Archives: insulators

How To Insulate Basement Walls

By Todd Fratzel on Basements, Foundations, Insulation

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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Insulated Door & Window Headers

By Todd Fratzel on Framing, Insulation

Energy Efficient Door & Window Headers With a continued focus on energy efficient construction (Green Construction) we are always looking for ways to improve upon residential construction techniques. Insulated door and window headers are one way to improve on standard framing methods. Old School Headers Years ago we used to build door and window headers…

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Basement Vapor Barrier For Basement Insulation

By Todd Fratzel on Basements, Insulation

Basement Vapor Barrier and Insulation We’ve written several articles about basement insulation and a cost effective approach to basement insulation using foam board and fiberglass insulation. Since writing those articles we’ve received quite a few questions about when to use a basement vapor barrier and when not to. So we thought it might be a…

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Rim Joist Insulation – Insulating Options

By Todd Fratzel on Insulation

How To Insulate Rim Joists We’ve written a number of articles on insulating basements including; insulating basement walls, insulating basement floors and basement insulation options. In this article I want to focus on rim joist insulation and the options that are available. Rim Joist Spray Foam Spray foam insulation is the best way to insulate…

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Decorative Bulletin Board | Displaying Children’s Artwork

By Todd Fratzel on Interior Decorating

DIY Bulletin Board for Displaying Children’s Artwork Our son is in Kindergarten this year and each day his backpack is full of artwork that he’s made during the days lessons. Recently he asked me if he could “nail” a picture to the wall so everyone could see it. A light went off in my head…

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What Are Structural Insulated Panels (SIPs)?

By Todd Fratzel on Design, Energy Conservation, Framing

Structural Insulated Panels (SIPs) A reader asked me the other day to explain what’s the difference between Structural Insulated Panels and Prefabricated Wall Panels. Before answering the question on the difference it is important to answer the of: What Are Structural Insulated Panels or SIPs? Structural insulated panels (or structural insulating panels), SIPs, are a…

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Replacement Windows – Best Energy Saving ROI

By Todd Fratzel on Windows

Replacement Windows Are A Great Return On Investment It’s not a mystery that replacement windows can help make your home more energy efficient resulting in significant energy savings each year. However, what some of you might find interesting is the fact that replacement windows are considered one of the best return on investment when it…

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Certainteed BIBS Insulation System

By Todd Fratzel on Insulation

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…

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