Home Builder Developer - Interior Renovation and Design

Theres no place like home

Home Show & Design Expo offers information on the home, both inside and outside

BY JENNIFER AMATO

Staff Writer

Visitors to the 23rd annual Home Show & Interior Design Expo look at a whirlpool with a waterfall on March 10 at the New Jersey Convention Center in Edison. SCOTT FRIEDMAN With spring right around the corner, hundreds of contractors, landscapers, shed builders, pool and spa installers, and interior decorators were on hand to provide renovation project ideas at the 24th annual New Jersey Home Show & Design Expo.

The home improvement expo, held at the New Jersey Convention and Exposition Center in Edison, offered information on heating and cooling, exterior work, fencing, gutter systems, solar energy, saunas, power washing, and sunrooms to thousands of area residents who attended during the weekend of March 9-11.

Garden State Brickface, Windows & Siding, which partnered with Renewal by Anderson, was probably one of the most popular attractions, thanks to a special guest appearance by Sandra Lee, author and celebrity chef for The Food Network. Lee, who originally got her start in home and garden projects, was representing the two companies that replaced the windows and siding on her house in New York last summer.

I called four different companies, she said. I felt I could trust [Garden State Brickface]. They were very good about showing me and sharing with me my options and whats available.

She said most of the work was completed within a few short weeks while she was visiting schools in France with her niece.

They handled it like it was their house, she said, impressed that her white rug was still white after the project was completed.

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There’s no place like home

Manufactured stone exterior panels with the look and feel of coral create new design options for home owners at an affordable price.

Deer Park, NY (PRWEB) March 13, 2012

When it comes to design, people want options, said Steve Barron, president of Faux Panels. Real coral is rare, incredibly expensive, not practical for many climates and getting it harms fish habitats. Our Norwich coral paneling provides the exact same look in a way thats economical and environmentally sound.

Anyone who has visited the Caribbean, Mediterranean and other seaside towns around the world knows how beautiful coral stone buildings can be. Designers love it because of the tropical feel it adds to a building, but today its usually price prohibitive and might not be readily available in a given area.

Environmentally Sound & Beautiful

Real coral in the ocean is the home to fish and other marine wildlife. Norwich coral stone veneer provides the look you want while easing your conscience in regard to the environmental impact no fish are disturbed for your decorating plans.

To ensure an authentic appearance, Norwich manufactured stone panels are made from molds created from genuine coral stone. Unlike real coral, these polyurethane panels are very durable and wont chip or crack.

Even better, the light weight of the faux stone panels means that it can be used in DIY projects or by contractors and architects in areas where coral stones genuine weight would be a problem. Use it as foundation cover, to edge a deck, create an exterior accent wall or cover an entire house.

Low Maintenance Beauty

Norwich coral stone siding is very low maintenance just the occasional power washing is needed. They resist wear and tear, and hold up beautifully in all climates without shrinking, cracking or warping.

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FauxPanels.com Announces Its Newest Faux Stone Design – Norwich Coral Stone

ZEELAND TOWNSHIP -- An Indiana man is recovering in the hospital today after he was pinned to the ground by 400-pound roofing rolls that unexpectedly came off a trailer, pinning him to the ground.

Robert Gray, 69, of Fairbanks, Ind., had just delivered several 400-pound rolls of roofing material to a job site at 759 Construction Court in Zeeland Township when the accident happened about 4:40 p.m. Tuesday.

Ottawa County sheriff's deputies said a hi-lo driver was removing the load from a flatbed trailer when other rolls on the trailer broke free and rolled off the trailer. Gray was hit by the rolls and pinned to the ground.

Police said the hi-lo driver managed to use the machine to lift the material off Gray.

He was taken to to the hospital with head and leg injuries and was in stable condition, deputies said. The injuries were not life-threatening.

