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Hello NADRA NJ Chapter Builder, Supplier and Manufacturer Members,
With the thoughts of this past Memorial Day still fresh in our minds, and what it stands for, the NJ D4S Committee would like to call our chapter to action for the 2013 Deck For a Soldier project slated for early this fall , with a ribbon cutting scheduled for Veterans Day, 11,11,13.  We are asking for volunteers of skilled workers from our Builder members, and just as importantly, donations of materials from our Supplier and Manufacturer Members.  This is a great opportunity for everyone involved to say thank you to our Armed forces who keep our country safe day in and day out, and who put our freedom above their own safety.
The local soldier is Sean O’Connor from Brick, NJ.  He served 20 years in the Marines and Army National Guard.  He did 3 combat tours and is now retired.  He was in Desert Storm and retired as a Sergeant First Class with many metals of honor.  He was also an instructor at Fort Dix.
For all Volunteers and Material Donations, please contact NADRA Headquarters at Info@NADRA.org or 215-679-4884
YOU MUST BR A CURRENT NADRA MEMBER TO DONATE OR PARTICIPATE.
 Headquarters will then pass the information on to the D4S committee.
A very deserving Thank You needs to be said to our Committee Chair Gustavo delaCruz of Barrett Outdoors and Robert Lascelle of My Deck, for their many hours of time already spent getting this project up and running for our chapter!!
Committee Members:
Gustavo delaCruz – Chair Person
Robert Lascelle
Jennifer Sheridan
Mike Schwartz
Martin Coffey
Bruce Verblaauw

 

The NADRA NJ Board would like to thank everyone for attending our meeting on Tuesday, May 21, 2013.  We know that this is the height of busy season so we really appreciate everyone taking the time to join us.  We had a great meeting.

We want to give a very big thank you to our sponsor, Aeratis Porch Flooring, Roy Pieroni and Chris Tidwell.   Chris showed us the high percentage of porches on new homes compared to a decade ago.  He explained that the porch flooring comes in three different styles, Classic, Traditions and Heritage.  Aeratis also produces fascia boards and they will soon be introducing stair treads.  Their product is historically accurate and approved for use in historic restoration.

Gustavo delaCruz and Robert Lascelle showed us the plan for the deck for the D4S build.  Jen Sheridan suggested using glass panels in the railing for viewing the pond that this soldier has by the existing deck.  We are looking for manufacturers and vendors to donate materials such as framing, decking, railing, lighting, possible pergola if it is wanted and etc.  If anyone is interested in donating time or materials, please reach out to Gus delaCruz at Barrettdecks@yahoo.com.    We are planning this to be a fall build with ribbon cutting on Veteran’s Day.

Our next chapter meeting will be on Tuesday, July 16th and will be sponsored by Techno Metal Post.

NADRA ROCKS!!!

Judy Verblaauw

NADRA NJ Secretary

www.NADRA.org

NADRA’s New Jersey Chapter recently announced the official plans and build for their latest Deck For a Soldier® project. The NJ Chapter plans to build in the Fall of 2013. Local member volunteers will complete construction, and NADRA member vendors will provide all products. A ribbon cutting ceremony & celebration will be held after the project is completed.

 

The local soldier is Sean O’Connor from Brick, N.J. He served 20 years in the marines and Army National Guard, did 3 combat tours and is now retired. He was in Desert Storm and retired as a Sergeant First Class with many medals. He was also an instructor at Fort Dix.

NADRA NJ 3D Rendering of Deck For a Soldier Project

 

Call for Volunteers and Materials:

Please contact NADRA Headquarters. You must be a current NADRA member to participate. You can call: 215.679.4884 or send an email to: Info@NADRA.org

 

 

 

A special thank you to the local New Jersey Deck for a Soldier® Committee:

NADRA NJ Deck for a Soldier Committee:

  • Committee Chair: Gustavo DelaCruz of Barrett Outdoors: 866-418-1891 and his email address is barrettdecks@yahoo.com.
  • Committee Members:
    • Martin Coffey
    • Bruce Verblaauw
    • Robert Lascelle
    • Jennifer Sheridan
    • Mike Schwartz

NADRA launched its Deck For a Soldier® program in 2007; this is a community effort that expresses our appreciation for the service and dedication of the men and women of our armed forces. The project will be completed with strictly donated materials, time and labor. More information about Deck for a Soldier® can be found at www.NADRA.org.

 

 

                   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

LinkedIn Discussion Fundamentals for the Building Industry Professional:

                                   …How to properly post a discussion in a LinkedIn Group.

By: Heather A. Marchand, NADRA National Program Coordinator

 

So you have a LinkedIn company profile? Nice work! But now you want to let everyone know about everything you’re doing … all    the    time.

