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KLEERWRAP Postwraps

March 24, 2013 Written by Robert Robillard Leave a Comment
KleerWrap Post Wraps

KLEERWRAP Postwraps Save Installation Time and Money KleerWrap  a Westfield, Massachusetts company and American manufacturer of cellular PVC trim products, decking, moldings, and PVC sheet stock recently introduced  an easy, cost-effective and fast way to wrap support posts with PVC trim. Called the  KLEERWrap Post Wrap, all a contractor has to do is cut the Post Wrap to length, wrap it around the post and then apply a small bead of KLEER … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Columns, Decks, Decks And Porches, PVC Trim Tips, Rot and Insect Damage

Precast Concrete Steps

December 22, 2012 Written by Robert Robillard 1 Comment
Copy of IMG_0212

Precast Concrete Stairs Precast Concrete Steps have been around for approximately fifty years.  Precast concrete steps are a pre-made solid  pair of steps and landing that can be delivered and installed at your home.  A truck with a special crane transports the stairs and then hoists it into place. While not considered a "high quality" product they are attractive, durable, provide low maintenance care and certainly fit the … [Read more...]

Filed Under: precast concrete steps

Maintaining Aluminum Railings

December 20, 2012 Written by Robert Robillard 1 Comment
Maintaining Aluminum Railings

Many folks these days have chose to use aluminum railings for the entry ways, decks and balconies as opposed to traditional wood or iron railings.  The attraction to theirs railings is usually based on one or more of these factors:  ease of install, lower cost, durability and low maintenance.  Maintaining aluminum railings is easier than traditional railing maintenance and well worth the effort. Ease of Install: Aluminum railings are … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Decks And Porches, Home Maintenance

Habitat For Humanity ReStore

December 15, 2012 Written by Robert Robillard Leave a Comment
Habitat For Humanity ReStore

Keeping Building Materials Out Of The Land Fill When you’re a carpenter you get all sorts of questions and requests for favors: How do I fix this? Can I borrow one of your tools? Is your pick-up truck free on Saturday? One recent request really got my attention. A good friend asked if I would help her remove some of the newer windows and doors from her house, already slated for demolition. She and her husband wanted to donate the items to … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Bath, Bathrooms, Bookcase Projects, Built-ins And Bookcases, Columns, Custom Cabinets, Fireplace Mantel, Fireplace Mantle, Hardwood Flooring, Kitchens, Plumbing, Remodeling, Showers, sink, Toilet, Window Issues / Tips

Reinforcing A Half Wall

December 4, 2012 Written by Robert Robillard 5 Comments
Reinforcing A Half Wall

Best Way to Reinforce A Half Wall Whether you call it a half wall, knee wall or Pony wall the issue is the same.  What is the best way to go about reinforcing a half wall?   No one likes a wobbly wall or the cracked plaster and tile that result from it. We typically see half walls separating stair opensing and replacing railings and balusters at stairs.  We also see them alot in bathrooms;  separating a toilet /sink or at a shower … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Bathrooms, Decks And Porches, Remodeling. Design

Installing Decorative Fypon Millwork

November 8, 2012 Written by Robert Robillard Leave a Comment
Installing Decorative Fypon Millwork

Installing Polyurethane Decorative Millwork When your looking to define the character of your homes architectural detail or simply trying to match old details installing decorative Fypon millwork is a viable option. Fypon Polyurethane foam decorative millwork is the perfect choice for either interior or exterior applications and is one brand I use because they offer a wide variety of brackets, corbels and gable pediments, ceiling … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Design, Fypon, Fypon, PVC Trim Tips, Remodeling. Design

Is Your Deck SAFE?

October 17, 2012 Written by Robert Robillard 19 Comments
Photo credit: blog.ufpi.com

Photo source: Simpson Strongtie Building A Safe Deck: It's important to make sure your deck is built right and safe! Most experts agree that the average life expectancy of a wood deck is 10 to 15 years but we all know many decks that are still standing and alot older than that. It is estimated that there are millions of decks in the U.S. that are beyond their useful life and may be unsafe. Deck collapses have increased in recent years. … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Decks, Home Repairs And Remodeling, Home Safety

Deck Safety Retrofit

October 16, 2012 Written by Robert Robillard 11 Comments
deck joists connection

Deck Safety Retrofit:  Deciding whether to retrofit or replace your deck There are approximately 40 million decks in the United States and only half of those are code compliant.  Deck safety is a real problem. Every year we hear about decks that collapse under the weight of people or snow load. If you have an existing deck that is more than 3 years old you should have it inspected for safety issues and make necessary deck maintenance … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Decks, Decks And Porches, Fasteners, FastenMaster®