Residental Design+Build - September 2011 by Jacob Bunting

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Perfect the art of best practices Making a statement by meeting the highest of standards

also inside Rebuilding after a disaster How I survived the housing slowdown

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contents

cover story: Project showcase

12 Perfect the art of best practices

Making a statement by meeting the highest of standards

Community

18 Rebuilding after a disaster

Construction industry combines efforts to rebuild after storms ravaged the Southern states and Missouri

Business

24 How I survived the housing slowdown Lessons learned during previous recessions were nothing compared to those learned during the past few years

28 Network, learn from residential architects

Knowledge Community and symposium provide a home for residential architects and designers

Product trends Folding door and framing manufacturers share information about new products, trends and technologies

30 Opening door trends 40 Framing trends

ADVICE, OPINIONS

PRODUCTS

Editor’s Comments. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

Kitchen/Bath Spotlight: Faucets. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48

News & Feedback . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Jay Grant on Building. . . . . . . . . . . 8 Joseph Dellanno on Communication . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

Product Gallery. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50 Literature Gallery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50 Advertiser/Editorial Index . . . 52 Finishing Touch: Closet rod. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54

on rdbmagazine.com Video Network Design, marketing and more

30 48

Editor’s Blog What’s your most inspirational travel spot?

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Industry News All the news in one place

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40 residential design + build

september 2011

editor’s comments

Look on the positive side

Managing Editor Laurie Grant laurie.grant@cygnus.com Contributing Writers Joe Dellanno, Jay Grant, Luis Jauregui, AIA, John D. Wagner art director Richmond Powers Production Mgr. Steve Swick

Reader Service Mgr. Rich Hendricks Production Services Rep. Kathleen Weaver

does this past spring. These professionals aren’t focusing on what’s lost, but rather what can be done to make life better for those affected and make their futures brighter. The third article, “How I survived the housing slowdown” (page 24) is a raw and honest look at an architect’s experience through the slowdown. After experiencing previous recessions, Bill Styczynski thought his company was sitting just right to handle a slowdown. He quickly learned how different the atmosphere was compared to anything he’d previously experienced. This article is written by Bill from his perspective and it gives an honest look at the past, but also what he’s doing to move his business forward. I’m always proud of the content that is published in RD+B, but I am especially proud to present you this compilation of articles that focus on positive growth rather than what’s changed and what life used to be. What are some positive stories you’ve heard or experienced? I’d love to hear from you: maureen.alley@cygnus.com, 920-563-1675, or on Twitter @MaureenAlley.

It’s important not to ignore the positive things that are happening — and they are happening (page 12), featuring the Power Haus project by Josh Wynne Construction, located in Sarasota, Fla., is the highest-rated LEED Platinum home in the country. This is an accomplishment that owner Josh Wynne has now accomplished twice in his career. He sees goals to do something differently and he goes for them. The “Rebuilding after a disaster” article (page 18) is an inspiring one that highlights trade professionals, organizations and manufacturers going out of their way to help those who lost everything in the devastating torna-

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EDITOR Maureen Alley maureen.alley@cygnus.com

Circulation Mgr. Jackie Flack

s I was putting together this issue, I noticed a common theme: positivity. It was a breath of fresh air to see all the content coming together that encourages positive business practices and attitudes. Reporting on positive stories is just as important as reporting on the negative ones. In journalism school, I was taught the importance of reporting on what people need to hear, not just what they want to hear. Yes, there have been quite a few negative stories about the housing industry and economy, but it’s important not to ignore the positive things that are happening — and they are happening. This issue is proof to you that not everything is doom and gloom. The three main feature articles provide positive outlooks from various angles. The cover story

Editorial Director Rob Heselbarth rob.heselbarth@cygnus.com

Administrative Assistant Kasey Strike

CEO John French CFO Paul Bonaiuto EVP digital Tom Kohn EVP Building & construction Kris Flitcroft VP content Greg Udelhofen VP Marketing Debbie George VP Sales Steve Beyer VP manufacturing Tom Martin VP Audience Development Julie Nachtigal VP technology Eric Kammerzelt VP Production OPERATIONS Curt Pordes human resources Ed Wood ©

No part of this magazine may be reproduced in any form, including electronically, without written permission from the publisher of Residential Design + Build. Residential Design + Build (ISSN 1934-7553, print; ISSN 2150-7694, online; USPS 070-080) is published nine times yearly (January, February/March, April, May, June, July/August, September, October, November/December) by Cygnus Business Media, 1233 Janesville Avenue, Fort Atkinson, WI 53538. Periodicals postage paid at Fort Atkinson, WI and at additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Please send all change of address to Residential Design + Build, P.O. Box 3257, Northbrook, IL 60065-3257. Printed in the USA. Subscription Policy: Individual subscriptions available without charge in the USA to qualified readers. Publisher reserves the right to reject nonqualified subscribers. One-year subscription to nonqualified individuals. U.S. $33; Canada $49; all other countries $71, payable in U.S. funds, drawn on U.S. bank. Single issues available (prepaid only), $10 each. Canadian GST #231910168. Canada Post PM40063731. Return Undeliverable Canadian Addresses to: Residential Design + Build, Station A, P.O. Box 54, Windsor, ON N9A 6J5. Vol. 76, No. 7.

By Maureen Alley, editor

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L E G E N D A RY D E S I G N S D E S E RV E A L E G E N D A RY F I N I S H .

Frank Lloyd Wright designed this home in 1951, specifying extensive use of California Cypress on the exterior. To protect and preserve this historic home, the owner only trusts the Sikkens Cetol速 family of products. Recognized the world over for their aesthetics, translucency and durability, Cetol products enhance the natural beauty of exterior timber. Ask your local retailer about the distinctive finish of Sikkens products. www.sikkens.us For more info circle #24

news & feedback

What the July jobs report means to the housing industry Editor’s note: This article was originally published on rdbmagazine.com. Below the article is a reader’s response.

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riday, August 5, 2011, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics released its jobs report for the month of July 2011. According to the report, employment rose 117,000 and the unemployment rate dropped from 9.2 percent in June to 9.1 percent. Throughout the year, both the National Association of Home Builders and American Institute of Architects have been vocal about the impact a hurting job market has on a housing market recovery. In June, during the Mid-Year Construction Forecast (http://ow.ly/61I3b), David Crowe, chief economist for NAHB, said a job recovery will “lead the country back to normal levels.” In response to the report, Crowe says: “The jobs report today and the slight decline in unemployment are good news for the economy and housing, but real housing improvement needs consistent job gains at 200,000 or more per month. Today’s gain is not enough to make a significant dent in unemployment or in consumers’ confidence that a recovery is here to stay. Prospective home buyers need greater confidence in their own economic future before they can take advantage of the very low interest rates and home prices. A steady and consistent improvement in job gains will encourage home buyers back in the market.” Kermit Baker, chief economist for the American Institute of Architects, also responded to the report: “The July employment report was not strong enough to provide much support for the housing recovery. The national unemployment rate has been hovering around 9 percent for several months, which is still very high by historical standards. The 117,000 net increase in payrolls was better than the past two months, but not enough to generate much growth. The sense is that we need to generate about 150,000 per month on average just to keep up with new entrants to the labor force.” Does the July jobs report make you more or less optimistic, or unaffected? Send an email to editor@ rdbmagazine.com.

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es, it is encouraging to see a better jobs report. But it is not enough to instill any kind of confidence in the American people. Before they look at buying new homes in any kind of volume, our country will have to not only get unemployment down, it will have to instill confidence as well. I believe people are so discouraged with government that even if employment would drop, I don’t know if that is enough. Unfortunately we have a long painful road ahead of us and politicians who could care less about the American people. We are quickly losing our middle class workforce, which is sad because we are the backbone of this country. - Tim Marine, AIBD Building Designs Sebring, Fla.

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Jay G r a nt on building

Believe in the value you provide Don’t sell your company and offerings short because of economic conditions

ecently, the summary phrase I use most often to characterize the state of my business is, “I have never had more prospects or fewer clients!” I remain optimistic because I have had no shortage of sales meetings this summer. My leads have come from my website, my new showroom where the increased visibility has led to many more opportunities and from business networking. We are two weeks into the attorney review process on a 5,000-sq.-ft. custom home to be built on my client’s lot. This potential project has already been challenging. The opportunity began when an architect I never worked with invited me to bid on the plan. It is an interesting home with an outdoor courtyard surrounded on four sides by the home.

construction and profit. I ignored the reality that this would be a super competitive bid process and that other builders were hungry to win this commission. One week after I submitted the bid, the architect called me and confirmed what I already suspected would be the situation: My $1.6 million bid was not only high but was “a few hundred thousand dollars more than the lowest bidder.” But then he said something I did not expect: “The clients want to meet

I felt like I was being asked to go into a pitch black batting cage and hit a home run

hen I met with the architect to pick up and review the bid plans, he told me there would be five other builders bidding and I would only get to meet the prospect if my bid was selected out of the first round of cuts. I told him I felt like I was being asked to go into a pitch black batting cage and hit a home run. He replied that his client was too busy to attend six builder meetings so I could either play by his rules or not play at all. The plans subsequently sat on my office floor for the first three weeks of the four-week bid window. In the final week, I committed to the bid deadline and spent 100 hours of my staff and my time in assembling the bid. I decided I would not attempt to compete on price partly out of frustration with the process and because it was a complex design. I put in all the costs I knew I would need to cover

SEPTEMBER 2 0 1 1

the benefits of building open-book construction management and how doing so would give us the best opportunity to further trim the budget. I went into detail and examples of how open book creates a win-win for the client and builder. The other builders have since been told that I have been given the job. If the prospect’s lawyer approves the agreement, I anticipate I will be breaking ground by the time this column is printed.

with you because they want to understand what you’re thinking and why you believe the project will need that budget.”

hen I made my presentation two weeks later, I brought in my estimator and custom selections manager. In preparation for the meeting, we created a report showing the prospects both value engineering ideas and scope-of-work suggestions that gave us the chance to trim the budget by $175,000 without significantly altering the plan. I also presented a flow chart showing the timing and steps needed to get the house under construction by this fall and closed in by winter. I also used the opportunity to explain

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Although it is as difficult as it has ever been to be a custom builder, I urge you to keep doing what you know instinctively is the right thing for your business and your client. Hopefully your reward will be an ongoing profitable custom building business. Good luck. ■ Jay Grant, president of Grant Homes, a residential design/build firm in Mendham, N.J., focuses on building luxury custom homes and renovations/additions. He is the recipient of more than 20 industry awards including best website for granthomesusa.com. Grant is available for business consulting. Send email to granthomes@msn.com. Read past columns at rdbmagazine.com.

