Accent Building Products Blog

Who knew getting cranky could be so enjoyable?

If you’re interested in gaining maximum airflow and beauty in the home consider turning to unique, easy-to-operate casement, awning and hopper accent windows constructed with beautiful acrylic block.  We like to call them “cranky windows”; because that is the mechanism by which they operate.

The simple operation of crank-out windows makes opening and closing units easy for homeowners of all ages. For some folks it can be difficult to operate traditional ‘push and lift’ types of single or double hung windows. Those physical challenges are not an obstacle when you have casement, awning or hopper windows because you’re not putting any strain on your back or arms to open and close. Just a little twist of the wrist is all it takes. Acrylic block windows also offer greater privacy and security while still permitting ventilation.  It’s a win win situation.

Built within durable white, tan or driftwood vinyl frames, operable acrylic block windows are made-to-order with custom feature options such as diamond block designs. Acrylic blocks are made of high-quality, scratch-resistant durable acrylic. The airtight blocks are hermetically sealed to help prevent condensation and window units offer similar thermal benefits to traditional, dual-glazed units. If that doesn’t make you want to “get cranky” we don’t know what will.

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A Quick & Easy 10 – The Fypon Way

Here’s the situation; you’re short on time yet long on desire for a little more curb appeal. What are some of the simplest projects that homeowners do can quickly do to achieve instant results with just a minimal investment? Using Fypon, the leading synthetic millwork, take your pick from these 10 fast economical 10-minute projects to enhance the home.

Project #1 – Create a unique window treatment by hanging a pair of classic mini scroll brackets to flank a window. Insert a dowel rod through the brackets and drape with fabric for a fast and easy window treatment.

Project #2 – Use small appliques made of lightweight urethane to serve as beautiful decorative “mini-touches” at the corners of windows, beneath a shelf, or around a door frame.

Project #3 – Add a window crosshead to the wall to serve as a fast and easy shelf. A variety of crossheads are available from Fypon with pricing starting around $50.

Project #4 – Flank the opening between two rooms with a pair of lightweight urethane shutters. Two-panel shutters, which can be painted or stained.

Project #5 – Add a keystone to the top of any interior room door to give an elegant look to the entryway.

Project #6: Install a two-piece ceiling medallion around ceiling fans and chandeliers. Available in eleven styles, these interlocking medallions go up in minutes without removing electrical fixtures.

Project #7 – Use a one-piece cathedral louver trim piece to frame a favorite painting or poster. The white louver trim can be painted or faux finished to accent the image inside.

Project #8 – Make a fast towel rack by drilling holes in the center of two cove brackets. Insert a painted dowel rod and you have an instant way to hang towels.

Project #9 – Install carved leaf or grapevine brackets under kitchen countertops and shelves to add dimension and visual appeal to a room.

Project #10 – To get a farmhouse feel in a room, add wagon wheel brackets to the upper areas of interior doorframes.

Polyurethane millwork by Fypon offers thousands of decorative elements in a variety of architectural styles to enhance the interior and exterior of America’s homes. Each piece is crafted from tough, weatherproof, high-performance materials that are impervious to decay, insect infestation and water damage for long-lasting beauty and low maintenance.  With many inexpensive pieces in all styles Fypon can certainly help you turn drabulous into fabulous in only a few moments.

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Let There Be (Free) Light

Velux Sun Tunnels are a wonderful way to bring pure natural light into a small dark area. The best way to achieve this in a small area is a Velux bonded silver rigid sun tunnel. The rigid tunnel is highly reflected so the natural light has a clear path down from the roof to the ceiling. The ridged tunnel can be used for a longer length then flexible, allowing smaller 10” domes to provide a great deal of light.

The flexible tunnel is a great option it you have a shorter run from the roof to the ceiling, and if the room you are lighting is not immediately underneath where the exterior dome needs to go due to some minor obstruction. The Flexible sun tunnel has a ring with a mirror finish just below the dome to reflect light from all angles. To get the maximum light from a flexible tunnel you might consider the 21” dome if you have 24” (on center) rafters to accommodate it.

Whether the Rigid or the Flexible Tunnel is chosen there are two flashings options offered to help you get the maximum light available. The low profile blends in to the roofline and works best for south facing applications. The pitched flashing option is adjustable to gather the light from the desired direction and more suitable for a north facing application. At this time the sun tunnels are available for shingle/shake roofing material and tile with the use of an adaptation kit.

Sun Tunnels are Energy Star Rated. The pre-assembled interior ceiling ring is paintable, and a frosted dual diffuser reduces the possibility of condensation. In no time at all a sun tunnel can save you, and the earth, a lot of resources.

