Walls & Ceilings articles from September 2003

Walls & Ceilings archives from September 2003

Current on competence.(Up Front)
September 1, 2003... Greetings, readers! This issue marks the first time Walls & Ceilings focuses a portion of its editorial on proper window installation techniques. The topic of window installation is one of many fresh topics to be featured in upcoming...

Wages up.(Letters)
September 1, 2003... Robin, The e-mail from Wallace Plastering in your Plaster Man, W&C June 2003, should have been titled "I Forgot Where I Came From. Hourly wages for plasterers are currently $20.60 and not $19.95, as he states. The package has risen by $3...

Harvard University studies project significant health benefit from additional insulation.(Trade News)
September 1, 2003... The North American Insulation Manufacturers Association has reported recent findings from Harvard University's School of Public Health that project significant public health benefits from increasing insulation in new and existing homes. The...

Speakers highlight industry themes at TLPCA.(Trade News)
September 1, 2003... As always, time Texas Lathing and Plastering Contractors Association put on a first class meeting and tradeshow with several very informative guest speakers, held June 5-7, 2003, in Houston. First up, R. Michael Hampton, N.C.A.R.B., AIA, of...

Tax-cut deal raises expensing, depreciation for contractors.(Trade News)
September 1, 2003... The big news is the passage of new tax legislation, the Jobs and Growth Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2003. Congressional conferees on May 22 cobbled together a $350 billion economic stimulus package that President Bush signed into law....

Self-leveled line.(Product Focus On ... Lasers, Tools & Equipment)
September 1, 2003... Zircon About the size and shape of a tape measure, iLine generates a self-leveled line in all four directions--up, down, left or right. It's fast and easy to use, and easily pins to a wall or fits comfortably in your hand. Just pop it...

Deluxe tool belt.(Product Focus On ... Lasers, Tools & Equipment)
September 1, 2003... Duluth Trading Co. Part of the company's Master Series, the Deluxe Tool Belt features an ergonomic design that reduces back strain and lining on the inside belt that keeps moisture and perspiration away from the body. Its inside pockets...

Estimator/installer tool.(Product Focus On ... Lasers, Tools & Equipment)
September 1, 2003... Leica Geosystems The Leica Lite 5 is more accurate and faster than conventional tape measures. Ideal for estimators and installers, the tool will cut measuring time by 80 percent. It measures over furniture and fixtures up to 600 feet with...

Cordless rotary laser.(Product Focus On ... Lasers, Tools & Equipment)
September 1, 2003... DeWalt The automatic DW077 is designed for professionals who want a self leveling rotary laser that's accurate, easy to use, durable and has a bright beam. For accuracy, an out-of-level shut-off mechanism automatically stops the laser if...

Fiberglass and steel hammers.(Product Focus On ... Lasers, Tools & Equipment)
September 1, 2003... Vaughan & Bushnell The Solid Steel Blue Max includes the company's patented Shock-Blok, a vibration-absorbing insert of hickory and laminated rubber in the hammer's head. The Fiberglass Blue Max will feature a high impact overstrike guard...

Bi-metal cutting blade.(Product Focus On ... Lasers, Tools & Equipment)
September 1, 2003... Lenox The Lenox Lazer heavy-duty metal cutting saw blades last 33 percent longer, according to independent test results. Its patented tooth design allows the blade to quickly and easily cut steel framing while resisting tooth breakage, It...

Metal cutting saw.(Product Focus On ... Lasers, Tools & Equipment)
September 1, 2003... Milwaukee Electric Tools Corp. The 8 Inch Metal Cutting Circular Saw is powered by a 13-amp 3,700 rpm motor and call easily cut through 1/4-inch plate material including mild steel, aluminum and stainless steel, h has a 2%-inch cut depth...

Texture sprayer.(Product Focus On ... Lasers, Tools & Equipment)
September 1, 2003... Grace TexSpray RTX texture sprayers are made for interior refinish, repairs, new construction and light commercial jobs. Portable and easy to move, it's a complete texture pumping system on a convenient, lightweight cart. With the RotoFlex...

In the Northwest, there are only winners.
September 1, 2003... Announced in May at Loews Ventana Canyon Resort, in Tucson, Ariz., the Northwest Wall and Ceiling Bureau named those member contractors that excelled in all forms of construction. The following winners for the 2003 Outstanding Project of the...

Window of opportunity: true professionals know it takes more than a hammer to correctly install windows and doors--it takes training on proper installation methods.
September 1, 2003... Many have the misconception that anyone with a hammer is capable of properly installing windows. Some companies have learned the bard way that this isn't the case. Legislators in California, for instance, recently dealt with several...