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* Calculated based on average projected energy savings in a computer simulation using Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory Resfen 5.0 standard criteria for a 2,000-square-foot home when comparing a Pella 350 Series Advanced Low-E with argon triple-pane vinyl window to a single-pane vinyl window. © 2011 Pella Corporation

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Joseph Dellanno on communication

Market your company with YouTube Online video provides clients and potential clients a look into your business practices

nline video is a powerful communication medium and used correctly can capture your audience or even an audience of millions. User-friendly technology enables us to produce high-quality videos, integrated soundtracks and share these creative works with our social and business networks. Given the fast pace of information transference, it’s easy to stay atop the latest trends, entertainment news and industry buzz. In fact, 178 million U.S. Internet users watched online video content in June 2011 for an average of 16.8 hours per viewer, according to comScore data.

The question remained how to document the IDB process accurately and share it in a logical and timely manner with past and future clients through social networks. When creating online videos, keep it simple, short and interesting enough for viewers to want more. Remember, people may have time for a oneor two-minute video, but they do not have time to watch a full-length movie. Also, keep in mind the viewing audience; action to hold interest; avoid

Google which owns YouTube accounted for 149.3 million online viewers in June 2011 Source: comScore

the entire structure 11 ft. above its foundation and build a new first floor with 9 ft. ceilings underneath the existing structure. The unusual nature of this project made this a perfect opportunity to document and share an interesting bit of design/build work on YouTube.

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nce you have created, scripted and uploaded your video onto YouTube, the next step is marketing and promoting it. YouTube is a household brand with global name recognition. By posting on this site, your company will have an additional Web presence featuring full streaming video. The only costs involved are the video equipment,

Your company will have an additional Web presence featuring full streaming video

y interactive design/build firm recently collaborated with a design/builder on a unique remodeling project in the Boston area. The scope of the project consisted of designing a second floor addition to an existing brick veneer, L-shape ranch home. You may be thinking, “What is unique about adding a second floor addition to an L-shape ranch?” Nothing, unless you are planning to lift

interest and ends with a cliffhanger to suck you into watching tomorrow.

industry buzzwords; and leave the audience wanting more. Format your videos using the KISS method: keep it simple stupid. Creating your own YouTube channel is easy and painless, but choose your channel name wisely. Keep the name easily remembered by viewers who will use search engines to find it. A simple name helps your audience share your video content with their friends or colleagues. Once you have created the channel, you may wonder how to keep your audience coming back to view your YouTube videos. Video chapters are a simple way to break up a long story into parts. This allows the viewer to choose the video that is most interesting to them at that particular time. If the video is compelling enough to capture the viewer’s interest, the viewer is more likely to scan through your video library to glean more information. Think of your videos as if they were episodes of a daytime soap opera. The show opens with a dramatic scene to gain

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video editing software, and someone’s time and commitment to design and produce. Providing your audience with a short burst of video information displays the reality of your company’s day-to-day operations. Promotional videos give the sales team a powerful sales tool to provide your potential clients a better understanding of the company’s design/build process. Remember you are also communicating your design/build process with others in your industry. Have fun creating your videos and remember to keep it simple, be persistent and consistent! ■ Joseph Dellanno is the founder of My Design/Build Project, a Web communication application for design and build teams, and president of My Design/Build Coach, providing design/build business training. He is also president of Design Solutions, a national design firm. Send email to info@mydesignbuildproject.com. Read past columns at rdbmagazine.com.

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Perfect the art

of best practices Making a statement by meeting the highest of standards By Maureen Alley, editor

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he term “green” elicits both positive and negative responses from those in the housing industry. Josh Wynne, owner of Sarasota, Fla.-based Josh Wynne Construction, avoids this term completely. Wynne also is the designer and builder of U.S. Green Building Council’s highest-scoring Platinum LEED home in the country — an accomplishment he has achieved twice in his career. Energy efficiency was the goal of this house, the Power Haus, which also is a Residential Design + Build 2011 Design Excellence Awards winner ( July/August page 34). “We saw an opportunity to chase and build the most energy-efficient home in the U.S.,” Wynne says. “I don’t focus on that word, green. I stick with concrete things like certifications and performance criteria such as energy consumption, health, durability.”

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To create the most energy-efficient home in the country, Wynne and his team were faced with many challenges from the start, with the first being the lot. “The lot is a hardwood swamp which is rare here, and it was overrun with exotic species which we had to remove. [The clients] wanted the house to feel as if it was set down in the middle of the swamp. In addition, there were 146 trees at risk of impact that we had to maneuver around,” Wynne says. Design elements also presented challenges. Originally, the house was to include a radiant heating system, but Florida’s sporadic cold weather challenged this. “Because it generated so much thermal heat mass the air conditioning would need to be turned on in January to cool the floor,” Wynne says. “There was a lot of discovery as we tried to go outside the box.”

cov er story: project showcase

 Top: The home features a contemporary take on the Florida cracker style to meet the homeowners’ request for contemporary and warm design.  Left: Josh Wynne Construction designs and builds a LEED Platinum home called Power Haus. Photos: Matt McCourtney, McCourtney Photographics

Design encourages sustainability

The homeowners specifically requested a modern design for their new home; however, they were also clear they didn’t want a stark, sterile home. Wynne found that traditional Florida cracker style could meet their expectations as well as provide the energy efficiency needs. Wynne’s family has lived in Florida for generations and he believes in using traditional local styles for his projects. “A big failure in architecture is to not adapt a home to its climate — you have to pay homage to regional architecture which is why I chose the cracker element. [Florida cracker] homes were adaptive to Florida so the design embraces the climate,” he says. Passive ventilation, passive lighting, long eaves and solar orientation all affected the desired design. “Natural traditional elements done in a modern way,” he adds. “Polished concrete floors,

 The western elevation opens up to provide views of the hardwood swamp.

rdbmagazine.com

residential design + build

september 2011

cov er story: project showcase

clay walls over mold-resistant drywall, and native cypress timbers used for doors, trim, cabinets and roof framing all lend to the contemporary Florida cracker vernacular while offering stellar performance against the elements.” Wynne’s favorite place in the home is the kitchen (shown on the cover) which features cabinets built with lumber from a mill. Wynne’s team gathered the lumbered waste from a local mill, milled the scraps, glued the panels together and used a clear finish. “It’s pretty striking to see all the different grains and woods,” he says. Typically, energy-efficient homes and LEED-certified homes are designed with a minimal eastern and western glass exposure. Wynne’s clients wanted the home to open and provide views to the swamp which meant the western elevation needed to open to this area. “The reason I did the orientation this way was because I was able to model the bulk tree line on the swamp to determine where the shadow would hit,” Wynne says. “I made the rear eave on the house 4 ft. long so it would shadow until the sun would dip below the trees and the sun wouldn’t be a concern.

“There was a lot of discovery as we tried to go outside the box.” Josh Wynne, owner, Josh Wynne Construction, Sarasota, Fla.

 The deciduous trees provide shade from the sun in the summer, and allow the sun to filter into the home’s spaces in the winter.

Estate Home Interior Design Project, Oregon Liz Murray makes Geberit® part of estate’s bathroom design When Designer Liz Murray designed the bath spaces for the exercise room and pool house of a client’s 10,000-square-foot Tualatin, Oregon estate home, she offered a new idea: the Geberit® in-wall tank and carrier paired with a wall-hung toilet. Murray’s client was open to new ideas with European style, sensibility, and luxury. Murray became familiar with Geberit in Europe and offered the system to her client, who immediately loved the off-the-floor toilet concept. Geberit’s tankless design also complemented the designer’s sophisticated, muted color choice in the bathrooms’ surround tile and accoutrements. An estate home is luxurious, but achieving luxury can be as simple as designing the everyday toilet and bathroom with Geberit. See how the Geberit concealed tank and carrier system can inspire you. For a free copy of the Geberit Now DVD, our full line digital resource, visit us at www.geberitnow.com or call 866/787-3924. It’s Technology Enabling Design.

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++Designer/Builder Josh Wynne Construction Sarasota, Fla. joshwynneconstruction.com

++Project name: Power Haus Location: Sarasota, Fla. Size: 3,089 sq. ft.

++Exterior Roofing: Metal Sales Doors: Jeld-Wen Windows and Doors Insulation: BioBased Insulation HVAC: Carrier Corp.

++Interior Locksets/hardware: Rocky Mountain Hardware Tile: Heath Ceramics Lighting: LiteTouch Inc.

++Kitchen Faucets: Kohler Co. Range: Blue Star Exhaust: Best Appliance drawers: Sharp Electronics Refrigerator/freezer: Sub-Zero Inc. Wine storage: Perlick Corp. Dishwashers: Miele Inc.

