Forming Boards

Seal Air Leaks

Many air leaks and drafts are easy to find because they are easy to feel — like those around windows and doors. But holes hidden in attics, basements, and crawlspaces are usually bigger problems. Sealing these leaks with caulk, spray foam, or weather stripping will have a big impact on improving your comfort level and reducing utility bills.

Common locations for air leaks:

• Wiring and plumbing entrances
• Recessed lighting
• Basement rim joists
• Windows and doors
• Electrical and gas service entrances
• Outdoor water faucets
• Where dryer vents pass through walls

Turn on Ceiling Fans

By using a ceiling fan you can then increase the thermostat setting a few degrees, resulting in reduced air conditioning energy cost.

In the summer, make sure all ceiling fans are turned on and spin in the counterclockwise direction. The airflow produces a cooling effect, making you feel cooler and more comfortable. In the winter, when the furnace is on and the heat rises to the ceiling, use the ceiling fan at low speed in the clockwise direction. This creates an updraft, which directs warm air near the ceiling down into the occupied space. Remember to adjust your thermostat when using your ceiling fan — additional energy and dollar savings could be realized with this simple step!

Change out incandescent light bulbs

Compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) consume about 75 percent less energy than a typical incandescent light bulb. And CFLs last up to 10X longer than an incandescent bulb. CFLs are affordable and are designed to fit into your current fixtures. Installing CFLs in your home will help save up to $30 dollars in electricity cost during the life of the bulb.

Add the proper amount of attic insulation

Inadequate insulation and air leakage are leading causes of energy waste in most homes. Heat flows naturally from a warmer to a cooler space. In winter, the heat moves directly from heated living areas to the outdoors and to adjacent unheated attics, garages, and basements - wherever there is a difference in temperature. During the summer, heat moves from outdoors to the house interior. To maintain comfort, the heat lost in winter must be replaced by your heating system and the heat gained in summer must be removed by your air conditioner. Insulating ceilings, walls, and floors decreases the heating or cooling needed by providing an effective resistance to the flow of heat.

There are several common types of insulation — fiberglass (in both batt and blown forms), cellulose, rigid foam board, and spray foam. Reflective insulation (or radiant barrier) is another insulating product which can help save energy in hot, sunny climates.

Install a Radiant Barrier in the attic

Radiant barriers, like Energy Star certified Enerflex®, work by reducing heat transfer of thermal radiation across the air space between the roof deck (attic ceiling) and the attic floor, where conventional insulation is normally placed. In other words radiant barriers assist in blocking or reflecting heat transfer.

A radiant barrier installed in the attic works by reducing the amount of radiant heat on various components in the attic. These are typically thermal attic insulation, duct work, HVAC equipment, and other building components. Since the amount of radiant heat contacting the top of the insulation is less than it would have been without a radiant barrier, the insulation surface temperature is lower and the heat flow through the insulation is reduced. The best radiant barrier insulation, such as Enerflex, will significantly reduce the amount of energy radiated from the top surface of the insulation.

Enerflex qualifies for a 2011 tax $500 tax credit!

Request a sample of Enerflex Radiant Barrier.

See this blog post on how installing a radiant barrier in your attic can extend the life of your A/C unit.

You’ve probably heard the expression “God is in the details.” Well, when it comes to creating a truly unique and beautiful deck design, the right mix of details can create a heavenly result.

Every deck is essentially a blank canvas. Adding design details such as ornamental post caps, decorative balusters and deck inlays, can turn your blank canvas into a custom deck that is a work of art.

Not sure which details will work best for your tastes and design parameters?

Deck design software can help you envision how your deck will look with the addition of certain details. The Deck Visualizer is a free online program that allows you to choose from a selection of scenes and then dress up each with a variety of designer details, such as wood color, railing design, and baluster and post cap accessories.

Designer touches are limited only by your imagination – and creativity in forming combinations. In addition to ornamental post caps and decorative balusters – which we’ve talked about before in this blog – there are many other ways to customize your deck, including:

• Deck inlays – A deck inlay can be anything from decorative stone or ceramic tile to a design made up of different colored composite deck boards placed at interesting angles.
• Reversible boards – Unlike standard deck boards, Latitudes Intrepid composite deck boards can be placed with either side facing up. Each side has its own unique texture (woodgrain or brushed) and color variance, allowing you to create an interesting design while using just one type of decking material.
• Picture framing – By installing a trim board around a deck, you can give your wood deck surface a unique appearance, and protect plank ends that can deteriorate over time when exposed to the elements.
• Hidden fasteners – Strategically placed nails or screws can be incorporated into a deck’s design, but for an ultra-clean look, consider Latitude’s Equator hidden fastener. Concealed below the deck surface, Equator composite deck hidden fasteners fit into the groove on the side of the deck board secured at each joist to eliminate pre-drilling and allow for quick and easy installation, leaving a deck looking smooth and sleek. Installing the right hidden fastener will make your composite deck barefoot friendly.
• Recessed lighting – Deckorators recessed lighting kits use compact, ultra-bright, low-volt LED lights to make decks more appealing and accessible after dark. Build them into stairs, step-downs and anywhere you need illumination both for looks and safetypurposes.
• Benches and boxes – Built-ins are a hot deck trend and you can use Latitudes composite decking to build curved composite benches and planter boxes around your deck.

Whether you choose to add just one detail or many, designer touches can truly make your deck one-of-a-kind – and make you feel like you have your own little slice of heaven in your own backyard.

Universal Forest Products delivers all of your concrete forming product needs coast-to-coast from California and Texas on to the shores of Virgina ...and straight to your job site. Direct from our lumberyards or from the mill, we'll provide you with the forming products that help you take form—pour after pour. Whether it's a run-of-the-mill forming project or a custom job, UFP is here to help you and your project look good. Our team of product experts will work with you to fulfill your needs on time and within budget.

UFP's wide range of innovative concrete forming products is just right for your formwork and shoring project needs. Universals forming products include dimensional lumber, architectural form plywood, wet curing blankets and floor protection material, concrete forming panels, OSHA-approved wood scaffold planks, engineered wood products, plated trusses, beam sides, edge forms, forming boards, load transfer products and even Gates Concrete Systems.

Need a concrete form designed? UFP's engineering department will design or engineer custom wood forms to meet your unique needs.

Since composite wood decking is low maintenance, periodic washing with soap and water will remove surface dirt and chalk that accumulate on the composite deck surface. This will also prevent the buildup of pollen and debris that can cause mold and mildew growth.

Pressure washers (with fan-tip nozzle) should be used for wetting and rinsing only. Pressure washers should not be used to “blast off” soiling agents; attempting to do so can drive the dirt deeper into the composite deck boards. In most cases, applying the cleaning agent with a pump sprayer and scrubbing thoroughly with a synthetic brush will clean the surface.

Grime, Ground-in Dirt, Rust
In most cases, soap and water will maintain the appearance of composite decking material. If grime, ground-in dirt or rust marks become a problem, use a cleaning product with an oxalic acid base. Do not use bleach, abrasive cleansers or pads when cleaning.

Mold
Mold may form on any surface where moisture is prevalent, where there is heavy shading, or where pollen and debris are allowed to collect. To remove mold, use conventional deck washers or cleaners that contain sodium percarbonate and detergent. These cleaners can be found at most home centers.