site Work For House Building Lot

By Todd Fratzel on Foundations

Site work has begun on the new house that we’re building and I’m following here with the Total House Construction Series – Foundation to Finish. The site work for this house building lot consists of: Excavation for house foundation Installation of driveway Installation of waterline and electrical service conduits Construction of on-site septic system Installation…

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Replacement Windows

By Todd Fratzel on Energy Conservation, Windows

Home replacement windows are an excellent way to make your home more energy efficient. With today’s rising heating costs it makes sense to evaluate the need to replace your old drafty windows. Replacement windows can be purchased to fit any opening and match most any house style. Before ordering replacement windows you should consider some…

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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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