Women Build Expo set for Oct. 26
The first ever Women Build Expo will be from 1-5 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 26, at the Colorado Convention Center. The show will promote and “increase awareness of locally owned, women-friendly home improvement businesses.” General contractors, interior designers, educator and artisans will be among the exhibitors. The money raised at the event will go to the Habitat for Humanity of Metro Denver Women Build home.”
Home Decorating and Remodeling Show
on tap Oct. 17-19
The Home Decorating and Remodeling Show will be Oct. 17-19 at the Colorado Convention Center in Denver. The 28th annual show will feature more than 800 booths for consumers to explore.
COTY Awards scheduled for Nov. 7
The National Association of the Remodeling Industry will host the 2008 Contractor of the Year Awards Nov. 7. Awards are given to contractors who demonstrate superior work on projects along the Front Range. Some of the projects will be featured in upcoming issue of Renew, Colorado’s Remodeling Magazine.
Remodeling association, NKBA oppose design regulations
The National Association of the Remodeling Industry joined the National Kitchen & Bath Association and other national organizations in opposing design regulations that have been proposed by “a small, but influential group of interior designers who are lobbying state legislatures across the United States for legislation that would regulate who may provide interior design services to the public and would prohibit the large majority of designers from practicing their profession,” NARI reports. A spokesman for the kitchen and bath group said, “There is a concerted effort on the part of a select few designers who insist that everyone seeking to practice interior design attend their approved schools, pass their approved exam, and apprentice under them, all without any demonstration that the current practice of interior design by those who don’t meet these self-imposed standards is in any way a cause for concern. Such unnecessary and anti-competitive legislation will limit consumer choice in retaining the services of a professional designer, while increasing the costs of design services beyond the reach of the ordinary consumer.”
Dream Home Designs launches new Web site
Dream Home Designs in Denver recently launched a new Web site: www.thinkdreamhomes.com. “The Web site has such features as a virtual video tour and photos to give the user a sense of what they will see when they visit the showroom along with great tools like product care and maintenance,” said Thomas Perito of Dream Home Designs. The company caters to homeowners planning to remodel who want “an alternative to the big box stores or the exclusive out-of-reach showrooms.” For more information, call 303-210-2229.
Hunter Douglas ranked among top manufacturers
Hunter Douglas, a leading manufacturer and marketer of custom window fashions, was ranked number 13 in the list of “Top 50 Manufacturers of Home Products” by Home Furnishing News. The trade publication bases the list on annual revenue. Despite tough economic times, Hunter Douglas continued to grow through acquisitions. “Providing the American consumer with innovative products of enduring quality and design, supported by top-notch service, is our goal day in and day out; this commitment prevails, regardless of the economic conditions,” said Marv Hopkins, Hunter Douglas President and CEO.
Air quality among homeowners’ concerns
A survey released by Johns Manville shows many Americans believe air inside their homes is cleaner than outdoor air. However, the Environmental Protection Agency reports air inside homes can be more polluted than outdoor air. Polluted indoor air can cause irritation of the eyes, nose and throat, along with headaches. The survey found that nearly two-thirds of U.S. homeowners are concerned about indoor air quality.
Among the findings:
• 65.7 percent of U.S. homeowners are “concerned” or “very concerned” about indoor air quality.
• The most common homeowner strategies for improving indoor air quality, according to the survey, included purchasing an air purifier (23.7 percent); cleaning heating/cooling duct systems (23.6 percent); and making ventilation improvements (15.8 percent)
• More than a third of respondents who are employed outside the home said the air in the workplace was either “dirty” or “very dirty”
• More than 40 percent said no steps have been taken to improve indoor air quality where they work
The online survey of 1,001 U.S. homeowners was conducted on behalf of Johns Manville, the global building products manufacturer. The survey had a sampling error of plus or minus 3.1 percentage points and was conducted July 21-23, 2008.
Brekhus Tile & Stone names new president
Brekhus Tile & Stone in Denver named Steve DeThomas as its new president. DeThomas assumed the daily operational responsibilities of the company from owner Jeffery J. Brekhus. “Steve is a real pro,” Brekhus said. “His addition is going to allow me to concentrate on what I do best and what our customers expect – delivering great work that is done on time.” For more information, call 303-494-9255.
