Judith Faulkner, CEO of healthcare IT giant Epic Systems.

Source: Epic Systems

Epic Systems CEO Judy Faulkner recently urged some of the largest health systems in the country to sign a letter opposing proposed rules designed to make it easier for patients to obtain their medical information and share it with apps.

About 60 of these health systems have signed it.

The letter, which was obtained by CNBC, was addressed to Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar and opposed proposed rules designed to help medical information flow more easily between health systems and patients. The rules also aim to make clinical data accessible through application programming interfaces (APIs).

Epic, which is privately held, sells its electronic medical record software to hospitals across the country and is one of the largest health-technology companies in the U.S. An Epic installation is a major undertaking and can cost upwards of $1 billion for a major health system to implement.

Epic's CEO Judy Faulkner previously urged health care executives to take a stand with her: "HHS needs to hear from you so they understand that you feel these issues are important," it says. "Very little time is left."

A spokesperson for HHS told CNBC that it did indeed receive the letter. "We appreciate all stakeholder feedback as we continue to finalize the rules," they said. "Our ultimate goal is to ensure that patients are able to easily access their electronic medical records."

The largest technology companies, alongside patient advocates and caregivers, have taken the opposite stance and have spoken out in favor of the rules. Apple, Microsoft and Google recently joined a call with a non-profit called Carin Alliance to discuss ways to get the rule finalized and released. These companies favor the rules, in part because greater interoperability between systems that store medical records could help them move into the $3.5 trillion health care sector.

"There are many health systems that have deep concerns regarding the rule, and they've shared those concerns with HHS," Epic said in a statement to CNBC. "We are supportive of the goals of the proposed regulations, but we believe that important changes must be made to the rule before it becomes final in order to protect the privacy of patients and their personal health information. We appreciate the work that HHS is doing to incorporate different perspectives and ensure that the final rule is a good one."

The letter reads, in part, "While we support HHS' goal of empowering patients with their health data and reducing costs through the 21st Century Cures Act, we are concerned that ONC's Proposed Rule on interoperability will be overly burdensome on our health system and will endanger patient privacy. Specifically, the scope of regulated data, the timeline for compliance, and the significant costs and penalties will make it extraordinarily difficult for us to comply."

The letter goes on to recommend some changes, including more clarity around health information related to family members, and a longer timeline -- at least 12 months to prepare and 36 months for "development of new technology required by the rule."

It was signed by health systems including Ardent Health Services, Atrius Health in Massachussets, Bay Health in Delaware, NYU Langone Health in New York, Parkview Health in Indiana and Ohio, University Health System in Texas and UW Health in Wisconsin among others. Several life sciences companies also signed it, including Exact Sciences, maker of a diagnostic test for colorectal cancer.

A handful of organizations were also listed as sending their own separate letter.

One doctor who signed says he shared Epic's privacy concerns as the number of proposed medical apps skyrockets.

"There are tens of thousands of health care apps," said Neil Calman, MD, chairman of family medicine at Mount Sinai in New York and president of the institute for family health, in an interview.

"Getting these big computer systems to communicate in a predictable and secure way took a decade and now people are writing these apps in all different languages. There's no possible way a system that has been in development for decades now could all interface with all these apps and keep information secure. This needs a lot more thought, and more structure and regulation."

Some health IT experts note that the letter has not been signed by some of the largest health systems in the Epic ecosystem, and they say that's significant.

"Their absence represents a thundering silence," said David Brailer, the first National Health Information Technology Coordinator, appointed by George W. Bush. "Many health systems are quietly discussing how the data access and data fluidity actually benefits them in the long-run."

Here is the full list of health systems and health companies that signed the letter, not including those who chose to send their own:

Access Community Health Centers; Community Health Center Network, Alameda Health Consortium; Altru Health System; Atrius Health; Adventist Health Portland; Affirmant Health Partners; Lovelace Health System; Arc; UT Health Athens; Ardent Health Services; Bay Health; Buffalo Medical Group; Christie Clinic; Deaconess Health System; Genesis Healthcare System; Catholic Health; Community Health Network; Exact Sciences, Group Health Cooperative, South Central Wisconsin; Charlotte Eye Ear Nose & Throat Associates; Confluence Health; Fresenius Medical Care; Gundersen Health System; Guthrie; HonorHealth; Institute for Family Health; Mercy; UnityPoint Health; Hospital Sisters; HSHS Wisconsin; Iowa Specialty Hospitals & Clinics; Mercy Care; VHS; HSHS St. Clare Memorial Hospital; HSHS St Joseph's; HSHS Illinois; Mary Washington Healthcare; Mercy Health Services; Middlesex Health; Beth Israel Lahey Health, Mt. Auburn; NYU Langone Health; PeaceHealth; Piedmont Healthcare; Northshore's Evanston Hospital; OhioHealth; Pembia County Memorial Hospital; Pine Rest Christian Mental Health Services; Norton Healthcare; Parkview Health; Permanente Dental Associates; Prevea Health; River Valley Primary Care Services; Singing River Health System; University Health System; Vancouver Clinic; Riverside; Southcoast Health; Titus Regional Medical Center; UT Health San Antonio; Wellstar Medical Group; Self Regional Healthcare; SSM Health; UHS Inc. and UHS Hospitals; UW Health; West Virginia University Health System.

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Epic and about 60 hospital chains come out against rules that would make it easier to share medical info - CNBC

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As much more than a hotel, Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser will be avacation experience unlike anything Disney has ever created. The hotel will offer a two-night itinerary where guests become immersed in their own Star Wars story.We are just as anxious as you to see it complete, so we stopped to see whats new since our last update.

As you approach the hotel, it looks kind of drab. But spaceships arent usually pretty. We do expect more trees and greenery planted to camouflage the area.

The first thing youll see when passing by is the Galactic Starcruiser Terminal. There has been a lot of progress on this area, which serves as both the main entrance where guests arrive/unload. (Do note that this is different from where guests will be transported to Batuuvia intergalactic transports.) Workers are getting ready to build out the overhang, and the shape of the entrance is starting to grow.

This is concept art of what the terminal will look when complete. You can already see the geometric pieces in our photos.

