Protractors, LLC. Partners With Local Landscaping Company.

Protractors, LLC. joins the Habitat For Humanity team. 

One in five do damage during home improvements

One in five do damage during home improvements

Cyber-Rain Qualifies For Rebate Programs Across The Country

Smart Sprinkler Controller Passes SWAT Testing

(HIT) - Cyber-Rain, the uniquely easy-to-use smart sprinkler controller system, announced its status as a SWAT-tested and approved smart irrigation controller, making the unit eligible for rebate programs across the country. The results are available at www.irrigation.org/SWAT.

Issued by the Center for Irrigation Technology (CIT), SWAT (Smart Water Application Technologies) evaluation is conducted by identifying six different zones found in typical landscape designs that include variable loam, clay and sand make-ups. Developed in partnership by water supply agencies and the irrigation industry to address a growing concern for water conservation, the SWAT test measures the efficiency of the smart controller in each zone for a period of thirty days where the zones endure both sun and rain conditions.

"Homeowners play a key role in the conservation of water. Outdoor watering accounts for almost 58% of household water nationwide," points out Reza Pourzia, Founder & CTO of Cyber-Rain. "We developed Cyber-Rain to give homeowners and businesses a way to achieve major water savings, easily, and efficiently. Based on our results to date, we expect users to save 30% to 70% of irrigation water, while also improving plant health".

But the Cyber-Rain smart sprinkler controller does more than conserve water. The Cyber-Rain system also helps prevent excess run-off, which can lead to the pollution of waterways. Run-off carries pollutants such as fertilizer and pesticides into local streams, rivers, ponds, lakes and the ocean.

To meet new governmental regulations that promote water conservation and ebb water pollution, most cities offer some form of rebate to encourage the use of smart controllers. Rebate amounts range from $50 too as much as $1,000, and often are sufficient to pay for the purchase and installation of a Cyber-Rain system.

The Cyber-Rain smart irrigation controller is easy to install, and easy to use. Interfacing with the homeowner’s PC computer, wireless technology delivers data from the internet directly to the controller to automatically adjust sprinkler times to changes in the weather. Because irrigation is controlled by the computer, scheduling is completely flexible and easy to customize; users can give each watering zone a unique name and picture that is easy to remember, set custom seeding or fertilizer schedules, temporarily hold a zone, view reports on weekly or annual savings and much more.

The Cyber-Rain smart irrigation controller retails for $349 and is available at http://www.smarthome.com and http://www.cyber-rain.com.

About Cyber-Rain

Founded in 2005, Cyber-Rain is an emerging leader in providing groundbreaking smart sprinkler controller systems to the residential and commercial markets. The Los Angeles-based company is privately owned, and is funded by Momentum Venture Management.

For more information on the company and its products, go to www.cyber-rain.com.

Courtesy: Home Improvement News and Information Center

Tips To Nurture Nature In Your Backyard

(HIT) - Is something bugging you? More importantly, with summer approaching, is something bugging your trees? If you don’t know, it’s time to find out—take a look around your yard because insects and disease can seriously harm trees and plants.

"Having trees at home can bring a touch of nature to any yard, but homeowners need to know that trees in urban settings need a little help because they are growing in unnatural conditions," said Jim Skiera, Executive Director of the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA). "A hostile environment and the presence of insects and disease can seriously harm trees and plants."

Trees and other landscape plants need light, water, and nutrients, but too much or too little of any of these resources can cause plant stress. Severe stress can weaken a tree’s resistance to diseases and insects.

Preventing Insects and Disease

Observation is the most important preventative tool. What should you look for? Early symptoms of problems usually appear in the spring. Dying branches in the upper part of the canopy (called dieback), yellowing, and flagging can be symptoms of diseases and environmental stress, while leaf drop or leaf spots are common symptoms of foliar disease.

What should you do if you notice problems? Take care of the obvious symptoms first. Trees in overly dry areas should be watered. Compacted soil should be nourished with organic mulch to reduce the soil’s bulk density and to provide slow-release nutrients to surrounding trees.

Homeowners can also benefit from plant healthcare plans, where professionals do on-site inspections to ensure tree and plant health. Developing a plant healthcare plan will help keep track of a tree’s history enabling more effective preventative care. For example, if a tree has a history of foliar disease, preventative sprays can be applied to reduce the chances of disease recurrence.

Diseases

Tree diseases are caused by infectious or living organisms such as fungi, viruses, and bacteria. Disorders, which can exhibit disease-like symptoms, are caused by noninfectious or nonliving agents such as nutrient deficiencies, temperature extremes, vandalism, or pollutants.

Diseases develop when:

— A pathogen is present (disease-causing agent).
— A plant is vulnerable to that particular pathogen.
— The environment is conducive to disease development.

Insects

Often considered a "secondary problem" to environmental stress, insects can retard plant growth, weaken tree structure, and spread plant diseases by feeding on trees.

