When a regular door will not work, it might be time to explore a pocket door.  Pocket doors often get a bad reputation, but this is generally attributed to poor installation, not an inherent problem with pocket doors.   Imagine, no door swing in your way, but tucked neatly inside a wall.

Pocket Door Hardware from Johnson Hardware is designed to offer maximum space saving characteristics for a multitude of applications. Pocket Doors are particularly well suited for dining rooms, master bathrooms, wardrobes, kitchens or anywhere  floor space is at a premium. The use of a pocket door will free up previously unusable wall and floor space with a clean and modern appearance.

For the ultimate in convenience you may want to take your pocket door to the next level and have it wired to be automatic like the doors on the Star Trek Enterprise.  Check out this video to see how it can be done.

Star Trek Doors

The Cost to operate a Geothermal system is but a fraction of other systems and you will never be at the mercy of oil prices, embargos or other world event again.  Try this this quick energy calculater from Water Furnace to see how much you could be saving. Energy Calculator

When it comes to an expensive sophisticated product like geothermal you want a true professional designing and installing your system and there isn’t anyone in Central Ohio with more experience than our instructor Steve Mullins of Complete Comfort, not only in the Heating, Cooling and ventilation field, but Geothermal as well.

Steve will explain the features and benefits of a geothermal system and discuss several other aspects of heating and cooling.   The current tax benefit of a geothermal system help make it a viable choice for anyone considering building.  The details of the tax credit will also be discussed.

The class on will be offered April 8, 2010, 7-9 p.m. at the Décor Blvd showroom, 3436 Millennium Ct., in Columbus. For reservations or to view other upcoming classes and events, visit http://customhomebuildingcamp.com. Classes are free,  Classroom space is limited, but this class is available online as well.  Reservations are required

In addition to using the traditional fireplace as a secondary or in some cases primary source of heat in a home, one of the most interesting trends is the advancement of the fireplace to a unique and important design element in homes

No longer simply occupying one wall of the family room fireplaces are Pieces of Art: you can chose fireplaces with swirling flames, ironwood-sculpted faux wood logs for gas fireplaces, electric fireplaces where the flames dance to music or evenoutdoor-fire pits that double as water features.

Glass Is Hot: Manufacturers are switching out faux logs and rocks for glass fire beds in their latest versions of gas fireplaces. Options for outdoor appliances also include patio flames with colored glass options.

Convenience Is Key: The newest products on display have consumer convenience in mind and include stoves that can be used as freestanding units or inserts, fireplaces that hang anywhere and extinguishable outdoor wood-burning fireplaces

Engineered Wood, Wall Panels, and Trusses speed the field installation times and make for a tighter, more energy efficient home.  Precision equipment and advancements in handling and delivery equipment have made the “Stick Built” house an inferior choice.

Industry professional Bill Sauder provides this unique opportunity to learn more about the internal working of your home.  Why does drywall crack?   Why do floors squeak?  Why are there cold spots on your walls?  You will learn how these can be eliminated and be introduced to a fascinating aspect of building that few people have a chance to see.

The class will be offered April 6, 7–9 p.m. at the Décor Blvd showroom, 3436 Millennium Ct., in Columbus. In addition the class is also available online.  For reservations or to view upcoming classes and events, visit http://customhomebuildingcamp.com. Classes are free, but space is limited and reservations are required for both classroom and online course.

]]> http://askthebuildingexperts.com/what-is-engineered-wood/feed/ 0 http://askthebuildingexperts.com/is-carpet-really-bad-for-allergies/ http://askthebuildingexperts.com/is-carpet-really-bad-for-allergies/#comments Mon, 29 Mar 2010 13:29:55 +0000 ATBEStaff http://askthebuildingexperts.com/?p=1505 Carpet can be wonderful flooring choice for many homes, especially homes where children need a soft place to play, rooms that need a quiet and peaceful atmosphere or an area where nothing but a great texture and pattern will do. However, carpet sometimes doesn’t even get considered because of some common misconceptions.

Carpet unfortunately can have the reputation of being a poor choice for homes with people with asthma or allergies. Some people shy away from choosing carpet because they have heard of the “new carpet smell” and are not sure if that odor is dangerous or it ever goes away.

The truth of the matter is:

• According to the Carpet and Rug Institute: Studies have shown that carpet is better at trapping allergens than hard surface, such as tile or hardwood, because carpet fibers catch particles and allergens that fall to floor.
• When allergens are trapped in the carpet, they cannot circulate in the air for you to breathe.
• Using the proper type of vacuum on a regular basis will remove dirt and dust from the floors and trap it inside the vacuum.
• Scientific studies also show that new carpet is one of the lowest emitters of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC’s) into the indoor environment. In fact, carpet emits less VOCs than other products such as paint.
• These emissions clear very quickly. The odors dissipate within the first 48 to 72 hours after installation — even sooner with open windows or doors.

If you are considering carpet and had these same concerns – worry no more! We can help you choose the perfect carpet for your home or office. We can even bring samples to you with our Mobile Floor Source. Don’t miss out on another day of enjoying your home with a cozy, comfortable, carpeted floor!

Making it Green World

The perfect place to start is this course that will  present an overview of products to make your home Green as well as an overview of the process to actually achieve a green home designation.

Camp Counselors

The class will be taught by two local leaders in the Green Building Industry.  Tyler Steele, Leed AP, of Greenovate,  Ohio’s leading supplier of environmentally friendly and healthful building materials. Tyler’s commitment is to expanding the local economy through education, activism, and leadership.