++Bath Tubs: Victoria & Albert Showers: Kohler Co. Toilets: Kohler Co. Faucets: Kohler Co. Washer/dryer: Whirlpool Corp.

++Technology Home control system: Elan Home Systems Lighting control: LiteTouch Inc. Structured wiring: Elan Home Systems Security system: DSC Theater projector/TV: Samsung Theater speakers: Bay Audio Sound containment: Middle Atlantic Products Touchpanels: Elan Home Systems Subwoofer: Velodyne Acoustics

 Passion from every person involved in the project was the key to the success of this LEED Platinum home.

++Outdoor living Lighting: Barn Light Electric Grill: Big Green Egg Outdoor speakers: Niles Audio

“In the winter, we wanted to take advantage of the deciduous trees. As the sun drops, it filters into the area,” Wynne says. “Although on paper, the large exposure on the western side is not green, in practice it worked in our favor.” Wired for success

Home technology was another homeowner request. Using Elan’s G system, almost everything in the house is automated. “The Elan system is the brains behind the operation which includes two 7-in. touch screens and four 3-in. touch screens,” Wynne adds.

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The home’s technology includes a lighting control system, integration with HVAC, security, appliances that are IP-addressable and connected to the system for monitoring, entertainment, audio and solar panels. “The homeowners can manipulate their home from anywhere,” Wynne says. “My client emailed me the other day concerned about the solar performance being too low for the month, so we troubleshooted the system. You can see in real time and over a lifetime how much power the solar system is producing and how much power is being used — even by each component.” Three years ago, Wynne Construction won Custom Electronics Association’s award and he hopes to win this award again.

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 The home’s technology allows the homeowners to control and view the home’s system features remotely.

Wynne and his team are very proud of this project and its many industry awards. The key to its success is the teamwork behind it. “You can’t do great things all by yourself,” he says. “A well-built house has a soul and intangible quality coming from a lot of people’s passion. We had the right team together and we all cared enough to make it a success.” ■

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community

Rebuilding after a disaster Construction industry combines efforts to rebuild after storms ravaged the Southern states and Missouri By Laurie Grant, managing editor

Less than one month later, an EF-5 twister tore through Joplin, Mo., flattening everything in its path. Missouri already had been hit by five destructive tornadoes that rolled through St. Louis and its outlying suburbs a month earlier; the most powerful tornado had an EF-4 rating. The aftermath of these storms left damage that hasn’t been seen since Hurricane Katrina devastated the Gulf Coast in 2005. The Gulf

Coast is still rebuilding, and Missouri and the Southern states have a similarly long rebuilding road ahead of them. Since disaster struck, trade professionals and manufacturers have banded together to restore the South and rebuild towns from the ground up. Intelligent building

After the Southern tornadoes, Kristopher Nikolich, AIA, partner with the Design

photo: Design Initiative

arlier this year, footage of tornadoes and severe storms ripping through the Southern states gripped the nation. As news reports flooded the airwaves, people soon realized these weren’t typical tornadoes. Communities were demolished and many lives were lost. Across Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, Tennessee and Virginia, storms on April 27 claimed an estimated 300 lives.

 After being hit hard by the April tornadoes, Cordova, Ala., is the subject of a master planning exercise, conducted by Auburn University’s Urban Studio.

s e p t e m b e r 2 011

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photo: Hibbs Homes

community

 Kim Hibbs of Hibbs Homes, Chesterfield, Mo., is rebuilding a house that was destroyed by a falling tree in the Good Friday tornadoes.

Initiative, Birmingham, Ala., his business partner Marshall Anderson, AIA, and Andrew Bryan, an office intern, responded to an almost immediate request from the Birmingham chapter of the American Institute of Architects for volunteers to participate in a four-hour ATC-45 training course with other architects, structural engineers and building inspectors. This training qualified them to assess damaged property and evaluate whether it was safe to return. The training courses are developed by the Applied Technology Council, Redwood City, Calif. While inspecting structures in Tuscaloosa, Ala., Nikolich found some buildings that appeared to be unharmed but upon closer inspection discovered major structural issues that made the building uninhabitable. Other buildings suffered only superficial damages. Plenty fell in between. The mayor’s office in Birmingham, in conjunction with AIA-Birmingham, sent a request to AIA for a Regional/Urban Design Assistance Team for rebuilding assistance for its Pratt community. R/UDAT is supported and organized by AIA and comprises individuals across the country who have expertise in planning, design and the economics of rebuilding communities afflicted by disaster.

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Two members from the Federal Emergency Management Agency working in Pratt have been attending the meetings so the organizations can work in tandem to ensure they are productive. The initial visit with the team leader and administrative staff was completed in August, with the design charrette a couple weeks later. Home is where the heart is

Chris Youngs, CAPS, CGP, vice president of construction at Homewood, Ala.-based BMR Homes, focuses his work on residential projects in the Birmingham, Ala., area. He estimates about 95 percent of his current work is a direct result of the tornadoes. In fact, he’s booked for work through the first of the year. Youngs applies his Hurricane Katrina disasterrecovery and remodeling skills to the recent devastation in his area and currently is rebuilding for several dislocated families. Finding a balance between getting residents home as soon as possible and taking enough time to thoughtfully rebuild structures is one of the most significant challenges Youngs has encountered. He stresses the importance of hiring an engineer to evaluate whether residences are structurally

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sound and require only cosmetic changes or necessitate total rebuilding. “Homeowners just want to get it fixed quickly. I think some of them are making bad decisions that will come back and haunt them in a couple of years when their homes start showing cracks from problems that weren’t repaired and were just covered up,” Youngs says. In Birmingham, Nikolich and Anderson, working with other local architects, propose a design charrette to develop prototypical housing plans with affected communities. “If we’re going to rebuild in the wake of a disaster, how do we use this as an opportunity to build something that’s better?” Nikolich asks. “This is a way we can use our expertise to help improve the built environment and hopefully bring some expert advice to the process of rebuilding rather than having it being driven solely by a function of time and cost.” Philanthropic Spirits

ProVia, a manufacturer of windows and doors in Sugarcreek, Ohio, donated materials and time to the devastation. In July, 15 employees traveled to Joplin to volunteer for one week. “It was quite a sight to see all the damage there. They said the tornado was a mile wide and ripped through town for five miles,” says Joe Klink, director of corporate relations. “Whole neighborhoods were completely blown away.” ProVia employees devoted much of their time to cleaning up rubble from houses. “We had a Bobcat and we started hauling, raking and pulling concrete and everything out to the curb by the deadline,” Klink recalls. “When we left, it didn’t look any different than when we came. The devastation is that widespread. The difference we made was for the individuals whose property we cleared.” Siding manufacturer and distributor Kaycan, Burlington, Vt., also donated exterior building products and tools in the Joplin area. Janis Turner, Kaycan’s U.S. marketing manager, explains that even though Kaycan does not manufacture tools, the tools are necessary for rebuilding. “Our customers need to take care of their families but also want to give back to the community,” she says. “Tools help them get their jobs back and their families fed.”The company also donated clothing, food and other critical items. In addition, manufacturers are taking part by ensuring the built environment is more durable and energy efficient. Kim Hibbs, owner of

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photo: ProVia

community

 Employees from ProVia traveled to Joplin, Mo., to assist in rebuilding.

Chesterfield, Mo.-based Hibbs Homes, has been working with the Donald family since May to rebuild their St. Louis house. Although construction is still in the early stages, the finished structure will be a more efficient and higher-quality residence than before, thanks to several suppliers, including Pevely, Mo.based American Steel Fabrication, which is donating the steel for the house. “There are a lot of great people in the St. Louis area who are stepping up to help us get this house rebuilt,” Hibbs says. “I’m thrilled that we’re replacing the almost 60-year-old house with one that’s so much more efficient. That’s what it’s all about — giving them a much better home.” Community matters

Although the devastation spans many states and thousands of people, one value resounds among everyone affected: community.

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Kaycan’s motto is “Building Lasting Impressions.” “For the first time in several years, we’ve had the opportunity to not only build a lasting impression in vinyl siding and in communities, but we were able to have Kaycan build a lasting impression for our customers in a philanthropic role,” Turner says. “That’s really important in companies today. You need to support someone who has hit hard times.” Klink and his colleagues were impressed at the positive attitudes in Joplin. “What really struck me is even two months after the devastation when it seems like they would start to fall into despair, I don’t remember seeing any negative attitudes,” he recalls. “They seemed glad to be alive. The community seems to be pulling together.” Stephen A. Tybor III, vice president and business unit manager at Heartland Siding

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by ProVia, is cofounder and president of Eight Days of Hope and Adopt A Family, charitable organizations that ProVia has worked with to provide financial and material assistance. “It’s great when you see companies giving back to communities,” Tybor says. It’s not always about the bottom line. We live in these communities and if we don’t live there, we have cousins that live in those communities. At the end of the day, it’s about doing the right thing.” ■

Visit rdbmagazine.com for Webexclusive extras about trade professionals helping the South’s recovery.

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business

How I survived the housing slowdown

Lessons learned during previous recessions were nothing compared to those learned during the past few years By Bill Styczynski

Editor’s note: This is the f irst in a series of survivor stories as told by the survivors themselves. These brave builders and designers will share their stories of struggle and ultimately survival, as a method of therapy for them and to let their peers know they’re not alone in their challenges.

started my firm back in 1980, when mortgage rates were in the double digits and architects weren’t hiring. I was young, enthusiastic and ready to conquer the world. My stor y is probably similar to principals of other small, residential architectural firms. I started a firm focused on energyefficient solar design. As interest in solar

“WE were prepared for a slowdown but never expected the drop off the cliff we were about to experience.”

