Archives: Structure

Advantages of Metal Roofing

By Todd Fratzel on Roofing

Metal Roofing – Long Term Investment and Performance As a general contractor we deal with roofing materials on a regular basis and homeowners are constantly asking for advice on roof selection, costs, and benefits. Here in the Northeast with an extreme climate shift from -20F in the winter to over 100F at times in the…

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Clopay CANYON RIDGE® Garage Door Review

By Todd Fratzel on Doors

Canyon Ridge® Limited Edition Series Carriage House Doors Years ago there were very few options when it came to garage doors. You either bought a steel door that looked rather commercial or you went with a wood door that required lots of maintenance. Sure there were many different styles to choose from (especially in the…

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ClipStone Mortarless Stone Veneer Review

By Todd Fratzel on Masonry, Product Reviews

ClipStone Mortarless Stone Veneer Stone accents on the exterior and interior of a home add a great architectural upgrade and increased home value. However, hiring a mason can prove frustrating and extremely expensive today. Often times I have a hard time finding an available mason when we build homes for a client that wants real…

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Build a Shed Ramp

By Jeff Williams on Decks & Porches, Landscaping, Shed

Build a Shed Ramp So you’ve been following our shed series or built one of your own design. Now comes time to load things into it. Unless you buried your shed partially in the ground, the floor may be as much as a foot above grade. A ramp is definitely in order. Read on for…

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Drainage Plane for Cedar Shingle Siding

By Todd Fratzel on Siding & Trim, Structure

Extend Siding Life with Drainage Planes Cedar siding is beautiful and sure does make a statement architecturally but it comes with a serious price tag. So using methods and products that extend the life of such a big investment is important to me as a builder and you as a customer. The market offers many…

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How To Build Wood Countertops

By Todd Fratzel on Finish Carpentry

Make Your Own Wooden Countertops Wood countertops are beautiful and add a warmth that other materials have a hard time matching. While not suitable  for extremely wet conditions there are situations like island counters, bars, and serving hutches that make great sense for wood countertops. In this article I want to share my recent experience…

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Save Money On Interior Trim

By Todd Fratzel on Finish Carpentry

Buying Pro Paks at The Home Depot Saves Money Whether you’re building an entire new home or just doing a renovation the material costs are enough to make any grown man cry! While our economy has been anything but inspiring, the cost of building materials has continued to climb without regard to our stagnant economy.…

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Benefits of Exterior Foam Insulation

By Todd Fratzel on Insulation

Exterior Foam Insulation I’ve been a huge proponent of using foam board insulation to insulate basements, rim joists, and difficult locations like under bay windows. Recently we’ve been starting to install foam insulation board on the outside of houses for increased R value, decreased air infiltration, and better overall vapor management. Over the last few…

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