by Patrick
McCombe
Bent Vent.
What's the best way
to vent the top of a shed roof where it meets a vertical wall?
It's one of those head-scratching details seldom explained in
the plans. Cor-A-Vent's Roof-2-Wall Vent was designed to solve
this vexing problem. Suitable for roof pitches of 3/12 and
greater, it's sold as a kit containing everything needed to
ventilate up to 24 feet of roof: six 4-foot sections of vent,
25 feet of 14-inch flashing, four end caps, and 2 1/2-inch
nails. Cor-A-Vent, 800/837-8368,
www.roof-2-wall.com
Peel-and-Stick.
I'll concede that
fixing a roof with tape sounds a little dubious, but I've been
assured by two commercial roofers that RoofSeal really works.
According to the maker, this tape adheres to most types of
roofing, including EDPM, TPO, PVC, coated metal — even
concrete, wood, and tile. Available in widths from 2 to 48
inches, it can be installed in temperatures down to -20°F
and comes with a 10-year warranty. A 2-inch-wide, 50-foot roll
costs about $50. EternaBond, 888/336-2663,
www.eternabond.com
Decent Exposure.
Most roofing underlayments aren't
designed for long-term exposure, but Johns Manville claims its
DuraBase roofing underlayment can be left exposed for up to six
months without sacrificing performance. The company also says
the product seals nail holes better than other synthetic
underlayments, thanks to its asphalt-and-nonwoven-polyester
composition. A four-square roll sells for about $60.
Johns Manville, 800/654-3103,
www.jm.com
Hearth
Quit Smoking.
With energy costs
on the rise, central wood-fired heating plants are gaining
steam. Unfortunately, the short chimneys and low-temperature
fires characteristic of traditional wood-fired outdoor boilers
can smoke out the neighbors. One notable exception is the
Greenwood Hydronic Furnace. According to its maker, this unit
— which is installed indoors — approaches 87
percent efficiency and generates a 2,000°F fire that
practically eliminates creosote and smoke. It comes in
100,000-, 200,000-, and 300,000-Btu sizes. Prices start at
$6,995. Greenwood Technologies, 800/959-9184,
www.greenwoodfurnace.com
Great Outdoors.
Perhaps to
compensate for the increasing number of hours they spend
indoors working or boxed up in their cars commuting, Americans
are taking to dedicated outdoor living spaces with gusto. With
its durable stainless-steel front and firebox, Lennox's Elite
Outdoor Gas Fireplace coordinates with other exterior
appliances, like monster grills. It has a 60,000-Btu burner and
comes in 36- and 42-inch sizes. Prices start at around $2,000.
Lennox Hearth Products, 800/953-6669,
www.lennoxhearthproducts.com
Open Source.
Aesthetically, modern
gas fireplaces are a lot more appealing than their
predecessors, but some homeowners still don't like the sealed
glass front on most units. If your customer is among them, you
might suggest Heatilator's Reveal B-Vent Gas Fireplace, which
features an open front — as well as electronic ignition
and a three-tier, 45,000-Btu burner. The fireplace comes in 36-
and 42-inch models; prices start at $1,140.
Heatilator, 800/927-6841,
www.heatilator.com