Residential Design+Build - October 2011

o c t o b e r 2 0 1 1

rdbmagazine.com

also insidebusiness excellence

Awards winnersMy plan for survival

Manufactured stone trends

team up to succeed communication, respect and teamwork are the keys to creating a highly detailed custom project

Tess Giuliani makes her bathrooma ‘magical reality’ with Geberit®

Designer Tess Giuliani wanted to create a bathroom that gave the feeling of an elegant powderroom, but with all the amenities of a full bath.

Positioned on the first floor as partof an addition to her home, thebathroom’s tight space required allof her creativity to achieve hervision of a serene, beautifulJapanese garden.

The Geberit in-wall tank and carriersystem was the perfect solution.Having the tank in the wall and thetoilet off the floor makes the toiletdiscreet and entirely opens up theroom. The tiles, which are paintedas a continuous sea of water withswimming Koi fish, are easily seenbecause the toilet is off the floor –giving it maximum exposure.

Aesthetically, Geberit was theperfect solution, giving thebathroom design a clean, warm,and Asian flair.

See how the Geberit concealedtank and carrier systemcan inspire you. For afree copy of the Geberit Now DVD, our full linedigital resource, visit usat www.geberitnow.com or call 866/787-3924.

It’s Technology Enabling Design.

Residence of Designer Tess GiulianiNew Jersey

www.geberit.us866/787-3924

Use your smartphoneto scan this image forimmediate informationon Geberit.

Photographer:Peter Rymwid

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Video network Design, marketing and more

editor’s blog Homeowners can be your best advocates

industry news All the news in one place

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coVer story: project showcase

16 team up to succeedCommunication, respect and teamwork are the keys to creating a highly detailed custom project

exclusiVe

24 business excellence AwardsTwo exceptional firms are recognized for community involvement and marketing practices

business

28 My plan for survivalSucceed, struggle, collapse and pick up the pieces to succeed again

product trends

32 Manufactured stoneManufacturers share information about new products, trends and technologies in the manufactured stone segment

productsProduct Gallery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34

Product Focus: roofing . . . . . .35

Literature Gallery . . . . . . . . . . . . . .36

Advertiser/editorial Index . . .37

Finishing touch: Water walls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .38

adVice, opinionseditor’s comments . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4

Luis Jauregui, AIA, on Design . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8

Jay Grant on building . . . . . . . . . 10

John Wagner on Green Homes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12

Joseph Dellanno on communication . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

r d b m a g a z i n e . c o m r e s i d e n t i a l d e s i g n + b u i l d o c t o b e r 2 0 1 1 3

c o n t e n t s

he best part of my job is talking with you — those who are on the front lines every day. I enjoy hearing about your business, what you need to do your job better, and where you think things are

headed. I learn a lot from these conversations, and I’m humbled to have them every time I work on a new issue or attend an industry event.

In this issue, two winners of the 2011 Business Excellence Awards are profiled (page 24). I enjoyed talking to these two people about two very different business practices: marketing and community involvement. Charles Cunniffe Architects in Aspen, Colo., won the market-ing category; Laughlin Homes & Restoration, Fredericksburg, Texas, won the community involvement category.

Speaking with Rebecca Richardson, direc-tor of business development, Charles Cunniffe Architects, it was clear how much the firm val-ues marketing, reaching clients — potential and past — and maintaining a positive, profes-sional online presence. Richardson handles all the blogging, Twitter, Facebook, newsletters, videos and so on. Oftentimes, I hear custom trade professionals say they don’t have the time for these things. But for Richardson and the firm, these tools are non-negotiables — meaning they will get done because they are too important to be ignored. Richardson said something very powerful in the interview: “You are limiting yourself if you haven’t done it.”

Another common argument I’ve heard in the industry is that “my clients aren’t on those sites.” So I asked Richardson just that: “Are the clients you are reaching on these sites the younger generation?” She said it’s clients of all ages, not limited to the younger generation.

Because her target client is an affluent one, she says they are more likely to be connected to these sites via an iPad, laptop or smart-phone. Richardson has a lot on her plate with her regular every day responsibilities but she continues pushing the online marketing because she believes so strongly in it. It was refreshing to hear her take.

i was also impressed during my conversation with Richard Laughlin, president, Laughlin

Homes & Restoration. His passion for com-munity involvement is hard to miss as it oozes out of everything he says. When asked why he is involved in so many things, his answer was simply because it’s the right thing to do.

Laughlin and the company are represented on many organizations in Fredericksburg, Texas, and each organization gets the atten-tion it deserves. These aren’t resume builders for Laughlin; they are honestly and truly to make his community a better place — a place in which his family has strong roots.

These two firms make extra time to com-plete tasks outside the every day routine, and it’s inspiring to hear how and why they do so. Read their full profiles on page 24.

Does your firm participate in extracurricular business practices? I’d love to hear from you: [email protected], 920-563-1675 or on Twitter @MaureenAlley. ■

take your business one step further

t

editorial director rob [email protected]

editor Maureen [email protected]

managing editor Laurie [email protected]

contributing writersJoe Dellanno, Jay Grant, Luis Jauregui, AIA, John D. Wagner

art director richmond Powers

production mgr. Steve Swick

circulation mgr. Jackie Flack

reader serVice mgr. rich Hendricks

production serVices rep. Kathleen Weaver

administratiVe assistant Kasey Strike

ceo John French

cFo Paul bonaiuto

eVp digital tom Kohn

eVp building & construction Kris Flitcroft

Vp content Greg Udelhofen

Vp marketing Debbie George

Vp sales Steve beyer

Vp manuFacturing tom Martin

Vp audience deVelopment Julie Nachtigal

Vp technology eric Kammerzelt

Vp production operations curt Pordes

human resources ed Wood

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he idea for this article came from a book that has been sitting forgot-ten on my credenza for about two years. I mostly listen to audio books and I happened to download this

particular book to my smartphone this week, “A Whole New Mind — Why Right Brainers Will Rule the Future” by Daniel H. Pink. As I was listening to the book, it brought to mind a bit of a past column, “Spread Love for Good Design” ( June, page 6).

The left hemisphere of our brain is associated with analyzing details, performing mechanical calculations and the more engineer-

ing part of our thinking. The right hemisphere is the synthesizer, seeing the big picture and is the creative part of our intellect. This book emphasizes how much in demand creative thinkers — right-brainers — will be and how design will rule the future.

Pink summarizes it this way: “High-concept and high-touch aptitudes are moving from the periphery of our lives to the center.” Design has permeated every aspect of life, and the psychol-ogy of consumer patterns and preferences drives product design.

Pink expounds about good design as king across industries in a global way. He quotes

Robert Lutz, the former executive at General Motors, as he describes his approach to drive the company: … “more right brain … as being in the art business. Art, entertainment and mobile sculpture, which coincidentally also happens to provide transportation.”

conversely, Pink provides an example of bad design and its profound conse-

quences: The butterfly ballot from the 2000 presidential election confused thousands of voters due to its poor design, and ultimately changed the course of United States history.

