Pro Sales TOP PRODUCTS *****

Flex-Ability ConceptsQuick Qurve Plates make it easy to create curved walls, arches, and other architectural features. Constructed of untreated or treated OSB, the plates come in two-foot segments and are hinged with dowels instead of mechanical fasteners. Available for 2x4 or 2x6 construction, Quick Qurve plates provide a solid framework for curved designs, and wall coverings and moldings can be fastened directly to the plates to finish projects. Quick Qurve Plates won a Cool Product award at the 2009 Remodeling Show. 866.443.3539. http://www.flexabilityconcepts.com/.

Timberlake CabinetryThe Sonoma cherry Bordeaux fits with today’s popular clean, contemporary design—but with a warm, Shaker-style look that fits a transitional space. The line features adjustable concealed hinges, fulldepth drawers, and 3/4-inch-thick plywood veneer boxes and shelves. Drawers are made with dovetail joints. 800.967.9674. http://www.timberlake.com/.

ThermaTruThe Fiber-Classic Mahogany Collection of fiberglass doors is Energy Star qualified and may be eligible for federal tax credits up to $1,500. Composite top and bottom rails offer increased rot resistance, while LVL stiles improve the doors’ structural integrity. The doors’ simple lines and architectural details make the Fiber- Classic Mahogany line compatible with many styles. Doors are available with a range of decorative glass designs. 800.537.8827. http://www.thermatru.com/.

Milwaukee”Subcompact cordless tools are a fast-growing trend, and no brand has taken them further than Milwaukee’s M12 line,” report the editors from our sister publication, TOOLS OF THE TRADE, in their 2009 Editors’ Choice Awards. They selected two Milwaukee tools for specific praise: the Hackzall mini recip saw and the motorized coppertubing cutter. The Hackzall is a tiny one-handed Sawzall for making fine cuts. It fits standard recip saw blades or the line of 4-inch blades made just for it. The copper-tubing cutter is a direct replacement for a manual tubing cutter and works the same way, but its motor spins the cutter head. It cuts much faster and allows easier access to water lines parallel to a wall than a manual cutter. It works on copper tubing from 3/8 to 1 inch in diameter. 800.729.3878. http://www.milwaukeetool.com/.

TrexDealers we have talked with are impressed by Transcend decking’s ability to bridge the gap between the looks of a composite and the durability of PVC, at a price point that’s between the two. The decking is protected by a shell to offer a high-definition woodgrain pattern and improved stain and fade resistance, Trex says. Transcend features a no-sheen look and a 25-year limited fade and stain warranty. Available in four colors and two profiles, the decking also includes a modular railing system and contains 95% recycled content. It will not warp, rot, or crack, the maker adds, and spills wash off with just soap and water. 800.289.8739. http://www.trex.com/.

Group Award: Reflective RoofingHomeowners can save 7% to 15% in total cooling costs by putting products on their roofs that refl ect the sun’s rays rather than absorb them, the Cool Roof Rating Council says. Technical issues have limited them in the past to the palest of hues, forcing builders to sacrifice style for performance. That’s no longer so. Manufacturers have begun making cool roof products in vibrant hues. Tamko Lamarite Slate Composite Shingles now feature an expanded palette of five energy-saving “cool color” options that reflect the sun’s heat and satisfy the standards of the Cool Roof Rating Council. New colors include terra cotta (shown) and pale olive. Shingles are produced in widths of 5, 7, and 12 inches. 800.641.4691. http://www.tamko.com/.

Owens Corning The maker says its Duration Premium Cool asphalt roof shingles offer more vivid colors than in the past. The maker developed new solar-refl ective granules for a brighter, richer look. The products come in four color choices, are rated by the Cool Roof Rating Council, and meet California Title 24 requirements. 800.438.7465. http://www.owenscorning.com/.

CertainTeed Corp. New colors for Landmark Solaris solar reflecting asphalt roofing shingles allow homeowners to have an Energy Star-qualified product that does not sacrifice curb appeal, the maker says. Solaris shingles can lower the surface temperature of a roof by up to 20% during warm months, withstand up to 130 mph wind, and meet Title 24 requirements. Four new colors are available. 800.233.8990. http://www.certainteed.com/.

OsmoseCertified as an Environmentally Preferable Product by Scientific Certification Systems, MicroPro treated lumber releases 90% to 99% less copper into aquatic and terrestrial environments than standard treated wood products, the company says. In addition, what’s released bonds to organic matter and becomes inactive, keeping it from having a toxic effect on the environment, the maker says. The product also takes less energy to create and is more concentrated than standard wood treatments, resulting in less greenhouse gas emissions during the manufacturing and shipping processes. These characteristics helped it win BUILDING PRODUCTS’ Green Product Award this year. 770.233.4200. http://www.osmosewood.com/.