E-mail John Tunison: jtunison@mlive.com and follow him on Twitter at twitter.com/johntunison

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Roofing rolls, 400 pounds each, roll off trailer and onto man in Zeeland Township

Advancements in Roofing Technology at Roofing Southwest

Las Vegas, NV (PRWEB) March 13, 2012

An infrared image might pick up such problems as missing insulation, moisture underneath roofing materials, energy leaks in the roofing system, and much more. Since infrared imaging is non-invasive, it is a more economic method of diagnosing problems than ripping up the roof to check for hidden damage or energy loss. This offers terrific advantages for roofing companies and property owners to not only catch problems that otherwise might have remained hidden, but also providing for a more sound, money-saving decision when deciding between repairing and maintaining, or completely tearing off and replacing the roof.

Another advantage to using infrared or thermographic imaging is for use with spray foam roofing materials. Spray foam typically seals tightly around vents, pipes and other roof penetrations. Because it is applied as a liquid (which expands during application), it forms a continuous, seamless, protective barrier. There are no seams or joints - the most common source of leaks in traditional roofs. A thermographic image taken after application can show any spots that might not have been covered properly and can be finished with a quick touch up application of foam.

Many states and government programs offer tax credits when home and business owners upgrade buildings to higher energy efficiency. Thermal scans of the roof are playing a big part in helping people save money particularly in larger commercial buildings, including apartments, hotels, casinos, schools, and industrial & retail complexes although homeowners can save substantial amounts as well. Studies have shown that upgrading buildings to more energy efficient products can save as much as 15 30% (or more) in utility costs in some cases. If youd like to know what tax credits are available in your state, you can visit the government website: http://energy.gov/savings.

About Roofing Southwest

With 40 years in the roofing business, the professionals at Roofing Southwest have decades of combined experience working on all types of roofs, both commercial and residential. Noteworthy projects include The Orleans Casino, Gold Coast Casino, UNLV, Nellis AFB & Clark County School District. Roofing Southwest is licensed, bonded, andinsured to conduct business in Arizona, Nevada, California, New Mexico, and Texas.For more information, please visit http://www.roofingsouthwest.com/las_vegas or call 702-834-4655.

David Limon Roofing Southwest (702) 273-0765 Email Information

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Infrared Imaging Revolutionizing Business at Roofing Southwest

DELAWARE TWP. - Roofing nails were discovered yesterday sprinkled across a residents driveway that police sometimes use when clocking traffic speeds on Route 519.

About 40 nails were spotted by a contractor inspecting the driveway at noon in order to draft a paving estimate, said police.

Several neighbors in the area had complained about speeders on the county road, which has a 40 mph limit in that area.

Patrolman Mark Kobner said today that the homeowner, who lives west of Rosemont near the cemetery, allows police to pull into his driveway to monitor speeds.

The homeowner is quiet as a church mouse and doesnt bother anybody, Kobner added.

There hasn't been any roofing work done at the home.

Kobner said that the residents werent imagining the speed problem and that some drivers exceed the limit by 20 mph.

Patrolman Elliot Gray is investigating the criminal mischief.

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Roofing nails spread in Delaware Twp. driveway where police clock speeders

By Christopher Condon - Wed Mar 14 20:06:32 GMT 2012

The $2.6 trillion money market fund business doesnt need additional reforms being mulled by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, according to executives of top asset managers.

We are concerned that these changes will eliminate the utility of money market funds for most investors, the executive committee of the Investment Company Institute said today in a statement. The committee said rule changes made by the SEC in 2010 were sufficient to safeguard funds.

Regulators and asset managers have been debating steps to make money funds safer since the September 2008 collapse of the $62.5 billion Reserve Primary Fund. Its closing triggered a run on prime money funds that helped freeze global credit markets.

The SEC is working on two proposals. The first would strip money funds of their traditional fixed $1 share price, substituting a floating value. The second would impose capital requirements and restrict redemptions.

The Washington-based ICIs executive committee is responsible for evaluating policy alternatives for the groups board of governors. Its members include executives from Vanguard Group Inc., Legg Mason Inc. and JPMorgan Chase & Co., according to the trade groups website.

The committee doesnt include any representative from BlackRock Inc. (BLK), the worlds biggest money manager. BlackRock said on March 2 that money funds could survive without their stable $1 share price if the plan included key additions.

Rather than fight the SEC, money managers should work with the agency to develop the best possible version of the reform proposal, the New York-based company said.

The SEC is expected to make its proposals public this month.

