Archives: Roofing

Some Ice Dams Are Difficult To Prevent

By Todd Fratzel on Roofing

Ice Dams I’ve written several about how to prevent ice dams and how ice dams can damage your home. And typically I write about how you can prevent ice dams with better attic insulation and ventilation. Ice dams are created when snow and ice melt further up the roof and run down towards the roof…

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Roofing Protractor Review

By Todd Fratzel on Framing, Power Tools, Product Reviews, Roofing

It’s not often that I see a new tool or gadget and ask myself why someone hasn’t come up with this thing sooner. When Derek Pater emailed me and asked if he could send me his latest invention, Roofing Protractor, to review I was a bit skeptical. However, I never turn down a product to…

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Energy Star House with ZIP System Sheathing

By Todd Fratzel on Building Materials, Roofing

This is a quick update on the Energy Star House that we’re building at work. This new house uses the ZIP System sheathing by Huber. I wanted to point out some of the things that have happened since the last update. As you can see in the photo the roof is finally finished. The roof…

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Wood Truss Erection Tips

By Todd Fratzel on Framing, Roofing, Safety

Truss Erection Tips Today on the Total House Construction Series – Foundation to Finish the crew erected the wood trusses. I’d like to share some wood truss erection tips that will keep you safe and save you time and money. I’ve written previously about Proper Erection of Residential Wood Trusses and Erecting Large Trusses Safely.…

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Erecting Large Trusses Safely

By Todd Fratzel on Roofing

Today at work my crew was starting the process of erecting 68 foot long prefabricated wood trusses. These trusses are not the largest possible but they certainly are on the larger side of things. This morning before the crew began I gathered everyone up to remind them the dangers of setting trusses and the importance…

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Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snow

By Todd Fratzel on Roofing

Today it’s snowing again! We’ve already had 3 major snow events here in New Hampshire and it’s not even Christmas yet! Don’t get me wrong, I’m happy to see it white here for Christmas for my little guy. But the snow is wreaking havoc on all of my construction projects at work. We are currently…

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Proper Erection of Residential Wood Trusses

By Todd Fratzel on Roofing

This week at work my crew was setting trusses for a new house and it reminded me about how often residential wood trusses collapse. The biggest reason they collapse is poor bracing and a mis-understanding about how to proper erect these great time savers. A typical metal plate connected wood truss is a very efficient…

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Ridge Vents

By Todd Fratzel on Roofing

Recently I wrote about ice dams and the need for good ventilation. Since writing about that topic I received several questions about what types of ridge vent I prefer. I definitely prefer the rigid type ridge vents. ShingleVent®II is one such type that works very well. It maintains it’s shape after nailing on the cap…

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