Armstrong World IndustriesTastes in kitchen cabinetry change, but homeowners are always looking for convenient storage. The Elements line of cabinets offers a variety of storage options, including spaces for cutting boards, small appliances, and cleaning implements. Shown is the ChefCenter offering in Calibra plantation hardwood. 800.527.5903. http://www.armstrong.com/.

Empire LevelTaking the traditional level up a notch, the e100 digital level features a shockabsorbing system with dual molded end caps to help ensure accuracy under rugged conditions. It comes equipped with a backlight for illumination, an audio beeper that signals when level or plumb is reached, and a digital readout that displays degrees, percent slope, and inches/feet. The tool is available in 24- and 48-inch sizes. 800.558.0722. http://www.empirelevel.com/.

LenoxEditors at TOOLS OF THE TRADE were impressed with the performance of LENOX Gold with T2 Technology recip saw blades. “Cut through a section of cast-iron pipe” with the blades, they wrote in their 2009 Editor’s Choice Awards, and “you’ll think somebody switched it out for PVC.” According to the company, these new blades deliver the longest-lasting, fastest, and most efficient cutting performance in the industry. The products optimize the tooth shape, pattern, and set for each TPI (tooth per inch) specification. These features—along with new surface coatings—help reduce friction and heat build-up so users can achieve the lowest possible cost per cut with less effort. 800.628.3030. http://www.lenoxtools.com/.

Jeld-WenThe Juniper Door collection finds a positive use for a species that’s so scorned as invasive and waterhogging, programs have been created to remove it from areas where it is endangering plants and wildlife. The juniper interior and exterior doors sport large, swirling grain patterns and knots, along with a rich color ranging from light to deep cinnamon brown. Cracks and splits enhance the material’s rustic feel. The doors come in several designs and finishes, including the chappo finish shown here, and can be specified with distressing, hammering, and blackened antiquing. Sister publication BUILDING PRODUCTS recognized the line for its sustainability. 800.535.3936. http://www.jeld-wen.com/

Ansell LimitedSafety is one of the most important concerns on the jobsite, especially when it comes to your most important tool, your hands. The Cut Protection Glove protects hands from lacerations and abrasions that occur during construction. Made from a stretch yarn that features the strength and durability of Kevlar and steel, the Cut Protection Glove offers up to eight times more protection than other gloves, the maker says. 800.207.7017. http://www.ansellconstruction.com/.

GoldblattThe BladeRunner drywall cutter cuts both sides of a sheet at the same time, cutting one step of the usual three-step process. BladeRunner splits into two halves, each with a cutting wheel, that you place on either side of a sheet of drywall to score both sides simultaneously. It will cut up to 5/8-inch drywall. Powerful magnets hold the two cutters in line and the two halves tight to their opposite surfaces while you guide the tool along your cut line. Spring-loaded hinged legs hold the sections apart and fold in when you start a cut at the edge of a sheet, then emerge again as you reach the end of your cut. 866.562.4229. www.goldblattbladerunner.com.

