Comfortable House

Fiberon, a leading manufacturer of composite decking, has created the ultimate marriage of beauty and durability with its new tropical hardwood colors for Horizon™ composite decking. These new colors have the dramatic wood tones of highly desirable tropical hardwood, and Fiberon offers the industry’s first 10-year Stain and Fade warranty, demonstrating the products ability to provide lasting beauty.

“This is hands down the best composite decking product I’ve ever seen,” said Tom Kraeutler, a nationally syndicated radio host for The Money Pit Home Improvement Radio Show (www.moneypit.com) and the Home Improvement Editor for AOL. “I’ve reviewed many composite decking products over the years and none have been able to achieve both the natural look and top performance of Fiberon’s Horizon.”

“This additional tropical hardwood look for Horizon decking represents the marriage of the highest beauty to the best performance, clearly demonstrating Fiberon’s commitment to bringing innovative products to the marketplace,” said Chris H. Beyer, Vice President of Marketing for Fiberon. “Homeowners are looking for products that are an extension of their home, raising their interest in the appearance of ipe or mahogany, but know they need an easy-to-maintain composite decking product. This perfectly provides that exotic look but with the best stain, fade, mold and scratch resistance in the wood alternative and composite decking category.”

Charged with creating the ultimate in beauty and long-lasting performance, Fiberon’s product development team united the exceptional stain-, fade-, mold- and scratch-resistant attributes of their leading Horizon composite decking, made possible through its PermaTech™ surface technology, with the multi-chromatic tropical hardwood look of its composite decking with stunning tropical colors.

Horizon is now available in two exotic hardwood colors, Ipe and Rosewood. Horizon decking will continue to be available in four solid colors, including Sand, Brick, Bronze and Slate. Boards can be ordered in square edge or grooved profiles. Grooved boards allow for the optional Phantom™ hidden fastener system for fastener-free deck surfaces.

Fiberon Horizon composite decking is sold to professional contractors and dealers through a national network of distributors. To learn more, visit www.fiberondecking.com, call 800-573-8841 or send an email to info@fibercomposites.com

About Fiberon

Fiberon is a leading manufacturer of composite and PVC decking, railing and fencing products used in homes and light commercial construction across North America. Part of the Fiber Composites, LLC family, the Fiberon brand product line is designed specifically for professional contractors. Fiberon’s polymer chemists and extrusion professionals employ the latest technology to constantly innovate, using the finest raw materials coupled with leading manufacturing processes to ensure best-in-class quality. The company was founded in 1997 and is privately owned with manufacturing operations in North Carolina and Idaho.

As homeowners increasingly desire greater comfort, enjoyment and control—especially in an economy that encourages cocooning—new technologies in home automation continue to emerge.

“Electrical contractors around the country are increasingly specifying, designing and installing home automation technologies and systems that can help lower energy costs in addition to enhancing lifestyle and appearance,” said John Maisel, publisher of Electrical Contractor magazine at www.ecmag.com, published by the National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA), Bethesda, Md.

According to a recent Electrical Contractor article, new and emerging residential innovations include:

• self-powered, wireless light switches that can be placed anywhere and moved anytime for a whole-house lighting control system—each battery-free switch houses a small “energy harvester” that converts mechanical energy at the flip of the switch into a radio signal that controls the home’s lights;
• wireless tabletop lighting keypads;
• new generations of solar tubes that capture, reflect and disperse UV-filtered sunlight;
• UL-approved dimmable outlets and plugs;
• wireless, motorized blinds and shades in combination with a an intelligent controller to reduce heat gain and fabric damage from UV rays;
• solar collection systems that integrate with the electric system to help save on energy and lower energy bills;
• wired and wireless fan speed controls;
• residential lighting that is thoroughly integrated into appliances and located closer to the task, replacing architectural downlights which needlessly illuminate the entire room;
• home offices with simple, direct/indirect lighting fixtures for computer areas;
• LEDs that can be easily mounted in areas otherwise considered off-limits, such as stairs; and
• wine displays highlighted with low-heat source LEDS without impacting wine aging.

