Simonton’s Brickmould 600 line of construction windows are Energy Star-qualified and have many appealing special features, such as low-maintenance convenience of vinyl windows with the look of wood windows, double hung and 2-lite slider styles, light and dark interior woodgrain laminates in combination with white exteriors, and the availability of driftwood color vinyl frame on all products in the series. From the extensive warranty to the many standard features that would normally be ordered as upgrade items, this new window series is appealing for builders wanted to offer energy efficiency as well as looks.www.simonton.com :: 800-746-6686

Operable acrylic block casement windows from Hy-Lite, a U.S. Block Windows Company, allow light and air to flow into any room into the house. Builders can offer homeowners both privacy windows and ventilation in the home. The privacy features of both decorative glass and acrylic block window units can’t be matched for adding style and elegance to a home. The combined aspect of easyopen windows and Energy Star-qualified energy-efficiency options on many of these windows make them a wonderful choice for bathrooms, kitchens, hallways and bedrooms. Home offices, garages and basement areas also benefit from the addition of operable privacy windows.www.hy-lite.com :: 888-256-2599

Milgard’s Essence Series wood windows offer the warmth and style of a wood interior with the strength and durability of a fiberglass exterior. The Essence Series meets the expectations of the wood window purist, offering classic styling and traditional butt joinery on the interior and the exterior of the window. This is a detail not often accomplished by aluminum or vinyl-clad wood windows. The full line of windows and doors has even sight lines across all styles, resulting in visual symmetry and an architecturally accurate look. Four exterior colors are available with standard lead times of two weeks, with an additional 11 color options with slightly extended lead times.www.pro.milgard.com :: 800-MILGARD

Andersen Windows’ new A-Series product line is designed to work together with consistent profiles and accent windows that allow architects the ease of choosing different styles of windows for the same home without sacrificing the overall look of the architectural style. A-Series products are available in three interior wood species, nine prefinished interiors, and 11 standard exterior colors for windows and doors. The complementary trim system is available in six profiles to match any architectural style. Colors include all 11 exterior colors available in windows and doors to match or contrast with a home’s color scheme. www.andersenwindows.com :: 888-888-7020

Andersen’s 100 Series windows feature a clean, contemporary design and are available in single-hung, gliding, casement, awning and specialty fixed styles in more than 1,200 sizes and can be specified in more than 20,000 combinations. There are four exterior color options available: White, Sandtone, Terratone, and Cocoa Bean. All have matte finishes and white interiors. www.andersenwindows.com :: 888-888-7020

Pella’s Architect Series Precision Fit casement replacement windows can provide a simplified solution for home renovation. These easy-to-install windows slide into existing window openings, helping retain surrounding interior trim, wallpaper, paint or plaster. The newest offerings include Precision Fit casement, awning and transom products in Pella’s Architect Series product line. In addition, when the new products are paired with Pella’s SunDefense Low-E insulating glass with argon, they may qualify for U.S. energy tax credits for projects completed by Dec. 31, 2010. www.pella.com :: 800-374-4758

THE MOST POPULAR CHOICE IN ROOFING IS ALSO ONE OF THE MOST ECONOMICAL

There is good reason why asphalt is far and away the most popular roofing material choice in North America. Asphalt roofing is well-rounded in terms of performance, easy to install, extremely versatile in design, and also relatively simple in maintenance. But of all its benefits, quite possibly the most attractive is the affordability of asphalt roofing products. Indeed, according to the Asphalt Roofing Manufacturers Association (ARMA), asphalt shingles cost significantly less as compared to other roofing options due in large part to its efficient, high-volume production methods and relatively low application costs. Four out of five homes in the U.S. are roofed with asphalt shingles, ARMA says, with enough asphalt shingle products manufactured on an annual basis to cover more than 5 million homes every year.

Though safety and code compliance are the primary considerations with building or installing a deck railing, the railing is also the most visible component of a deck, making aesthetics and design consistency also highly important. Railing systems are available in a wide variety of architectural styles, and in today’s market a range of material choices are possible, including wood, composite, PVC, steel, aluminum, wrought iron and glass.

Lanny Jass, president of Green Bay Decking LLC, says that increasingly manufacturers are offering builders, contractors and homeowners more design alternatives with deck railings. “Providing more color variety with deck railing products is becoming a bigger and bigger issue in the industry,” Jass says. “In terms of aesthetics, most railing systems are designed to complement or match the same style of the deck, but incorporating a design that is in contrast to the rest of the deck can be aesthetically pleasing as well.”

CREATE SMOOTH, EVEN DECK SURFACES WITH HIDDEN FASTENING SYSTEMS

Aesthetically speaking, a smooth, blemish-free deck is much more desirable than a deck with nail holes, uneven boards, splinters, or nails and screws popping up through the boards. Hidden deck fastening systems, which fasten decking boards from the sides or underneath, eliminate potential installation damage to the surface of the deck. They also remain entirely out of view after completion, giving decks a clean, smooth, uniform appearance.