Innovations in window installations: keep the water out: leaks at windows have been cited as a serious issue affecting residential and commercial construction. Even a cursory examination of recent trade or technical publications reinforces the need for improved window installation detailing.
September 1, 2003... Moisture accumulating within building walls and roofs can result in numerous problems from poor insulation performance to mold growth, and even to structural failure of building components. A key component of preventing moisture in building...

Ceiling contracting and the future: ceiling contractors can get more business by learning to restore acoustic ceiling tiles when replacement is unnecessary.
September 1, 2003... One of the most common characteristics of humans is our resistance to change. And yet, we are faced with change on a regular basis. We go from "throw it away" to "let's recycle," from a strong economy to a weak one, from peace to war, from full...

Greetings W&C and ED+C readers!.
September 1, 2003... Sustainable Construction is a new supplement designed for wall and ceiling contractors, architects and specifiers, providing the audiences of both W&C and ED+C the opportunity to see the current prctices in "green" building. Specifically,...

The green revolution: the time is right for builders, as well as walls and ceilings trades, to make "green" part of their practice and to attract prospective homebuyers on this basis.
September 1, 2003... The "green" revolution in buildings is starting to yield savings to the homeowner's pocketbook. According to the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC at www.usgbc.org), a non-profit coalition of nearly 3,000 companies and organizations, a "green"...

Raising the standard: recycling used ceiling tiles and specifying new tiles composed of recycled content improves overhead while reducing landfill waste underfoot.
September 1, 2003... As with most building products, when specifying ceiling panels it is necessary to consider all aspects of the product to achieve improved environmental performance. For example, consider the following: * Product composition (such as...

Sunday school construction: Southern California builders serve the ministry by erecting multi-storied dorms made of ICFs at a private school.
September 1, 2003... Part of Azusa Pacific University's history has been to continuously develop its programs, curriculum and expand campus area. Its latest progression comes from the production of a multi-storied building that will serve as dormitories....

Tile reduces heat load: porcelain tile offers efficient advantages in ventilated facades.
September 1, 2003... The use of porcelain tile as a building cladding material offers numerous advantages over other materials such as stone and cement, particularly in regard to energy efficiency, wear and stain resistance, and decreased maintenance requirements....

Formaldehyde--free at last: who will lead, follow, or get out of the way for the manufacturing process of formaldehyde-free insulation?
September 1, 2003... If it ain't broke don't fix it goes the old saying. Not so if it happens to be insulation industry giant Johns Manville. Why then has JM converted its entire line of residential and commercial building insulation from the industry standard...

American Polysteel.(Product & Literature Showcase)
September 1, 2003... PolySteel's new PS-4000 flat wall series of insulating concrete forms can save homeowners 50% to 80% in heating and cooling costs, and save builders tip to 50% in installation time when compared with other ICF systems. PolySteel insulating...

Fi-Foil Company, Inc.(Product & Literature Showcase)
September 1, 2003... In frame wall and roof assemblies, radiant barriers and reflective insulation cannot be substituted for traditional insulation, but should be added as a cost effective enhancement. These products block heat movement between a radiating surface...

Quad-Lock.(Product & Literature Showcase)
September 1, 2003... Quad-Lock provides the highest TRUE (static) R-value ICF in the industry--R-40. In the last ten years Quad-Lock has developed the most versatile and comprehensive ICF on the market, including: R-22, B-32 and R-40 Insulating Concrete Forms, five...

Construction alchemy: instead of saturating landfills, contractors are looking for ways to recycle job site waste.
September 1, 2003... Throughout the nation, construction crews are building new offices, shopping centers, warehouses, condominiums and subdivisions. And at every construction site, debris like concrete blocks, lumber, plastics, paper and dirt must be removed. A...

Four years and a large door of activity: too much sand in the mix can lead to the basecoat eventually becoming "crumbly.".(Plaster Man)
September 1, 2003... Yes, its hard to believe but this month we it the four-year anniversary of the Plaster Man column. I must say that it's been very enjoyable making so many excellent friends through this column. I had an idea at the start that we were on to...

The insurance situation: one of the reasons water is getting behind EIFS is that a surprising number of "good" windows leak, and some window designs do not integrate well with EIFS.(Finish Line)
September 1, 2003... The other day, I got an interesting phone call. An EIFS contractor was asking where he could get insurance so he could continue to do EIFS work. The renewal cost for his insurance, he said, if it were to continue to be available, was going to...

The premier publication: GA-600.(All Things Gypsum)
September 1, 2003... Every three years, the Gypsum Association publishes a new edition of the Fire Resistance Design Manual (CA-600). This is always a significant event for Association staff and Technical Committee members because fine manual is one of the major...

Paper chase (Part 1).(The Green Thumb)
September 1, 2003... All the news that's fit to print Cellulose insulation's primary ingredient is one of the world's largest solid waste byproducts: discarded newspapers. In fact, the finish product is 80 percent recycled newspaper by weight. Increased...

