Environmental Design & Construction articles from January 2004

Environmental Design & Construction archives from January 2004

An enviroment for change.(Editor's Note)(Brief Article)(Editorial)
January 1, 2004... Welcome to the "new" ED+C. To keep up with this growing, expanding, ever-changing industry of green building, we've decided to give our magazine a new look, coinciding with the New Year. This year we'll be bringing you more news, products,...

Happy New Year from the ED+C staff!(Editor's Note)
January 1, 2004... Pictured, back row, from left to right: Art Director Cory Emery, Senior Production Manager Monica Hackney, Mechanical Systems Sales Manager Heather Jenkins and Exterior Product Sales Manager Elizabeth Obloy. Front row, from left to right:...

Chicago Center for Green Technology is first municipal building to receive Platinum LEED rating.(Newsline)(Chicago Center for Green Technology)
January 1, 2004... Chicago -- The Chicago Center for Green Technology (CCGT) was awarded a Platinum Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) rating from the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC). The CCGT is only the third building in the country to...

Washington, D.C.(Oneliners)
January 1, 2004... WASHINGTON, D.C. -- THE ROOF COATINGS MANUFACTURERS ASSOCIATION HAS ANNOUNCED THE INITIATION OF THE NEW WHITE COATINGS COUNCIL FOR THE PRODUCERS OF WHITE COATINGS.

Brattleboro, VT.(Oneliners)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... BRATTLEBORO, VT. -- BUILDINGGREEN HAS LAUNCHED A NEW SUITE OF ONLINE TOOLS AND SEARCHABLE INFORMATION AVAILABLE AT WWW.BUILDINGGREEN.COM.

Arlington, VA.(Oneliners)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... ARLINGTON, VA. -- MOHAWK INDUSTRIES RECEIVED THE EXCELLENCE IN PARTNERSHIP AWARD IN THE "GREEN CONTRACTOR" CATEGORY PRESENTED BY THE VOALITION FOR GOVERNMENT PROCUREMENT WITH THE GSA FEDERAL SUPPLY SERVICE AND FEDERAL TIMES.

Associations announce winners of Sustainable Design Leadership Awards.(Newsline)
January 1, 2004... Atlanta -- Three professional associations, representing more than 90 percent of the commercial interior design, architecture and corporate real estate/workplace management sectors, have announced the winners of the Sustainable Design...

New York government and community leaders endorse new Greening Gotham project.(Newsline)
January 1, 2004... New York -- With the support of Mayor Michael Bloomberg, Earth Pledge has unveiled its latest project, Greening Gotham.org--the first central green roof resource for New York City. Speaker of the City Council Gifford Miller, NYC Department of...

First LEED application submitted completely via Web.(Newsline)(Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design )(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... Tahoe Vista, Calif. -- East West Partners (EWP)-Tahoe reported that it has submitted its application for green building certification via the Web--becoming the first company to completely "de-materialize" a submittal for Leadership in Energy...

Architects find practical use for abandoned shipping containers: housing units.(Newsline)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... New York -- Fox & Fowle Architects has found a practical use for the millions of shipping containers that pile up at ports across the United States: housing units. The firm's innovative solution was a winner in a nationwide competition...

LEED Core and Shell Rating System pilot open.(Newsline)
January 1, 2004... Washington, D.C. -- The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) is currently accepting pilot applications for the newly developed Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Core and Shell Development (LEED-CS) Rating System. The new product,...

Sharp opens U.S. plant for solar energy products.(Newsline)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... Memphis, Tenn. -- Sharp Corp., and its U.S. sales and marketing subsidiary Sharp Electronics Corp., officially opened its first solar panel manufacturing facility outside of Japan in Memphis, Tenn., on Oct. 16, 2003. The factory in Memphis,...

"Green" sessions at the ASHRAE Winter Meeting.(Newsline)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... Atlanta -- The American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers' (ASHRAE) guide on sustainable building design will be introduced as part of its 2004 Winter Meeting technical program. The meeting will be held Jan. 24 to...

Letters.(Letter to the Editor)
January 1, 2004... TO THE EDITOR: The article "Formaldehyde--Free At Last" written by Jeffrey Syken and published in the September/October 2003 issue of your magazine incorrectly stated that oriented strand board (OSB) is manufactured "with adhesives...

