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Feeney Releases New DesignRail LED Rail Lighting Kit

The next generation of Feeney Inc.’s DesignRail LED Rail Lighting Kit has been released.

Developed to install easily into DesignRail top or bottom rails without special tools, Feeney’s new LED railing lighting kit now accommodates a single, continuous 55-ft. run and is field trimmable for optimal flexibility, with 4” cut lines for convenient reference. The lighting system is certified by UL and maintains its certification, even when cut in the field.

The durable 24V wet location strip lights attach to the railing surface using integrated high-performance, double-sided foam (VHB) tape for carefree installation. Waterproof crimp fittings provide protection from the elements, while plug-and-play connectors facilitate quick linking of lights and components.

Feeney’s energy-efficient LED rail lighting is rated for 50,000 hours, providing long-lasting, high-output lighting for both indoor and outdoor applications. The linear strip’s high lumen output creates distinctive railing lighting, and also provides efficient ambient light when installed with a compatible dimmer switch. A flexible, weatherproof housing resists moisture and dust, providing an extra layer of durability and safety in outdoor environments.

In addition, Feeney has increased the product warranty for its LED Rail Lighting Kit to seven years for light strips and five years for power supplies.

Engineered to generate attractive, well-balanced lighting, the LEDs feature a high-color rendering index (CRI 90+) for truer colors, and an exclusive polycarbonate lens that evenly distributes light throughout the railing. Fully dimmable 24V magnetic dimmable driver kits and compatible dimmer switch enable users to adjust the brightness level for desired ambience.

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Millboard Decking Featured in “Ding” Darling Project

The “Ding” Darling Wildlife Society (DDWS) will be using Millboard decking in its design of a new multi-functional project welcoming visitors to the J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge on a subtropical barrier island in Sanibel, FL.

The decking, which is made from recycled materials to simulate wood, has been added to a 350-sq. ft. area that will contain three separate spaces for small-group gatherings and places for visitors to rest on their own when they explore the refuge.

The decking is part of a larger $1 million-plus project of the DDWS refuge, including a new 4,670-sq. ft. pavilion called The Roost (alluding to the pavilion’s welcoming appeal) that will be adjacent to the entrance ramp of the “Ding” Darling Visitor & Education Center. DDWS plans to break ground on the pavilion by late summer 2022.

Industry News

Avon Plastics Names New CFO

Ryan Guggenberger has been named Avon Plastics’ new CFO.

He previously worked at Golf Galaxy, Direct Source, and Mid-America Festivals, holding top positions in the finance and accounting departments.

Jason Hanson, COO for Avon Plastics, says this about Ryan, “We are thrilled to welcome Ryan to the Avon team. Ryan’s strong record for driving results and streamlining processes is going to benefit our company for years to come. His experience and expertise aligns him perfectly to further support our scalability and revenue growth. Most importantly, Ryan’s personality and approach fits flawlessly into the culture at Avon Plastics.”

“I’m excited to join the Avon Plastics family,” says Ryan, “and I look forward to using my skills and many years of financial management experience to help the company reach its goals.”

Industry News

Wolf Home Partners with Key-Link Fencing & Railing

Wolf Home Products has partnered with Key-Link Fencing & Railing, a Pennsylvania-based aluminum rail and fence systems manufacturer, to distribute Key-Link’s products to the Northeast corridor.

Wolf Home Products will offer Key-Link’s full line of aluminum and cable railings, including the American, Chesapeake, and Outlook Series, as well as ADA handrails, caps and stair lighting.

“We aim to bring the highest standards of excellence to everything we do, and partnering with Key-Link helps us continue bringing that brand vision to life,” said Mark Simmers, senior VP of sales for Wolf Home Products. “The premium standard met by Key-Link’s product offering aligns effortlessly with our long-lasting, extensive portfolio of high-quality building products.”

“We are excited to partner with Wolf Home Products to supply their network of dealers with our premium aluminum railing,” said Reuben Lapp, Chief Executive Officer of Key-Link Fencing & Railing. “This partnership brings our team members’ commitment to quality and innovation to more dealers and installers.”

Learn more by visiting wolfhomeproducts.com.