Pink says the demand for high design is

t

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right-brainers rule the futureHistory proves good, quality design makes products successful and in demand

exceptionally strong. With the changes the global markets have experienced due to auto-mation, recent influences from Asia and the incredible abundance of products created and consumed, good design becomes the differen-tiating criteria for consumers’ product choices.

Buyers recognize good design brings added value and associate good design with quality performance. Products that are well designed and also perform well will be in greatest demand. Whether you are an architect, builder or design/build entity, it’s all about good design that performs well.

Not all architects are created equal, and those with a higher level of creativity are going to take leading roles in firms and projects. Through my professional experience, I have struggled to find new design talent with creative juices that meets the growing demand and work volume.

Many of my industry colleagues concur that finding candidates for these mature designer positions is one of the toughest challenges an architect’s office faces.

i t’s important to cultivate and value good designers. If you are an architectural firm and

lucky enough to have team members that are qualified at this level, appreciate what you have. It’s this kind of talent that propels your firm to higher ground. If you are a building entity, make sure to associate yourself with design firms that possess the highest level of creativ-ity to best ensure your future endeavors. If you are a design/build firm, allow your design tal-ent to take the lead. Otherwise, design-focused companies will eat your lunch.

I highly recommend reading this book for its entertaining anecdotes and compelling out-look. If you’ve been around the design industry for some time, you will recognize that Pink’s predictions are very well based. If you’re new to the industry, there’s a wealth of good advice that will change your future. ■

luis jauregui, aia, has been a member of the local and national chapters of the American Institute of Architects for more than 20 years. He is an active leader within the Homebuilders Association of Austin, Texas. Send email to [email protected]. Read past columns at rdbmagazine.com.

buyers recognize good design brings added value and associate it with quality performance

For confi dence underfoot – and overhead –builders trust Ainsworth Engineered. For fl ooring systems that lay fl at and true. For stairs that won’t cup, sag or squeak. For cost-competitive, sustainably sourced products, reliably supplied, choose quality. Choose Ainsworth.

1 W" 0.8E Durastrand® OSL Code-approved for short-span headers.

1 W" 0.8E Durastrand® OSL Code-approved for stair stringers. Rim Board

Available in various dimensions: 1" and 1 B/i" Rim Board 1 B/i" and 1 W" Rim Board Plus E-rated 1 W" 0.8 OSL Rimboard

PointSIX™ Durastrand FlooringAn engineered subfl oor solution, with patented tapered-edge technology, designed to offset the effects of moisture exposure.

Webstock Ainsworth OSB is used in more wood I-joists than any other brand.

SteadiTred® Bull-nosed, span-rated stair treads are code approved and ready-to-install. Engineered for the job, they save time, money and waste.

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Ainsworth.Surround yourself with engineered quality.

e can safely say that it has been six years since our market peaked in 2005. Many of us have endured bumps and bruises while

seeking to remain viable and striving for the holy grail of any business in a capitalist soci-ety, specifically, to do our jobs admirably and achieve profitability. It’s more essential than ever to stick to the basics. Borrowing a theme from one of my many yoga teachers, I suggest a quick review of three basic principles of good personal and business health: attitude, align-ment and action.

Attitude. Today, this is a tough one. How many times can you dust yourself off after putting forth your best effort and failing to achieve the goal you have set for yourself? It is not easy. If you are an entrepreneur by choice — not by default — then you are naturally predisposed to being optimistic and upbeat. Your glass is always half full, never half empty. In business, the supply and demand chain is tilted against your efforts; there are too few jobs and too many competitors vying for the same project.

Your prospect is nervous, full of self-doubt accompanied by lofty plans and a dismal bud-get. Perhaps worst of all, he seeks multiple bids and believes he deserves top-quality labor, material and service while paying a project rate that is set by the low bidder.

Perhaps your attitude is also affected by a new condition brought on by the present econ-omy: bid fatigue and burnout. Until recently, I was energized and happy when I received a plan to bid. Now, not so much. Undoubtedly, custom building begins with a plan to bid, but an all-time low conversion rate coupled

with the knowledge of the time and expense required to secure proposals from trades and suppliers all contribute to the feelings associ-ated with bid fatigue.

The sales methodologies I have used for combating these feelings include advising the prospect that to do a complete and thorough bid proposal will require them to share some of

my cost to create a qualified detailed bid. We summarize these costs, objectives and scope of work in our Professional Service Agreement document.

Alignment. In my yoga classes, the teacher stresses alignment of your body core with the extremities by energizing from the middle and strengthening the muscles that are being used for the pose. The correlation between alignment of body parts in a yoga pose and the alignment of your business practices and objectives is the key element to connecting to your action plan.

If your attitude and goals are aligned, then your action plan can be written with relative ease.

Do you have a written plan of action to deal with the economic obstacles you are navigating daily? Are you feeling worn down by the con-stant barrage of challenges that invariably arise like a modern day vampire looking to suck

the lifeblood from your business and check-ing account? Have you noticed the difficulty of remaining positive when the primary draw on your finances are expenses that are not bal-anced by adequate income?

Unfortunately, the state of our industry demands we confront these challenges, and the responsibilities we have undertaken as

business owners demand we succeed. Lean on your employees, colleagues and trades for the support and understanding necessary to continue. Strengthen your relationships with existing clients, and open your communication to prospects so they too can become part of the solution and not part of the problem. Today is a good day to ask for help. Offer help and be a team leader that rallies your troops while reinforcing your own plan to remain positive, aligned and focused on success. I wish you the best. ■

it’s more essential than ever to stick to the basics

W

jay grant, president of Grant Homes, a residential design/build firm in Mendham, N.J., focuses on building luxury custom homes and renovations/additions. He is the recipient of more than 20 industry awards including best website for granthomesusa.com. Grant is available for business consulting. Send email to [email protected]. Read past columns at rdbmagazine.com.

Use yoga practices to evaluate business healththree basic principles can provide direction in a different climate

1 0 o c t o b e r 2 0 1 1 r e s i d e n t i a l d e s i g n + b u i l d r d b m a g a z i n e . c o m

j a y g r a n t o n b u i l d i n g

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Make it a double.


live in Vermont, zone 6, where we have 7,771 heating degree days (base 65 degrees). We burn gas in our household for hydronic baseboards; we don’t have air conditioning.

Out of curiosity, I started ball-parking costs for a rooftop solar photovoltaic system, which I would link to a new ground-source geothermal heat pump. I was curious what it would take to get off petroleum and leave the grid, where we get most of our electric power from Canadian hydro sources.

First, the ground-source geothermal heat

pump system would run around $30,000. Then, to put up enough rooftop solar to power the heat pump’s compressors, it was potentially another $20,000. We are in a cloudy area and I’d need batteries. Even with the rooftop solar, I would still have to tap into the grid to kick over the 40-amp geothermal compressors. That’s a total of $50,000.

