About the author

Todd Fratzel

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.

PVC Flue Gas Venting Pipe

By Todd Fratzel on Heating

System 1738 – Engineered PVC Flue Gas Pipe Years ago we started installing gas boilers that allowed venting through PVC Drain Waste Venting (DWV) piping. The use of PVC DWV piping to vent the boilers made for easy routing of vent pipes and the ability to vent up through the roof much like plumbing vent…

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FloLogic Smart Leak Control Review

By Todd Fratzel on Home Automation, Home Automation

FloLogic – Water Leak Detection Every year the insurance industry pays out more than $10 billion in claims due to water damage. As a contractor I can tell you water damage repairs are not only expensive, but they are very disruptive and in most cases insurance doesn’t cover all the costs. With advancements in home…

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Building Custom Chess Board

By Todd Fratzel on Woodworking

How To Build A Custom Chess Board I first learned how to play chess with my dad as a young boy. Now I get the pleasure of playing with my son so I decided to build a custom chess board for he and I to use. After scouring the web for examples I decided to…

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Grid-Tied PV Solar Systems

By Todd Fratzel on Electrical, Energy Conservation

Grid-Tied Photovoltaic Solar Systems With the continued increase in electric costs and improved solar panel technology, residential solar systems are becoming very popular. Grid-tied photovoltaic (PV) systems consist of solar panels, an inverter (sometimes more than one), power conditioning equipment, and a connection to the utility system (grid). By tying the solar system to the…

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Nest Pro – The Smart Trade

By Todd Fratzel on Home Automation, Mechanical

Nest Pro The Smart Trade Every day new technology is changing the world of construction and benefiting end users. Smart home technology is forever evolving how we control and interact with our homes resulting in reduced energy consumption and improved living comforts. As a builder and general contractor I know first hand how important it…

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Durgin and Crowell Enhance™ Pre-Coated Pine

By Todd Fratzel on Finish Carpentry

Enhance™ by Durgin & Crowell We’re very fortunate to build homes in an area of New Hampshire filled with local wood mills producing flooring, paneling, and even timbers for timber frame homes. Just down the road about 10 miles from my office is Durgin and Crowell, a family owned fully integrated lumber company producing up…

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How To Build Sliding Barn Door

By Todd Fratzel on Doors

How To Build Rustic Sliding Barn Door Sliding barn doors are very popular inside home today. These doors add a great aesthetic impact to any room, and they offer a functional solution where traditional swinging doors might be a problem. I recently built a rustic sliding barn door for our finished basement and wanted write…

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GP ForceField® Sheathing Review

By Todd Fratzel on Framing

ForceField® Air and Water Barrier System from Georgia-Pacific Over the last ten years I’ve seen a wave of development, advancement, and improvement in building materials used in the construction buildings. Some of the biggest advancements and improvements include products focused on improving the building envelope while also helping builders become more efficient and profitable. Georgia-Pacific…

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