Product Monitor: Subflooring

Source: PROSALES MagazinePublication date: June 16, 2010
By Victoria Markovitz
Subfloors are typically viewed as a commodity, and regardless of whether they're made of oriented strand board (OSB) or plywood, they need to meet the same structural ratings. But some manufacturers aim to move subfloors out of the commodity bargain bin. They are improving their subflooring products–particularly the OSB selections–branding them, and marketing them to stand out from the masses. Additionally, companies have started to highlight how subflooring products can add green benefits to a home.
This shift toward premium status follows a decade in which OSB has slowly shed its old nickname of "flake board" and moved from a 50% share of the subflooring market to what manufacturers say is probably closer to 80%. But even today, some builders prefer plywood over OSB for a variety of reasons, including plywood's inherent ability to resist moisture better than standard OSB and its higher-end appearance.
Now OSB is fighting back even harder, with improvements such as increased moisture resistance and the addition of printed nailing and framing guides that can help builders save time during construction.
The Rain's a Pain
When OSB gets wet, its edges swell. As a result, builders have to make sure the floor of a home is flat by sanding the subfloor. But by tweaking wax and resin treatments along with the structure of OSB panels, companies have begun to turn out increasingly more moisture-resistant OSB products.
One of the newest releases is Ainsworth's pointSIX Durastrand Flooring, an OSB subfloor. The company tapers the edge of the panel by 0.6 millimeter to give it room to swell if it gets wet. The taper is enough for the manufacturer to offer a 180-day no-sand guarantee, but not enough for the product to need to be installed differently or for a builder to worry about gaps if the product does not get wet, says Robert Fouquet, Ainsworth's vice president of marketing and sales.
To increase the moisture resistance of its OSB lineup, Louisiana-Pacific added two premium products with higher levels of waxes and resins to resist edge swell. Its LP TopNotch 350 series carries a 100-day no-sand warranty (Circle 102), and the 450 line has a 200-day no-sand warranty.
"I think just the addition of the premium products has been the biggest change," says Brian St. Germain, OSB quality and technical manager for Louisiana-Pacific. "Over the course of the last five to 10 years, it's become more popular with builders. It offers reduced labor, and is a better overall product."
Norbord has offered its premium OSB subfloor, Stabledge, for about 10 years, says Doug McNeill, the company's marketing manager. Last year, Norbord introduced a mid-priced subfloor, Pinnacle (Circle 105), and reformulated its commodity subfloor, TruFlor, in 2008. Pinnacle offers a 50-year limited warranty and 100-day no-sand warranty, while TruFlor has a 25-year limited warranty, an improvement from the former commodity panel that did not offer a warranty. Stabledge leads the pack with a 50-year limited warranty and 50-year no-sand warranty.
Improvements in resins, the way the board is laid up, and press and cycle times for the manufacture of subfloors make for better products at all levels, McNeill says.
"Builders not wanting to sacrifice quality can take advantage of a slightly lower-cost subfloor and not have any problems," he says.
Huber Engineered Woods has continued to adjust the way its OSB subfloor, AdvanTech, resists moisture. The resins bond chemically to the wood in AdvanTech, acting like Gorilla Glue and making it harder for water to penetrate, says Charlie Robinson, general manager of AdvanTech flooring. The company also sands the top and bottom of the product so it "has the sheen of plywood," and is denser, making it more difficult for water to find a way into the board. These measures allow the company to back a 300-day no-sand warranty.
Most recently, the company has added a fastening guide to the surface of the offering. Different symbols on the guide indicate placement for fastening at 16-inch, 19.2-inch, and 24-inch on center. Home inspectors can simply glance at the board to see it is fastened correctly, and the guide speeds up the fastening process by about 25%, Robinson says.
Weyerhaeuser has also added a nailing guide to its iLevel Edge Gold OSB subfloor. Different shapes mark 16-inch, 19.2-inch, and 24-inch spacing.
Green Subfloors
As builders look for more ways to gain points in green rating systems and use more green products overall, most OSB and plywood subfloor manufacturers have started using certified wood from the Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI). Companies also stress how the strength of their product can help builders use advanced framing techniques to become more efficient with building materials.
Georgia-Pacific has SFI certification for its engineered wood products, and recently added NAHB "Green Approved" certification to products including DryPly plywood subfloor and DryGuard OSB subfloor.
"We get more and more questions from builders [whether our products meet green ratings]," says Pat Lynch, vice president of sales for Georgia-Pacific's Structural Panels group. "This gives them that peace of mind that these products can help earn points."
Last year, Norbord made its subflooring products available with either SFI Chain of Custody or Forest Stewardship Council certification.
Robinson from Huber says his company gets questions from builders about AdvanTech's ability to support advanced framing techniques. Huber obtained an ESR report from the ICC Evaluation Service to prove that its subfloor could perform with wider framing spacing, he says.
"It can reduce material cost and labor cost," Robinson says. "Advanced framing is something I would keep my eye on."
A majority of these premium products cost more than standard offerings. But as builders continue to demand more value in the products they use to help differentiate themselves in this down market, these improved selections may be one more way their homes can stand out from the rest.
–Victoria Markovitz

Builders and Remodelers Hopeful for Upturn | Housing Economy

Home improvement

spending is set to recover this Fall, according to the recent forecast from the Remodeling Futures Program at Harvard University's Joint Center for Housing Studies. This after a decline from 2009 levels, which were low enough as it is.

Conversely, July's NAHB/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index

fell to 14, down from June's 16 score, indicating that builders and consumers aren't in the most optimistic of moods. Still, there were some positive signs coming out of June. Single-family starts fell only 0.7%; some see this as a sign that they are hitting bottom and gearing for an upturn. You can read the full report on the NAHB site.



Are you involved in building or remodeling

? What's you take on the current state of the industry?

Great article on inventory control --- Worth the Read !!

http://www.prosalesmagazine.com/industry-news.asp?sectionID=421&articleID=1311021

Link to great product blog

Check this out !!!!
http://autumnwoodconstruction.blogspot.com/2010/02/2010-deck-products-timber-tech.html