Archives: Structure

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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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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Sheathing Interior Garage Walls With Plywood (Updated)

By Todd Fratzel on Garages, Insulation

Sheathing the interior garage walls with plywood is a great alternative to drywall. Let’s face it, garages take some abuse and when I see drywall inside the garage I just cringe. Drywall doesn’t do well when it get’s wet, it certainly won’t do well when you slam something against it and it’s a real pain…

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Total House Construction Series – Foundation to Finish

By Todd Fratzel on Framing

I’d like to announce a series of posts that I’ll be doing over the next few months: Total House Construction Series – Foundation to Finish. Over the next several months I’ll document the construction of a new home from the foundation all the way to the finished product. When we built our new home I…

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Add Elegance To Your Cabinets with a Few Simple Details

By Todd Fratzel on Cabinetry, Finish Carpentry, Kitchens

Cabinet Moldings Many home owners are installing new cabinets in their homes as a DIY home improvement project. You can add elegance to stock and semi-custom cabinet lines by adding a few simple details. Almost all semi-custom cabinet lines come with a very generous selection of matching moldings. When I designed our new kitchen the…

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How To Build A Bookcase

By Todd Fratzel on Cabinetry, Closets & Storage, Finish Carpentry

DIY Bookcase In this post I’ll show you how to build a simple bookcase. Bookcases can be as simple as this storage room bookcase or as elegant as a fine piece of furniture. There are many different ways to build a bookcase, this happens to be my preference typically. Bookcase Materials For this bookcase I’m…

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Improper Deck Flashing Problem

By Todd Fratzel on Decks & Porches

Deck Flashing Problems Today’s post comes from a reader who asked me to look at a deck flashing problem that he had. The email stated: I’m wondering if you can help me with a problem I am having repairing or replacing the flashing for a replacement deck attached to a stucco house. The original flashing…

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How To Add Glass To A Solid Wood Door

By Todd Fratzel on Doors

Today Jacky emailed me with a very interesting question and design idea about modifying salvaged doors. Jacky said “We live in 1940 house, and are remodeling our unfinished half-lit basement. Currently we are in search of interior door w/small glass for our new 2nd bathroom. Since the bathroom has a big window, would like to…

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