Moving further down the hotel, we saw that most of the purple siding we previously reported on is now covered with gray concrete. The rounded metal archway you see is where the intergalactic transports will wait to depart to Batuu. Not much work has been done to this section.

Continuing along, this is where the actual guest cabins (i.e., rooms) are located. Scaffolding still stands, and all the windows have been closed off as expected. Rather than windows, guests will see screens reflecting the galaxy, which will make you feel as if youre really in space.

This makes me a little claustrophobic. But Ive done an inside cabin on the Disney Cruise Line that has the magical porthole screens, so I think I can make it through. But really I wont have to worry about that, as I doubt Ill be able to afford staying here.

Even from further away on a guest road near Disneys Hollywood Studios, you can see the hotels theming in the distance.

The immersive, all-inclusiveStar Wars: Galactic Starcruiser experience opens in 2021.

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PHOTOS: Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser Guest Cabins Fully Enclosed in Preparation for Interior Screen Installation; Latest Work on Arrival Terminal...

Garage door replacement among highest return on investment

REMODELING Magazine released its 33rd annual Cost vs. Value Report that found exterior improvement projects yield the greatest return on investments. In fact, nine of the 10 leading investments were exterior home improvements, with the exception of a minor kitchen remodel. The leading returns were primarily siding, doors or decks.

"As in years past, the national averages for exterior replacements outperformed those of larger discretionary remodeling projects," said Clayton DeKorne, Editor-in-Chief of REMODELING Magazine. "Exterior facade facelifts improve the curb appeal and makes a great first impression as buyers approach the home, that translates to real dollars at the closing table which is why we see such tangible returns on that investment."

According to the 2020 report, the overall cost-to-value ratio stands at 63.7%, down from last year, and well below the decade-high of 71.2% in 2014. As in prior years, there are significant variations in return in different regions. The average regional payback for the 22 projects in the 2020 Cost vs. Value Report ranges from a high of 132% for a garage door replacement in the East South-Central region to a low of 40% for an upscale master suite addition in the same region.

The 2020 report surveyed nearly 1,400 full-time real estate professionals, each with a network of more than 100 consumers, about returns for 22 home improvement projects in more than 100 U.S. markets.

Top Ten Cost vs. Value: National Averages

Rank

Remodeling Project

Job Cost

Value atSale

CostRecouped

1

Manufactured Stone Veneer

$9,357

$8,943

95.6%

2

Garage Door Replacement

$3,695

$3,491

94.5%

3

Mid-range Minor Kitchen Remodel

$23,452

$18,206

77.6%

4

Fiber-Cement Siding Replacement

$17,008

$13,195

77.6%

5

Vinyl Siding Replacement

$14,359

$10,731

74.7%

6

Vinyl Window Replacement

$17,461

$12,761

72.3%

7

Wood Deck Addition

$14,360

$10,355

72.1%

8

Wood Window Replacement

$21,495

$14,804

68.9%

9

Steel Entry Door Replacement

$1,881

$1,294

68.8%

10

Composite Deck Addition

$19,856

$13,257

66.8%

Principle takeaways from the 2020 Report:

To see the geographic cost vs. value averages and get more information on the survey results, visit http://www.costvsvalue.com.

About Hanley Wood

Hanley Wood, represents the housing industrys leading provider of rich data, backed by Zonda and Metrostudy, and the industrys top advisors for residential real estate development and new home construction. With products and services geared for homebuilders, multifamily developers, lenders, and financial institutions, we provide innovative solutions to maximize opportunities in today's real estate development landscape.

Hanley Wood, Meyers Research, Zonda, Metrostudy and the company logo, are trademarks of Meyers Research, LLC and/or its subsidiaries.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200121005901/en/

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Media Contact Alyson AustinEmail: alyson@gaffneyaustin.com Phone: 949-403-0484

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Cost vs. Value Report by Hanley Wood Details 22 of the Most Compelling Remodeling Projects Across the Nation - Yahoo Finance

Pro Brush Painting and Remodeling has decades of experience in executing painting and remodeling projects. The company serves residential and commercial clients in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. It has earned a reputation for professional work and attention to detail.

According to announcements released by Pro Brush Painting and Remodeling and Jesse Campuzano, the company is the first choice for homeowners looking for a painter Arlington, TX. Qualified and experienced painters can paint walls with designs, patterns, and textures. Homeowners and property owners can expect a first-class painting job with cathedral ceilings, cabinets, decks, fences, siding, brick, and other materials and surfaces. Pro Brush Painting and Remodeling handles deck and fence staining, epoxy floor coating, wallpaper removal, and more.

According to sources, the company is preferred by businesses in Arlington, Texas, for commercial painting jobs. It enables businesses to acquire a unique look that they can market to engender a positive perception with their customers. Arlington businesses that include restaurants, hotels, and retailers are assured of quality work delivered in a realistic time-frame and with no hidden pricing. For any home remodeling, including kitchen remodeling, the company ensures that homeowners have to spend the minimum amount of time out of the home. Its expertise in home renovations includes granite installation, bathroom remodeling, cabinet remodeling, flooring installation, and more. The company offers a special one-on-one consultation for its customers so that they understand everything about the scope of the project, opportunities to save, and the time required to get the job done.

For more information, go to https://probrushpainting.net/

Jesse Campuzano of Pro Brush Painting and Remodeling said, When you are considering a new look for your home, our residential painting experts can create a custom look thats both modern and inviting. If you are looking for an experienced painting team that can complete your project quickly, call our professionals to produce a warm, professional atmosphere, fast. Bring your cabinets back to life and make them more beautiful than ever with our expert cabinet refinishing services. When the most used rooms in your home need a facelift, our experts can create a modern, custom style thats sure to impress. Protect and seal your fence and deck while keeping them beautiful with our professional fence and deck staining services. Dont risk your familys well-being. Let our experts handle the popcorn ceiling removal process in your home. Epoxy coatings are the better option for a garage floor, but there are some important things to remember.

Concerning the company's painting services, Campuzano said, We at Pro Brush Painting and Remodeling are the premier commercial painting services in the Dallas-Fort Worth area! Our team has over 20 years of experience with home renovation projects, which we will use to help you turn your visions of your business into a reality. Whether you just need a few rooms spruced up, or need an entire building repaint, our team of experts has the tools and skills for the job. Our local painters can paint, stain, or refinish almost any structure on your property, such as sheds, garages, shops, decks, and even wrought iron fencing. Let our painting experts help create your own masterpiece.

