Month: October 2014

The benefits of steel vs. wood substructures

(BPT) – The substructure of your deck is the heart of its durability and the foundation for its aesthetics. Until recently, wood was the go-to material for builders and contractors, but many professionals are now switching to steel for its superior structural integrity and design flexibility. Steel won’t rot, crack or warp, and its inherent strength allows for longer spans between beams and posts making it possible for architects and homeowners to integrate curves and other design elements into their decks, while achieving more usable space underneath.

“The substructure of a deck is something that homeowners rarely consider but one that can make all the difference in the life and performance of a deck,” says Adam Zambanini, vice president of marketing for Trex, the world’s leading manufacturer of high-performance wood-alternative decking and railing.” As a manufacturer of deck boards designed to last for at least 25 years, we recommend using steel framing to ensure that the substructure lasts as long as the deck surface. Dimensionally, stable steel is the only material that can deliver on the refined look and feel of what you’d expect from a high-performance deck board.”

Offering superior durability and aesthetics, steel outperforms wood on a variety of levels:

Performance – Traditional wood framing can split, warp and shift over time, leading to an uneven surface in the deck boards above. Steel deck frames are precision engineered to ensure a refined, flat surface for the life of the deck. They also are significantly more resilient to weather, moisture, time and pest deterioration.

Design flexibility – Have you ever tried to bend wood? Steel framing components have the ability to be bent and shaped allowing for curves and angled corners to create more intricate and dramatic deck designs. Additionally, they are more lightweight than wood and can span up to six feet (vs. four feet for wood), resulting in the need for fewer posts and greater flexibility in post placement. This creates less obstructed views and more open space below the deck for storage or even additional outdoor living area.

Safety – A substructure is the platform that will support your deck – not to mention your friends, family and loved ones – for decades of outdoor living activities. In addition to offering superior strength and longevity, steel is non-combustible, termite-proof and free of pressure-treating chemicals. For maximum safety, Trex offers the only code-listed deck substructure rated for exterior use in its Elevations Steel Deck Framing System.

Eco-friendly – In addition to lasting longer than wood, steel deck frames are made from recycled materials, can be recycled themselves and, unlike pressure-treated lumber, are chemical free.

“With its ability to prolong the life of a deck and improve its overall appearance, steel deck framing delivers performance and design benefits that wood simply can’t,” says Zambanini. “It’s a smart investment for any homeowner looking to maximize the life of their deck and keep it looking great for years to come.”

For more information about Trex Elevations Steel Deck Framing System, visit trex.com.

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Caption 1: Your deck is the perfect place for entertaining, dining or just relaxing with friends and family.

Must-have technology is making bathrooms healthier, safer, more enjoyable

(BPT) – Think home technology begins with your wireless, programmable thermostat and ends with the high-definition, 3-D, web-enabled flat-screen TV with surround sound? Think again – whole home technology means using leading-edge devices to improve life in every room of the house, including the bathroom.

From toilets that flush without being touched to waterproof TVs for the shower, the latest bathroom technology can make the room safer, cleaner, healthier and more enjoyable for everyone. Here is a handful of high-tech home improvements for one of the most-used rooms in any house:

Safer, healthier toilets

You don’t have to be a scientist to know the toilet is one of the most germ-filled locations in any house – even if you’re meticulous about keeping it clean. Touching spreads those germs from surface to surface. Just as touch-free faucets have improved hygiene in the kitchen, a touchless flush toilet can help make the bathroom a healthier and more hygienic place.

“The toilet trip lever is an obvious area of hygienic concern,” says Brian Hedlund, marketing manager of Kohler toilets and bidets. “Touchless takes that concern out of the equation, using new technology to provide a touchless way to control the flush.”

Kohler’s touchless sensor creates a precise electromagnetic field that accurately and reliably detects when users hold their hands above the toilet to trigger the flush. The company’s Cimarron toilet comes with touchless technology already installed, and virtually any single-flush toilet with a canister or flapper-type flush can be retrofitted to work with the Kohler Touchless Flush Kit. The sensor runs on four AA alkaline batteries, which power the sensor for six to 12 months, depending on the volume of use.

Also from Kohler, the Nightlight Toilet Seat illuminates the seat with two gentle, blue LED lights, one to help you see the toilet area and the other to light the bowl once the lid is opened. The seat provides enough light to enhance nighttime safety and eliminates the need to turn on brighter, overhead lights that could disrupt your ability to go back to sleep. Available on Kohler’s Cachet Q3 and Reveal Q3 toilet seats, the nightlight operates on a timer and powered by replaceable batteries.

The extras

Americans do much more in bathrooms than simply “take care of business.” The bath is also a hub for personal health, where we weigh ourselves and care for our mental health with relaxation. Extras like towel warmers, TVs and high-tech scales add a touch of luxury to the bathroom.

Towel warmers have been around for centuries; wealthy 19th century and early 20th century homes were often outfitted with warmers that used a home’s steam heat system. Today, towel warmers feature several improvements such as high-tech warming bars, detailed temperature controls with multiple settings, timers and energy-efficient features.

