Siding Contractor - Siding Installation - Ottawa Ontario
http://lucascontracting.ca --- Lucas Contracting is the name you can trust when it comes to siding installations in and around Ottawa. We now install siding ...

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Siding Contractor - Siding Installation - Ottawa Ontario - Video

Valley Forge, PA (PRWEB) May 23, 2014

The unofficial start of the summer season, Memorial Day is a time to kick back and relax in the backyard, swim in a newly opened pool, have a barbeque, and participate in outdoor recreation activities. Many homeowners also mark the holiday by firing up the grill, pulling lawn furniture out of storage and thinking about ways to spruce up the exterior of their homes.

CertainTeed Corporation, North Americas leading brand of building products, offers complete lines of decking, siding, roofing, railing, exterior trim and fence products to help homeowners create beautiful and lasting curb appeal, as well as sustainable and low-maintenance outdoor living spaces. To get the most out of your yard this Memorial Day, CertainTeed provides the following tips:

Gather around the fire There may be nothing as inviting as an open fire, which brings people together with storytelling and laughter. Fire pits can also serve as a focal point in an outdoor landscape design, and are a popular and relatively affordable way to create a central gathering spot in a backyard or patio. For larger spaces, a custom outdoor fireplace might be an option.

Prep the deck Transform a deck into an inviting space for entertaining by adding comfortable furniture and fun accessories, creating separate zones for grilling, dining, and lounging. Water features are also a favorite, adding interest and privacy while disguising unwanted background noise. In addition, shading features like an umbrella or pergola can keep the area cool and comfortable.

Energize the exterior Creating dynamic curb appeal requires exterior siding and roofing products that give a home its personality. Choose bright, primary colors to create a vibrant mood or incorporate warm hues and woodgrain textures for a cozy, rustic appeal. CertainTeed offers unsurpassed Freedom of Choice with a wide array of exterior building products in durable materials that are designed to mix-and-match with each other and feature authentic textures, versatile styles and rich color combinations.

Paint or replace your front door Speaking of the perfect hue, a pop of color on a front door with a fresh coat of semi-gloss can also make a homes entrance stand apart from neutral neighbors. Check for any homeowners association restrictions, then pick a color, grab a paintbrush and get painting. Be sure to prime first for extra durability.

Need help selecting the perfect color? Use online tools like CertainTeed ColorCoach that guide users through the product selection process by offering professional color theory, including tips, trends and palettes that work well together.

Be energy-conscious Products such as CedarBoards insulated siding, with custom-contoured foam backing can improve thermal performance of exterior walls. Or consider a sleek solar roofing system to generate electricity, like Apollo II, which can easily be integrated into either an existing roof or with the installation of a new roof that combines solar panels and asphalt shingles.

Create ambience with lighting Outdoor lighting can set the mood and create a comfortable, relaxing atmosphere after the sun goes down. Step and path lights improve safety and add visual appeal, and solar powered lights are an easy and affordable way to accent landscaping. Also, energy efficient LED lights dont attract insects like halogen lights.

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This Memorial Day Weekend, Make the Most of Outdoor Living Spaces

NORMAL - Traveling from Chicago to St. Louis, and vice versa, could soon happen in a flash. Amtrak is in the midst of a $100 million high speed rail conversion, and Uptown Normal is about to see some major changes to go along with that project.

"It'll be a change for them and I can't tell you how they'll perceive that, but I think it's an attractive fence and it does have a very, important safety aspect to it, said public works director Wayne Aldrich.

Throughout the next six months, Amtrak and IDOT crews will start making changes to the track and siding to be ready for faster trains, expected to race through the area.

By the fall the south platform wont exist anymore. That's so they can move the rails eight feet over to create more separation for the trains.

"The installation of platform rails and things like that for Normal mean that we're a focal point along this corridor from Chicago to St. Louis, said Aldrich.

And even with all of the changes and repairs...Aldrich says the station and at least one of the tracks should always stay open.

"They've told us at least at this point that this particular project, there's a way not to disrupt the train traffic," said Aldrich.

And as those major upgrades are put in place, Aldrich says riders can look forward to a more efficient and comfortable trip on the rails. If all goes as scheduled, Amtrak still hopes to have the project done by 2016.

