at Allentown's Agri-Plex on Saturday.

Linda Cahill is an avid HGTV watcher. She particularly likes the Property Brothers.

The charming TV duo helps families buy and renovate tired homes. And you simply can't watch "Property Brothers," Cahill mused, if you don't have granite countertops.

She set out to change that shortcoming in her own home Saturday and found a few vendors to choose from at the Eastern Pennsylvania Spring Home Show at Allentown's Agri-Plex. The show brings together companies specializing in custom cabinets, pools and spas and other home products and services.

Linda and John Cahill came looking for ideas to update the 18-year-old brick colonial they built atop a hill in Klecknersville, north of Bath. Perhaps granite countertops, she said. Or a new driveway, he added.

Rick Hauler of Penn Windows, Doors and Siding is used to the kitchen vendors being the belle of the ball. People want a new kitchen or a renovated bathroom they can show off, whereas energy-efficient replacement windows aren't the most glamorous part of home improvement, he said.

While there were signs of the economy's comeback in the people at the show who, like the Cahills, were looking to spend money on renovations, real economic recovery would have drawn crowds to Hauler's display as well, he and his wife, Beth, noted.

After holding off on home improvements for a few years, homeowners are looking to splurge not on practical new windows but on vanity projects, Beth Hauler said.

Back-to-back mild winters were bad for the Haulers' business too, cutting down on the cold drafts that remind homeowners their windows need replacing. More and more, doors have become a larger share of their family-owned business.

"Doors have been very hot," Rick Hauler said.

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Home show vendors say business is slowly rebounding

PELLA, Iowa, Feb. 15, 2013 /PRNewswire/ --Designed exclusively for building industry professionals, THE PRO EXPO Presented by Pella 2013 events are just weeks away and promise to help builders, remodelers, contractors and architects "Get ahead. Get noticed. Get recharged."

The theme of this year's events which kickoff in Detroit, Mich., on Feb. 19 reflects the need for building professionals to have a competitive edge that will help them to compete, and excel in today's marketplace.

"Knowledge is power. No other industry event gives you more engaging learning opportunities than THE PRO EXPO," said Pella Corporation Trade Marketing Manager Chris Dana. "Pella, along with our national partners including Thermador and Bosch home appliances and LP Building Products invites building industry professionals to devote one evening to sharpening their skills and zeroing in on their goals to help drive business success in 2013."

THE PRO EXPO Presented by Pella events are half-day exhibitions that bring local professionals together to learn about new, cutting-edge innovations directly from national manufacturers. Participants can take accredited courses throughout the afternoon to earn continuing education credits. Plus, they can join the conversation during a panel discussion with some of the building industry's most influential professionals, and learn lead-generation strategies.

Attendees also will enjoy free food, refreshments, entertainment and the chance to win great prizes.

Events will be held in cities across the U.S. from February through May 2013 including: Feb. 19 in Detroit, Mich.; Feb. 27 in Atlanta, Ga.; Mar. 4 in Jersey City, N.J.; Mar. 13 in Washington, D.C.; Mar. 18 in Raleigh, N.C.; Mar. 26 in Bridgeport, Conn.; Mar. 28 in Philadelphia, Pa.; Apr. 8 in Boston, Mass.; Apr. 17 in Milwaukee, Wis.; Apr. 24 in Minneapolis, Minn.; May 1 in San Francisco, Calif.; May 6 in Phoenix, Ariz.; May 9 in Albuquerque, N.M.; and May 13 in Dallas, Texas.

Click here for event details in each city.

Continuing educationLeading publication representatives will present educational seminars. Pella, national manufacturers and publication representatives will offer continuing education opportunities for architects. During a pre-event opportunity, attendees can learn about manufacturers that offer contractor programs and participation benefits.

Attendees also will have the chance to win thousands of dollars in prizes, including Apple iPad 2, Apple iPad keyboards, Bosch coffeemakers and Oakley sunglasses. One grand prizewinner at each event can select a vacation of their choice from four options: Las Vegas, Nev.; Orlando, Fla.; Charlotte, N.C.; or Breckenridge, Colo.