Wheel of fortune.(All in Agreement)
September 1, 2003... Las Vegas has become a premiere convention city. One can attend a convention, stay in a nice hotel and try a hand at gambling. For some, gambling can be a serious addiction. For others, gambling may be something they do to pass time while...

The 10 most common causes of construction contractor failures.(Smart Business)
September 1, 2003... This headline repeats the title of an article in an online publication called Journal of Construction Accounting & Taxation by certified public accountants Robert Davidson and Martin Maguire. The lull article can be obtained from the Web site...

I do windows.(Adventures in Drywall)
September 1, 2003... Windows. Those pains-in-the-neck that need to be wrapped and beaded in almost every new home. Remember back in the day when you could walk into a 120-board rancher and there were six stand ups to finish and maybe a kitchen soffit? Well, we're...

Covered paint tray.(Products)
September 1, 2003... Roman Decorating Products The Close-N-Go Covered Paint Tray allows users to cover the remaining paint and brush or roller to use again days later. The covet can be used to hold the paint can (no drips) and other accessories, and when job...

Ply-bead panels.(Products)
September 1, 2003... Georgia-Pacific Plytanium Ply-Bead panels acid durability and traditional appeal to high traffic areas. These panels offer the look and warmth of wood combined with durability, versatility, affordability and ease of installation. With the...

Taping knife.(Products)
September 1, 2003... Hyde Tools The MaxxGrip Hammer Head Taping Knives are available with either blue steel or stainless steel blades in 8-, 10- and 12-inch widths, all with non-rusting aluminum backs. The tools feature soft grip handles, but in a narrower...

Clamp light.(Products)
September 1, 2003... Warner Tool Model P10104 8-Inch Clamp Light features a spin-formed, polished aluminum reflector to concentrate light where needed. Heavy-duty spring clamp has rubber clad jaws for a non-slip grip on ladders, scaffolding or tables. Pivot...

Staple-free batts.(Products)
September 1, 2003... Knauf The company's insulation's Kraft-faced balls install faster with the addition of a special staple-free feature. The Staple-Free Batts are Green-guard Certified for indoor air quality. These eliminate the need to staple the insulation...

Residential windows.(Products)
September 1, 2003... Certain Teed Corp. New Castle II windows are designed to help installers save time and material, and can be oxdered with an integral flush fin for stucco applications. Fine windows meet or exceed AAMA/NWWDA 101/I S.2-97. Actual performance...

Ceiling crack eliminator.(Products)
September 1, 2003... Strait-Flex X-Crack eliminates all drywall cracks off any angles and inside any 90-degree corners of flat ceiling areas. This prod uct can hold drywall joints stationary because of its hinged, rigid backbone and offers a continuous...

Rack and pinion hoist.(Products)
September 1, 2003... Beta Max Inc. The Max Climber 1000 is designed to provide an easier and safer method of lifting general building materials for the power plant, scaffolding, restoration, facilities maintenance and general construction industries. It offers...

Creative tiles.(Products)
September 1, 2003... Bold Living Color Bold Living Color allows workers to cross architectural boundaries with innovative tiles of glass, mirror, and ceramic colors and textures. Bold Living Color transforms tiles into a new set of aesthetic and functional...

Polystone column.(Products)
September 1, 2003... Chadsworth's 1.800.Columns The PolyStone Column is 5 foot, 6 inches in height with correct entasis and proper portion. Because the columns are made of PolyStone, they are resistant to extreme weather conditions. These can be used on...

Joint compound.(Products)
September 1, 2003... Magnum Products Regular Flex Joint is used through automatic taping tools and Super Flex is used with a hand tool. No special tools are required. Finishing is completed in the same amount of time as with regular joint treatment. Both...

How-to stucco manual.(Literature)
September 1, 2003... Portland Cement Association The "Plaster/Stucco Manual (EB049)" discusses what contractors need to know about Portland cement plaster, often referred to as "traditional or conventional stucco." Essential information on materials, bases, mixes,...

Hydraulic pioneers volume.(Literature)
September 1, 2003... American Society of Civil Engineers The Henry P. G. Darcy and Other Pioneers in Hydraulics is a collection of 20 peer-reviewed contributions on Darcy and other pioneers in hydraulic research and practice. A skilled engineer, public servant and...

Sourcebook 2003-2004 corrections.
September 1, 2003... Manufacturers CMI Construction Materials, Inc. (800) 356-1820 (714) 229-1198 www.ordercmi.com Gordon, Inc. 5023 Hazel Jones Rd. Bossier City, LA 71111 (800) 747-8954 Fax: (800) 877-8746 ...