Industry News

Digger Specialties Launches Photo Contest

Digger Specialties Inc., Bremen, IN., has launched a product photo contest that will run until July 31 and is open to lumberyards, distributors, pros and homeowners. Gift cards will be awarded for the best photos in six DSI product categories: Westbury aluminum railing, columns, gates, fencing, accessories, and custom products. The winner of the overall best photo will receive a $500 gift card. There will also be six category best photo awards of $250 gift cards. All entries will receive a DSI grill set.

Visit diggerspecialties.com for more details.

Industry News

TIVA Expanding Manufacturing to the US

PVC decking and dock products manufacturer TIVA Building Products, Mississauga, Ontario, has purchased 36 acres with a 50,000+-sq. ft. production facility in South Carolina as its first facility in the U.S.

Cabot Rolls Out Sample Stain Program

Cabot has introduced new product sample stains providing pros with another tool to help their customers. With the new sample sizes, consumers and pros can feel confident in their color choice before beginning a project. The samples come in half-pint cans and are available in 8 SKUs.

Spartan Railing Partners with BMD

Spartan Railing has partnered with Building Material Distributors, Inc. to distribute its line of railing to dealers throughout California and select counties in Nevada.

Barrette Outdoor Living Rebrands to Own the Outside

Barrette Outdoor Living has announced a further evolution of the company’s rebranding initiative by consolidating several of its individual brands under the Barrette Outdoor Living umbrella. This includes DuraLife, Xpanse Greater Outdoors and RDI® — which is now the RDI Collection within Barrette Outdoor Living. The move is intended to leverage the full power of the American manufacturer’s brand to create more value and brand equity for the overall business. To coincide with the brand consolidation is the launch of the company’s new brand campaign and tagline, The Outside Company. The campaign empowers homeowners to bring their outdoor spaces to life—however they envision it—encouraging them to “step outside and live their best life.” The idea behind the new branding is to emphasize getting outside—encouraging people to express their ‘outside side’ by bringing inside activities to outdoor spaces. “Now more than ever, homeowners are taking their inside routines out—to cook, entertain, exercise, work—making the outside, the new inside,” said Lori Miller, Vice President of Marketing at Barrette Outdoor Living. “This campaign offers compelling inspiration that helps people realize the best room no longer has to be in the house.” The comprehensive campaign, which will debut the first week of November and run until the end of the year, encompasses traditional print and television outlets in addition to outdoor OLA/OLV advertising and social media. Ads will run on HGTV, DIY Network, Outdoor Channel, ESPN and local sports networks in select markets.

Horizontal Vinyl Fencing Debuts with Barrette Outdoor Living in 2022

Barrette Outdoor Living, Inc., a leading provider of outdoor living products, recently debuted its new contemporary Horizontal Vinyl Fencing product line, featuring two styles — a full solid privacy option and one that features the company’s unique Decorative Screen Panel as an alternative to traditional lattice top. Both horizontal vinyl fence styles will be available in two widths and in a variety of colors — including a modern solid gray and two unique wood grain patterns. To make installation as easy as possible, Barrette Outdoor Living designed a special channel that allows infill boards to slide into place and lock securely. “We’ve seen the market trending to a popular style of wood and vinyl versions of horizontal fencing for the past few years,” said Patrick Ianni, Director of Product Management at Barrette Outdoor Living. “With our new system, we are able to offer an easy-to-install, kit-based version of this trending style.” The launch of this vinyl fencing is yet one more addition to the company’s expanding line of products that are compatible with its wide assortment of design-forward Decorative Screen Panels, which also includes pergola, railing infills and privacy screen kits. All vinyl fencing manufactured by Barrette Outdoor Living features SolarGuard® technology that provides fade resistance; StayStraight® rails that prevent long-term bowing and sagging; and StaySquare® gate designs thatprovide increased strength and structural integrity. About Barrette Outdoor Living, Inc.®: Barrette Outdoor Living empowers homeowners to bring their personal outdoor space to life — however they envision it — by providing fencing, railing, decking and complementary outdoor products that beckon people to embrace their Outside SideTM. Barrette Outdoor Living is proud to be an American manufacturer, with 14 locations throughout North America that provide outdoor products sold through specialty retailers, home centers and lumberyards. Featuring more than 75 patents, Content supplied by

