Great Finds: Builders Share Their Latest Product Finds

Lou Basile

Sainte Claire Custom Homes, San Jose, Calif.

Lou Basile loves his Pella windows. "One of the things that we always recommend is to use a good window, and we recommend Pella. They're very good on delivery, and foremost, they're very good on after-service.

They've never let us down." But even on custom homes and high-end remodels--"entry level for us is $700,000 for a custom remodel," he says--Basile likes to offer his clients a lower-cost window option. Pella's recently introduced Impervia line gives him just that. Made of a composite material that Pella advertises as stronger than vinyl and having the energy efficiency of wood, the windows are available in a range of glazing options and powder-coat colors. Like Pella's more expensive windows, Impervia units are made to order, so builders are not limited to stock sizes. Basile calls them "good, tight, and energy efficient." Just as important, they give him a cost-cutting option from a company he already knows and trusts.--Bruce D. Snider

Pella Windows & Doors. 888.847.3552. www.pella.com. Circle 442

Owen Roberts

Owen Roberts Group, Bothell, Wash.

Seattle-area custom builder Owen Roberts is sold on geothermal heat pumps, which use the earth as a heat source (and a heat sink during the air-conditioning season) to achieve impressive levels of energy efficiency. On a recent project Roberts used WaterFumace's Synergy3 unit to provide radiant heating, forced hot air, cooling, and domestic hot water. Despite a higher up-front cost than conventional equipment, Roberts says, the system made economic sense. "Over time it pays for itself." Because the alternative was burning pricey bottled gas, the numbers were especially convincing. "The payback was like three years," Roberts says. "[The owners] looked at that and said, 'How can we not do it?' For people who are stuck on propane, geothermal is a great deal."--B.D.S. WaterFurnace. 800.436.7283. www.waterfurnace.com. Circle 443.

Alan Freysinger

Design Group Three, Glendale, Wis,

As Alan Freysinger's clients become more aware of the environmental consequences of their product choices, the Milwaukee-area architect/builder is seeing them gravitate toward some of his own green favorites. One is a stylish line of tile by Oceanside Glasstile. "For walls, backsplashes in kitchens, floors," Freysinger says, "it's a really nice, sparkly piece that works really well." Made by a small California company using up to 85 percent recycled glass, the tiles get the environmental seal of approval. They also look great in a wide variety of settings and styles, Freysinger says. "It amazes me the number of people who like the product."

Factory-built cabinets have come under scrutiny for the effect of their glues and finishes on indoor air quality. Small, local cabinet shops offer one green alternative, but most of Freysinger's clients prefer a pre-finished factory cabinet. Freysinger's top choice is Neff. "They've been a very green-conscious cabinetmaker for a long time," he says. Neff's catalog of contemporary and traditional designs stands up well under the architect's discerning eye, and with an ever more green-savvy clientele, "it becomes easier and easier to sell."--B.D.S.

* Oceanside Glasstile. 877.648.8222. www.glasstile.com. Circle 444.

* Neff. 800.268.4527. www.neffweb.com. Circle 445.

John Barrows

J. Barrows Inc., Long Island, N.Y.

J. Barrows' project manager Joe Horan has discovered a unique use for Azek Trimboards. "He came up with it being used for items other than exterior trim and has made flower boxes out of 5/4 Azek," says company owner John Barrows. "They are holding up much better than wood flower boxes." The trimboards have the look and feel of lumber and come in trimboard, sheets, cornerboards, beadboard, and millwork, so finding new uses for them is easy. They are also impervious to insects and moisture and will not rot, cup, split, or twist, the maker says.

The company's busy office manager, Rosita Lopez, relies on an online service to make her life easier. Logging on to the Postal Store, she has stamps delivered to the company's door for a small shipping fee. "It saves trips to the post office," Barrows explains. Postal Store customers can also obtain free shipping supplies such as boxes, envelopes, and labels to be used for Priority, Express, and Global Priority Mail items.--Jennifer R. Goodman

* Azek. 877.275.2935. www.azek.com. Circle 446

* United States Postal Service. 800.275.8777. www.usps.com. Circle 447.

Dermis Dixon

Dixon Ventures, Flagstaff, Ariz.

Custom builder (and CUSTOM HONE columnist) Dennis Dixon uses precast concrete trim from Concrete Designs Inc. to add historical detailing to masonry or frame construction. The trim can be used to spruce up window trim, door entries, fence caps, landscaping applications, and fireplace surrounds. Dixon likes it because it adds long-lasting architectural ornamentation to his homes. "It is King Kong durable" he says. "It works great with wood or masonry siding."

Dixon also likes the wide array of chemical finishes and treatments for metal, wood, plastic, cement, stucco, and stone from Triangle Coatings. The company also offers faux-finishing products, metal patina agents, and rusting agents for iron and steel. "The products are easy to use and generate a unique, high-end, custom look and finish that is not available through any other supplier that I know of," he says.--J.R.G.

* Concrete Designs Inc. 800.279.2278. www.concrete-designs.com. Circle 448.

* Triangle Coatings. 800.895.8000. www.tricoat.com. Circle 449.

Mary L. Schroeder

Miller Homes Inc., Brookfield, Wis.

Miller Homes president Mary Schroeder really likes the fact that Eagle Window and Door's products come with VisionGuard glass protection on interior and exterior glass surfaces. "Once the painter and cleaners are done, the VisionGuard is removed and the glass is clean." Scratches, paint splatters, and grime are no longer a worry and makeshift fixes such as cardboard or newspaper are also a thing of the past. VisionGuard is a clear, temporary film that protects the glass while letting light in.

Schroeder's clients have been exceptionally pleased with a product she specs to give new homes Old World charm. Custom awnings from Naegele Awning Co. are individually designed with metal frames and valances and come with several decorative options. Durable Sunbrella fabric covers the framing and provides protection from the elements. "They provide the look of yesteryear on our new 'vintage' homes," she says.--J.R.G.

* Eagle Window and Door. 800.324.5354. www.eaglewindow.com. Circle 450.

* Naegele Awning Co. 414.645.2862. www.naegeleawningcompany.com. Circle 451.

Dwight McNeil

Morris-Day Designers and Builders, Arlington, Va.

Morris-Day, a design/build firm in Arlington, Va., specializes in remodels and infill projects in established neighborhoods. As a result, says architect Dwight McNeil, "Most of our projects are traditional." But the company still likes to shake things up a bit when it can. On projects that call for large exterior infill panels, McNeil has begun specifying ChemBonit, a fiber-cement siding panel manufactured by Cement Board Fabricators. A Portland cement product reinforced with cellulose fibers, the panel is fire-proof, will not support fungal growth, and can be painted or left with its integral-color factory finish. Installed with exposed stainless steel fasteners, the material adds a bit of zip to his projects, McNeil says. "It has a very techie appearance, which brings them up to the modern day while still giving a nod to tradition."--B.D.S.

* Cement Board Fabricators. 800.366.5378. www.cbf11.com. Circle 452.