Save Money with a Programable Thermostat

By Robert Robillard

Image: images-cdn01.associatedcontent.com Turning down your thermostat by just a few degrees in the winter can save 5-10% on your overall heating bill. The best way to achieve this is through the use of a programmable thermostat and its setback feature. You can program your thermostat to set the temperature back until the next pre-programed time…

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Custom Bathroom Mirror

By Robert Robillard

  New Mirror Designed to Look Old I wanted a mirror with a medicine chest in my new bathroom and did not want tit to detract from all of the wainscoting on the walls and old, stain glass window I installed. Look A Magazines for Ideas: I tell people all the time to look on…

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WoodTrac Closet System

By Robert Robillard

WOODTRAC Closet System Looks Custom Closet design and selection is pretty easy to do with the new WoodTrac Closet System. WoodTrac, a division of Sauder Woodworking Co., recently introduced its wood-based closet system in order to address residential organizational needs.  Gone are the days of running a wooden rod and shelf in a closet and calling it…

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Liquid Waterproofing And Vapor Barriers For Tile Showers

By Robert Robillard

Waterproofing membranes vs Vapor barriers There are many acceptable methods to construct a quality tile shower, all of them involve different proprietary products and methods.   This article touches on the pros and cons, vapor barriers and waterproofing products. When folks decide to remodel a shower they usually get excited on the aesthetic aspects such as tile…

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Custom Cabinet Door

By Robert Robillard

Installing A Custom Cabinet Door In A Bathroom Niche Last week we made the a custom cabinet door and face frame surround for this bathroom closet niche.  Today was installation day. Photo Below:  Scribing the face frame around tile and to uneven walls. Raised panel doors; Shorter lower door and taller upper door. Using a…

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Gas Fireplace Retrofit

By Robert Robillard

Gas fireplace Insert Today we removed the gas insert and dismantled a few steel studs in order to slide some 2×4 nailers between them to provide a future nailing surface for a Gas fireplace and Mantle. The photo below shows vertical and horizontal solid blocking was also added to accommodate nailing for the new mantel. …

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Fireplace Mantle Retrofit

By Robert Robillard

Buying A Fireplace Mantle We are in working in Winchester, Mass this month adding some nice finishing touches to a high end retirement condo before the owner moves in. The old mantel above was 6′ high. Besides being to large for the room and not to the new owners taste, it was also too high…

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Tin Ceilings

By Robert Robillard

Tin Ceilings are on a come back Tin ceilings were very popular in the late 1800s and early 1900s and graced many Victorian homes and stores in many areas of the United States. Tin ceiling tiles were also used to cover over unsightly plastered or damaged ceilings.Tin ceilings had an added benefit – they were…

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