Sell more energy- efficient windows

tTt"u KEY ro sELLING the latest winI dows is educating homeowners. builders and remodelers on how the products will save them not only energy, but money. Here are sales tips from the experts at Simonton:

Tip 1 - Share facts. According to the Department of Energy, the typical home loses over 257o of its heat through windows. Choosing Energy Star-labeled products for the home can cut energy bills by up to 307o. For details, visit www.energystar.gov.

Tip 2 - Tatk investment. Energyefficient vinyl windows are an investment that provides ongoing payback for homeowners. From the day they're installed, these windows save on energy bills. And, when it's time to sell the home, energy-efficient windows are a great selling feature.

For more details on the value of energy-efficient windows, direct your customers to the unbiased Efficient Windows Collaborative. www.efficientwindows.org.

Tip 3 - Showcase winning prodacrs. Ifthe products you sell have won industry awards and recognition, make sure your customer knows about them. Honors like the Builder Quality Award and J.D. Power & Associates rankings guarantee quality products.

Tip 4 - Suggest a home energy audit.Homeowners can conduct a doit-yourself home energy audit at hes.lbl.gov. Sponsored by the DOE, the Home Energy Saver is designed to help consumers identify the best ways to save energy in their homes and locate the resources to make the savings turn into reality.

Tip 5 - Sell the $1,500 tax credit. Share information with customers on 2009-2OlO Energy Tax Credit glass packages that can provide them with up to $1,500 in federal tax credit. It's a great incentive to replace windows immediately. For more details, visit www.simonton.com/taxcredit.

Tip 6 - Educate on energy sevings. Provide your customers with resources so they can gain credible, third-party facts on energy savings in the home. American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy offers a home energy checklist at www.aceee. org. The American Architectural Manufacturers Association has consumer information on energy-efficient window selections at www.aamanet. org. National Association of Home Builders offers extensive consumer assistance at www.nahb.org.

Tip 7 - Make their life easier.Put your customer's mind at ease. Remind them that vinyl windows are durable and easy to maintain. With vinyl frames, they never have to worry about scraping and repainting frames, insect infestations, or rotting. And, tilt-in double-hung and single-hung units make it simple to clean the outside of the windows from the inside of their home. For more info on vinyl, visit www.vinylinfo.org.

Tip 8 - Remove the fear factor. To many homeowners, the thought of having their windows replaced conjures up images of birds flying in their home and a house that looks like Swiss cheese. Calm their fears by explaining the entire window replacement process, offering a checklist of ways to prepare for a window replacement and by working out specific details far in advance.

Tip 9 - Visualize the future. While you may be selling windows to a couple in their 40s, it's important to help them see the future. In 10 or 20 years, will these homeowners really want the potential back stress of opening double-hung windows? Or, would crank-out casement windows be a better long-term option?

Tip 10 - Seeing is believing. Use a window presenter demonstration kit to show homeowners the effect of heat on different types of window packages. A comparison demo can showcase different glass packages for the home and the value ofenersv-efficiency glass in windows.

$q, Green lnsulation

GreenFiber blow-in insulation is made from fireresistant borates and natural fiber cellulose for use in wall and attic retrofit projects.

As an all-natural insulation, the product reportedly contributes points toward LEED and LEED-H building projects.

(800) 228-0024

Siding Offers More and Less

A new composite siding from Tech-Wood is constructed of l5a/o long-strand pine fibers and 257o virgin polypropylene, reportedly to provide greater strength but lower weight and cost than fiber cement.

Tech-Plank has a distinctive woodgrain and can be worked like wood. with no snecial tools.

I TECHwooD.CoM

(864\ 223-0650

Strips on the Deck

ProFekt wood-look strips from United Plastics Corp. quickly beautify aging decks without power-washing or rebuilding.

The strips are unrolled and installed with an adhesive over existing decks. The surface contains natural minerals to eliminate slipping and splinters, an ultraviolet stabilizer to minimize fading, and an antifungal treatment to prevent mold and mildew.

T PROFEKTDECKS.COM

/366\ 186-2127

Triple Glazed Glass

Milgard has added a triple glazing option to its Tuscany line of vinyl replacement windows and patio doors. The option reportedly meets or exceeds qualifications for both EnergyStar and Energy Tax Stimulus programs.

Other options include dual SunCoatMAX Low-E glass and an argon gas blend for improved insulation and energy savings.

T MILGARD.COM

(800\ 645-4273

Tough Metal Shears

The cordless Bosch PS70 metal shear offers controlled, precise cutting in tight spaces.

Small and lightweight, the tool can cut sheet metal up to 18gauge thickness. Four-sided cutting blades handle both straight and curved cuts with precision. A 12v Max Litheon battery platform offers fast charges and extended run time and baltery life.

