Remodeling Product Previews for March 2009

FSC-Clad

KlipTech's EcoClad exterior cladding is VOC- and benzene-free. Made from a 50/50 blend of FSC-certified, post-consumer recycled paper, wood fiber and bamboo fiber. The cladding is bound by a 100 percent water-based co-polymer resin. Added bonus: it could help you get 7 different LEED credits.

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A Loaded Addition

Whole-home surge protection is there to prevent damages to sensitive electronics such as computers and televisions. Eaton's new Plug-on Neutral Loadcenter enables a fast, efficient installation of Arc Fault breakers by eliminating the neutral pigtail. Simply connect the load wires and plug the breaker onto the neutral bar.

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Super-Duper Paint

Reliable and with a low-VOC formula, Sherwin-Williams' enhanced SuperPaint Interior features excellent durability, washability and scrubs to better resist household stains. For your paint crews, it provides a “color-full” look with a rich, glowing finish and can be used on drywall, plaster, paneling, wood, metal, concrete and masonry.

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Keep It Down In There

Green Glue is an eco-friendly viscoelastic compound used between layers of standard drywall to ensure best-in-class soundproofing at the lowest cost, so it won't matter if a jam band just moved in across the street. Green Glue dramatically improves sound isolation and significantly lessens noise and structure-borne sound transmission.

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Omnipotent Thermostats

The new technology behind HAI's OmniStat2 keeps precise temperature and humidity in the home. Using an advanced feature, the OmniStat2 actually “learns” the home's heating and cooling patterns and adjusts controls to maximize the installed HVAC system. A seven-day programmable feature is included. There are two models for different heating and cooling systems.

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Tankless For Three

The RTG-66DV by Rheem is a tankless natural gas water heater that provides a continuous supply of hot water from an energy-efficient and space-saving design. The UMC-117 model remote control is included and can be set to a range of 85 to 140 degrees. RTG-66DV model water heaters are suitable for a two- or three- bathroom home.

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Inspired Automation

Enspire by Vantage/Legrand is designed as a modular-based home automation system, allowing the homeowner the choice of automating a single room, such as a home theater; multiple rooms, perhaps with a multi-room audio system; or an entire house. It is available in two styles, Decorator and minimalist-inspired Architectural.

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Cool Discs

Use it above a mantel, below a cabinet or in a variety of other areas. Kichler's cool new Design Pro Discs use 75 percent less electricity than their incandescent counterparts and feature an ultra-thin, nearly invisible 3/8-inch profile. The cool-operating LED Design Pro Discs also apply the best LED technology available for focused or directional lighting.

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Sustainable Transition

Made from recycled aluminum and sustainable wood products, Kolbe's new Terra-Span lift and slide doors provide expansive, easy-to-operate doors that unobtrusively transition between indoor and outdoor living spaces. The doors can incorporate up to 10 panels per unit with a 12-foot maximum panel height. Each panel can nest behind one another or fit into a pocket opening.

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Solar Security

The Solar Entry Light by ODL contains four eco-friendly, energy-sipping LEDs and provides enough light to make entering a home easy after nightfall. Homeowners can see the keyhole, the ground and the steps leading to the door. The light can be installed in minutes and is completely self-contained, requiring no hard wiring.

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An Illuminated Mix

The beautiful Illuminations Electric Fireplace is an eclectic and attractive fireplace indeed. It's a fusion of translucent calcite stone, bee's wax, sand or glass and magnetic impulse flame technology. An arched portrait-style fireplace and the panoramic see-through fireplace (shown) features glowing stone, frosted and wax sleeve candelabras.

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Everybody Fu-Tung Tonight

It's all about versatility when it comes to renowned designer Fu-Tung Cheng and his new “elements,” line of cabinetry made by Tonusa. These modern cabinetry offerings feature such eco- and home-friendly elements as FSC-certified Plyboo bamboo doors, soft-close hinges, 3form resin sliding panels, and recycled aluminum fixtures.

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Cashing In

CMI unveiled an 8-foot-tall version of the CraftMaster Cashal arched top, two-panel plank interior door. The CraftMaster molded interior line has green attributes, such as containing a minimum of 50 percent by weight, pre-consumer recycled content. In addition to the doors, the company's MiraTEC trim and Extira panels have received Scientific Certification Systems' (SCS) certification for key green building elements.

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Leed Helper

You've heard of its spray foam, and here's the next generation. Icynene's LD-50 is a renewable-based foam insulation and air barrier that is responsibly made using castor oil. A big plus is that castor oil has been used in place of a portion of the petroleum-based polyol.

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Manly Cedar

Cedro Macho, or “Manly Cedar,” retains a warm reddish-brown color that naturally deepens over time and is especially appropriate for Mediterranean, cottage and Southwestern architectural styles. Marvin Entry Doors' new Character-grade Cedro Macho is available on all of the company's seven architectural styles, transoms and sidelites. The doors are FSC-certified as well.

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Review of IBS Green products