Simpson Strong-Tie Launches Eight-Episode Video Series for Contractors and Homeowners on How to Build a Stronger Deck Simpson Strong-Tie, the leader manufacturer of engineered structural connectors like joist hangers hurricane ties, debuts the first episode of its Build a Stronger Deck educational YouTube video series. These videos show builders, deck contractors, and homeowners how to easily build stronger, safer decks that last. The first episode dives into the available options and ideal solutions for stronger, safer post bases. The second video features deck ledger installation, with further episodes detailing construction tips for installing beams, joists, guard posts, stair stringers, and deck boards. Finally, a special fastener episode gives viewers expert advice on selecting the best anchors and fasteners to attach hangers, joists, and angles to deck ledgers and railings. “Building a safe, strong deck is easier and more affordable than most people think,” says John Wight, Simpson Strong-Tie vice president of Global Marketing. “We’ve built an entire deck from start to finish using Simpson Strong-Tie connectors, anchors and fasteners to show builders and homeowners how easy it is to build decks that not only last longer, but add value and enjoyment to any home.” New episodes of Build a Stronger Deck will air throughout the summer and are available for streaming on the Simpson Strong-Tie YouTube channel. To watch all available episodes and check out additional content on great deck building, including inspiration, deck planning, and design tools as well as product information and safety tips, visit the online Simpson Strong-Tie Deck Center at strongtie.com/deckcenter.

To give a wood deck the best protection and to keep it looking good, you should maintain it with a quality stain/sealer. Here are some stain application tips we’ve learned over the years. Dry it First For newly constructed decks, let the wood weather before staining. For decks built with treated lumber, the waterborne preservative leaves moisture in the wood. This is why fresh PT lumber often arrives wet from the supplier or is still damp at the lumber yard, and the moisture can impede the penetration of stains and paints. For best performance of stain coatings, allow treated wood to dry 2 to 4 weeks prior to application after the decking is installed. Drying time will depend on how much time has elapsed since chemical treatment, the wood’s exposure to the sun, ambient weather and temperature, etc. For decks built with exotic hardwood, the wood needs time to weather. Exotic hardwoods are dense and can contain a large amount of natural oil that can block wood stain from penetrating. After construction, let the natural elements of sun, wind, and rain help you out by breaking down the surface of the wood, so the oils dry out and stain will be more easily absorbed.The more the wood weathers, the easier it will be to stain the hardwood. Keep it Clean All wood needs to be cleaned well before staining. It should be obvious that dirt or mud should be cleaned off before application, but brand new lumber should be cleaned to remove “mill scale” (a crushing of the wood grain during the milling process that can prevent stain penetration). For the best-looking finish on an older deck, graying from the sun, mildew and old stains all need to be removed prior to staining. Oxygenated bleaches are highly effective at cleaning the wood, plus they won’t harm surrounding plant life and vegetation. Rinse off the bleach thoroughly. Strip and Brighten? For previously stained decks, stain strippers can help prep the surface. Formulated using sodium hydroxide, these chemical strippers can be effective at breaking down the surface of the wood, opening its pores to make it more absorbent. If using a stripper, it’s also a good idea to use a wood brightener. A wood brightener will neutralize the effects of the stripper and, similar to the stripper, the brightener will help to open the porosity of the wood even further for the best stain penetration. Again, rinse thoroughly and give the deck time to completely dry for a day before staining. Job Timing Try to avoid staining in direct sunlight. The heated wood and sun both tend to dry the stain/sealer nearly as quickly as you apply the product, which can lessen your working time, impede finish quality, and possibly reduce absorption into the wood. On the other hand, you should also avoid staining within 24 hours of rain, so staining on an overcast day can be risky. Keep an eye on the forecast and use your best judgment. Morning and evening hours often make better application times than high noon. Type of Stain Traditionally, oil-based deck stain/sealers have been considered the go-to choice for a long-lasting penetrating finish. However, water-based stains have made great strides in performance and can offer some real advantages--namely, they clean up with soap and water, and there are no harsh solvents to breathe. Research your product and check its warranty. Semi-transparent stains will allow the natural wood grain and color variation to show through the finish. Solid stains will give an opaque finish to the wood, which conceals the woodgrain but retains its texture. The choice is yours, but make sure you understand the difference. Read the Container Everything that you need to know about your product is on the back of the can. Take a few minutes to read it before you begin. Not all products are meant to be applied the same way. What is the drying time? How many coats should you apply? How much time between coats? Is there a critical re-coat time? Brushing is Critical You have options for application: brushes, rollers, sprayers, stain pads, etc. Regardless of how you apply the stain, it is very important to brush the product into the wood grain. If you roll it on first, then back-brush it into the grain while it is still wet. The same applies for spraying. When you brush the stain, the brush creates a friction that breaks the surface tension of the wood and works the stain into the pores.This step achieves much better penetration of the stain.The more stain the wood absorbs, the longer the project will last before requiring maintenance coats. Wipe off the Excess If you apply more stain than the wood can absorb, then wipe off the excess. When you apply too much stain, it puddles on the surface and looks bad because of the uneven tone. Furthermore, those spots are likely to flake and peel over time. Apply only as much stain as the wood can easily absorb. - M. Weber

