Caft-Bilt Brings Holiday Joy

by: Bonnie Squires December 23, 2019
Whenever David Stone visits SpArc Philadelphia, he gets asked the same question each time: How old are you, David? Because the answer lets you know how many years his family business, Craft-Bilt, which manufactures awnings and gazebos, has been providing holiday joy to dozens of people with intellectual and physical disabilities who receive services from SpArc Philadelphia and The Arc of Philadelphia.

This time David’s answer was 34. And as his mother Inger Stone always says, she was pregnant with David the first time the family business provided holiday gifts for 70 people who receive services from SpArc Philadelphia, so this is how she keeps track of the years of this special tradition. Her husband Andy Stone, the CEO of Craft-Bilt, which is now located in Souderton, usually accompanies Inger and the company employees to the holiday party, employees who spend more than a month adding extra gifts and wrapping everything in festive papers and ribbons.

A conference room at SpArc Philadelphia becomes a gift paradise, with each client’s name labeled carefully on his or her stack of wrapped presents. SpArc and Arc staff members accompany clients to the gift room, many being pushed in wheelchairs.

Andy Stone’s sister Debbie Stone, had been a special education teacher in the Philadelphia School District for years before joining the family business. She had suggested a project involving the program participants of the Arc of Philadelphia and SpArc Services to begin this tradition. The company was formerly located in North Philadelphia, the Hunting Park section, near SpArc Philadelphia, and the relationship has continued since the company re-located to Souderton. Continued for thirty-four years!

The annual event involves Craft-Bilt’s obtaining the names of about 70 selected program participants, usually before Thanksgiving, finding out sizes and needs of program participants. Then armed with the list, Inger Stone, wife of the CEO Andy Stone, goes to Kohl’s, Walmart and Costco on several shopping trips and makes all the purchases of sweaters, jackets, handbags, books, toiletries and other items. The employees each donate an additional gift or two for each SpArc Philadelphia client and wrap all the presents in colorful holiday paper and ribbons.

Mandy Gebbie is the Craft-Bilt employee who for years has organized the business staff and their activities. She makes a chart with all 70 names of the SpArc Philadelphia people and posts it in the Souderton factory, and employees who are interested select a name and purchase an additional gift or two for each. One employee gives Mandy a large sum of money and tells Mandy to use it to buy whatever gifts are needed.

Craft-Bilt’s Richard Ball dresses up in a Santa Claus suit each year and delights the participants with hugs and posing for photos with them. Laura Princiotta, CEO of SpArc Philadelphia, the nonprofit governing body of The Arc of Philadelphia and SpArc Services, said that the clients in the Training Center look forward each year to this special celebration. Gift-wrapped presents include practical and useful items, like hats, scarves, gloves, slippers, socks, sweatshirts, fleece blankets, perfume or cologne, shaving cream, body wash, toothpaste and comb and brush sets, as well as jewelry, small stuffed animals, music boxes, mugs, small knick-knacks, picture frames and umbrellas. Any item with an Eagles or Phillies logo is especially welcome.

Craft-Bilt’s Mandy Gebbie organizes all of the gifts and holds a wrapping party at the office, and she also orders several hundred tiny stuffed animals, like Beanie Babies, for Santa to hand out when he walks through the Training Center at SpArc Philadelphia.

According to Inger Stone, the Craft-Bilt employees look forward to this special visit each year, and they enjoy having contact with their special people. The smiles and hugs are evidence of the delight which the Craft-Bilt gifts bring to them. Many of the program participants live in group homes, not with family members. So this holiday party guarantees that they will have presents at this time of the year.

In addition to this annual treat, Craft-Bilt also is a major sponsor of the annual SpArc Philadelphia Golf Outing at Bala Golf Club each September, sponsoring several teams of Philadelphia School District golfing students each year.

Home Touch: Taking a shine to shade

Mary G. Pepitone, The Detroit News, July 19, 2018

Outdoor living areas can have it made in the shade through the use of canopies or awnings. Outdoor areas can be up to 15 degrees cooler when protected from the direct rays of the sun, says Ross Lederer, spokesman for Craft-Bilt Manufacturing Company, based outside of Philadelphia, and maker of patio covers and enclosures.