Breathable, fabric-like wallcoverings address indoor air quality.(New and Notable)
January 1, 2004... 1 Hanover, Pa. -- Paperez, a new wallcovering from Eisenhart (www.eisenhartwallcoverings.com) made with Ahlstrom's EasyLife substrate was recently introduced at the Greenbuild Conference and Expo. This product addresses today's issues of indoor...

New software determines product sustainability.(New and Notable)
January 1, 2004... 2 Orlando, Fla. -- A new computer software program developed by PRB Design can now help determine the sustainability and "greenness" of a product, while also positioning it for potential use in projects certified by the Leadership in Energy and...

Fabric duct improves IAQ.(New and Notable)
January 1, 2004... 3 Dubuque, Iowa -- DuctSox provides fabric duct systems to distribute and disburse air in open ceiling architecture that are cost effective, attractive and environmental alternatives to metal ductwork, the company (www.ductsox.com) says....

Energy-efficient heating glass system introduced to the U.S.(New and Notable)
January 1, 2004... 4 Raleigh, N.C. -- Glass Consult announces the North American arrival of IQ Glas (www.iqglas.com), the energy efficient heating glass window system that has been serving Europeans for over 17 years, the company says. Rather than disappearing to...

Solar module mounting system can be used on flat roofs and ground-mount applications.(New and Notable)
January 1, 2004... 5 Wilmington, Del. -- McConnell Energy Solutions LLC announces the release of its patent-pending SolarDock solar module mounting solution. The SolarDock incorporates several improvements over previous products for the mounting of photovoltaic...

Recyclable ceiling panels emit no VOCs.(New and Notable)
January 1, 2004... 6 Broomfield, Colo. -- Techstyle Acoustical Ceilings from Hunter Douglas (www.hunterdouglasceilings.com) do not emit volatile organic compounds (VOCs) during production or post-production, benefiting indoor air quality, the company says....

A learning environment: the green products used on a library in Ohio each tell a unique story.(Related Article: AUSTINTOWN LIBRARY)
January 1, 2004... It isn't easy being green, however the residents of Austintown, Ohio, have truly shown their green thumbs at the city's library. "The Austintown library's goal is to demonstrate that function, beauty and strength can all be achieved by using...

Greenbuild Gala: recognizing sustainable leaders.(United States Green Building Council)(Greenbuild International Conference and Expo)
January 1, 2004... More than 5,200 green building professional were welcomed into Pittsburgh's David L Lawrence Convention Center for the 2003 Greenbuild International Conference and Expo, Nov. 11 to 14. Inside, 330 exhibitors demonstrated new sustainable...

Managing IAQ: design and construction phase is the time to manage indoor air quality efficiently and cost effectively.(Indoor Air Quality)
January 1, 2004... Managing indoor air quality (IAQ) is a process that spans the entire life of a building, from the moment the initial blueprints are drawn, all the way through building occupancy. It is no single activity or series of steps that guarantees good...

Antron[R]; Sustainable design: can suppliers make a difference?(Editorial spotlight)
January 1, 2004... ENVIRONMENTAL DESIGN + CONSTRUCTION'S 2004 MANUFACTURER EDITORIAL SPOTLIGHTS FEATURES NEWS, PRODUCTS, SERVICES AND PROFILES FROM SOME OF THE LEADING SUSTAINABLE PRODUCT MANUFACTURERS. THE CONTENT IN THE FOLLOWING PAGES WAS WRITTEN AND PROVIDED...

Amtico international: Stratica Eco-Polymeric flooring; The natural choice for the environmentally responsible specifier.(Editorial Spotlight)
January 1, 2004... Increasingly, designers and specifiers are searching for intelligent choices in products that help reduce costs and pose fewer threats to the environment. Stratica Eco-Polymeric[TM] flooring, from the Amtico Company, is totally chlorine...

Ardex, Inc.(Editorial Spotlight)
January 1, 2004... POINTING THE FINGER AT EMISSIONS As most of us are becoming aware, Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) has become one of the biggest issues in construction today--the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has even identified indoor air pollution as...

Benjamin Moore & Co.(Editorial Spotlight)
January 1, 2004... A COMMITMENT TO OUR CUSTOMERS AND OUR COMMUNITY. EcoSpec[R], a premium paint from Benjamin Moore, was created with our customers and community in mind. A low odor, low VOC, 100% acrylic paint, EcoSpec[R] is perfect for hospitals, hotels,...

