Built-in Vac System Fits Existing Houses
The bigger your house, the more a built-in vacuum system makes sense.
A survey by a building industry trade magazine ranked built-in vacuum systems the fourth most requested feature for those building custom homes.
It may be a great idea for a new house, you say, but what about my 30-year-old house?
Grant M. Olewiler III of Mr. Build Modern Day Built-in Vacuums, 6101 Morelia Ave., North Hollywood, will install a powerful built-in vacuum cleaning system in any house for an average price of $895.
This price is based on a house with about 2,000 square feet of floor area and about a half dozen outlets; larger houses with more vacuum outlets will cost more, he said.
Furthermore, he installs the system without unnecessary cutting into the wall cavity; this is a time-consuming, messy process that can be dangerous if the installer runs into electrical wiring.
“I use polyvinyl chloride (PVC) pipe and always manage to find a closet or pantry for the piping,†he said at a demonstration at his house. “We put the all-steel power unit in the garage in most cases; that keeps the noise level down. It’s a powerful unit with the highest cubic feet per minute rating in the industry so it makes a great deal of noise.â€
The outlets aren’t powered until a hose is inserted--a safety feature in any family with children or pets. A flap closes the outlet off when it isn’t in use.
The system comes with all the attachments that an expensive vacuum cleaner would have, including a power floor brush. I tried this brush and found it extremely effective in picking up lint, threads and all the grit and dirt Olewiler could put on the rug--better than my vacuum at home.
The Modern Day system is manufactured in the San Fernando Valley, so parts and servicing should be no problem. There are other manufacturers, but I don’t know of anyone who installs a powerful vacuum system so neatly and with so little disruption.
The marketing people at Sierracin/TransTech, 12780 San Fernando Road, Sylmar 91342, saw the April 13 column about burglarproofing windows and sent along a sample of their OmniLite glass-clad polycarbonate. According to Sierracin’s Victor A. Stalley, the product features strengthened glass on both sides of a polycarbonate core material.
“This concept eliminates any moisture gathering as a result of creating dead air space without proper desiccant,†he said. “In addition, this product can be retrofitted into existing openings.â€
The sample measures about seven-sixteenth-inch thick and, according to material included, comes in clear, bronze or gray tints. OmniLite is available in thicknesses up to one inch, and is also available in 20-minute fire-rated versions.
Stalley can provide more information. His firm makes aircraft canopies, bulletproof glass and other security products.
Inside the business of entertainment
The Wide Shot brings you news, analysis and insights on everything from streaming wars to production — and what it all means for the future.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
