On the Wire - 2007 International Builders' Show
The doors are open and thousands of pros are strolling over a million square feet of innovations at the International Home Builders’ Show in Orlando. This is the place to be if you are a home construction professional. The general public is not invited – but can reap huge benefits by learning what is new and unique in home construction. Thinking of a renovation? An addition? Or maybe you’re planning the design of a brand new house. We have chosen the best of the best for your personal wish list. Comfort, convenience and style are repeating themes among the latest home products, and we think the following are worthy of a note and addition to your “favorite links” list.
Constant comfort for any home in any season
You’ve heard the saying, “It’s not the heat, it’s the humidity”. It doesn’t just apply to famous subtropical destinations ─ it can be the culprit in your home’s interior comfort as well. Adding Aprilaire’s Whole Home Dehumidifier to your heating and cooling system keeps the atmosphere comfy (in the ideal humidity range of 25-60%) and moisture-loving, health-threatening molds and other pesky microorganisms at bay. This comfort workhorse senses atmospheric changes way before you ever could, and removes more moisture from the air than an air conditioner does on its own. Aprilaire’s Whole Home Dehumidifier removes humidity, while allowing your air conditioner to focus on temperature – without wasteful over-cooling. And it stays on duty year-round, too, which is especially handy in the spring and fall when your AC runs only occasionally if at all. Learn more about the Aprilaire Whole Home Dehumidifier at www.Aprilaire.com.
Your favorite hardwood flooring style in a snap
There’s no place like home, whatever your style, with Armstrong’s new Locking Hardwood floors underfoot. All 32 products in this new residential flooring collection feature Armstrong’s exclusive NextGen™ patent-pending technology, eliminating the need for glue, staples or nails and reducing installation time. That means you can live on your new floor immediately, and even remove and replace it later if you so choose. Armstrong Locking Hardwood is 100% real wood with cross-ply engineered construction for a rigid surface that won’t shift or buckle, making it a great choice for any location from basement to loft. Armstrong engineered hardwood also adds peace of mind by controlling the floor’s natural tendency to expand and contract, enabling it to be installed over sub floors ranging from wood and concrete to existing vinyl. Armstrong Locking Hardwood is available in 5-inch single or two-strip planks in such domestic wood species as Maple, Oak, Birch and Ash, and a range of the increasingly popular exotics like Bangkirai, Bamboo, Australian Wormy Chestnut, and Kona. See the full floor fashion show at www.Armstrong.com.
Now casting: Countertops with personality
Thanks to their unique appearance, affordability and high durability, concrete countertops continue to gain in popularity in kitchen and bath remodeling schemes. And thanks to QUIKRETE’s Concrete Countertop Mix, you can cast your own design with a weekend and a much smaller budget than you’d need if you’d selected stone or hired a professional. All that QUIKRETE’s simple do-it-yourself recipe requires is the Countertop Mix, QUIKRETE Cement Colors, QUIKRETE Wet Look High Gloss Sealer, a few project supplies, and following a handful of steps to bring a custom look to kitchen counters. Find out more about the QUIKRETE family of products at www.Quikrete.com.
A faucet that functions fashionably
As long as you’re considering kitchen upgrades, why not take things to the next level with a fixture that adds ease and a touch of glamour to everyday tasks? Moen’s new Medora™ pullout kitchen faucet offers just that with a sleek, high-arc silhouette, soft modern styling and single-handle design. Its single-lever handle offers easy-to-use temperature and flow control, while the ergonomically designed pullout wand adds ease to performing everyday tasks in and around the sink. With the touch of a button, you can switch between several water flow patterns, including stream, rinse and veggie spray, or choose Moen’s patented pause feature, which instantly stops and starts the flow of water. The Medora™ faucet also includes a fiber pullout hose with a ball joint at the end of the wand for quiet operation and easier maneuverability when rinsing hard-to-reach corners of the sink or spots outside the sink area. Add in the faucet’s stylish matte black finish and single-hole mount for beautiful blending with any countertop material, and sophistication is definitely on tap. Keep an eye out for Medora™ at www.Moen.com.
For the deck of your dreams
In another move toward realism without the maintenance hassles of wood, Trex Co. has created Trex Contours™ decking, featuring a bold new grain pattern and structured profile for a lighter weight, maximum durability and years of performance at a value price hard to resist. Designed with the distinctive look of wood, it requires the same spans and installation as Trex 5/4 boards. Trex Contours™ is available in popular Winchester Grey and rich, reddish-brown Madeira, and coordinates with the Trex Designer Series Railing™ system. As you bask in the good looks of Trex Contours™, you can also be confident in its status as an earth-friendly material. Trex® is a unique combination of recycled plastic and reclaimed wood, providing the best qualities of both. The plastic shields the wood from moisture and insect damage, so there’s no rotting or splintering, and the wood gives your deck a solid, natural feel with excellent traction and looks great year after year. To start designing the deck of your dreams and find a Trex® dealer near you, visit www.Trex.com.