— Chewing insects, like beetles and caterpillars, eat leaves, flowers, and twigs. Discoloration and uneven or broken edges are signs that chewing insects might be present.
— Sucking insects, like aphids and mealybugs, feed on sap within the plant. Damage is indicated by the discoloration, drooping, and wilting of leaves, and the presence of honeydew.
— Boring insects, like bark beetles, feed beneath the bark of the tree as larvae. Most borers are attracted to, and successfully attack, stressed trees often killing them.

"Just because you find an insect on a plant does not mean that’s the one causing the damage," said Fred Miller, Joliet Junior College in Joliet, IL. While some insects can threaten tree health, many are helpful and actually rid trees of dangerous or harmful insects. "For example, many people think the lady bird beetle is harmful, but they actually eat aphids, which are the insects that really harm trees and plants."

Diagnosis and Treatment

Correct diagnosis of plant health problems requires careful examination of the situation. The ISA offers these tips to aid in your assessment:

— Accurately identify the plant. Insects and disease are plant-specific, limiting the number of suspected pests.
— Look for a pattern of abnormality. Compare the affected plant with others on the site, especially those of the same species.
— Carefully examine the landscape. The history of the property and the adjacent land may reveal many problems.
— Examine the roots. Note their color. Brown or black roots may signal problems.
— Check the trunk and branches. Wounds in the trunk can provide entrances for pathogens and wood-rotting organisms.
— Note the position and appearance of affected leaves. Dead leaves at the top of the tree are usually the result of environmental or mechanical root stress. Twisted or curled leaves may indicate viral infection, insect feeding, or exposure to herbicides.

Treatment depends on the particular insect or disease problem, the species of plant or tree affected, the extent of the problem, factors specific to the environment, and local regulations. Homeowners who have doubts about how to proceed should consult a certified tree care professional for advice.

For more information on insects and disease visit www.treesaregood.org.

About The International Society of Arboriculture (ISA)

The International Society of Arboriculture (ISA), headquartered in Champaign, Ill., is a nonprofit organization supporting tree care research and education around the world. To promote the importance of arboriculture, ISA manages the consumer education web site, www.treesaregood.org. Also, as part of ISA’s dedication to the care and preservation of shade and ornamental trees, it offers the only internationally-recognized certification program in the industry. For more information on ISA and Certified Arborists, visit www.isa-arbor.com.

Courtesy: Home Improvement News and Information Center

SAFETOUCH™ Fiberglass-Free Insulation Recieves Breakthrough Award

(HIT) - SAFETOUCH won a Breakthrough Award because it solved a long-standing problem for those installing home insulation. Do-it-yourselfers have long avoided installing home insulation because of the itchiness and glass dust associated with fiberglass. SAFETOUCH Fiberglass-Free Insulation is non-irritating to bare skin. The product is manufactured from the same type of fibers used to make clothing and bedding, and it is engineered to have a soft, itch-free feel.

Available exclusively at Lowe’s, SAFETOUCH does not contain formaldehyde binders or borates found in traditional fiberglass and cellulose insulation products. SAFETOUCH is a thermo-acoustic batt manufactured from polyester fibers (PET fibers). Through careful selection of the fibers and a propriety manufacturing process, Dow has produced an insulation material that home users can install without itch, gloves, masks or other special protection.

SAFETOUCH™ Fiberglass-Free Insulation is available in both R-13 and R-19. SAFETOUCH is a thermo-acoustic quilt manufactured from polyester fibers. PET fibers, as they’re called, are non-irritating and the same type of fibers used in clothing and bedding. This user-friendly material makes SAFETOUCH the first and only insulation to offer these benefits:

• No skin irritation
• No glass dust
• No gloves, masks or special protection needed
• No mess
• No formaldehyde binders

By carefully selecting the fibers and controlling their orientation during manufacturing, we’ve produced an insulation material that gives the following physical advantages:

• Durable—maintains its physical shape and integrity over time
• Flexible—easily fitted and repositioned
• Friction fit—holds itself in place in most cases, so there’s no need for staples.
• Strong—in certain cases, such as overhead applications, can be stapled or nailed with standard equipment
• Workable—unfaced batts can be comfortably torn to length by hand
• Sound control—excellent sound absorption

SAFETOUCH™ Fiberglass-Free Insulation can be used with our STYROFOAM™ foam sheathing products to increase your home’s energy efficiency. Foam sheathing helps prevent heat from transferring through the stud frame to increase your walls’ overall effective R-value. Visit www.insulateyourhome.com for more information.

How to Install

SAFETOUCH™ Fiberglass-Free Insulation is easier to install than other batt insulation products available on the market today. Here’s how simple it is to make a home more energy efficient:

STEP 1

Remove compressed batts from the bag and shake to speed its recovery to nominal thickness.

