Get Your Fill. Although spray-foam insulation
is generally used when the wall-board or plaster has been
stripped from the framing, it can be applied under other
conditions, too. Icynene's Pour Fill insulation, for instance,
is injected into the stud cavity through 1-inch holes; the
material expands to 60 times its original size, giving a 2x4
wall an R-value of 14. Unlike cellulose and other blow-in
products, Pour Fill doesn't settle over time.
Icynene, 800/758-7325,
www.icynene.com
Kraft-Faced Friction Fit. Can't decide whether
to use faced or unfaced insulation? Try CertainTeed's Speedy
Tabless Batts, which offer both friction-fit installation (no
stapling) and a kraft vapor retarder. They come in 16-inch
widths in R-13, R-19, and R-21 versions and cost about the same
as conventional kraft-faced batts, says the maker.
CertainTeed, 800/233-8990,
www.certainteed.com
Thickset. At R-49, Guardian's 15-inch-thick
Fatt Batt has the highest R-value of any fiberglass batt on the
market. Sold in both kraft and unfaced versions, the product
allows builders to meet higher Department of Energy insulation
recommendations with a single layer of fiberglass and no
additional labor. Guardian, 800/569-4262,
www.guardianbp.com
Hvac
Hang in There. For clients with minimal
space to spare for a mechanical room, a wall-mounted boiler
like Lochinvar's Knight can be just the ticket. Energy
Star-rated, the condensing, modulating boilers come in five
models with efficiencies ranging from 93 percent to 95 percent.
Vent runs can reach 100 feet (equivalent) with 3-inch plastic
pipe.
Lochinvar, 615/889-8900,
www.lochinvar.comKeep Your Cool. I'm a big fan of split
air-conditioning and heat-pump systems like the Mr. Slim for
room additions and retrofits: They're easy to install, allow
effective zoning, and eliminate ductwork. M-series models
(shown) come in sizes from 9,000 Btu to 24,000 Btu and in SEER
ratings of 13 to 17. Prices start at $1,500 plus installation.
Mitsubishi Electric, 800/433-4822,
www.mrslim.com
On Demand.
Remote-mounted fans are often used to ventilate several spaces
at once — but multiple wide-open intake grilles require a
large fan that uses a lot of energy and creates a lot of noise.
American Aldes has an ingenious solution: intake grilles with
electric dampers. The company's VentZone Systems use a 200-cfm
fan that can vent as many as eight bathrooms; the intake
dampers can be controlled with a switch, timer, humidistat, CO2
sensor, or occupancy sensor. American Aldes,
941/351-3441, www.americanaldes.com
Locksets
Extra Protection. With Master Lock's
NightWatch deadbolt, homeowners don't have to worry about
intruders even when their house keys have been stolen or lost:
The bolt can be secured from inside the house in such a way
that outside keys won't work. The maker claims the product fits
any standard residential door. Available in two finishes
— satin nickel and bright brass — it costs about
$30.
Master Lock, 800/308-9244,
www.masterdoorlock.comMatching Levers. When it comes to factory
patio-door hardware, your clients' options can seem pretty
limited. Even if they find something they like, it probably
won't match the other knobs in their home. However, Emtek makes
dozens of lever sets in several finishes to fit most popular
patio-door models — and they coordinate with the rest of
the company's product line. The Elan model shown costs about
$140. Emtek, 800/356-2741,
www.emtek.com
Print Reader. It's not just science fiction
anymore: Kwikset's fingerprint-actuated SmartScan deadbolt can
be programmed to recognize up to 50 people and — since it
reads subdermal prints — won't be fazed by dirty, cut, or
worn-down fingertips. A timed lockout feature with three levels
of access (24-hour, temporary, and restricted) provides
additional security. The device comes in several finishes;
prices start at around $200. Kwikset,
800/327-5625, www.kwikset.com