5 Tips for Refinishing Kitchen Cabinets

By Robert Robillard

Refinishing Kitchen Cabinets While shiny new appliances are nice, nothing will vibe in your kitchen if the cabinets aren’t in tip-top shape. This doesn’t mean you have to spend thousands of dollars to get the updated look your kitchen needs. In fact, you can completely transform your existing cabinets by refinishing them yourself. 1. Start…

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Flashing Siding Joints

By Robert Robillard

Keeping Moisture Out Of Clapboard Seams When installing or replacing siding I always flash siding joints by using tar-paper splines at all of the vertical seams. For clapboards make sure the tar-paper spline overlaps the clapboard course below it. This overlapping coverage will ensure that moisture drains out and away from the house. Flashing Siding…

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Documenting A Remodel

By Robert Robillard

Taking Photos During A Remodel Take photographs during the remodeling phase can save time later!  Not only is it often important to document the steps of a remodel but those photos can be useful later on during subsequent projects. Several years ago I started taking mid-construction pictures of home repair and remodeling projects I worked…

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How To Install A Mailbox Post

By Robert Robillard

Replacing A Mailbox Post Recently a client asked me to replace their mailbox post.   This article will detail how to install a mailbox post. Here’s a few tips to do this yourself: 1. Use shovel or post hole digger to dig a hole for the mailbox post. Below: a post hole digger makes a perfect…

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Andersen Windows Offering EPA Lead Training

By Robert Robillard

Andersen Windows has a nationwide program to make training for the EPA Lead, Renovation, Repair, and Painting (RRP) rule easier to come by, and more affordable. Go to Andersons website where you can search their schedule by ZIP code for training in your area. The classes include a standard RRP curriculum taught by EPA-approved trainers…

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How To Repair Exterior Trim

By Robert Robillard

Today was rot replacement day. I thought that these pictures would be a good example to use to explain the proper way to splice exterior trim, in this case a corner board. As you can see on the left my nail punch is sticking out of the corner board indicating rot. For the best appearance,…

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Faux Wainscoting – Applied Moldings

By Robert Robillard

Applying wainscoting to most houses adds instant architectural detail and interest to a room. Wainscoting functions to give formality and balance to a room. It’s a very affordable and interesting solution to blank walls. When placed at the right level, wainscoting can also give height and presence to a room by elongating the look of…

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How To Prepare A Wall For Paint

By Robert Robillard

Painting Preparation “Preparation When Painting Is Everything!!” . . . . . says my friend and fellow craftsman Mark O’Lalor of O’Lalor Painting Company.  This article will focus on how to prepare a wall for paint. Rush the paint preparation and you’ll end up regretting it! Remove Dirt Oils from the human hand, ambient dust…

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