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2011 is all about freedom — freedom to choose from the broadest selection of siding and accessories in the industry.
CertainTeed offers the broadest selection of siding materials available from any one source: Cedar Impressions® Shakes and Shingles, WeatherBoards™ Fiber Cement Siding, CedarBoards™ Insulated Siding, and the Vinyl Siding Collection. Each has its own unique advantages. Between them all, you'll have the right material for any kind of project. From the four most popular siding materials, to endless design possibilities, CertainTeed Freedom of Choice has more to offer you.
Throughout the year, you'll see our Freedom of Choice siding campaign popping up in advertising, consumer literature, trade shows, video and other publicity, as well as a dedicated landing page coming soon to certainteed.com.
For a full description of your Freedom of Choice options, including the many professional and rewards programs for contractors who use multiple CertainTeed products, ask your CertainTeed distributor or territory manager for a copy of Freedom of Choice (CTS408).
Click the image above to
view or download the 2011
Highlights Brochure.
EverNew® Railing and Decking
Multi-chromatic EverNew LT Decking — Two new tropic colors: Jatoba and Spanish Cedar are available in 12', 16', and 20' boards.
We've redesigned our solar post caps. The product innovations include same color top and base, four LED light bulbs, rechargeable batteries, and improved
performance. Available in white, black, copper and stainless, the solar caps fit both 4" x 4" and 5" x 5" posts.
New Solar Wedge Lights — New solar wedge lights complement our new solar caps. Wedge lights can mount to any fence or railing post and feature two rechargeable batteries and three bright LED lights that cast a 15-foot light. No wiring is required for either light, and both are backed by a two-year limited warranty.
EverNew Column — The EverNew 8" round tapered column is now available in a 10' length. Reinforced for rigidity and stability, the column and finishing accessories offer a long-lasting, virtually maintenance-free alternative to wood porch supports.
Vinyl Post Sleeve — Available in white, this convenient 6" x 6" x 10' post sleeve can be accented with a 6" vinyl post cap and 6" post trim.
Ballistic NailScrew Driver and Hidden Fastener Kit — A gunnable fastener for EverNew PT and EverNew 20 decking; the fastener kits include 900
fasteners, 950 nail screws, and two drive bits.
New Solar Wedge Lights — New solar wedge lights complement our new solar caps. Wedge lights can mount to any fence or railing post and feature two rechargeable batteries and three bright LED lights that cast a 15-foot light. No wiring is required for either light, and both are backed by a two-year limited warranty.
EverNew Column — The EverNew 8" round tapered column is now available in a 10' length. Reinforced for rigidity and stability, the column and finishing accessories offer a long-lasting, virtually maintenance-free alternative to wood porch supports.
Vinyl Post Sleeve — Available in white, this convenient 6" x 6" x 10' post sleeve can be accented with a 6" vinyl post cap and 6" post trim.
CertainTeed Vinyl Siding
MainStreet™ — Three new colors: Flagstone, Hearthstone and Spruce have been added to D4" and D5", and D4" and D5" DL.
Wolverine® American Legend™ — Three new colors: Buckskin, Flagstone and Spruce added to D4" and D5", and D4-1/2" DL.
CertainTeed Wolverine Encore™ — One new color: Cypress in D4", D5" and D4.5" DL.
CertainTeed Wolverine Encore™ — One new color: Cypress in D4", D5" and D4.5" DL.
CertaWrap™ Weather Resistant Barrier
CertaFlash™ BA peel and stick window flashing, CertaFlash™ Flex flexible flashing, and CertaTape™
Vinyl Carpentry® Accessories
3/4" H-bar in six colors
Restoration Millwork® Exterior Trim
45 Crown Profile — At 9/16" x 5-1/4" x 16', #45 Crown has a wider face than #47 and #49 Crown.
Ask your distributor or CertainTeed territory manager for more information, or click here to view our 2011 Highlights brochure.