Contact and location information are available at Pro Brush Painting and Remodeling

Media ContactCompany Name: Pro Brush Painting and RemodelingContact Person: Jesse CampuzanoEmail: Send EmailPhone: (817) 789-5441Address:617, West Main Street, Suite 617c City: ArlingtonState: TX 76010Country: United StatesWebsite: https://probrushpainting.net/

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Painter Arlington TX Residential and Commercial Remodeling and Painting Services in the DFW Area - Press Release - Digital Journal

Arguably, the best way to install lap vinyl siding is to get a professional siding contractor to do the job for you. Thats also twice as expensive as the alternative approach of doing it yourself. Since vinyl siding is only moderately challenging to install, at least on simple one-story homes, lets walk through the process.

What this guide entails:

1. Tools and Materials for hanging siding2. Insulation3. Removing Old Siding4. Quality Window and Door Trim5. Preliminary Steps for Hanging Siding6. Guide for Hanging Siding Pieces7. Wrapping Up

The must have tools include:

via VinylSiding.org

Additional tool considerations:

Materials:

In our DIY guide, we are assuming you are working with lap vinyl siding, or the traditional look of horizontal boards that appear to wrap around your entire home. Vinyl siding offers other variations such as vertical panels, tiles and even a split-wood appearance. The horizontal lap is the most common and our main focus.

With that variation comes two distinct types known as hollow-back or foam-back. Hollow-back is the most common type and offers enormous amount of variation with colors, width of panels, design or profile of panels type of hem line, and thickness of siding. Standard thickness for residential siding usually ranges from .040 to .046 inches.

The thicker the material, the more durable it is, in terms of impact resistance. While these measurements seem very thin, hollow-back vinyl siding is fairly adequate in providing insulation. It scores .61 on the R-value scale. Compare this to say Cedar Shake which scores .9 and is around 10 times the thickness.

Foam-back vinyl siding is ideal for increasing the insulation of your home. Better insulation means greater energy efficiency. Foam-back scores 1.8, or three times the R-value of hollow-back. In terms of all types of siding, this is near the top. To put things in perspective, Fiber Cement, Brick and most Stone veneers are all well under 1.0. Besides increasing insulation, foam-back also enhances impact resistance, generally has less seams, and the foam material (EPS) doesnt absorb moisture.

The caveat is, of course, the added material cost. Hollow-back usually runs about $1.50 to $3.50 per sq. ft. for material. Whereas foam-back premium vinyl panels can costs $2.00 to $4.50 per sq. ft. Siding systems must also account for the additional thickness, which may add to overall cost. And waste of materials gets more expensive going with insulated. The tools for the project are all essentially the same, though youre better off using a circular saw for cuts rather than relying on tin snips.

While it is possible to put vinyl siding over some instances of existing siding, we suggest you remove all the old siding. Working from scratch is the first goal of a siding project. This way, you can see if any portion of the exterior walls needs repairs and address that before new siding goes up. Plus, youll have better ability to put house wrap along wall studs and create a smooth sheathing for all new siding.

Removing old siding can be fairly labor intensive. A professional crew charges between $1,000 and $3,000 for this part of the siding work. The crew will consist of 2 to 6 workers who likely have the experience to complete a tear off in 1 day.

The main tools are: ladder(s), pry bar, reciprocating saw to cut through nails, and disposal bin. The larger disposal bins can be rented and hauled away, but that will run you around $1,000. Alternatively, you could lay out large tarps to you put waste onto, or use a utility trailer. Both these options usually mean multiple trips for eventually dumping of the material.

With siding removal, it is recommended you start at the top and work down. The first step is to remove all items from the house that can be removed, such as light fixtures, address plates, outlet covers, etc. Special care must be used around windows and any trim that is going to be retained. With regards to utility fixtures and electric meters, you have to work around these. A reciprocating saw can help, but you obviously do not want to tamper with any electrical wires.

Then just use the ladders, plural, to have your crew pry off boards, dropping them into the disposal area on your property. Tackle each wall until the project is complete and make sure to clean up all loose pieces and nails.

When installing vinyl siding around windows and doors, J-channel strips are usually placed around all edges to fit the siding and hide your cuts on siding panels. Fitting is also known as butting siding boards into channels.

When it comes to economical siding systems, basic J-channel strips are usually included. These amount to about .65 to 1.5 inches of trim. That works and is functional for installing the siding. But it makes for an arguably low quality project. Why not transform the average, basic doorway into an inviting entry?

Wider versions of corner posts, window and door trim can greatly enhance the overall appearance of any siding job. Such design options as 5 inch lineal, pilaster, mantels and crown moulding are all possible in vinyl siding and add a majestic appearance. That are all functional as well, proving the J-channel for siding panels to fit into.

Typically, a home with vinyl siding recoups about 80% of the cost put into it at the time the home is sold. This amounts to a very good ROI. Adding high quality trim will routinely increase that number. For better understanding on making quality trim work, see this article from Georgia-Pacific Vinyl Siding & Accessories. Going the DIY route allows you to make a conscious decision on the trim you find most appealing and to use it throughout the homes exterior.

In our guide below, where we reference J-channel pieces, you can substitute that with quality trim pieces. Ply Gem provides a few examples of vinyl siding and related accessories.

The preliminary steps for installing siding are measuring, leveling and fastening trim pieces to the house. Measuring and trimming are the exact science portion of the job while fastening trim entails the art and skill that makes for premium quality.

Youll always work on one wall at a time. So first measure length of outer counters from eave to foundation. Similarly, if the wall has an inner corner, measure that vertical line from upper point to foundation.

Next, measure gable lines, or from roof peak on the eave side, along the rake, to where outer corner meets lowest part of the eave. Write these measurements down.

Additionally, measure width of the wall along the bottom edge, at top of the wall where the gable starts and then overall height of the wall from eave to ground.

Next cut J-channel strips based on the measurements for every edge except outside corners. J-channel is what edges of siding panels fit into. Corner moldings also have J-channel as well as the molding that enhances the visual appeal of the overall siding, framing each wall. Next, youll cut 2 corner moldings a 1/2 inch short of the measurements you made for outer corners.