Colorado Creations to open showroom
After 20 years in the deck building and basement finishing business, Colorado Creations plans to add a showroom for consumers. It will be modeled after an outdoor great room they design and build, the firm reports. A water feature, fireplace, full kitchen and grill will be included. An open-timber ceiling, lighting and EverGrain deck will round out the showroom, which is scheduled to open in March 2009. For more information, call 303-681-9070.
Paint it green
New Era Paint in Edgewater sells low-odor, non-toxic paint with no volatile organic compounds. “We offer paints that are Green Seal certified,” explains Laurie Hessemer, owner of New Era Paint. “Only 12 manufacturers to date have received this certification. We stock three brands that have no toxic ingredients—no known carcinogens, mutagens or reproductive toxins. And, unlike traditional paint companies, we tint with zero VOC, APE-free pigments.” Products include interior and exterior paint and primers, along with cabinet and trim paints, lacquers, glaze and sealers. For more information, call 303-237-6337.
Professionals address lead in homes
The National Association of the Remodeling Industry sends word that homes built prior to 1978 might contain lead contaminants. “To protect against this risk, the U.S. Environ-mental Protection Agency has issued a rule requiring the use of more stringent lead-safe practices aimed at preventing lead poisoning. Under the new rule, beginning in April 2010, contractors performing renovation, repair and painting projects that disturb lead-based paint in homes, child care facilities, and schools built before 1978 must be certified and must follow specific work practices to prevent lead contamination,” NARI reports. “Remodelers will get certified by the EPA by participating and passing a concentrated eight-hour training course about the dangers of lead paint, how to set up work areas that will not expose residents, minimize dust and leave the work area clean.”
Local student honored by NKBA
Mary Jo Hren, a student at Arapahoe Community College, was among the winners of the National Kitchen and Bath Association’s Outstanding Student Achievement Award. The award recognizes the top kitchen and bath design students at educational institutions recognized by the NKBA.
Radon gas concerns addressed
Concerns about radon found in granite countertops have the industry scrambling to inform consumers that products are safe. Although radon is sometimes found in granite, it’s also found in the soil along the Front Range and in other housing materials. To learn more about the issue, visit the following Web sites: www.marble-institute.com, www.nkba.org/consumers, or www.epa.gov.
Builders move to Castle Pines North
B&D Professional Builders, residential general contractors, recently relocated its office from downtown Castle Rock to 7437 Village Square Lane in Castle Pines North. The two-year-old company is owned by Eric Dille, president, and Greg Bickelhaupt, vice president of construction. “We have many projects underway in the Castle Pines and Highlands Ranch areas so this is a convenient, central location for our headquarters,” Dille said. “We also had the honor of receiving the first building permit issued by the new City of Castle Pines North Interim Building Permitting and Inspection Services Department, which is located next door to our business.” B&D Professional Builders focuses on residential remodeling design and building, commercial tenant finishing, and high-end custom home construction. For more information, call 303-688-5556.
Windows meet the standards
Accent Windows, Inc., a leading Colorado-based window manufacturer, announced that its top of the line Heat Mirror insulating glass windows already meet and exceed newly proposed U.S. Department of Energy Energy Star window performance standards to become effective in 2013. The DOE is raising the energy conservation performance standards of windows entitled to obtain the coveted Energy Star designation. Increased window performance standards will be launched in two phases, with the first phase targeted for an effective date in late 2009. The DOE proposes to launch the second phase with more demanding requirements in 2013, Accent Window reports. “While many manufacturers will need to re-engineer their products to meet the new standards, Accent’s energy efficient Heat Mirror windows not only meet, but already exceed, the proposed 2013 requirements,” said Terry Marcovich, president of Accent. The windows consist of
low emissivity and solar reflective film mounted inside an insulating glass unit in a variety of configurations (one or two coated films, clear or Low-E glass) that provide a range of energy conservation performance from R-4 to R-9.1, Accent reports.
