PR November 2004

CertainTeed's EverNew Kingston Railing System for decks, porches and balconies provides greater reinforcement in the rails with an aluminum bracket in the rail-to-post connection. Vinyl trim covers, designed for flat, stair, column, 45-degree and 22½-degree applications, conceal the brackets and fasteners from elements and create a seamless appearance.

Price Pfister offers Catalina, a pullout spray head lavatory faucet with arc styling for increased sink clearance. Users can toggle between the standard stream and spray modes by simply twisting the aerator, either while the pullout is extended or retracted. The faucet features a 55-inch stainless steel braided hose and ceramic disc valve for leak-free operation.

Carlisle's CCW-525 liquid-applied waterproofing membrane is ideal for balconies, roof decks, shower stalls and kitchens, as it prevents lateral water migration in a variety of applications. Moisture cured and coal-tar free, the membrane can be used on both above- and below-grade vertical and horizontal applications.

The new Accents collection of full escutcheon handle sets, decorative roses, knobs, levers and deadbolts, as well as a French door escutcheon option, can be made to match any room's décor. Other features include field reversible levers, concealed screws and an adjustable handle set post for easy installation and retrofit upgrades.

Timbermill woodgrain vinyl siding panels from Resource Material Corp. are made with TempRite CPVC vinyl material that is impervious to wood-boring insects and can resist fading. Timbermill log panels shield a home from exterior noise while reducing air leakage, heat transfer and water infiltration. The siding can withstand high altitudes and extreme sun exposure, with temperatures reaching 220 ...

Drawer dishwashers by KitchenAid allow users to wash two loads simultaneously at different cycle settings. With a variety of functional configurations, delicate items can be washed separately from pots and other heavy-duty kitchenware. Homeowners can even wash smaller loads using less water and power or wash dishes separately in kosher kitchens.

Texcote's Super Cote home exterior paint is 10 times thicker than ordinary house paint and has a heat-reflective formulation that can reduce the surface temperature of exterior walls by up to 40 degrees. The paint can be applied to stucco, wood, masonry and fiber-cement surfaces. Super Cote fights mildew and algae and helps prevent fading, even when used with dark-colored pigments.

The Slim-Line patio door system by Therma-Tru offers an advanced trouble-free track system that can withstand severe weather conditions. A broad viewing area lets light in, while tempered low-E glass and double weather-stripping provide energy efficiency. Available in one-, two-, three- and four-panel configurations with a range of widths and 6-feet, 8-inch and 8-feet heights, the door system c...

Twice a year I trek eastward to Harvard University to hear the latest research from the Joint Center for Housing Studies' Remodeling Futures Program. During one presentation this October, the speaker referred to "the Diderot effect" in remodeling. Denis Diderot, an 18th-century French philosopher, wrote an essay entitled "Regrets on Parting with My Old Dressing Gown.

The Timberlast wood composite decking and vinyl railing system from Kroy Building Products is made from material less than 1½ inches thick. With wood particles and fibers encased in plastic, deck board is protected from traditional problems like rot and decay. The deck's surface has a brushed texture to provide slip resistance in both wet and dry weather.