Then prepare to attach the corner moldings. Because these are what frames the siding, it is critical they be plumb, or aligned exactly to the vertical edge of the house. To prepare for accurate attachment, use your level and chalk line to assure vertical precision. Lines on both walls that the corner piece will be attached to is suggested.

Then youll attach the corner piece on either side of the current wall. Start at the top and fasten it on both sides every 10 inches or so. Along the way, double check that you are maintaining straight alignment. Attach the other corner post with equal care.

Next attach the J-channels strips along the roof line. Measurements on these strips need not be as precise as corner pieces. Where precision matters here is mitering of the two pieces that meet at the peak and along the edge of the corner posts. Mitering is as simple as cutting pieces, with tin snips, at an angle so everything aligns with a snug fit.

By this point you should be done with fastening all trim pieces for the current wall you are working on. Additional preliminary steps are for adding trim to all objects or openings along that same wall.

Next youll do trim around windows, doorways or other permanent features along the exterior wall. J-channel goes around the outer edge and pieces are mitered for alignment and to account for proper drainage. Your first go at these areas can take awhile to think the process through. To help understand what it takes, see the video below for a good visual on fastening trim and drip cap around a rough entry:

Final part of the preliminary steps is the starter strip. First prepare the wall with two considerations. Placement of the strip is typically an inch or two above the foundation. The measurement you took at center of the wall from roof peak to foundation will help determine if siding panels will be exact or if youll need to specially cut a piece to make it fit at the gable peak. Sometimes, vertical adjustment of the starter trip can help, but more often youll need to plan on it not being exact.

If the measurement is say 18 feet and your siding panels are 10 inches wide each, then youll be able to fit 21 panels along that wall with 6 inches left over, so the final panel would need to be specially cut. The second consideration is to ensure the starter piece is exactly level.

Using your level, use a pencil to mark off a level line an inch or so above the foundation. When thats done measure exact length of that line to the foundation, and proceed to move down the wall making similar markings at same length. Then snap a chalk line along your pencil markings. Double check that line to ensure it is level.

You are now ready to install your siding panels.

via A2HomePros

Installing siding is relatively easy compared to the first preliminary process. It is time consuming and there are certain caveats to keep in mind. The two biggest are that unlike trim, siding is never fastened to the wall. Instead it is hanging on the wall. When pieces are nailed via the hem line, you will never want to make it so the panel cant slide left to right.

Vinyl siding needs allowance to expand and contrast due to temperature changes. So nails are hammered straight (never at an angle) and a gap of 1/8th inch is left between panel and nail head.

The second major caveat is that pieces are always cut short. Youll always want to measure each piece before cutting, and not assume that your corner posts are 100% accurate. So, if width of the wall is say 10 feet 2 inches, and your panels are 12 ft in length, youll cut each piece to 10 ft, 1.5 inches. The exact allowance will depend on what the siding manufacturer notes, but usually it is around a half inch, which translates to a quarter inch allowance on each side.

Now, if your wall is say 20 feet in length and youre working with 12 ft. long panels, then youll need to overlap pieces to have it fit. This is where ingenuity comes in. Overlapping seams ought to never line up as that would be fairly visible from a distance. So, youll cut panels at different lengths to vary the distance at which seams will occur.

Another pro tip is to consider the piece that will overlap on top. The idea is that seams are visible from one angle and very hard to detect from another angle. Pros go with maintaining overlaps that are away from street view. So, panels closer to the front wall go on top. On the front wall, youll make a decision based on which side of the house gets more foot or vehicle traffic.

Once all that is considered, the process of hanging siding entails cutting out measured lengths and snapping bottom edges to lower pieces. The starter strip has its own edge to snap the first piece to, and each piece after that provides a strip to snap the piece above it.

Another pro tip is the vertical adjustment youll give each piece as you work your way up. The hem line is a small gap, but will budge just a little bit, and enough that you can pull up slightly before nailing each piece.

Nails along the hemline can be every 2 to 3 feet, and each time youll want to pull up slightly before nailing the piece to the wall. Ideally, youre using your stud finder to nail along the studs.

Inserting pieces around windows, doorways and fixtures takes a bit of practice and special cutting. Youll essentially want to cut the hemline out and insert the cut portion into utility trim pieces to ensure that those arent flapping in the J-channel on windy days, along the windows edge. Along window and door sides, the process is essentially the same as for corner post J-channels.

When you get to walls with gable ends, youll cut your panels at the angle that matches the roofs pitch. The gap allowance on each side of the panel is still in effect.

When you get to the top, youll specially cut a panel so that there is likely no longer a hem on that piece. For gable walls, youll end up with a pointed piece that cant fit into any channel and expect to stay there, so youll use a small head nail to fasten that to the wall. For walls where the eaves are parallel to the ground, youll use a utility strip to snap the specially cut panel into that trim.

Once the first wall is done, the rest of the job becomes easier to understand and complete. Your first time installing vinyl siding on a home will probably introduce unique situations around every corner, or on particular walls. Its important to take a moment to think things through rather than doing a rush job that has poor results.

Pros work efficiently, but that comes with lots of practice. Its often good practice to pause along the way and take a wider view, checking how the whole wall is coming together. The goal is to align siding that is level and installed with care.

When the job is done, relax and enjoy your new siding.

Some considerations to consider going forward are annual cleanings. See this article for how to go about that. Also be on the lookout for panels needing special attention or repair. Popping panels out is relatively easy and new ones can be put in. Keep in mind, the color of pieces will be different as sunlight will cause colors in vinyl to fade ever so slightly.

Another caveat with vinyl siding is that it doesnt fare so well under intense heat. This is a non-issue from direct sunlight, but a neighbors window coated with Low-E can reflect sunlight in such a way as to overheat, and ultimately warp vinyl siding. This is actually quite rare, but it does occur.

Moreover, if you enjoy cooking outdoors on the grill, be sure to keep that a good 10 feet or more from your walls. Intense heat from the grill will possibly damage the siding if left too close to the wall. Besides, the further you are away, the more you can appreciate the craftsmanship of your homes vinyl siding.

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How to Install Vinyl Siding DIY Guide Siding Cost ...