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work faded, our work became more conventional and had steadily grown in size and reputation. I enjoyed my work, our office staff and clients. I felt I would gradually reduce my role in the firm as I reached retirement age, although I always insisted I would work until I was 80 as long as I still enjoyed it. In 2007, Styczynski Walker & Associates, our architectural firm, was starting to feel a slowdown. We felt the firm was well poised to survive a slowdown with a diversified mix of clients and projects, including custom singlefamily homes, additions, renovations, commercial projects and a design/build program which was just starting to gain traction. Having sur vived multiple recessions starting from the early ’80s, we were prepared for a slowdown but never expected the drop off the cliff we were about to experience. At the time, we had 10 to 12 employees, a nice 3,600-sq.-ft. office in Chicago’s western suburbs, and a track record of steady growth over almost 30 years. Personally, I had learned to delegate responsibility, allowed several staff architects to control their own projects, developed

residential design + build

 Bill Styczynski of Styczynski Walker & Associates.

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business

numerous quality control systems and worked at broadening our client base. The most ambitious project was to build a home for my family that was also part of a luxury home tour and would be utilized to promote our design/build capabilities. Recession aftereffects

 The current offices of Styczynski Walker & Associates are located in Styczynski’s personal race car preparation area. A car hoist is still visible on the ceiling. The current staff includes: (left to right) Tess Kliros, Tom Fend, Bill Styczynski, Manho Lam and Gregg Stahr.

As many in the industry know, the collapse of the housing and financial markets devastated the residential market. As it all unfolded, I felt I was in an uncontrollable free fall. By the time things bottomed out, we were at about 20 percent of the income levels we had before the crash. Privately funded projects disappeared, accounts receivable became uncollectable, we couldn’t afford to pay the office rent, and I had to lay off much of my staff for the first time. I have always thought of my office staff as family and I can vividly recall many sleepless nights, staring out in the darkness trying to figure out what to do. I made many mistakes — using all of my retirement money to help fund the firm and keep the office operational. The emotional

FORECAST: RAIN FOLLOWED BY A LIFETIME OF FLAT FLOORING.

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attachment to the firm clouded my business judgment. The best advice I was given after the fact was whatever happened in the past was history and I needed to look forward toward the future. By June of 2009, I had reduced our staff to four individuals in addition to myself. Everyone agreed to work reduced hours and agreed it was better than being unemployed. We set up an office in my home, utilizing a garage area where I used to keep a couple race cars. My hobby and passion for racing cars was put on hold. My wife returned to work to help make ends meet, and her long-arm quilting room was converted to our conference room. Our home now felt more like a bed and breakfast than a private residence, but again, my staff was like family and we needed to cut costs and adapt to survive. Focus on positivity

The market had definitely changed. It felt as if our architectural services had become a commodity. Fees were severely undercut; we took on a multitude of smaller projects to survive and were fortunate to have a few new

homes, additions and commercial projects. During the lulls, we used the time to develop new marketing materials and looked at new ways to gain enough market share to meet our financial goals. Although to be honest, budgets and the business plan had to be adjusted on a monthly basis. At times I felt I should just shut down the firm and drive a bus for a living. So where are we now? Quite honestly, we are still experiencing a roller coaster ride of projects and emotions. Although it doesn’t always show, I am an extremely optimistic person with plenty of drive. There are still projects out there and we spend more time than ever to obtain a signed contract. At times I feel we are only one significant project away from turning the corner, only to have the rug pulled from under our feet. Our plan for the future is to stay in our current location for at least another year, maybe two. Moving forward, it is important to keep our expenses as lean as possible, stay flexible, respond to changes in the market and be diversified. I also feel that open

communication with my staff has helped them understand the challenges we all face. Where will we be five or 10 years from now? My guess is we will be back in a real office, with a staff of no more than eight, probably doing more design/build work, but with a clear memory of this humbling experience. I do know that whatever form the firm does take, it will be based on our care and dedication to our clients and employees, a commitment to quality services, and the flexibility to change and reinvent ourselves as the world around us changes. ■ A. William Styczynski is president of Styczynski Walker & Associates, an architectural firm specializing in custom residential design and small- to medium-size commercial projects. A licensed architect with a bachelor of architecture degree from the University of Illinois-Chicago, Styczynski has more than 32 years’ experience in the architectural field. He is NCARB certified and a Certified Green Building Professional. The firm has won numerous design awards including five prestigious Crystal Key Awards from the Home Builders Association of Greater Chicago. Contact Styczynski by sending an email to editor@rdbmagazine.com.

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Network, learn from residential architects Knowledge Community and symposium provide a home for residential architects and designers By Maureen Alley, editor

any architects turn to the American Institute of Architects for networking, resources and continuing education. Within AIA, the Custom Residential Architects Network Knowledge Community hopes to take that a step further and provide a place for residential architects and designers to call home.

member to be a member of CRAN. By becoming a member, you have a voice to a profession that we are not just a secondary market but a primary component to architecture,” he says. “Within AIA, we’ve found a lot of individuals who have felt left out. We provide a voice within the [National Association of Home Builders, National Association of the Remodeling Industry and Custom Electronic Design & Installation Association] to collaborate on better design.” CRAN’s annual symposium is one way the group provides resources to residential architects and designers. To be held in Indianapolis, October 14, 15 and 16, the theme of this year’s symposium is “Elevating the Art of Design and Practice.” “Attendees won’t just hear presentations. It’s a b o u t e xc h a n g i n g thoughts,” Demerly  Attendees participate in the workshop and brainstorming session during says. “With smaller the 2010 AIA CRAN Symposium. groups you can exchange with each other or a “We are residential architects where we panel.” Approximately 200 people are expected directly engage the homeowner in the design to attend the symposium. A pre-event home tour of the Miller House process,” says Mark Demerly, chair of CRAN Knowledge Community of AIA and president and Garden is available for attendees who arrive of Demerly Architects, Indianapolis. on Thursday, with a welcome reception that Demerly adds that the CRAN group is evening. The symposium kicks off on Friday totally inclusive. “You don’t have to be an AIA with keynote speaker Doug Patt at 8:30 a.m.,

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and roundtable and home tour in the afternoon. The look of Friday’s home tour is different than other home tours in the industry because it includes case studies of the homes. “The home tour takes place in a historic neighborhood of contemporary homes,” Demerly says. “We will talk about how the homes were created and what was learned in the process.” The home tour is from 12 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Dinner groups are another interesting option during the symposium. Saturday night, attendees can sign up to attend dinner with a group of fellow attendees. This is intended to create conversation and networking opportunities. The goal of the symposium is to provide networking and conversation among attendees and less about one-way communication from panel members. “It’s a great way to build relationships,” Demerly adds. ■

++Visit aiacran.org for more

information, schedule of events or to register for the symposium.

Early registration before Sept. 30: AIA member, $225 Nonprofessional member, $300 Late registration after Sept. 30: AIA member, $275 Nonprofessional member, $350

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product trends: opening walls

Invite the outdoors inside Folding door manufacturers share information about new products, trends and technologies

Jeld-Wen Windows and Doors Industry: “[More people are turning toward] larger sizes, slimmer panel designs, window applications of folding windows, performance ratings, concealed hardware,” says Brian Hedlund, product marketing manager, Jeld-Wen Windows and Doors. Product offering: “Jeld-Wen offers folding door products that are part of our Custom Clad Wood Window & Patio Door, Custom Wood Exterior Door and Custom Aurora Exterior Door product lines,” Hedlund says. Where it’s going: “Wall systems in general are going more mainstream and becoming available in more mid-level categories as opposed to being only a high-end product,” Hedlund says. “Replacementfriendly versions of the product are starting to become more prevalent, and designs that were largely dated for the last few years are starting to be revised to be more streamlined, low-profile and less obtrusive.” + For more info circle #01

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COrPOr ATE NOTES

Flexibility of the Geberit System meets sustainability objectives and space demands. ThroughouT The decades, greaTer san Francisco has expanded enormously, particularly in the East Bay area where it is most accessible by land from the east. Now, with limited space for additional building, renovations are the trend in the existing, crowded homes. Many homeowners in this area desire to update home interiors. Interior designers must find creative ways to redesign a structure without reshaping it, working within the limited property space available and within strict California codes that restrict expansion options. Vernon Applegate, principal of Applegate Tran Interiors, headquartered in San Francisco, designs new homes and renovations. He was called upon to rejuvenate a tired, older home in the East Bay area of San Francisco by updating its 1950s décor to a more modern, California look. “This project was about finishes and materials. Our clients were open to different ideas, but they wanted an efficient home — it’s completely solar-powered — as well as style,” Applegate explains. “When we recommended Geberit and the wall-hung toilet for their powder room, we took them to a showroom where Geberit products are on display, and they were sold on it right away.” Applegate chose the Geberit Concealed Tank and Carrier System with the dualflush actuator because it is efficient and aesthetically pleasing. “Our client, a landscaper who is concerned about the environment and has a sense for design, loved the style of the Geberit dual-flush actuator, in particular, for its aesthetics and efficiency,” Applegate says. “It was the only actuator panel on the market that is stylish

and gives a clean look to the powder room.” Once the Geberit System is installed, the only visible part is the flush panel, which offers maintenance access to components that control the flush. The flush panel offers real water savings with single- or dual-flush functionality. For dual-flush toilets, there’s typically a 2:1 usage ratio between the liquid waste mode of 0.8 gpf (3 LPF) and the full flush of 1.6 gpf (6 LPF). If the full flush is used once a day, and the reduced flush is activated twice, that brings the total water use to 3.2 gallons per day or 1,139 gallons per year. That’s a 33% water savings compared to 1.6 gpf flushing only. The Geberit Concealed Tank and Carrier System met not only the clients’ dream of what they wanted in their home, but also Applegate’s vision of designing a clean,