At 5 percent bank rates over 30 years, that’s $270 a month ($3,240 a year), minus the deductibility and the state and federal tax credits. It’s more than I pay for my gas bill now. But my gas payments are in cash, and I don’t

have to sop up so much credit nor assume debt to pay the gas company.

Worth it? Not really. In fact, that sort of a solar-geo setup is a trophy system. It’s an impractical fantasy — and bad energy policy — to think it could be viably installed on a house-by-house basis.

I costed-out these energy solutions because of some information I learned from Robert Bryce’s book “Power Hungry: The Myths of ‘Green’ Energy and the Real Fuels of the Future.” As glamorous as it is to express love for solar and look with pride at windmills spinning on ridge-

Put aside solar and wind … for nowGovernment regulations are the key to reducing energy demands


j o h n d . w a g n e r o n g r e e n h o m e s

The outlook is always sunny for builders who install pointSIX™ Flooring. And no wonder. With pointSIX Durastrand Flooring, there’s no

sanding, no cost surcharge, and no headaches caused by edge swell thanks to a patented tapered-edge technology. There are no guarantees on weather. All the more reason to choose flooring that’s guaranteed for life.

You can’t predict the weather. But you can choose better flooring.

www.pointsixflooring.com

FORECAST: RAIN FOLLOWED BY A LIFETIME

OF FLAT FLOORING.


OF FLAT FLOORING.

Cost more? No. Work better? Yes. End of story.

lines — believe me, I’m a museum-quality envi-ronmentalist — you have to ask if those systems can deliver a meaningful contribution to our grid or energy reserves. In addition, that has to be seen in the light of how much energy it takes to manufacture the alternative generators and how much land is required to make them work.

Robert Bryce points out that California’s peak electricity demand is about 52,000 mega-watts, of which around 17,000 megawatts will soon have to come from renewable sources by law. The new California-based $2 billion Ivanpah solar plant will provide a whopping 370 of those megawatts. The size of that solar farm is 5.5 sq. miles. That’s $2 billion to produce .02 percent of the total required renewables.

How about wind?Bryce further points out in a recent New York

Times op-ed that the Texas-based Roscoe wind farm covers about 154 sq. miles and generates 781.5 megawatts. In California, that would add another .04 percent of power contribution toward the 17,000 megawatt required renewable total.

The answer is deducing overall energy demand through new codes and efficiently burning domestic gas. Reducing demand will

not come from uncoordinated volunteer efforts. It will come from government regulation.

Articles I have written in the past that support government energy regulations have been met with negative responses from some readers, so keep those cards and letters coming. But honestly, stricter government regulation of the energy performance of a structure is what’s required to solve our energy consump-tion problems, which are real and will only get more costly.

The 2012 implementation of the (proposed) International Code Council International Energy Conservation Code is a good start, and its goal is a 30 percent incremental energy sav-ings compared to the 2006 IECC. The IECC approach is ideal because it focuses on thermal envelope performance, which is the keystone to

any energy-efficient future. As a companion to the IECC regulations, we have seen a dramatic rise in innovative green energy products and efficient HVAC units.

I’m all for solar and wind solutions — the more innovation, the better. For instance, hyper-low-friction, rooftop, mag-lev wind holds prom-ise. But solar and wind have to be seen in the unglamorous light of their embodied energy and how much they can realistically and cost-effectively contribute to our energy future. ■

john d. wagner is an award-winning author of many books and articles about construction, and a frequent contributor to the industry’s leading trade magazines. A sought-after speaker for industry events, he can be contacted at JohnDWagner.com. Read past columns at rdbmagazine.com.

reducing demand will not come from uncoordinated volunteer efforts

r d b m a g a z i n e . c o m r e s i d e n t i a l d e s i g n + b u i l d o c t o b e r 2 0 1 1 1 3

The outlook is always sunny for builders who install pointSIX™ Flooring. And no wonder. With pointSIX Durastrand Flooring, there’s no

sanding, no cost surcharge, and no headaches caused by edge swell thanks to a patented tapered-edge technology. There are no guarantees on weather. All the more reason to choose flooring that’s guaranteed for life.

You can’t predict the weather. But you can choose better flooring.

www.pointsixflooring.com


OF FLAT FLOORING.


OF FLAT FLOORING.

Cost more? No. Work better? Yes. End of story.

Editor’s note: The following stories are true and happened recently. Names were changed to protect identities.

oe, the customer called last night and asked if you would make sure to lock all the doors of her house at the end of the day,” the

design/build company owner says.“OK boss, I am on it,” Moe says.The customer came home only to find the

door was unlocked. Locking a door is an easy task, and the customer’s expectations were not lofty or unreasonable. But Moe dropped the ball and ruined the chances of any potential referrals that might have been generated for future work.

“Larry, Hurricane Bob is on the way. Make sure the third floor dormer cheek walls are tarped off and the house does not leak,” the design/build company owner says.

“OK boss,” Larry says.Not only did Hurricane Bob nail the third

floor, but it also drenched the second and first floors, which were recently renovated by the company. Instead of the construction crew working on the third floor, the homeowner now has the crew working on all three floors. The scope of work increased and the profit on the project magically vanished along with any potential referral that might have been gener-ated for future work.

“Curly, the homeowner has a house cat. Make sure the cat is not allowed outside for any reason. Do you understand?” the design/build company owner asks.

“OK boss,” Curly says.

Curly went one step further and told the customer he just saw a red-tailed hawk perched in the tree in the backyard dining on fresh rab-bit. Within the hour, the cat escaped and the hawk’s buddies began circling the house. The homeowner was beside herself and Curly spent the next three days looking for the cat. This guarantees the project will not produce a profit or a referral.

These stories are too typical in our industry. But, seldom do you hear about them. On the one hand, asking a contractor to babysit a cat as part of their work is really not in the job description. It certainly was not a priority for the craftsman while he was rebuilding some-one’s house. Probably, the cat should have been crated or taken to another location during con-struction. But, the bigger issue was about man-aging the task and the job.

The jobsite is like an open factory for the entire world to see. Homeowners are now armed with smartphones with digital cameras that can capture high-definition images that can be shared with building departments, OSHA officials, other governing agencies and Uncle Bob in Wichita. It is extremely important to communi-cate with your building crew that people are tracking their behavior, craftsmanship and atti-tudes. Now more than ever, your crew must per-form to higher professional standards to ensure long-term business in a recovering market.

Like a well-balanced team, you need to have

a game plan or a plan B when something goes awry. In Moe’s case there should have been someone to back up Moe or checking the checker. A few extra minutes could save a whole bunch of headache.

In Larry’s case, the bomb was forecasted weeks in advance. When weather becomes extreme, the building team needs to take extreme measures to keep the home dry. Communicate with the

homeowner during the weather event, drive by to inspect the conditions, and most importantly use proper materials and methods to battle Mother Nature.