Tags: application, condensation, energy star, flashing, maximum light, roofing material, shingle, sun tunnel, Velux, velux sun tunnels, wonderful way

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Woodpeckers Never Touch the Stuff

   A strange tag line maybe; but not too long ago a customer brought this to my attention in discussing the Fypon Trims and Mouldings.  Woodpeckers love to go after wood because they can hear insects nestled deep within it. Polyurethane products do not attract insects because there is nothing yummy inside for them to munch on. If there are no insects inside then likewise there is nothing tasty for woodpeckers and other insect eaters to snack on. Please note, there have been rumors that a particular Fypon imitator makes “crinkle” sounds possibly leading birds do think they hear food. Your best bet is to never trust an imitator, always stick with Fypon.

 Why else choose Fypon? The process of molding polyurethane allows for distinct lines and details that give you the true look of traditional wood, with virtually no maintenance required. No constant painting, no necessary sealing due to weather wear and tear. Going beyond traditional style, the molding process allows for much more intricate detailing than found on today’s pieced-together wood trims, corbels and brackets. Polyurethane molding also lends itself well to smooth lines such as in the Southwest collection of beams and shutters.

Whether your project calls for traditional, deco or modern design, Fypon low maintenance crossheads, trims, brackets and pilasters are the decorative millwork solution.

Tags: decorative millwork, fypon, imitator, insects, low maintenance, Mouldings, polyurethane molding, polyurethane products, Shutters, southwest collection, traditional style, Trims, Woodpeckers

1 Comment | Posted in » Fypon Urethane Millwork

Glass Block Window or Panel?

When searching the term Glass Block window on Google or Yahoo you will typically see two options, a window and a panel. They may look the same but there are two very distinct differences. The simple definition of a Glass Block window is that it has a full vinyl frame with a nailing flange and is not offered with a vent. In contrast, a Glass Bock Panel has no frame. The block are simple siliconed together and the other perimeter is exposed block. Depending upon the size of the panel it can have a vent in it. Typically the vent is 1 block high by two blocks wide and needs to have glass block going all the way around it. The exception is a dryer vent which takes the space of one 8×8.

Glass Block Windows are usually offered with a white or tan frame and a clear silicone between the blocks. The silicone and it’s method of application are identical to that of a Glass Block Panels. This style of window usually works best in new construction or in the case where your opening happens to work with the limited sizes available in windows.

Glass Block panels are often referred to as basement windows as they can easily be mortared into to cinder block wall. This is why there is no vinyl frame necessary. They are also a great choice for small wall partitions such as a half privacy wall in the bathroom. Both panels and windows are offered in the 3 classis Pittsburgh Corning block designs, Decora, Delphi and Icescapes. Decora will let in the most light but offer the least amount of privacy. Delphi will allow the greatly increased privacy over Decora, but it will also block the more light. This block pattern is typically used for commercial or industrial application as its look is not ascetically pleasing for most homes. The most popular option is the Icescapes block, as it offers a fair amount of light transmission while providing maximum privacy, all while being the most decorative.

Regardless of your application needs there is a pre-made glass block product that will help you complete the job, saving time and effort all while achieving the look you desire.

Tags: application, basement windows, bathroom, cinder block wall, glass block panels, glass block windows, industrial application, light transmission, maximum privacy, new construction, pittsburgh corning, vinyl frame, window

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It’s A Niche Market

A Niche, Alcove, or sometimes even referred to as a Nook, whatever you choose to call it we all agree that it describe an exciting architectural accent that can add a classic look to room whether it be a foyer, study, formal living room, or bath. Their popularity as a decorative accent is credited to have most likely begun in the 1^st Century, when decorative accents were not very plentiful, one would imagine. With the Fypon Niches a room update can be made with minimal effort.

Each Fypon Niche has a display shelf as part of the mold; which some brands offer as separate pieces. These polyurethane accents take up minimal depth in a wall but add major impact as a display area. These accept paint very well making them easy to customize with a solid color or your favorite faux painting technique. The Niches also come with cute shell tops or clean smooth tops to fit the room’s atmosphere, making them a focal point for any setting.

Tags: atmosphere, decorative accent, faux painting, focal point, formal living room, fypon, imagine, minimal effort, mold, niche market, niches, painting technique, polyurethane, popularity

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Vent Without Venting (Gable, that is)

A gable vent is ideal for attic spaces to allow stagnant air, humidity and trapped heat to escape. But what about those who aren’t really in need of ventilation, who instead would just like the look of a gable vent on their home’s exterior. This could be the case if you have a bonus room or finished attic space where heating and air conditioning exists. In livable spaces a functional gable vent would not be needed. Luckily, Fypon offers all their stylish louvers in both functioning and non-functioning versions. A non-venting Fypon louver is a solid, one-piece urethane unit that does not allow air to pass through. Offered in the same designs as the functioning, the non-venting louvers create architectural interest to what would otherwise be a plain, ordinary gable space.