HIR publisher Jeremy Hollingsworth’s house, which features DaVinci shake roofing. A few years ago, we worked with DaVinci Roofscapes on a new roof installation at HIR publisher Jeremy Hollingsworth’s house. Davinci manufactures composite shake and slate roofing materials which resemble natural materials but offer maintenance-free performance that’s backed by a 50-year warranty. Now, DaVinci has posted a follow-up story to the company in which they’ve interviewed our publisher. Check out the story at the DaVinci Roofscapes Blog. #construction #remodel #builder #syntheticroofing #roof #homeimprovement #compositeroofing #davinciroofscapes #bellaforte #contractor #slate #remodeling

I’ve been doing a little deck remodeling lately and took the opportunity to shoot this brief video that highlights some of my go-to tools for taking apart an old deck. The deck shown in the video had to be demolished because the original builders were too lazy to excavate the site adequately, and they laid the deck joists directly on the dirt. Needless to say, a few years later the framing had to be demolished, excavated and reconstructed because the joists rotted. — M. Weber #dominator #woodrot #construction #deckframing #mayhew #outdoorbuilding #gutster #remodel #doityourself #tool #nailextractor #tools #builder #deck #joists #treateddecking #dewalt #demoition #homeimprovement #deckwrecker #pressuretreated #DIY #contractor #deckledger #decktool #decks #remodeling #treatedlumber #deckframe #wooddeck

For the past several months, the ‘Home Improvement and Repair’ staff has been testing a new premium water-based elastomeric caulk/sealant from Titebond called DuraMaster. Made for both interior and exterior applications, DuraMaster is easy to tool into shape, it cleans up with water, and it handles movement up to 100-percent of the original joint size. Check out our video review right here! #construction #remodel #doityourself #caulk #builder #duramaster #homeimprovement #weatherproof #elastomeric #DIY #contractor #remodeling #sealant #titebond

Honda Self-propelled HRN216 Series 21-in. Lawn Mower The HIR staff got to test-drive Honda Power Equipment’s new self-propelled HRN216 Series 21-in. lawn mower. This thing has some real pep! It’s powered by the all-new Honda GCV170 engine that delivers 9 percent more power and 18 percent more torque than the Honda HRR model it replaces. Unlike some of the all-wheel-drive models on the market, this is a rear-wheel drive unit. For very rugged, extremely uneven terrains, the two-wheel drive design might have less traction than a four-wheel drive, but if you don’t usually mow such a yard, you won’t notice the difference. Honda’s Twin Blade MicroCut System uses four cutting surfaces that result in ultra fine clippings for superior mulch or more clippings per bag. A Clip Director lever controls the entry shutter to the grass bag, allowing operators to mulch all the clippings, bag all the clippings, or discharge from the rear. The trade-off for the rear-wheel drive design seems to be a jump in top speed, because it seemed I could run this mower faster than the AWD model I’m most familiar with, which is nice on those long return trips back to the tool shed. The Honda HRN mows like a champ, too, and we were not kind to it with our test regimen. With the blade set on mulching mode, we introduced it to the first seasonal cut of an unkempt yard covered with more weeds than grass. Some of this ruffage was more than a foot high, and although it choked the mower a couple times (entirely expected), the Honda engine fired right up and knocked down our jungle of weeds with an impressively smooth finish and a powerful drive, which takes the physical labor out of uphill climbs. Just hold on tight and let it pull you along. Since that first test, we’ve used the mower regularly, and it performs without a hitch. We tried to choke the mower to death with weeds. Need a bag? You got it. The comfortable (and easy-to-adjust) thumb-lever drive accelerator is instantly responsive for quick, variable boosts of speed and power to the rear wheels when dealing with rugged areas or climbing uphill. Four new Honda HRN216 models offer different options. The HRN216VKA we tested includes a 3-in-1 Clip Director lever on the side of the engine, which controls the entry shutter between the mower deck and the grass bag, allowing operators to mulch all the clippings, bag all the clippings, or discharge from the rear. Find it at Lowes. Honda HHT String Trimmer The HHT35SLTAT Honda string trimmer is ideal for homeowners who tackle heavy-duty trimming and brush removal. This model comes standard with a loop handle, semi-auto line for easy bump feeding, and a shoulder harness for balance and support. The HIR staff got an early look at this unit, and it has the muscle you need when an electric trimmer just won’t cut it—literally. The mini 4-stroke Honda GX35 engine gives a quick, easy start and runs on straight gas so there’s no need to mix gas and oil. The fuel-efficient engine is engineered to save so much gas that it costs 50-percent less than a two-stroke trimmer. The vibration-dampening design makes it comfortable to operate, and the straight flex shaft comes with a limited lifetime warranty. Frankly, this unit has more power than some homeowners will need, but if you’ve got an unruly yard and fight a lot of backyard battles, the HHT trimmer will have the bite you need. Find it at Lowe’s. #outdoorpowerequipment #lawnmower #trimmer #honda #lawncare #HRN #gaspowered #lawnequipment #mowgrass #lawnmower #hondapowerequipment #HHT #mower #weedtrimmer