Curly’s tongue was the most dangerous weap-on used in Curly’s case. We all do it from time to time; open mouth, insert foot. Curly did not mean to cause the homeowner panic but the word flew out and so did the cat. Less is more in this case.

You probably have one or two classic Moe, Larry or Curly stories. Send me your best story and it may make it in my next column. Make sure you change the names to protect the not so innocent. Keep your story under 400 words and email it to [email protected]. ■

joseph dellanno is the founder of My Design/Build Project, a Web communication application for design and build teams, and president of My Design/Build Coach, providing design/build business training. He is also president of Design Solutions, a national design firm. Send email to [email protected]. Read past columns at rdbmagazine.com.

Manage your reputation at all timesemployee practices can make or break a client experience

“M the jobsite is like an open factory for the entire world to see


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The details are unclear on how each party became involved in the design and build of this project, the Gracious Estate in Kingwood, Texas. Danny Foster, vice president and partner, Sugar Creek Homes in Kingwood, Texas, says there is a good reason for that. “The best way for it to work is for a professional builder, interior designer, architect and homeowner

to work together in unison,” he says. “And because of this, it’s hard to remember when people became involved in the process.”

The interior designer played a major role in this project, helping the homeowners decipher the level and type of details needed to go into this home. The open communication between the interior designer, architect and builder guaranteed the process moved smoothly without any surprises.

meeting wants, needsThe homeowners were extremely involved

and clear about what they wanted in this house. “The first thing she requested was that she liked contrast; she wanted a lot of contrast in the house. We accomplished it

communication, respect and teamwork are the keys to creating a highly detailed custom projectBy Maureen Alley, editor

b


c o V e r s t o r y : p r o j e c t s h o w c a s e

2011

DesignE X C E L L E N C E A W A R D S

Interior designer, builder, architect and homeowners worked closely to accomplish a highly detailed 6,500-sq.-ft. home in a gated community.

PHotoS: MIro DVorScAK, DM PHotoGrAPHy

team up to succeed

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with our finishes and designs — using a lot of greens, blacks, creams,” says Jane-Page Crump, president, Jane Page Design Group, Houston.

The homeowners also wanted views of the lake. “They both emphasized to me the beauty of their waterfront, heavily wooded lot and explained their desire to take advantage of all views of the lake in rooms which faced the back,” says Bat Oggero, AIBD, partner, Sullivan, Henry, Oggero, Houston. “Within an hour [of the first meeting], the floor plans of both first and second floors were roughly sketched. At this point, I gave [the homeowners] the homework assignment of cutting out pictures of house elevations they liked from magazines and bringing them back to our next meeting. They were to make notes on these cutouts as to what

specifically they liked and even noting features they disliked, in order to give me a clear idea of this couple’s taste preferences.”

Jane Page Design Group prepared the interior design, proposed it to the client and presented it to the architect and builder. “There were never major issues because we were good about giving the architect and builder our specifications early on,” Crump says.

Certain factors in the house needed to be prepared early on including the lighting according to Crump. “It’s easiest if the lighting system is prepared early on because you have to determine what the light source will be — hanging, ceiling, accent lights,” Crump says.

To prepare the lighting plan, it was important for Jane Page Design Group to understand how the homeowners lived. By understanding their lifestyle, the interior designers were able to create a lighting system that met the homeowners’ every day needs. Most rooms have an average of five light sources, Crump adds.

approach challenges head onThis house, like many other custom

projects, had its handful of challenges. “One of the initial challenges was getting it to fit on the lot,” Foster says. “The lot sits halfway in and halfway out of the city. Getting this close-to-7,000-sq.- ft. home positioned correctly and then trying to permit the house whether in the city or county was a big challenge.”

The solution of getting the home to fit on the lot properly is due to Oggero’s expertise, Foster says. “It required a lot of geometry, allocating space, trying to maximize the number of rooms on the back of the house,” he says. “We pushed the house farther back toward the lake. Almost every room has a view of the lake. [Oggero] was able to make it work.”


c o V e r s t o r y : p r o j e c t s h o w c a s e

the interior designer on the project, Jane-Page crump, president, Jane Page Design Group, says the theater is one of her favorite parts of the house.

the homeowners were specific about what they wanted in the house. contrast was one of the features they requested.

Oggero emphasizes that working with Sugar Creek was a great part of creating a solution to this problem. “Although it was a full acre lot, its shape was a long and narrow trapezoid which presented a challenge due to the largeness of their desired house. Through working and negotiat-ing with [Sugar Creek Homes], I was able to place the house at its most advantageous position meeting all restrictions while utilizing the lot’s intrinsic lakefront scenic views,” Oggero says.

working in unisonWhen asked what’s their favorite part of

the house, Oggero, Crump and Foster all pro-vide different answers. “I love walking into the space; it feels good,” Crump says. “The theater is also one of my favorites.”

Foster likes the backyard and back porch. “It has a great summer kitchen with tile that has the homeowners’ initials laser sketched into it. The Phantom Screens protect from bugs, there are great views of the lake, and the giant yard with trees are great,” he says. “My other favorite is the whole house automation and media room. It has a whole house Crestron

system that is pretty awesome.”Oggero’s favorite part is the home’s flow

literally and figuratively. “Not just because of the open floor plan, but it is our combined team’s expression of using flow to express our clients’ descriptions of how they planned to use their home. ”

No matter whom you ask, Oggero, Foster or Crump, they are all in unison when they say the success of the project relied on teamwork and communication of all involved.

“It was the formation of our triad, a team working at times together and other times separately with the single purpose of creating a home full of the many obvious and subtle architectural components, multilayered design features, and complex building techniques which uniquely expressed our clients’ vision for their home,” Oggero says.

“It does help that we’ve worked together before, but it really helps when you have the right personalities of each member,” Crump says. “If you have someone who cares about the client and giving the client quality, then we are all on the same page.” ■


the back of the house includes an outdoor kitchen and views of a lake.

+ interior designerJane Page Design GroupHouston janepagedesigngroup.com

+ builderSugar creek HomesKingwood, texassugarcreekhome.com

+ architectSullivan, Henry, oggeroHoustonsshodesign.com

+ Project name: Gracious estateLocation: Kingwood, texas Size: 6,500 sq. ft.

+ exteriorroofing: MonierLifetileWindows: Andersen Windows and Doors

+ interiorDoors: truStiletile: thorntree Slate and Marble, Walker-Zanger, DaltileFlooring: cangelosi, thorntree Slate and MarbleLighting: Fine Art Lamps, Lighting Inc., Laymance Art Lighting, currey & co., Visual comfortFireplaces: Isokern

+ kitchencountertops: bolfing brothersSinks: Julien Inc.Faucets: Dornbrachtrange: Wolf Applianceexhaust hood: Vent-A-Hoodovens: Viking rangeAppliance drawers: Viking rangerefrigerator/freezer: Sub-Zero Inc.Wine storage: Sub-Zero Inc.Dishwashers: Asko AppliancesMicrowave: Sharp Appliance

+ bathcountertops: bolfing brotherstubs: bainUltraShowers: Hansgrohe USAtoilets: toto USAFaucets: Altmans Products, rohl, PhylrichSinks: St. thomas, Linkasink, bates and batesWasher/dryer: Whirlpool corp.