ColorView Upload Your Home takes things a step further. Users can upload and modify their own images at their computer. For a $50 fee, you can upload a photo of any home and have it masked professionally. Use it to demonstrate the styles and colors available from CertainTeed.
For more information on ColorView and ColorView Upload Your Home, contact your CertainTeed territory manager or log onto certainteed.com.
Join a privileged few at the top of your craft and enjoy exclusive marketing support and financial rewards.
Higher Standards
To qualify as a Master Remodeler, a contractor must successfully complete the Fiber Cement Siding Master Craftsman program and the Fiber Cement Advanced Training Program. In addition, Master Remodelers must demonstrate that they carry $1 million general liability insurance, Workmen's Compensation (where required), a secure credit rating, and Better Business Bureau accreditation.
Greater Rewards
Advanced status as a Master Remodeler opens the door to our highest level of rewards. The rewards include full-color homeowner brochures, magnetic truck decals, a shirt with the Master Remodeler logo, and a certificate confirming your status as a Master Remodeler. More importantly, you'll receive in-home selling tools that are high impact and easy to show.
Financial Incentives
Finally, as a CertainTeed Master Remodeler, you also get a boost in the budget with extra rebate dollars in the Show Me the Money Rebate program. For every qualified Show Me the Money product, we add an additional 10% bonus to your rebate rewards.
For details about how you can qualify as a CertainTeed Fiber Cement Master Remodeler, contact your CertainTeed territory manager.
This new flier summarizes the basics for installing WeatherBoards™ Fiber Cement Siding. Complete with illustrations, the "Top 10" tips will help new installers avoid common mistakes and remind experienced contractors about installation best practices. Contact your CertainTeed distributor for your copy (item FC037).
2011 program changes for remodelers and residential and commercial builders
Builder Program
Signing up is easier than ever — just ask your CertainTeed representative. Beginning January 2011, there are no more A and B product categories and a minimum number of homes is not required. You can submit the paperwork for rebate rewards quarterly or as late as March 31, 2012. Rebates less than $5,000 will be directly credited at the new www.certainteedrebates.com site; larger rebates can be deposited directly into your account.
Remodeler Program
Remodelers will be rewarded $50 for their first $5,000 in purchases, and there is no limit to the amount of money that can be earned. You can submit invoices for reward points throughout the year. Reward points can be redeemed directly with hundreds of retailers or converted to cash and loaded onto a CertainTeed VISA® debit card.
by Pat Sadler, Applications Sales Specialist
Here are two common questions I have been asked during these training sessions:
A. Leave the bracket covers off temporarily. Make certain that all screws are attached through the post as well as through the sides of the rail. Take the bracket cover and, with vinyl snips, cut open the bottom of the cover with a single cut down the middle. Pry the bracket cover open and wrap it around the rail.
Q. How can I safely and accurately cut stair bracket covers?
A. Using a piece of scrap rail about 6" to 8" long, slide a bracket cover over each end. The unit will then sit flat on the saw table and flush against the fences. Temporarily attach the bracket covers with plastic wrap or house wrap tape or even a screw through the soon-to-be-scrap portion. Set up the saw with the correct angle and make your cuts.
Oxford stair rail kits contain foam blocks to help hold the bracket covers in place. When the bracket covers are mounted on the scrap material, the foam blocks are inserted in the void between the bracket cover and the rail.
Don't forget: A 9/64" pilot hole in Kingston and Oxford will add to your pleasure and reduce the pain.
I hope these tips provide you with a more pleasurable installation experience. Look for more of these in the future.
Extended from January 1, 2011 to December 31, 2011
If you participated in the Show Me the Money program last year, you know how rebate dollars can mount up. If you didn't participate last year, here's another chance to cash in on your CertainTeed purchases with reward dollars you can use any way you want. Your CertainTeed distributor or territory manager has the complete list of polymer and vinyl siding, WeatherBoards™ Fiber Cement siding, Restoration Millwork® exterior trim, and EverNew® railing and decking products that earn rebates. Take note, however, that this year there is a maximum redemption of 100 squares per project for vinyl and fiber cement siding products.
