WARROAD, Minn. – Marvin Windows and Doors’ continues its commitment to green principles with the addition of FSC-certified (QMI-COC-001058) and SFI-certified woods.  These third-party chain of custody certifications from the Sustainable Forestry Initiative and the Forest Stewardship Council will be available on Marvin windows and patio doors.  All Marvin wood species will be available as FSC-certified and pine, Douglas fir, oak, cherry, maple, walnut and vertical grain Douglas fir will be available as SFI-certified.

SFI Inc. is a fully independent, charitable organization dedicated to promoting sustainable forest management. Their forest certification standard is based on principles that promote sustainable forest management, including measures to protect water quality, biodiversity, wildlife habitat, species at risk, and forests with exceptional conservation value.

FSC is an independent, non-governmental, not-for-profit organization established to promote the responsible management of the world’s forests.

The FSC label provides a credible link between responsible production and consumption of forest products, enabling consumers and businesses to make purchasing decisions that benefit people and the environment as well as providing ongoing business value.

Not only do these certifications matter to builders, architects, remodelers and homeowners who care about environmental sustainability, but they can be an important part of obtaining designations such as LEED.  The wood used in Marvin’s wood and clad-wood windows and patio doors is not only an important design element, but also a valuable way to help protect our world’s forests.

The energy-efficiency tax credit our federal government is offering homeowners will continue to be a driving force for much of the building and remodeling industry, and that’s evident from the focus on efficiency at the 2010 International Builders Show.

The tax credit gives homeowners back 30 percent — up to $1,500 — when they install qualifying products, such as windows and doors, furnaces, roofing or insulation.

Lou talks with Tom Sinning of Marvin Windows and Doors and Kevin Carlile of Trane about some of their highly energy-efficient products on display at the show and available now for homeowners.

After spending the week with architects, builders and suppliers at the International Builders Show, Lou Manfredini files this report on the industry’s outlook for 2010.

Kevin Morrow, senior program manager for NAHB, foresees growth in “green building” — perhaps no surprise, driven by consumers’ desire for green products.

Susan Marvin, president of Marvin Windows, is excited about the positive response to the company’s new products. She says 2010 is going to be another challenging year, but the way to fight through a challenging year is to continue to listen to what consumers want and to deliver high quality and good value.

Jeff Seidel, a builder from New York, says he’s optimistic but realistic about 2010. His company is well-positioned, he says, with a dual purpose: building and remodeling. The firm’s remodeling business was strong in 2009 and will continue to be strong in 2010 — a reflection of consumers’ increasing desire to update what they have rather than try to buy new.

He meets with a representative from Bosch Appliances to learn about their new dishwasher, which operates with a focus on efficient use of energy and water. Lou also gets an introduction to a home automation system by Leviton.

Kevin Morrow, senior program manager for NAHB, talks with Lou about the National Green Building Standard.

For more information go to mymarvin.com.

Still fresh as daisies after 200 dozen cookies a day

The Sears cookie ladies have been one of the sensations of IBS, and they didn’t even know it. They’ve been so busy baking 4,800 cookies a day in their Kenmore oven that they didn’t realize showgoers have been tweeting about them practically nonstop.

So here’s a little well-deserved recognition for (from left) Dawn, Anna and Gayle.

Lou shows us a residential wind turbine from Windtronics as well as GAF’s reflective shingles and ventilation systems for cooling your roof — thereby reducing cooling costs and energy use on warm days.

Lou spoke with Kevin Morrow, senior program manager for NAHB, about products builders can use to improve a home’s energy efficiency and Michael Still of Marvin Windows and Doors about SFI and FSC certification. These “green” certification programs ensure that products add value to your home and are healthy for the environment.

The Low Profile Sill offers exceptional performance and beauty. Certified as DP40 on most sliding doors, the Low Profile Sill is strong and durable with the performance of a higher sill.

Its low profile is also ADA-compliant, adding ease to home living for those disabled or aging in place.

This sill is made from Ultrex®, a durable pultruded fiberglass and has an interior oak liner. It can be ordered with all current product and design options on Marvin sliding French and sliding patio doors.

The Low Profile Sill is a design exclusive to Marvin Windows and Doors. Now homeowners don’t have to choose between performance and looks—the Low Profile Sill shows only the beauty of the door, while remaining strong and secure.  And with today’s aging population, the Low Profile Sill is an important safety consideration, offering a flush threshold.  For those using wheelchairs or walkers, the Low Profile Sill is an ADA-compliant door, making home living a little easier.

John Simpson of Marvin Windows and Doors says, “The Low Profile Sill’s clean, flush look is perfect for today’s indoor-outdoor living trend.  In the past, taller thresholds were necessary for top performance, but Marvin’s inventive engineering has made the Low Profile Sill look good and perform just as well as a traditional sill.”

For further information about the Low Profile Sill, please call (888) 537-8266 or visit www.marvin.com.

Consider these findings from a recent study of older Americans (age 55 and up) by the Mature Market Institute:

• Nearly two-thirds (63%) plan to stay in their current home as long as they can. That number rises to 78 percent for those aged 75 and older
• Eight in 10 prefer a single-story home to a two-story or split-level, with 75 percent preferring to have the master bedroom on the main floor
• Windows that open easily rank among the top features that consumers said would help them remain in their homes longer, with 81 percent of consumers citing them as important. Other key desired features include a washer/dryer (90%), ample storage space (84%), and an easily operated thermostat (73%)
• Energy efficiency also ranked high on the list of desired features, with 73 percent of consumers saying that features such as windows with low-emissivity glass and EnergyStar-rated appliances are important to them

Those findings highlight why more than 80 percent of the builders surveyed in the same study indicated that they included Universal Design features in their 55+ community homes.

These features include:

• Wider doors and hallways
• Lever door handles
• Lower kitchen cabinets
• Larger medicine cabinets
• Attached garages with garage door openers
• Non-slip floors
• Larger medicine cabinets
• Easy opening windows

Recent census data shows that more than 29% of Americans aged 64 and over suffer some form of physical disability that makes it difficult for them to climb stairs, open doors and windows, or use a historically designed bathroom. That number reinforces the need for Universal Design when it comes to home building and remodeling for an aging – yet still independent – population.

Marvin Windows and Doors is responding to the growing need for Universal Design with products like:

• The Ultimate Casement line of windows, which swivel 140 degrees in “wash mode” to allow owners to wash the outside of the window from inside the house
• The Ultimate Push Out Casement, with wash mode plus the added ease of a simple push to open – no crank to turn
• The Low Profile, High Performance Sill – fits flush to the floor for easy access to patios and decks
• A full line of lever handles for Marvin’s high-quality entry and interior doors
• Unsurpassed hardware that makes opening even the largest windows a breeze

For more information on Universal Design, visit the Center for Universal Design

Now here’s a great reason to bring your bathing suit to the Builders’ Show — I sure wish I could have jumped in and tried the Fountainhead VibrAcoustic Bath from Kohler.

The tub combines water, vibrations and sound to create a unique bathing experience. The vibrations sweep through the water in concert with the music. You can choose from preprogrammed tracks or plug in your own music from an iPod or home network.

If you choose a relaxing, New-Agey kind of music, like the sort that was playing during this demo, your heartbeat will actually be lowered.

My wife loves to bathe and she’s frustrated by the small tub in our 1950s ranch house. She would *love* this! Hmm, our anniversary is coming up soon….

FInd out more at http://bit.ly/3XskY4.