+ technologyHome control system: crestron electronicsLighting control: crestron electronicsStructured wiring: crestron electronicsSecurity system: crestron electronicstheater projector/tV: crestron electronicsSound containment: crestron electronicsMedia server: crestron electronicstouchpanels: crestron electronics

+ outdoor livingLighting: crestron electronicsGrill: Viking rangerefrigerator: Viking range

two exceptional firms win the 2011 business excellence AwardsBy Maureen Alley, editor

2011

BusinessE X C E L L E N C E A W A R D S

n January 2011, Charles Cunniffe Architects in Aspen, Colo., rolled out a social media strategy. This included a blog, Facebook page and Twitter account. In addition, the

company provides quarterly e-newsletters that share company and industry news, a company website and LinkedIn profile.

“The main reason for the rollout was [Search Engine Optimization] to expand our reach. We do projects all over the U.S. and the world, and we wanted to make sure we were reaching that,” says Rebecca Richardson, director of business development for the company.

Richardson handles all the marketing tools, and admits it is a lot of extra work on top of her regular duties, but she believes strongly in them. “I’m passionate about it so that helps,” she says.

“Because we design nationally and internation-ally, a client might not necessarily see our ad in a regional magazine. So if you’re searching ‘archi-tecture’ and ‘Aspen’ and you’re in Rio de Janeiro, we will show up higher on the list. We want to reach anyone and everyone.”

scheduling is keyThe company uses its blog to discuss different

happenings in the industry, talk about current projects, post videos, and promote the many pro bono projects it works on. The blog is updated twice a week and is connected to the company’s Facebook page and Twitter account. “We try not to post too much so people aren’t overwhelmed. It’s a fine line especially for architecture because it’s a slower [industry] say compared to retail,”

Richardson says.Setting a biweekly schedule does put pres-

sure to find content, but Richardson has a routine that relieves some of that pressure: She sits down and writes the posts for the following two weeks. “I get coffee, sit down and it flows,” she adds.”

new world, new toolsThe company’s marketing

strategy has changed dra-matically in the five years Richardson has been with the company. “Primarily we

did print advertising and websites five years ago,” she says. “You are limiting yourself now if you don’t do [some of the social media]. It keeps the momentum up with the potential client. There is a lot for them to see so they can feel confident they have hired the right company.”

In addition, Richardson doesn’t see the social media usage being used only by her younger clients. “Everyone has an iPad or laptop — it’s all clients across the board no matter the age,” she adds.

The marketing world is an ever-changing one with tools introduced daily, so it’s important Richardson understands which ones to invest her valuable time into. “You have to read and talk to the right people, and stay up to date. And then find out what works for you,” she says. “We are a luxury brand architecture firm so the bells and whistles that make sense for restaurants, don’t apply to us. We have to watch for what’s going to benefit us.” ■

Marketing here and beyond

charles cunniffe is principal of charles cunniffe Architects in Aspen, colo.

the office of charles cunniffe Architects in Aspen, colo.


Aspen, colo.

Website: cunniffe.com

blog: blog.cunniffe.com

e-Newsletter: cunniffe.com/sitepages/pid59.php

twitter: @cunniffeca

Facebook: Search charles cunniffe Architects

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hen Richard Laughlin, presi-dent, Laughlin Homes and Restoration in Fredericksburg, Texas, talks about his involve-ment in the community, a

modest tone comes out of his voice and surrounds his words. It’s clear his intentions for being involved in his small town of 10,000 are truly to make the community better.

“We live in a small town and I am very much in favor of maintaining a quality of life,” he says. His family has roots in Fredericksburg, and he believes strongly in doing the right thing by giving back.

A few ways Laughlin is involved in his com-munity range from being on the Historic Review Board, Gillespie County Fair and Festivals Association, chamber of commerce and more.

For all of these involvements, Laughlin has been contributing for years, with no end in sight.

many types oF inVolVementLaughlin has been on the Historic Review

Board for eight years. Fredericksburg has a his-toric district on the national registry and the HRB’s goals are to review any changes planned for the district. It’s a volunteer, six-person council. “I’m involved because I want to make sure his-tory is preserved,” Laughlin says.

The GCFFA dedicated this year’s fair in part to him for his past community involvement. “I was a director on that board for 16 years and continue to volunteer,” Laughlin says. “We are the oldest fair in Texas and it’s a part of preserving our culture. We are a tradition-based commu-nity.” The money raised by GCFFA goes to scholarships at the local high school, mostly for agriculture-related careers, he adds.

Laughlin’s involvement in the chamber of commerce includes helping with events that will raise money for the chamber, the economic impact it has on the community as well as the great networking opportunities it provides. At the time Residential Design + Build spoke with Laughlin, he was preparing for the next day’s chamber golf event.

“We raised $25,000 for the local chamber which is 10 times the amount raised last year,” he says. This is impressive especially considering this was raised when many news reports hint at a double-dip recession. In addition, the golf event was going to include double the capacity of golf-

ers compared to last year with 144 players at this year’s event. “I worked with my subcontractors and clients. Hopefully it’s a big success,” he adds.

All these community involvements don’t sur-pass Laughlin’s experience with Extreme Makeover: Home Edition. In February 2011, Laughlin and his carpenters participated in an Extreme Makeover: Home Edition in his area to help out a soldier hurt during the Fort Hood shooting. “The Texas Association of Home Builders asked for volunteers, and I asked my guys and they were excited,” he says. “We worked all night into the next night. It was the most reward-ing thing I’ve ever been a part of.” Laughlin donated his and nine carpenters’ time and mate-rials to the project.

adVice For othersDuring a time when so many builders are

struggling to find jobs, RD+B asked Laughlin what keeps him motivated to continue to donate his time to so much community involvement. His answer was as simple as do the right thing. “We’ve been blessed with the amount of work we’ve had because we never focused on taking a job to make a lot of money. The focus is always on helping the community and doing the right thing,” he says.

Laughlin calls on other builders — and busi-ness owners in general — to get involved. “There are always people who say they aren’t ever asked to do anything. But you shouldn’t have to be asked,” he says. “You should pick up the reigns and help the community — set an example.” ■

Leading with community involvement

2011

BusinessE X C E L L E N C E A W A R D S


the team at Laughlin Homes & restoration in Fredericksburg, texas.

