Building Products articles from November 2002

Building Products archives from November 2002

High-tech wonders. (Editor's Perspective).
November 1, 2002... Contractors can be slow to change. For example, most of you have been reluctant to switch to steel studs when framing with wood has been reliable for hundreds of years. But new technologies--from shatterproof glass to dirt-sensing dishwashers...

Martin Fireplaces. (New Year's Revelations).
November 1, 2002... Classic series wood-burning fireplaces are available in 36- and 42-inch sizes. They feature interior brick patterns and look like traditional masonry fireplaces, says the maker. The fireplaces can be changed to heat-circulating units and can...

Nevamar. (New Year's Revelations).
November 1, 2002... Bamboo laminates are just one line of many new patterns and wood-grain designs from the firm. The bamboo collection is available in extreme green, red dragon, electric, and Xanadu blue. The vibrant colors prove that natural bamboo wood can shed...

Midland. (New Year's Revelations).
November 1, 2002... Operating on conventional VHF frequencies, the 70-112B portable two-way radio eliminates airtime fees for jobsite communications, allowing users to talk 24 hours a day for free, says the firm. The radio features a 5-mile range; 16 channels; and...

Jaclo. (New Year's Revelations).
November 1, 2002... The Stacey II solid brass showerhead features 136 rubberized jets to clean away hardwater deposits. The 12-inch retro-style shown here also is available in 6- and 9-inch diameters. The showerhead comes in 14 finishes to match any decor. The...

Cooper Wiring Devices. (New Year's Revelations).
November 1, 2002... Smart Dimmers allow light levels to be adjusted at either master or remote locations before the lights are turned on. LED indicators on the master and remote units indicate the present illumination level. The dimmers feature a 10-second delayed...

Harrington Brass Works. (New Year's Revelations).
November 1, 2002... The Victorian single-hole pullout faucet, shown here in a polished nickel finish, is available in more than 19 finishes. The faucet adds charm to classic and contemporary kitchens and can be used in bar applications as well, says the firm....

M&S. (New Year's Revelations).
November 1, 2002... Part of the Gold series AirVac line of central vacuum systems, the ZV3500 collects dirt, dust mites, and animal dander from the home and then vents it all outside. It features a soft-start motor control and an electronic LED light display and...

Therma-Tru. (New Year's Revelations).
November 1, 2002... Responding to growing demand for taller units, the company expands its 8foot Classic-Craft line of fiberglass doors with a new three-panel design featuring larger glass panels. The Cambridge door light shown here is one of several glass styles...

Pinnacle. (New Year's Revelations).
November 1, 2002... Available in red and white oak; maple; Brazilian cherry; Burmese rosewood or kokko; Suriyan walnut; and Bali teak, Nature's Elegance hardwood floors can be installed on or above grade by glue-down or staple-down methods. The flooring measures...

Simonton. (New Year's Revelations).
November 1, 2002... A complete line of jamb extenders, casings, and Quick Trim products for new window installations is now available from the firm. Jamb extenders come in real wood or custom-blended Quick Trim PVC; casings come in Quick Trim options in colonial...

KitchenAid. (New Year's Revelations).
November 1, 2002... Measuring 34 inches high and 24 inches wide, the Architect series wine cellar holds up to 60 bottles of wine and even provides space on the bottom for fruit, cheese, or dessert. The cellar features a tinted thermal-glass door, the firm's...

Toto. (New Year's Revelations).
November 1, 2002... The Jasmin Washlet toilet seat features a battery-powered remote control keypad with an LCD readout that controls a front and back warm water spray, temperature level, and cycling motion massage. The Jasmin also comes with a seat-warming...

Lennox. (New Year's Revelations).
November 1, 2002... Featuring a MERV 10 collapsible filter with enhanced UV light resistance and foam-insulated metal doors, the Healthy Climate media air cleaner can remove 80 percent of circulated household dust, says the firm. Other HVAC products also are...

Kolbe & Kolbe. (New Year's Revelations).
November 1, 2002... Ultra line aluminum-flame windows and doors are available in casement, awning, double hung, slider, and swinging and sliding patio door styles. The doors come in ultra pure white, sand, rustic, chutney, Hartford green, and custom colors....

Comfortmaker. (New Year's Revelations).
November 1, 2002... Available in 1 1/2- to 5-ton capacities, the SoftSound 1200+ heat pump series offers efficiencies up to 8.6 HSPF. Made from galvanized steel, the pumps feature easy-access control panels and scroll compressor reliability, says the firm. The...

Grohe. (New Year's Revelations).
November 1, 2002... The Taron shower system features a cylindrical showerhead, a dual-spray handshower, and four body sprays. Two specialized valves control the shower outlets, while Aquadimmer technology turns the water flow on and diverts it to the showerhead or...

Motorola. (New Year's Revelations).
November 1, 2002... CES Wireless vertically integrated mobile data and information systems work with the firm's CDM750, CDM1250, CDM1550, and CDM1550 LS mobile two-way radios to contact and track fleet assets. An Internet-based component, AVL messaging status...

Milgard. (New Year's Revelations).
November 1, 2002... Part of the Classic Vinyl series, the Gardenaire window is available with numerous glass options. The window features a narrow frame, sliding side vents, and an interior shelf for growing herbs, seeds, and other houseplants. Gardenaire windows...

What's next? After the demise of BuildNet, builders are searching for ways to plug into an intergrated supply chain.
November 1, 2002... It will take more than the implosion of home building industry's brightest high-tech star to fizzle Jonathan faith in the promise of technology to resolve at least some of the inefficiencies of residential construction. "We're not gun-shy...

Hands down: touch-free electronic faucets offer easy use and water and energy savings.
November 1, 2002... They've been in restrooms in airports, hotels, and other public places for years. Now hands-free electronic faucets are making their way into the home, but oh so slowly. Hands-free faucets, which typically run on battery power, began...

Living laboratory: a unique high-tech project probes housing's future.
November 1, 2002... The Massachusetts Institute of Technology's department of architecture is building a 1,600-square-foot house that it hopes will reshape the concept of a home. Called the MIT Home of the Future or House_n, the living residential laboratory will...

Modern magic: high-tech appliances make your clients' kitchens more productive and efficient.
November 1, 2002... Dacor. Available in 24- and 30-inch models, this dishwasher has a sensor that determines the soil level in the water and adjusts wash time accordingly. The dishwasher also features a delay start function, adjustable racks, and side water...

Quick draw: the latest design software packages make drafting quick and easy.
November 1, 2002... Upperspace. DesignCAD 3D Max version 12, which provides complete 2-D drafting and 3-D modeling capability, has improved customization tools. New features also include an aerial view, a layer toolbar, and a parallelogram drawing tool. Users now...

Lessening the blow: manufacturers are beefing up their windows to withstand hurricane-force winds and flying debris.
November 1, 2002... Ten years later, the legacy of Hurricane Andrew lives on. The hurricane, which trampled the Bahamas, southern Florida, and south central Louisiana in August 1992, caused an estimated 525 billion in damages--the most expensive natural disaster...

Web site index. (Site Source).
November 1, 2002... This non-comprehensive listing contains Web site addresses for several thousand building product manufacturers and related groups. Appliances Abbaka www.abbaka.com Amana Appliances www.amana.com ASKO/AM Appliance...

Fast forward: high-tech products can bring your clients' homes up to speed. (Finishing Touches).
November 1, 2002... Crestron. The TPS-2000L Compact Video Touchpanel screen features a built-in light sensor that brightens or dims the display to compensate for changes in ambient lighting. The 5-inch screen works with other Crestron systems to preview DVDs or...