Stainless Steel Moves Out of the House

Nothing captivates attention quite like stainless steel. Any appliance that incorporates stainless steel becomes instantly more appealing, and any building that incorporates it into the design looks more innovative. Stainless steel is truly in a league of its own. A combination of durability, aesthetics, low maintenance, and sustainability makes stainless steel a go-to material for builders, remodelers, contractors, and other design-build professionals. The ever-growing demand for stainless steel has led manufacturers to focus on creating innovative and stylish outdoor products. As outdoor living and sustainability become increasingly important to the design community, these companies, among others, have uncovered unique reasons why stainless steel is such a widely popular building material. Stainless Steel & Recycling “I definitely believe that sustainability is one of the more important factors in the popularity of stainless steel. I also think its durability and aesthetic appeal play into its growth,” explained Praveen Sood, retail and product marketing manager at Feeney, Inc., a company that specializes in stainless steel cable railing systems. Stainless steel is made from iron, chromium, nickel and molybdenum, making it easy and cost effective to recycle. According to the International Stainless Steel Forum, stainless steel is composed of 25% old scrap products, 35% new scrap that is returning from production, and 40% new raw material. As a result, it becomes a product with not only design appeal, but broad environmental appeal as well. Stainless steel is 100% recyclable with no degradation; a rare feat amongst building products. And, according to the ISSF, roughly 92% of stainless steel used in architecture, building, and construction around the world is recaptured and recycled at the end of the project’s lifetime. In addition, the Specialty Steel Industry of North America estimates that of the stainless steel produced in North America, the post-consumer recycled content rate is

INDUSTRY NEWS

Millboard Decking Featured in “Ding” Darling Project

Avon Plastics Names New CFO

Ryan Guggenberger has been named Avon Plastics’ new CFO.

Wolf Home Partners with Key-Link Fencing & Railing

Wolf Home Products has partnered with Key-Link Fencing & Railing, a Pennsylvania-based aluminum rail and fence systems manufacturer, to distribute Key-Link’s products to the Northeast corridor.

Digger Specialties Launches Photo Contest

Digger Specialties Inc., Bremen, IN., has launched a product photo contest that will run until July 31 and is open to lumberyards, distributors, pros and homeowners.

Fiberon Breaks Ground on Tennessee Eco-Friendly Plant

Fiberon, a manufacturer of wood-alternative decking, railing, cladding, and fencing products distributed around the world, broke ground May 10 on its new manufacturing facility in Columbia, TN. The facility will make Fiberon polyethylene decking product lines and composite cladding.

Deckorators Acquires Cedar Poly

UFP Industries, Grand Rapids, MI., announced that its subsidiary, Deckorators, Inc., has acquired Cedar Poly, LLC., a plastics recycler, for $17 million. The purchase price includes incentive payments of up to $1.5 million over three years if Cedar Poly meets certain performance goals.

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Happy Customers are Loyal Customers

At RailFX, we sell through our distributor network and communicate with the end-user regarding the installation of our products. As a manufacturer, it's in our best interest to ensure a solid installation.

Regal Ideas President Retires After More Than 20 Years with the Company

Effective immediately, Andrew Pantelides, vice president of marketing and business development, will be taking over Couillard’s responsibilities including sales and strategy for the company.

Oldcastle APG Will Double Capacity for MoistureShield Composite Decking

Oldcastle APG will double its manufacturing capacity with a new expansion at the company's MoistureShield plant in Springdale, AR.

