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  • March 2015

    More content from March 2015

    Worker hangs vinyl siding.

    Exteriors: Are Remodelers Taking a Fresh Look at Vinyl Siding?

    When it comes to exterior cladding options, what are the reasons behind the choices remodelers make? Is it cost, homeowner preference, design options, or something else entirely...
    March 25, 2015

    We Ask the PRIME Advisory Panel: What's the Next Big Thing?

    This month’s question to our PRIME advisory panel: What’s the next business milestone or trend? What's the next step in your career?  Referrals Lower Lead CostsI believe ...
    March 25, 2015
    Collage of images of consumers ordering their own materials for remodeling projects

    Furnished by Owner: A Lot Can Go Wrong When Clients Supply Materials

    David Leff had a problem. One of his clients purchased a sink online for him to install and the unit arrived cracked in a cardboard box. Three reorders later, Leff finally taught...
    March 18, 2015
    Christopher Dietz pictured with his lawyer, Sara Kropf.

    The Good Fight: How I Defended My Reputation

     In 2012, Dietz Development, a Washington, D.C., remodeler, filed suit against a former client. The case was over negative reviews posted by the client online. Although both...
    March 18, 2015
    The Nest smart thermostat collects user behavior data

    The Good, Better, Best of Smart Technology for the Home

    Advancements in home automation technology provide consumers with added convenience and have dramatically lowered home energy costs. But with so many brands on the market, it ...
    March 11, 2015
    Hand using smart phone to control smart home devices from a smart phone

    The Connected Home: Technology for the Average Remodeling Client

    Ten years ago the advice to builders and remodelers was to “future proof” homes with an expensive cable infrastructure that connected data ports in every room to a central box...
    March 11, 2015
    Kitchen seating at a round table

    Narrow Victory: Tackling a Deep, Elongated Kitchen Plan

    The challenge with this single-family home is that the layout is narrow and deep like a row house. The flow is choppy, with five rooms—two large, formal living and dining spaces...
    March 9, 2015

    Product Trends: Wall-Hung Toilets

    Toto Maris Wall-Hung High-Efficiency ToiletThe wall-hung version of Toto's high-efficiency toilet saves 9 inches of space, making it ideal for small areas. Sporting dual-...
    March 4, 2015
    The Mohawk Rare Vintage collection of laminate flooring features heavily textured planks with the appearance of reclaimed hardwood.

    Mohawk Rare Vintage Collection

    The collection of laminate flooring features heavily textured chestnuts and rustic oaks with the appearance of reclaimed hardwood. Planks are 7 ½ inches wide and 12 mm thick and...
    March 4, 2015
    Lauzon’s Expert flooring collection is made from FSC-certified hard maple.

    Lauzon Expert Collection

    Made of solid wood two-ply construction with lamination and a 5.4 mm dry solid sawn top layer, Lauzon’s Expert flooring collection offers a lifetime structural limited warranty...
    March 4, 2015
    Tile sizes in Crossville's Empire porcelain tile line run the gamut from large format—like the tile shown here—to small mosaics.

    Crossville Empire Tile Line Relaunch

    The new incarnation of the Empire porcelain tile line features nine colors and more size options. Designers can create ombre effects, and the addition of new hues such as midnight...
    March 4, 2015
    Carlisle’s new collection of wood flooring is made from 9-inch wide heart pine.

    Carlisle Wide Plank Floors Lakehouse Collection

    Carlisle’s new collection is made from 9-inch wide heart pine, which is known for its grain and knots. The prefinished collection is offered in six colors (Boathouse, shown). ...
    March 4, 2015
    Achieve a low-profile recessed can look with this LED flush-mount light from Maxim.

    Maxim Lighting Diverse LED Flush-Mount

    Achieve a low-profile recessed can look with this LED flush-mount light. The die-cast aluminum mount is 6 ½ inches wide and 1 ¾ inches high and is available in white, bronze, ...
    March 4, 2015
    Ideal for sloped-ceiling applications, Juno's The Slope and Super Slope Downlights output 900 lumens of high-quality light.