According to Electrical Contractor, electric lighting control and motorized shade systems make the energy-saving benefits of daylight harvesting possible—including reduced maintenance and replacement costs over the home’s lifespan, energy conservation, improved occupant health, productivity and greater design flexibility.

Published by the National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA), Bethesda, Md., Electrical Contractor magazine reaches 85,000+ electrical contractors and more than 65,900 electrical contracting locations, more than any other industry publication. Telephone: (301) 657-3110. Web site: www.ecmag.com.

As the green movement has infiltrated the home improvement sector, companies are continually developing more products and projects for you to “green” your home. A simple, budget-friendly project is incorporating a rain garden in your yard to help filter stormwater pollutants coming from your home.

A rain garden is typically located in a low-lying area in your yard. It collects rainwater and slowly filters it through the ground versus directly into storm sewers and local lakes and rivers. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), these gardens are an increasingly popular way to help reduce natural and human-made pollutants carried by rainfall or melted snow.

Benefits of Rain Gardens

No home renovations are providing 100 percent return on investment in today’s real estate market, according to the annual “2009 Cost vs. Value Report” conducted by Realtor Magazine and Remodeling. Therefore, it doesn’t make sense for homeowners to spend a lot of money on expensive remodeling projects. Instead, it’s a great time to consider low-cost, minor renovations, such as landscaping a rain garden.

“With a rain garden, homeowners not only beautify their property with plants, but are being environmentally friendly as well,” said Mark Munley, vice president of sales and marketing for Firestone Specialty Products. “They are also a source of food and shelter for birds and insects like dragonflies, which help eradicate pesky mosquitoes.”

Installing Your Rain Garden

To define a location for placement, you should first determine the end of your backyard’s existing drainage pattern. If the drainage pattern is not noticeable, note the course of runoff and areas where water collect after a storm. Choice locations to capture the most stormwater are close to downspouts from your roof, sump pump outlets or near paved driveways.

The EPA suggests a good “rule of thumb”, to determine the size of your rain garden, is to take 30 percent of the area which the garden will be collecting water from, whether that is a roof or driveway. Don’t be detoured from building a rain garden if you do not have enough space to accommodate the formulated size. A rain garden, no matter how small, can still help your local water resources.

According to Rain Gardens of West Michigan, an environmental education program focused on stormwater education, you should install your rain garden down-slope and at least 10 feet away from the building’s foundation to ensure it won’t build up too much water that can lead to leaks in your basement. “Many homeowners are installing an environmentally friendly liner under their rain gardens to give their homes the added protection they desire,” said Munley.

Adding a PondGard™ Rubber Liner from Firestone Specialty Products, Indianapolis, Ind., to the side of your garden that faces your home will minimize the risk to your foundation. PondGard Rubber Liners are formulated to be environmentally safe for plants and animals while remaining resistant to damaging aging conditions such as cracking and splitting, even in exposed applications. PondGard liners are available in a variety of sizes and conform to nearly any shape in order to fit many designs.

The next step is to start digging out your selected area creating a berm or slight walls, which helps contain the rain water. You will need to fill your rain garden with a substance that allows water to filter down to the liner. Choosing the right substance depends on the type of soil you have—sandy or silty soil or clay—but common fillers are loose gravel laid on the liner, followed by a layer of sand and topped with top soil. If desired, you can add mulch or peat moss to finish off the look.

You should test the amount of water your garden can potentially filter by filling it with water and seeing how long it takes to seep out. A typical rain garden should retain water for a few hours after rainfall. If your garden is not retaining enough water, add additional PondGard Rubber Liners to achieve your desired results.

According to the Low Impact Development Center, an organization funded by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, typical soil mixture should be washed, sharp sand; double-shredded, hardwood mulch; weed seed-free topsoil and peat moss.

Adding Your Personal Touch

Choosing the plants for your rain garden is a means to add a creative and colorful touch to your property. According to the Mid-America Regional Council and the EPA, native plants are recommended for their ability to thrive in their native climates. To guarantee your plants will flourish – water them everyday until maturity; at that point they should no longer require watering between rainfalls.