"Covering a patio or deck with an awning or canopy can have a cocooning feel," he says. "Even though a patio or deck may not, technically, be a room outside your home, it can feel like one when it's covered."

Some may choose to cover an existing patio by building a permanent sunroom, which is a free-standing structure that often has glass walls and is attached to a home with a separate roofline. But for those who don't take a shine to extra building expenses, semi-permanent awnings, shade sails and canopies can be a way to throw some shade on construction costs.

A desire for shaded living areas outside a residence may have been around since there have been rock outcroppings over cave dwellings, but today's patio and pool coverings are both sleek and smart. "Today's patio cover options aren't your grandparents' canvas coverings," Lederer says. "Many times, patio coverings have retractable options with motorized screens that use fade-resistant fabrics."

During the mid-20th-century suburban boom, people began retreating from the front porch to the backyard. Entertaining on the patio and into the backyard became part of a lifestyle that is still popular today.

The patio is a concrete or paved area that is usually located in a home's backyard. While wooden decks tend to feel more like an extension of a house, a patio integrates more with the landscape, because it is built directly on the ground. Custom-built patios have evolved from mere concrete slabs into sophisticated outdoor rooms with retractable overhead options that allow a homeowner to choose when outdoor areas should have a shady or sunny disposition.

Awnings

These shade structures have a framework -- covered with a specially designed outdoor fabric -- that attaches to the home and extends over a doorway, deck or patio. 

While older, wall-mounted-only awnings can have a limited shading scope, manufacturers such as Craft-Bilt have devised hybrid awnings that have a room-sized framework, which includes front legs to stabilize the structure over a patio or deck.

"The top of the awning can be retractable, which will preserve the life of the fabric," Lederer says. "The shade is set on a roller tube, which unrolls at the touch of a button. When you're ready to go inside, the awning easily rolls back up into its housing, which is mounted on the house."

Canopies

For stand-alone structures that seek shade, fabric canopies are a sunny selection. Pergolas are popular outdoor structures with columns that support an often open-roof grid of beams and are an ideal canopy companion.

"A canopy mounted under a pergola saves people from looking like a checkerboard, should they fall asleep with the sun shining through the upper latticework," Lederer says. "Canopies can also be installed to retract or have a Roman shade design that mounts under a structure."

Canopies can be fitted with built-in side curtains, which can add an element of privacy, as well as protection from the sun. A canopied structure can also offer more height clearance than a conventional awning.

Shade sails

Based on ancient ways of using ship sails to shade outdoor areas or sailors in encampments, today's shade sails are a contemporary red-hot way of providing sun protection. Using modern tensile fabrics, shade sails are stretched between several anchor points to create cool covers, says Matthew Dickerson, owner of decade-old Tenshon, based in Mesa, Arizona.

"The idea of using shade sails as a way to cover outdoor areas at home really began taking off when people started to see these in public areas," Dickerson says. "Not only do people recognize that it is cooler under a sail shaded area, they also enjoy its aesthetic."

Instead of having to erect a large structure to shade a pool or patio, Dickerson says shade can be geometrically achieved by using strategically placed poles or anchor points onto which the edge of each shade sail is fastened. When pulled taut, these membranes become hyperbolic arcs soaring above areas that cast shadows and comfort below.

With the installation of a pool or patio cover, it is essential to not only compute the space to be shaded, but to also take into account the time of year and time of day the area will be used most often, Dickerson says.

"The sun is always moving across the sky -- not only from sunrise to sunset -- but also across the horizon with the seasons," he says. "When erecting an outdoor cover, you have to take into account how shadows will change throughout the day, and also throughout the year, for the best results in terms of coverage."

No matter which type of patio or pool cover is used -- awning, canopy or shade sail -- each should be a shadowy segue from the inside to the outside of a house. But, before installation can begin, Lederer says homeowners need to do their homework and check local building codes within their municipality or homeowner's association guidelines, or both.

"Even though these covers aren't technically building a room onto a house, these structures still have to endure strong winds and snow loads in colder climates," he says. "Aluminum or wood frameworks can also be manufactured to be installed on the back of a home in a first phase of what might ultimately become an enclosed porch or sunroom."

For design inspiration in patio covers, go to: CraftBilt.com.