Our long-time friend and colleague Rob Robillard is a pro remodeler who runs a very cool blog at https://www.aconcordcarpenter.com/. He offers all sorts of handy insight from his years of building experience, and lately he’s been producing videos that help demonstrate his advice. Check out this new spot on How to Cut Extreme Angles Using a Miter Saw. #homedecor #construction #Woodwork #tool #jig #tools #carpentry #builder #extremeangle #homeimprovement #trimwork #video #interiordecor #mitersaw #acuteangle #miter #contractor #trim #remodeling

Lumber Grades… What are they for? Does your lumber pass or fail? The lumber grade of treated wood is something you’ll want to consider when planning your next outdoor building project. Lumber grades are assigned at the sawmill where the logs are cut. The lumber is primarily graded on the strength of the board. For the most part, lumber is available in three tiers of quality: Good, Better, and Best. The Canopy Building crew cuts stringers from treated lumber to construct new stairs for a deck in Hoover, Alabama. Good–Number 1 and Number 2 grades are commonly sold at local lumberyards. They have good strength ratings but also come with imperfections such as large knots, rounded bark edges, and some bowing or twisting. Number 1 will have fewer imperfections than Number 2. These grades are ideal for a cost-conscious DIY homeowner. Better–You’ve hit Prime time. The Prime grade of Number 1 and Number 2 lumber features the same strength properties, but are listed as Prime based on appearance (regarding the amount of bark on the edges or the number of knots). This lumber is a bit more expensive, but you get what you pay for. Best–To guarantee the most beauty for your back yard, choose either C & Better or Select Structural grade products. With these two grades you get the strongest lumber properties and better appearance. Knots will be small, few and far-between, and there should be no bark on the edges. These best grades are also available in kiln-dried options, which eliminate the waiting period typically required before painting or staining for “wet” lumber. The KDAT (kiln-dried after treatment) lumber is a high-grade wood product selected for its appearance, providing similar appeal to wood-composite boards while maintaining a genuinely natural look. Typically backed by a lifetime warranty, KDAT lumber offers a number of benefits. Not only is it ready to be painted, stained or sealed immediately, but the kiln-drying process reduces the lumber’s natural tendency to shrink, cup and warp, and it weighs less than freshly treated lumber. KDAT products are easier to handle, cut and install, have greater strength, more stiffness, and increased holding power. Learn more about treated lumber and KDAT building products from our friends at yellawood.com . Jeff Winkle of Highland Properties, Inc. installs KDAT posts on an extensive house remodel in Birmingham, Alabama. — Matt Weber #construction #outdoorbuilding #kilndried #doityourself #deck #fence #homeimprovement #lumbergrade #KDAT #pressuretreated #outdoorliving #DIY #contractor #yellawood #lumber #treaterwood #buildingmaterials #pergola #treated #decks #treatedlumber