With the green movement in full swing, it is easier than ever to lessen your family’s impact on the environment. By installing an inexpensive rain garden with a PondGard Rubber Liner, you will directly decrease the amount of pollution your family home attributes into your local water resources. Also, check your local municipalities to see if they offer any incentives for installing a rain garden on your property.

For more information about Firestone PondGard Rubber Liners and to find your local distributor, please visit our Web site at www.firestonesp.com.

You don’t have to hop on a plane and travel thousands of miles to find a relaxing retreat. Just step outside your front or back door. Now anyone can transform the exterior space around their home into a beautiful, carefree haven using vinyl columns, decking, railing, and fencing that revitalize home facades and yards—without breaking the bank or incurring a lifetime of upkeep hassles.

How about a vinyl deck that starts in the garden and climbs toward the treetops? Or a welcoming wrap-around porch with elegant vinyl columns? It’s easier than you think to create an enjoyable, unique outdoor space or give your home exterior a beautiful facelift. With so many affordable, low-maintenance choices available, homeowners have fresh opportunities to get creative without committing weekends every year to repainting and re-sealing worn outdoor surfaces. And, let’s face it, who wouldn’t rather relax on their breezy backyard deck with coffee and a good book?

When rejuvenating your home exterior, materials matter. You want durable weather-resistant products that add beauty and style—vinyl is the best choice for decks, porches, columns, rails, and fences. Of course, vinyl materials never have to be painted or sealed. Most wood, if not painted or treated regularly with sealant, can warp, split, and rot from moisture damage or attract termites and other critters seeking their own refuge.

“Decks and porches can extend living and entertaining spaces into the lush outdoors and function as the heart of any home sanctuary. Their design is limited only by your imagination and type of system you choose,” said Deron Manwaring, National Marketing and Sales Manager, Royal Outdoor Products.

A backyard deck can be ground-hugging and garden-friendly—or it can zigzag, wind, and soar upward, depending on terrain and budget. Front porches can be as inviting as they are elegant. Interlocking vinyl plank systems, which ensure fast, easy, error-free deck and porch installation, are perfect for people who want decades of reliable use, eye-catching beauty, and carefree maintenance. Decorative vinyl railing, posts, and trim add finishing touches.

Vinyl columns can give any home a fast, high-impact facelift. They add striking details to your home entranceway, front porch, or backyard deck. Vinyl columns should come ready-to-install with no paint needed, or prime-coated with flaw-free, ready-to-paint surfaces, so you can add your choice of color. If you have an older home with weathered columns or posts, you can replace them or purchase Decorative Column Wrap housing that cleverly hides worn supports.

Different styles of fencing, made from vinyl can create the enclosure you desire behind, in front of, and all around your home. “Fencing can be installed to follow the landscape for a natural and rugged look, or it can be uniquely configured to enclose a garden, patio, pool, hot tub, or other personal hideaway, ” said Manwaring. For a secluded space, choose solid fencing styles in various heights for different degrees of privacy and coziness. Picket and decorative fencing can be used anywhere to enhance home beauty and serenity.

Finally, look for vinyl products with a limited lifetime warranty (not that you’ll ever need it). For more information contact: Royal Outdoor Products, P.O. Box 360, Milford, IN 46542-0360. Phone: 1-800-488-5245. Fax: 1-877-725-3325. Web Site: www.royaloutdoor.com.

The winners of the 2009 Awards for Design Excellence (ADEX) have been announced, and Lightline^® door canopy products from Feeney, Inc. have been selected for the top level Platinum award. ADEX, sponsored by the international trade publication Design Journal, is the largest and most prestigious awards program for product design of furniture, fixtures and finishes marketed to the design trade. Every year a judging panel of professionals representing a cross section of the design industry selects the best product designs from a field of over 1,200 entries submitted by over 400 companies.

“We were thrilled to hear that the Lightline^® canopies had won a Platinum ADEX 2009 award, especially given the depth of the product entries,” said Del Leutbecher, Director of Business Development at Feeney, Inc. “Since it was first introduced in the United States, the Lightline^® product has inspired an incredibly enthusiastic response from the design and construction communities, and this award is a gratifying acknowledgement that we’re on the right track.”

