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What properties of decorative sheet vinyl flooring are important to consider when selecting pet resistant resilient flooring? Resisting surface abrasion and scratching, especially from large dogs, is a tall order for any flooring material, not just resilient flooring. Learn how to use the product standard to understand sheet vinyl flooring materials.

Visit http://www.conspectusinc.com/tech-tips.htm to view or download the latest C2030 Pet Resistant Resilient Flooring 12.01.01 and all previous Tech Tips.

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The strength of mortar relative to the materials being installed is critical. Mortar must be strong enough and flexible enough to allow the structure to function as designed. Learn what mortar types are available and what cements may be used in mortar mixes. Each has a particular purpose. Also learn about the two completely different methods of specifying mortar.

Visit http://www.conspectusinc.com/tech-tips.htm to view or download the latest A2010 Choosing Mortar Types 11.121.01 and all previous Tech Tips.

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Medium Density Fiberboard (MDF) products are plentiful and manufacturers are constantly developing adaptations to current building trends. This article compares solid wood standing and running trim to similar products made of MDF, and explores the implications for using both materials. Learn what advantages MDF provides and when it may be appropriate.

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Visit http://www.conspectusinc.com/tech-tips.htm to view or download the latest C1090 Interior Woodwork Wood vs MDF 11.11.01 and all previous Tech Tips.

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Tech Tips received a CSI National Communications Award September 23 at the national convention. Read more at http://www.conspectusinc.com/firm-news.htm.

The code includes two very different requirements for exterior wall water-resistive barriers (WRB). When using cement plaster exterior finishes, ensure the WRB is equivalent to two layers of Grade D paper, and not Type I (No. 15) asphalt felt. There is a big difference between the two. Find out what it is.

Visit http://www.conspectusinc.com/tech-tips.htm and view or download B2010 Cement Plaster Water-Resistive Barrier 11.10.01 and all previous Tech Tips.

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Specifications are important regardless the size, scope, complexity, and dollar value of the construction project. Learn what forms specs can take and how they may be used. Carefully select the form to suit the project. Remember specifications are one of the four documents AIA requires to form a complete construction contract.

Visit http://www.conspectusinc.com and click Tech Tips to view or download Z Specs are Important 11.09.01 and all previous Tech Tips.

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Before You Leave: Play the Secret Word Challenge. Find the secret word and win your own Conspectus mug. See All Game Winners - 25 got mugged last month.

The metal framing industry stopped using imprecise gage thicknesses and started using precise minimum base metal thicknesses. Yet, many A/Es continue to specify metal framing by gage. Why adopt the newer standard? How did Underwriters Laboratories (UL) and Gypsum Association (GA) fire resistant designs incorporate the change?

Visit http://www.conspectusinc.com and click Tech Tips to view or download B2010 Metal Framing Thickness 11.08.01 and all previous Tech Tips.

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Careless practices of preparing the Agreement Between the Owner and Contractor and assembling the Documents to be attached to this Agreement could lead to the unintended consequences of having Procurement Requirements included as part of the requirements for Construction. Learn the differences between procurement documents and contract documents and why the difference matters.

Visit http://www.conspectusinc.com and click Tech Tips to view or download 30 TOC Could Spell SNAFU 11.07.01 and all previous Tech Tips.

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The publication of 2011 versions of the TCNA Handbook and ANSI A108, A118, and A136 addressed the challenges in large format tile installations. This Tech Tips will explore changes in the new TCNA Handbook and make a comparison to our 2009 Tech Tips on the same subject. Be sure to talk with product representatives to stay current with industry trends.

Visit http://www.conspectusinc.com and click Tech Tips to view or download C2030 Large Format Tile Revisited 11.06.01 and all previous Tech Tips.

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This month's Tech Tip, geared toward product reps, is a good start to ANYONE interested in proposing substitutions. Randy makes a few excellent points that would help contractors as well as product reps. In a previous position part of my work was reviewing submittals and substitution requests, most of which came directly from the contractor for various reasons. Depending on the sophistication of the project and the contractor, the amount of information provided was massive to minimal. A very important point for all in this tech tip is that the more work or information the rep or contractor puts in to the submittal, the LESS work the reviewer has to do, and that is essential. When you are inundated by submittals, the most favorable treatment is usually afforded to the most "self reviewing" submittals. Provide all the technical information the reviewer may need to compare specified to proposed, and your chances of success are exponentially increased. Another great point is to understand the specified material and the proposed material and make certain that it is an APPROPRIATE substitute. Many times contractors propose materials that they believe to be similar without the technical information to substantiate the belief. How many times have you heard the phrase, "Do your homework" since high school? That is exactly the point, though. Anyone involved in submittals can benefit from this tech tip.

For product sales representatives, the key to getting products included in specifications during the Procurement (Bidding) Phase is understanding the substitution process and having a product that meets the specifications.

Product Reps: Learn where to find the rules and how following the rules will improve your chances that your product will be used.

A/Es: Hand this Tech Tips to those product reps that insist on ignoring the rules and making your job more difficult than it need be.

Visit http://www.conspectusinc.com and click Tech Tips to view or download 3030 Succeeding with Substitution Requests 11.05.01 and all previous Tech Tips.

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