    Juno Lighting Group Slope Ceiling Generation 4 LED Downlights

    The Slope and Super Slope Downlights output 900 lumens of high-quality light. Operating on as little as 15.4 watts, the lights require about half the energy of equivalent CFLs...
    March 4, 2015
    The 122-watt Shop LED light from Big Ass delivers 13,000 lumens of ultra-bright light.

    Big Ass Shop Light LED

    This 122-watt Shop LED light for home garages and workshops delivers 13,000 lumens of ultra-bright light. Constructed of a single piece of extruded aluminum for strength and a...
    March 4, 2015
    Nuvo Lighting’s Thread Linear LED system is available in 6-, 12-, 21-, and 30-inch lengths.

    Nuvo Lighting Thread Linear LED Lighting System

    Aimed at offering the same flexibility and performance that users enjoy with KolourOne LED technology, Nuvo Lighting’s Thread Linear LED system is available in 6-, 12-, 21-, and...
    March 4, 2015
    Cooper Lighting Halo LED HL6 All-Slope Downlights are ideal for sloped ceilings like this one.

    Cooper Lighting Halo LED HL6 All-Slope Downlights

    This high-efficiency LED downlight system is designed for sloped ceilings with a 10-degree to 45-degree pitch. The system consists of 6-inch housings available in 1,200 lumens...
    March 4, 2015
    The Panasonic WhisperRecessed LED Light Fan is Energy Star–certified and has a recessed LED light.

    Panasonic WhisperRecessed LED Light Fan

    This Energy Star–certified fan from Panasonic includes a recessed LED light and offers quiet operation. The 80-cfm fan exhausts indoor pollutants, allergens, and moisture while...
    March 4, 2015
    Hafele America's Loox line of LED lights offers Interior cabinet lighting to help illuminate deep cabinets such as this one.

    Hafele Loox LED Lighting System

    Hafele America has introduced more than 12 new lighting products to the Loox LED line, including 12-volt and 24-volt pucks, flexible ribbons, light bars, and switching and dimming...
    March 4, 2015
    Hidden from view, Legrand's Adorne Under-Cabinet Lighting System boasts a modular track that fits under kitchen cabinets.

    Legrand Adorne Under-Cabinet Lighting System

    Customizable with modular LED puck or linear lights, the Adorne Under-Cabinet Lighting System boasts a modular track that fits under kitchen cabinets and can include power outlets...
    March 3, 2015
    A sampling of Nora Lighting's wide variety of blue-glass pendant styles.

    Nora Lighting Blue Glass Pendants

    Choose from more than 20 blue-glass pendant styles from Nora Lighting in shades ranging from aquamarine to sapphire to add a splash of color to interiors. The fixtures come in...
    March 3, 2015

    Eldorado Stone Fireplace Surrounds

    Hand-finished and sanded during a four-step production process, the fireplace surrounds can be installed in just a few hours. Each surround comes with an installation kit, and...
    March 2, 2015
    Photo of Marvin Windows Next Generation Ultimate Double Hung Window

    Marvin Windows Next Generation Ultimate Double Hung Window

    At the 2015 International Builders’ Show, Marvin Windows and Doors won the award for Best Window and Door Product for the Next Generation Ultimate Double Hung Window. Offering...
    March 2, 2015
    wall mounted toilet

    Why a toilet wall mounted

    Flush toilets have been around for more than two centuries, so one might think there isn’t much that can be improved. Recently, however, a newer type of unit has found its way...
    Feb. 27, 2015
    Blower-door test in progress

    Green Remodeling: Where It’s at, Where It’s Headed

    Building science is teaching us that houses are complex systems in which the management of air, water, and heat must be carefully coordinated. We interview four long-time practitioners...
    Feb. 26, 2015
    Man wearing ill-fitting clothes

    How to Build a Marketing Budget That Fits Your Company Just Right

    What percentage of gross sales should you budget for marketing? Is 2 percent enough? Is 10 percent too much?   Despite what you may have heard, when it comes to your marketing...
    Feb. 26, 2015
    BB King plays the blues

    Got the Business Planning Blues? It's Time to Sing a New Song

    We’ve all heard the adage, “If you fail to plan, plan to fail.” It’s catchy, but is it true? If it were true, nine out of 10 remodeling businesses would be failing, ...
    Feb. 26, 2015