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Bob talks with homeowner Howard Brickman about a device he’s invented that measures the relative humidity of the interior of the concrete and predicts what will happen after the concrete is covered with a floor covering. It’s critical that the concrete that makes up the floor be dry before the wood floor is installed. This is especially true in southern climates where there is a high amount of humidity.
While the house is being dried out, the siding can be put in place. The furring strips are attached to the foam exterior with an adhesive foam. Bob talks with Jack Armour from Powers Fasteners about the fasteners used to secure the HardiPlank fiber-cement siding. The trim in New England houses has traditionally been made from pine or cedar. Bob talks with Kristen Baer of Azek Trimboards about their product, a cellular PVC trim manufactured with a “free foam” process. The Azek boards have the look and feel of wood boards without any of the hassles.
Azek is impervious to water, termites, and other insects, and comes with a 25-year warranty. These trim boards are especially useful in New England where harsh weather conditions cause freezing and thawing and expansion and contraction. They hold up well in coastal areas, too, and cost roughly the same as trim made of clear cedar. Azek trim pays for itself through savings on paint and maintenance. It doesn’t need to be painted for protection but holds paint nicely. Homeowners should use 100 percent acrylic latex paint and, if they choose a dark color, VinylSafe by Sherwin-Williams is recommended.