Bonded Logic, Inc.(Editorial Spotlight)
January 1, 2004... ULTRATOUCH + LEED = A WINNING COMBINATION ABOUT ULTRATOUCH NATURAL COTTON FIBER INSULATION Over 25 years experience in the natural fibers insulation industry has brought Bonded Logic to a unique position as a leader in providing...

CertainTeed Insulation Group: CertainTeed's Insulation Group provides quality products with environmental responsibility in mind.(Editorial Spotlight)
January 1, 2004... CertainTeed's Insulation Group has a simple mission--to be the company preferred by professionals by providing the industry's highest quality fiber glass insulation products, systems, programs and customer support services. To help achieve...

Duro-Last Roofing, Inc.(Editorial Spotlight)
January 1, 2004... Discussions of building "sustainability" often go directly to those aspects that impact energy efficiency. While this is one of the most important aspects of sustainable design, there is much more to sustaining the built environment. ...

ECOsurfaces: ECOsurfaces[R] Commercial Flooring green. Works anywhere.(Editorial Spotlight)
January 1, 2004... ECOsurfaces Commercial Flooring is made from the highest quality 100% recycled SBR tire rubber and colorful EPDM flecks. ECOsurfaces, in rolls and tiles can be cut, shaped and customized to any length needed for easy installation. Each...

Ecotimber: making the sustainable choice easier than ever.(Editorial Spotlight)
January 1, 2004... ABOUT ECOTIMBER For over a decade, EcoTimber has been a pioneer and industry leader in the world of eco-friendly wood products. Founded before forest certification existed, EcoTimber's goal is to promote forest conservation by building a...

Forbo Linoleum, Inc.; Marmoleum: from production to end of life production.(Editorial Spotlight)
January 1, 2004... PRODUCTION THE MANUFACTURING PROCESS First, oxidized linseed oil (or a combination of oxidized linseed oil and tall oil) and rosin are mixed with the other raw materials to form linoleum granules, which are pressed onto a jute backing,...

Green Products, Inc.: it's now easy being green.(Editorial Spotlight)
January 1, 2004... The terms Green Buildings, Sustainability and LEED[TM] Certification conjure up a vision of a utopian world where buildings are built from hemp rope and recycled milk cartons and assembled using elbow grease and certified forest wooden dowels....

Reward Wall Systems: tradition meets technology in sustainable building project.(Editorial Spotlight)
January 1, 2004... Although the new 5,800 square foot San Luis Head Start Childcare Center in San Luis, Colo., seems to be the color of adobe--it's actually green. Designed by Boulder architect Michael Bertin of Architectural Harmonics, the passive/active solar...

Rust-Oleum Corp.: Sierra Performance Coatings saves time at major motion picture studio.(Editorial Spotlight)
January 1, 2004... SITUATION ANALYSIS A major motion picture studio, headquartered in Hollywood, California, was searching for a high performance coating that would hold up for their heavy industrial needs for features and everyday maintenance work. The...

RWE SCHOTT Solar: contractors, are you leaving money at the job site?(Editorial Spotlight)
January 1, 2004... There are hundreds, if not thousands of HVAC, electrical, roofing and plumbing contractors and service providers throughout the U.S. that are leaving money and higher profits at their job sites--and they don't even know it. [ILLUSTRATION...

Sharp Solar: Sharp Solar electric systems are the smart energy choice.(Editorial Spotlight)
January 1, 2004... BUILD YOUR BUSINESS WITH SHARP, THE WORLD LEADER IN SOLAR TECHNOLOGY With electricity costs near a 20-year high, homeowners are showing increased interest in solar power, a clean technology that generates electricity from sunlight. Unlike...

Sherwin-Williams: Sherwin-Williams and green building initiatives.(Editorial Spotlight)
January 1, 2004... Sherwin-Williams is dedicated to developing environmentally preferable solutions for its business processes and its products. The Company continues to search for more sustainable raw materials, as well as continues to be as diligent as possible...

Evaluating green: the role of certification.
January 1, 2004... Designers and facility managers are taking an increased role in reducing the environmental impact of the commercial interiors industry by utilizing products with a lesser or reduced effect on the environment. But, as sustainable product...

A how-to guide: evaluating third-party certifiers.
January 1, 2004... As the green building industry matures, architects, interior designers and facility managers have become more adept at deciphering environmental marketing claims. They have come to understand the differences between first, second, and...