Fredericksburg, texas

hillcountrybuilder.com

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Editor’s note: This is the second installment in a series of survivor stories as told by the survivors themselves. These brave builders and designers share their stories of struggle and ultimately survival, as a method of therapy for them and to let their peers know they’re not alone in their challenges.

formed Rosenthal Homes in the midst of the bank failures of 1991. Prior, I had been with Saddlebrook Development Co. for 10 years and helped it grow to a $25 million per year semicustom builder. The

good news, I was a nonequity partner and had no financial responsibility for the company. I started Rosenthal Homes as one of the few builders who had no debt, no inventory and a good reputation.

I loved the interaction with the clients, but not the management and operation of 40 employees. I set up shop in the den of our house. It was very strange; I was now all alone after being in an office for so long. I set about finding a lot in a good area and was able to get a construction loan surprisingly easily. I sold the house before the basement came out of the ground and that was the way I operated for a year. In 1992 my wife Emily joined me. She had been with my old company since I hired her as marketing director and customer selection manager.

As we were able to take on a few projects at a time, we hired a superintendant. We continued that way for the next 18 years building custom homes and adding remodeling to our business plan in 2001.

After watching our business up close, working nights and weekends, our sons, Josh and Neal, both said while in college they did not want to join us. Josh graduated from business school and was happily climbing the corporate ladder at a marketing company. Neal graduated with a degree in business management. He began looking for a job and found the process daunting. We offered him a part-time position to help us out while he was job hunting. As the months passed, he became more and more involved and began to enjoy the out-of-the-office lifestyle that construction offered. We were fortunate that he stayed on as my wife had some very serious health issues. Neal helped keep the business

going as I had to split time between our business and tending to my wife.

In 2005, Josh reached a plateau in a business owned by two brothers. Unbeknownst to Emily and me, our sons met for

several weeks and came up with a plan for Josh to join the business with him in the marketing and management side while Neal would continue to be responsible for running field operations.

I must admit, our decision to have a true family business concerned Emily and me. We agreed to go forward, but we needed guidance

on what we would need to do to support three families. We enlisted Dennis Duroff as our business coach. Dennis and I had become friends while working and serving on different committees at the National Association of Home Builders. We all worked hard to come up with our strategic objective which peered eight years down the road. We completed a business plan, a working budget and began our journey.

At that time the economy was blasting and our business was growing to reach the projected volume. We decided

to move the office out of our house, which had been a safe haven for 18 years. We selected

My plan for survivalSucceed, struggle, collapse and pick up the pieces to succeed againBy Andy Rosenthal

Andy rosenthal of Innovative Homebuilding & remodeling consultants.

rosenthal’s new company provides consulting to homeowners as they move through the home building and remodeling process.


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an office near our house and designed a professional space for us to grow. We hired two project managers, one part-time and two full-time office employees. With all the new overhead, our projects were still right on target.

the downturn beginsThe economy started to turn for the worse

at the end of 2007 and beginning of 2008. We were lucky because we had already booked two custom homes with a total value of $6 million and several other good prospects. We had become so busy that all our work with Dennis Duroff had become

an afterthought. We fell into the common trap of working in our business instead of on our business. Our confidence made us complacent.

Within two weeks of each other, both custom homes were cancelled. We had permits and were ready to go when both clients had their financing pulled. We went from complacent to desperate. We had a family business meeting and revised our budgets and plans. We had to begin cutting overhead.

This downturn was different from the others we had survived. We had an office, a large staff and three families who were making a

living on this business instead of one. We started laying off staff until we were down to family. We decreased overhead, but still had the office and all the expenses that came with it. We began to lose money and struggled to get jobs, just like most everyone in the industry.

As the market began to pick up in the

D.C. area, we began to see signs of decent projects on the horizon. We had taken some risky projects in the meantime, despite my objections and three difficult clients who did not make final payments totaling about $140,000. This has never happened to us during our 20-some years in business. We reassessed our future and realized that our trade contractor debt and our uncollectable $140,000 from past clients prohibited us from taking on any new projects.

Our sons left the company in April 2010 and formed Cabin John Builders. Their relationship with our prospective clients, whom we could not build for, enabled them to start with a decent group of jobs. They are in their second year now and flourishing.

Emily and I struggled to finish up the few projects we had ongoing. We did not want to leave any of our clients with loose ends. Unfortunately we were not able to pay many of our trade contractors. We ceased business operations in early 2011. We went through a personal bankruptcy and had a difficult time envisioning our future.

we Fell into the common trap of working in our business instead of on our business


b u s i n e s s

A family company: (left to right) Josh, Andy, emily and Neal rosenthal.

what came nextEmily has worked as an independent

consultant for Cabin John Builders with client management and selections. I was trying to come up with a concept for my next adventure. I knew I did not want to go back to the day-to-day grind of building. I was not going back into business and working with the trade contractors I had hurt. I had always thought I would like to consult, but to whom?

I realized the one thing that was evident in 99 percent of our projects: The client was an outsider and had to depend on many

different people, all of whom had something to gain. They need somebody to “speak builder” for them. I could use all my experience to help them solve the puzzle of building or remodeling. I would set up a consulting business to advocate for the client in the process. I would help with budgeting, selecting architects that suit their project best, and write specifications so when they selected a builder, they could do so apples to apples. Emily can help them manage the selections, design kitchens, brainstorm floor plans, and create wish lists for the architects and designers.

I have spent the past several months developing a website, marketing plan and brochures, and now it is time for me to rock and roll!

Life lessons learned:1. Listen to my gut. It has worked well.2. Family businesses are very difficult; the

more members, the more personalities.

3. When you seek help, listen to advice.4. Work on the business.5. All the stuff I had acquired over the

years was just stuff.6. Family (outside of the business) is the

most important thing.7. My risk aversion vanished and should

have been remembered. ■

andy rosenthal is president and owner of Innovative Homebuilding & Remodeling Consultants. Rosenthal is also the former president of Rosenthal Homes, a company specialized in highly customized new homes and major renovations. He has served as chairman of Maryland-National Capital Building Industry Association’s Education Committee, and is an active member of the National Association of Home Builders including its Builder 20 Club. He attended Franklin & Marshall College in Lancaster, Pa., and lives in Rockville, Md. with his partner and wife, Emily. Contact Rosenthal by sending an email to [email protected].

read the first installment of this series online at http://bit.ly/Survivor1



eldorado stoneindustry: “Industry leaders like Eldorado Stone will continue to offer a highly superior facing, with key benefits of authenticity and attainability at prices less than natural stone,” says Brent Spann, vice president of marketing, Eldorado Stone.

product offering: “Eldorado Stone offers a wide selection of stone and brick profiles, in addition to highly attainable solutions — all interior and exterior applications that can transform a space into something memorable and personal. One of Eldorado Stone’s most recent product launches was the highly contemporary, yet textural LedgeCut33. The linear-style profile installs with a clean, dry-stack application that creates instant visual appeal. The profile is 3 in. high and comes in three different lengths: 24, 18 and 12 in. It also comes in three colors — sage, birch and dune — all natural earth tones,” Spann says.