Betterliving Sunrooms Wins National Awards

Three Betterliving Sunrooms dealers were recognized in the 2017 National Sunroom Association Design Awards. This annual sunroom award recognizes excellence in the design and installation of sunrooms, solariums and patio covers. Congratulations to the dealers below on their award-winning sunroom installations!
 
Cortese Construction Services from Depew, NY, was a winner for Existing Sunroom Under $20,000 and Laminated Roof Panel Sunroom $35,000 - $50,000. They were also a finalist for Existing Sunroom Under $20,000. 

      

Betterliving Sunrooms of Delmarva from Dagsboro, DE, won in the Existing Sunroom $20,000 - $35,000 category.

Erickson Construction was a finalist for the Laminated Roof Panel Sunroom $20,000 - $35,000 category.

Congratulations to all three of these dealers!

Betterliving Sunrooms Wins Four 2015 NSA Design Awards

The National Sunroom Association (NSA) announced the winners of the 2015 NSA Design Awards, and Betterliving Sunrooms has won four first place awards in different categories: existing or wood roof sunrooms under $20,000, existing or wood roof sunroom $35,000 - $50,000, laminated roof panel sunroom under $20,000, and laminated roof panel sunroom $20,000-$35,000.   

   
 

Award Criteria
The National Sunroom Association Design Awards recognize excellence in the design and installation of sunrooms, solariums, and patio rooms. Almost 60 entries of sunrooms, solariums, and patio rooms constructed in 2013 were submitted for this competition. All entries were judged on the basis of 1) aesthetic appeal, 2) how well the sunroom, patio room, or solarium enhances the architecture and natural surroundings of the home or commercial setting, and 3) its interior appeal and functionality.
 
To increase the diversity of entries, all sunroom designs were judged by four different cost levels, as well as three different roofing types.
 
National Sunroom Association
The National Sunroom Association is a member-directed trade association dedicated to the advancement of the manufacture and construction of safe, energy-efficient and environmentally-conscious sunrooms, patio rooms, and solariums.

Craft-Bilt and JSB Home Solutions Win 2014 NSA Design Awards

CLEVELAND, OHIO – The National Sunroom Association (NSA) announced the winners of the 2014 NSA Design Awards at NSA’s annual meeting in Nashville. The 2014 Design Awards mark the tenth anniversary of the competition. Craft-Bilt and JSB Home Solutions won in the Laminated Roof Panel Sunrooms – $20,000 - $35,000 category for the Ginnings home.

 

Award Criteria

The National Sunroom Association Design Awards recognize excellence in the design and installation of sunrooms, solariums, and patio rooms. Almost 60 entries of sunrooms, solariums, and patio rooms constructed in 2013 were submitted for this competition. All entries were judged on the basis of 1) aesthetic appeal, 2) how well the sunroom, patio room, or solarium enhances the architecture and natural surroundings of the home or commercial setting, and 3) its interior appeal and functionality.
 
To increase the diversity of entries, all sunroom designs were judged by four different cost levels, as well as three different roofing types.
 
National Sunroom Association
 
The National Sunroom Association is a member-directed trade association dedicated to the advancement of the manufacture and construction of safe, energy-efficient and environmentally-conscious sunrooms, patio rooms, and solariums.

Sunrooms Bring Tax Breaks and Energy Savings

May 13, 2010 – Cleveland, Ohio - Homeowners can be eligible to receive up to $1,500 in tax credits by adding a sunroom with qualified components, according to the National Sunroom Association. The tax credits are available through the extension of the "American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009," in which homeowners can receive the tax credit with the purchase of qualifying roofs, windows, doors and skylight products. Qualifying windows, doors, and skylights have reflective coatings that further enhance their insulating performance that can reduce energy bills by up to 15 percent for years to come while at the same time helping protect the environment.

Tony Bouquot, president of the National Sunroom Association, says sunrooms also deliver several other benefits.

• An all-year sunroom lets homeowners enjoy the beauty of their surroundings without exposure to the elements
• An engineered sunroom can be installed with minimal disruption to your home in only a couple of days, compared to traditional construction which can take months.
• In a tough economic climate, sunrooms can be surprising affordable. Available in many price options and designs, the typical cost is between $15,000 and $25,000.