Flooring for the environment: a sustainable floor can be good for the environment and also for the eyes. Here are a few attractive "green" flooring solutions currently available in the marketplace.(ECOsurfaces Commercial Flooring )
January 1, 2004... WOOD AND BAMBOO The Piedmont Yoga Studio (above) in Oakland, Calif., utilizes flooring from EcoTimber (San Rafael, Calif.). Shown is pre-finished engineered bamboo with a vertical grain in a natural color from EcoTimber...

Transforming a neighborhood: connecting Georgia Tech to the community by achieving a sustainable site.(Cover Story)
January 1, 2004... In 1998, when Georgia Tech President G. Wayne Clough envisioned reconnecting his university to Midtown Atlanta by crossing the Fifth Street bridge, the idea was nearly unthinkable. That section of Midtown was an underdeveloped, dilapidated...

What to look for: take a closer look at low-emitting products and indoor air quality.
January 1, 2004... Indoor air quality is quickly moving up on the priority list of designers, architects, facility managers, school administrators and other professionals who specify products for use in buildings. Finding products and materials that will not...

New data logger monitors IAQ.(Building Controls)
January 1, 2004... Bourne, Mass. -- Onset Computer Corp. introduced a complete Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) monitoring solution that combines the company's HOBO data loggers with the Telaire 7001 Carbon Dioxide (C[O.sub.2]) Monitor. Now, HVAC contractors, facilities...

Energy-saving controls modify system cycles.(Building Controls)
January 1, 2004... Glen Cove, N.Y. -- New energy economizers, proven to reduce fuel and electric consumption by up to 30 percent, are cutting costs and decreasing energy consumption for Jerome Home, a senior living facility in New Britain, Conn. IntelliCon, the...

System optimizes energy efficiency and performance.(Building Controls)
January 1, 2004... Milwaukee -- Boulder Community Foothills Hospital (BCFH), the first hospital in the nation to earn Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification, opened in September 2003. Johnson Controls, Inc., oversaw the selection,...

Building operations anlyzed.(Building Controls)
January 1, 2004... Dallas -- TAC has announced the availability of TAC Vista IV, an enhanced version of its LONWORKS-based building management software. Offering the benefits of an open architecture, TAC Vista gives building owners and managers added...

Panel offers automated control for lighting applications.(Building Controls)
January 1, 2004... Santa Clara, Calif. -- The Watt Stopper has introduced the LP8 lighting control panel. A pre-assembled, easy to install product, the LP8 control panel offers effective, economical automated control for small exterior and interior lighting...

Centralized Lighting Control System offers new possibilities.(Building Controls)
January 1, 2004... Coopersburg, Pa. -- Lutron Electronics Co., Inc.'s GRAFIK 7000 Centralized Lighting Control System is a new tool that brings integration, control and energy management advantages to any size project, the company says. [ILLUSTRATION...

Metal roof looks like asphalt shingles.(Steel, Metal and Aluminum)
January 1, 2004... Allentown, Pa. -- ATAS International Inc., now offers ADVANTA Shingle as the unique and smart material to roof a home or building, the company says. This product offers the traditional aesthetics of asphalt shingles, yet has the benefits of...

Metallic-coated and painted steel coils are recyclable.(Steel, Metal and Aluminum)
January 1, 2004... Kalama, Wash. -- ZINCALUME steel, coated with Steelscape's formula of zinc and aluminum, offers outstanding corrosion resistance for a demanding exterior lifetime, the company says. It can be readily shaped, roll-formed or drawn. ZINCALUME's...

New color line meets cool roof certification.(Steel, Metal and Aluminum)
January 1, 2004... Elk Grove Village, Ill. -- Petersen Aluminum Corp. has introduced Cool Colors, a new line of PACCLAD colors that would meet Energy Star, Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) and/or cool roof certification requirements for solar...

Coated standing-seam metal products save energy.(Steel, Metal and Aluminum)
January 1, 2004... South El Monte, Calif. -- Custom-Bilt Metals offers energy-efficient specially-coated standing seam metal products. The Delphi Academy (shown) in San Fernando Valley, opened in 2003 topped by a 22,500-square-foot standing seam metal roof in a...

Hardwood flooring options expanded.(Steel, Metal and Aluminum)
January 1, 2004... Anaheim, Calif. -- Junckers Hardwood, Inc., manufacturer and distributor of Junckers prefinished solid hardwood flooring, adds Nordic Ash and Merbau Coffee to their product line. Nordic Ash is produced from the company's 9/16-inch Ash Variation...