Using one of our DuraMaster “Test Tubes” to caulk the joints of board-and-batten trim. For the past several months, the HIR staff has been quietly testing a new elastomeric caulk/sealant called DuraMaster from our friends at Titebond. The new formula has some welcome advantages over its competitors, beginning with its elasticity. The DuraMaster sealant offers 100% joint-movement capability. This means it will stretch and won’t crack or detach from the surrounding building materials. Movement occurs with expansion and contraction of building materials due to temperature changes, settling, wind and seismic events, and this movement is why brittle caulks can crack and fail over time. Typical elastomeric sealants can handle movement of 25% of the original joint size and are rated Class 25 (the minimum rating for handling a moderate amount of movement). DuraMaster, however, has earned the highest ASTM C-920 rating for sealant performance, Class 100/50, affirming it can handle movement of 100% expansion and 50% contraction. The Class 100 rating is a testament to the sealant’s durability; according to Titebond, the new formula tested four times more durable than other water-based sealants. Plus, it will span even large gaps, up to two inches wide! The new DuraMaster sealant can be used for interiors or exteriors. It’s water-based formulation is good news for anyone (such as myself) who can’t stand dealing with the sticky, goopy, difficult-to-tool, and nearly impossible-to-clean mess of silicone-based products. I’m happy to report that the new DuraMaster formula is simple to tool and cleans up easily with water (until the sealant dries). And unlike standard silicone, DuraMaster is a paintable caulk and is sold in 13 colors. In the world of caulk/sealant products DuraMaster is a cut above the rest—but don’t take our word for it. We’re hosting a Titebond DuraMaster Giveaway, so you may soon be able to test it yourself. We’ll announce the winners on June 1, which is the official launch date of the new DuraMaster product line. To enter, simply follow Home Improvement and Repair magazine on social media and be entered to win any of the three following prizes! GRAND PRIZE Grand Prize – $100 Visa Gift Card, 2 cases of Titebond DuraMaster™ white, Titebond camo hat, Titebond Polo. FIRST PLACE 1st Place Prize – $50 Visa Gift Card, 1 case of Titebond DuraMaster white, Titebond camo hat SECOND 2nd Place prize – $25 Visa Gift Card, 1 case of Titebond DuraMaster white, Titebond camo hat Here are our links: https://www.facebook.com/HIRpub https://www.instagram.com/home_improvement_and_repair/ https://twitter.com/hirpubhttps://twitter.com/hirpub — Matt Weber #construction #silicone #newproduct #caulk #builder #homeimprovement #innovation #elastomeric #contractor #newproducts #sealant #titebond

When it comes to home-improvement and construction, there’s nothing more frustrating than working with crummy fasteners. Poorly made fasteners tend to slip, strip, or “cam out” while driving them, which wastes time spent removing and replacing screws, possibly more time spent repairing the project from a wayward driver bit, and then requires even more effort for the repeat attempts at fastening. When it comes to construction and decking screws, the HIR team has virtually abandoned the old Phillip’s head type of fastener because of their sloppy fit while driving them. When we go to work, we prefer the star-drive heads, because the driver bit sinks snugly into the recess of the screw head and holds tight when you trigger the tool. Leading the pack of these star-drive screws are our friends at U2 Fasteners. U2 features a Tight Star Recess system designed to grasp the star-drive U-Bits so tightly that they can be installed with one hand. Furthermore, the interface between the fastener and U-Bit has such a strong connection, that not only can the tool hold the fastener unassisted, but the fastener can hold the weight of the tool! To demonstrate the tight fit of U-Bits and U2 Fasteners, the folks at U2 have launched a clever internet campaign dubbed “Just the Tip,” where users can upload photos of the fasteners in action, showcasing the bit-to-screw interface. Since a picture says a thousands words, check out some of the screen captures below and visit U2 on Instagram @u2fasteners and #justthetip. And check out the company’s product lineup at U2 Fasteners. http://hirpub.digital/ #universalscrew #construction #remodel #doityourself #driverbit #builder #fasteners #justthetip #justthetip #screws #hardware #homeimprovement #residentialconstruction #ubit #u2fasteners #u2fasteners #DIY #contractor #stardrive #lagscrews #remodeling #screwbit

A few years ago, I authored a book titled The Quick & Easy Home DIY Manual (published by Weldon Owen). Below is an excerpt from the book explaining the basic concepts of house framing for walls, doors and windows. Since everyone is currently stuck at home, I decided to include it here for the sake of any ambitious DIY’ers out there who want to tackle a major remodel during their isolation. — Matt Weber #construction #remodel #doityourself #framingbasics #houseframing #builder #renovate #residential #homeimprovement #doorframing #DIY #contractor #remodeling #windowframing #fundamentals