Here is why this isn’t helping you:

LinkedIn groups have management settings that do one of two things:

  1. The group moderator accepts all new discussions without approval, or
  2. The group moderator controls which new discussions are accepted, or posted in the “promotion” section.

If you post to a group that automatically accepts new discussions, your discussion is approved right away and an email is distributed automatically to all group members.

You’re trying to reach building industry pros, correct? So, you are posting the very same discussion on 3-10 different groups within your industry that many times have the same group members or at a minimum 50-75% of the same members. Most group moderators choose option 1; so new discussions are distributed automatically. Do you know what this means? … It means that our inbox is filled with 3-10 emails of the same notice about your same discussion promoting your product, service, sales pitch. Now that we’ve been spammed with your message, we don’t even want to read what you posted… and so we don’t.

Posting the same discussion in all of your LinkedIn Groups is not the right approach.

So how should you use LinkedIn Groups for marketing?

Well, a discussion is just that, a discussion! 

            Dis-cus-sion

            Noun

  • The action or process of talking about something, typically in order to reach a decision or to exchange ideas.
  • A conversation or debate about a certain topic.

Start by sharing something we want to read and reply to. We use LinkedIn for professional networking & development; so say something we care about or want to learn about.

Here are a few easy tips to follow to get the most out of your

LinkedIn experience:

  1. Connect with the companies you purchase from or sell to. Make alliances.
  2. Join a group(s) that is relevant to your industry.
    • LinkedIn will offer you suggestions for groups based on your connections. You can also perform a search. Once you find a group you want to be part of, you will be prompted to fill out an application to join the group. Some group settings allow you to automatically join, and some require approval.
    • Example: Here is the link to NADRA’s Group: Join Now. Once you request to join it will go through an approval process and you will receive a notification once you have been accepted.
  3. Engage in the right discussions!
    • If you have a blog, share your stories on LinkedIn. But don’t post it to the same 5 groups on the very same day. Switch up the stories and give it some time.
    • Ask questions & stir up conversation! (Try not to be controversial)
  4. If you are running a contest on another social channel, share your link and tell your LinkedIn connections what you are giving away.
  5. Show your value. Take time to reply to other discussions and offer your insight – but do it without a commercial! Don’t try to sell yourself or your product… just be helpful and it will sell itself.
  6. If you are launching a new service or product, and you just want to scream it to the virtual world… by all means, go for it! But this time, try to offer a reward or incentive to your connections for sharing your news! It’s easy and makes it fun for your followers.
  7. Lastly, reach out to the groups you want to share news with. Chances are, they WANT to share your stories, news, events and contests… most companies are begging for stories to post, especially via social media! Do it in a professional manor. Send them a private message and ask how you can work more closely together. You wouldn’t hound the company in person, would you? … So don’t do it online.

Follow a few of these guidelines & nobody will be saying, “Not this guy again!”

The ProWood Desperate Deck Contest!

How desperate can a deck get? That’s what ProWood wants to know. ProWood is giving desperate deck owners across the nation a chance for a deck makeover through its ProWood “Desperate Deck” Contest. As part of the contest, ProWood is asking homeowners to write a short essay and upload pictures of deck in their most desperate state – damaged, unstable, color-worn … whatever they deem as desperate. One desperate deck will then be selected to receive a $20,000 makeover with ProWood lumber and accessories. The contest runs from April 15 through June 15. Visit ProWoodLumber.com and the ProWood Facebook page for all the details.

N E W S   R E L E A S E

DATE:                       May 16, 2013

CONTACT:              Jim Groff

717.852.4842

jcgroff@wolfleader.com

www.wolfleader.com

WOLF RELEASES KEY BUYER INDEX (KBI) FOR MAY 2013

Sustained KBI score reflects continued optimism heading into summer

 (York, Pa.)WOLF, the largest supplier of kitchen cabinets in the U.S. and a leading provider of building products in 28 states along the East Coast, today reported the findings of the WOLF Key Buyer Index (KBI) for May.

The May KBI score of 72.67 reflects virtually no change from the April KBI of 73.67. The fact that the score remains at this level suggests that building materials buyers at selected independent LBM dealers in the eastern United States are holding fast to their optimism about the residential construction industry in that region.

WOLF developed KBI, a proprietary metric that offers a monthly snapshot of independent dealers’ sentiments, to provide a concrete measure of how building materials buyers see the near-term future of their industry. WOLF gathers data for the KBI from a monthly survey of key buyers at independent building materials dealers across 21 states. A WOLF KBI score of 50 reflects a neutral outlook; a score above 50 reflects a positive outlook; and a score below 50 reflects a negative outlook.

