Walls & Ceilings articles from February 2004

Walls & Ceilings archives from February 2004

"No candies, no Pepsi in the fridge".(Up Front)
February 1, 2004... Last month, I talked about contractors as "the last Americans," in the context that they represent one of the few remaining independent business types still surviving amidst consolidation and increasingly difficult demands. The demand of the...

Free database of certified construction professionals adds certified Firestop Contractors' names.(Trade News)
February 1, 2004... The Construction Specifications Institute announced that the Firestop Contractors International Association has become a participant in Build-Certified.com. The names and contact information for FCIA member FM 4991 Approved Contractor firms are...

2003 lumber prices soar.(Trade News)
February 1, 2004... Since early 2003, the price of OSB, random length 2X material and plywood has increased, causing it to significantly affect the average price of newly constructed homes throughout North America, as reported in the Insulating Concrete Form...

Habitat for Humanity recognizes Lafarge at anniversary celebration.(Trade News)
February 1, 2004... Habitat for Humanity presented an award to Lafarge North America's Buchanan, N.Y.-gypsum board plant, recognizing the company's donation of building products over the past year. The award ceremony took place at Habitat's 15th Anniversary...

T. Christy offers specification sheets.(Trade News)
February 1, 2004... T. Christy Enterprises announced the availability of specification and technical sheets on its Web site at www.tchristy.com. The sheets include information on its solvents and sealants, and marking products. They contain material...

Leica Geosystems technology selected for projects in Australia.(Trade News)
February 1, 2004... Leica Geosystems announced that its distributor in Australia, C.R. Kennedy, has been appointed sole supplier of surveying equipment for two major transport infrastructure projects in Australia. The projects include the Western Sydney...

Unemployment drops despite few new jobs.(Trade News)
February 1, 2004... The Labor Department reported that December's unemployment rate dropped two-tenths to 5.7 percent in December, which was its lowest level in 14 months. While the labor rate dropped and December marked the fifth consecutive month of payroll...

Total construction spending up through November.(Trade News)
February 1, 2004... The United States Department of Commerce reported that total construction spending is up 4.1 percent for the 11 months 2003 vs. 11 months 2002. Construction put in place spending during November 2003 was estimated at a seasonally adjusted...

ICC addresses fire safety.(Trade News)
February 1, 2004... In October, the International Code Council announced that during its code conference in Nashville, the first code development changes directly resulting from Sept. 11 terrorist attacks and from the Rhode Island nightclub fire, moved closer to...

Lee G. Jones has been named director of promotion services for the Gypsum Association.(People)
February 1, 2004... Lee G. Jones has been named director of promotion services for the Gypsum Association. In this position, he replaces Michael Gardner, who was recently named executive director.

Bruce Shipman.(People)
February 1, 2004... Gorell Windows & Doors has named Bruce Shipman its regional sales manager for Missouri, southern Illinois, eastern Kansas and parts of Nebraska and Iowa. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Robert Davis, president of Basic Drywall, is retiring in March after 48 years in the industry.(People)
February 1, 2004... Robert Davis, president of Basic Drywall, is retiring in March after 48 years in the industry. Darrell Trott will take Davis' place when he retires. Trott has been with the company for more than three years. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Gerard Yanuzzi.(People)
February 1, 2004... Benjamin Obdyke has named Gerard Yanuzzi director of marketing development.

Robert Wilk.(People)
February 1, 2004... Robert Wilk has been promoted to vice president, business practices and compliance programs for Saint-Gobain Corp.

Edward Budnick.(People)
February 1, 2004... The Society of Fire Protection Engineers announced Edward Budnick as its 2004 president.

Extruded clad trim: Crestline Windows & Doors.(Product Focus on ... Windows and Doors)
February 1, 2004... The company offers factory-applied, extruded aluminum clad trim, which will save contractors installation time and ensure continuity between the trim and windows. The trim offers traditional wood aesthetics with a durable, virtually...

Patio doors: Vetter Windows & Doors.(Product Focus on ... Windows and Doors)
February 1, 2004... The company announces its wood hinged patio door with raised panels. Single- or two-panel inserts are available for placement above the patio door's foot rail. Both the interior, the raised panels are available in pine, oak, maple, cherry or...

Expanded entry door system: Peachtree Doors & Windows.(Product Focus on ... Windows and Doors)
February 1, 2004... The company introduces expanded entry door system offerings with several entry door designs, decorative glass patterns, and an improved frame. The Newport entry door is available in smooth fiberglass panels that can be painted, or textured...

Douglas Fir and fiberglass windows and doors: Milgard Corp.(Product Focus on ... Windows and Doors)
February 1, 2004... WoodClad windows and doors are constructed using an innovative combination of clear vertical grain Douglas Fir on the inside and sturdy fiberglass on the outside. Vertical grain Douglas Fir resists dents and scratches, and offers ease of...

Window line: Republic Windows & Doors.(Product Focus on ... Windows and Doors)
February 1, 2004... The Enhancement window system offers new components that enhance the look and performance of the window to hardware with an emphasis on installation ease. The system can be ordered with glass packs with R-values up to 9.26. Safety and security...

West and east coast products: Simonton Windows.(Product Focus on ... Windows and Doors)
February 1, 2004... Simonton Impressions replacement products addresses window needs for various regions of the country. Consumers on the West Coast can select from an assortment of window styles that include Slider, Bow, Bay, Single Hung, Garden, Double Hung,...

Integrity rules.
February 1, 2004... Much has been written in W&C about the issue of insurance in the EIFS industry. The Exterior Design Institute, a trade association based in Norfolk, Va., has recently developed an insurance program for EIFS inspectors and contractors called...

