Ask the Experts

Buyers face hundreds of choices whey they build a home — everything from faucet styles to the color and texture of carpeting. Here are a few answers to questions that buyers of Builder’s Network homes have asked in our design centers.

Q Which door lock offers the best security?
A Security experts agree that a Grade 2 deadbolt {with a 1-inch bolt, 3-inch screws and steel-door frame reinforcer} is best, says Schlage, one of the nation’s leading lock manufacturers. Install deadbolts on all entry doors {including the one separating the garage from the house}. And for door hardware that always looks its best, use Schlage locks with ULTIMA Lifetime finish, guaranteed not to corrode, discolor or tarnish for a lifetime.

Q I’m not sure what to look for in faucets in my home. Aren’t they all alike?
A Absolutely not. Buy faucets that not only look good, hut are likely to provide years of maintenance-free service, advises KOHLER, which has been producing plumbing products for over a half century. Kohler faucets, for example, contain the Rite-Temp pressure-balancing valves which prevent surges of hot and cold water while showering. A sensitive diaphragm within the mechanism regulates water pressure to maintain a constant water temperature of +/- 3 degrees F. A patented one-piece cartridge that eliminates washers and seals, the most common cause of leads. Made of copper and brass, these faucets have a lifetime limited warranty to ensure long term performance and reliability.

Q What color of carpet will hide dirt best?
A That depends on your lifestyle, say carpet manufacturer Shaw Industries. Light colors hide footprints, while dark colors hide dirt better. Low pile, like Berber piles, typically, show traffic patters less than high piles.

Q What’s the best material for a kitchen sink?
A Choosing among cast iron, stainless steel, or acrylic should he based on your family’s wear-and tear needs, according to KOHLER. Cast iron is a premium material for plumbing fixtures. It’s “fire-polished” to obtain its vivid color, and it provides protection against chips, dents and abrasions. Kohler’s stainless steel sinks are drawn from 18 and 20 gauge stainless steel, the highest quality available for residential sinks. Kohler’s high-gloss acrylic is backed with a solid layer of resin to ensure durability and resistance to chipping and cracking. It offers a smooth finish and rich color that penetrates the entire material.

Q I have a large collection of fine crystal and other collectibles. Is there a way to display and store them in my new kitchen?
A A closed cabinet is no place for decorative tableware, according to Merillat cabinet decorators. Ask the experts at Builder’s Network for ways to show off your favorite pieces while still keeping your kitchen well organized. One way is open shelving and double-faced cabinets with mullion glass doors. Mullion glass doors allow you to integrate a cabinet’s contents as part of the kitchen’s decorative style. Decorative trim and molding packages can also be added to enhance the overall appearance.

Q We’ve noticed that some vinyl sided home have wavy looks to them. Aren’t all vinyl siding materials the same?
A Not at all. When choosing vinyl siding, there are many choices, and not just in color. The waves which you see are because of the thin material some manufacturers use. Certainteed Corporation, THE leader in residential siding offers the “Millennium” collection, offering home buyers strength, beauty and value. The thickness of the siding is built with the ability to “float” on the walls when secured. It’ll stay straight and smooth on imperfect walls. Millennium was the first siding designed to perform under high wind conditions through proprietary Rigid Form Technology. It was also the first siding produced utilizing a direct transfer system from real cedar boards for natural woodgrain textures. Millennium was the first to offer unique, darker shades along with an industry leading spectrum of colors. No other siding can match Certainteed’s 30 plus colors, including semi-transparent stained blends, for virtually unlimited design possibilities.

Q With my new home’s open floor plan, the family room is open to the kitchen how can I ensure that dishwasher noise doesn’t drown out the television?
A Simple: Just ask for GE’s Quiet by Design Appliances. This new line of quiet appliances gets the job done, and you won’t even know they’re running. Want more information? Call the GE Answer Center at 800-626-2000.