"There's a big misconception on the price of a sunroom," says NSA's Bouquot. When surveyed, homeowners felt that the cost of a sunroom was between $50,000 and $70,000. "This simply is not the case. Plus, sunroom costs are fairly stable regardless of region."

Besides the cost benefits of tax credits and energy savings, Bouquot says that a high percentage of a sunroom's cost is recouped over time. "A sunroom retains excellent value because it uniquely enhances both the interior living space and the exterior appeal of the home."

The tax credits have been extended by the "American Recovery and Reinvestment Act" through December 31, 2010. Talk with your tax professional to find out how you might be eligible for a federal tax credit under the program if your sunroom project includes qualifying components.

The National Sunrooms Association is dedicated to the responsible advancement of the sunroom industry. The association brings together the industry's manufacturers, design professionals, material suppliers, and installers.

Sunroom Company Brings Holiday Cheer

By: Bonnie Squires

Even in tough economic times like these, the award–winning Craft–Bilt Manufacturing Company of Souderton, maker of Betterliving Sunrooms and Awnings, will carry on a holiday tradition at The Arc of Philadelphia which began in 1986.

On Wednesday, December 17, 2008, at 9:30 a.m., the Arc van will bring Andy and Inger Stone, Debbie Stone, and a number of Craft–Bilt employees to the Arc, including Richard Ball, sun room account manager, who will be dressed as Santa Claus.

Since Debbie Stone, the daughter of the founder and the sister of Andy Stone, company president, had been a special education teacher in the Philadelphia School District for years before joining the family business, she suggested a project involving the clients of the Arc of Philadelphia and Philadelphia Developmental Disabilities Corporation (Arc and PDDC).

The annual event involves Craft–Bilt's obtaining the names of about 70 clients of the Arc and PDDC on Westmoreland Street, finding out sizes and needs of clients who don't have close family ties or any families at all, and then purchasing and wrapping presents for them.

Laura Princiotta, COO of PDDC, said that the clients in the training center look forward each year to this special celebration. Gift–wrapped presents include practical and useful items, like hats, scarves, gloves, slippers, socks, fleece blankets, perfume or cologne, shaving cream, body wash, toothpaste, comb and brush sets, as well as jewelry, small stuffed animals, music boxes, mugs, small knick–knacks, picture frames, and umbrellas.

Inger and Andy Stone purchase the clothing items on the list, and sun room manufacturing employees contribute gifts from the list prepared by Princiotta and her staff.

Employees usually responsible for manufacturing sunrooms become elves for a day, gift wrapping every item.

According to Debbie Stone, sunroom employees look forward to this special visit to the Arc and PDDC each year, and they enjoy having contact with their special people.

Craft–Bilt also is a major sponsor of the annual Arc and PDDC Golf Outing, sponsoring several teams of Philadelphia School District students.

Flooring Choices for Your New Sunroom

You have a wide variety of options on flooring choices. Practically any flooring choice you use inside your home will also work well in your sunroom.

Transform your empty deck or patio into a cozy retreat where you can relax and entertain in total comfort. Sunrooms are a favorite place to relax and enjoy being outside without the hassle of wind, rain or pesky bugs. Sunrooms also make great exercise rooms, craft rooms, TV / Family Rooms or starlit dining areas. The flooring you choose will depend on how you plan to use the room.

Low pile Berber, Indoor / Outdoor or quality Broadloom wall to wall carpeting makes your sun room a comfortable warm place to sit back and relax in style.

Hardwood floors are a sleek stylish choice for an added touch of luxury.

Laminate flooring is available in the look of hardwood or tile without the added cost for materials and installation. Easy to clean and easy to install.

Ceramic Tile offers a more water–resistant flooring choice. Sunrooms opening to an outdoor pool or hot tub may benefit from the easy cleanup feature of tile floors.

Vinyl sheet goods is another good choice for easy cleanups and works well in sunrooms around pools and spas and can work well in craft rooms, exercise rooms or plant rooms.

Retractable Canopy Wows Show Goers

The new Retractable Canopy featured at the Craft–Bilt Manufacturing Company display at the 2008 IFAI Expo held in Charlotte, NC this week created a lot of interest among companies who sell and install shade products commercially and for the home. The Retractable Canopy is new to the US market, and is an improvement over traditional pergolas, which provide only mottled shade and no rain protection.