To install UltraShield composite cladding, you will need to gather some tools, research some topics and perform a few tasks. These include:

As mentioned above, your composite cladding cannot simply be installed on a flat surface. You must install it on joists to allow for proper ventilation. This structure is known as the under construction. Before installing this structure, keep these tips in mind:

Before you install the under construction, we recommend you speak with a licensed professional.

We have so much confidence in the quality and longevity of our products that we offer them with a transferable limited warranty of 25 years. We will even cover the labor costs involved in replacing the materials if their performance is less than promised.

Warmer temperatures will cause your siding boards to expand, and cold temperatures will cause them to contract. For this reason, it is necessary to leave a gap between boards during your installation and you must know how much of a gap to leave. For instance, if youre installing an 8 board when its just 32 F, you must leave a 2/16 gap. If its 68 F, you only have to leave a 1/16 gap. You can?see the full chart?in our siding installation manual.

NewTechWood has been a dominant force in the composite wood industry ever since its beginnings 15 years ago. It has become known around the world for its advanced, attractive and reliable composite wood products.

At NewTechWood, we attribute our success to our philosophy we are committed to listening closely to homeowners, homebuilders, architects and contractors and work hard to carry out their requests and bring their visions to life. We believe our ability to realize our customers needs is in part due to our products wide range of colors and patterns, which allows us to find a look that works perfectly for every project.

Apart from our siding, we also offer a number of other composite wood products that can enhance your outdoor living experience, such as:

If youd like to learn more about our products, wed be happy to speak with you! You can reach us by calling 281-570-6450 or by filling out our online form. If youre ready to install one of our products, you can locate a nearby distributor that sells our products.

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Composite Siding & Cladding | Wall Panels | NewTechWood

Fiber cement siding is not that difficult to install if you have some basic information. One of the most essential facts and obvious is to follow your fiber cement manufacturers instructions that have been formulated based on their product and specifications.

Fiber cement siding must be cut face down with a diamond tip blade. When an irregular cut is needed, a jigsaw equipped with a medium or coarse-grit carbide blade can be used. A diamond jigsaw blade will be useful too.

Make sure the wall or surface is prepared to receive the cement siding. Make sure that the windows, doors, and openings have been flashed all around their perimeter. Also, check if your manufacturer requires a weather-resistive barrier.

Nails used to hang fiber cement siding shall penetrate at least 1 into the studs or the structural framing. Remember that the siding is hard so be sure the nails are located at the right place before driving them. If the cement siding is to be installed over wood sheathing (7/16 OSB or plywood at a minimum), it is recommended to use a 6d nail. Sometimes, if you are trying to drive the nails and you are having problems, you can pre-drill the holes to facilitate the job.

Siding can be installed over wood and metal studs. These studs shall be a minimum 20 gauge, 3-5/8" C-studs. Fasteners shall be flush to the surface material. Do not countersink or angle fasteners. When blind nailing, place nail 1" down from the top of the board, and when face nailing, place nail 3/4" up from the bottom.

It is important that the insulation product used when installing fiber cement siding will be able to level the wall and align each siding panel properly. When you add insulation to the siding, the customers energy bill will be reduced too, so you might want to highlight this as an additional benefit for your client. Fiber cement siding should be installed over plywood, OSB, or sheathing.

Be sure that the siding installed is dry. Otherwise, it might shrink at butt joints. When sheathing is the preferred surface that will receive the fiber cement siding or any other fragile substrate, be sure to pre-drill the holes at corners to prevent accidental damages. Building codes will usually require installing siding over water-resistant barriers and nailed into the studs every 16 or 24 inches.

When installing fiber cement siding be sure to leave at least clear space between the siding and the flashing vertical siding should be installed and attached to the structural framing when a non-structural sheathing, gypsum board or foam-type sheathing are used.

When you are getting close to the final grade, leave at least 6" between the bottom of the siding and finish grade, and a minimum of 1 above rooflines and decks. Fiber cement siding shall have a 1/8" gap between trims of windows and doors. If you need to cut cement siding a 100% acrylic latex primer must be used to reseal the surface. Install all butt ends and joints in contact with one another.

Be sure to caulk, paint, or finish fiber cement siding following manufacturer's recommendation. By doing this, you will be making sure that the siding is ready to withstand changing weather conditions. Caulk around windows, doors, trims, and self-flashing penetrations.

Fiber cement siding should be kept covered while not been installed on a clean, flat and leveled surface. The siding must be protected from direct exposure to weather that could damage the cement siding before it is installed. If you need to move siding pieces, be sure to carry them by their narrow edge and support it when you cut larger pieces.

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Fiber Cement Siding Installation Tips

Royal Building Products, a Westlake company, will celebrate 50 years as a leading manufacturer of exterior building products, as well as the launch of new products and colors at the 2020 NAHB International Builders Show (IBS) in Las Vegas, Nevada on January 21-23, 2020.

Royal Building Products traces its roots to Canada, where it was founded as Royal Plastics in Toronto, Ontario in 1970. Today, Royal Building Products is the largest extruder of cellular PVC components in North America, where it is known as a leader in design, best-in-class manufacturing and industry-leading innovation in the exterior building products category.

"With 50 years of innovation under our belts, we truly understand the unique challenges of our customers, including contractors, architects and builders," said Steve Booz, vice president, marketing, Royal Building Products. "This milestone demonstrates our commitment to those key stakeholders. They trust us to continue manufacturing the best building products in the industry and are the reason we can confidently look ahead to the next 50 years."

Royal will launch Atlas Stone Composite Stone Panels, as well as several new colors in Cedar Renditions and vinyl shake at the NAHB 2020 IBS. Attendees are encouraged to visit Royals booth #N913 to learn more about Royals extensive product lines.

PRODUCT HIGHLIGHTS

New! Atlas Stone Composite Stone Panels

Available in February 2020, Royal launches Atlas Stone Composite Stone Panels. Atlas Stone boasts a contemporary stacked profile and selection of neutral to bold shades, making it the perfect exterior element for homes ranging from Ranch to Craftsman to Contemporary. With SandGrit technology, which replicates the texture of real stone, Atlas Stone panels are lightweight, durable and easy to install, demanding very little maintenance.

Atlas Stone is finished with a fade-resistant Kynar coating and able to withstand all weather conditions and climates. The product is backed by Royals industry-leading 50-year warranty.