Best Practices for Deck Restoration

Fence Planner Software

Horizontal Vinyl Fencing Debuts with Barrette Outdoor Living in 2022

BUILDING MATERIALS

Tips to Set and Install Stair Posts with Cable Railings

Complete and accurate measurements make all the difference If you've installed cable railing for level runs, you're familiar with setting and installing posts and running the cable through for a completed project. When it comes to stairs, it takes more planning to make sure you have the right measurements and materials. We’ve compiled tips to consider from some of the most common mistakes we typically see when orders come through to our team of experts. Tip: Include stairs in your project drawings We often find the stair details are missing from drawings, and simple mistakes happen. Stairs are framed differently from project to project, and most drawings we receive (including CAD drawings) do not show the stair framing. This is why we encourage our customers to submit the entire drawings including stairs. It is important to note that on the stairway runs; no two are alike. Once we receive an order at RailFX, more often than not, we may ask for additional information — pictures and measurements — when stairs are involved. In some cases, we may need to requote a project if there is new information or a difference in layout from the original takeoff. Tip: Proper measurement and angle ensure no setback The first step to installing stair posts is to measure the stairs' nose-to-nose distance and angle to determine the total number of posts beyond the top and bottom. Without the proper stair angle and accompanying drawings, the cable may not follow the angle properly, a significant setback to your project's completion. Please note, code rules a 6-inch sphere should not pass through the triangle gap formed between the stair riser, stair tread, and the bottom edge of the bottom rail. Always check with your local building codes before installing. Tip: Anchor the top and bottom posts

Beyond the Monotone: Create Exceptional Space with Multiple Decking Colors

Master innovator Henry Ford remarked on the Model T that customers could get the car in “any color, so long as it’s black.” Today, the Ford Motor Company makes dozens of vehicles in a wide range of colors. In a similar fashion, composite decking manufacturers have innovated with a wide palette of deck board colors and finish styles—and are introducing additional, beautiful new options every year. The range of available colors provides an opportunity to further enhance your deck designs—and in the process create great customer referrals. Using more than one color to enhance deck designs For most of history, decks were relatively simple, with rectangles of one color predominating. But, now more deck builders are showcasing their creativity with multi-level decks, specialty shaped decks, and other unique designs. Today’s range of composite decking colors enables even greater creativity. Some of the ways using more than one color deck board can enhance deck form and function, include creating visual variety, increasing safety, crafting a focal point, and setting off functional areas. Creating visual variety. Adding boards that contrast with the color of the main deck makes for a more visually captivating outdoor living space, especially for large decks that otherwise are uninterrupted. Examples include installing a row or two of darker boards around the edge of a light colored deck, to serve as a frame, and outlining cut-out areas for trees and shrubs (or reversing the color—using lighter boards to frame a darker deck). For a double contrast, place the highlight board(s) on a different alignment from the boards in the majority of the deck (either perpendicular, or at an angle). A truly adventurous builder can even bend a contrasting composite board to meander through the deck, for a one-of-a-kind design. Increasing safety. An excellent way to create visual

Color Me Mine: Become a Railing Color Expert

The days of plain white vinyl railings on every deck have given way to a rainbow of railing colors, enabled by the latest manufacturing technologies and the expanding imaginations of designers. With now near-unlimited options, how can builders help guide customers to the best color choice for their deck railing project? “Choosing the right railing defines your home, and selecting the right color is as important on the outside of the home as it is on the inside,” says Andrew Pantelides, VP of marketing and business development for Regal ideas. “When it comes to doors, trim, shutters and furniture, the color trends we are seeing are ones of eye-catching colors that define personality and style. More and more homeowners are viewing their outdoor spaces as an extension of their indoors.” Certainly, railing color choice is a critical decision in planning a project. When you walk out onto a deck, your eyes are usually going to see the railing first. According to Steven Phillips, product manager in charge of railing for Trex, “Our focus is on making sure consumers have safe but inspiring choices that complement any decking color. Earth tones like Vintage Lantern (a chocolate brown) compliment safer choices like Classic White and Charcoal Black. Softer tones like Rope Swing and Gravel Path give consumers more outside-the-box options that aren’t too polarizing. However, making sure the channel can support inventory requirements is always critical, so the color palette has to be selected carefully.” Fairway’s aluminum systems come in three different colors, steel railings in two, and cellular PVC in white. “Those three railing technologies—aluminum, steel and cellular PVC—cover three color categories in black, bronze and white, which represent about 90% of market demand,” said Chase Moritz, marketing manager for parent Envision Decking. “Within those technologies, we offer varying finish

