As of October 2011, all CT dust extractors shipping from FESTOOL have been tested and certified as full unit HEPA dust extractors. Learn more in this five-page PDF »

Why is that important? If your current vacuum includes a HEPA filter, but lacks Full Unit HEPA Certification, then you are at risk of being cited for noncompliance with EPA RRP regulations.

FESTOOL has just now completed extensive independent testing, resulting in full-unit HEPA certification for its entire line of CT Dust Extractors. This means that the entire unit is HEPA certified, not just the filter.

FESTOOL has also announced a new monthly sweepstakes. For January, this sweepstakes includes a C15 Cordless Drill Set. Learn more at www.festoolsweepstakes.com.

JELD-WEN has added to its already best-selling pantry door line with its new Authentic Recipe Pantry door, which adds style to one of the most frequently used doors in the home. Celebrating the time-honored traditions of homemade baking and cooking, the door lists actual recipes in an elegant script infused into the door’s glass panel design. The “Recipe” door features 9 to 18 family-style recipes (number depending on the width of door ordered), including apple pie, banana bread, chocolate chip cookies, buttermilk pancakes, blueberry muffins, espresso biscotti and more. JELD-WEN experts say that the recipes are real and designed to be tried and tested in homes across the country.

“For today’s homeowner, a great pantry is one of the most desirable features in the kitchen,” said Derek Brosterhous, product marketing manager for JELD-WEN. ” This door adds an element of fun to functionality, turning what used to be a nondescript area into a real conversation piece. Whether you’re a serious baker or not, it’s the perfect accent to a well-equipped kitchen.”

The door is available in nine different species of wood (including primed) to match the most popular interior millwork options. With more families now preparing meals at home due to the economy (59% in 2010 compared to 43% in 2008, according to Kitchen & Bath Design News), functional pantries are now more popular than ever.

National Lumber is a full-line JELD-WEN Windows & Doors dealer. Contact one of our sales representatives today or visit a National Lumber location near you.

If you’re looking for a low-maintenance solution to accent garage doors, entryways, sheds, or free-standing garages, check out Fypon’s new PVC Trellis System offers. Available in two sizes to accommodate either single-car or double-car garages, the Fypon PVC Trellis System comes as a complete kit with out-lookers reinforced with PVC for durability, attractive beams, lattice, and hardware. The PVC pieces come in smooth white and can assembled in just a few hours.

Our millwork division, National Millwork, stocks a wide array of Fypon products. If you’re interested in this or other Fypon moulding & millwork items, contact our inside sales team. You can also call or visit your local National Lumber location.

Click here to see the latest events that we are hosting or sponsoring.

Here is more information clarifying what the CSL CEU credits are, as well as how and why you need to get them.

Who it Affects: All Construction Supervisor License holders need this information, and need to take action to earn Continuing Education Credits which will be required for future renewals (read on for timing).

What? The Board of Building Regulations has announced Continuing Education requirements for the Massachusetts Construction Supervisor License. Licensees must provide proof of completion of required hours for every two year license cycle.

When? There has been some confusion and mis-information regarding the timing of the continuing education requirements.

If your next license renewal is between now and June 30, 2013, you will NOT need to provide continuing education hours when you renew next.

For license renewals July 1, 2013 and after, you WILL need to provide proof of continuing education (credit hours) at the time of renewal in order to be granted a renewed license.

Note that taking any courses now will “count” toward the first time you need to provide these credits. Courses must be pre-approved for credits and will indicate that when you sign up and attend.

How Many Credits/Hours?

• Construction Supervisors License/ “Unrestricted”: 12.0 Hours*
• The One and Two Family Dwelling (“Restricted”) License: 10.0 Hours*
• The Specialty Licenses: 6.0 Hours*

  * Every Two Years at Renewal (see above dates)

What Categories?

Of the required hours, there are five mandatory topics, with a minimum of one hour required in each:

• Code Review
• Workplace Safety
• Business Practices
• Energy (except Demolition Specialty License)
• Lead-Safe Practices (only first renewal cycle)

Where and How ?

To earn the required credits (CEUs), licensees must take courses that have been pre-approved by the state. The BBRS deems that approved courses must “impart appropriate and related knowledge in the regulated industries.” Students must attend classes in their entirety in order to receive the approved credits.

National Lumber is working with course coordinators approved by the Mass. BBRS, including the trainers from the Contractor Coaching Partnership, Conservation Services Group, CSI Institute, Safety Trainers, and others.

Some trade associations such as BAGB and NARI have also begun to offer programs that earn continuing education credits, and will continue to do so, offering multiple opportunities to earn all of the required hours at locations throughout eastern Massachusetts.

To keep up with the latest events eligible for CSL CEU credits, please join our email list.