“In recent months, Eldorado has also expanded its product offer-ings by launching a line of nine fireplace surrounds that are light-weight, easy to install and emulate natural limestone. The Eldorado Fireplace Surrounds are available in two finishes and two different color palettes,” he adds.

where it is going: “There is a general movement toward more linear style profiles, which provide a more contemporary feel, yet still provide a highly textured look and feel for a natural stone appear-ance,” Spann says.+ For more inFo circle #32

ply gemindustry: “According to the Principia Partners Masonry Veneer Report 2010, the most current report, there’s been an increased demand in the residential remodeling and renovation market for manufactured stone since 2008,” says Jerry Blais, vice president, marketing, Ply Gem siding group.

product offering: “Ply Gem Stone’s nine styles, from popular Ledgestone and Cobblestone to a unique Tuscan Fieldstone, are available in numerous colors and are molded from real stone casts. They are then handpainted with mineral oxide colors by professional colorists. This technique differs from dusting on the color, which is used by many manufacturers and creates spotty colors that don’t hold up well,” Blais says. “For a seamless look with application, Ply Gem Stone has a 90-degree corner piece that’s not often seen in the industry, in addition to a complete accessory offering to finish the design.”

where it is going: “Because manufactured stone is such a versatile product, lighter weight, more cost-effective and easier to install than real stone, we anticipate continued usage in commercial and residential applications. Beyond the exterior facade, we’ve also seen a trend of manufactured stone being incorporated into both interior and outdoor space applications such as kitchen backsplashes and fireplaces,” Blais says. “We’re continuing to see more applications in residential new construction, mixed with other exterior cladding products such as vinyl siding, shingle siding and architecturally styled windows.”+ For more inFo circle #33

Art imitates stoneManufacturers share information about new products, trends and technologies in the manufactured stone segment


p r o d u c t t r e n d s : m a n u f a c t u r e d s t o n e

dal-tile corp.industry: “There is an unmatched elegance that stone exudes, and now that look is more accessible than ever before with manu-factured stone. We’re seeing slight growth in the manufactured stone industry, as it is seen as a viable, and cost-effective alternative

to natural stone,” says Lori Kirk-Rolley, senior marketing director, Dal-Tile Corp. “We’re now seeing an increase in use of [manufactured stone], not only on exterior surfaces, but interiors on accent walls, fireplaces and columns as well.”

product offering: “Chiseled Ready Stack is one of Daltile’s [Dal-Tile’s product brand] most innovative manufactured stone lines. This panel system brings mod-ern architecture in a wide range of colors to complement any décor,” Kirk-Rolley says. “It combines the intricate detail, rich colors and beautiful texture of rustic, dry stacked stones with the ease-of-installation of a panel system. Each piece fits together perfectly so the panels blend together seamlessly, making separation hard to detect. Our top selling Chiseled Ready Stack colors include moon glow, harvest blend and dappled shade.”

where it is going: “We will begin to see more manufactured stone products that are easier to install, saving consumers time and money,” she says. “Panel products are also becoming increasingly popular, bringing the ambience of stone, of the highest quality, into any space with ease.”+ For more inFo circle #34




p r o d u c t g a l l e r y

navien american introduces its condensing 98 percent tankless gas water heaters and combi gas boiler/water heater. the tankless gas water heater relies on the company’s dual stainless steel heat exchangers and uses 3-in. PVc venting.+ For more inFo circle #01

progressive Foam products’ Fullback Fc siding insulation for fiber cement is designed for easy one-person crew installation. It provides an r-value of 3.0 to reduce energy loss.+ For more inFo circle #02

the 36-in. multitemperature coolDrawer from Fisher & paykel can freeze, chill and become a pantry or wine bar at the touch of a button. everything from fresh food to fine wine can be stored at the correct temperature. It integrates seamlessly into standard cabinetry and provides 3.1 cu. ft. of space.+ For more inFo circle #04

wingit innovations introduces its Master Anchor. It is designed for easy installation into all hollow walls, rated up to 300 lbs. in drywall and handles vector forces of 360 degrees.+ For more inFo circle #05

the freestanding Savoy from mti whirlpools is a slipper tub that cradles your upper body as you lean back. It is 65 in. by 34.325 in. by 31.5 in. and is constructed of the company’s engineered solid-surface material, a poured mixture of organic minerals and binding agents that looks and feels like natural stone.+ For more inFo circle #03

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p r o d u c t F o c u s : r o o f i n g

certainteed corp. introduces Glasroc roof board, an alternative to fiberboard and perlite roofing cover boards. It is designed for mechanically attached roofing systems and offers moisture, mold and fire resistance.+ For more inFo circle #09

InSpire slate cool roofing from the tapco group uses advanced pigment technology to provide high solar reflectance. It is designed to reduce heat transfer into a home and cut peak cooling demand by up to 15 percent.+ For more inFo circle #08

owens corning introduces Deck Defense high-performance roof underlayment to its roofing portfolio. Designed to perform under extreme weather, it protects the roof deck for up to six months of UV exposure and comes with a 30-year limited profile.+ For more inFo circle #06

Follansbee tcS II, an architectural stainless steel coated with patented zinc/tin alloy, weathers naturally to a gray patina and does not require painting. It can be tailored to a variety of design forms — from the traditional standing seam roof to vertical walls, barrel applications, shingles and customized sections in flat or spherical shapes. It is solderable and virtually maintenance-free.+ For more inFo circle #10

daVinci roofscapes’ bellaforté product line is a patented snap-fit, self-locating 12-in. slate roofing tile. the tiles include an integrated rain gutter, leading edge tab and rain dam. tiles are available in a variety of colors.+ For more inFo circle #07

EasyLightline® door canopy kits are

simple to assembleand effortless to

maintain. They come ina variety of eye-catchingstyles with stainless steel

support arms, acrylic visorpanes, and integrated raingutters. And the patentedClick-Lock feature makes

installations a breeze.

Free catalog,

1-800-888-2418

visit www.feeney9.comMore products from

2011-361_2011-361 4/4/11 10:45 AM Page 1



For more information, visit our website at: www.imperialhoods.com

Rear Venting Variable Controls Remote Controls Baffle Filters 300 to 1300 CFM Custom Pieces 7 Year Warranty!

For over 50 years, Imperial has been handcrafting exceptional

range hoods in California. We offer the best warranty

in the industry, 7 Years, In Home!!Call for product information:

800-851-4192

www.ahchicago.comemail: [email protected]

Custom Cabinets Deserve Custom Hardware

We manufacture stainless pulls to your specifications

210 North Aberdeen Street . Chicago, Illinois 60607312/666.6832t . 312/666.6893 f

Since INCLINATOR® handcrafts each elevator one at a time, custom really is standard. Inclinator has engineered its drive system to allow us to place a deeper and wider elevator in the same shaft than any other manufacturer. Or, place in open stairway. Visit inclinator.com or call 800-343-9007 Ext. 289

INCLINATOR® Home Elevators

The Geberit Concealed Tank and Carrier System hides unsightly plumbing hardware for true beauty in your bathroom designs. The system’s flexibility and adaptability showcases your individual style…water savings and cleaning will never be easier. Experience clean lines, clear space and elegant beauty throughout the bathroom. Get Inspired.