ExhibitorsThe following companies will exhibit at THE PRO EXPO 2013 events (in alphabetical order): AZEK Building Products, Benjamin Obdyke, Bosch Home Appliances, ClimateMaster, Hansgrohe, Huber Engineered Woods, Lutron Electronics Co., LP Building Products, MasterBrand Cabinets, OSI/Henkel, Pella Corporation, Progressive Foam Technologies, Schluter-Systems, Sherwin Williams, Silestone by Consentino, Thermador, VELUX Group, Vinyl Siding Institute and Wellborn Cabinet.

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'Gain the edge' at The Pro Expo Presented by Pella(SM) events

While many West Bloomington homes celebrate their 100th birthday one group is taking action to keep those houses in good shape. The West Bloomington Revitalization Project is now offering support for home restoration projects. The group received a 7,500 grant from the PNC Foundation. The restoration program is designed to help homeowners improve safety, curb appeal, value, as well as energy efficiency. With PNC's financial support the group plans to work with at least 10 homeowners this year.

WBRP Housing Intern Jennfier Long says "It really is a great opportunity. If someone you know is looking for a porch or window replacement they do not always have the resources to do so. They can get help with the purchasing of materials and we can help supply volunteer labor and things like that."

Eligible projects include window repair and glass replacement, exterior painting, porches, steps and railings, gutter and siding repair, fences and gates, and landscaping.Renovation requiring plumbing and electrical work will not be eligible for grants, and WBRP encourages interested home owners to meet with them and discuss their proposed work prior to application.

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Old Homes in West Bloomington Have Chance at Revitalization

Now is the time most homeowners think of property improvements. Moreover, most homeowners are looking for the highest rate of return on their investment. According to the 2013 Remodeling Cost vs. Value Report, REALTORS voted exterior projects among the most valuable home improvement ventures.

REALTORS know that curb appeal projects offer great bang for your buck, because a homes exterior is the first thing potential buyers see, says National Association of REALTORS President Gary Thomas. Projects such as siding, window and door replacements can recoup more than 70 percent of their cost at resale. REALTORS know what home features are important to buyers in your area and can provide helpful insights when considering remodeling projects.

REALTORS identified a steel entry door replacement as the home improvement expected to return the most money. In fact, the rate of return is estimated at 85.6 percent of costs recouped at resale. The article information said a steel entry door replacement is the least expensive project in the report at a cost of $1,100 on average.

Exterior replacement projects typically recoup more than 71 percent of costs. The report states, A majority of the top 10 most cost-effective projects nationally in terms of value recouped are exterior projects.

Siding replacement projects landed in the top 10 and include fiber cement siding (79.3 percent of costs), vinyl siding (72.9 percent of costs), and foam backed vinyl (71.8 percent of costs).

Midrange and upscale garage door replacement both are expected to return more than 75 percent of costs.

Why do you think the exterior is important? When that potential Buyer drives up, the house MUST have what we call curb appeal. That very first image is forever etched in that potential Buyers mind! Therefore, the cover of the book MUST express excitement to the potential Buyer!

Nonetheless, the interior absolutely must make an interesting read. According to the report, two remodeling projects in particular can recoup substantial value at resale. Ranked fifth is a minor kitchen remodel. This remodel expects to return 75.4 percent of costs. The national average cost for a project of this type is just under $19,000.

Number two interior remodeling project, also in the top 10, is the attic bedroom. This project came in at number eight and it tied with a vinyl siding project with 72.9 percent of costs recouped. This project adds a bedroom and bathroom, and has an average cost of just under $48,000. Unbelievably, a home office remodel is estimated to return the least at 44 percent.

Mr. Thomas believes a REALTOR is the very best resource for aiding homeowners in the decision as to what remodeling projects will bring the most upon resale for their local market. Thomas says, Each neighborhood is different, and the desirability and resale value of a particular remodeling project varies depending on where you live. When making a home remodeling decision, resale value is just one factor that homeowners should take into consideration. Consult a Realtor to make sure you are making the best decision.