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minimalist powder room. “We wanted to lift the toilet off the floor and really expose the floor,” Applegate says. “The client chose a beautiful, limestone floor throughout the house that ran into the powder room. We wanted the toilet to float above the floor. Applegate adds, “It’s only a 9-foot by 3-foot space. There was little space between the sink and toilet. We didn’t want a tank interfering with the design. Concealing the tank was a big bonus for us. Using Geberit with a wall-hung toilet made the room look bigger. ” For more information on Geberit, go to www.geberit.us or call 800/566-2100.

product trends: opening walls

KOLBE WINDOWS AND DOORS Industry: “Homeowners are opening their walls both visually, with wide expanses of glass, and physically, with doors that allow for large connections between the outdoors and indoors,” says Cindy Bremer, vice president of marketing, Kolbe Windows and Doors. Product offering: “Kolbe’s Folding Door systems are offered as part of the Ultra Series and Heritage Series in numerous panel configurations and other accessories. With a maximum of eight panels per side, units can offer up to 45 ft. of unobstructed views,” Bremer says. Where it’s going: “Homeowners want to create spaces that are as individual as they are,” Bremer says. “We expect homes will continue to be designed with folding doors, as long as the outdoor views and outdoor living areas are important.” + For more info circle #02 CRAN-TA_Ad.pdf

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product trends: opening walls

LA CANTINA DOORS Industry: “Americans who are looking to remodel their homes are seeking alternatives to a traditional slider in order to maximize their space and incorporate a lifestyle that a folding door will provide,” says Matt Power, president and cofounder, La Cantina Doors. Product offering: “La Cantina Doors’ latest door — the aluminum thermally broken — has maximum design flexibility and performance for virtually any environment,” Power says. “The aluminum door is favored for its sleek design with thin 2¾-in. stile and rail. Manufactured to any design specification, this door can suit large openings up to 52 ft. wide and 10 ft. tall with eight doors opening in each direction.” Where it’s going: “Folding doors will continue to gain consumer awareness and popularity for many different types of applications both commercial and residential,” Power adds. + For more info circle #03

LOEWEN Industry: “We’re seeing requests for larger openings, bigger lengths and widths, even replacing an entire wall with a glazed element. People are extending their living spaces into the outdoors. They’re moving to a threeseason exterior space, with covered decks, outdoor fireplaces and outdoor kitchens,” says Jon Sawatzky, channel and brand marketing manager, Loewen. Product offering: “Our bifold doors operate with a chassis based on a swinging door panel to provide complementary aesthetics. We can supply doors that are up to 16 panels and fold to the outside so you don’t lose that interior space to functionality,” Sawatzky says. Where it’s going: “A request for the folding door is becoming more common in smaller projects. Historically, people had a two-panel sliding door, but you can cover 52 ft. on this type of door system,” Sawatzky says. + For more info circle #04

MARVIN WINDOWS AND DOORS Industry: “Folding doors are becoming more popular and are a great way to get a fresh new look. They’re a modern twist on the sliding door look and can be a good way to save space in a door opening,” says John Kirchner, public relations manager, Marvin Windows and Doors. Product offering: “One of our newest doors is the Ultimate Lift and Slide, which is our largest door ever. Its large sizes and easy operation allow a seamless integration of indoors and out,” Kirchner adds. “[These doors are] available in sizes up to 60 ft. wide.” Where it’s going: “Homeowners who are looking for something special want to bring the outdoors in or want to let in lots of light would be well served to consider a folding-style door,” Kirchner says. + For more info circle #05

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NANAWALL SYSTEMS Industry: “According to a recent survey by the American Institute of Architects, even as homeowners choose smaller homes and fewer specialty rooms, they are expanding living areas into the outdoors through outdoor living spaces and outdoor rooms,” says Ebrahim Nana, president, NanaWall Systems. Product offering: “The NanaWall is a custom-made operable glass panel system that opens wide to blur the line between indoors and outdoors. Easily opened, the panels stack or stow away out of sight, opening the room to the outside. When closed, the NanaWall provides a weather-resistant barrier protecting against wind, rain, snow and cold temperatures,” Nana says. Where it’s going: “[We are] seeing the folding door trend move north. The NanaWall is increasingly used to create outdoor rooms and entertaining areas from kitchens in New York to living rooms in Ohio, Michigan to the Canadian Rockies,” Nana says. + For more info circle #06

WEILAND SLIDING DOORS AND WINDOWS Industry: “The floor plans of today’s architecturally designed custom home frequently include moveable wall systems that expand lifestyles into [outdoor] spaces. The folding door is a great solution that allows the homeowner better views and flexibility in contrast to smaller conventional doors with less glass,” says Sue Weiland, owner, Weiland Sliding Doors and Windows. Product offering: “The Weiland Beefy Bifold can be built as tall as 13½ ft. and panels as wide as 5 ft., depending on chosen configurations,” Weiland says. Where it’s going: “The desire to have access to the outdoors is changing the way we live. Site-specific design, the use of light and ventilation, and the maximum use of space created by eliminating traditional barriers are helping integrate our living areas to our surroundings,” Weiland says. “The folding door is an obvious choice to meet these expectations. We continue to see strong growth in all aspects of our business.” + For more info circle #07

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september 2011

product trends: framing

Frame it Manufacturers share new trends, technologies and products in the framing arena

ILEVEL BY WEYERHAEuSER Industry: “If there’s one word to describe current trends in structural framing, it is optimization. There is recognition in the design and building communities that structural frames are often overbuilt for what’s needed for code compliance or occupant comfort. Plus, traditional framing practices can create huge amounts of waste. In both cases, that’s lost profits. The trend now is to build homes with just the right materials in just the right places, and to reduce the amount of cutting on the jobsite,” says Carlos Guilherme, vice president of engineered lumber products, iLevel by Weyerhaeuser. Product offering: “iLevel offers Trus Joist engineered lumber that can meet demanding structural requirements such as tall walls more than 10 ft. high, open floor plans and lateral bracing in narrow wall segments,” Guilherme says. “We also offer specialty lumber with the strength and stability to stay straight and true after installation. The range of products helps avoid overbuilding by allowing better selection of the appropriate solution, and less risk of having to replace products after they’re installed. Some of our more popular materials include TimberStrand LSL, Parallam PSL, Framer Series Lumber and iLevel Shear Brace.” Where it’s going: “We’re seeing a greater focus on value engineering for the structural frame. At the beginning of the depressed building market, conversations tended to focus on product price, but now building teams are moving more toward overall value. Many are investing in higher-performing materials that can actually help control costs. Also, with spending a little more for a precut framing package, there is less jobsite labor and disposal fees,” Guilherme says. “Coming up next, the industry can expect more enhancements in solid-sawn lumber, additional performance with OSB, and new applications for engineered lumber.” + For more info circle #08

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residential design + build

rdbmagazine.com

CORPOR ATE nOTES

Digitally Pre-Build Your Structures. That’s Buildability.™ Collaborate in 3D With the Makers of Your roof trusses, floor trusses, engineereD WooD ProDuCts, anD Wall-Panel sYsteMs Online tools for digital design collaboration have recently made stunning gains. Today, builders, architects, and engineers (BAEs) can digitally “pre-build” a structure – right down to the position of specific joist hangers – using web-based, real-time 3D BIM virtual environments. One such tool, SAPPHIRE™ Viewer from MiTek, is experiencing rising adoption among BAEs, who are using it to change how homes are customized, sold, and built. With SAPPHIRE™ Viewer (which is a free download), BAEs can now view models in plan or 3D, zoom and pan, or view elevations, building sections, levels and layers. MiTek’s principle customer is the component manufacturer (or “CM”). CMs are the truss shops that make roof trusses, floor trusses, and wall panel systems, and just like you, CMs have benefited from new design and collaboration software. Today, when CMs and builders collaborate to digitally pre-build a home, something remarkable and innovative is possible:

Buildability™. With the SAPPHIRE™ Suite and automated production, CMs can design and produce component systems for even complex homes at very competitive prices. This enables savvy builders to use SAPPHIRE™ technology to offer a highly differentiated product:

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predictable-cost custom homes! But bring your CM in early, during the sales and design process. The CM can pre-design a 3D model of the structure, and share the viewable model through the SAPPHIRE Viewer to resolve complex framing issues. BAEs can predict costs and control margins for the components and engineered wood products. Plus anyone can leverage accurate structural framing details to create accurate CAD details, improving overall cost estimates. Download SAPPHIRE™ Viewer today and begin working with your MiTek CM to bring Buildability™ to your homes. It’s free. Here’s the link: http://www.mitek-us.com/software/ saPPhire_Viewer_Downloader_.aspx.

product trends: framing

LITESTEEL TECHNOLOGIES Industry: “Framing activity for new homes has slowed with the slowing of new home construction. Builders have increased the use of framing sold by major dealers on an installed basis. Large builders generally use third-party framers to install framing products in new homes. These trends are not very prevalent in structural installs accomplished by remodeling professionals, who often self-install structural products,” says Jeff Hoffman, vice president business development, LiteSteel Technologies. Product offering: “LiteSteel beam from LiteSteel Technologies provides framers with a code-approved, easy-to-use structural framing solution. LSB is on average 40 percent lighter than hot-rolled steel of engineered wood products,” Hoffman says. “Standard carpenter’s tools work well with LSB; it can be easily cut with a skill saw using a carbidetipped steel culling blade.” Where it’s going: “The above trends on installation and contractor use will continue to expand among builders of new homes,” Hoffman adds. “Remodelers will increasingly be asked to remove load-bearing walls to provide homeowners with the open spaces they crave. Structural solutions such as LiteSteel beam will make it much easier for trade professionals to satisfy the needs of their customers.” + For more info circle #09

MITEK INDUSTRIES Industry: “Framing contractors and material suppliers have been forced to significantly reduce their operations, head count and margins to simply survive the downturn. Manpower and capabilities are much thinner today than ever before. At the same time, there is high demand for precision and zero waste to preserve every ounce of profitability they can. The conversion of stick framing to predesigned components is still a great opportunity for the industry to improve its accuracy and efficiency,” says Gregg Renner, vice president marketing, MiTek Industries. Product offering: “MiTek’s latest software technology Sapphire is a 3-D software built for structural component manufacturers that produce trusses, wall panels and engineered wood products. With its companion application, Sapphire Viewer, the structural model can be shared and reviewed by builders, architects, engineers and the lumberyard,” Renner says. “It is a collaboration tool that provides unparalleled precision in the design, estimating and construction of residential projects.” Where it’s going: “We think the key trends are a continuing decline of available skilled labor in the field, and higher costs of all waste — design time, materials, transportation costs, jobsite labor and cycle time,” Renner says. “We are very focused on predesigned solutions to these — designed in highly capable software, produced in an efficient environment, delivered as predesigned and prefabricated structural components.”