The Retractable Canopy is designed to provide sturdy, flexible shade and shelter in any outdoor environment. As an application for sidewalk seating for restaurants and cafes, the canopy has the advantage of being both a rain and sun shelter, with minimum obstruction to the sidewalk space.

Pool and spa companies suggested that the canopy would function to provide on–demand privacy for hot tubs, as the structures can be manufactured with side retracting side curtains. The canopies also perform well to shade lounge chairs at poolside.

Because the structure is anchored to the foundation, unlike umbrellas, the canopies can remain open in windy conditions. A variety of fabric styles and colors are available to match any décor.

The Retractable Canopies are sold through authorized dealers of Aristocrat^® Awnings and Betterliving^® Sunrooms. Photos and video of the product are available. Visit CraftBilt.com, or contact Craft–Bilt Manufacturing Company for more information.

Golf Outing ARC/PDDCC Monday, September 15, 2008

Article and Photo by: Bonnie Squires

Northeast High and Lincoln High participated in The Arc of Philadelphia and Philadelphia Developmental Disabilities Corporation (ARC/PDDC) annual Golf Outing on Monday, September 15, 2008, at the Bala Golf Club, courtesy of Craft–Bilt Manufacturing Company, who sponsored the teams. More than 120 golfers participated in the golf outing and silent auction to raise funds for the PDDC art and music therapy programs.

Seen here are (left to right) Northeast High School's Louis Cutler, teacher and golf coach, and student Geoffrey George; Debbie Stone, of Craft–Bilt Manufacturing Company; Lincoln High School student Roland Stucke, of Holmesburg, and Mike Turchi, teacher and golf coach.

The Arc of Philadelphia and Philadelphia Developmental Disabilities Corporation
2350 W. Westmoreland Street | Philadelphia, PA 19140
TEL 215.229.4550 | Fax 215.225.1330
info@arcpddc.org

ARC/PDDC Golf Outing, Monday, September 24, 2007

Craft–Bilt Manufacturing Company, the manufacturer of Betterliving^® Patio & Sunrooms sponsored The Arc/PDDC (Philadelphia Developmental Disabilities Corp) annual golf outing. The day of golf took place at the Bala Cynwyd Country Club in Philadelphia followed by a buffet dinner and silent auction. The proceeds from the event fund art and music therapy for Arc/PDDC clients.

This was the third year for this fundraiser and Craft–Bilt’s third year as a sponsor. Andy Stone, president, of Craft–Bilt didn’t want his employees to lose time from work for this event so he sponsored students and staff from the School District of Philadelphia to play golf on their behalf. This was a great opportunity for the students to play golf and support Arc/PDDC.

Robert Coleman, Director of Athletics / PIAA Dist. XII Chairman of the School District of Philadelphia had informed Andy that three of the students who participated in this fundraiser the previous two years had received full college scholarships to play golf.

SUNROOMS: SHINING A LIGHT ON AN AFFORDABLE PROJECT

National Sunroom Association, Cleveland Ohio…Adding a sunroom is a home remodeling project that lets homeowners embrace the beauty of their surroundings at an affordable cost and with minimal disruption to the home.

"The cost of adding a sunroom is typically less than the cost of conventional construction," says Tony Bouquot, president of the National Sunroom Association. Sunrooms typically require minimal plumbing and ductwork, expediting the completion of the project.

Sunroom specialists can complete a project in a few days, while conventional construction takes much longer, he adds. A sunroom project causes less disruption to a home’s living environment, and workers can generally complete the job in much less time.

Conventional construction costs can vary widely by region. But the cost of a sunroom is fairly stable regardless of region, Bouquot says.

He also says that a high percentage of a sunroom’s cost is recouped over time. "A sunroom retains excellent value because it uniquely enhances both the interior living space and the exterior appeal of the home," he adds.

Bouquot recommends the NSA Web site at www.nationalsunroom.org for consumer information, types of sunrooms and a list of major manufacturers. The site’s Find a Dealer function lets you find a professional sunroom dealer in your area.

The National Sunroom Association is a professional organization dedicated to the respon¬sible advancement of the sunroom industry. The association brings together the industry’s manufacturers, design professionals, material suppliers and installers.

