GENERAL
WHAT ARE HB PRODUCTS MADE OF?
At the product level all HB products are built of cellular PVC using a combination of old and new jointery techniques and craftsmanship. Although our roots are in wood, we live in Southern Florida and recognize that harsh climates require low maintenance materials and quality design and construction or they just don’t last. This is why all HB Elements, Columns, Beams, Railings, Brackets, Trim, and more, are made of Cellular PVC and designed for beauty, low maintenance, and long life even in the harshest environments. We use only the highest quality materials with uncompromising care and craftsmanship, and take great pride in our work.
HOW DOES CELLULAR PVC COMPARE IN COST TO WOOD?
While Cellular PVC may cost more in raw materials and fabrication, the quality and low maintenance benefits quickly make it the most economical choice. Cellular PVC will never crack, check, or absorb moisture. This makes it impervious to mold and mildew. It is also impervious to pests.
DOES HB PROVIDE DESIGN SERVICES?
When it comes to design, whether working with a homeowner, architect, or builder, we have the equipment, training, and knowledge to deliver in any style. However, we are most well known for our love and dedication to the British West Indies Architectural style. Many of our clients rely on us for our experience in designing and producing authenticity in this genre. A glance through our portfolio with confirm that no other company has a more experience. Combine that with the highest quality, low maintenance product and you will begin to get a picture of who we are and what we care about.
WHAT TYPES OF FINISHES CAN BE APPLIED TO CELLULAR PVC?
At HB Elements, we offer a wide range of finishes for our Cellular PVC products. You have the flexibility to choose from various options, including paint, stain, or the classic natural finish. Our Cellular PVC is specially designed to hold finishes exceptionally well, ensuring a long-lasting and low-maintenance solution for your projects.
DO YOU PROVIDE INSTALLATION FOR YOUR PRODUCT?
HB Elements can provide installation services in Southeastern Florida. We can also provide training for other installation companies. HB products are simple to install however, we recommend that the work be done by trained professional with the appropriate training and experience.
I LIKE YOUR PRODUCTS. HOW DO WE GET STARTED?
If you have already engaged a builder or architect, we would begin by setting up a meeting to discuss project details and go over drawings. We can jump into a project at any point, though it’s best to engage us at the very in the concept stage. The earlier the better.
GENERAL VIDEOS
RAFTER TAILS
WHAT ARE RAFTER TAILS?
Rafter tails are the exposed exterior portion of a building’s wood structural truss that projects beyond the perimeter wall of the structure. This structural element is secured to the top of the wall or tie beam and then projects to support the soffit overhang. The Rafter tail is typically scrolled and detailed and is a major component of the soffit system in timber frame construction. A rafter tail is also considered, depending on where it is used on a home, as an Outlooker, Outrigger, Lookout, or Tailpiece. These components support the soffit system, cantilever deck, or gable end; all of which consist of tongue and groove roof decking and the fascia or exterior trim board.
If you want to learn more about rafter tails we encourage you to watch this video or head over to the HB Elements videos library.
If you want to learn about the installation process, watch this video
WHAT ARE HB RAFTER TAILS MADE OF?
HB Elements rafter tails are constructed of free foam Cellular PVC. We form these sheets into a limitless amount of shapes and sizes. For increased durability and performance, we use our 1/2″ and 3/4″ products. In addition, we also use a milled 3/4″ PVC cleat custom made and shipped with each unit sold, which gives the end-user first, no need to create their own cleat on the job site and second great durability after installed from storms and extreme environments.
HOW DO I ORDER HB PVC RAFTER TAILS?
The ordering of PVC Rafter Tails from HB Elements is a very simple process that has been designed to create convenience. The most commonly used option is, to email us a PDF set of plans of your home, then call and discuss with one of our representatives. You may also pick a rafter tail design from the catalog and a size from the options available and submit an email to [email protected] or you can also use our contact form below.
HOW LONG DO PVC RAFTER TAILS LAST?
