Archives: construction

Basement Ceilings

By Todd Fratzel on Basements

Recommended Basement Ceiling Types Basement remodeling / finishing seems to be one of the hottest DIY projects right now. We get tons of emails about how to insulate  basement walls, how to insulate basement floors and what type of basement ceilings are best. Finishing or remodeling a basement requires lots of planning. The basement ceiling…

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Construction Loans

By Todd Fratzel on Financing

How Construction Loans Work If you’re planning on building a new home then chances are you’ll need a construction loan. Understanding how construction loans work is one of the first steps in building your new home. Without the financing you’ll be stuck in limbo waiting for that new dream home! Construction Loans Construction loans are…

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TJI Framing

By Todd Fratzel on Building Materials, Framing

TJI Floor Joist Framing Engineered lumber continues to become more and more popular in today’s construction industry. TJI’s (engineered wood I joists) are my preferred framing members for floor systems. TJI’s offer many benefits compared to traditional dimensional lumber joists including: almost no twisting or warping, very little dimensional shrinkage, stiffness and strength. Framing a…

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Basement Flooring Options | Finished Basements

By Todd Fratzel on Basements, Flooring

Finished Basement Flooring Finished basements are very popular today for a good reason. Properly finished basements can significantly increase the amount of living space in your home without the need for an addition. The key is the proper selection of techniques and materials to ensure a mold free, dry, healthy space for you and your…

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How To Insulate A Concrete Floor

By Todd Fratzel on Basements, Foundations, Insulation

Insulating Concrete Floors If you live in a cold climate then you’re no stranger to cold concrete floors in the winter. If you’re planning on finishing a basement or portion of your home that has a concrete floor then it may be a good idea to insulate it before installing basement flooring. Concrete floors are…

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Free Stair Stringer Calculator

By Todd Fratzel on Finish Carpentry, Framing

Stair Stringer Calculator – Spreadsheet Recently I wrote an article about how to build stairs. Since then I’ve had inquiries about some type of calculator or spreadsheet to quickly calculate the rise and run measurements for the stringers. So I sat down and put together a quick Excel spreadsheet that helps you calculate the total…

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How To Install Replacement Windows

By Todd Fratzel on Energy Conservation, Windows

Installing Replacement Windows Installing replacement windows is a great DIY project that can help you save thousands of dollars on energy bills over the life of the windows. Replacement window manufacturers have perfected the design of replacement windows so that anyone with moderate do-it-yourself skills can easily install them. I recently helped my dad replace…

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How To Transition Hardwood and Tile Floors

By Todd Fratzel on Flooring

Floor Transitions I’d like to share some thoughts on how to transition hardwood and tile floors. Hardwood Flooring has become a very popular DIY project for many home owners. Also every DIY program on television has featured numerous programs on installing your own hardwood and tile floors. So you might ask why I’m focusing on…

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