Pine products are manufactured from certified and recovered wood.(Steel, Metal and Aluminum)
January 1, 2004... Searsmont, Maine -- Robbins Lumber Co. produces a range of Pine products manufactured from both certified and recovered wood resources, including lumber, component stock, siding, paneling, millwork, shelving components, vents and much more. The...

Brochure explains Environmental Considerations for specifying wood doors.(Wood)
January 1, 2004... Holstein, Iowa -- VT Industries "Environmental Considerations" brochure is available to industry professionals who are interested in buildings that are environmentally responsible. 'Green' guidelines and topics are continually evolving, and VT...

Old-growth redwood reclaimed from deconstruction of sawmill.(Wood)
January 1, 2004... San Rafael, Calif. -- A historic Northern California Sawmill is coming down, and Black's Farmwood has acquired the vintage old-growth redwood timbers from the structure itself, and is offering them to architects, designers, and homeowners for...

Green edge; LEED accreditation: not a measure of sustainability expertise.(Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design)(Column)
January 1, 2004... With the creation of the U.S. Green Building Council's Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) professional accreditation program for designers and building industry practitioners, a new industry has been born. All over the country...

Back by popular demand.(Radiant Panel Association has released the 2004 Radiant Flooring Guide)
January 1, 2004... Back by popular demand, the Radiant Panel Association is pleased to present the 2004 Radiant Flooring Guide. With the rapid acceptance of radiant floor heating in residential and commercial construction, an awareness of the role flooring plays...

Welcome to the world of radiant floor heating.
January 1, 2004... THIS GUIDE PROVIDES A GENERAL overview of radiant floor heating and flooring from multiple viewpoints. It is intended to assist consumers, architects, flooring dealers, flooring contractors and general contractors to enter into an informed...

Engineering heat transfer: if you choose floor coverings recommended for use over radiant, and install them as recommended, you'll have the finest heating in the world.
January 1, 2004... TO WORK EFFECTIVELY and offer comfort, radiant floor systems must provide enough heat, but not get so hot that they're objectionable. The industry consensus places that limit at about 85[degrees]F for any floor that is heavily used. A radiant...

Catering to comfort.(The Architect/Specifier)
January 1, 2004... FOR THE PAST 30 YEARS, ROGER Katz, principal of Roger Katz and Associates, has been designing homes in a practice that spans eight states, including New England, the West Coast, Colorado and Hawaii. Ten years ago, Katz built his first project...

Homework.(The General Contractor)
January 1, 2004... IT'S A MATTER OF ATTITUDE. The attitude of your general contractor plays a major role in the ease and success of your radiant heating project. We interviewed several successful general contractors who frequently incorporate radiant heating...

Flooring success: wise advance planning is key to beautiful floors--that means understanding both materials and timing.(The Flooring Installer)
January 1, 2004... A PASSION FOR GORGEOUS FLOORS is evident the moment you set foot inside the newly remodeled entrance to Mills Hardwood Flooring. Beautiful hardwoods, earthy stone and elegant tile greet clients of Mike Mills, who has been in the flooring...

Radiant's customers tell the story ... in their warm, bare feet: they love the quality of radiant heat, as well as its economy. If they had to do it all over again, they would ... in fact many of them have.(The Homeowner)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... Our home was designed with a lot of stone, and since we live in the Pacific Northwest, we decided to use radiant heat in our floors because it just feels so nice. We have some valuable rugs, so "shoes off" is a policy. Walking around in socks...

Decision making.(Radiant Contractor)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... I honestly wish... What radiant professionals wish the rest of us knew. The common theme? Involve me early! "I wish customers knew what they wanted in terms of floor coverings before they talked to us, because every floor covering has...

It's complicated.(Radiant Contractor)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... "I wish everyone involved--clients, architects, flooring and general contractors--would take the time to understand what's involved. For example, many people don't anticipate the framing changes, like a double bottom plate, that we might have...

Don't wait.(Radiant Contractor)
January 1, 2004... Please don't wait until the last minute to call me. Tell me the name of your flooring contractor, electrician, architect, interior designer and general contractor. I'll send them all information and attempt to educate them about the practical...

About R-values.(Radiant Contractor)(Letter to the Editor)
January 1, 2004... "I wish customers would study the R-value of floor coverings and realize that each layer is additive. They need to do this before they choose and fall in love with a product, not after-wards! For example, we will design a system with wood...