Visit www.geberitnow.com and click on the “Get Inspired” icon for great new ideas.

Elevate Your Bathroom Design

Discover This Year’s Kitchen Innovation: Touchless Paper Towel Dispensing.

This revolutionary appliance is a fit for any kitchen. It’s operation uses new LED Breaking-Beam Technology to cut any brand/size of paper towels to any length,

regardless of perforation. Great sample pricing to try it out today!

Call 866-599-7066 or visit www.cleancutdispenser.com.

For more info circle #29For more info circle #28For more info circle #27



elcome to our Literature Gallery, a special showcase featuring new and innovative building products.

For more information, simply circle the number of the item on the Reader Service Card.

If you would like to advertise in this special section, please contact Nancy Campoli at 800-547-7377, Ext 6127.

Wl i t e r a t u r e g a l l e r y

A cygnus business Media Publication

sales oFFicessteve beyer, Vp sales3030 Salt creek Lane, Suite 200Arlington Heights, IL 60005(847) 454-2725 • Fax: (866) 420-8581email: [email protected]

john huff, publisher3030 Salt creek Lane, Suite 200Arlington Heights, IL 60005(847) 454-2711 • Fax: (866) 577-7397email: [email protected]

midwestmike mandozzi3030 W. Salt creek Lane, Ste. 200Arlington Heights, IL 60005Phone: (847) 454-2715 Fax: (866) 348-4221email: [email protected]

eastjoseph F. may297 concord roadMarlborough, MA 01752Phone: (800) 547-7377 x2718 Fax: (866) 671-3250email: [email protected]

westkim carroll7355 19th Avenue NWSeattle, WA 98117Phone: (206) 781-0714 • Fax: (206) 781-0724email: [email protected]

literature galleriesnancy campoli6 University Plaza, Suite 310Hackensack, NJ 07601Phone: (201) 487-7800 x127 Fax: (201) 487-1061email: [email protected]

circulation & subscriptionsPhone: (920) 563-1761 Fax: (920) 563-1704email: [email protected]

list rentalelizabeth JacksonPhone: (847) 492-1350 x18 Fax: (847) 492-0085email: [email protected]

cygnus reprint serVicesto purchase article reprints please contact Foster Printing Services at (800) 875-3251 or email [email protected]

Website: rdbmagazine.com

Ainsworth Lumber co., Ltd. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-9, 12-13

Arthur Harris . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .36

Feeney, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25, 34, 35

Foster Printing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .34

Geberit North America . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2, 36

Imperial cal Products, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .36

Inclinator company of America . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15, 36

Litesteel technologies America . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17

Pella corp. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .29, 40

Pine Hall brick co., Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .33

Simpson Strong-tie co., Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11, 39

Smart Vent Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .36

Swimex . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27

trex company, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-7

United Healthcare Services, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

Weiland Sliding Doors & Windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .31

* Selected States

certainteed corp. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .35

Dal-tile corp. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .33

DaVinci roofscapes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .35

eldorado Stone. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .32

Fisher & Paykel. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .34

Follansbee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .35

H2o Walls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .38

MtI Whirlpools . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .34

Navien America . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .34

owens corning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .35

Ply Gem . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .32

Progressive Foam Products . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .34

the tapco Group . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .35

WingIt Innovations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .34


e d i t o r i a l i n d e x

a d V e r t i s e r i n d e x

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2O Water Walls add another layer to water features by offering vari-ous sounds, visuals and materials. Using a computer, water can display waves, waterfalls or a combination

of effects to create different visuals and sounds to a space. In addition, the material used on the product can provide different appearances. “Our specialty is high-tech computerized water features,” says Scott Sutker, president of the Elk Grove Village, Ill.-based company.

“By using a touchscreen, a homeowner can easily adjust and control the water feature for sound and visual effects,” Sutker says. “They can tell the feature to wave the water as it comes down to create an exciting visual instead of a

continuous flow of water. Or the computer can provide a random setting of speed and sound that can change throughout the day.”

The product uses a small amount of water — no more than 10 gal. — in a stainless steel tank. The water is kept cold to minimize any evaporation. “It also has a self-cleaning system that will drain and refill [the system] with fresh filtered water as needed,” Sutker adds.

The water features are available in a variety of materials including glass, stainless, stone, granite and solid surface. “Glass is a popular background to use to separate a living and din-ing room, giving the appearance of a wall with an open view,” he says.

A contractor can install the product or H20

has its own installation crew that can be used. Requirements include a water and drain source. As of now, it cannot be connected to a home auto-mation system. Lead times are four to six weeks.

Sutker adds that all products are custom, and not restricted by any size. “If you can think it, we can build it,” he says. “The smallest we’ve done is 2 ft. by 3 ft. and the biggest was near 35 ft. tall.”

The company recently introduced a new product that displays water rods — three streams of water that fall. In addition, colors can be added to the features for drama.

For more information on H20 Walls or its products, circle 11 or visit h20walls.com. — Maureen Alley ■

H H20 Water Walls provide various

sounds, visuals and materials.

Water walls


F i n i s h i n g t o u c h

economical invest in stainless steel – it’s worth it

When evaluating the cost of upgrading to stainless-steel fasteners, “economical” is probably not the fi rst word that comes to mind. However when compared to the overall job, the small additional cost of stainless steel is inexpensive insurance against corrosion and unattractive staining that can occur with other fasteners. Stainless-steel fasteners are reliable and long lasting, and reduce costly callbacks, which means happier customers and repeat business. And by choosing Simpson Strong-Tie® fasteners you receive our commitment to quality, performance and service.

For outdoor construction, make sure your fastener is stainless steel. It’s worth it. Download the new comprehensive Fastener Catalog and check out our online Fastener Finder tool by visiting www.strongtie.com/fasten or calling (800) 999-5099.

scan this code with your smartphone to easily fi nd the

right fastener for your job

© 2011 Simpson Strong-Tie Company Inc. SSFASTEN11-ECFor more info circle #30

© 2011 Pella Corporation

T H E P O W E R O F Y E L L O W .®

As with all great views, the sky’s the limit. Choose Pella® Architect Series® windows and doors and revel in the design possibilities.

Our finest rendering of the window-crafting art, these exquisitely detailed Mahogany, Alder, Douglas Fir or Pine windows and doors will

indulge your clients with endless custom choices. Virtually any size, shape, color, glass or grille design they can imagine, Pella can build.

That’s The Power Of Yellow.

Call 888-210-0972 or see your Pella representative for more information.


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Residential Design+Build - October 2011

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