Expert Home Improvement Advice
Replacement Windows This weekend I helped my dad install some new replacement windows. Installing replacement windows isn’t really that hard and it’s certainly a great DIY project for anyone with moderate DIY and construction skills. We replaced five double hung windows in about six hours. Replacement windows are installed in a way that doesn’t require…
Last week one of my readers asked a question: Which is better? Recessed lights or surface mount ceiling lights for basement lighting? Basement Lighting Options For starters basements typically have a lower ceiling height than the main floors. Most modern construction today results in the ceiling joists (1st floor joists) being 7′-6″ above the concrete…
Bostitch TrimAir Compressor Model CAP1512-OF This summer Bostitch announced the a new compact TrimAir Compressor, Model CAP1512-OF. We were fortunate enough to receive one of these new compact compressors to test and review. According to Product Manager James Vintzel, “We designed this next generation compressor to provide all of the benefits of the ever-popular TrimAir…
Framing Rough Openings Framing rough openings for windows and doors (standard door and windows openings) is really straight forward if you follow some simple dimensional rules. For standard wood framed construction the rough openings for doors and windows is typically the actual unit size plus 2-1/2 inches in height and width. Standard Door Rough Openings…
Custom Brazilian Cherry Staircase In our new home we built the custom stairs with Brazilian Cherry treads, handrails and newel post. The risers and stringers are made from poplar. Brazilian Cherry is a really beautiful wood and extremely dense. I’m told it’s about 100 times harder than red oak. As you can see in the…
Understanding Blower Door Test Results Last year we built an Energy Star Home for a customer and we used a blower door test to evaluate the houses air infiltration performance. Simply put a blower door is a diagnostic tool used to measure how much air infiltration (air leakage) occurs in a house. The blower door…
Blow-In-Blanket® System with OPTIMA® Fiber Glass Insulation Recently I had the pleasure of trying a new insulation system on one of our projects. We’re using the Blow-In-Blanket System with OPTIMA Fiber Glass Wall Insulation by Certainteed for a major addition to a private school. Blown In Wall Insulation We’ve been using more and more blown…
Grace Flashing Solutions One of the most important and difficult components of construction is proper flashing to keep rain, snow and ice out of buildings to prevent water damage and premature rotting of wood framing. On one of our current projects at work the guys have been building an addition for a school that has…
How To Insulate Basement Walls Insulating a basement properly is rather challenging in cold climates. In this article I'd like to discuss how to insulate basement walls in cold climates. Insulating basement walls in cold climates is a great way to keep your home warmer and drier. However, special care should be used when insulating…
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Tips for Deck and Fence Projects With Spring finally here many of us are considering deck and fencing projects. Maybe you're considering having a new deck or fence built. Maybe it's time to refinish your deck or add some new decorative touches to your tired deck. Spring is the perfect time to plan these projects…
New DEWALT Job Site Table Saws Models DWE7480, DWE7490X, and DWE7491RS DEWALT recently introduced a new line of portable table saws that include significant updates and features. The new line includes 3 new models; DWE7480 - 10" Compact Table Saw, DWE7491X - 10" Table Saw with Scissor Stand, and DWE7491RS - 10" Table Saw with…
I'm full time builder for a large construction company in New Hampshire. I run their design-build division that specializes in custom homes, commercial design-build projects and sub-divisions. I'm also a licensed civil and structural engineer with extensive experience in civil and structural design and home construction. My hope is that I can share my experience in the home construction, home improvement and home renovation profession with other builders and home owners. I'm also the Editor-in-Chief and Founder of Tool Box Buzz. Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions, suggestions or you'd like to inquire about advertising on this site.
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