Innovative products and materials are as important to Jeff Nicholson as architecture or construction. “As a design/build remodeling firm, we do a very thorough investigation of homes before we remodel them,” says the principal of Minneapolis-based Quartersawn. Two important technologies his firm uses for this task are Flir infrared cameras and Ridgid wireless inspection cameras. But he also relies on other important innovations.
For remodeling projects, Nicholson sings the praises of Uponor’s Quik Trak, a technology that allows radiant heating in retrofit construction. “Quik Trak is a product we use a lot to allow us to install in-floor heat in kitchen remodels,” he says. “Utilizing this product we are able to eliminate bulky radiators with their uneven heat for the luxurious comfort of in-floor heat beneath hardwood floors.” The 7-by-48-inch plywood panels are attached to an aluminum transfer sheet and feature grooves for PEX tubing. uponor-usa.com
AdvanTech flooring from Huber Engineered Woods is a subfloor system that combines the manufacturer’s structural panels with its own polyurethane adhesive. “[We] love the stability and durability building in all conditions here in Minnesota,” Nicholson says. With OSB panels and adhesive, the system creates a panel-to-joist connection that the manufacturer says won’t squeak or bounce. huberwood.com
The manufacturer says the Flir One Pro thermal camera is perfect for all trades, from plumbers to architects, who need help on the jobsite. It allows pros to find water leaks in roofs, HVAC issues, or electrical problems, and perform many other tasks. A variety of models are available. This one attaches to a smartphone and uses an app to manage features. flir.com
This story originally ran in the January/February 2018 issue of PRODUCTS magazine. See the print version here.
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