The new deal: EIFS contractors have another option for residential stucco and textured acrylic coatings finish applications.(Cover Story)
February 1, 2004... "My main trade is EIFS application," states Mike Isaac, of H&I Construction, located in Waynesville, Ohio. "And while there may be the potential to do some residential EIFS, the insurance situation makes it tough." [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]...

A winning banking strategy for business; new service charges, confusing account options, and wildly varying interest rates on savings accounts and CDs are just a few of the techniques banks are using to improve their bottom lines these days--at the customer's expense.
February 1, 2004... How bad is it? Former bank executive Edward Mrkvicka estimates that contractors will likely overpay their banks through service charges, mortgages, credit cards, business loans, and checking and savings fees by thousands of dollars in a...

Before, during and after: in proper drywall installation, proper temperature is the present and the future of performance.
February 1, 2004... The rules of the game are simple and if they are followed, we all win. In a post on Walls & Ceilings' Web site in March 2001: A United States lead study group was quoted as saying that "pre-conditioning interiors for just 24 hours...

The basics of stucco: Portland cement plaster (stucco) is a versatile facing material that has stood the test of time in locations throughout the world.
February 1, 2004... Throughout the discussion of stucco, it is important that one keeps in mind at all times, the differentiation between stucco being applied over a solid, i.e., concrete or block substrate, as compared to a wood or metal stud flexible substrate....

Men of letters.(Plaster Man)
February 1, 2004... I have received so many letters and e-mails that I thought I'd share some of them in this column, as well as in next months. There is a huge interest in Venetian plastering. I was confident that there would be. I have been contemplating for...

Homeowner questions and answers.(Finish Line)
February 1, 2004... I recently noticed that the most popular free download of EIFS information on my Web site was the Frequently Asked Questions for Homeowners. I had added the list of homeowners FAQ to my site in an effort to stem an avalanche of phone calls from...

LEED: leading the way (part two).(The Green Thumb)
February 1, 2004... In part one, I discussed the history and genesis of the United States Green Building Council's Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design "green" building rating program. This month's column will examine how the program is organized and...

Wouldn't it be nice?(All in Agreement)
February 1, 2004... Thanks to the www.wconline.com bulletin board, subcontractors can ask questions and get the answers and opinions of other subcontractors throughout the United States. Steve from New Jersey and several other subcontractors have provided me with...

Competition is good for us (part two); Home Depot buys a big siding company; is that good or bad for you?(Smart Business)
February 1, 2004... Last month's column addressed the phenomenon of little mom-'n-pop stores successfully competing against famous giant chains in a variety of retail businesses ranging from sandwich shops to pet supplies to bookstores. The subject hits closer to...

Snap blades: Tajima.(Products)
February 1, 2004... The 3/4-inch snap blades with 15 cutting points on each blade offers almost twice as many cutting points as the traditional 8-point blades. It is ideal for wallpaper, veneer, and other fine and precise cutting tasks where the sharpest cutting...

Interior panels: US Gypsum Co.(Products)
February 1, 2004... Fiberock Brand Aqua-Tough Interior Panels are engineered to provide increased resistance to abuse while outperforming paper-faced or glassmat-faced panels. The Aqua-Tough formulation provides water resistance through the core and the panels are...

Faux finish display: Easy Mask.(Products)
February 1, 2004... The company introduces a display of its paint masking products specifically targeted for the faux finishing market. The display measures 11 1/2 inches deep, 17 1/2 inches wide and 20 inches high. It holds six rolls of 25 mm Flex-Mask, as well...

Impact wrenches: Makita.(Products)
February 1, 2004... The company introduces two 1/2-inch impact wrenches, models TW0200 and TW0350. These wrenches generate fastening power with strong torque of 150 feet per pound (TW0200) and 260 feet per pounds (TW0350). They feature a compact and light-weight...

Stone-like finish: Dryvit.(Products)
February 1, 2004... TerraNeo is a line of finishes that can be applied on EIFS, stucco, tilt up concrete and other approved substrates. It incorporates the use of black and white mica flakes and is trowel applied yielding a rich finish that looks like natural...

Circular saw metal blades: M.K. Morse Co.(Products)
February 1, 2004... The company has added two 10-inch metal-cutting carbide tipped circular saw blades to its Morse Metal Devil line. One 10-inch blade is designed for cutting thin steel while the other is for cutting aluminum. The thin steel Metal Devil blades...

Cut-off saw: DeWalt.(Products)
February 1, 2004... The DC410KA 4 1/2-inch cordless cut-off and grinding tool is powered by the company's 18-volt battery system. For durability, the tool's metal gear case dissipates heat away from the bearings, gears and motor. Sealed ball bearings in the motor...

Portable stool: Duluth Trading Co.(Products)
February 1, 2004... The Walkstool is a compact three-legged stool with a comfortable, industrial grade mesh seating area that has been tested to hold up to 880 pounds. The unit weights 22 ounces and folds down to the size of a thermos bottle so it can be carried...

Trowel Grade Mortar: Sto Corp.(Products)
February 1, 2004... The Sto Trowel Grade Repair Mortar (CR701CI) with integral corrosion inhibitor is now available. The product is an enhanced reformulation of CR701 and improves over the prior product. This formulation is designed to provide an integral...

Homeowner's book: Keson Ind.(Literature)
February 1, 2004... The KnackPacks Homeowner's Handbook is a homeowner's guide to owning and maintaining a home. Ideal for both first-time buyers and veteran homeowners, this book keeps important home information as an easy resource. It's part home reference guide...