5-Star Contractor and Master Remodeler Bonus
If you are a CertainTeed 5-Star Contractor or Master Remodeler, you are eligible for additional rebate dollars.
- 10% additional bonus on your Show Me the Money rebates.
- For 5-Star Contractors, a refund of the registration and renewal fees for the VSI Certified Installer Program.
It's easy to obtain your rewards: Every time you purchase eligible products, complete the redemption form and submit it within 60 days of the purchase date, along with a copy of the invoice.
Start earning cash now! Ask your CertainTeed distributor for copies of the 2011 Contractor Rewards Program Redemption Form, which contains a complete list of eligible products and instructions for obtaining your rebate or download it here.
Links to recent articles to help you grow your business.
Here are some articles we've come across in the last few months that we think you might be interested in.
Under the most recent proposal to the lead paint laws, contractors removing or replacing painted window or door frames or removing more than 40 square feet of painted trim or molding would be required to perform specific dust-wipe sampling tests. Remodeling, September 2010
Poor communication is a root cause of customer dissatisfaction
Communication, scheduling, and problem resolution are the top three areas of customer dissatisfaction with remodelers. Remodeling, October 2010
Sales School 101
Don't jump into a bidding war. Instead, establish yourself as a sales advisor to prospective clients and demonstrate that improved curb appeal brings great value. Remodeling, October 2010
Staff Stress Over Renovation, Repair, and Painting Rule
One contractor has lost two salespeople to the stress of the new lead laws. He is changing his company's growth plan accordingly. Remodeling, October 2010
2010-11 Cost vs. Value Report
Despite lower construction costs, slumping home resale values pulled the cost-to-value ratio down to its lowest level of the decade. The good news is that this may be the bottom. Remodeling, November 2010
40 Perspectives on the Decade Ahead
A one-size-fits-all approach to remodeling doesn't exist today, but perhaps it never did, remodelers reveal. Qualified Remodeler, September 2010
Choices in Vinyl Siding Encourage Exterior Remodeling
Although some homeowners are passing up discretionary remodeling, such as kitchens, baths and room additions, they are opting for improvements that will enhance the curb appeal of their homes, reduce maintenance, and/or improve energy efficiency. Qualified Remodeler, October 2010
The Shrinking House: Downsizing the American Dream
Today, the median home size has dropped to about 2,100 square feet from 2,300 square feet, and more than one-third of Americans say their ideal home size is actually less than 2,000 square feet. CNBC, November 10, 2010
Quality workmanship and attention to detail should help you earn more business. Now it can, with the CertainTeed Award of Excellence. Photograph and submit your best projects. If you win, we'll provide marketing tools to announce and promote your award. These tools include posting on CertainTeed's Facebook page, a press release, an award plaque, a homeowner letter, and more. It's a great way to spread the word about your work and help you get a leg up on the competition.
So get your camera ready and take some "before" and "after" pictures showing your use of CertainTeed products. Visit our website at www.certainteed.com/awardofexcellence for details about how to complete the application and submit your photos. Good luck!
- How insulated siding qualifies to meet the requirements of various residential energy efficiency programs, including ENERGY STAR Qualified Homes Version 3
- Testing insulated siding products to determine actual R-value
- Proper installation techniques necessary to achieve energy performance
- Various assemblies demonstrating how insulated siding can be used as a component of a high-performance wall to help meet or exceed International Energy Conservation Code requirements for continuous insulation
David Grube of Pennsylvania Supply, Whitehall, Pa. As our thanks for sending us the following installation tip, David will receive a 32GB Apple® iPad®.
David writes, "We like to use CertainTeed vinyl F-channel to adapt our favorite gutter guards and leaf protection products for use on half-round gutters." Thanks, David. Low-maintenance, durable vinyl is the perfect solution to "trim" a half-round gutter.
We make valuable, up-to-date information constantly available through a number of channels. In addition to our certainteed.com website, we conduct ongoing industry dialog through various forms of social media:
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