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Changes Coming To Uptown Amtrak Station

Posted: Saturday, May 10, 2014 8:00 pm

Amtrak announces detour in North Dakota for summer

Amtrak has agreed to a request by BNSF Railway to temporarily detour the westbound Empire Builder (train 7/27) in North Dakota to speed the improvement of BNSF infrastructure between Fargo and Minot, N.D. Chartered buses will cover the missed Amtrak stations in Grand Forks, Devils Lake and Rugby through Sept. 30.

The use of an alternate route for the westbound Empire Builder will enable BNSF to accomplish work in shorter time. The eastbound Empire Builder (Train 8/28) will operate normally and serve all scheduled stops. A Passenger Service Notice is attached.

Amtrak has been notifying affected passengers and public officials. In addition, Amtrak president and CEO Joe Boardman visited the affected region this week and the lengthy delays the Empire Builder was a major topic in meetings with leaders in each of these North Dakota communities.

Local community and business leaders prize the Empire Builder and see Amtrak service as an important public transportation link, DJ Stadtler, Amtrak vice president of operations, said. BNSF needs to speed repairs and upgrades in order to return the Empire Builder to its previous reliability as fast as possible. We fully expect this work to be done by the end of September at the latest.

BNSF has announced it is investing approximately $400 million in North Dakota to expand, replace and maintain its infrastructure, and for the implementation of Positive Train Control

This includes three siding projects between Grand Forks and Minot and four siding projects between Fargo and Grand Forks. Other work along the route involves installation of new turnouts, high speed surfacing/shoulder ballast cleaning, replacement of ties, rail relay and signal upgrades.

We are committed to investing in our infrastructure to support the regions growing economy and to better serve all of our freight customers and Amtraks passenger service, DJ Mitchell, AVP passenger operations, BNSF Railway, said. This plan will allow the work to occur more efficiently and will benefit everyone.

Posted in News on Saturday, May 10, 2014 8:00 pm.

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Amtrak announces detour in North Dakota for summer

Affordable Vinyl Siding Installation Contractor in Fairfield NJ Essex County
We install Certainteed cedar shakes, Crane foam backed siding panels and shingles. Glen Ridge, Livingston, Maplewood, Upper Montclair and New Jersey is cover...

By: Sergio Chavez

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Affordable Vinyl Siding Installation Contractor in Fairfield NJ Essex County - Video

CARY, NC -- For 2014, the cellular PVC Ply Gem Trim and Mouldings line is now available nationwide to builders and contractors through an expanded distribution network. Ply Gem Trim and Mouldings is offered in multiple states to lumber yards and retailers serving the residential home building market, as well as to contractors through siding specialists.

"With extensive distribution networks and proven service reputation, we look forward to expanding the Trim and Mouldings line through key supply channel partners," said Jerry Blais, vice president, marketing, Ply Gem siding group.

Originally launched in 2013, cellular PVC trim and mouldings are a low-maintenance alternative to traditional wood trim, designed to work well with nearly any siding type. As a leading manufacturer of nearly every product for the outside of the home, the product line complements Ply Gem's already extensive lineup of more than 20 exterior home product categories, including siding, windows, patio doors, stone veneer, fence, rail, rainware, designer accents, accessories and more. The Trim and Mouldings product category further aligns Ply Gem's value proposition of offering customers a holistic exterior solution from a single manufacturer through The Designed Exterior.

Ply Gem Trim is available in smooth or an authentic woodgrain finish, but unlike wood and treated wood, the products are made from cellular PVC and absorb no moisture. The trim and mouldings are also resistant to dirt, rotting, cracking or warping, and hold paint better than wood, especially in damp climates and extreme temperatures. Ply Gem Trim and Mouldings are manufactured without cellulose, making them resistant to insects, termites and other pests.

To assist builders and contractors with creating architectural appeal in residential home exteriors, through a comprehensive design guide, Ply Gem provides recommendations on how to use trim boards, corners, post wraps and accents found on seven popular home styles - Craftsman, French Country, Prairie, Tuscan, Folk Victorian, Shingle, and Georgian. The Ply Gem Trim and Mouldings line complements The Designed Exterior by Ply Gem, a complete exterior home design solution, combining different product styles, colors and textures for a customizable, low maintenance, architectural exterior.

Designed with simple installation in mind, Ply Gem Trim and Mouldings are easier to install for builders and contractors compared to other trim options, since the cut edges do not need to be sealed or caulked, and include pre-notched profiles for installation with vinyl siding. They are also packaged in easy to handle rugged PlyPaks to keep the product clean from the warehouse to installation.