I BoSCHTooLs.CoM

(877\ 267-2499

Gomposite Windows

Andersen's new 100 Series windows are built of Fibrex, a structural composite blend of sawdust and polymer.

The products earned SCS certification for recycled content and indoor air quality.

Styles include single-hung, casement. awning. picture and gliding.

T ANDERSONWINDOWS.COM

(800\ 426-426r

Slate-Look Shingles

StormMaster asphalt shingles from Atlas Roofing are now offered with the look of slate.

Available in a full range of designer colors, the shingles reportedly resist cracking, splitting, warping and shrinking in both hot and cold climates. They are designed to withstand impacts, winds and wind-driven rain in excess of 100 mph.

T ATLAS ROOFING.COM

Moisture Barrier

The new Delta footing barrier from CosellaDorken Products helps prevent moisture problems in ful l-height, insulated basements.

The three-ply impermeable membrane is placed on top of freshly poured footings before foundations are poured. It creates a capillary break between footer and foundation to keep ground water from wicking up, entering, and accumulating in basement walls.

I COSELLA-DORKEN.COM

(888) 433-5824

No Snow Goes Below

Glacier Snow Guards from MM Products Inc. help prevent snow and ice from sliding off roofs, causing personal injury and property damage.

Made from polycarbonate material, the guards have three large structural ribs for superior strength. Everseal adhesive applied to the waffle-design tread on the bottom ensures maximum holding power.

T GLACIERSNOWGUARD.COM

Deeper l-Joists

Two new lines of deep I-joists from Boise Cascade are designed for environmentally friendly light commercial construction. The BCI 90s series and AllJoist AJS-30 series reportedly have higher design values to handle higher loads and longer spans, up to 44'. Both are available in depths of 18", 20",22", and 24", with l-112" deep and 3-112" wide Versa-Lam LVL flanges in lengths up to 48'.

T BC.COM

Louis Kaitz, 86, chairman of the board of National Lumber, Newton, Ma.. died Nov. l9 in Newton.

Mr. Kaitz started working in the family business at age 16. Afier his fathcr died. Mr. Kaitz and his threc brothers ran the company.

During World War II, hc scrved in the Air Force as a metrolclgist. After the war, he went to Boston University and graduatcd fiom its school of manascment. When he was 55, he went back to school there and carned a master's degree in American history.

Donald R. Neves, 86, former owner and operator of Flax Pond Lumber Co., Dennis, Ma., and Neves Great lsland Hardware. died from complications of lymphoma Dec. l5 in Carver. Ma.

He served in thc U.S. Armv durins World War [I.

William Earl Durham, [35, coowncr of W.R. Durham & Sons Lumbor, Hendersonville, Tn.. died Nov. l9 in Hendersonville.

Hc served in the Armv durins

World War Il, mostly in ltaly. When he retunred home. he worked for several companies before he and his brother bought the family busincss fiom thcir uncle. John D. Durham. He remained active in the business until he became ill last year.

William "Bill" Fi,. Stangland, 82, retired manager at l.N.R. Beatty Lumbcr. Morris. ll.. died Dec. 9 in Morris.

Hc retired at the end of 1993. after 45 ycars with I.N.R.

Joanna Sue Tutterow. 64, fbrmer co-owner of Tuttcrow Lumbcr. Little York, In., and Dehart Pallet & Lumbcr. Austin. In.. died Nov. 27 in Jeff'crsonvillc.

She owned thc businesscs with hcr husband, Charlcs Tutterow, beforc they sold them and retired in 2002.

William D. Odenwelder Sr.. lJ4. fbrmer owner of Odenwelder Electric & Hardware, Bethlehem, Pa., dicd Dec. l7 in East Stroudsburg, Pa. He was a veteran of the U.S. Navy during World War II, serving in the South Pacific aboard a sub chascr.

He owned and operated thc hardware store fiom 1946 to 1966.

Buford "Bud'r R. Baldridge, 80, retired vice president of Beatty Lumber. Orland Park, Il., died Dec. 6 in Palos Heights, Il.

Richard J. Stephenitch, 81, retired owncr of Ace Hardware. Mcndota, Il., died Dec. 8, 2009 in Rockfbrd.ll.

He and his brothsr opened the store in 1969, operating it until he rctired in l9ft7.

Douglas Edward Berlin. U8, retired woodlands manirgcr, died Dec. l0 in Dallas. Tx.

A veteran of World War II. he served in Company B, 7l4th Tank Battalion. l2th Armorcd Division.

Following forest industry jobs in Memphis, Tn., and Joaquin, Tx., he became woodlands managcr for Tremont Lumber Co., Joyce, Ar. He also worked fbr Crown Zellcrbach as manager of thc Bogalusa Managed Forcst, Bogalusa, La., in 19t32.

He served on the board of the Louisiana Foreslry Associution.