“The No.1 advantage of using hidden fasteners is aesthetics,” says Phil Lail, vice president of international sales with Sure Drive USA, a manufacturer of fastening products including hidden fasteners. “Hidden fastening systems eliminate unsightly screw and nail heads and make the deck look like a hardwood floor. The deck is simply another room of the house, and homeowners take pride in their deck just like the rest of their home. This understanding is driving the evolving decking materials market, which requires high-quality, attractive and durable deck boards. Following this trend is the method in which these decking materials are attached. Hidden fasteners allow for functional attachment without sacrificing the integrity or the natural beauty of the deck boards.”

Interior lighting is more than an afterthought—it’s a moneymaker

Interior lighting is often overlooked in new homes but can be a powerful differentiator for many builders. Lighting techniques that make smaller homes look larger and more appealing, evoke scenes and help the homeowner navigate through the home are all huge hot-button selling points.

“The amount, quality and distribution are important to remember if you’re going to design for lighting,” says Phil Richards of Juno Lighting Group. “How much light do you want, where do you want it to go, and what quality of light do you want? I call this the ‘surgical approach,’ in contrast with just fi lling up the space with light. Concentrate on walls, perimeter, art and task areas, and not the floor.”

Changing certification programs, new treatments drive usage

Builders using sustainable wood for siding projects need to keep an eye on some possible changes looming on the certification horizon.

As you know, credits can be earned toward LEED certification through the use of wood siding originating from forests certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC). However, while only wood siding certified by the FSC qualifies for LEED points, there is momentum to expand the options for LEED eligibility, opening the door for possible inclusion of other certification programs in the LEED rating system, such as the Sustainable Forest Initiative (SFI) or the Canadian Standards Association (CSA).

Today’s central vacuum systems make inroads into entry-level homes

As an amenity feature in new homes, central vacuum systems have a number of distinct benefits, including cleaning efficiency, convenience in use, reduced vacuum noise levels and even helping contribute to higher home values. But probably the most important function of central vacuum systems is that they are proven to help increase the quality of a home’s indoor air environment.

Larry Hartley, vice president of sales and marketing for Beam Central Vacuum Systems by Electrolux, says compared to typical upright cleaning equipment, central vacuum systems are much more effective for removing dirt, pet dander, dust mites, pollen, and other particles and allergens from the living space that can deteriorate air quality. “To gain a perspective for their cleaning efficiency, a typical carpet in a home without a central vacuum system can weigh up to five times more when it’s replaced as compared to when it was new,” he says. “That won’t happen with a central vacuum system, which captures much more dirt and allergens and won’t exhaust air into the living space that can stir up dust and allergens. So along with improving the quality of a home’s indoor air quality, a central vacuum system can also extend the useful life of a home’s carpet.”

Designs and applications on the rise

Taking into account its increasingly widening range of applications and styles, today’s manufactured stone offers builders, designers, and architects a high degree of versatility and choices. From an architectural perspective, manufactured stone can be fashioned into almost any style, from old world aesthetics and rustic textures to more modern profiles and sleek designs. Application-wise, manufactured stone is being used in several other areas of the home beyond the exterior façade. In addition to entryways, columns and around the perimeter of doorways, it is also utilized in outdoor entertainment areas as well as throughout the home interior.

Design Range

Due to technological advances in recent years in the mold-making process of manufactured stone, manufacturers are now better able to capture all the textures, colors and nuances found in nature, says Brent Spann, vice president of marketing at Eldorado Stone. “There is a stronger commitment to authenticity, believability, and offering what can be found regionally in terms of color blends, stone shapes, sizes and looks,” he says.

Today’s locksets offer more home protection and style

When it comes to builder locksets, security is the most important feature, and with increasingly more functionality, design and technological improvements with lockset products, home protection has never been more secure. But in addition to security-related advances with locksets, manufacturers are also incorporating a higher range of styles and finishes beyond traditional product offerings.

Ventilation for the bathroom space

As wall assemblies become more insulated, windows higher performing, and building envelopes tighter, the need for more advanced ventilation has never been greater. This is especially the case in the bathroom, which is one of the most susceptible spaces of the home for moisture-related damage.

“Bathroom ventilation units and systems are essential for removing humidity and controlling moisture levels,” says Chris Miles of Lewisville, TX-based GreenCraft Builders, which specializes in building very well-insulated, highperformance homes. “Moisture breeds mold and mildew, which can lead to a variety of other problems including wall, surface and potential structural damage,” Miles says. “Bathroom ventilation is especially important in cold climates, where homeowners are much less inclined to open the windows.”