New Products Road Show
From: Jenny Stanley and Dan Cary of HANDY
Recently, HANDY editors Larry Okrend, Dan Cary, Connie Bastyr and Jenny Stanley, along with HCOA product testing manager Ross Tanner, attended a traveling trade show of sorts presented by some of our favorite home-improvement product manufacturers. The 2012 Media Road Show revealed products designed to not only beautify homes, but also boost durability, safety and energy efficiency—all important factors for homeowners wanting the biggest bang for their buck. Here are a few highlights.
Royce Kuntz, with DaVinci Roofscapes, holds up a sample while explaining the company’s new Bellaforté Shake polymer roofing tiles to the HANDY crew. Boasting eight different profiles that resemble natural, rough-hewn wood shakes, these tiles one-up the real thing (and then some) with their 50-year limited warranty. Plus, the product is 100 percent recyclable.
HANDY Editor in Chief Larry Okrend helps to demonstrate the effectiveness of Therma-Tru’s new textured privacy glass options that are now available in every door collection. The four new textures include: Chord, a vertical pattern resembling waves; Chinchilla, subtle lines and curves; Rainglass (shown with Larry’s hand), which resembles cascading water; and Granite, a grained arrangement with surface variations.
Simonton Windows revealed the new Asure product line of replacement windows and patio doors, which are designed to maximize the amount of natural daylight that enters a home while still providing safety and energy efficiency. The products feature a narrow frame with a stylish brickmould exterior that also enhances curb appeal on the outside.
The Fypon PVC Column Wrap isn’t a new product, but it was our first time seeing it. If you’ve got a porch with old posts that are out of alignment or just plain ugly to look at, then this non-structural post wrap is a perfect solution. It is simply install over the existing column and is secured to the floor and ceiling or header. These columns are available in a variety of styles, including straight, tapered, fluted or paneled sides and include the cap, base and external squaring block.