Lightline^® canopy products are manufactured by Polymer Kunststoffe GmbH of Germany and distributed in the United States by Feeney Inc., Oakland, CA. These products have been widely used in Europe to shield people from the elements when they leave their homes or businesses. The manufacturer has taken an old concept of over-door canopies and awnings and created new, modern designs using innovative materials: stainless steel support arms, integrated aluminum gutters and UV resistant acrylic visor panels in a variety of finishes.

“Lightline^® canopy products require no custom design or one-off fabrication,” said Del Leutbecher. “Each canopy comes in an easy-to-assemble kit with all the hardware necessary to assemble and install; plus, a patented Click-Lock pane attachment feature makes installation a breeze without drilling holes through the acrylic visor panes. Simply insert the panes into the frame, lower the support arms, and snap the Click-Lock ends together. These canopies offer eye-catching designs that are easy to use, durable, low maintenance and sized to fit almost any standard doorway.”

Lightline^® canopies are available in a variety of styles. The Gable Canopy looks best on a pitched roof configuration; the rounded Arch Canopy works well with both modern and traditional designs; and the simple, versatile Curve Canopy complements virtually any doorway.

Kits also come in several standard widths ranging from 5 feet to 9 feet, and the Curve style even has an extended, multi-panel model that allows for continuous widths, a useful design for commercial storefronts.

For additional information on the ADEX award or Lightline^® canopies, please contact Andrew Penny or visit www.designjournalmag.com or www.lightlinecanopies.com. Detail drawings and 3-part specifications for the Lightline^® products are available for downloading from the website. Members of the media can get the latest news from Feeney at www.feeneyarchitectural.com/media

DesignRail^® aluminum railings from Feeney, Inc. are among the many prominent products featured in the NextGen “First to the Future” National Demonstration Home in Las Vegas. The 5,200 square foot, 5 bedroom home is a showcase of modern, next generation living ideas with a focus on four basic themes: strong, green, efficient and digital.

The DesignRail^® railings are installed on the foyer stairway and balcony of the NextGen home and include a silver powder-coated aluminum frame with stainless steel cable infill. These railings were selected for the project because of the durability, low maintenance, and environmental integrity of their materials as well as their innovative design details that ensured an attractive finished product.

“The characteristics of the DesignRail^® line blend perfectly with the ‘stronger’ and ‘greener’ concepts of the NextGen project,” said Del Leutbecher, Director of Business Development at Feeney. “Not only do our aluminum and stainless steel products contain a high percentage of recycled raw materials, but they are also incredibly strong and durable with long usage cycles and low maintenance costs. And our state-of-the-art, powder coating line emits no V.O.C.s or heavy metal waste, uses a non-chromium pre-treatment wash, and reclaims 93% of the waste water via a reverse-osmosis membrane filtration system.”

The DesignRail^® systems are designed for quick and easy on-site assembly using pre-engineered components that snap and screw together without any welding, grinding or special finishing. All of the rails and stanchions are made from high-strength 6000-series aluminum that contains a minimum of 25% reclaimed content. In addition, the lightweight nature of aluminum reduces shipping costs and related fuel use and makes the parts easier to handle on the job.

The aluminum components are available in 8 standard colors and over 200 custom colors to suit virtually any design requirements, and the tough powder coated finishes adhere to rigorous AAMA-2604 coating specifications for lasting performance.

Available with the system are ADA compliant applied grab rail designs, 5 different styles of cap rails, and 4 post-mounting options. Infill options include CableRail™ stainless steel cables (used on the NextGen project), tempered glass panels and aluminum pickets.

The low maintenance benefits include no rusting, peeling, splintering, cracking, or repainting, issues that are typically associated with many other types of materials and railing systems, and Feeney offers a 10-year warranty on the powder coated finishes and stainless steel cable infill.

For additional information on the NextGen project and DesignRail^® aluminum railings, please contact Andrew Penny or visit www.nextgenhome.com and www.designrail.com. Detail drawings, 3-D Sketch-up models and 3-part specifications for the DesignRail^® products are available for downloading from the website. Members of the media can get the latest news from Feeney at www.feeneyarchitectural.com/media