Not all woods are equal.(Radiant Contractor)(Related Article: That's a good question!)(Letter to the Editor)
January 1, 2004... "I wish the client understood not all woods are the same over radiant heat. More unstable woods move more with radiant, so cracks can appear. With radiant, you want short, narrow boards of a stable hardwood. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] ...

Insulating for radiant: insulation stars in a trio of supporting roles ...(Illustration)
January 1, 2004... INSULATION FIGURES INTO radiant system design in three distinct areas: in the structure itself, between floors in multi-level homes, and in the foundation. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] A well-insulated structure...

Controls: gentle, gradual heating reduces stress on your flooring materials and improves comfort by maintaining consistent heat.
January 1, 2004... SINCE YOUR FLOORS ARE A working component of your radiant floor heating, the controls that run your system have two important jobs: to maintain your comfort and to protect what you've invested in your flooring. This dual function underscores...

Electric systems: specialty uses of radiant heat have spurred the growth of electric systems. Often employed specifically for floor warming, they're also ideal for retrofits, remodels and new construction.
January 1, 2004... USE OF ELECTRIC RADIANT floor heating systems has grown tremendously in recent years, thanks to the introduction of varied, innovative products that cater to many needs. Electric radiant can be used as a primary source of heating, or simply to...

Buderus heating system keeps converted barn warm and cozy through frigid winters.
January 1, 2004... When the Villeneuves set out to build their dream home, they faced some significant heating challenges. They wanted a timber frame home with a large great room and several smaller rooms including 3 bedrooms and 2 full baths--3200 square feet of...

Hydronic systems: they're comfortable, versatile, and easy to control. Plus, they can use almost any fuel source--they're flexible for future energy alternatives.
January 1, 2004... THE QUALITY OF HEAT INHERENT in radiant floor heating has been extolled on nearly every page of this Guide. And the tremendous recent growth of hydronic radiant floor heating has inspired many innovative ways of installing tubing. Our Gallery...

One house ... many floor coverings.
January 1, 2004... Combining the warmth and silent comfort of radiant floor heating with the floorings of your dreams has been successfully accomplished in thousands of new homes every month. Almost every familiar flooring material works well with radiant...

Wood warrants meticulous care.(Wood Flooring)
January 1, 2004... THE INHERENT NATURAL BEAUTY of traditional wood flooring lies in its variability--in its unique expression as a product that was once alive as trees. While this variability is what we tend to admire aesthetically, it also underlies the...

Channeled subfloors: radiant heat and structural subfloor in a single step.
January 1, 2004... SLAB-ON-GRADE CONSTRUCTION, WITH TUBES in the slab, has always been a mainstay of radiant floor heating. This method is cost effective because the radiant panel material (the slab) was going to be poured anyway, and so it is essentially...

Designer cement: concrete goes upscale in interior design.(Decorative Concrete)
January 1, 2004... STAIN IT, COLOR IT, STAMP IT, stencil it, etch it, engrave it, paint it, polish it... when done right, it's hard to believe it's concrete. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Concrete has been reborn as a decorative...

Warm sensual stone, tile and marble: with radiant heating, traditionally cool surfaces take on a whole new level of comfort.(Tile, Marble and Stone)(Related Article: That's a good question!)
January 1, 2004... RADIANT FLOOR HEATING HAS transformed these elegant but formerly cool surfaces into an inviting source of warmth. This heat has solved the perplexing problem of how to make stone, tile and marble floors behave as beautifully as they look. With...

Carpet and radiant: think thin! remember, with radiant, carpet is cozy because it's warm--not because it's thick.(Carpet and Pads)(Related Article: That's a good question!)
January 1, 2004... CONSUMERS CARE ABOUT THE aesthetics of carpet: what it looks like, how it's designed and how it feels. But if they also care about radiant heat, they need to understand a key concept: resistance. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] [ILLUSTRATION...

Wood solutions: engineered wood floors solve many problems for the radiant heating installer--they're thin, stable and can "float.".(Engineered Wood Flooring)
January 1, 2004... DON'T RULE OUT ENGINEERED wood floors if you're thinking of wood. Purists tend to want full hardwood floors. But with engineered wood flooring and its authentic top layer, you get all the beauty of real wood, yet less of the sensitive...

Global product, universal use.(Laminate Floors)(Related Article: That's a good question!)
January 1, 2004... BECAUSE LAMINATE FLOORING is thin, dense and conducts heat well, it is ideally suited for use over radiant floors. Better yet, in recent years the laminate flooring industry has developed an astounding array of designs. [ILLUSTRATION...