Buyer sentiment is equally bullish in both of WOLF’s traditional markets (the Northeast and Middle Atlantic States).  On the building product side, Northeastern buyers returned a KBI score of 78.57 while their Middle Atlantic counterparts returned an even more optimistic score of 80.00.  On the Kitchen and bath side, meanwhile, Northeastern buyers returned a KBI score of 83.33 while kitchen and bath buyers in the Middle Atlantic region returned a score of 72.73.

On the whole, the KBI indicates a continued bullishness on the part of residential construction material buyers as to the state of the residential construction activity in the markets they serve.  The high KBI scores show that key buyers expect this industry to remain strong at least through the month of May in the Northeast and Middle Atlantic states.

For more information on the WOLF Key Buyer Index, read the detailed explanation on Tom Wolf’s blog or see the latest KBI score at www.wolfleader.com.

 #  #   #

About WOLF  WOLF provides kitchen and bath cabinetry and building materials, marketing and sales support and financial services exclusively to independent dealers in 28 states in the Eastern and Midwestern U.S. Since its founding in 1843, York, Pa.-based WOLF has evolved into a sourcing company that offers American-made, WOLF-branded products and other high-quality product lines.  Learn more about WOLF at www.wolfleader.com and www.wolfhomeproducts.com.

Last week we asked NADRA members to forward the industry brief to their contacts. This is a very small, but effective way to spread the word about NADRA, industry news and upcoming events. A special thank you to the WOLF Organization for passing on NADRA news to your contacts! WOLF continues to stand behind NADRA’s Power of One initiative in more ways than one. Here is a brief summary of what NADRA’s Power of One campaign means to WOLF and how it lays the foundation for fellow members to build upon. 

WOLF provides contractors with a training manual where they now dedicate two full pages to NADRA’s message urging all industry professionals to get involved with their industry association. In addition to distributing NADRA’s message in their training manuals, most recently, WOLF invited NADRA’S EVP to join them in Virginia at a Certified WOLF Pro Event as a guest speaker.  Michael Beaudry made himself available for the day to participate. Mr. Beaudry spoke to the contractors in attendance about the latest developments at the code hearings, Deck Safety Month ®  and how to take advantage of the Check Your Deck ®  Inspection Program. 

If you are interested in the power of one campaign or would like to schedule a time for Michael Beaudry to speak at one of your events, call NADRA direct at: 215.649.4884 to learn how or send an email to Info@NADRA.org.  It’s time to make a difference, it’s time for the Power of One! 

May 9th, 2013 was a memorable day for the MN NADRA Chapter. Representatives from every sector of the Minnesota Deck and Rail industry were on hand to support NADRA’s effort to further develop its industry leading CPAC program (Consumer Protection Awareness Charter).

Engaging speakers gave viable, educational information that sparked many valuable conversations for attendees. Presentations were then followed up by tours of Element’s St. Paul facilities, including live testing demonstrations.

Third-Party testing experts were on hand to share their knowledge in the areas of corrosion, environmental, flexural, mechanical and live load testing. Code officials from several local jurisdictions and a representative from the ICC-ES were present to answer questions concerning codes or product evaluation.  Product manufactures, lumberyards, distributors and local deck builders were all present to discuss industry issues and learn more of the NADRA CPAC program.

The common message thread; Quality and Approved Tested Products are a must! Whether it is ICC-ES, CCRR or ASTM tested products; all were in agreement, that the world of product testing is convoluted and there is a need for industry standardization.

Please contact NADRA EVP, Michael Beaudry to join the NADRA CPAC effort by emailing Info@NADRA.org

A special thank you to the following MN NADRA contributors:

  • Host:  Element Materials Technology
  • Sponsors: Screw Products, Inc., Williams Architectural Products, Gossen Corp., and Homeland Vinyl Products, Inc.
  • Speakers: Barry Johnson-ICC-ES, Stan Hathorn-Homeland Vinyl, Roger Axel-New Hope Code Official and Tom Kolden-Element Materials Technology

 

 

Recap of 2013 Group B Committee Action Hearing (Dallas, TX) 

Last week the IRC code hearings were held in Dallas, TX. NADRA’s Technical Advisor, Glenn Mathewson represented the association on numerous proposals. This work is just beginning & your support is NEEDED on key issues that WILL effect your businesses and will effect this industry.  Your support is encouraged so these efforts can continue on behalf of the membership and industry the association serves. NADRA Headquarters and the entire board would like to personally thank Glenn Mathewson for his time and efforts at these hearings.

Recap of 2013 Group B Committee Action Hearing (Dallas) – By NADRA Technical Advisor, Glenn Mathewson:

Take Action: Now that the ICC Committee Action Hearings are over, be sure to follow the link about the public comment hearings. The first recap of an approved proposal is a good example of WHY we need your support so we can continue to be heard at these hearings! 

