HOME BY DESIGN: Spotlight on Rolladens

A showcase home under construction on the grounds of the Stardust hotel will be seen by the thousands of attendees expected at this month's Consumer Electronics Show, International Builders Show and Surfaces trade show in Las Vegas.

Built by Las Vegas-based Hilltop Development, the Home by Design is a combined effort of architect and author Sarah Susanka and construction consultant Steve Easley.

Paul Trudeau, president of Hilltop Development, said the home's features are designed to be user friendly. Those features include Rolladen Rolling Shutters.

"I called Rolladen because of the energy-efficiency aspect of the shutters," Trudeau said. "There's also the security that the shutters provide."

Fran Minnozzi, who heads the local Rolladen franchise at 6168 W. Charleston Boulevard, was delighted to comply.

"We consider this an all-star product with all-star participants, and it's wonderful to be included," Minnozzi said. "It definitely takes Rolladen to another level when you consider the attendance for the conventions during the time span. Including Rolladen in this project could ultimately lead to the shutters becoming a part of tract houses in the future."

The show home will feature as many as 30 Rolladen shutters, which are roll-formed, foam-filled aluminum slats installed over doors and windows. Most will be built into the soffits of the home.

Minnozzi said the shutters have been shown to reduce energy consumption by as much as 64 percent, In addition, she said, they reduce noise, as well as sun damage to drapes, carpets and furniture.

Arnold Lopez, manager of residential conservation programs for Nevada Power, a sponsor of the Home by Design, pointed out that reduced energy usage means natural resources are being saved.

"By looking at the kind of technologies that are being focused on (for the show home), we're demonstrating that a better box can be built. This impacts not only the individual homeowner, but the community as a whole. For every kilowatt hour we reduce, we're also saving water," Lopez said.

Bianca Minnozzi, vice president of the local Rolladen franchise, said the shutters also provide security.

"During the summer, I'd estimate that 75 percent of the calls are from residents or business owners concerned about their power bills," she said.

"But during the winter, when burglaries increase, 75 percent of the calls are from people who are either victims of crime or are concerned about the possibility."

The home is under construction in the hotel's south parking lot.

At the conclusion of the conventions, Trudeau said the residence will be moved to a site in Henderson where it will be sold for an estimated $550,000.

Real Estate home