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Construction Marketplace Wednesday, January 10, 2018 1 6 Fortifiber: Moisture Protection from Top to Bottom An interview with Chris Yount, President, Fortifiber ® . CM: What does Fortifiber do? CY: We've been in the business of pro- tecting buildings from moisture problems for over 75 years. By using our simple three step weatherization system, builders can be confident that their proj- ects will be protected from moisture intrusion. They won't have to return to make costly repairs or deal with mold remediation. We give builders one less thing to worry about. CM: How did your family get started in the business? CY: My grandfather, Stanley Yount, start- ed Fortifiber in 1939. During World War II, the company supplied the Allied forces with weather protection for ammunition. The company really took off in the 1960s, when it pioneered the modern weather- resistive barrier with the launch of Jumbo Tex ® Grade D Building Paper. Shortly after, Fortifiber launched flexible flashing, which quickly replaced cumbersome metal flashing. The new flexible flashing was easy to use and cost-effective to install. Today, Fortifiber is a family business in more ways than one. A number of our employees are second generation, so their family legacies have joined with ours. We even have customers that have been with us for two or three generations. CM: What is the company best known for? CY: We are not too big to care. Customers appreciate that we take the time to work with them on the jobsite. They also tell us our customer service is better than most ven- dors they deal with. We have real people that answer the phones and build relationships. CM: How does Fortifiber do its part for the planet? CY: We've been focused on sustainabili- ty for a long time, well before it became fashionable to be 'green.' In the past few years, we have reduced our energy usage by nearly one-third and have a long- standing recycling program. We are com- mitted to reducing our carbon footprint and recently installed 1,786 solar panels on our factory roof in Nevada. CM: What's new for the show? CY: We are pleased to be showcasing Moistop ® Sealant and Liquid Flashing, a product that does double duty. We are in the early phases of the rollout of WeatherSmart ® Drainable, which has 95- plus percent drainage efficiency. We also offer what we believe to be the most comprehensive, most straightfor- ward warranty on the market. We cover materials plus labor for 15 years, without the hassles and caveats of other manufacturers. CM: What does the future hold? CY: We are always working on new products in the lab and with real builders in the field. Stay tuned for some exciting innovations in 2018. CM: Tell our readers something most people don't know about you. CY: I am an avid woodworker. Recently I made a wood kayak frame that we cov- ered with WeatherSmart Housewrap. I just thought it would be fun to see the ASTM D-779 boat test in real life. I pad- dled around Lake Tahoe for hours. I'm always creating something with my saws. Just have to watch out for my fingers! For more information, visit booth #S423. NARI Accreditation – A Hallmark of Excellence By Dan Taddei, MS Ed. BCA, Director of Education and Certification, National Association of the Remodeling Industry The National Association of the Remodeling Industry launched the first of its kind industry specific accreditation program in 2017. Targeted to profession- al remodeling companies, the accredita- tion is intended to define a higher stan- dard for remodeling companies and to signal to industry professionals, as well as consumers, that the accredited compa- ny follows best practices and has actively engaged in a continuous improvement program. For the company seeking accredita- tion, the Accredited Remodeling Company (ARC) credential provides a third-party, unbiased way to differentiate a company by demonstrating solid busi- ness practices that improve the success of remodeling projects and client relation- ships to achieve excellence. For consumers the NARI ARC pro- gram provides assurance that an external organization has evaluated the company and found the organization conforms to sound business practices and is commit- ted to improving its services. Having a third party validation builds consumer trust. NARI accredited companies demon- strate sound business and operations practices and must have at least one employee with specialized credentials – NARI certifications: MCR, CR, CKBR or a Top Tier certification from NAHB (MCGR or CGR) or NKBA (CKD). This not only shows a commitment to profes- sional skills development, but also improves results in client relationship and projects overall. The process to achieve accreditation adheres to an application process and has five main steps. There is no specific timetable for completion. Application Process Step 1: Company Self-Assessment The NARI accreditation process begins with a thorough self-assessment and doc- umentation of your business practices and operations. Step 2: Download and Request an Application Download, complete and submit the "Request for Application" to confirm qualification require- ments are met. Application fees apply. Step 3: Complete and Submit Your Application Once your company is qualified, NARI will send the official application packet, an application number and instructions for next steps. Complete the application, fee and return to NARI. Step 4: Reviewing Your Application After receiving your application and pay- ment, NARI's Accreditation Department will review and update you periodically on the status of the application. They may also contact you with requests for clarifi- cation and/or additional information. Your timely response to any follow-up request will keep your application mov- ing forward. Step 5: The Decision Process When NARI has completed its review of your accreditation application, the Accreditation Board will issue an official notice regarding whether or not your company has received accreditation. Getting your company accredited is a worthy endeavor that builds excel- lence and distinction for your business. Elevate your company's profile and posi- tion in the industry and invest the time and resources into the NARI accredita- tion program. Become better, not bigger. Learn more at www.nari.org/arc. "I never would have succeeded in my business had I not joined NARI, or made the decision to stay committed and involved through continued education and NARI certifications. My most recent credential, becoming an Accredited Remodeling Company, has made every- thing come together and my business more successful than ever." – Darius Baker, Owner, D&J Kitchens and Baths, Inc. For more information, go to www.nari.org, call 847.298.9200, email info@nari.org or visit KBIS booth #S5068. Cost-Effective Surface Protection from Cover Guard Cover guard ® temporary surface protec- tion products are a durable polyethylene alternative solution for protecting surfaces of any kind. Whether hardwood, marble, tile, granite, quartz, terrazzo, carpet, con- crete or painted surfaces, whether hori- zontal or vertical applications, you can count on cover guard to provide lasting protection in general construction, new building and renovation environments. Cover guard is available in both "Flame Retardant" as well as "Non- Flame Retardant" specifications. The Flame Retardant "CG" Series is compli- ant to the NFPA701 standard. Both prod- ucts are available in 10, 25 and 40 mil thicknesses with the CG Blue, Flame Retardant products available in both 36" and 72" wide rolls; the CG2 Orange, Non-Flame retardant specification is available in 36" rolls with the 25 mil thickness available in both 36" and 72" wide rolls. In addition to being strong and durable, cover guard surface protection products are resistant to tearing and puncturing. They are also water resistant as well as resistant to most chemicals and solvents. The various mil thicknesses allow for applications ranging from pedestrian traffic, to use in construction trade areas where tools, job boxes, wheel barrows and rolling stock are commonly found, to more challenging applications where fork lifts, scissor lifts and high-reach equipment are in use. Cover guard utilizes a dia- mond plate surface design. This feature provides a slip- resistant/trip-resistant surface the characteristics of which meet ASTM C 1028. The ease of installation and removal make cover guard a popular choice among construction profession- als. If necessary the cutting, shaping and seaming process are easier than most other surface protection options, saving labor and handling time. As a rolled product both transport and storage con- cerns are kept to a minimum. An added benefit to the polyethylene is that it is washable and often reusable, cutting down on the overall utilization cost, adding to your ROI and bottom line. Cover guard surface protection has also been used in applications within the marine, offshore, aviation and rail industries, all of which add merit and credibility to its use of these systems in the construction industry today and into the future. To summarize, cover guard temporary surface pro- tection is durable, strong, versatile, puncture resistant, resistant to most liquids and chemicals, waterproof, slip resistant, anti-static, easy to install and remove and often times reusable. All of these characteristics create benefits targeted to making cover guard an effec- tive and cost-effective surface protection system worthy of your consideration. For more information, visit booth #S103 or go to www.coverguard.com.