CHARLOTTE, N.C. – MirrorMate® gives bare, plate glass bathroom mirrors the finished look of a beautifully framed, free-hanging mirror in a matter of minutes – easily and affordably updating the appearance of an older bathroom and adding character to new construction.

“It is the most inexpensive and dramatic change that can be made to a bathroom’s biggest focal point – the vanity mirror,” said Lisa Huntting, MirrorMate® Founder and President.

Each frame is custom cut to seamlessly fit any mirror, even if it sits atop a backsplash or runs to the wall or ceiling. Just like a frame for a piece of art, it features mitered edges that give the mirror an authentically framed look, yet comes at a fraction of the cost of traditional framing or purchasing a whole new mirror.

The pre-taped frame assembles easily and adheres directly to the mirror currently on the wall, making it an eco-friendly option that eliminates the need to remove and dispose of old mirrors. The innovative, patented design covers all unattractive clips and de-silvering while also masking the mirror’s edge when viewed from the side – so there’s no telling it isn’t an expensive, free-hanging mirror.

All that is needed to order a MirrorMate® frame is the mirror’s measurements (width and height) and the distance from the mirror’s edge to the backsplash, ceiling or wall. At the company’s websites, www.mirrormate.com, there are over 40 styles and finishes to choose from, including rich woods, ornate looks and metallic tones, as well as eco-friendly frames made from all recycled wood.

The frame is delivered within approximately 10-14 business days. Assembly and installation take about 20 minutes (plus time for the glue to dry) – so there is almost no room downtime. The frame corners are easily joined with the supplied wood glue and corner wedges, just like those used by professional framers. Once dried, placement corners are used to properly align the frame on the mirror before pressing the pre-taped frame directly onto the glass.

Retail costs typically ranges from $109 to $198 depending on the molding chosen and the mirror size. A favorite among designers, homeowners and commercial property owners, MirrorMate® frames are durability-tested, easily maintained and approved for use by most major hotel chains.

ABOUT MIRRORMATE LLC

Headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina, MirrorMate LLC was founded by Lisa Huntting, who invented the company’s flagship product, the MirrorMate® frame, as a design solution for the bare mirrors in her own home. As the original and industry leader, MirrorMate® frames are patented in the U.S. and Canada. In 2008, MirrorMate® expanded their offerings with Pizzazz® MirrorSquares™, a line of custom-framed mirror squares designed to hang in groupings – adding visual interest, and reflecting the homeowners’ individual décor and style. The Pizzazz® MirrorSquares™ are available in over 35 frame styles. For retail and wholesale information, as well as a MirrorMate® demonstration video, please visit www.mirrormate.com. Connect with MirrorMate at www.twitter.com/mirrormate and www.facebook.com/mirrormateframes.

“The durability and long life-span of many man-made products provide long-term savings for homeowners,” says Mark Clement, co-host of MyFixItUpLife radio show. “I’ve used synthetic slate roofing tiles that are so realistic-looking that people standing right next to the house don’t believe it’s not real slate.

“There are DaVinci EcoBlend ‘green roofing tiles’ guaranteed for 50 years that have been rated by the Cool Roof Rating Council to reflect sunlight and heat away from the home. Research shows that this type of roof will save homeowners between seven and 15 percent annually on total cooling costs because the roof is actually helping reduce the temperature fluctuations inside the home. That’s a green product that saves green.”

On his home, Clement chose to match synthetic roofing tiles with energy-efficient vinyl windows from Simonton Windows. The low-maintenance ENERGY STAR qualified windows have fusion welded vinyl frames that serve as a strong insulator. According to the Vinyl Institute, vinyl products have no negative impact on indoor air quality and they’re often specified in green certified homes. The realistic-looking roofing tiles and attractive windows also add both beauty and comfort to the home.

“A synthetic product, like an installed Solar Block acrylic block window, is constructed to reduce the amount of ultraviolet rays that penetrate into your home,” says Clement. “In turn, that reduces your overall energy bills. Any homeowner eager to save money while looking to purchase environmentally-friendly products can do so by exploring the synthetic options available in the marketplace.”