Celect Canvas Unpainted Cellular Siding

Royal will feature Celect Canvas Unpainted Cellular Siding, an unpainted version of its industry-leading cellular composite siding that launched in June 2019. Celect Canvas features the same woodgrain aesthetics and low-maintenance benefits of the prefinished cellular siding offering, plus the ability to customize the color using thousands of exterior vinyl-safe paint shades that fall within the recommended light reflectance (LRV) rating of 50 and above.

Celect Canvas is available in 7" Clapboard, Board & Batten and 7" Shake. All Celect Cellular Siding offerings feature a patented interlocking seam design, which keeps moisture out and virtually eliminates seams.

Celect Cellular Composite Siding

Celect Siding replicates the beauty and aesthetics of wood while remaining low maintenance and durable for a lifetime. Celects profiles7" Smooth, 7" Clapboard, 7" Shake and Board & Battenare available in 15 fade-resistant colors and feature a patented interlocking seam design, which keeps moisture out and almost completely eliminates seams.

Royal will also showcase Celect Mounting Blocks, which are crafted from the same state-of-the-art cellular materials as Celect premium siding, and effortlessly combine form and function. Available Celect mounts include Standard Mount, Recessed Split Mount, Universal Block, Gang Block, Electrical Mount and Gable Vent.

Zuri Premium Decking by Royal

Zuri Premium Decking combines the natural beauty of exotic hardwood with unsurpassed durability and exceptionally low maintenance requirements to create a one-of-a-kind outdoor living environment. Zuri is available in Square Boards and in Grooved Boards, which offer a truly hidden fastener application with pre-threaded screws for fast installation. Zuri Grooved Boards are offered with a 3/32" spacing or a 3/16" gap.

New at IBS 2020, Royal will also launch Zuri Fascia boards in 8" and 12" profiles.

All of the Zuri products are available in Chestnut, Walnut, Pecan, Brazilia and Weathered Gray, and are backed by a 25-year Color Fastness Warranty against color shifting.

Cedar Renditions by Royal Design Series

Launched to the U.S. market in 2019, the Cedar Renditions Design Series is a sleek and modern accent siding, providing exceptional curb appeal without the maintenance or flammability issues of wood. LEED compliant and 100% recyclable, the Design Series combines durable, thicker gauge aluminum, wider board contemporary wood aesthetics and streamlined looks.

Story continues

In 2020, Royal adds a new premium color, Grey Oak, and a new traditional color, Spanish Moss, to its 6" Cedar Renditions Design Series aluminum siding profiles available in the U.S.

Royal Spec Series Trim

Designed to pair with any type of siding, including Celect, vinyl, fiber cement, and engineered wood, Spec Series Trim is a lightweight and easy to install accessory featuring a 5/8" board-like appearance, 2" deep pocket and 3/4" pocket width. It has a factory-finished resin coating, and components are available in outside corner post, inside corner post and wide-faced trim.

New Colors! Royal Building Products and Exterior Portfolio Vinyl Siding

Royal Vinyl products featured at IBS 2020 will include Haven Insulated Siding, Estate, and Portsmouth Shake & Shingles. Exterior Portfolio products will include CraneBoard Solid Core Siding, Market Square and Portsmouth Shake & Shingles.

Six new trending colors have been added to the Portsmouth Shake & Shingle line: Sedona Shadow, Mountain Ash, and Rustic Gray. Under Weathered, the new colors are Cottonwood, Aged Pewter and Stonehedge.

All Royal and Exterior Portfolio siding products are backed with an industry-leading warranty, as well as Chromatix technology color protection, which warrants the products to as low as three Hunter units of fade, keeping dark shades true. The Royal booth will also showcase its Triple 3-1/3" Soffit, which is available for both Exterior Portfolio and Royal lines.

Royal Building Products PVC Column Wraps

New at IBS 2020, Royal introduces a tapered version of its PVC Column Wraps. Royals Column Wraps feature a unique "clam shell" design with three pre-assembled sides that surround the existing post for a quick installation and seamless appearance. The fourth side is applied to enclose the entire column. Made from 100% cellular polyvinyl chloride (PVC), Royals Column Wraps are resistant to moisture, preventing issues found in traditional wood columns, such as warping, rotting and insect damage. The Column Wraps come ready-to-install in a White or Sand Dune finish but can also be painted to complement a homes exterior color palette. Royal Column Wraps are available in Traditional, Craftsman and Builder styles.

Royal Conceal Trim System

Made for building professionals who appreciate easy installation and style-forward design, the Conceal system offers accessories to cover every seam and complement every kind of Royal siding and exterior material. Made from 100% cellular PVC, Conceal products have no exposed seams, are moisture and termite proof, and feature a "True Square" edge design for clean installation.

Royal SurEdge Trimboard

SurEdgeTM Trimboard can be used in countless ways to trim a home and add long-lasting beauty and value. It has precisely defined 90-degree corners that help amplify the curb appeal of a range of home stylesfrom Ranch to Colonial to Craftsman. Installation is seamless and clean thanks to the products perfectly square edges, and all of its building aesthetics come with the time-saving low maintenance of 100% cellular PVC.

Royal Nickel Gap and Shiplap

Royals Nickel Gap and Shiplap products combine interior old world charm with the technology of cellular PVC to reduce moisture concerns, and can be installed vertically or horizontally in exterior and interior trim applications. The shiplap trend is timeless, easily achievable and has applications for nearly every room in the home, such as kitchen backsplashes, bathroom accent walls and mudroom hallways.

Royal Shutters, Mounts & Vents

Royal Shutters, Mounts and Vents are easy to install and effortlessly complement a wide variety of siding, trim and mouldingsmeeting the homeowners and contractors need for design, low-maintenance and durability.

EXTERIOR DESIGN

Design Tools

For those who want to "try it before they buy it," Royal has five online design tools to provide contractors and homeowners with the ultimate exterior home design experience. Each design tool offers all product lines, profiles and colors, as well as product comparisons, larger images, expert designers top color combinations and preselected color palettes. The three siding design tools also include good, better and best trim options, as well.