Our other presenter is WattWorks, president, Don Hall, P.E.   WattWorks is at the forefront of many green technologies included LED and cold cathode fluorescent lighting and is key team member with Westerville’s Smart Grid and Solar Power Pilot Project.

Tyler Steele (right) with Mary Jo Kilroy

Where and When

The class will be offered February 23, 2010, 7–9 p.m. at the Décor Blvd showroom, 3436 Millennium Ct., in Columbus. For reservations or to view other upcoming classes and events, visit http://customhomebuildingcamp.com. Classes are free, but space is limited. Reservations are required.

The Cost to operate a Geothermal system is but a fraction of other systems and you will never be at the mercy of oil prices, embargos or other world event again.

When it comes to an expensive sophisticated product like geothermal you want a true professional designing and installing your system and there isn’t anyone in Central Ohio with more experience than our instructor Steve Mullins of Complete Comfort, not only in the Heating, Cooling and ventilation field, but Geothermal as well.

Steve will explain the features and benefits of a geothermal system and discuss several other aspects of heating and cooling. The current tax benefit of a geothermal system help make it a viable choice for anyone considering building. The details of the tax credit will also be discussed.

The class on will be offered March 9, 2010, 7-9 p.m. at the Décor Blvd showroom, 3436 Millennium Ct., in Columbus. For reservations or to view other upcoming classes and events, visit http://customhomebuildingcamp.com. Classes are free, Classroom space is limited, but this class is available online as well. Reservations are required

Product expert Nick Bajzek reviewed this product in October of 2009

On this cold and snowy day,  we thought it would be good to feature one of those products we can all look at and say “why didn’t I think of that”?

Of course genius is never simple and it took the experts at Dow quite a few years to develop, but finally there is an insulation product that you can install without gloves, respirator, or Hazmat suits.

Dow’s SafeTouch fiberglass-free insulation looks, handles, and ships like traditional batts, but that is where the similarities end.  Unlike most other batt insulation SafeTouch doesn’t have formaldehyde or acrylic binders and no borates either. What it’s made from exactly there aren’t saying, but the company says it’s the same stuff in bedding and clothing.

You may not want to use SafeTouch as a pillow as suggested by the friendly DOW PR person, but you can use SafeTouch in all the areas you’d expect: exterior stud walls, for sound deadening, in floors, ceilings, crawlspaces and in basements. You get R-13 in 2×4 stud walls and R-19 in 2×6. Check out Nick’s review of this product.

The Product Guy Reviews SafeTouch

I am Gary Dunn,  Co-owner of Dunmoor Homes.  Bill Moorhead  and I started Dunmoor Homes 10 years ago after spending many years working for one of the large local homebuilders.   We have always felt that the greatest joy we receive is helping people achieve the home of their dreams.

The Custom Home Building Camp is an extension of that feeling.

Through the camp, our group of Builders, Sub-contractors, and Suppliers have created a way for the average person to learn more about custom home building and remodeling without having to enter into discussion with a sales person or make commitments before they are ready to do so.

We call it doing business on your terms.  We want the classes to provide as much information and as many facts and figures as possible so you can make an informed and not an emotional decision.

You are bombarded with “Great Offers” and “Special Discounts” every single day, but what do these really mean?   That great price for granite counter tops from one of the big box stores  looks fantastic,  but only until they start adding little extras like edging, cut-outs, and polishing.   We will give the facts about counter tops and virtually all other home products.

Level the Playing Field

By just taking one or more of the camps you will be provided real cost information and insight into how the process works.  You will become a better negotiator to help achieve your goal of a new home or a new kitchen.

Camp Offerings

Camp classes run the gamut from Design to how to budget for your home and include the following.

Making it a Green World

Alternative Building

Custom Home Budget

Beautiful Baths

Remarkable Kitchens

Personalize your Home

Engineered Wood and Systems Building

Find and Evaluate a Home Site

Remodeling 101

Geothermal, Home Comfort, and Tax Credits

Female Focused Design

We invite you make plans to attend a camp session today.

Beginning this week we are happy to include one of the country’s foremost experts on new products for your home.

Each Tuesday,  we will be presenting  a new product or construction details as showcased on Nick’s blog at HousingZone.com.   HousingZone.com is a valuable  source for home building and related industry news.  Nick has the enviable task of reviewing new products from all over the world  and we hope you will  enjoy following Nick and his spin on new products for your home.

Home Sprinkler Systems: In November of 2009, the International Code Council (ICC) endorsed a code change that will require fire sprinkler systems to be installed in all new single family homes beginning January 1, 2011.

As reported by Nick,  Darren Palmieri, national product manager, Residential Fire Protection for Tyco Fire Suppression & Building Products, says we’ll see quite a lot of changes in the way we approach new home construction, indicating that homes with sprinklers will the safest possible homes for families.

Cost estimates vary greatly as builders and sprinkler specialist continue to work out construction details and requirements, but early figures indicate costs will range between $1.50 and $4.00 per square foot of sprinkled area.  For a typical 2,400 Square Foot home this will add between $3,600 – $9,600.

A potential offset to cost increases might be some reduced development costs as they relate to the need for easy access for fire fighting equipment and spacing of fire hydrants.

Keep an eye out for news on this subject as we will be providing more information as it is received.