According to Clement, who serves as the tool and how-to expert for HGTVPro.com, synthetic products are made to outlast many natural products. “The Fypon urethane door surrounds and PVC trimboards I’ve installed on the exterior of homes years ago look as good today as when I put them up,” says Clement. “The pieces don’t rot, twist, warp or absorb water. The end result is that, once installed, you save on long-term maintenance and have trim pieces that will outlast the majority of real wood products.”

For additional information on synthetic products for the home, visit www.myfixituplife.com.

Albuquerque, NM (January, 2010) – Award-winning, patented American Clay Enterprises kicks off 2010 with a major addition to their line of natural, sustainable and healthy plasters for interior walls and ceilings. The company is introducing their own Lime Putty. This lime putty can be used for gauging, or adding to, American Clay’s Earth Plasters and also mixed to make limewash. One primary element that makes the American Clay lime products uniquely more sustainable–and LEED friendly–than most lime putty used in the U.S. is that the lime is U.S. sourced. Based on the successful preview at Greenbuild International Expo in November, builders and architects are eager for the products which are both a natural evolution for the line, and an example of American Clay’s consistent response to its users’ needs. Both products are available as of this month.

American Clay–which helps provide top indoor air quality, beauty and potential energy savings–has long wanted a U.S. made Lime Putty to augment the breadth of their interior clay plasters. But it was important to them to be able to source the lime locally. Most lime putty used in the U.S. is imported from European or Mediterranean countries, which significantly affects the product’s carbon footprint. American Clay can contribute up to eight LEED points (five in most areas) across various sections of the LEED-NC rating system.

“We always knew the benefits of adding lime to the clay. The main issue was that a dry material is less stable over time, and most of the available putty was coming from overseas,” observes CEO and co-Founder Croft Elsaesser. “Staying true to local sourcing for the main products has been key, and we are pleased to be able to provide a high quality lime putty from domestic sources. From being awarded our patent last February, to celebrating our seven-year anniversary and now this, it’s been a great year.”

While many of the American Clay products can be used by a wide range of professionals and do-it-yourselfers, the Lime Putty is primarily a professional product, used to ‘gauge’, or harden, a plaster. Lime Putty is ‘slaked’ lime forming putty, processed to provide additional hardness when added to and used with American Clay Plasters. The addition of the Lime Putty to the original earth plasters lowers the working, time of the plaster, but the end result is a harder finish, achieving near maximum hardness in six months. Similarly, the limewash should be used by trained American Clay Artisans, or experienced plaster professionals familiar with lime putty and its properties.

The Lime Putty as a gauging material can be added to all American Clay applications: the ‘two-coat process’ original plasters (Loma, Porcelina or Marittimo) or the commercial, single-coat Enjarre plaster; application procedures are the same as without it. It is packaged in 1-gallon buckets weighing 10 lbs, with a retail cost of $42.00 plus shipping. Adding the Lime Putty to the second coat of any of their plasters will increase the square footage of coverage by approximately 10%.

The Lime Putty for limewash is also highly anticipated. This is brushed on to a porous interior surface to enhance and enrich American Clay color, to completely change the color of your plaster, and provide sheen to the plaster. The brushed limewash can cover 200-400 square feet of wall space, per gallon per coat. American Clay’s website will host a “YouTube” video showing the application of American Clay limewash beginning January 8th.

