by Patrick
McCombe
Leak Stopper.
Preventing air
movement through wall and ceiling assemblies is one of the keys
to building a durable and comfortable home. Conservation
Technology's Building Gaskets are a great way to prevent air
leakage and associated moisture problems. They come in three
different widths, for band joists, 2x4 walls, and 2x6 walls.
Unlike caulks and sealants — which need warm and dry
conditions for an effective seal — gaskets can be
installed in any kind of weather. Resource Conservation
Technology, 800/477-7724,
www.conservationtechnology.com
Clean Sweep.
A good door sweep is an inexpensive way to
tighten up a home, but its effectiveness can be hampered by
plush carpeting or a new layer of flooring; the door may become
difficult to operate and the sweep may wear out prematurely.
M-D's Seal-o-Matic is a clever solution to this common problem.
The retractable sweep raises when the door is opened and then
lowers again when it's closed. The product costs about $20.
M-D, 800/654-8454, www.mdteam.com
Foam Pack.
Typical fiberglass
insulation is virtually useless for insulating band joists and
other leaky areas. A much better option for these problem spots
is a two-part foam like Dow's Froth-Pak 180. The kit —
which includes an applicator gun with an 8-foot hose —
yields about 18 board feet of insulation; other sizes are
available for bigger and smaller jobs. I found the Froth-Pak
180 online for about $300. Dow, 888/868-1183,
www.dow.com/buildingproducts
Interior Doors
Good-Hearted.
For a unique look,
check out Jeld-Wen's Heart Design door. Constructed of MDF with
a polyurethane core — making it 33 percent lighter than
solid MDF units — the limited-edition model is available
through February 2007 in two styles, each featuring a carved
heart. Prices for a slab start at $250, and for a prehung
version, at $300. Jeld-Wen will donate $100 to the American
Heart Association for every Heart Design door sold. Jeld-Wen,
877/535-3462, www.jeld-wen.com
Undercover Portal.
Hidden doors
that conceal a secret stash or tasting room are a growing trend
in wine cellars. If you're going to be building and installing
one, be prepared for a lot of head-scratching — or make
it easy on yourself by specifying a ready-made Hidden Vertical
Display Door from Wine Cellar Innovations. Free of visible
hardware, it's designed to blend seamlessly into the company's
standard shelving. In addition to the standard 291/4-inch unit,
custom sizes are available. Prices start at $3,990. Wine Cellar
Innovations, 800/229-9813,
www.winecellarinnovations.com
Warp-Free.
Solid-wood doors may be
great-looking, but they have an Achilles heel: They can warp
— sometimes for no apparent reason. A veneered face and
engineered stiles and rail help Woodport doors resist this
tendency. The units come in just about any wood species, in
raised or flat-panel, French or bifold styles. List prices
start at $70 for the door only. Heritage Veneered Products,
877/966-3767, www.woodport.com