Here is a recap of proposed changes due to NADRA’s efforts at the hearings: 

On Monday,  April 22nd, the proposals to the pool and spa code were heard.  SP47-13 was disapproved.  Here was the proposal: “Walking surfaces of decks within 4 feet of a pool or spa that are not equivalent in the strength, durability and slip resistance of the surface of a concrete deck shall be prohibited.  Wooden walking surfaces and carpeted walking surfaces shall not be placed within 4 feet of a pool.”
RB143-13, proposing to return to measuring the height of a deck at the very edge of the deck (for determining if guards are required) was defeated with the help of NADRA.  Our professionals stood by the actual hazard and the current code that requires that height to be measured at a point three feet horizontally from the deck edge.  We know where our customers will hit the ground if they fall, and it is not directly at the edge of the deck.  With integrity for our industry and an understanding of the actual determination of hazard, we stood, we spoke and we were heard.”

RB145-13 proposing to eliminate the requirement to measure guard height from a fixed bench seat was approved.  This requirement in the 2009 and 2012 IRC effectively put an end to bench seating.  While some with small children may prefer not to have a bench against guards, the majority of our membership believe that is an individual choice, not a minimum standard.  The architectural liberties of our customers are one step closer to returning to them.  Other professional associations had helpful testimony to this goal, but our intimate perspective of how this affected our industry came only from us.  This approval supports a balance between minimum design and safety, the latter of which can always be improved by the personal choice of the homeowner or builder.”


RB75-13 proposed that all decks, detached or attached, ground level or upper level, regardless of materials, would be prohibited from being less than five feet from property lines to prohibit fire spread.  NADRA stood and shared the reality that many noncombustible decking and framing materials are available.  We explained that low level decks have different dynamics of fire spread than upper level decks.  We described how this proposal would unnecessarily put the decking market at an unfair disadvantage to patio pavers and flagstone for ground level decks.  The committee heard our sole voice on these concerns and unanimously disapproved the proposal.  NADRA made it clear that work is needed to figure out how decks contribute to fire spread and how to regulate it in the code, but not to do it without us in the conversation.  We plan to work with these proponents during the public comment period so we can get this issue figured out the right way.”


RB74-13 proposed some serious consequences to the decking industry regarding placement of stairs.  While well intentioned for other purposes, it was dangerously flawed.  Imagine a deck connecting between a house and a detached garage.  This proposal would have prohibited any stairs within five feet of the garage.  Huh?  No wide steps from house to garage on one side of the deck, even for a few steps to the backyard.  NADRA stood against this proposal and the committee unanimously agreed and disapproved the proposal.”


“NADRA’S proposal, RB58-13, for replacing all use of the term “guardrails” for the IRC defined term “guard” has been approved as submitted unanimously by the committee.  This simple change secures architectural freedom for guards, and that they don’t have to have a “rail”.  On with the custom work of kitchens counters, planters, benches or whatever other feature that can be built to the requirements of a guard.”


 ”RB6-13 was approved.  The size limit of 200sf for requiring a permit on low level decks was approved.  This will allow more under bid decks to be built poorly, putting our professionals (who build right regardless of permits) at an unfair disadvantage.  I encourage our members to support a public comment to disapprove this at final action.”

Deckorators launches 2013 “Best Deck” Contest

Contest includes prizes up to $1,000, plus great exposure

Deck lovers, here’s a grand opportunity from Deckorators, the leader in deck railing and accessories: Show off your deck in the annual Deckorators 2013 “Best Deck” Contest for a chance to win up to $1,000. New this year, Deckorators will also award the grand prize winner a one-year membership to the North American Decking & Railing Association (NADRA). Building professionals, do-it-yourselfers and homeowners are invited to submit deck pictures between May 1, 2013, and September 30, 2013, for a chance to win.

 

Entries must incorporate Deckorators products and will be judged on two equally weighted criteria: Creative use of materials and overall appearance. The three contestants with the highest overall scores will receive the following prizes:

  • Grand prize: $1,000 Visa gift card, plus a one-year paid membership to NADRA ($350 value)
  • Second prize: $500 Visa gift card
  • Third prize: $250 Visa gift card

Winners will be selected in October, and contest submissions will be shared through the contest entry page at http://www.deckorators.com/bestdeckcontest/ .

Prize Eligibility
To be eligible, the deck must:

-        Incorporate Deckorators products (which can be seen at www.deckorators.com/products), and

-        Not have been entered in previous Best Deck competitions.

Contestants may enter multiple decks. For full contest details or to submit an entry, visit:  www.deckorators.com/bestdeckcontest

More on Deckorators

Deckorators originated the metal baluster category and now offers an extensive array of deck products, including glass balusters, railing, post caps, lighting and deck accessories. The brand is part of Universal Consumer Products, a subsidiary of Universal Forest Products (www.ufpi.com).