CONTENTS:
Featured Products
Structural Fasteners
Central Vacuums and Accessories
Exterior Doors
Lift
With Your Sleeves
Few things are more potentially dangerous or exhausting than
moving a commercial-sized stove or side-by-side refrigerator,
especially over rough terrain or up steps. When Thomas Dent was
working his way through college, it was a problem he dealt with
on a regular basis. Delivering appliances in Aspen proved too
much for a typical appliance dolly, so he invented his own
system. The Shoulder Dolly uses two harnesses and adjustable
straps to move heavy objects. According to the manufacturer,
the system encourages proper lifting techniques, and it leaves
your arms free for balancing the load. I saw it demonstrated at
the National Hardware Show, where two ordinary-sized guys
carried a 60-inch projection TV (about 350 pounds) up a set of
stairs. Their backs were straight, and they appeared unfazed by
the heavy load. The Shoulder Dolly sells for $350 plus $18
shipping (anywhere in the lower 48).
TDT Moving Systems, 800/217-1114,
www.shoulderdolly.com.
Watertight Decking
It seems like such a shame to waste the covered spaces under
decks, but traditional decking doesn't provide much protection
from rain and dirt. Homeland Vinyl Products now offers a
waterproof decking that the manufacturer says is perfect for
additional outdoor living space or protected storage below.
Gorilla Deck's interlocking design channels water to the edge
of the deck, keeping spaces underneath dry and protected. The
decking works with 12-inch and 16-inch spacing, and there are
no visible fasteners. It's available in five colors and sells
for about $4.00 to $4.50 per square foot.
Homeland Vinyl Products, 800/999-6813,
www.homelandvinyl.com.
Panda Plywood
Bamboo, once reserved for zoo exhibits and tiki bars, has now
found its way into American homes, first as durable flooring
and more recently as a sturdy and attractive plywood. Smith and
Fong, manufacturer of Plyboo flooring, also makes a line of
Bamboo Plywood for furniture, shelving, and decorative
elements. According to the manufacturer, the 100% bamboo
product is compatible with all industrial finishes. Standard
4x8 sheets and 30-inch by 8-foot panels both come 3/4 inch
thick. Panels 16 inches wide by 6 feet long come in 1/4- and
1/2-inch thicknesses. A 3/4-inch 4x8 sheet sells for
$170.
Smith and Fong, 866/835-9859,
www.plyboo.com.
Looking Grate
Compared to hot-water systems, forced-air heating systems are
less expensive to install and provide an easy way to include
central air conditioning. However, many homeowners complain
about dust (real or imagined) that the systems blow around the
house. You might appease their concerns with a new line of
registers that include an integral air filter. The two-piece
Grate Accents Register System uses a diffuser with a filter
holder and a separate grate. The grates are available in four
styles, in painted and plated metal finishes, as well as wood.
The grates can be swapped out easily when it comes time to
redecorate.
LL Building Products, 800/755-9392,
www.llbp.com.
STRUCTURAL FASTENERS
Rust Fighter.
Concerns over the
new ACQ (alkaline copper quaternary) pressure-treating formula
corroding metal connectors at an accelerated rate has most
builders wondering how to protect their clients and themselves.
Until there's more conclusive information, manufacturers are
suggesting connectors with heavier zinc coating to prevent
corrosion. One example is the Z-MAX line from Simpson
Strong-Tie. Instead of .9 ounce of zinc per square foot, the
improved coating contains 1.8 ounces per square foot. The Z-MAX
connectors (at right in photo) cost about 25% more than
standard connectors (at left).
Simpson, 800/999-5099,
www.strongtie.com.
Sturdy Screws.
Not that long ago,
attaching structural components required bolts or lag screws,
but several years ago GRK introduced Self-Drilling Structural
Screws. These sturdy and innovative fasteners provide two to
three times the shear strength of comparably sized lags, making
them perfect for ledgers to landings. They're available in
lengths from approximately 2 to 16 inches in 1/4-, 5/16-, and
3/8-inch diameters. Yellow zinc coatings provide weather
resistance, and torx-style heads resist stripping. Recently
introduced stainless-steel versions are ideal for harsh coastal
environments.
GRK, 800/263-0463,
www.grkfasteners.com.
Good Grip.
If you're looking for a
strong connection to concrete, you might consider the Titen HD
from Simpson. Available in 3/8- and 1/2-inch diameters from 1
3/4 to 6 inches long, these heavy-duty anchors can provide over
8,000 pounds of shear strength and 12,000 pounds of tensile
strength each, making them perfect for ledgers and other
structural applications. You can tell the fastener's length
without removing it by the code stamped on its head.
Simpson, 800/999-5099,
www.simpsonanchors.com.
High Style.
Structural connectors,
while important, aren't generally what your customer wants to
show off to the neighbors. The notable exception might be the
work of Creative Metal. The Montana-based shop can manage just
about any architectural fabrication you or your customer can
come up with. The small company specializes in custom-cut
designs, produced with its CNC plasma cutter. Favorites include
structural brackets with wildlife or nature scenes as part of
the design. They also make timber connectors, custom signs, and
weather vanes. Custom structural brackets range in price from
$11 to $275.
