u/BuilderBrigade

I know.. I know... These trim removers have been around forever but I really thought they were bullsh*t. After doing some light demo I’m finding all sorts of uses for it. 

Have you used one before? Any other uses they’re good for?

Was there ONE thing you argued about the most? 👇

What helped us was just staying in our own lanes. I cared about the plumbing, electrical, materials, smart home stuff, outdoor stuff… basically all the boring things you don’t really see.

 

Kippy handled colors, lighting, finishes, and design. We both had a say on the layout of the house early on. 

It’s made by ArmoredCloset. It’s a modular steel tornado shelter  and safe room that can be built right into your house.

Website: ArmoredCloset.com

Mine is only about 40" x 45", but they can customize the size depending on your space.

Some details if you’re considering one:

Steel: 3/16" walls + ceiling with a 1/4" steel door
Storm rating: Designed for winds up to 250 MPH / EF-5 tornado conditions
Bullet resistant: Tested against 9mm and .45 handgun rounds with no penetration made
Cell service: Armored Closet says cell signals still work inside
Price: Starts around $7k installed, with custom sizes costing more
Location: Based in North Texas (DFW) with installations available outside the area

It’s not fireproof or waterproof. It’s primarily designed as an above-ground tornado shelter and safe room.

I like it because you can basically turn closet space into a reinforced shelter instead of putting a giant standalone storm shelter in the garage.

A wall-mounted tub filler that swivels out of the way could be a smart upgrade for those of you who actually use your bathtub.

Floor-mounted tub fillers usually aren’t much of an issue, but wall-mounted faucets can stick out into the tub area. A folding or swivel design lets you fill the tub, move the faucet out of the way, and have a little more room.

This faucet was filmed in Australia, so I couldn’t find this exact model in the U.S. I did find a couple similar folding versions on Amazon, but I can’t personally confirm the quality.

 Would you rather have a wall-mounted or floor-mounted tub filler?

 

#BuilderBrigade #HomeBuildingChecklist #bathtub #Foldingfaucet

1. In the island
2. Behind a window
   I’m taking the window every time!

One of those home-building decisions most people never think to ask about: What material are you using for the fascia?

 

Face-nailed aluminum fascia is common, but those nails can eventually start backing out. And if the wrong fasteners are used, you could end up with little rust streaks running down the fascia.

 

The problem is, during a build there are hundreds of decisions happening at once, so it’s easy to never even think about stuff like this.

 

Ask your builder early what they plan to use.

 

Other options include fiber cement products like James Hardie or engineered wood siding like LP SmartSide. They may cost more than aluminum, and they may not fit every budget, but at least you can compare the options and make the decision intentionally.

Cracking open the Christmas tree tote is not the time to figure out where the tree should go. If you’re building or renovating, you’ve got a rare chance to plan the perfect spot ahead of time.Another thing people forget... Christmas electrical!
Outlets for not only the tree but lights on the mantel, stairs, exterior soffit outlet, attic dormers. Super cheap during the build and you'll never add it later, not worth the cost.

Pocket doors don’t always have to come with pre-made frames.

 

This one was built on-site using engineered lumber, then the track and hardware were added afterward.

 

Pre-made systems are still a great option, I’m using them all over my own house but I wanted you to see another way pocket doors can be built into your house.

 Do you have a preference? Pre-made or built on-site?

Fiberglass and acrylic tubs can flex and move a little when you step in them, so setting the tub into a mortar bed helps support the bottom and take that movement out. Some installers are also using low-expansion foam when there’s a larger gap underneath. And even if the tub already has built-in supports or a foam base, the mortar can still help fill small voids and keep the whole thing from shifting around over time. And of course, follow the tub manufacturer’s installation instructions.

Crawlspace encapsulation basically seals the crawlspace off from the ground and outside moisture using a heavy-duty vapor barrier (plastic), and often includes sealing vents plus adding drainage and a dehumidifier.

 

The goal is to keep humidity and moisture under control so you can reduce the risk of mold, wood rot, musty smells, pests, and long-term damage under the house.

It also reduces that wet musty smell from making inside the house.

Let the roof drain into a rock bed around the house. Just make sure everything slopes AWAY from the foundation and you’ve got drainage in place to handle heavy rain.

Bonus: carry the rock border around the house for a cleaner edge, easier weed wacking, and a better perimeter for pest control.

Personally, I’m still team gutters and some solid gutter guards.

What about you? Gutters...?

If you’re putting a metal roof on your new home, make sure you know what you’re getting. Standing seam metal roofing hides the fasteners and gives you that clean, seamless look most homeowners are actually picturing when they say “metal roof.”