By JAMES and MORRIS CAREY
For AP Weekly Features
Some of the new products at the recent
International Builders Show were real atten-
tion-getters, and any one of them could be a
"must have" for your next project.
Composite and synthetic materials have
entered virtually every aspect of the build-
ing industry. Some products are more like
the real thing than are others.
Synthetic lawn is one category that's
"growing" rapidly, and with good reason -- it
looks and feels like the real thing but requires
none of the maintenance headaches. No
watering, mowing, thatching or fertilizing --
and best of all, it remains green all year long.
And synthetic lawn isn't just green in
color, it's environmentally "green" as it reduces
pollution caused by gas-powered lawn equip-
ment, conserves water and helps prevents
fertilizers from running off into the water
supply.
However, be prepared to lay down some
"green" for this green -- it runs about $3-$5
per square foot, installed. While that might
seem pricey up front, during its 10-to-15-year
life span, it could mean significant savings
on water, fuel, fertilizer, mowing and main-
tenance.
Fixing your hair or shaving after a steamy
shower can be impossible with a foggy mirror.
You might even have to spend more time
blow-drying your mirror than your hair.
That was before a company called A
Bright Idea introduced its clever new Fog
Free Reflections, a defogger made of ultra-
thin flexible carbon panels that mounts behind
any size mirror to quickly eliminate shower
steam, condensation and mist.
Small electrical copper conduits are safe-
ly sandwiched between ultra-thin flexible
carbon/Mylar panels. The device connects
to an existing light fixture and begins defog-
ging whenever the light is turned on, using
about as much energy as a 75-watt bulb.
Though new to the U.S., this fog-bust-
ing technology has been installed in many
hotels and spas in Europe.
It's available in several sizes and can be cus-
tom-made. On average, it costs less than
$100.
One of the fastest-growing building-relat-
ed categories is home storage and organization.
Into that realm comes SpaceLift, a sort
of cable car that transports items to and from
your attic storage space using a remote-con-
trolled platform that rides along tracks on a
stairway.
It enables you to load materials on the
ground or in the attic and move them from
one place to the other without breaking any
more sweat than comes from pushing a but-
ton.
As with conventional fold-down ladders,
the SpaceLift stairway disappears into the
ceiling when not in use. When the stairway
is deployed, the SpaceLift platform remains
stowed in the attic, out of the way of the
access hole, providing easy attic access. When
activated, the platform, suspended by four
steel cables, moves into position above the attic
access hatch and is lowered to the floor along
the stairway tracks.
The SpaceLift costs $2,995 (plus instal-
lation), which, compared to the cost of long-
term storage, could end up being a bargain. A
similar version uses a vertically traveling plat-
form without stairs and lists for $2,295.
Need more room? Look between the studs!
That's the company slogan for In Wall Cab-
inets.
Its clever line of recessed cabinets are
made to fit perfectly between the studs of a two-
by-four wall. The cabinets, which look cus-
tom-made, can be used where there's no room
for a traditional freestanding cabinet.
Some suggested uses include a display or
"curio" cabinet (with optional lighting); coat
rack with umbrella storage; liquor bar or wine
storage cabinet (both with decorative glass
storage); display cabinet for sports memora-
bilia; and billiards cue cabinet.
There are smaller versions that can be
used as a dart board closet or medicine chest,
or as a cabinet for billiard balls, CDs or fire-
place tools. One might even be used as a
pantry for canned goods in or near the kitchen.
The cabinets are available with or with-
out doors; in solid oak or maple; and in five
stained finishes or unfinished.
Installation is easy: Just cut out an open-
ing in the wallboard between existing studs
and fasten the cabinet into it. But be sure
there isn't any plumbing, electrical or mechan-
ical works in the wall or you're in for an
unpleasant surprise.
In Wall Cabinets range from $150-$490
depending on size, finish and options.
What's New at International Builders Show
K
C
M
Y
K
The Citizen, Auburn, New York
Today's Home
March 2006
13
Quality Service to Cayuga Co. Since 1963
Main
& Pinckney
EQUIPMENT, INC.
Why
Settle for
Anything
Less?
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· 18-hp Kohler CourageTM to
24-hp Briggs & Stratton engines
· 38" to 50" Free FloatingTM mower
deck with full-width rollers
· Foot-controlled acceleration with
cruise control
· Large, color-coded controls
· Tight 12" turning radius
ALL NEW REGENT
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FULL
YEAR
*
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for
1
· 18-hp Kohler CourageTM to
24-hp Briggs & Stratton engines
· 38" to 50" Free FloatingTM mower
deck with full-width rollers
· Foot-controlled acceleration with
cruise control
· Large,color-coded controls
· Tight 12" turning radius
THE WAY TO A
Beautiful Lawn
*12 Months Same As Cash offer Valid on purchases made with a Yard Card consumer credit card
account between 1/1/06 and 5/31/06 subject to credit approval through Shoppers Charge
Accounts Co. No payments required expect insurance premiums (if applicable). Finance charges
will be assessed from date of purchase, unless the total purchase price and all related insurance
premiums (if applicable) are paid in full within the promotional period. See dealer for details.
7033 Mutton Hill Rd. · Auburn, NY 13021
253-6269 · 1-800-232-0838
Cayuga County
Association of Realtors, Inc.
131 Genesee St. · 253-7977 · 253-4606 fax
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