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s e p t e m b e r 2 011

residential design + build

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CoRPoR ATE NoTES

Vinyl windows and doors have evolved. New Pella® 350 SerieS ProductS Provide more beNefitS thaN traditioNal viNyl oPtioNS. Today’s homeowners expect their windows and doors to be beautiful, energyefficient and durable. While satisfying all of those needs can be a challenge for architects and custom builders, Pella 350 Series vinyl windows and patio doors are pushing the boundaries of vinyl to another level. more beautiful styles. In line with Pella’s commitment to providing homeowners the most options to match their home, Pella 350 Series windows and patio doors offer more style choices than typical vinyl brands. Three frame colors (including a dual-color option), five hardware finishes and betweenthe-glass features like grilles plus shades and blinds (on patio doors only) create a more distinctive look than typical vinyl products.

Pella’s exclusive SmoothSeam™ welded corners are virtually invisible, yet strong and durable. A robust frame profile with a beveled edge creates a premium look inside and out. And the window sash profile is designed to match standard wood windows, so Pella 350 Series vinyl windows can be mixed and matched with a home’s existing wood windows and doors. Superior energy efficiency. Pella 350 Series products are built to be up to 83% more energy-efficient.* Their exclusive energy-saving system — including up to 18 insulating air chambers inside the vinyl frame and Advanced Low-E InsulShield® triplepane glass with argon — makes Pella 350 Series vinyl windows and patio doors Pella’s most energy-efficient products. added strength and durability. The exclusive frame design of these windows and patio doors has 61% more vinyl — plus metal reinforcement — making them some of the strongest and most durable in the vinyl window industry. Pella’s DuraColor™ finish protects the vinyl from softening and fading caused by exposure to sunlight. This finish exceeds industry standards for fade resistance, so Pella 350 Series vinyl windows and doors

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stay looking great longer. In addition, Pella uses a weatherstrip design similar to the automotive industry’s. It’s up to three times more effective than the window industry standard, which helps keep out extreme weather. Plus, the precision corner welding process makes for a more durable frame that resists warping or twisting over time. easier and more convenient. In addition to offering a full product line, Pella 350 Series vinyl products are available in a wide variety of standard and custom sizes in 1/8’’ increments, allowing them to fit into most any opening in a home. Factory-installed jamb extensions allow for faster, easier installation. Pella 350 Series vinyl windows and patio doors give homeowners the benefits they desire while offering architects and custom builders a product they can stake their reputations on. For more information, visit pella.com or call 866-590-8814. *Calculated based on average projected energy savings in a computer simulation using Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory Resfen 5.0 standard criteria for a 2,000-square-foot home when comparing a Pella 350 Series Advanced Low-E with argon triple-pane vinyl window to a single-pane vinyl window.

product trends: framing

SIMPSON STRONG-TIE Industry: “Like most of the housing industry, the framing industry is depressed — and in particular the single-family residential market. There are single-family framing projects underway, but it’s much more selective these days and on a much smaller scale than during the boom five or six years ago. There are still many single-family homes on the market as short sales or bank-owned, and that needs to be resolved before building will start up again in earnest. Multifamily housing, however, is doing much better,” says Tom McClain, product manger, Simpson Strong-Tie. Product offering: “Simpson Strong-Tie is looking at a more systems approach to solutions with its product lines. It isn’t enough just to offer the least expensive widget if it’s not intuitive and doesn’t work seamlessly with the other widgets. Our current product offering includes innovations which have reduced the number of fasteners used, eliminated certain fasteners all together, reduced timely labor costs and offered full foundation to roof solutions — all while maintaining current code requirements, structural integrity and safety,” McClain says. “Our product lines continue to evolve with the industry and most importantly, with the needs of our customers. Our lateral systems offering, which now includes prefabricated StrongWall shearwalls, one- and two-story Strong Frame moment frames and ATS rod systems with a new sophisticated take-up device, provides customers with a variety of solutions to meet the unique framing challenges of custom home designs.” Where it’s going: “Builders will be more selective when they start back on larger scale production. During the boom they were building wherever they could as fast as they could. Now, I think they’ll concentrate on value, such as proximity to transportation, eco-friendly features and smaller house sizes,” McClain adds. + For more info circle #11

COrpOr AtE nOtES

INCLINATOR® Home Elevators are ideal for adding to new and existing homes. Since inclinator handcraftS each elevator one at a tiMe, cuStoM really iS Standard. Inclinator offers more car styles, custom features, accessory options and drive systems than anyone. Superior engineering allows us to place a deeper and wider elevator in the same shaft than any other manufacturer. We can build a slope-dome car for angled ceilings, and a car with gates or doors on up to three sides. We can place the elevator in an interior or exterior shaft, or

no shaft at all. Our LX Drive is the industry’s most technologically-advanced system. We invented the home elevator in 1928, and continue to perfect it. Inclinator’s new CEO, Scott Courchaine, took less than a year to introduce improvements to the company’s line of home elevators. In February, new accordion fold gates and operators were introduced promising shorter lead-time and lower cost. In April, a retrofit Emergency Battery Lowering Module for Cable Drive was offered. In May, the revamped Hydraulic Drive – smaller, lighter, faster – was announced. In July, new product literature featured expanded Car Operating Stations finishes. And we’re not done yet!

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Learn more by visiting inclinator.com or calling 800-343-9007 ext. 289.

CORPOR ATe NOTeS

Coastal Conundrum

One builder’s story of subfloor and swimming pools Olstedt COnstruCtiOn is a lOCal single-family hOmebuilder and general COntraCtOr based in seaside, OregOn, that has been in business fOr Over 14 years. This coastal region is well known for its wet climate, and builders and contractors operating in this environment have to regularly manage for moisture-related problems during the construction process. One such problem that can often occur includes water intrusion in OSB subfloor panels, which can lead to edge swelling. Recently, Olstedt Construction built a 1,850-square foot custom home along with a detached 1,200-square foot workshop on an ocean view lot in Seaside. OSB manufacturer Ainsworth was conducting extensive product research in the region, and Olstedt Construction agreed to field-test the company’s new pointSIXTM Durastrand Flooring, which is specifically engineered to resist edge swelling due to moisture exposure.

The Jobsite or a Swimming Pool? Almost immediately after installing pointSIX in both the home and the workshop, heavy rains hit the Seaside area. According to Randy Strickland, construction manager with Olstedt Construction, after three days the job site was completely inundated. “We found one and a half inches of standing water covering the Ainsworth subfloor. It was like a swimming pool,” Strickland said. Normally, using traditional OSB subfloor products, water exposure at that level would result in swelling of the paneling edges, according to Strickland. However, this was not the case with the pointSIX Durastrand Flooring. “After removing the water and drying the subfloor, we found absolutely no evidence of swelling,” Strickland observed. “We were able to install hardwood flooring right over the top without any problems at all. PointSIX clearly performs very well in wet conditions.” Following the completion of the custom home and workshop, Olstedt Construction

is now using pointSIX Durastrand Flooring in all of its projects, including eight homes that were recently built this past summer. “We are very happy with the results of this product,” Strickland stated.

The Science of OSB and Edge Swell Ainsworth pointSIX Flooring features a patented tapered-edge technology whereby a thin layer of the highly compressed fiber along all four edges of the OSB panel is milled off, removing the part of the subfloor that’s most prone to swelling. PointSIX takes its name from research results indicating a .6mm taper depth to be the most effective in reducing edge swell. The engineered solution was developed over five years of extensive research and testing, where pointSIX was subjected to repeated wet and dry cycles to simulate severe, wet jobsite conditions. In one rigorous test, the engineered panel was flooded Following a sustained rain event, the presence for 14 days; after drying out the average of one and a half inches of standing water did edge swell was contained to 0.01 inch, not not cause any edge swelling in the pointSIX much more than a sheet of paper. Durastrand Flooring. Ainsworth pointSIX Durastrand Flooring is competitively priced and available through a network of independent distributors across North America. For premium level pointSIX Durastrand Flooring, suitable for high-end projects such as custom homes, Ainsworth offers a Lifetime Limited Warranty against delamination and a 180-day No-Sand Guarantee. After water was removed and the subfloor dried, the pointSIX For Ainsworth’s Durastrand Flooring retained its original form, showing no visible standard pointSIX signs of swelling. Flooring, it’s a 25-year Limited Warranty. For more information and to download a white paper and webinar, visit www.pointsixflooring.com.

