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Maintenance-Free Trim for the House

What’s the finishing touch on a low maintenance home? The trim

trim(BPT) – These days, free time is an increasingly endangered phenomenon. That’s why today’s homeowners are all in favor of spending less weekend time maintaining their homes. Vinyl siding and windows have long been common home features for just that reason. Today, the latest trend is maintenance-free trim.

Now consumers can enhance the architectural beauty of their homes with superior-quality cellular PVC trimboard from Kleer Lumber, a division of The Tapco Group. Kleer Trimboard provides versatile solutions with wood’s aesthetic appeal without wood’s extensive maintenance. Not only is Kleer Trimboard easily installed everywhere wood trim is traditionally used, it has more applications. It’s impervious to moisture, insect infestation and other threats to wood, giving homeowners the freedom to pursue more creative trim applications and peace of mind to enjoy their enhanced home for decades.

“Kleer Trimboard delivers the authentic, rich appearance of wood coupled with the long-term durability and very low-maintenance homeowners want,” says Jack Delaney, national sales manager of The Tapco Group’s Kleer Lumber division. “With Kleer, people don’t have to sacrifice aesthetics to avoid wood’s problems. Kleer’s cellular PVC trimboard outperforms wood in every application, in every climate. Kleer Trimboard is appropriate on virtually every house, whether it’s a coastal mansion or modest neighborhood home.”

Kleer Trimboard works where roofing meets the house, around windows and doors, in contact with the ground and concrete where wood often fails, and anywhere the imagination leads, including soffits and fascia, columns and cornices. With unmatched versatility, Kleer can be machined to create intricate gingerbread and fluted pilasters and other custom applications, including heat-bending for elegant curves. Kleer trim is also a breeze to glue, route and mold using wood trim tools. Boards and other components come in multiple sizes.

Because it’s completely synthetic, Kleer isn’t susceptible to the challenges that plague wood and composite trim, including mold, mildew, swelling and rot from moisture or insect damage. Wood’s form and function inevitably fails over time despite repeated sanding and repainting. Kleer trim is easily maintained with soap and water, keeping it beautiful long-term.

Kleer’s proprietary TruEDGE technology keeps board edges cleaner through installation and beyond. And, if the edges do get dirty, they are much easier to clean than edges without TruEDGE technology. Unlike some PVC trim brands that are textured, Kleer Trimboard has a natural wood grain finish that closely resembles genuine cedar; it’s also available with a smooth finish on both sides. Available in pure white, Kleer Trimboard keeps its fresh bright appearance for decades or can be painted to match other decor. Its Limited Lifetime Warranty, which includes labor for the first two years, offers the industry’s strongest protection.

Kleer’s complete system includes trimboards, sheets, mouldings, adhesives, and concealed fasteners to finish any job. Ideal for home exteriors, Kleer Trimboard is also used for interior wainscot applications in moist spaces, including bath and laundry rooms. Kleer’s Beaded Boards and Sheets enhance and protect these areas, including ceilings.

“We’re continuously innovating and expanding the Kleer Trimboard product line, so customers have the best choices for enhancing the architecture, curb appeal, and value of their homes,” says Delaney. “The decorative possibilities are endless. Kleer Trimboard also perfectly complements Kleer Decking and the Kleer Rail PVC Railing System. No other trimboard offers Kleer’s combination of benefits – it’s the right finishing touch for every home.”

The Tapco Group, a U.S. Green Building Council member, is the building industry’s leading provider of easy-to-install, premium, innovative interior and exterior products. Serving the building industry since 1961, Tapco specializes in the manufacturing of roofing, siding, decking, railing, trim, tool systems, egress systems and siding components. The products combine versatile application, durability, vast color palettes and uncommon authenticity to exceed the expectations of contractors and homeowners.

For more information, visit www.kleerlumber.com or www.TheTapcoGroup.com or call (800) 521-7567.
IMAGE CAPTIONS:
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Caption 1: Photo courtesy of Kleer Lumber of The Tapco Group.