Royals online design tools include:

LiveAbode

A comprehensive guide for exterior design and outdoor living inspiration, LiveAbode is a Royal Building Products online publication that offers the latest trends, tips, DIYs and style advice to homeowners. Featuring content from Royals experts and regular contributors, LiveAbode is an unmatched resource for homeowners, designers and contractors throughout the U.S. and Canada.

About Royal Building Products

Royal Building Products, a Westlake Chemical company (NYSE: WLK), manufactures and distributes leading materials for the home remodeling, building and construction markets. For 50 years, the companys commitment to quality, innovation and customer relationships has attracted the loyalty of a growing number of building professionals, homeowners, architects, engineers and distributors to its products. With operations throughout Canada and the United States, Royal Building Products offers the renovation, remodeling and new construction industries a broad range of innovative products, including siding, trim, accessories, soffit, rainware, mouldings and decking. For more information, please visit http://www.royalbuildingproducts.com. Follow us on LinkedIn and Instagram and "Like" us on Facebook.

Disclaimer:

The information presented is made available solely for general information purposes. All sales of Royal Building Products trim, mouldings, siding, and other exterior building products are subject to Royal Building Products standard terms and conditions of sale, which are available upon request. Royal Building Products makes no other warranty, express or implied, including, but not limited to, any warranty of merchantability or fitness for particular purpose. Royal Building Products and the Royal Building Products logo are registered trademarks of Royal Building Products (USA) Inc.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200121005627/en/

Contacts

Kriss SwintRoyal Building Products614-754-3455kswint@royalbp.com

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Royal Building Products Celebrates 50 Years of Building and Staying Power with Innovative New Products at the 2020 International Builders Show (IBS) -...

The Insight Partners published an Exclusive report on Fiber Cement Siding Market delivering key insights and providing a competitive advantage to clients through a detailed report. The report contains 150 pages which highly exhibits on current market analysis scenario, upcoming as well as future opportunities, revenue growth, pricing and profitability.

It is unaffected by both heat and flame, ecofriendly in nature and does not support the growth of molds are the major drivers which help in surging the growth of this market whereas installation of fiber cement siding is costly which may act as a restraining factor. Increasing demand from construction professionals for the product features of fiber cement will create new opportunities for this market in the coming years.

Request a sample of this premium report at:https://www.theinsightpartners.com/sample/TIPTE100001095/

Key Players

1. Etex Group NV2. James Hardie Industries PLC3. Evonik Industries AG4. Compagnie De Saint Gobain SA5. Toray Industries Inc6. CSR Limited7. The Siam Cement Public Company Limited8. NICHIHA Co.,Ltd9. Plycem Corporation10. Cembrit Holding A/S

Global Fiber Cement Siding Market which has been compiled after an in-depth analysis of the market trends prevailing across five geographies (North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Middle-East and Africa, and South America). Various segments of the market such as type/components/ application/industry verticals/ end-users are analyzed with robust research methodology which includes three step process starting with extensive secondary research to gather data from company profiles, global/regional associations, trade journals, technical white papers, paid databases etc. followed by primary research (interviews) with industry experts/KOLs to gain their insights and views on current scenarios and future scope of the market as well as validating the secondary information, further internal statistical model is used to estimate the market size and forecasts till 2027.

Fiber cement siding is a construction material used for covering the exterior of residential and commercial buildings. It consist of a mixture which includes sand, portable cement, fly ash and cellulosic fiber. When combined, these materials make a highly durable product which offers resistance to water and provides warranty coverage for about 30-50 years. There are various types of fiber cement siding available in the market namely clapboard, shingles and stone or stucco.

Fiber Cement Siding Market Global Analysis to 2027 is an expert compiled study which provides a holistic view of the market covering current trends and future scope with respect to product/service, the report also covers competitive analysis to understand the presence of key vendors in the companies by analyzing their product/services, key financial facts, details SWOT analysis and key development in last three years. Further chapter such as industry landscape and competitive landscape provides the reader with recent company level insights covering mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, collaborations, new product developments/strategies taking place across the ecosystem. The chapters also evaluate the key vendors by mapping all the relevant products and services to exhibit the ranking/position of top 5 key vendors.

Ask for a discount on this report @https://www.theinsightpartners.com/discount/TIPTE100001095/

Table of Contents1. Introduction 402. Global Fiber Cement Siding Market Key Takeaways 423. Global Fiber Cement Siding Market Market Landscape 454. Global Fiber Cement Siding Market Key Market Dynamics 585. Global Fiber Cement Siding Market Analysis 636. Fiber Cement Siding Market Global Regulatory Scenario 687. Global Fiber Cement Siding Market Analysis By Product 768. Global Fiber Cement Siding Market Analysis By Application 1069. Global Fiber Cement Siding Market Analysis By End User 11510. North America Fiber Cement Siding Market Revenue and Forecasts to 2027 11811. Europe Fiber Cement Siding Market Revenue and Forecasts to 2027 14112. Asia Pacific Fiber Cement Siding Market Revenue and Forecasts to 2027 16313. Middle East and Africa Fiber Cement Siding Market Revenue and Forecasts to 2027 18614. South and Central America Fiber Cement Siding Market Revenue and Forecasts to 2027 20815. Fiber Cement Siding Market Industry Landscape 22016. Fiber Cement Siding Market Key Company Profiles 22617. Appendix 267

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Fiber Cement Siding Market to show impressive growth of CAGR during the period 2020-2027 - Bulletin 99

Because it holds a 49% share of the e-commerce market, when Amazon speaks, its vendors listen. Thats why, when Bullet Tools, of Hayden, ID, a manufacturer of fixed-blade cutting tools for the construction industry, needed to redesign its packaging for a product sold on Amazon, it made sure to meet the online retailers new requirements for minimal, protective, and sustainable packagingespecially with financial penalties hanging in the balance.

Bullet Tools, as its tagline explains, offers Cutting-Edge Solutions for Tradesmen. This includes flooring, siding, and insulation cutters, along with blades and accessories. Its point of differentiation is that its cutters allow for dust-free installation. In particular, unlike its competitors tools, Bullets EZ Shear Laminate Flooring Cutter does not produce a (potentially deadly) cloud of silica dust, which means installers can use it to cut flooring without the need for vacuums, filters, or breathing protection.