Surprise, suprise. Our mail run today is heavy on innovations to combat a viral epidemic. Check out the new home-improvement products below. Clean Mist Humidifiers Raising indoor relative humidity levels to between 40 and 60 percent can render 86 percent of airborne flu virus particles powerless, according to a recent study reported in the journal PLOS One by a team supported by the CDC and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. When the air is too dry (below 40 percent relative humidity) droplets from a sneeze, cough or saliva spray will stay airborne and circulate for up to two hours, spreading the virus further and making it easy to breathe in. However, when using a cool mist humidifier and increasing the indoor humidity between 40 to 60 percent, the droplets may attach to the water molecules, which become too heavy and fall to the ground, thereby helping to reduce the amount of airborne germs and viruses. The extra humidity is the key. Additionally, humidity in the home above 40 percent is recommended to help soothe symptoms of colds and flu. Doctors recommend ultrasonic technology cool mist humidifiers, which create ultra-small molecules of moisture that evenly distribute throughout the room. The Mayo Clinic states, however, that “If you use a humidifier, be sure to keep it clean to prevent mineral buildup and the growth of bacteria and molds. Humidifiers that hold standing water, particularly cool-mist humidifiers, can disperse these materials into the air.” Look for an ultrasonic cool mist humidifier manufacturer that uses an antimicrobial inhibitor that is infused into the tank and base, such as Air Innovations Clean Mist Humidifiers. These humidifiers are infused with an antimicrobial inhibitor that helps prevent microbial growth on the surface of the tank and base, and have a permanent ceramic filter to trap other impurities. This means no gunk growing in the tank and low maintenance; the permanent ceramic filter is cleaned by just rinsing. Visit www.Air-Innovations.com. Allergy Guard Screen Allergy Guard can filter particles as small as 0.02 microns. According to the manufacturer, this makes blocking the coronavirus measuring 0.1-0.3 microns easy—the virus will be caught within the screen material before it can pass through into your home. The CDC mentions opening windows and enjoying fresh air as vital to one’s health and as a means to combat COVID-19; when Allergy Guard is installed, people can open their windows without worry. Additionally, this screening material can filter larger particles such as pollen, bacteria, fly ash, dust, dirt, pollutants and other harmful substances. As a result of the screen’s three-layer construction, it also provides excellent circulation (80% porosity), visibility, UV and heat protection, durability, corrosion resistance, and the screens are easy-to-clean. Visit MetroScreenworks.com. Brink’s Hands-Free Door Hardware Brink’s Push Pull Rotate (“PPR”) door handles, knobs and levers are easy to install replacements for traditional doorknobs that allow hands-free access with a push of your elbow or bump with your hip. This provides a way to stay clear of frequently touched knobs, levers and handles that are classified by the CDC as “high-touch” surfaces and could pose an inherent risk. Paired with a connected lock with geolocation abilities (like the Array By Hampton Connected Deadbolt), users can enhance the hands-free capability so the deadbolt unlocks as they approach, hip-checking to enter. After they’re inside, the deadbolt can then be locked via voice command using Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant or Siri. Created by Hampton Products, Push Pull Rotate knobs and levers can be opened traditionally by turning or rotating, and in two new ways: Simply push in or pull out on the knob or lever to release the door latch. Visit www.BrinksPPR.com. INOX Antimicrobial Coating for Door Hardware Available immediately, INOX now offers an antimicrobial coating for its line of stainless steel products, including door levers and pulls, deadbolts and push/pull plates. INOX MicroArmor Antimicrobial Coating is a powder coating infused with antimicrobial technology applied during the hardware’s manufacturing process and works to inhibit the growth and reproduction of harmful bacteria, mold and mildew by up to 99.9%. The coating contains silver ions that attach themselves to a microbe’s cellular enzyme to inhibit growth of the microbe, reducing its spread. The silver ions within the coating integrate with the product itself for around-the-clock protection that does not wash off or wear away. Visit inoxproducts.com. Free Armstrong Flooring Samples for At-Home Shopping Armstrong Flooring is launching a program to ship free flooring samples directly to consumers, as well as new enhancements to its online Design-a-Room tool. “As people spend more time at home, it’s likely to spark ideas for their next home improvement project,” said Meredith Hafer, Director, Residential Marketing for Armstrong Flooring. “We want to make it convenient for homeowners to keep those plans moving forward, with free samples delivered right to their