 

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Saltwater Swimming Pools

poolSaltwater is the fastest growing trend in swimming pools

(BPT) – Pools are great fun for kids and adults and when it is hot in the summer time or you’re on vacation, there is no better way to cool off. Most pools do require a lot of work to keep clean however and there is always that chlorine smell and the burning sensation that affects the eyes and skin. For many people it is the memory of the chlorine that is inescapably associated with all pools.

But for kids today this memory is quickly becoming a non-event thanks to the increasing popularity of saltwater pools.

Saltwater pools work by converting salt to chlorine using an electrolytic converter. This produces the same type of bacteria-killing chlorine found in a traditional pool, but in a radically different fashion. Since the salt generator is adding chlorine to the water at a constant rate, it is capable of displacing the bad smell and burning irritation we normally associate with chlorine and maintaining the right amount at all times.

As the water exits the converter and enters the pool, the sanitizing chlorine eventually reverts back to salt, and the process repeats itself, conserving salt and keeping sanitizer levels balanced. However new salt does need to be added occasionally as salt levels can drop due to splash-out, rain and filter back-washing. Pool owners still should test weekly for pH and chlorine and monthly for other water balance factors.

Saltwater pools require far less maintenance than traditional pools and are much less expensive to maintain as pool salt is far cheaper than traditional chlorine. This is a big reason why so many hotels and water parks in the United State have already made the switch. Plus when it comes to initial construction and installation, the additional cost of an electrolytic converter is very small and easily made up in maintenance savings. Even converting an existing chlorine pool to saltwater can be paid off quickly.

Saltwater pools are certainly not new. The technology started in Australia in the 1960s and today over 80 percent of all pools there use this system. In the United States, saltwater pools first began to see use in the 1980s and today have grown exponentially in popularity. According to data published in Pool & Spa News, today there are more than 1.4 million saltwater pools in operation nationwide and an estimated 75 percent of all new in-ground pools are salt water, compared with only 15 percent in 2002.

Some may be concerned about the effect of salt on pool equipment, construction materials, decks and surrounding structures. However the actual amount of salt used is very low, less than .01 as salty as sea water. You may be able to taste the salt in the pool, but much less so than you can taste and feel the chlorine in a standard pool. When pools are properly constructed and normal maintenance is followed, salt water has no effect on pool finishes, equipment and decks.

Since the Evergreen Commons senior center in Holland, Mich., converted its 65,000-gallon pool to salt water, members have been pleased with the results. “The minute you walk into the pool area you notice a big difference,” says Jodi Owczarski, the center’s community relations director. “There is no longer that chemical smell. People also tell us that the water is much softer. In the old pool, people said they sometimes had to wash twice to get all those chemicals off, but in this pool, they only have to wash once. All in all, people have been thrilled with this new system.”

To learn more about salt water pools and other uses for salt, visit saltinstitute.org.

 

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Home Security Tips

Capture(BPT) – School is out and summer vacations are in full swing. But while many of us are relaxing, thieves are working overtime. Summer is theft season, at least according to Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) statistics that show more home thefts occur in June, July and August than any other month of the year. What families might not realize is that their everyday habits could be making their home more vulnerable to theft.

Nationwide Insurance recently asked home and condo insurance homeowners a series questions surrounding the protection of household personal property to determine how, or if, families are protecting their home from thieves.

“The survey revealed some risky, interesting consumer behaviors,” said Pete Lore, associate vice president of property technical claims for Nationwide. “For example, most of us know locking our doors will make our home safer, yet a quarter (25 percent) of homeowners surveyed admit to leaving the front door of their house unlocked when leaving home at least once in the past year.”

If these common mistakes turn into habits, then it could increase their chances of becoming the next theft victim.