National Lumber, Mansfield, MA

We decided to host and sponsor a series of seminars from that situation but new rules and regulations have just kept “popping up” ever since then. New OSHA regulations and fall protection requirements, updates to RRP and the Mass. DOS entry into the program, Energy Star programs, new International Code changes, stretch energy code updates for Massachusetts cities and towns, and the “Granddaddy” of them all, the new Contractor Supervisor’s License requirements for Continuing Education Credits! How were our customers going to manage all of this and still run their businesses?

In addition to the trade organizations and private training firms, we felt that it was our duty to assist our thousands of remodelers, builders, developers, painters and many others on our customer lists. We are now the largest lumber chain provider of contractor training in the Northeast with over 20 full or partial day classes having been held or scheduled through January and February 2012. With many more programs planned in the future, we will continue to host these programs throughout 2012.

We want our customers to know that we do this as a service and do not benefit financially from these programs. We feel that the effort we expend to run these programs is for the benefit of our customers (and any non-customers who would like to attend). If there are any folks out there that would like be added to our mailing lists of upcoming programs please sign-up for our email list, giving us your permission to send you our event updates.

Note that any costs associated with these classes are paid to the trainers directly to compensate them for their time, trainers and materials costs and for them to keep your certification records. If any further questions, please feel free to contact me. Steve Linsky, National Lumber’s Contractor Education Coordinator at slinsky@national-lumber.com.

Latitudes Deck Stones are a stylish alternative for composite decking when deck surface transitions are desired. a stylish deck add-on and a perfect alternative for composite decking when deck surface transitions are desired. They can be used in virtually any area on the deck and are well suited for outdoor kitchens, grilling areas and raised fire pits.

Deck Stones can be installed on new or existing conventional wood framed decks and are capable of supporting typical building loads. The high-strength, ultra-durable fiberglass substrate frame attaches to 16″ on-center joists with hidden fasteners. These Deck Stones are available in 16-inch-square Smoke natural slate and Riverstone granite tiles, the stones are interlocking and self-draining and do not require mortar.

Visit or call a National Lumber store near you to learn more about Latitudes Decking and Deck Stones.

This year, Fypon introduced its Stone & Timber collection, which includes over 270 decorative products which were created to accent homes. The major design themes feature stone, stucco, and timber. Like all Fypon products, they are durable and easy-to-install, and also resist moisture, insect infestations, warping, cracking and splitting. The Stone & Timber product line includes low-maintenance window and door trim, decorative millwork, louvers, post wraps, trellis systems, stone surround systems, stone columns and stone balustrade systems. Each durable piece features either a realistic stone or woodgrain texture on all exposed surfaces.

Learn more about the Fypon Stone & Timber line either in the initial press release or contact our Millwork division, National Millwork. To learn more about Fypon mouldings, visit the National Lumber eShowroom.

The manufacturer letters that have been published vary slightly from manufacturer to manufacturer but it amounts to approximately 35% across the gypsum wallboard category. At this time, finishing products and accessories are not included in this increase.

So what does this mean for our customers? Simply put, the manufacturers will impose this increase the first of the year and National Lumber will adjust prices accordingly.

At National Lumber, we are doing everything in our power to not only give you the most competitive price on the products that we sell, but we also strive to protect our customers from these market fluctuations that either occur naturally or artificially throughout the year.

National’s response to this development will be to have an increase in pricing the first of the year and evaluate how the market responds to the pending increase. Our pricing will always reflect what the market will bear. As pricing may fluctuate throughout the year, we will adjust our pricing with it to ensure the best pricing possible to our customers.

Happy Holidays!

Sincerely,
David Pelletier
Vice President
Drywall Division

If you’re looking for a strong, weather-resistant wood door that doesn’t sacrifice beauty for durability, then Simpson has the door for you in their new Nantucket Collection. Simpson’s Nantucket Collection combines two durable and weather-resistant wood species, Black Locust and Nootka Cypress, with the company’s modified mortise-and-tenon construction technique to provide a warm, yet rugged exterior door for virtually any environment, especially the harsh coastal weather of the Northeast. Simpson is also offering the industry’s longest warranty for exterior wood doors, a 10-year limited warranty. The Nantucket collection doors are available in two thickness options (1 3/4” and 2 1/4”) and four profiles.

Thanks to HousingZone for their review of Simpson’s Nantucket Door Collection!

Schlage Alarmed Lock System

This year, Schlage announced the arrival of the alarmed lock system. Unlike traditional alarms, which trigger only when the door is opened, Schlage’s new alarmed lock activates on first impact. These locks can detect a wide range of actions and alert homeowners of any activity with their entry doors. For example, the lock will sound an alert if someone is kicking the door or tampering with the lock. One Housing Zone editor pointed out that this system can also help homeowners monitor their children by alerting them when the door is opened.

This product will be available in early 2012.

You can learn more about Schlage products on the National Lumber eShowroom.

Thanks to HousingZone.com for their review of the Schlage Alarmed Lock System.