Ipé decking
 We have seen a recent surge in requests for Ipé, so we thought it would be best to remind everyone that Kuiken Brothers can supply you with this product. For starters, Ipé is an exotic hardwood from South America. It is virtually free of knots and appears mostly a dark brown color that will fade to gray on a deck if left unfinished. It is extremely dense, carrying a hardness rating about 6x that of Western Red Cedar. Because of this density Ipé is extremely durable, it is naturally resistant to decay and insects don’t really like to eat it. This is as close to a maintenance free deck as you can find.
Installation
As far as installation goes, Ipé has some advantages over other decking products. First of all because of it’s density you can use 1x (3/4”) material for decking on 16” joist spacing if you are not installing the material diagonally. 5/4 decking (1”) will span 24”or 16” on diagonal. A 1/8” gap is recommended when installing Ipé and there should be good ventilation beneath the deck as they recommend it be installed at least 2’ off the ground. Thompson’s also recommends re-sealing the cut ends of the decking with a wax sealer called Anchorseal.
 Stainless Steel fasteners are recommended for use with Ipé as other fasteners (especially galvanized) may cause discoloration in the future. If you are going to spend the money for Ipé we recommend that you don’t go cheap on fasteners. Most all hidden fasteners work great with 5/4” Ipé. The website recommends a product they sell called EB-TY which is a biscuit system. In order to use this system, the boards have to be grooved down the sides. If this is the route you decide to take, we do sell the boards pre-grooved for this system. (Note – we do not recommend hidden fasteners on the 1x (3/4”) product because of the possibility of the boards cupping. The 1x boards should be face screwed, 2 screws per joist and the deck will be solid as a rock.
http://www.edeck.com/ebty_install.htm
 FINISHING
As far as finishing goes, Ipé really does not have to be finished. An unfinished Ipé deck will just fade to a silver-gray that will require very little maintenance. To keep Ipé’s nice walnut-like brown color though, you will need to refinish annually with a penetrating oil finish. We stock a product called Penofin. For more information on Penofin, click here: http://www.penofin.com/products_exotichardwood.shtml. As an alternative, we have also heard people have had good success with Cabots ATO. In any event, a high quality finish like those mentioned above is suggested and the deck will most likely have to be refinished annually.
So that’s Ipé. It does go by other names out on the market; Iron Wood is the big marketed name you may also hear. While we do not currently stock this product, we have a very short lead time and can fulfill any of your needs. Contact us today for a quote.
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Satisfying a customer’s need for hi-tech amenities with an old world millwork solution
Some people fear that technology will wipe away centuries of tradition, but Gary Katz explains that careful design and thoughtful execution prove that even these symbols of style and warmth can survive our hi-tech age. To view detailed design drawings and installation photos, visit Gary’s website.
Read the full article
http://www.garymkatz.com/TrimTechniques/flatscreen_mantelpiece.htm
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Craftsmanship Backed by Complete Customer Care
 
Destined to last for generations, Marvin Entry Doors add a masterful touch to luxury constructions. Expertly handcrafted by Honduran wood artisans, they’re available with many exciting options:
- 7 Architectural Styles
- 5 Wood Species
- Available in 5 finishes or primed
- Unlimited custom carving capabilities
- Decorative and patterned glass
- Side lites, transoms and round tops
- Several hinge finishes and finial tops
- Adjustable aluminum sills or solid-wood thresholds
 To ensure lasting, quality results, Kuiken Brothers now offers the exclusive Marvin Entry Door Inspection through our distributor Super Enterprises. This complementary, onsite visit is arranged by Super Enterprises with the homeowner after installation.
Our Marvin-trained technicians ensure proper operation and make repairs to the door’s finish. In addition, they will instruct homeowners to contact the Super Enterprises Service Department with any warranty and post-warranty needs.
Other services available for Marvin Entry Doors, such as pre-assembly, jobsite delivery and lock boring, simplify installation, offering contractors a full-service experience.
 Marvin is an industry advocate for sustainable forestry practices and is a member of the Tropical Forest Foundation.
For more information on Marvin, or a free Entry Door brochure, click here.
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Andersen WindowCentrics Wall Planner
There are lots of ways for companies to create competitive advantage. A generation ago, Andersen was one of the first in the window business to look beyond the traditional marketing mix of product, price, and distribution – and to recognize the advantage of advertising and promotion in building their brand.
Today, Andersen is breaking new ground by recognizing that the value of the web goes beyond being a simple “product information resource” for customers. Instead, they are working to make andersenwindows.com a destination – one that helps build relationships with potential customers by providing unique, compelling functionality not available anywhere else.
To that end, Andersen has introduced a new Andersen WindowCentrics Wall Planner. This tool makes it easy for nearly anyone to design a custom wall plan using Andersen® windows and patio doors. That way, whether customers have the vision of Frank Lloyd Wright, or don’t know a casement from a double-hung, they can create window and wall designs from thousands of possible combinations that reflect their personal style. Click here to view the Andersen WindowCentrics Wall Planner.
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Remodeling CSI - Done but not forgotten:
Lessons buried in your bodies of work
(From RemodelingOnline)
From small bathroom jobs to whole house remodels, what do you learn from your projects and how do you incorporate them into future projects to keep your company working efficiently. Read what your fellow remodelers across the country focus on to keep their businesses thriving. Read the full article
http://www.remodeling.hw.net/industry-news.asp?sectionID=194&articleID=512598&artnum=1
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Kuiken Brothers Company receives two awards
 Kuiken Brothers Company was the recipient of two awards at the recent 2007 Awards of Excellence Dinner hosted by the Community Builders Association and the Builders and Remodelers Association of Northern NJ.
The awards were:
- Best Associate Design/ Selection Center
- Best Associate “OnSite” Newsletter Ad
Best Associate Design/ Selection Center for our newest location, KB Concepts in Succasunna, NJ www.kuikenbrothers.com/kbconcepts.
 If you haven’t had a chance to visit KB Concepts, we invite you to stop by. We are certain that our primary builder, remodeling and renovation contractors will find the KB Concepts showroom to be an asset for their business and very beneficial in providing their customers a place where they will be professionally assisted in making product selections. The showroom is open from 8:00am – 5:00pm Monday through Saturday, and open until 8:00pm on Thursday evenings. Click here for directions.
 Best Associate “OnSite” Newsletter Ad for our “New Kid on the Block, But Lived Around the Corner Since 1912” advertisement.
This advertisement was published in the first color issue of the Community Builder Association’s “OnSite” newsletter and promotes our newest location in Succasunna, NJ (Morris County) but let’s builders know that we have maintained a solid reputation among professional builders in Bergen County and the surrounding areas since we opened our first location in Fair Lawn, NJ in 1912.
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NOW STOCKING! Hardwoods – Oak, Cherry, Mahogany
NOW STOCKING! Hardwoods – Oak, Cherry, Mahogany
Kuiken Brothers has made the largest addition to our KB Moulding product line in years with our Fine Hardwoods collection. In addition to a complete selection of boards, plywood and pattern boards we are stocking 25 of our most popular moulding profiles in Cherry, Mahogany and Oak. Click here to view the complete selection.
Hardwood Project Photos Wanted
Do you have pictures of a project using hardwood products from Kuiken Brothers that you would like to share with us? If so, forward them to rmulkeen@kuikenbrothers.com and we will consider using them in a future issue of Contractor Connection and post them on our website.
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