Despite the innovative nature of the tool, Bullet was finding it difficult to get the product in front of potential customers. Selling the EZ Shear through Amazon offered the company a way to increase exposure and sales. But it soon realized that using the same packaging for online sales as it did for retail did not provide the needed product protection, and was costly and labor intensive to assemble.

In redesigning the packaging, Bullet worked with packaging supplier Multifab Packaging and protective packaging manufacturer Great Northern Laminations. The resulting shipper reduces corrugated materials and costs, provides greater product protection, is easy to assemble, andmost importantlymeets Amazons Frustration-Free Packaging (FFP) requirements.

Product protection for online sales

Bullet Tools cutters are sold by dealers at retail locations across the U.S. and worldwide, but it was e-commerce that really helped grow sales of the companys EZ Shear cutter. Getting our EZ Shear Laminate Flooring Cutter on the Internet means that when people search how to cut hardwood, our cutters come up, says Joshua Brand, Bullet Tools Purchasing & Inventory Manager. Since Amazon is the third most popular search engine in the world, having our products listed and reviewed there has created customers who might not otherwise know about Bullet Tools and has spurred tremendous growth.

While its cutter was a hit online, its packaginga double-wall corrugated case with insertswasnt. The EZ Shear is designed New packaging for Bullet Tools flooring cutter uses two laminated paperboard edge protectors riveted together that are placed into the bottom of the case for product protection.with a hefty blade and cutting mechanism located on one side, with the rest of the tool comprising a lightweight table for feeding product under the blade. Picture something akin to a paper cutter, but much larger. Having the majority of the weight on one side created challenges, as the feet and corners often broke through the packaging. Not only that, but as volumes rose, the packaging system became too costly, time consuming, and labor intensive. A new packaging design would need to address these issues, as well as be certified to meet Amazons packaging requirements.

In September 2018, Bullet Tools, along with thousands of other North American companies, was notified by Amazon that it was rolling out a new incentive program (see article in Packaging World, "Amazon's New Sustainable Packaging Program Puts the Customer First") that it explained was designed to drive more sustainable packaging in order to reduce waste and damage and delight customers. The announcement advised vendors they would need to design their packaging to meet Amazons Frustration-Free Packaging Program Certification Guidelines by Aug. 1, 2019 or face a chargeback of $1.99 per unit.

Amazons Vendor Incentive Program applies to all items larger than 18 x 14 x 8 in. or 20 lb or morespecifications that definitely describe Bullets productsand requires that their packaging is designed and certified as Tier 1 FFP or Tier 2 Ships In Own Container (SIOC). According to Amazon, That means theyll be right sized, protective against damage, ready-to-ship without the need for additional packaging, and ideally easy to open and recyclable.

Recognizing the importance of their Amazon sales and the negative impact of using packaging that frustrates the consumer, Bullet Tools turned to Shane Lynch, Account Manager at Multifab. Lynch asked Bullet Tools what their number-one goal was for redesigned packaging, and they responded that it was impact protection for the head of the tool.

Custom engineered solution cuts packaging costs

To help redesign the EZ Shear packaging to protect the product while meeting Amazons requirements, Lynch reached out to Great Northern Laminations, a provider of corner and edge protection solutions and a member the Amazon Packaging Support and Supplier Network (APASS) since January 2019. The APASS network is made up of packaging designers, suppliers, and labs that have received guidance from Amazon to help test, design, and supply packaging in line with its packaging certifications.

Lynch approached Great Northern with an eye toward using a custom version of its PF PalletTop product as a potential solution. PF PalletTop pallet edge protectors were designed to provide an alternative to traditional wooden pallet tops to help stabilize and unitize pallet loads while protecting them from shipping and strapping damage.

To package the product, the operator loads the cutter into the PF PalletTop edge protector, and then loads the product with protector into the shipping case.PF PalletTop is made by riveting two pieces of Great Northerns notched VBoard laminated paperboard edge protectors together to form a square or rectangular shape to fit the tops, sides, or bottoms of palletized loads. According to the supplier, PF PalletTops are much lighter and less bulky than wooden pallet tops, are easier for employees to handle, and are less costly to ship. In addition, it says, the hinged construction of the PF PalletTop allows it to fold for efficient storage and then unfold for application to the pallet.

Together, Multifab and Great Northern reengineered the PF PalletTop for use by Bullet Tools. PF PalletTop was a product we used for brick-and-mortar packaging, but were changing the way we use it because e-commerce is changing the way people shop, and we needed to create packaging to meet their expectations, says Greg Seidel, Laminations Account Manager.

With e-commerce, protection is so important because there are typically more touchpoints and opportunities for damage before it reaches the customer, he adds. It can literally go from manufacturer to distribution center to transfer point to shelf then off the shelf to conveyor to truck to customer. This is in comparison to traditional shipping, where it just goes from distribution center to truck to store to customer.

With the reengineered version, a PF PalletTop edge protector is inserted directly into the bottom of the box, rather than on the outside, as is the case with the original product, to provide extra protection for the cutter. Notes Lynch, The PalletTop successfully reinforces the corners of the package, especially the heavier end. It has allowed the customer to go from a 51 ECT [Edge Crush Test] double-wall corrugated box to a 44 ECT single-wall box, has eliminated all the corrugated inserts, and has reduced material costs by 40 percent.

Adds Brand, This solution stops the product from breaking through standard boxes without any extra assembly time. Its cost-efficient, easy to store, and looks nice for the end user.

An additional benefit to the new e-commerce packaging, which Bullet Tools is now using for retail as well, is its sustainability. The edge protector is made out of 100% recycled material and is 100% recyclable. Because the new packaging for the EZ Shear was minimal and sustainable, Bullet Tools easily passed Amazons Frustration-Free Packaging ISTA 6 Amazon SIOC Tier 2 certification testing. Says Brand, We are 100-percent satisfied with the new packaging solution, and Amazon is completely satisfied as well.

Read more about Amazon's Vendor Incentive Program and E-commerce in these Packaging World articles:

Amazon's Vendor Incentive Program, Nine Months In

New E-Commerce Packaging Group Aims for Two-Way Dialog With Retailers

Survey: E-Commerce Packaging Materials, Pain Points, and Methods

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Less Packaging, Greater Protection with new Amazon-Certified Shipper - Packaging World