ABOUT AMERICAN CLAY ENTERPRISES, INC:
American Clay Enterprises, Inc., based in Albuquerque, NM, produces patented, award-winning, all-natural interior wall finishing products. Their Earth Plasters and the commercial ENJARRE single coat plaster are a unique combination of clays, aggregates and natural pigments that offer builders and consumers a natural and elegant option. There is no off-gassing nor inherent waste on-site. The plasters contain zero VOCs, are non-flammable, are mold resisting (without toxic fungicides), absorb odors, provide temperature and humidity buffering, repair/clean easily and come in recyclable packaging. American Clay, with an extremely low carbon footprint, is uniquely manufactured in the U.S. and made of materials found in the U.S. The product and various workshops are available through their New Mexico office or through one of the growing number of retailers and distributors across the U.S. The website, www.americanclay.com, offers information on products, ordering, technical specifications, product application and additional resources and links.
U.S. PAT No. 7,485,186 B2

There are various options for garage heaters based on the fuel supply you have at home. The most common type of garage heater is electric. Electric garage heaters are 100% efficient because all of the electricity used is converted to heat. Electric garage heaters are easy to operate and maintenance free when compared to propane, hot water, or natural gas garage heaters. Some garage heaters can be mounted on the wall or ceiling to save floor space and are safe to use because there is no open flame and no by-products of combustion.

Here are a few tips that you can consider while shopping for a garage heater:

• Built-In Thermostat – A built-in thermostat will cycle the heater to maintain the desired temperature.

• Maintenance – Enquire about the maintenance level required for the garage heater. Most electric garage heaters require minimal maintenance since the only moving parts are the motors and fan assemblies.

• Safety Features – Look for safety features like high temperature cut out that shuts off heater if it gets too hot, protective intake and discharge grills.

• Heating Costs – Electric garage heaters are the most energy efficient garage heater, but if you want to use other fuel types, it is a good idea to compare heating costs.

• Heating Area – Get the appropriate size garage heater for your garage. Keep the 10 to 1 ratio of watts to square feet heated in mind, for instance, a garage heater rated at 5,000 watts should be able to heat an area about 500 square feet. BTU refers to the amount of heat required to raise the temperature one pound of water by one degree Fahrenheit. Here are the conversion rates:

• 1 watt = approximately 3.41 BTU/hour

• 1,000 BTUs/hour = approximately 293 watts

In addition, it is also important to ensure that there is proper insulation in your garage so that the heat your garage heater creates doesn’t radiate out. Keeping these tips in mind will ensure a warmer environment in your garage this winter.

This is a Sponsored Guest Post
Electric garage heaters are a very energy efficient way to keep warm in your garage, shop or warehouse this winter. Although they do offer safety features, be sure to follow all safety guidelines for danger-free use.

The States of California and Vermont have passed new lead level laws for plumbing fixtures going into effect on January 1, 2010. The new laws require less than 0.25 percent lead in wetted surfaces of pipes, pipe fittings, plumbing fittings and fixtures, as determined by a weighted average.

Historically, American Standard faucets have used less lead than many of their competitors, thanks to their investment in a low-lead manufacturing technology more than 25 years ago. Now American Standard’s new alloy formulation reduces the amount of lead even further by replacing lead with bismuth. This means you still get the same high-quality faucets and mere trace amounts of lead. In fact, their new faucets have less than one quarter of one percent (0.25%) total lead content by weighted average!

Metal vs. Plastic

According to Dave Meisner, vice president and general manager of American Standard, American Standard product engineers chose to modify the metal composition of its brass alloy, rather than turn to plastic components, to preserve the historic integrity and quality of its faucets. “For more than a century, homeowners have chosen American Standard faucets for a style that works better,” said Meisner, who credits the Company’s commitment to brass casting technology, a more expensive, but superior manufacturing process. “Where other manufacturers substitute plastic for metal, American Standard has always relied on the durability and dependable operation that metal provides the faucet structure.

He noted four key advantages that brass waterways offer over plastic in faucet construction:

• Brass is more durable than plastic.

• Unlike plastic, brass waterways are significantly less sensitive to high temperatures or temperature fluctuations, which can cause the faucet to fail and result in water damage to a home.

• Brass waterways are less vulnerable to cracking in the event that pipes become frozen, and thereby offer homeowners a more reliable product.

• Brass is more resistant than plastic to chemicals in drinking water.

If pressure-treated wood were a new product being introduced today, it would probably be hailed as an environmental break-through. It can claim features unmatched by other building materials. However, it has become such a staple of construction that its environmental benefits are usually overlooked or not recognized.

