Homes Plus
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HOMES PLUS JUNE 2015 6 244203015 REMODEL • REPLACE • RETHINK REMODEL. REPLACE. RETHINK your windows. Bliffert Lumber offers quality products from Marvin ® . Call or visit us today to learn more. 548 W. Sunset Dr. Waukesha, WI 53189 (262) 542-6666 www.bliffertlumber.com Marvin Windows and Doors, Warroad, MN 56763 ©2011 Marvin Windows and Doors. All rights reserved. ® Registered trademark of Marvin Windows and Doors 242416008 it comes out the bottom dif- fuser. Since it is so highly reflective, very little bright- ness is lost. This allows it to catch light even when the sun is not directly over- head, but it is still wise to locate it in the sunniest spot. To catch even more of the indirect light from the sun during morning and evening, select a tubular skylight with a prismatic top dome. This dome bends the indirect light rays so they come more directly down the tube into the house. All of the clear acrylic domes filter out the ultraviolet fading rays. The light from the tubular skylight can become very bright, especially around noon. Optional internal remote-controlled dampers are available to reduce the light intensity. Also, an optional small light fixture can be mounted in the tube to provide light, similar to a recessed one, at night. For a bathroom application, a vent fan option is also avail- able. The following companies offer tubular skylight kits: ODL, (866) 635-4968, www. odl.com; Solatube, (888) 765- 2882, www.solatube.com; Sun-Dome, (800) 596-8414, www.sun-dome.com; Tru- Lite, (520) 622-5152, www.tru-liteskylights.com; and Velux, (800) 888-3589, www.veluxusa.com. Dear Jim: I am building a super-efficient smart house. I plan to install a direct-vent gas fireplace. It will be a unique tall design which is difficult to find. Is it diffi- cult to build one myself ? — Seth W. Dear Seth: A direct-vent fireplace is most efficient because the firebox is sealed from the room air. The proper amount of com- bustion air is needed for various fire levels, so it may be difficult to set up the con- trols for a do-it-yourself one. A vent-free gas fireplace is also very efficient and simple to build because it is open. Since the fumes are not vented outdoors, its operating time is limited each day depending upon the size of the room. (Send inquiries to James Dulley, The Freeman, 6906 Royalgreen Drive, Cincin- nati, OH 45244 or visit www.dulley.com.) Dulley Continued from Page 4 ODL This tubular skylight has a dimmer option that is powered by a solar cell panel on roof. It requires no special wiring for simple installation and efficiency.