To contact the reporter on this story: Christopher Condon in Boston at ccondon4@bloomberg.net

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Asset Managers Say Money Funds Safe Without New SEC Rules

AP

Early this morning we noted that former North Carolina defensive back Deunta Williams, when he wasnt accusing the SEC of paying for football players, took issue with what he described as a broken system as it relates to the NCAA and collegiate athletics.

College football is a business, and the people who run college football are only interested in money and using the players as product to make money, Williams was quoted as saying.

The thinly-veiled inference, of course, is that the NCAA uses student-athletes for their financial gain, a form of exploitation if you will.

Obviously, the leaders of intercollegiate sports vehemently disagree with that assessment. During an interview with Bob Ley on ESPNs Outside the Lines Tuesday afternoon, NCAA president Mark Emmert addressed the criticism college sports has come under in relation to the financial benefits realized by the universities and how precious little is funneled back to the individuals who are actually responsible for the on-field work thats made the game, in the case of football, the second most popular sport in the country.

Heres the transcript of Emmerts interview, courtesy of PFTs Mike Florio (yes, you read that correctly).

Ill tell you the critique that I agree with, and the critique [is] that theres such an emphasis in America on athletics as a route to fame and fortune that it has skewed far too many young peoples view of how you can be successful as a young person.

We surveyed our Division II NCAA mens basketball players. Division II.Half of them believed they were going to make a living in professional basketball. Maybe one will. But half of them thought they might make a living as a basketball player.

We have far too few young people realizing that the route to success in life is to get a good education in middle school, high school, and college, and then go on and do all the things that people do in life. When we see a young person getting an opportunity to go to college, the $2 billion second only to the federal government the total amount of financial aid thats proposed by NCAA institutions to young people, we see young people having higher graduation rates in Divisions I, II, and III than the rest of the student body, we see them having access to the best coaches, the best educators, the best trainers, the best tutors that help produce academic success like that. If thats the definition of exploitation, then I dont know what exploitation is.

I would have loved to have my kids exploited like that. I would love to have been exploited like that myself as a young man. The idea that somehow playing in front of a stadium with 70,000 people and being on ESPN SportsCenter diminishes you in some fashion while creating an opportunity for you to be known world-wide is somehow exploitation is a curious notion of exploitation. I think the vast majority of your audience would love to be on this show, would love to have a chance to have their name known widely.

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CFT: Female kicker doesn't make the cut at LSU

PORTLAND, Ore. It didnt take long before the Portland Timbers' new additions paid dividends. But the story of their Monday night goes deeper than just some fresh faces.

Goals by newly acquired Designated Player Kris Boyd and rookie Andrew Jean-Baptiste made the headlines. But peel back the layers, and Portlands First Kick win, featuring three second-half goals to overcome a 1-0 deficit, pointed to several positive signs of improvement.

I think we came out in the second half and put on a better performance, even though we fell a goal behind, Boyd said. We showed determination to come back from that.

The Timbers' raucous sell-out crowd at JELD-WEN Field expected the world from Boyd, and the Scottish Premier Leagues all-time leading scorer didnt disappoint.

But it was the way Portland dominated throughout, including in areas where they struggled last year, that gave the fans something to hang their hats on.

The Timbers' possession percentage of 56.5 percent was far improved from the previous two times Portland played Philadelphia last year, when they registered 47.8 percent in a 1-0 victory and 41 percent in a scoreless tie.

I think we played a little better in the second half, head coach John Spencer said. I thought first half we overplayed at times and never used the energy we had in the stadium to our advantage, like we did in the second half. I asked [the team] in the locker room at halftime if they could go play Timbers football and play with energy and passion. And I think we did that. To go a goal behind, I think was against the run of play a little bit. But tremendous response, tremendous response.

Spencer cited the play of midfielder Kalif Alhassan as a key in the win, as the winger iced it with his first goal in a Timbers uniform and also recorded an assist on Boyds goal. Alhassan was particularly good in holding possession and creating a number of scoring chances and was duly rewarded for his display by the North American Soccer Reporters, who named him the MLS player of the week on Tuesday.

I would say its about hard work, Alhassan said. We worked hard all preseason. We were ready for this game.