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coRPoR ATe NoTeS

LiteSteel™ beam makes innovative deck design possible. Since debuting in 2009, LiteSteeL beam (LSb®) haS made a name for itSeLf in the reSidentiaL conStruction market. Architects and builders are increasing specifying and using LSB primarily for basement beams and long-span headers in both interior and exterior applications. Brendan Walsh, however, has found another application perfectly suited for LSB – decks. Walsh, general manager of Roswell, Ga.-based Lehigh Homes, was designing a series of Brownstones with decks of various sizes attached to them. For other similar projects Walsh typically used more traditional materials such as wood or treated lumber to build the decks. But for the new Roswell Brownstones, city code required a specific

amount of separation from deck to deck when using wood products to alleviate fire concerns. Not wanting to compromise on deck size, Walsh ruled out traditional wood materials, so he turned to his pro dealer for other options. “For customers, outdoor space is very important to them, so we wanted to maximize the amount of deck space for them,” Walsh said. “I was able to work with our vendor, ProBuild, who recommended LiteSteel beam, and together we came up with what I think is a pretty ingenious solution.” That solution called for LSB to serve as the foundation of the deck, with a concrete slab positioned on top as the floor. Wooden pillars are anchored to the ground and support the LSB frame. Walsh said the Brownstones are located in an historic area of Roswell, and exterior designs are reviewed by an architectural committee. To ensure the decks meet with the committee’s approval, brick columns wrap around the wooden supports, and the LSB frame was painted a greenishbrown color to match the colors of the townhouses. Wooden railings attached to the concrete slab complete the decks.

LSB is a patented, cold-formed, lightweight steel structural beam designed for remodeling, residential and light-commercial construction projects. A distinctive feature of LSB is that it combines the strength of steel but with the installation workability normally associated with wood products. Unlike hot-rolled steel W-beams or LVLs, LSB can be hand-lifted by framers on a job site, eliminating the need of a crane for installation. Although it’s a steel beam, LSB should not be thought of as solely a steel framing product, rather it’s designed to easily integrate with traditional wood frame home projects using standard connectors. Walsh is using seven LiteSteel beams for the decks measuring 8’x16’, and as much as 20 to 25 beams for the larger size decks of 8’x24’ and 8’x40’. When finished, the project will include 38 Brownstones – 22 have been built thus far, and all of which will have decks using LSB. “Traditional building materials couldn’t give us the fire rating that the city was looking for, so we weighed other options,” Walsh said. “LiteSteel beam is perfect for this type of application, and we’ll be using more of it in the future.”

For more information, visit www.LiteSteelbeam.com or call 877-285-2607.

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CoRPoR ATE NoTES

Samsung Vivace

The SamSung ViVace bringS STyle, SophiSTicaTion and elegance inTo The inTerior of The newly remodeled home or office. From the carbon fiber look face plate to the wide range of functional features, Vivace offers the answer to a wide variety of applications. Vivace is a unique product that is much more than a hyper efficient air conditioner and heat pump. Like all Samsung split system heat pumps; the Vivace starts off with a powerful DC Inverter compressor. The inverter compressor gains its efficiency by only operating at sufficient levels to maintain a set temperature, matching the speed that it runs to the immediate demands of the interior unit. Compared to previous non-inverter units this can result in up to a 50% savings in electrical power consumption, more consistent room temperatures and a very quiet system. Indoor air quality is a primary goal of the Vivace series of air conditioners/heat pumps. The six stage air purification system begins with a silver coated filter. This filter serves to trap and remove dust particles. Next, the evaporator fins are coated with a silver nano finish to insure the effective removal of excess moisture, a leading cause of the growth of mildew in air conditioners. Also included is a carbon deodorizing filter and a catechin filter which helps control the growth of bacteria. The fan itself is part of the clean air process; it is manufactured using an anti-bacterial formula, helping to suppress the odors associated with bacterial growth.

888-699-6067

Finally the most high innovative aspect of Vivace’s clean air program is the MPI system (Micro Plasma Ionizer). Samsung’s Micro Plasma Ion device generates active hydrogen atoms together with oxygen ions in your room. This is an innovative invention that bonds the active hydrogen atoms and oxygen ions with proteins (H3) on the surface of harmful particles such as viruses, bacteria, molds and allergens. As a result, the harmful particles decompose into the condensate water and are then flushed out leaving the air in the room both clean and conditioned. Another outstanding feature of the Vivace series is the Good Sleep Mode; this programmable function allows for additional cooling as one is falling asleep. During the deep sleep period, the temperature is either raised slightly (in heating mode) or lowered slightly (in cooling mode). During the wake up period, the temperature is intermittently variable, allowing one to wake up refreshed. As compared to a traditional air conditioning unit, the good sleep mode offers not just a great night’s sleep, but also additional energy savings of up to 30%. The Samsung Vivace lineup consists of three single zone units: 12,000 Btu/h, 18,000 Btu/h and 24,000 Btu/h. SEER ratings range from 15.5 in the 24,000 Btu/h model to 19 in the 12,000 Btu/h model. Vivace’s are a great product for any application where clean, conditioned air is a priority. Residential application examples include master bedrooms, sunrooms, home theaters, game rooms and home gyms. In commercial situations they have been successfully used in classrooms, churches, restaurants, conference rooms and extended stay facilities.

Quietside.com

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k i t c h e n / b at h s p o t l i g h t: f a u c e t s

The Prince collection of faucets from Danze Inc. includes three faucets: single-handle kitchen faucet with spray; single-handle pull-down kitchen faucet; and single-handle pull-out kitchen faucet. Introduced in chrome and brushed nickel, each of the faucets meets the low lead content requirements of California and Vermont legislation. + For more info circle #12

Groheâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s K7 kitchen faucet line features integrated rinsing sprays with a streamlined toggle, arm radius of 140 degrees and flexible coil spring hose for extended reach. The handspray is designed to allow for more precise free-flow of water. + For more info circle #13

Delta Faucet introduces its Trinsic collection. It includes pull-down faucets with a twofunction wand and deck-mount models. The pull-down kitchen and bar/prep faucets are available with optional Touch2O technology allowing the homeowner to start and stop water flow with a tap anywhere on the faucet spout or handle. + For more info circle #14

American Standard expands its Town Square and Copeland collections with a single-control model to each line. Enhancements include new refined handles that are easier to install on widespread sink faucets and deck-mount tub filler faucets; and a new bath/shower faucet with improved functionality that allows the user to adjust the volume of water as well as its temperature. + For more info circle #15

The new Danika single-handle faucet from Moen Inc. features a contemporary design. It can be installed with a single- or three-hole mount and is WaterSense certified. + For more info circle #16

Kohler Co. introduces its Mistos transitional faucet. It is WaterSense certified with a flow rate of 1.5 gpm, and designed for easy installation. For more info circle #37 48

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residential design + build

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corpor ate notes

A home is more than rooms of a house. It Is a refuge, a place of comfort desIgned to provIde an envIronment where memorIes can be made, relatIonshIps buIlt, lIves nurtured and dreams realIzed. additionally, a home is an investment vehicle where the returns are counted as appreciation in value, but also in the monthly energy savings you generate. at schneider electric we help you create quality, efficient, and productive homes with smart, next generation residential energy technology that takes a home to an unprecedented level. adding energy efficient solutions through installing Juno Lighting Group® LeD fixtures, reliable square D® power distribution products, advanced apc® power protection devices, state-of-the art solar inverters or electric vehicle charging stations, couldn’t be easier and comes without sacrificing comfort or convenience. schneider electric’s active energy monitoring technology empowers you to minimize wasted energy and take control of your home’s energy usage and output without sacrificing comfort or convenience. From the home office to the bedroom, from the kitchen to the home theater and garage, schneider electric transforms every room of a house into the type of efficient, model environment homeowners seek today.

Smart, efficient home solutions the Wiser™ energy management system empowers homeowners to intuitively control household energy use through smart grid connections, system set points and color changing screens that communicate pricing and usage alerts.

Electric vehicle charging solutions available in both wall or pedestal mount models, eVlink™ indoor and outdoor charging stations allow you to park, plug-in and charge two times faster than a standard (110 volt) home outlet. and, with simple one-touch operation and advanced protective features, you can confidently charge your electric vehicle at home, your workplace, or on the go.

Who is Schneider Electric? as a global specialist in energy management with operations in more than 100 countries, schneider electric offers integrated solutions across multiple market segments, including leadership positions in energy and infrastructure, industrial processes, building automation, and data centers/networks, as well as a broad presence in residential applications. Focused on making energy safe, reliable, and efficient, the company’s 110,000 plus employees are committed to delivering solutions to help individuals and organizations “Make the most of their energy.”

Learn about schneider electric’s complete residential solutions, visit www.schneider-electric.us/go/resi

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Easy …to install and maintain. …on the eyes and the environment. Our DesignRail® pre-engineered aluminum railings are built for lasting beauty, structural integrity, and affordability. Made from heavy gauge materials with over 70% recycled content and available in a variety of styles with durable powder coated finishes and glass, picket, and CableRail cable infill options. Simply snap and screw together. It’s that easy. Learn about our entire line of garden and architectual products, and see why Feeney has been the easy choice among building professionals for over 60 years.

Free catalog, 1- 800-888-2418 .