For more information and to find a distribution location in your area, visit trim.plygem.com or call 888-9PLYGEM.

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Ply Gem Takes New PVC Trim and Mouldings Nationwide

GRAND FORKS, N.D. (AP) - Amtrak said Tuesday that it is suspending westbound rail service from Fargo on its Empire Builder line for four months and that passengers traveling on to Grand Forks, Devils Lake and Rugby will have to complete their journeys on buses.

Amtrak said in a statement that the suspension of service is so that BNSF Railway Co. can make repairs to the line, which BNSF owns and Amtrak uses. The repairs are expected to last through Sept. 30.

Passengers traveling to Grand Forks, Devils Lake and Rugby will get off the train in Fargo and take a bus to their destination stations. Passengers who want to head west from the three affected cities will be taken to Minot, where they will board the westbound train.

Eastbound traffic will maintain its usual route along the states northern tier.

BNSF is investing $400 million in infrastructure in the state. This includes three siding projects between Grand Forks and Minot and four siding projects between Fargo and Grand Forks. Other work along the route involves installation of new turnouts, high speed surfacing and shoulder ballast cleaning, replacement of ties, rail relay and signal upgrades.

BNSF said the detour will allow crews to speed up the repairs between Fargo and Minot.

Amtrak said it has notified passengers and public officials about the detour. The companys president and CEO, Joe Boardman, will visit the affected area this week to discuss the delays with North Dakota leaders.

Local community and business leaders prize the Empire Builder and see Amtrak service as an important public transportation link, DJ Stadtler, Amtraks vice president of operations, said in a statement. BNSF needs to speed repairs and upgrades in order to return the Empire Builder to its previous reliability as fast as possible.

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Amtrak service suspended to ND cities for repairs

UNITY Four years after the initial town approval and funding of the project, the Unity Elementary School building is on target to be open Sept. 2.

Were making strong progress on all fronts, said Ronald Bauer, executive vice president of Lebanon-based Trumbull-Nelson.

Trumbull-Nelson, Banwell Architect and Gordon Bristol, owners representative, were charged with getting the long-delayed project back on track earlier this year after the initial project manager and architect was let go by the school district.

Bauer met with school Principal Chip Baldwin, Unity School board members, the town code enforcement officer, a state Fire Marshals Office official and project architects at the project site Tuesday afternoon for the projects weekly meeting.

Several construction issues have been resolved, he said.

Possibly flammable foam installation used on the siding of the windows that the Fire Marshals Office would not allow has been cut out and replaced with fire retardant lumber, Bauer said.

That was a piece of the job that was very labor intensive, he said.

Additionally, the state Department of Education has tentatively approved the buildings floor plans, he said.

Some of the classrooms were too small, so some walls were knocked down and moved, Bauer said.

He has been pleasantly surprised by how little damage was caused by freezing temperatures in the building this winter, Bauer said.

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Unity School building progress being made

American artist Phillip K Smith III has fitted mirrors on every other horizontal siding slat of an old shack in the California Desert, creating the illusion that you can look right through the building. LED lights add a little extra sparkle and make the structure something spectacular to behold.

The building, now designated as art installation "Lucid Stead" had apparently been in Joshua Tree, California for some 70 years before Smith adopted and decorated it.

Smith told art magazine Dezeen "Lucid Stead is about tapping into the quiet and the pace of change of the desert. When you slow down and align yourself with the desert, the project begins to unfold before you. It reveals that it is about light and shadow, reflected light, projected light, and change."

That's a little more mysticism than I can wrap my simple mind around, but is pretty cool the way this building looks like a video game glitch from different angles. I also dig the idea of art you have to do a little off-roading to get to, and Joshua Tree is a great place to explore in 4WD.

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Watch How Mirrors Make This House Look Transparent

Roofers Wyoming RI - KAC. Construction (401)837-6730 / ROOFERS WYOMING RI.
Roofers Wyoming RI, Best roofers Wyoming RI, Kac Construction best Roofers Wyoming RI. KAC. Construction tel (401)837-6730 http://www.roofinghouses.com http://www.kacconstruction.com Kac...

By: Karl Camilo

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Roofers Wyoming RI - KAC. Construction (401)837-6730 / ROOFERS WYOMING RI. - Video