Archives: architecture

Armstrong Introduces Custom Creations™

By Todd Fratzel on Basements, Interior Decorating

StyleStix Moldings Suspended Ceilings Just Took A Leap Forward Over the last couple of years we’ve written quite a few articles on finishing basements to increase the livable space in your home. The articles have ranged on every topic from basement insulation to basement ceilings. So when I recently learned of a new line of…

Continue reading »

Vinyl Beadboard Ceilings

By Todd Fratzel on Decks & Porches

Long Lasting Vinyl Beadboard Porch Ceilings Last year we wrote an article about using vinyl beadboard for porch ceilings. That article has been quite popular with lots of folks emailing us asking questions about how to install this product and quite a few questions about using PVC Trim for the porch carrying beam. Reader Uses…

Continue reading »

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…

Continue reading »

Paslode PF150S-PP Review

By Todd Fratzel on Power Tools, Product Reviews

PF150S-PP Positive Placement® Metal Connector Nailer Over the last couple of weeks we’ve had the pleasure of testing the all new Paslode PF150S-PP Positive Placement® Metal Connector Nailer. Paslode asked us to give it a test drive and we obliged on a large framing job that requires several dozen large metal joist hangers. Engineered Lumber…

Continue reading »

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,…

Continue reading »

New Lead Paint Laws Effective April 22, 2010

By Todd Fratzel on Remodeling

New EPA Lead Paint Laws Effect Remodeling Projects The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has new lead paint laws going into affect on April 22, 2010. The new lead paint laws require any renovation work performed on houses built before 1978 to be performed by a certified contractor. Obviously his new law is causing some…

Continue reading »

Framing Walls – Reference Guides

By Todd Fratzel on Framing

Framing Walls Before I begin please note that my dad (standing on top of that step ladder) is breaking a major ladder safety rule! This photo was taken when my father and I started framing our new home. Lately we’ve had quite a few emails and questions about framing walls and more specifically if we…

Continue reading »

Our Episode On Ask This Old House

By Todd Fratzel on Gardening

Ask This Old House Years ago before I left Boston to start my career in construction my wife and I were fortunate enough to be featured on an episode of Ask This Old House. It’s funny to think about these days because at the time I had no idea that today I would be writing…

Continue reading »

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