2007 CONTEST WINNERS DELIGHTED WITH THEIR SUNROOM

It really was like a miracle," confessed Sandra Whitby, who with husband Phillip were the winners of the 2007 Betterliving Sunroom Sweepstakes. Sitting in their beautiful new year round sunroom, and looking out on Phil’s magnificent flowers, the Whitby’s recounted the series of events that led to the installation of a Betterliving Sunroom on their deck in Emmaus, Pennsylvania.

The Whitby’s name was drawn from more than 12,000 entries from across the United States. The national prize was a ten foot by twelve foot sunroom installed at their home absolutely free. The sunroom was contributed by Craft–Bilt Manufacturing Company, who sponsored the sweepstakes for its 50 Betterliving^® sunroom dealers. The local dealer, Betterliving of Northeast Pennsylvania, contributed the labor.

I didn’t believe it when they called me," Mr. Whitby confessed. "I entered the contest at the Home and Garden Show. I didn’t believe it was a real contest – I thought nobody ever wins these things.

In fact, when Carl Isaacs, who owns and operates the dealership in the Lehigh Valley, called to tell the Whitby’s that they had won the sweepstakes, Mr. Whitby almost hung up. "I’m not interested," was all he would say. Isaacs then put Deborah Stone, marketing director for Craft–Bilt Manufacturing Company, on the phone. When she added her congratulations, Mr. Whitby still wasn’t sure. He thought it was some kind of marketing tactic. Isaacs invited them to stop by his showroom in Tilghman Square Shopping Center – and the next day, a registered letter from Craft–Bilt confirmed that they were the winners. Slowly, they started to believe.

It took a few months to obtain a building permit and the necessary zoning variance. In May, the workers arrived with the components to build the room. In 3 days, the Betterliving Sunroom was ready to furnish with a soft carpet, an antique Victrola, a loveseat and chairs, and a coffee table. The evening after their furnishings were delivered, the Whitby’s watched a summer thunder storm in the comfort of their new sunroom. "We love it, and the cats love it too," they stated. "We won’t ever think of moving, now.

CRAFT–BILT MANUFACTURING CELEBRATES 60TH ANNIVERSARY

SOUDERTON, PA…In a proud statement issued from their company headquarters in Souderton, Craft–Bilt Manufacturing Company announced that 2006 is the 60th Anniversary of the founding of their business. The company was started back in 1946, the same year that Winston Churchill coined the term "The Iron Curtain" in a speech at Westminster College in Missouri. Harry S. Truman was our President and World War II had just ended. The Chicago Bears won the Pro–Football Championship, St. Louis won the World Series, and Joe Louis knocked out Bill Conn and Tami Mauriello. IBM introduced the first electronic calculator, and AT&T introduced the first car phone.

Craft–Bilt moved into the Souderton area from Philadelphia, when they acquired the old French's Mustard Plant in 1994. The 214,000 square foot factory had stood empty for many years. When Craft–Bilt began to renovate the building, many former employees of French's who lived in the area stopped by to watch the progress. Craft–Bilt Manufacturing is the home of Betterliving Patio and Sunrooms, made famous throughout the United States through their television programs that feature sunroom owners from around the country.

Today, Craft–Bilt is owned and operated by Andy Stone, son of the original founder of the company. Continuing its tradition as a manufacturer of components for home improvement, the company distributes its products through professional remodelers throughout the US and Canada. In addition to Betterliving, Craft–Bilt holds trademarks for Aristocrat Retractable Awnings, PanelCraft building panels, Best Defense Rolling Security Shutters, among many others.

Approximately one hundred area residents are employed at the Souderton location, split evenly between factory and office workers. More than a third of the work force – and about half of Craft–Bilt's customers – have been with the company for more than 10 years.

Craft–Bilt's first orders and invoices were typed on manual typewriters, and computed on mechanical adding machines that didn't total until you pulled the handle. A lot has changed in 60 years time. But after all this time, there are some things which have remained the same. Craft–Bilt's mission – Enthusiastic Employees, Flawless Performance – Delighted Customers – is still operable today.

Craft–Bilt Manufacturing Company is still thriving after 60 years of hard work and dedication by every member of the Craft–Bilt family, caring about customers who helped us reach this milestone.