STEP 2

For most installations, no cutting is required, just remove the batt and fit into place. If you do require a size modification: You can either cut or score the facer with a knife, and then tear the insulation by hand, or you can cut the facer and batt at once with a knife, to fit the width of your area. If using on an interior wall, remove the facer before installing.

STEP 3

Press insulation between the studs or joists. Friction will normally hold the batt in place. Staples can be used if desired.

STEP 4

Enjoy a more comfortable home and lower energy bills.



For specific insulation applications, please refer to the detailed installation instructions on the SAFETOUCH package.

About Dow

With annual sales of $54 billion and 46,000 employees worldwide, Dow is a diversified chemical company that combines the power of science and technology with the "Human Element" to constantly improve what is essential to human progress. The company delivers a broad range of products and services to customers in around 160 countries, connecting chemistry and innovation with the principles of sustainability to help provide everything from fresh water, food and pharmaceuticals to paints, packaging and personal care products. References to "Dow" or the "Company" mean The Dow Chemical Company and its consolidated subsidiaries unless otherwise expressly noted. More information about Dow can be found at www.dow.com. For more information about Dow Building Solutions, visit: www.insulateyourhome.com.

®TM Trademark DOW Chemical

Courtesy: Home Improvement News and Information Center

Eco-Friendly 100% Bamboo Kitchen Cabinets & Vanities: A Green And Durable Choice For Homes

(HIT) - Mr. Bamboo, Inc., has introduced a line of 100% bamboo kitchen cabinets and bathroom vanities for today’s environmentally and quality conscious homeowners. Available in sophisticated natural and coffee color throughout, Simply Green Bamboo Cabinets combine Euro styling and eco-friendly materials for a warm look and exceptional durability. These modular cabinets and vanities will provide years of use and beauty.

Bamboo is the Green Choice for Homes

Bamboo is a renewable resource that can be utilized like wood but is classified as a grass and is much stronger than hardwoods. Unlike typical trees, bamboo takes much less time to grow and this makes it environmentally friendly. There are hundreds of bamboo species that grow almost everywhere in the world. Mr. Bamboo harvests the larger bamboo species called "Moso" in an area where it grows and regenerates naturally.

The maturation period for bamboo is only five to six years, while trees need decades to reach maturity. Using bamboo contributes to the preservation of our forests. Furthermore, an acre of bamboo produces more flooring than an acre of hardwood. This is possible as a minimal amount of natural product is wasted while producing bamboo cabinets. Mr. Bamboo offers bamboo cabinets in two colors: amber-coffee, or a natural-blond color; these come with a vertical or horizontal grain. The coffee color is the carbonated fiber color after high-temperature and high-pressure treatment. It is not a painted-on color, so it will never fade away. The light color is not heated or high pressured and is actually 10% stronger.

Bamboo is Stronger than Hardwood

Bamboo is a design alternative to hardwood because it is a very stable material for cabinets. It absorbs less moisture and does not shrink or swell as much as other hardwood material. Solid engineering, design and construction guarantee the lifetime performance of the Mr. Bamboo cabinets and vanities. Only a screw driver is needed to complete the assembly (cam lock assembly method). For example, 3/4" solid wood drawers with dovetail construction come standard and for added stability I-Beam construction is on all base cabinetry rather than corner blocks. There is not particle board used anywhere in the construction. Each cabinet piece is shipped complete in the box, ready to assemble.

Mr. Bamboo cabinets are quality made with modern construction and details:

• Door, end panels and face frames are 3/4" solid bamboo plywood
• Base cabinets include I-beam construction to provide additional stability and secure countertop attachment
• Shelves are 3/4" thick and edgebanded with 1/8" bamboo
• Easy close, soft close drawers with concealed under-mount drawer slides
• Concealed European hinges with 110 degree opening feature multiple adjustments and "quick release" for easy door removal
• Drawers are 5/8" solid bamboo with four-sided dovetail construction with 1/4" bamboo bottom for durability and full extension
• Roll-out trays have high back to prevent items from falling in back and are full extension
• 100% super sized bamboo lazy susan makes the corner space very organized, comes with 3/4" bamboo shelf
• Tall pantry pullout is also available for storing cans and dry goods
• Recycle and trash wastebaskets pull out for convenience
• Tilt-out tray mounted under the sink is stainless steel and is great for storage

A complete line of cabinets is available in standard widths, heights and door sizes which are easily installed in kitchen and bath remodels or new constructions. Each unit is sealed on all sides during production adding to its stability and further insuring minimal reaction to changes in ambient humidity.

Mr. Bamboo, Inc. is a manufacturer bamboo cabinets, flooring and stairs. For additional information please contact Mr. Bamboo showroom at 55 Kelly Street, Elk Grove, IL 60007 or visit www.mrbamboocabinets.com. You may also contact the firm at 888-MRBAMBU or via email info@mrbamboocabinets.com.

Courtesy: Home Improvement News and Information Center