Making More Money on Mouldings
By Gary Katz
Source: LBM Journal 2006
  Back in the mid-1980s, my brother and I were growing tired of installing 1 1/2 in. clamshell casing, and 2 1/2 in. streamline baseboard. As finish contractors, after we’d installed the doors and windows, that’s all we did on every job, day after day. By then we’d nailed off miles of small trim in thousands of apartments and hundreds of single-family homes. The market was starting to soften up about that time, and one of the contractors we worked for needed an edge against other spec builders in the same subdivision. We suggested upgrading the moldings in one of his homes. Not the whole house, mind you, only the first floor. We told him we’d do it for our cost, just to prove a point.
We installed 3 1/4 in. casing on all the first-floor doors—the entry, dining and living room passageways, the kitchen, and powder bath doorways. And we installed 5 1/4 in. baseboard everywhere downstairs. That house stood apart from all the others and it sold quickly.
On the next job, we installed some crown molding, just in the entry way. By then, realizing that moldings meant quality to his buyers, the contractor was on board. Before long we were installing crown in the living room and dining room, in the kitchen, hallway, and even the powder bath. These days, we install crown molding in almost every room of every house we work in, along with coffered ceilings in the dining and living rooms, wainscoting paneling from the entry through to the kitchen, elliptical crown in ceiling soffits, paneled archways, etc. I always wondered why we weren’t doing that type of work all along.
Traditional contemporary homes are defined by moldings, from large casing, baseboard, and crown molding, to elaborate paneling and rich coffered ceilings. When it comes to finish work, the profit is in selling and installing top-notch moldings.
Correct Molding Designs. Moldings can be milled successfully if the edges are cut sharp, so the light breaks cleanly and crispy at each edge and at every point where a curved profile terminates. Crisp sharp edges create crisp sharp shadow lines. The relationship between shadow and light is what defines an attractive molding profile, one that can be seen and enjoyed from up close or from a great distance.
To read the rest of the article, click here.
To view the entire Kuiken Brothers stock profile library, where all profiles can easily be downloaded for builders to share with their customers and for architects to download into their plans, click here.
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New Composite Decking Feature – Portico Eclipse
  Just recently, we changed our inventory to the new Portico Eclipse boards which now feature a groove on the side so that it can easily accept a Tiger Claw hidden fastening system. The composition of the board is the same as the original Portico boards (Tough-High Density Polymer and Low Tannin Maple Mix) but with a groove on the side.
 Other Features & Benefits
Superior Deck Surface Finish
Consistent Board Colors
Slip Resistant
Clean Appearance
Low Expansion
Low on Maintenance
Installs Quickly & Easily
20 Year Warranty
For more information, visit the following websites:
http://www.porticodecking.com/products/porticoEclipseDecking.asp
http://www.deckfastener.com/
For literature, click here.
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Starting with Andersen makes finishing easy
  You are always looking to cut time spent on the jobsite. Now, Andersen adds more services to help you finish faster without compromising on quality. From pre-assembly to pre-finishing, the work Andersen does at the factory can minimize the time you spend on the jobsite and maximize your customer’s pleasure.
Pre-assembled patio doors
Factory-assembled Frenchwood gliding patio doors arrive at the jobsite ready to install. Unassembled doors are also available.
Pre-painted interiors
Factory-painted interiors not only save time, they create a uniform long-lasting low-maintenance white finish you just can’t duplicate on the jobsite. They’re available on most 400 Series windows, extension jams and interior mill casings.
Pre-applied extension jambs
Factory-applied extension jambs speed installation. They can be ordered for most windows in 4-9/16” and 6-9/16” depths. Drywall returns are also available for some windows.
Protective film
Protective film is now on nearly all 200 and 400 Series windows and doors. It cuts masking time to a minimum, and then peels away for spotless glass.
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Marvin's Venting Picture Window
 One very interesting new product from Marvin is the new "Venting Picture Window". This is a clad product that allows maximum viewing and when "opened" the entire sash (yes, all four sides!) projects 2 1/4" straight out from the frame with a screen that surrounds it allowing ventilation. If you were standing directly in front of the window you may not even notice when it opens. Very clever. A perfect window application over the sink in the kitchen or where a venting unit is needed but projection is a concern. It could also be used in a sunroom among many other applications.
 
http://www.marvin.com/default.aspx?page=Venting_Picture_Window
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Cordek – The proven way to protect
 Cordek is made of polypropylene and is sold in 4x8 sheets that look like straws that are glued together next to each other. It is used for surface protection during the construction process and even though it is extremely lightweight, it is extremely durable. It cut’s easily, is impact resistant and totally waterproof. You can cut the product into pieces and wrap it around anything which makes it especially useful in protecting installed millwork that you do not want to get dinged up. Just wrap it around whatever you want to protect and hold it in place with low tack tape. It’s easy, and is a very cost effective way to make sure installed work doesn’t get messed up. In fact, we used a lot of Cordek when we built our newest showroom, KB Concepts (6,000 square feet of millwork) and assure you that it is a very durable product. Check out their website for more information and case studies.
http://www.cordekusa.com/NEWELEMENTS/HTML/products.html
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Photographing Your Work
by Steve Greenberg
Source: JLC Online 2007
Whether you want to have pictures of your projects posted on your website, or printed to add to your portfolio before meeting with your next prospective client, take a look at these useful tips from building professional and photographer Steve Greenberg. Create a professional-looking portfolio without a pro photographer. These tips will help you create a professional-looking portfolio without the cost of a pro.
Believe it or not, but a slight modification to your existing 500- to 1,000-watt rectangular work lights can make the difference between a professional and amateur looking photo.
Click here to read the complete story.
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New Profiles Added to Kuiken Brothers Fine Hardwood Collection
We have added three additional profiles to our moulding offering. Each profile is currently stocked at our Midland Park location and available in Oak, Cherry or Mahogany.
KB215 11/16 x 6-1/2”
Special Base |
KB780 1-1/8 x 5-1/4”
Stool |
KB197 11/16” x 1-1/8”
Back Band |
These three new profiles are a nice compliment to the existing 25 moulding profiles in stock. As the summer months come to an end and you begin planning your winter projects, keep Kuiken Brothers in mind for all of your hardwood moulding, board and plywood needs.
To view the entire Kuiken Brothers In-Stock Moulding selection, click here.
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