Creative Metal, 406/777-1575,
www.creativemetal.biz.
CENTRAL VACUUMS &
ACCESSORIES
Maintenance-Friendly Filter.
Central vacuums are a great way to improve indoor quality
— allergy sufferers frequently report an improvement
in their symptoms after installation of a system. The Afuera
Central Vacuum System from Electrolux uses a special
HEPA-rated, pleated-fabric filter with a low-maintenance
cleaning schedule — once every three years, according
to the manufacturer. The system also features a self-adjusting
power brush that automatically adjusts to the carpet's pile
height. The unit carries a lifetime warranty on major parts and
a ten-year warranty on the motor and electronics. Installed
systems start at $1,500.
Electrolux, 800/896-9756,
www.electroluxusa.com.
Clean Sweep.
Central vacuum
systems are great, but dragging out 30 feet of hose to sweep up
a little spilled rice or some coffee grounds seems excessive.
For a quick sweep, I think an automatic dustpan makes more
sense. A good example is the VacPan Automatic Dustpan from
Beam. The little door, usually mounted in the kickspace of a
cabinet, is activated by a toe switch that opens the door and
starts the vacuum. It seems like a great way to keep things
tidy without resorting to a full-blown cleaning. It sells for
$35.
Beam, 800/369-2326,
www.beamvac.com.
Garage Entourage.
One of the great
things about a central vacuum system is the wide selection of
tools and accessories available — there seems to be a
wand, nozzle, and hose for every job. NuTone even offers two
cleaning kits for tidying up the garage and car. The CK145 and
CK140 Garage and Car Care Kits include bright orange
crush-proof hoses, crevice tools, upholstery brushes, and a
hose hook. The ultra deluxe model (CK145) also includes a
14-inch floor tool and two 18-inch wands. The suggested list
price for the CK140 is $79.95; for the CK145, it's
$131.95.
NuTone, 800/543-8687,
www.nutone.com.
Quiet Down.
With the power unit
located in the garage or basement, central vacuums are
certainly quieter than conventional vacuums, but further noise
reduction can be obtained with an exhaust muffler. Most central
vac manufacturers offer exhaust mufflers, and some include them
on their high-end machines. Beam claims that its Sound Off
muffler can reduce power unit noise by 50%, which makes a real
difference when the unit is located close to basement rec rooms
or other living spaces. It sells for about $25.
Beam, 800/369-2326,
www.beamvac.com.
EXTERIOR DOORS
Door With Allure.
One of the most
popular and revered American architectural styles is the
bungalow. People love the little houses because of their
comfortable proportions and attractive architectural details.
The Bungalow Handcrafted Door Series from Simpson not only
recreates one of the style's most important architectural
features, it also adds modern insulated glass and
split-resistant panels, which make the doors more durable and
energy efficient than the originals. Douglas fir, hemlock, and
red oak are standard offerings, but other wood species are also
available. Fir doors with a glass sash range in price from $950
to $1,200. Oak doors with a glass sash go from $1,300 to
$1,600.
Simpson Door Company, 800/952-4057,
www.simpsondoor.com.
Paint-Free Entry.
Most homeowners
have a love-hate relationship with wood exterior doors. They
love the look but hate the maintenance. According to its
manufacturer, the Ultra Extruded Aluminum Clad Raised-Panel
Door from Kolbe and Kolbe is the solution to wood-door woes.
The extruded aluminum exterior has a durable fluoropolymer
finish that eliminates painting on the outside, yet the wood
interior looks great and complements natural wood trim.
Multipoint locking hardware and several grille styles are
available. A 3/0 x 6/8, half-glass, two-panel model (4 9/16
jambs, with double bore) has a list price of $1,000 to $1,500,
depending on options.
Kolbe and Kolbe, 800/955-8177,
www.kolbe-kolbe.com.
Vinyl Frontier.
Until recently,
there weren't many choices in vinyl patio doors — most
manufacturers limited their offerings to a couple of 5- and
6-foot sliding units. But now you can find center-hinge and
French-style patio doors, as well. One example is the Swing
Patio Door from Timeline. The all-vinyl patio door has a
stainless-steel, multipoint lock that increases security and a
full-height gear hinge that prevents the heavy door panels from
sagging or distorting the vinyl frame.
Timeline Vinyl, 715/536-2461,
www.lincolnwindows.com.
Rot-Free Frame.
The second-growth,
finger-jointed lumber used in most door jambs seems especially
susceptible to rot. In shady or damp areas, it's not uncommon
for a door frame to go spongy after only a year or two. One
solution to rotting jambs is the Frame Saver from Therma-Tru.
In this frame system, a plastic composite section near the
bottom prevents the frame from wicking water, a common cause of
premature rotting. According to the manufacturer, once it's
painted, the Frame Saver is indistinguishable from all-wood
jambs. The Frame Saver adds $35 to the cost of a door (with 4
9/16 jambs). Jambs for 2x6 walls (6 9/16 inches) cost
$55.
Therma-Tru, 800/537-8827,
www.thermatru.com.