Don’t help a burglar get in:

* Thirty-nine percent of homeowners admit they leave their doors unlocked more often or about the same as their parents did when they were growing up, despite a more than 200 percent increase in theft over the last 40 years

* Homeowners make themselves more vulnerable to theft by leaving windows unlocked on either the ground floor (35 percent) or second story and above (34 percent) at least once in the past year

* About one-third (30 percent) of those surveyed hide a spare key outside their home

* Forty-one percent of homeowners aged 18-34 post social media updates while they are on vacation

Turn on prevention measures:

* Although many (79 percent) homeowners report having at least one common theft prevention measure (e.g., alarm system), three in ten homeowners (30 percent) do not use any, putting their home at unnecessary risk

* Twenty percent of homeowners with an alarm system don’t activate it during the day, even though that’s when most thefts occur

Thieves know where your valuable items are:

* About three in 10 homeowners (29 percent) say the bedroom – the room that thieves visit first – contains the most valuables

* Many homeowners admit they do not document or keep track of their belongings (44 percent)

Home theft takes little time, but can be costly for homeowners. Burglars usually spend no more than 60 seconds breaking into a home, but the average cost to replace stolen belongings among victims of home theft is $3,584, according to the Nationwide survey. That’s why it’s important to implement even the simplest preventative measures, such as:

* Locking your doors and closing your windows before leaving the house

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Cool Your Home & Save Money: Air Conditioning Tips

air conditioning(BPT) – Home cooling costs rise with the temperature, making many homeowners dread the arrival of their monthly electric bill during the good ol’ summertime. Fortunately, with a few simple strategies, it’s easy to cut down on cooling costs so you can enjoy summer, even through record-high temperatures.

“Air conditioning is the main way homeowners cool their home, but it’s far from a one-size-fits-all solution,” says Laura Johnson, home economist for LG Electronics USA. “How you choose to cool your home can make a big difference in comfort levels and energy costs.”

She suggests starting by asking yourself a few simple questions:

* How hot is it likely to get in the region where you live?
* What is the square footage you want cooled?
* Do you have one room that just doesn’t cool effectively while others are fine?
* Do you have an existing duct system?
* Do you want to install a whole home system, but don’t have months to work with a contractor?

If you have an existing system that doesn’t seem to be cooling your home as well as it should, it’s time to explore other options. If your HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning) system is more than 12 years old, it’s likely not working as efficiently as it could. Have a professional HVAC contractor evaluate the system. A tune-up may help the system work better, or reveal that it’s time to consider a replacement.

Heating and cooling costs the average homeowner about $1,000 a year – nearly half the home’s total energy bill, according to EnergyStar.gov. When researching new air conditioners, always look for the Energy Star label. If your air conditioning unit is more than 12 years old, replacing it with an Energy Star qualified model could reduce cooling costs by 30 percent.

A variety of air conditioning systems are available. If you have an existing duct system, installing a central air conditioning system is a good option. Those without ducts aren’t stuck choosing between inefficient window units or extensive construction – newer duct-free systems provide efficient cooling with high energy-efficiency ratings.

For example, duct-free systems like ArtCool models from LG, allow you to cool your entire home or just a single room without the need for invasive ductwork. There’s no tearing down walls or altering your home’s appearance. In most cases, a professional contractor gets the job done in less than a day. The contractor will help you determine if you need a single- or multiple-room system. Be sure to research your contractor carefully, because proper installation is key to achieving maximum energy efficiency. Plus, some duct-free systems qualify for a tax credit of $300 if you install your system before Dec. 31.

No matter what air conditioning system you choose, be sure to check the “SEER rating.” SEER stands for Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio, and is the industry-wide performance rating. The higher the number, the more efficiently a product will perform. The average air conditioner rating for an Energy Star-qualified window unit is a 9 to 11, while duct-free systems like the Art Cool Premier have SEER ratings up to 28, which can translate to bigger energy savings.

You can also take steps to conserve energy in other areas. During sunny, hot periods of the day, use appropriate window coverings to block heat and conserve the cool air. Avoid using the oven or excessive electronic devices – like TVs or computers – which can put off a lot of heat.