Away test to come

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Timbers Notebook: Heading in right direction after big win

The Board of Education on Tuesday night discussed educational specifications for the proposed replacement of windows at Osborn Hill Elementary School.

The district's Business Services Office, under Operations Director Tom Cullen, drafted the specifications to seek partial state reimbursement of the $791,400 for the project after it was cut from a proposed bonding package during a recent joint meeting of the boards of Selectmen and Finance. First Selectmen Michael Tetreau said the specifications and required building committee for the Osborn Hill windows, to be formed by the Board of Selectmen, could be put in place in the coming months so the project funding could be included when the town issues bonds next summer.

According to documents in the board's "Proposed Capital Improvement Projects 2012-13," all exterior windows, except four bays of windows in the media center and adjacent classrooms, would be replaced with energy-efficient, double-pane windows. Non-insulated doors that were built integral with the window frames will be also replaced with vandal-resistant, fiber-reinforced and plastic-insulated doors.

The proposal comes at a time when the Town Facilities Commission is asking for $200,000 to test the caulking around Fairfield Ludlowe High School's windows for polychlorinated biphenyls, a toxic substance commonly referred to as PCBs. The testing would be done as part of a $3 million window replacement project at that school.

At Tuesday's meeting, board member John Convertito suggested replacing all of Osborn Hill's doors to prevent revisiting the abatement issue over caulking in the future.

Cullen said the state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection and the federal Environmental Protection Agency do not want the hazardous material to drive the window replacement project, and he would not remove doors that are not part of the project just because they might be contaminated with PCBs or lead paint. He said that a school's doors or windows should all be replaced at one time as a result of their condition, not because of issues related to toxic substances.

Board member Sue Brand asked if the project would be expedited if any of the contaminated caulking were found to be crumbling or possibly airborne.

Cullen said that such caulk would be painted or caulked over to encapsulate the contaminants and then monitored.

Board member Paul Fattibene asked if there should be any specifications requiring soundproofing of the new windows.

Cullen said the new windows would provide a soundproofing aspect given they would be double-paned.

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Board discusses ed specs for Osborn Hill window replacement

Echewing worry over the Mayan apocalypse, many New Jersey residents are taking matters into their own hands, saving money and reducing their carbon foot prints, so there wont be anything like an environmental apocalypse.

Families, businesses, and institutions have been adopting cheaper and greener energy systems. Indeed, Wikipedia reports that New Jersey is second nationally in total number of homes and businesses that have solar panels installed.

Here are two brief stories of residents who have made the switch. The stories of business and institutions that have changed over will follow in the next column.

Hedy DiSimoni, a Princeton planning analyst for a manufacturer, wanted to renovate the house she and her two daughters live in. One of her reasons for doing so was to lower her energy bills by making the house tighter and possibly by changing energy systems.

Having heard of the possible benefits of solar power, she began calling contractors who install the panels. She wanted to hear not only their overall price but what services they included, such as applying for approval to the state and township and yearly maintenance. She notes that it is important not only to shop around for the right installer but also to make sure the installer uses the best solar panels.

(One SREC certificate is earned for every 1,000 kilowatt hours of electricity generated, and those certificates can be sold directly or through an intermediary back to electricity suppliers, primarily utility companies. The selling price varies widely depending on demand and supply.)

Interest-free loans for this upgrade are also available from the NJ Clean Energy Program, with payback due in 10 years. She pointed out that the township will continue to inspect her system two to three times a year, primarily the metering, while her installer will continue to provide yearly maintenance.

Her goal in installing the solar panels has been reached; she has substantially reduced her electricity bill, and the SRECs offer further income to offset the remaining cost.

William Wolfe, a Princeton architect who has designed or co-designed many local residential, commercial and institutional buildings, including his own handsome borough home, first became intrigued by solar heating as a Princeton University undergraduate taking a drawing course that investigated the effects of sun and shadow on buildings.

Passive solar heating and the shading of windows by overhangs were two of those effects that he eventually incorporated in his designs. He went on to earn his masters in architecture at the university, then worked for a local design firm before forming his own partnership.

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SOLUTIONS: Residential solar heating is catching on