Pike County home and garden show features high-tech gadgets

By JESSICA COHEN

April 11, 2014

With the economy still in recovery, improved homes, rather than new homes, will likely be the interest of visitors to the Pike County Builders Association Home and Garden Show this weekend at Delaware Valley High School, says custom builder Ed Nikles.

So, vendors will accommodate them with innovations that help with economizing.

After a snowy winter, ways to save money while staying warm may be particularly appealing, and Nikles points out a variety of ways to keep heat indoors, including high-efficiency doors, triple-pane windows and special insulation.

Foam, Fiberglas or cellulose insulation can be sprayed or blown into wall cavities to fill them without gaps, resulting in better insulation, he says. And joints in wall sheeting and ceiling plates can be sealed with caulk or foam.

At least one home show vendor, Superior Walls, sells pre-cast concrete foundation walls, with interior insulation.

"The walls come in sections on the back of a tractor-trailer," says Nikles. "A crane sets the walls in place. It's all done in one day."

Plus, new thermostats can be adjusted remotely with smartphones.

"On your way home from a vacation, you can adjust the heat or air conditioning before you arrive," says Nikles.

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Pike County home and garden show features high-tech gadgets