An underground trend in home heating
For home sites with little or no access to natural gas power, underground propane storage tanks are emerging ─ or, rather, submerging ─ as a practical and popular solution. So popular, in fact, that entire developments are now using underground storage, with centralized systems that feature a gas main and metered access to propane. The Propane Education & Research Council will be recognizing one such development with a special award at the Builders’ Show: Think luxury oceanfront condos in Hawaii, all operating from a 2,000-gallon propane tank delivering premium gas services to residents. Constructed of heavy steel and painted with a mastic coating to prevent corrosion, underground propane tanks can be placed virtually anywhere on a lot, and all you see once they’re buried is a small dome with filling connections peeking out a few inches above ground. What’s more, the 500-gallon capacity easily accommodates the fuel requirements of the average four-bedroom home. Such convenient fuel also opens up possibilities for renovation and expansion, from the installation of radiant flooring to outdoor rooms. Unearth more trends and solutions in home heating at www.UsePropane.com.
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Ask Tom & Leslie - A Clean Foundation
This week’s question comes to us from Frank in West Warwick, Rhode Island. He says, “I'm experiencing a problem with an efflorescence build up on my foundation walls. What do you recommend I can do to resolve this problem?”
You are right, Frank. The white buildup you are seeing is a mineral deposit known
as efflorescence. Fortunately, it’s very easy to clean. You can easily remove it with white vinegar. Spray full-strength vinegar directly onto the stain and rinse with clean water. That will do the trick.
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Got A Question About Your Money Pit?
You can do-it-yourself but you don't have to do-it-alone. Getting in touch with us is as easy as 1 - 2 or 3!
- The toll-free studio hot line is 1-888-MONEY PIT. Find out when we broadcast in your area by checking out our website at www.moneypit.com. Each week we take dozens of calls, give great advice and offer callers a chance to win a terrific prize awarded to one random caller to every show.
- Call when it's convenient for you, 24 hours a day, same number: 1-888-MONEY PIT. A live person takes your call 24/7! So -- WHENEVER you have a home improvement question -- phone it in. Simply tell our phone screener your first name, and where you're calling from...and ask your question. We’ll get back to you with the answer – or even call you back during the show!
- Click here to email your question to us. We may read your email on the air and we also respond personally to many of the email questions we get.
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On the Air - The Inside Scoop
The Money Pit is broadcasting from the floor of the International Home Builders’ Show this weekend. Listen to the show to learn how to stop the water leaks cold – no matter where they are in your house, all about a high-tech new flooring that you can install yourself, and beautiful new faucets for your kitchen that look can add drama and sophistication to your décor. Plus we’ll tell you about a brand new “click” in place hardwood floor that can be installed without glue, nails or staples and some ways that propane is making it possible for folks in places near and far to have the comfort of gas heat. We’ll also bring you some great tips from the pros behind the very FIRST makeover show, This Old House. This is not a show to miss! Visit www.moneypit.com/listen to find out where we broadcast in your area.
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Dot Common Sense - Waterproof Your Roof
There is one thing that will go a long way into making your home watertight: roofing underlayment. What IS roofing underlayment? It’s typically sheets of material that are installed under any roof coverings, like shingles or tiles, for added protection from water infiltration. Shingles or other roof coverings are not enough to prevent water from penetrating your roof. If water does get in, you can be sure of extensive damage to your home. So you need extra protection. There is a brand new product on the market by Grace called Tri-Flex Xtreme. This synthetic material is slip resistant, wet or dry. It can be left exposed to the elements for up to six months without rotting, cracking or drying out. Don’t try that with the traditional “tar paper” most roofers use! Tri-Flex Xtreme is also VERY strong. It won’t tear away from nails or other fasteners, even in high winds. For more information on Grace’s family of weather barriers for roofs, windows, doors and decks, visit www.GraceAtHome.comwww.GraceAtHome.com.
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Fun Fact - Wax On, Wax Off
Do you know what automotive product can also keep your bathroom tile sparkling clean? A thin layer of car wax applied to your shower stall is a great way to keep it clean. The wax repels water and residue, and adds a "like new" shine. When using wax, be sure to apply it only to the walls and not the floors for a safe, low maintenance shine.
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Short Cuts - Open Door Policy
If you love to cook you might be surprised to know that one false move is all it takes to cause your over to lose 25 degrees. Every time you open your oven door to check on food, your oven temperature drops 25 degrees. To save energy and ensure consistent cooking times and temperatures, remember, no peeking! Instead, rely on timers and the oven window to cook up energy savings.
On the other hand, there's a door that you can actually leave open to help you save some money. It's your dishwasher door. Air-drying your dishes is a great way to save money and energy. If your dishwasher doesn't have an automatic air-dry switch, turn off the control knob after the final rinse, and prop the door open a little. The air will dry out your dishes without soaking your energy bill.
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Copyright 2006 Squeaky Door Productions, Inc.
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