Tags: air humidity, architectural interest, bonus room, finished attic, functioning, fypon, Gable, gable vent, heating and air, heating and air conditioning, livable spaces, look, stagnant air, urethane, ventilation, Venting

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The Beauty of Composite Shutters

In today’s world of cookie cutter housing developments it is often left to the smaller accent pieces to put the finishing touches on your home that will set you apart from the rest. For many years now vinyl shutters have been thought of as an easy, and inexpensive way of adding your own flair. The only problem is that now everyone and their mother has added the same stationary shutters in one of the 4 most popular colors, and there is no longer anything distinct about them. They are as common as the 15 shades of beige vinyl siding that they rest upon. This doesn’t mean that shutter are no longer a perfect accent piece, it just means that you may want to look into an alternative material and design. May we suggest composite?

Exterior shutters made of wood composite materials are the best looking, closest to wood looking shutter you will find. The bonus; they are maintenance free, they can be hung on optional metal hinges that actually operate (we haven’t seen vinyl shutters that can do that) , they will not rot or crack like traditional wood shutters, and they maintain their beauty for many years to come. Backed by a 10 year warranty Winworks Composite Shutters are available in 40 beautiful colors finished in automotive quality paint. With construction of up to 1 ¼” thickness (dependant on style) it is easy to see how they provide superior structural strength. A huge variety of sizes are offered with widths of 12, 14, 15, 16 and 18 inches available, as well as lengths in 1” increments from 28” – 91”. The 5 styles offered range from traditional to modern contemporary. Without a doubt there is a size and style available to compliment any home. Beautiful composite shutters definitely stand out, offering a richness and dimension that ordinary vinyl shutters never have.  When you want the “real thing” look without the “real thing” rot and maintenance, exterior composite shutters are your answer.

Tags: accent piece, accent pieces, beautiful colors, composite materials, cookie cutter, dependant, exterior shutters, housing developments, look, metal hinges, richness, shades, Shutters, vinyl shutters, vinyl siding, wood shutters

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What is the KCMA

Our preferred kitchen and bath cabinet manufacturer is Marsh Furniture. One of the many reasons with we comfortable with their product is that they are a member of the  KCMA, the Kitchen Cabinet Manufacturers Association. Founded in 1955; the association certifies that the cabinets offered meet the American National Standards Institute for the manufacturing and quality of cabinets. With the exception of sink bases and oven cabinets (which need rear exposure for water, gas and electrical lines) Kitchen and Bath Cabinets construction must be fully enclosed with sides, backs and bottoms as well as tops on wall cabinets in order to meet the KCMA standards. In addition, the frames, ends, tops and bottoms must be of a rigid construction. It pleases us even further that Marsh has also qualified for the new KCMA Land Stewardship Program.  This means that the company is sustainable in resource management, environmental stewardship and community relations. All in all making the world a better place; one kitchen or bath at a time.

Tags: bath cabinet, cabinet manufacturer, community relations, electrical lines, environmental stewardship, kcma, kitchen and bath, kitchen and bath cabinets, kitchen cabinet manufacturers, kitchen cabinet manufacturers association, land stewardship program, marsh, resource management, rigid construction, tops and bottoms, wall cabinets

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The Versatility Of Fypon

When most people think of Fypon or Polyurethane Millwork they think of Door Surrounds, Window Crossheads and Gable Vents; but Fypon Polyurethane Millwork is much more than that. It is a huge collection of classic and unique accents that can beatify both your interior and exterior all the while helping you set your home apart from the cookie cutter rest. The molding process of Polyurethane lends itself to a vast variety of highly detailed decorative items like brackets, corbels, dentil blocks and pediments. An improvement or design project no longer needs to be limited to the mundane; let your imagination run wild. 

The standard features of Polyurethane Millwork, and the Fypon brand in particular are versatility, low maintenance, and splinter, moisture and insect resistance. Another great consideration with Fypon is that it is ready to be painted and does not require the long processes of sanding and priming that wood does. Starting off with an already smooth surface ensures an easier, less time consuming finishing; offering you more time to enjoy the beauty of your home, and less time working on it.

Tags: accents, brackets, cookie cutter, crossheads, fypon, gable vents, huge collection, imagination, insect resistance, low maintenance, molding, polyurethane millwork, smooth surface, versatility

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