Shake-Absorber. A high-speed washer’s
spin cycle can sound like a jet engine revving up for takeoff
— and unless the appliance sits on a slab, it’s
likely to impart the vibrations to the floor. Putting
KE’s Shake-Away Plus Pads underneath the washer can help.
These 1-inch-thick neoprene and ABS laminations absorb
vibrations and reduce noise; they’re a specialized
version of similar products that the company makes for
machinery and hvac equipment. A set of four pads costs $30.
Kellett Enterprises, 864/244-7248,
keshakeaway.com
Tapered Look. Wrap N’ Snap tapered
column wraps complement Craftsman and other architectural
styles better than straight-sided wraps, says the maker.
They’re sold in three base and top widths, in lengths
from 41/2 to 8 feet. The wrap comes as four flat pieces of
1/2-inch-thick cellular PVC that you cut to exact length, then
glue and snap together around a post. Once the precut capital
and base moldings are installed, the column can be painted or
left white. Prices start at $200. Screen
Tight, 800/768-7325,
screentight.com
Perfect Fit. The
one-piece Toto Carlyle has a base large enough to cover
virtually any flooring imperfection left by an old toilet. The
fixture is adjustable for 10-, 12-, and 14-inch rough-ins
— a handy feature when obstructions like floor joists
fall in the wrong spot. The supply line must be at least 7
inches to the left of center to clear the toilet’s
oversized footprint. The Carlyle sells online for about $425.
Toto USA, 888/295-8134,
totousa.com
Switch Up.
Masco’s Verve wireless lighting- control system saves
wire while giving homeowners optimum flexibility. The
radio-frequency switches mount anywhere; the 10-circuit control
panel can be programmed for dimmer levels, three-way (or more)
switching, and multiple fixture “scenes.” Each
circuit powers up to 300 watts — so several fixtures can
share a switch and a single panel can operate dozens of lights.
Multiple controllers can be linked. One controller plus 10
switches costs $990. Masco, 800/542-3789,
vervelivingsystems.com
Double Combination. Kwikset’s new
SmartCode electronic touchpad deadbolt works with two different
combinations that can be reprogrammed in seconds. Its motorized
bolt can be set to lock the door automatically after it’s
closed. Part of the Signature Series, the unit runs on four AA
batteries (a key can be used when power is low or the owner
forgets the combination). It costs $100.
Kwikset, 800/327-5625,
kwikset.com
Light Post. Thanks to a new casting method,
Crown Column & Millwork’s structural fiberglass
columns are lighter than earlier versions but have the same
load rating, says the company. Their walls are of uniform
thickness for greater dimensional stability. Crown’s
plain and fluted square styles — as well as the tapered
columns in its Arts & Crafts collection — feature the
new construction. Sold in lengths from 51/2 to 18 feet, the
columns cost $320 and up. Crown Column &
Millwork, 888/862-0880,
crowncolumn.com
Foam-Backed. Royal’s DuraPlank is vinyl
siding with a difference — a foam-reinforcement layer.
This gives the siding an R-value of 3.46; a flatter, more
traditional look; and greater impact resistance. The resilient
foam backing is closed cell for waterproofness, corrugated for
drainage and airflow, and loosely attached to allow expansion
and contraction. The siding is 12 feet 3 inches long with a
7-inch exposure and comes in twelve colors. A 100-square-foot
pack costs $160. Royal Building Products,
800/387-2789, royalbuildingproducts.com
Flood Stopper. According to some insurance
experts, catastrophic water damage causes more claims than
fires do. Watts’ FloodSafe Auto-Shutoff Connectors are
designed to reduce the danger of ruptured supply lines. The
braided-stainless-steel hoses have a valve that shuts off the
water if the flow on the demand side exceeds 2.9 gallons per
minute. If your clients’ water pressure stays between 30
and 80 psi and their fixtures and appliances don’t
require too high of a flow, these hoses could spare them some
serious headaches. A pair for a washing machine costs $25.
Watts, 978/688-1811,
watts.com