The very purpose of pressure treatment is one of the biggest benefits: the preservative process enables wood to last longer. A longer service life means less demand on forests and less transportation of materials. It also means less frequent replacement, but that is an economic advantage to the homeowner rather than an environmental one.

Today’s most common preservatives are made primarily from copper. This copper comes from recycled sources – e.g., copper wire, computer etchants – which would otherwise be discarded as waste.

But the environmental attractiveness of preserved lumber derives mostly from the wood itself. Wood is our planet’s only major renewable building product. The species of trees that furnish the most desirable treated wood are plentiful and grown in managed timberlands. They are not cut from sensitive forests or unregulated third-world rainforests. And, they grow rather rapidly, so their supply is quickly replenished – in fewer years than the service life of the treated lumber they provide. Meantime, trees absorb carbon dioxide and wood products sequester that carbon until disposal, thereby reducing greenhouse gases.

On top of this, wood is strong for its weight. Often wood projects can be installed with lighter duty equipment than other building materials require, resulting in less environmental impact from the construction process.

Though not critical in every application, wood is also an excellent insulator. Compared to alternatives, it conducts less heat, noise, and electrical current – all of which represent environmental and, sometimes, safety benefits.

The production of preserved wood is noteworthy, too. It takes less energy to produce treated lumber than other major materials. The sun and soil provide most of the necessary energy. Using less energy typically means less depletion of nonrenewable fuel resources and generation of less greenhouse gas. The treating process is an integrated system that produces no wastewater discharges, and the level of air pollutants is classified as “insignificant.”

Last, when its original purpose has been served, treated wood can frequently be reused effectively for other projects. Parts of an outdated deck may become a planter box or doghouse or driveway edging.

From a renewable resource and recycled preservative, preserved wood becomes a long-lasting, reusable product requiring comparatively little energy between those points. On a life-cycle basis, preserved wood provides significant environmental benefits over alternative products. Those producing and selling preserved wood can take pride in the earth-saving material they provide.

# # #

Author Bio: Huck DeVenzio is manager of marketing communications at Arch Wood Protection, Inc., a leading producer of wood treating chemicals and licensor of some of the best known brands of treated wood, including Wolmanized® lumber. Mr. DeVenzio has been involved with wood preservation since 1973. For more information, visit www.wolmanizedwood.com.

Recently I was asked to try out OilGoneEasy – Oil Gone Easy Home and Driveway S-200. Oil Gone Easy Home and Driveway is an environmentally safe product used to remove oil and fuel stains from a number of surfaces including concrete, asphalt driveway, flag stone, brick, pavers, cobblestone and even soil.

Oil Gone Easy using the process of bioremediation which uses safe microorganisms to degrade the oil and fuel and turn it into non-toxic compounds. The United States EPA lists this product as an innovative technology for fuel and oil clean-up.

Oil Gone Easy Trial

I decided to put Oil Gone Easy to the test by trying to remove some oil stains from our garage. My old work truck had a slow oil leak and it left quite a mess on our new garage floor as you can see in the photo.

Using Oil Gone Easy was really “easy”! The directions said to just pour the product directly onto the oil stains and leave it as long as possible. The longer you leave the product on the stain the longer the microorganisms have to break down the contaminant.

As you can see I poured a liberal amount of the Oil Gone Easy solution onto the surface of the concrete that was stained with the motor oil. I left the solution on the concrete all day and occasionally brushed it with a stiff brush to help remove any oil from the surface.

I made sure the oil stains remained covered with the Oil Gone Easy solution as long as I could. It was a bit difficult because our garage floor is sloped to drain (fairly common practice for garage floors). Every hour I poured more solution on until I finally ran out of it.

Oil Gone Easy Trial Results

The final photo shows the results of my trial of the Oil Gone Easy product. After about 5 hours of soaking time the oil stains were clearly improved. I finally washed the floor with regular water and scrubbed it with a stiff brush. As you can see most of the oil stain has been removed.