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Exterior projects most valuable improvements

Siding Sacramento (916) 739-0996 | Sacramento Vinyl Fiber Cement Siding Contractor
http://www.DreamHomeWorks.com Looking for a Sacramento Siding company? Look no further. We can help you replace or install top quality siding on your home! We have the largest selection along with the BEST prices! VISIT OUR WEBSITE: http://www.DreamHomeWorks.com Or call us today toll-free 1 (855) 697-3663 Our office is located at: 4181 Power Inn Suite C Sacramento, CA 95826 (916) 739-0996 We specialize in vinyl siding, fiber cement siding, aluminum siding, wood siding and home improvement general contractor services for the Sacramento area. bull; Kitchen Remodeling bull; Bathroom Remodeling bull; Granite Stone Countertops bull; Kitchen Cabinet Refinishing bull; Walk in Bathtubs bull; Shower Remodeling bull; Vinyl Siding Replacement bull; Fiber Cement Siding Installation bull; Replacement Windows bull; Home Additions bull; Room Additions bull; Decks and Balconies bull; New Entry Doors and Patio Doors bull; Custom Cabinetry bull; Cabinet Re-facing bull; Painting bull; Laminate, Hardwood Tile Flooring bull; Concrete Driveways Sidewalks bull; Concrete Patios-Custom Stamp Color bull; Roofing FREE IN-HOME CONSULTATIONS! We serve Sacramento, Roseville, Rocklin, Carmichael, Folsom, Granite Bay, El Dorado Hills, Lincoln, Auburn, Citrus Heights, Fair Oaks, Rancho Cordova, Placerville and Elk Grove. Call us today at (916) 739-0996 or toll-free: 1 (855) 697-3663!

By: DreamHomeWorksInc

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Siding Sacramento (916) 739-0996 | Sacramento Vinyl

New website showcases a full portfolio of tailored home improvement solutions offered by Great Day Improvements for one-stop home improvement shopping convenience.

Macedonia, Ohio, (PRWEB) February 11, 2013

When most people think of Great Day Improvements, they think of Patio Enclosures, but we are so much more said Bill Goddard, VP of Sales. As a company, we are experiencing significant growth and have recently acquired the Stanek Window brand. We wanted to build a website that showcased all of our manufactured brands and home improvement services under one roof, said Goddard. Many people dont realize we specialize in so many different categories including sunrooms, solariums, room additions, replacement windows, roofing, siding, basement finishing, decks, patios, hardscapes and much more.

The new website organizes Great Day Improvements products and services into seven major categories: Home Expansion, Windows and Doors, Wall Finishing Systems, Backyard Solutions, Green Home Solutions, Hardscape Solutions and Commercial Solutions. The site also features the three brands Great Day Improvements exclusively manufactures: Patio Enclosures, Stanek Windows, and SoftWall Finishing Systems.

Steve White, Great Day Improvements Managing Director said, Its helpful for customers to have a centralized website that covers all of our tailored offerings. Our site is convenient, informative and easy to use. At Great Day Improvements, we are truly improving everything we touch.

The new website was designed by Evolve Creative Group who was also responsible for designing the award winning http://www.patioenclosures.com. The company developed a custom photo gallery, which makes it easy for customers to browse, share and save the photos they like most. A Home Improvement Resource Center was also created to help educate consumers with helpful how-to videos and articles. We wanted to create a website that was informative for homeowners and commercial clients alike, said Todd Bertsch, President of Evolve Creative Group. We made it intuitive, easy to navigate and full of information so that a customer can make an educated decision about their home improvement project. We believe this site will elevate the name recognition for Great Day Improvements, while better serving customers.

About Great Day Improvements, LLC

Great Day Improvements, LLC is a residential/commercial remodeler and manufacturer that offers a portfolio of tailored home improvement solutions including: Patio Enclosures brand screen rooms, sunrooms, solariums, room additions, design and build construction and EasyRoom DIY sunroom kits; Stanek Windows brand replacement vinyl windows, patio doors, siding and roofing; SoftWall Finishing Systems acoustically-efficient interior panelized wall finishing system for basements, home theaters, offices, media rooms and bedrooms; Backyard solutions including awnings, patio covers, decks, railing and fencing; Green Home solutions including insulation, radiant barriers, solar shades, window film; Hardscape solutions including decorative concrete, stamped concrete, patio pavers, concrete overlays, driveway /sidewalk installation and Commercial solutions. Great Day Improvements operates across 28 states, is accredited by the Better Business Bureau and has serviced over 250,000 customers nationwide. For additional information, visit http://www.greatdayimprovements.com

About Evolve Creative Group

Evolve Creative Group provides customized award-winning web solutions to the Akron, Canton and Cleveland, Ohio areas. Led by founder Todd Bertsch, the company has won multiple awards for its creative ingenuity and compelling designs. With a team of passionate web designers and developers, Evolve offers a full-suite of creative services including web design and development, mobile web design, SEO, PPC, video production, website usability, email marketing and social media marketing. For more details, visit http://www.evolvecreativegroup.com.