door.” Armstrong Flooring will ship up to three flooring samples for free. Upgrades to the company’s online Design-a-Room tool make it even more convenient to compare products and see how new flooring will look in their home. Customers can upload a photo of their own room and apply different flooring options using quick, convenient autofill functionality. Using the tool, customers can compare the look of floors by sliding back and forth between side-by-side images and even change wall colors in the room, choosing from a selection of Sherwin-Williams paint colors. Visit www.armstrongflooring.com. SmartControl Fuel Container The innovative spout design of a SmartControl container makes it easier than ever to fuel equipment. The spout provides a clean, fast, and hassle-free pour and helps save gas for where it’s needed by eliminating messy spills. The user-controlled flow valve and FMD make it effortless and safe to direct the amount of fuel being dispensed. With a single motion, the user simply presses the lever up to unlock the child safety feature with the palm of the hand, and then squeezes the large button. This first squeeze is done when upright to vent the container. Then, place the nozzle over the tank and squeeze again to pour just the right amount of fuel. Visit www.scepter.com. Diablo 6-1/2” Framing Blade with Tracking Point Tooth Design The new Diablo 6-1/2” 24-Tooth Tracking Point saw blade produces accurate, smooth cuts on framing materials without bogging down cordless power tools. Designed with the professional user in mind with the introduction of Tracking Point™, a “rudder” like tooth design that reduces vibration and tension, allowing for true, straight cuts from the first cut to the last. Its Perma-SHIELD™ nonstick coating and the super-thin kerf minimizes material removal and produces a fast, clean cut. According to the manufacturer, the new framing blades deliver up to 65% more cuts per charge in cordless saws. This 24-tooth framing blade is ideal for framers, roofers, remodelers, concrete formers or anyone who owns a saw that chews through nail-embedded wood. Visit www.diablotools.com. Rockler Miter Gauge and Fence Rockler offers a sturdy, easy-to-set and highly precise miter gauge along with a telescoping aluminum fence that mounts to the new Rockler gauge or to other gauges on the market. The miter gauge has an aluminum head with an easy-to-read scale ranging from 0° to 70° in both directions, plus precision-machined positive stops at 0°, 15°, 22.5°, 30°, 45° and 60°. A spring-loaded stop locks into the notches that create the positive stops, and a machined hairline indicator makes it easy to set other angles. The gauge’s 18″ steel miter bar works in 3/4″ x 3/8″ standard and T-slot miter slots and features adjustable set screws for eliminating slop. As an accessory to the gauge, the backbone of the Rockler Miter Gauge Fence is a rigid 2-1/4″-tall x 1-1/8″-deep x 14″-long aluminum extrusion and a matching 2″-long telescoping extension that can be mounted on either side of the fence and adjusted to provide a total fence length ranging from 16″ to 24″. An included 3/4″-thick x 18″-long melamine-coated MDF fence face attaches to the extrusion with included hardware and can be extended beyond the fence to provide zero-clearance support for cleaner cuts. Visit www.rockler.com. KronoSwiss Laminate Flooring Modeled to provide a real, rustic-looking natural wood flooring, the new KroniSwiss collection from Quality Wood Floors is called Grand Selection Origin, featuring six oversized-panel, abrasion-resistant color options. A popular choice in homes across the country for all traffic types, including bedrooms, living rooms, dining and kitchens, the laminate flooring is resilient and withstands highly-trafficked hotels, restaurants and commercial applications. A modern and attractive set of colors, the Grand Selection Origin collection is waterproof for 72 hours, and because of the Aquastop technology, the flooring can be used in bathrooms, laundry rooms and other spaces that attract water. Each plank is 14 mm thick, 80 inches long and 9.6 inches wide, making for one of the sturdiest planks in the industry. An abrasion score of AC5 puts this laminate in the highest scratch-resistance class. Visit www.qualitywoodfloorsinc.com. KOVA Compact Appliances KOVA, the official building products brand of Katerra, has launched a line of compact appliances designed to deliver full-sized functionality in a 24-inch footprint at an affordable price. KOVA Compact Appliances offer maximum power and energy-efficient solutions for smaller spaces, with a suite of cohesively designed products including stainless steel wall ovens, refrigerators and vent hoods, each of which can be directly sourced from KOVA for an increased savings of up to 20%. All products meet the highest environmental and quality standards, including Energy Star, ETL and UL certification. Visit www.kovaproducts.com. #antimicrobial #flooring #brinks #rockler #scepter #tools #hampton #humidifier #homeimprovement #katerra #allergyguard #screen #news #kronoswiss #armstrong #freudtools #newproducts #inox #diablo #blades #kova #smartcontrol