The manufacturer actually recommends leaving the solution on a stain for up to two weeks if it’s an old stain. The product is actually water-proof so there’s no worry if you apply it outside and it rains, it will still work fine.

Bioremediation is not a new science and it’s been used successfully for years now to clean up petroleum contamination. What I like best about this product is how safe it is for kids and animals. You can use it without fear of someone getting hurt while you clean up a nasty oil spill. This is certainly a product I’d use again. I like that you can use it on everything from concrete driveways to an asphalt driveway.

OilGoneEasy Recommendations

In order to fully benefit from the stain removing power of OilGoneEasy  you need to leave the solution on for up to 14 days. Below are some before and after shots from the manufacturer. They show an oil spill that was wiped up manually and a photo a week later after using the OilGoneEasy. My trial was short but you’ll need to leave the product on the stain longer to achieve the best results.

Recently we created a great new walk-in closet in our master bedroom suite with products from EasyClosets. We are really pleased with our experience from EasyClosets and I wanted to share some information about their products that showcases their environmental awareness.

Protecting The Environment

EasyClosets works hard to protect the environment by utilizing many different recycling approaches.

• 100% of EasyClosets particleboard used for shelving comes from post industrial waste streams. This means that the particleboard is manufactured using 100% wood scraps that are created from other wood milling operations (wood chips, wood scraps, saw dust, etc.).
• EasyClosets uses packaging materials created from 95% recycled materials.
• 98% of their inbound cardboard is recycled on-site for new packaging materials.
• 100% of waste product from cut closet rods is recycled

Some may argue that using particleboard isn’t really green. However, I disagree because the scrap materials used for particleboard would either be burned or dumped in a landfill. By using those materials to build useful materials we’re helping reduce the impact on the environment.

If you’re looking for a new closet then I suggest you give EasyClosets a look!

Bamboo Fencing

Today I read an interesting article about a green fencing product. Keith over at Raleigh Fence Contractors is selling bamboo fencing. Much has been written about bamboo flooring as a green building product and the same will probably be said about bamboo fencing.

Bamboo has been used for thousands of years to build every structure type know to man so it’s obvious that fencing should be no different. Bamboo grows very rapidly and is one of the reasons for clasifying it as a green product.

Some skeptics say that bamboo is not as “green” as we might like to think. I wrote an article, “Is Bamboo Flooring Green?“, recently that brings up some interesting points about the validity of bamboo as a green building product. I’m still on the “fence” about the issue but it’s really cool to see bamboo being used as a fencing product.

I don’t believe there is a clear answer yet about how “green” bamboo is as a building product. However, the heightened awareness will surely force the bamboo industry to improve farming techniques and keep bamboo a great green alternative building product.

Sea Stone Cabinet Hardware

Stone Cabinet Hardware

If you’re in the market for a “Green” alternative for your cabinet hardware then this is a great product to consider. The folks at Sea Stones sent me a sample sea stone cabinet pull to review. Sea Stones, LLC is a New Hampshire based company selling sea stones for decorative uses.

The Serena Stone Cabinet Knobs and Drawer Pulls are made with ocean-smoothed stones, hand-gathered in New England, drilled and securely mounted to solid stainless steel posts. I was very impressed with the quality and appearance of the sample that I received. They appear to be very strong and durable.

What I like most about this concept is how Sea Stones collects these rocks and preserves the source. Each rock is hand picked from local ocean beaches and rivers. Each rock taken is replaced with a piece of quarry stone. They also plant trees to replace ones harvested to create the mounting plates for their “Coast Hook” products.

So if you’re truly looking for another green alternative and you need cabinet hardware then check out their site. They offer many different colors that are sure to compliment any new kitchen.

In addition to cabinet hardware Sea Stones sells:

• Bottle Stoppers
• Coast Hooks
• Desk Clocks
• Jewelry
• Magnets
• Napkin Rings
• Wine Glasses

It’s nice to see natural products being produced to help us keep our homes Green. If you know of other Green products that would benefit our readers please let me know.