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Great Day Improvements, LLC Launches New Home Improvement Solutions Website

John Andretti is scheduled to make an appearance at the WNC Home Lawn & Garden Show, March 16, 2013 in Downtown Asheville, NC.

Asheville, NC (PRWEB) February 12, 2013

John Andretti will also participate with Window World of Asheville in supporting a fundraiser for St. Jude Childrens Hospital, featuring The Stinger. The Stinger is an Indy 500 Concept car developed by John Andretti, Andretti Autosport and Window World, and signed by over 200 Indy 500 drivers dating back to 1949. The Stinger will be showcased at the WNC Home Lawn & Garden Show and could be one of the last opportunities to see the car. The Stinger is scheduled to be auctioned off this spring with all proceeds going to Window World Cares, the Window World Foundation that supports St. Jude Childrens Hospital.

Window World of Asheville will also be giving away John Andretti autographed 1/18th scale die cast cars throughout the show. Visit booth #53 for details regarding the giveaway.

Visit the WNC Home Lawn & Garden Show, March 16, 2013 in downtown Asheville, NC for your opportunity to meet John Andretti.

About WNC Home, Lawn & Garden Show:

The 38th Annual WNC Home, Lawn & Garden Show will be held at the U.S. Cellular Center in downtown Asheville March 15-17, 2013, featuring products and services for the home and garden. The spring show will feature Antique Appraising by nationally acclaimed Brunk Auctions, Do-It-Yourself classes, John Andretti and more. Visit http://www.wnchomegardenshow.com for more information.

About Window World, Inc.:

Window World, Inc., headquartered in North Wilkesboro, N.C., is America's largest replacement window company with stores and offices in more than 200 cities nationwide. Founded in 1995 and led by CEO Tammy Whitworth, the company consistently delivers value to homeowners by combining quality windows, siding and doors with excellent service at low prices. An ENERGY STAR retail partner, Window World sells and installs more than one million high-quality residential replacement windows annually and has earned the Good Housekeeping Seal of Approval five years in a row. For more information, visit Window World of Asheville http://www.windowsasheville.com or call 828.684.6334.

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“Meet John Andretti, Indy 500 & NASCAR Driver, In Asheville, NC”

NORTH WILKESBORO, N.C., Feb. 12, 2013 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Window World, Inc.(R), America's largest replacement window and home remodeling company, has announced its "$1 Million in One Year" challenge, a national fundraising campaign dedicated to raising $1 million for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital(R) during 2013. Overseeing the initiative is Window World Cares(R), the charitable foundation of Window World.

A logo accompanying this release is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=17115

Window World Cares was founded in 2008 by Window World chairman and CEO Tammy Whitworth and her late husband, Todd. Since then, Window World Cares has donated more than $2.9 million to St. Jude and was named New Corporate Partner of the Year in 2010. Window World has also been added to the St. Jude Corporate Partnerships Wall at the hospital three years in a row because of its ongoing commitment to St. Jude.

"$1 million would make such a difference to the hospital and the kids who are treated there," Whitworth said. "Our Window World family has been so blessed over the years and we're privileged to be able to give back to a cause that really matters."

The company plans to execute a number of activities throughout the year to reach the $1 million goal, both at the national and local level. One of the largest fundraising events is the annual Window World Family Reunion, a national gathering of Window World owners and staff, taking place this June.

The continued donations of Window World customers and stores will also help reach the $1 million goal. To learn more about Window World Cares or to make a donation, please visit http://www.WindowWorldCares.com.

Window World, Inc.(R):

Window World, Inc.(R), headquartered in North Wilkesboro, N.C., is America's largest replacement window company with stores and offices in more than 200 cities nationwide. Founded in 1995, the company consistently delivers value to homeowners by combining quality windows, siding and doors with excellent service at low prices. Window World sells and installs more than one million residential replacement windows annually and its products have earned the Good Housekeeping Seal of Approval five years in a row. For more information, visit http://www.WindowWorld.com or call 1-800 NEXT WINDOW.

The Window World logo is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=15425

Window World Cares(R):

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Window World Announces $1 Million in One Year Challenge

Carl Brewers moment of truth came in the heat of last summer, when a water main ruptured near Galichia Heart Hospital in northeast Wichita.