CableRail

Aluminum Railing Systems

More products from

Stainless Cables & Fittings

DesignRail ®

Aluminum Railings

Lightline®

Door Canopies

Trellises

Cable & Rod Trellises

For free catalog, call 1-800-888-2418 or visit www.feeney9.com For more info circle #38

StaLok®

Stainless Rod Assemblies

cORPOR ATE nOTES

The perfect porch. From the #1 brand in high performance decks. Trex, The leader in ouTdoor living, now offers Trex Transcend® Porch, a beauTiful new Porch sysTem ThaT is high Performance, easy To insTall, and backed by The indusTry’s longesT warranTy. The timing couldn’t be better. Today, when everyone is looking for a chance to show off their craftsmanship, a beautifully designed and constructed front porch really is a showroom for your business. But up until now, there hasn’t been a complete, coordinated, one-stop system for porch design. All that is about to change.

Low maintenance. High style. Happy clients. Trex has revolutionized the traditional front porch from the ground up, starting with the floor boards. They’re Trex Transcend® technology at its best – resistant to fading, staining, denting and scratching. In fact, they’re every bit as amazing as Trex Transcend decking, but optimized for wider porch plank profiles. They never need staining or sanding, and also require less work to install. This ease of use, combined with their natural hardwood look, makes them the ideal choice for many outdoor flooring needs, not just porches.

Top-selling colors. Hidden fasteners. Every perfect detail. You can offer your clients three rich colors: the already-popular Gravel Path and Fire Pit, as well as the brand-new Spiced Rum, which has the warm, streaked look and feel of tropical

hardwood. Trex Transcend floorboards finish smooth and virtually gap-free thanks to a tidy floorboard profile and innovative Trex Hideaway® Universal Hidden Fasteners. It all adds up to the loveliest (and easiest) open-air living room you’ll ever build.

Trim, lighting, even furniture. From one source. Your new porch floor can be perfectly coordinated with Trex posts, rails and balusters, as well as many TrexTrim™ options - like our beadboard, fascia and casing profiles. TrexTrim offers bonuses like an exclusive release film and SmoothEdge® advantage, so it stays clean on the truck and the site, and remains as bright, crisp and beautiful as the day it was installed. Also look for new Trex DeckLighting™, which will allow your customers to spend more quality time out on their porch. It can be easily built into a new porch and can often be retrofitted into an existing one. Trex deck lights are low-voltage LEDS rated for up to 40,000 hours, use 75% less energy than incandescent bulbs and are extremely durable. All lights are available in multiple colors for a seamless, professional look, perfectly complementing the rest of the outdoor space. Add a splash of style to your porch with new Trex Outdoor Furniture™, featuring our new rocking chairs and porch swings! This

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high performance furniture, like other Trex products, is superbly crafted from recycled materials and will stand up to all types of weather conditions including rain, snow, salt water, sun and ice. Trex furniture also won’t rot, splinter or crack and requires no waterproofing, painting, staining or similar maintenance when used in exterior applications. Every porch is an opportunity. With all of these coordinated elements, you’ll be able to efficiently build a beautiful outdoor living space to wow your clients - and the rest of the neighborhood.

1-800-buy-Trex TrexPartners.com

product gallery Elan Home Systems introduces a combination control solution that can start as a single-room solution and expand to control the entire house. The package combines the company’s HR2 multimedia-and-home-control remote with the new HC4 four sub-system Home Controller into one packaged solution. + For more info circle #20

The Colombini Group announces the additions of romantica, city and cherry. Romantica reinvents contemporary classical appeal; city features cosmopolitan appeal using woods with warm hues; and cherry expresses a comeback of wooden furniture in the kitchen.

Gutter Warrior by Ply Gem is an easy-to-install gutter hanging system. The standard product can withstand approximately 850 lbs. of pressure and the premium option can withstand approximately 1,250 lbs.

Uponor introduces its new Radiant Ready 30E radiant floor product for residential applications. It is a radiant mechanical room designed in a compact, pre-assembled, easy-to-install panel.

+ For more info circle #19

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Liter ature galler y

elcome to our Literature Gallery, a special showcase featuring new and innovative building products.

For more information, simply circle the number of the item on the Reader Service Card. If you would like to advertise in this special section, please contact Nancy Campoli at 800-547-7377, Ext 6127.

NanaWall Structurally Glazed SL82 The NanaWall Structurally Glazed Aluminum Framed Folding Wall System SL82 presents a stunning uninterrupted glass façade combined with the weather resistance and overall superior performance of heavy-duty back-mounted folding frames.

Nanawall.com 800.873.5673 For more info circle #39

s e p t e m b e r 2 011

Expanded Vivace Series Product Line The Vivace Samsung (Quietside Corporation) is proud to introduce their expanded Vivace Series product line to the North American market. Complementing the successful 12000 Btu/h version are an 18000 and 24000 Btu/h model. The Vivace is known for combining stunning, high tech looks with world class efficiency and industry leading air purification. California 888-699-6067 Texas 562-587-7829 Pennsylvania 866-243-6498 sales@quietside.com • www.quietside.com

QUIETSIDE CORPORATION For more info circle #40

residential design + build

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Architectural styles come and go... ...but for over 100 years, you’ve trusted Schneider Electric brands to provide reliable energy in your homes. Turn any home into a contemporary home. Download your FREE “What Home Buyers Really Want” whitepaper. Visit www.SEreply.com and enter keycode d725v For more info circle #41

advertiser index

Ainsworth Lumber Co., Ltd. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26-27, 45

Nana Wall Systems, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52, 56

AZEK Building Products, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29, 55

Pella Corp.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9, 43

CEDIA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23

Quietside Corp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17, 47, 52

Steve Beyer, VP Sales

CRAN. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32

RHH Foam Systems, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48

3030 Salt Creek Lane, Suite 200

Feeney, Inc.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21, 50

Sikkens. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

Geberit North America . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15, 31

Schneider Electric . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7, 49, 52

Hanley-Wood Exhibitions/Remodeling Show . . . . . . . 25

Trex Company, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33, 51

John Huff, Publisher

Inclinator Company of America. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6, 44

United HealthCare Services, Inc.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

3030 Salt Creek Lane, Suite 200

Litesteel Technologies America . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11, 46

A Cygnus Business Media Publication SALES OFFICES

Arlington Heights, IL 60005 (847) 454-2725 • Fax: (866) 420-8581 steve.beyer@cygnus.com

Arlington Heights, IL 60005 (847) 454-2711 • Fax: (866) 577-7397

MiTek Industries, Inc.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2, 41

* Selected States

john.huff@cygnus.com WEST

editorial index

Josh Lentz 5012 B 40th Avenue NE Seattle, WA 98105 Phone: (206) 283-6762 Fax: (206) 428-9114

American Standard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48

La Cantina Doors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34

Colombini Group . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52

LiteSteel Technologies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42

Mike Mandozzi

Danze Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48

Loewen. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34

3030 W. Salt Creek Lane, Ste. 200

Delta Faucet. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48

Marvin Windows and Doors. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34

Efficient-Tec International. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54

MiTek Industries. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42

Elan Home Systems. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52

Moen Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48

Grohe. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48

NanaWall Systems. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39

iLevel by Weyerhaeuser. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40

Ply Gem. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52

Jeld-Wen Windows and Doors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30

Simpson Strong-Tie. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44

Kohler Co. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48

Uponor. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52

Kolbe Windows and Doors. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32

Weiland Sliding Doors and Windows. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39

josh.lentz@cygnus.com MIDWEST

Arlington Heights, IL 60005 Phone: (847) 454-2715 Fax: (866) 348-4221 mike.mandozzi@cygnus.com EAST Joseph F. May 297 Concord Road Marlborough, MA 01752 Phone: (800) 547-7377 x2718 Fax: (866) 671-3250 joe.may@cygnus.com Digital Sales Tim Steingraber 3030 Salt Creek Lane, Suite 200 Arlington Heights, IL 60005 Phone: (847) 454-2723 Fax: (847) 454-2759 tim.steingraber@cygnus.com LITERATURE GALLERIES Nancy Campoli

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residential design + build

september 2011

finishing touch

Shine a light on the closet  LED closet rods from Efficient-Tec International are intended to offer energy-efficient lighting for the closet.

any products are the result of a need, and this is the case with the LED closet rod from Efficient-Tec International. A custom metal fabricator company and also manufacturer of illuminated handrails, the birth of this product was a natural next step. “An illuminated handrail is similar to an illuminated closet rod. The sales reps were saying there was a need in the marketplace for a closet rod solution. So it was a product that we more or less designed and adapted to a closet system,” says Jerry Nickell, general manager for the Dallas-based company. Introduced to the market approximately two-and-a-half years ago, it has taken off within the past 12 months, Nickell says. It’s available in both the U.S. and Canada in two versions: stainless steel or aluminum. The closet rod can include warm or cool light color with two output levels of high or medium. In addition, custom lighting colors are available. “We can have it rotate from red to blue to green,” he adds.

s e p t e m b e r 2 011

residential design + build

The product is found in mostly high-end homes because of its price point. “It’s not for every closet — you need to have the space to get the benefit of the product,” Nickell says. “This closet rod is a luxury item.” Within the next 60 to 90 days, the company plans to launch other options of the closet rod. “Currently we have the direct light source that shines on the clothing. We are developing an indirect option so it will light up and down,” Nickell says. It is designed for easy installation for an electrical contractor. It is sold preassembled and prewired. The electrical contractor will need to mount the two flanges. However, a few considerations do need to be made before installation. “They need to plan the space for a remote power supply: 6-in. by 6-in. by 3-in. space,” Nickell says. “The other consideration is to keep in mind the rod needs support every 64 in. It doesn’t break up the lighting — just needs a hanger every 64 in.” Those interested in purchasing the product can do so through local electrical distributors. For more information on the product or the company, visit eti-s3.com or circle 22. — Maureen Alley ■

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For more info circle #42

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NanaWall WA67 Architect: The Arcus Group Inc.

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