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Postcard from Providence

comments (0) March 29th, 2010 in Blogs

Charles Bickford, senior editor

6 users recommend

The non-collapsible Sawgear beam comes in 8 and 10 ft. lengths

Domino Decking System, with clips

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Ready Solar

Energy Federation Inc., purveyor of quality information and products, was touting a builder-friendly plug and play system of solar panels. Made by Ready Solar, the Solar in a Box is a 400 watt panel with a pre-wired inverter that does away with a larger inverter down the line. Quick-connect cables allow you to chain up any number of panels and run everything into a circuit box that's tied into the household current.

A single panel costs in the neighborhood of $1980, without roof mounts ($90-$200), connection box/monitors ($670), etc. Factor in the labor for installation and hookup to the house, you're still below the general standard of about $8/watt installed. They also have a 500 watt model. If you don't see the product on EFI's website, it's because it's brand new to them. Give them a call instead.

Opus Roof Blanket

A new material that's meant to take the place of roofing felt or housewrap, Opus Roof Blanket is supposed to offer improved traction underfoot, better tear resistance, and won't bubble up over night.

Bondera

Bondera, a tile adhesive membrane aimed at those prospective tile setters who can't get comfy with thinset. It's advertised to be used in the usual places, even the bathroom (with the additional use of a proprietary seam tape) and is made by WR Grace, the same folks that make Ice and Water Shield.

Personally, it seems a little counterintuitive to rely on stickum to keep ceramic tiles in place, but maybe they're onto something. Unlike thinset, it does make adjusting the postition of a tile more difficult.