A hospital without water? Can you imagine that? the Wichita mayor asked. I mean, we were really scrambling. Rolling fire trucks out there, getting the people and plans in place for the quickest fix possible.

That one made it pretty clear: This kind of thing cant be happening in Wichita.

Incidents like that pushed Brewer to drop a bombshell during his State of the City address: The citys water and sewer system after more than a decade of little or no maintenance as past councils sought to hold mill levies and water rates steady is going to need at least $2.1 billion in repair and upgrades over the next 30 years.

Brewers announcement left a packed City Hall audience murmuring as they filtered out after the speech: Wheres that money coming from? Isnt that a tax increase? Will my water and sewer rates go up?

What do the crumbling water and sewer pipes mean to Wichitans? The city is not getting ready to do a $2.1 billion bond issue to fix the whole system at once. City officials have implemented a maintenance and repair plan under the leadership of Public Works Director Alan King and City Manager Robert Layton, and theyre going to do as much work as they can each year.

And no, your property taxes arent going up. Layton said this week that the council remains committed to maintaining current mill levies.

The ongoing work will be paid for largely through capital improvements project money, some borrowing through bond issues and other revenues.

About other revenues: If you enjoyed the days of steady water and sewer rates a decade ago, theyre gone. In their place will be annual percentage increases in the mid-single digits to repair and replace lines.

What the mayor is saying is that if we rely on traditional funding methods through our CIP, our water and sewer rates, GO (general obligation bonding) and cash, will there be enough to take care of the deferred maintenance of the last 10 or 15 years? Layton asked.

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What do Wichita’s crumbling water and sewer pipes mean for the future?

Tanya Brown is spending hours making hailstones by hand, injecting rubber molds with a seltzer-and-water mixture and freezing them. On Feb.20 the researcher and her colleagues at the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety will fire more than 8,000 of the ice balls at up to 76 miles per hour onto a test house inside the institutes facility in Richburg, S.C. We really want to try to mimic Mother Nature, says Brown, whose team chased real storms to measure typical hailstone mass, size, and hardness for the test, which the institute says is the first of its kind. They plan to study what happens to different kinds of shingles, siding, and other building materials under the kind of barrage for which insurance companies dont yet have good models.

Insurers generally have enough experience with hurricanes to predict damage and avoid taking on too much risk. Not so with hailstorms and tornadoes, where costs are increasing. Thats why the institutes insurance-company members are funding the research. Average industry losses for severe thunderstorms in the U.S. have ballooned sevenfold since 1980 and totaled almost $15billion last year, according to Munich Re, the worlds largest reinsurer. The tab for 2011 was a record $25.9 billion.

As storms have occurred earlier in the year, theyve tended to strike farther east, where theres greater population density, says Matthew Nielsen, director of product management at Risk Management Solutions, a disaster modeling firm. The spring outbreak of severe storms in 2011 cost property insurer Travelers more than the deadly Hurricane Katrina in 2005, Chief Executive Officer Jay Fishman said in a statement that year.

With storm damage on the rise, insurance companies are taking steps to limit losses. Allstate, the second-largest U.S. home insurer, began two years ago to age-rate customers roofs. In states like Oklahoma, where severe storms blow through with troubling frequency, the company is rolling out new policies that take a roofs age and construction material into account when calculating the payout to replace it after storm damage. A lot of people would wait until these things happened and file a claim to get a new roof, says Thomas Wilson, CEO of the Northbrook (Ill.)-based insurer. Thats not a fair deal for anybody, because that cost goes through us back into the system. Policyholders can still pay a premium for full-replacement coverage.

Predicting where hailstorms and tornadoes will strike is tougher than for hurricanes because the historical record is less complete and because theyre much smaller and more variable, says Nielsen. Thats especially true for tornadoes, whose paths of destruction often appear random, decimating some buildings while sparing others nearby. Fraudulent hail claims have also been a problem for insurers, Nielsen says.

Insurance Institute CEO Julie Rochman says this months simulation is just the start of research she hopes to conduct that could lead to better building standards and lower insurance losses within a few years. High on the agenda for Brown, the researcher: Automate the creation of the hailstones. Ill be glad when its complete, she says of the hailstorm demonstration. Making ice every day for two hours a day is not my most favorite thing.

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Insurers Fund Storm-Damage Research to Limit Rising Claims