Most people weigh themselves in the bathroom, and technology has also touched the traditional bathroom scale. It’s easy to find visually appealing scales that serve multiple functions besides simply displaying your weight. From scales that also measure body mass index (BMI) to wireless-enabled models that allow you to track your weight loss, BMI and other health indicators with a smartphone app, bathroom scales are more user-friendly than ever.

Finally, technology has made it possible to shave, shower or relax in the tub while never missing your favorite TV show. You can opt for a waterproof television that you can watch while showering, or choose a medicine cabinet that features an LCD TV screen in a mirrored door.

(BPT) – Fall is the perfect time to give your lawn the extra attention and care it needs – especially after an action-packed summer. Inclement weather, extreme temperatures and heavy foot traffic can take a toll on your yard, and inhibit the overall health and growth of your lawn. It’s important to let your lawn recover during the fall and make sure it has the nutrients and strength it needs for the coming months.

Consider these fall yard cleanup tips to help get your lawn back in shape and ready for winter.

Rake – Raking is one of the most common yet effective ways to clear leaves and other small debris like twigs from your yard. Easily remove leaves by raking onto a tarp, which allows you to drag and dump the leaves. If you experience backaches while raking, it’s best to use an ergonomic rake to help reduce pain often caused by repetitive motion.

Split logs – Neglecting large tree branches or limbs left in your yard from harsh winds and severe storms can compact soil and weaken grass. Clear your yard by using a log splitter, like the Yard Machines 21-Ton Log Splitter, to quickly and efficiently spilt wood instead of using an axe. For safety purposes, always place the log splitter on a flat, dry and solid surface, and then secure the wheels to prevent the splitter from moving during operation.

Clean gutters – Downspouts and gutters can fill up with leaves, dirt and other debris over time, keeping water from properly draining. This can cause gutters to overflow, which may lead to a flooded landscape and slick walkways, so be sure to thoroughly clean your gutters and remove objects that could disrupt or block water flow.

Fertilize – Applying fertilizer to your lawn helps grass rejuvenate from the summer heat and gives it the strength it needs to survive the winter. This will also help grass establish strong roots and improve soil richness for the coming spring.

Weed – Since weeds start to store food in their roots during the fall to prepare for the winter, it’s best to remove as many as possible – including the roots – to prevent regrowth. After you’ve finished weeding, cover landscape areas with mulch or rock to block sunlight and deter growth.

For more yard cleanup tips and information about equipment to help you achieve a better lawn, visit mtdproducts.com.

There are a lot of things to consider when installing new windows in your home. Of course, you want them to become an integral decorative addition to the exterior of your home and look (and stay!) beautiful for years. However, another aspect of your windows you might not have thought about is whether or not they’re made with the environment in mind. More often than not, materials that are built with the environment in mind can also positively impact your energy costs. Here are four reasons why fiberglass is the ultimate material for windows:

1) Easily Customized Exterior

One of the most beloved things about fiberglass is how it can be customized to achieve just the right look and feel for your home. Many fiberglass windows come finished with a coat of exterior acrylic and can be complemented by a number of different colors. Colors may include white, sierra, bronze, brown and more. Additionally, fiberglass finishes are incredibly durable and won’t corrode, blister, or peel over time, nor will you ever have to re-paint. Just wipe down with a little warm water or a nonabrasive household cleaner from time to time, and your windows will sparkle just like they did when they were first installed.

2) Interior

Along with the beautiful easily customized exterior finishes, with fiberglass windows, you can also play around with the interior. When adding or replacing your current windows, you’ll want to make sure that not only are they right for your home and your wallet, but right for the style of your home as well. Consider something like Everwood, for instance. This unique composite looks just like real wood, but it’s a whole lot cheaper and more durable. Not only does it stain just like real wood, you’ll find that the color will always stay true and requires no further maintenance. Plus, you can choose whatever color paint or stain you’d like, so you can be sure that your windows match your interior perfectly.

3) 100% Recyclable

If you truly are eco-friendly or environmentally conscious, then fiberglass would be the way to go. In fact, fiberglass is one of the most sustainable window materials available. While superior looks and durability are certainly important, many different variations of fiberglass are recyclable. That means there’s no waste in production, and any excess material can be turned into something new.

4) Expends Less Energy to Produce

Fiberglass takes remarkably less energy to create than vinyl, and 80% less energy than aluminum. Why is this important? The less fuel and electricity used in production means there’s less pollution being put into the environment and less emission of greenhouse gases. Combined with our other efforts to recycle scrap materials, ship efficiently and conserve water in our plants, you can be glad that your fiberglass windows will help ensure you’ll always have a beautiful view.

Bio: Paul Kazlov is a “green” home remodeling enthusiast and an industry pioneer for innovation in home renovation. Paul writes for the Marvin Windows NJ blog and strives to educate people about “green” products such as fiberglass windows. Follow him on Twitter @PaulKazlov.