Publication date: 02/12/2010

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Home improvement show had signs of life

During the past few years, people went to home improvement shows in Metro Detroit just to "kick the tires" because the depressed economy and housing market in Michigan left many folks nervous about spending money on their home. But if the recent Novi Home Remodeling Show held Jan. 29-31 at the Rock Financial Showplace is any indication, people have put off home maintenance and improvements long enough.

In fact, paid attendance for the 2010 show was up 37 percent over last year. Many of the exhibitors I talked with during the show said the amount of foot traffic and the leads they were getting were similar to the good ol' days of 1999.

As always, there were some unique products and displays at this year's show that caught my eye:

Steve Blachford at the Doozy Cleaning Products booth, (888) 851-8500, www.doozy.com, was displaying the new Doozy Multi-Surface cleaner and polish that is water-based and non-toxic and cleans and polishes metal, leather, laminate, granite, ceramic and wood.

Marygrove Awning, (734) 422-7110, www.marygrove.com, had a huge display of its retractable awnings. But the product that caught my attention was the line of retractable, see-through solar screens for windows that help block UV rays and can reduce your summer cooling costs up to 30 percent. These shades can be custom-fit to any size window, and with all the focus on energy conservation and home comfort, they can really help lower energy bills and keep your home cooler this summer.

It won't be long until we will be spending a lot of time on the deck or patio. That's why the beautiful rock garden fountain for the backyard at the Guzman Landscape and Associates exhibit, (248) 446-3440, www.guzmanlandscape.com, made me think of spring. The Northville company offers a variety of sizes and shapes of these rock fountains to fit a homeowner's particular style, space and budget.

I have often talked about the value of a central vacuum system for homes. Sterling Central Vacuum, (734) 748-5473, www.sterlingcentralvacuum.com, was exhibiting the Cyclo-Vac central vacuum system that features a retractable hose of up to 50 feet in length that you access through an attractive wall outlet. The 50-foot length is sufficient for an entire floor of most homes, and the vacuum canister can be hidden in a closet or the basement.

One of the most unique displays at the show was the actual cut-away roof that Kearns Brothers, (888) 355-6700, www.kearnsbrothers.com, featured in their exhibit to give attendees a look at the roof structure, insulation and roofing shingles. The company also was giving away copies of an educational DVD, "Consumer's Guide to Avoiding Roofing Disasters," developed by one of the premier roof shingle manufacturers, GAF-Elk.

Back-up power systems are becoming more popular and affordable, and Mike Bratcher of Bratcher Electric, (734) 722-0037, www.bratcherelectric.com, had two back-up units from Kohler in his exhibit. They included a 12 kilowatt generator and a more powerful 17 kilowatt version that can run a central air conditioning unit and many other home appliances at the same time. These units can run on either LP or natural gas and are very quiet compared to standard generators.

Michigan-based National Block, (734) 721-4056, www.nationalblock.com, introduced their Hy-lite acrylic blocks as a replacement for glass block in doors, walls and windows. Up to 75 percent lighter than glass, there is no grouting required and they are mold and mildew resistant and water tight. The Hy-lite acrylic blocks are also rated an Energy Star product.

So if you went to the show and are planning to have some work done around the home, you should start your projects now so you can get a head-start on scheduling a contractor. That's the best way to be first in line when the busy home improvement season starts. If you didn't get to this show, here are a couple of upcoming shows: The Palace Spring Home & Garden Show, March 20-21 at The Palace of Auburn Hills, and the Novi Spring Home & Garden Show, April 9-11, back at Rock Financial Showplace.

Note: This article was accurate at the date of publication. However, information contained in it may have changed. If you plan to use the information contained herein for any purpose, verification of its continued accuracy is your responsibility.

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