How to Install Cable Railing

Cable railing offers a visually appealing aesthetic for both commercial and residential spaces. However, for those who are accustomed to traditional balustrade installation, a cable rail system presents unique challenges that can be overcome with a few tips and techniques. Before installing your cable rail system, it’s important to decide what you want to achieve with the finished product. Are you simply looking to maintain a picturesque view or will you also use it for entertaining? Understanding the utilization of space will help determine the rail style as well as whether you’ll need additional accessories such as LED lighting for nighttime ambiance. In addition, be sure to check with your local building code officials prior to installation to ensure all code and safety requirements are met. After determining the type of system, you’ll need to choose the right type of cable. Typically marine-grade (type 316) stainless steel cable is the most affordable option that provides maximum durability and corrosion resistance with little-to-no maintenance. Also look for cable that can be cut to your specifications. Some companies offer pre-cut cables that may be too short or too long for your project. Investing in a pair of cable cutters will give you a clean cut and won’t interfere with the ravel. Other cutters may fray the cable. You will be working with three types of posts—end posts, corner posts, and mid-posts. The attachment of the posts to the decking is very important. Well anchored posts are necessary to prevent them from bending under the cable tension. The use of a top and bottom rail will also keep the posts from bending. Prior to tensioning, all top and bottom rails must be in place and secured to the posts per the manufacturer’s instructions. The tools and equipment you will need to add cable

Sweet Home Alabama: Southern Hospitality Welcomes South American Hardwoods

The Deep South has its own long, proud history of native woods, from the distinctive cypress to the classic oaks and rustic pines. But when one longtime Southern lumberman wanted to build an expansive 11,000-sq. ft. home with multiple decks off the Tennessee River in Muscle Shoals, AL., he wanted all the wood sourced from Guyana. Homeowner Joe McKinney is managing director of the McVantage Group, Tuscumbia, AL., which is currently developing a $1-million acre tract in the South American nation’s Iwokrama Forest. In Guyana, McKinney sees the richness of resources and opportunity his elders saw in the northwest Alabama forests of two and three generations ago. His mission has become introducing modern, sustainable logging and milling practices to Guyana. His own home, therefore, would be the ideal place to show off the little-known exotic species the country has to offer. McKinney engaged Rusty Alexander, a National Home Builders Association board member and Shoals Home Builders Association’s 2017 Builder of the Year, who had previously built a home for his brother. Rusty and his team at Alexander Modern Homes and River- Works Design Studio were charged with creating an ultra-modern four bedroom, six-and-a-half bath home that incorporated the wood into all facets of construction, inside and out. First, they bulldozed the existing lake house on the property and prepared the lot for new construction. The new spaces were to give off an “indoor/outdoor” feel—so the interior felt open, natural and warm, and the exterior conveyed the warmth and modernity of the inside. Every room in the house was given a striking view of Wilson Lake, maximized by the inclusion of Phantom retractable screens. Greenheart, shibidan and kabukalli were used generously throughout the house. Outside, purpleheart was used to craft sturdy legs for an outdoor table. The decks, handrails, rainscreen and

T-Rex pro-grade duct tapes

There was a time when if you wanted a roll of “good,” heavy-duty, ultra-sticky duct tape, you either had to be a HVAC technician or have made friends with the sheet metal subcontractor who was working on the same subdivision tract as you were. The latter also usually involved the exchange of several cold adult beverages and the requisite loitering and discussion of all things building related, while enjoying their consumption. After this, you were pretty well guaranteed duct tape and gutter sealant for as long as that sub was on your job. I often wondered how the sheet metal company never came to notice all those “gifted” rolls of Nashua Tape and tubes of gutter sealant, or maybe they just considered them as “consumables,” which I guess, in a roundabout way, they really were. Nowadays, in this same scenario, both you and the sub would most likely be arrested for loitering, drinking in public, and theft of construction materials—then unceremoniously fired. Oh, how far we have come. Thankfully, the people at T-Rex are looking out for us, after deciding that the venerable roll of tape, found rolling around every trademan’s toolbox, deserved an upgrade. With the T-Rex line of professional tape products, you can fix a small hole in a wet/dry vacuum hose, patch that bucket that cracks on the last day of construction, and solve so many other minor frustrations that can add up to project delays and dollars lost. Pro-grade duct tapes and specialty tapes, while seeming unnecessary before starting a job, can provide on-the-fly repairs when you need them most. It won’t be every day you need it, but on that day you do, you will really need it. Below are examples of how we used T-Rex on our jobs. Site Prep We used double-sided poly-hanging

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