The life cycle of HB Elements PVC rafter tails is a lifetime, but they will require proper installation and maintenance and care. As long as they are not installed incorrectly, used as a structural element, and or painted or finished incorrectly they will have this awesome, low maintenance, very durable, and long-lasting life cycle. The life cycle of a PVC rafter tail is a Lifetime, it should never deteriorate and or need replacement, because of the sheer durability and longevity of its core material, Cellular PVC as well as the patented building process we use to fabricate our components.
COLUMNS
Why Use PVC Column Wraps?
These columns are made to be decorative but serve a major purpose, to protect the structural element they surround from the elements for longevity. It is very costly to repair or replace a structural column so these decorative wraps are very important in reducing maintenance and replacement cost for columns.
What Are Advantages Of Using PVC Column Wraps?
Another advantage of a PVC column is the ability to create a column with tremendous amounts of options in size and scale all while being impervious to moisture, bugs and rott. There really is no size that can’t be created in height and width so they are the most versatile designer column on the market.
How To Install PVC Column Wrap?
PVC Columns can easily be installed by a carpenter or a homeowner with little skill and some standard tools. Visit our HB Elements videos page to learn more about PVC Installation and view our product videos.
A PVC Column Wrap Made For Your Home
With the diversity in architectural styles there are many different designs and types of columns, like Box, Chamfered, Tapered, Raised Panel, Recess Panel. All of these columns can be detailed with a variety of bases, astragals, and capitals. These three components are the additional details that dress up a column but are not mandatory to have in designing the column of your choice, It is important to note that all columns can be dressed up with a pedestal and as you will see in our catalog they come in many different sizes and styles as well. All the components and columns can be interchanged to create a column that fits your style, size, and needs.
How Do I Order PVC Column Wraps?
The ordering of any of the HB Elements® from HB Elements is a very simple process that has been designed to create convenience. The most commonly used option is, to email us a PDF set of plans of your home, then call and discuss with one of our representatives. You may also pick a HB Element® design from the catalog and a size from the options available and submit an email to [email protected] or you can also use our contact form below.
If you rather speak to someone right away, please call us at (954) 784-8216
SOFFIT CEILINGS
WHAT ARE HB PVC SOFFIT PANELS?
HB soffit panels are a ½” or ¾” panel in a wide range of widths that would match the home’s perimeter soffit dimension. These panels come in a couple of different forms, the two primary options being V-groove and Nickel joint, which mimic the historical appearance of a 1×6 wood tongue and groove. The species of wood would not matter in this case as they are smooth and not embossed with a specific graining. The third would be a smooth panel which is uncommon for us but some clients like less detailing. Not often used because that is the purpose, to have the look of a timber-framed home wood soffit appearance.
WHAT ARE HB SOFFIT PANELS MADE OF?
HB Soffit panels are made of cellular or commonly know as free foam PVC. They have many different characteristics that improve the life, looks, and longevity of an exterior soffit. PVC Soffit are impervious to moisture, mildew, rot, cracking, warping, and are easily customizable in size as well as design.
WHY SHOULD YOU USE HB PVC SOFFIT?
We have very little waste with our PVC Soffit sheets, every sheet is 100% usable. Typical soffit material suppliers have a 20% waste factor, but every HB soffit panel comes with minimal waste. This is what makes us a leading supplier of PVC soffit panels.
The PVC soffit panel also has a 5 times longer paint retention due to it being a synthetic material, which eliminates repainting as often as wood. Our sheets go up quickly, have no expansion and contraction, and don’t require caulking of the long joint.
The PVC soffit panel also has a 5 times longer paint retention due to it being a synthetic material, which eliminates repainting as often as wood. Our sheets go up quickly, have no expansion and contraction, and don’t require caulking of the long joint.
HOW DO I ORDER PVC SOFFIT PANEL SYSTEMS?
The ordering of PVC soffit panels from HB Elements is a very simple process that has been designed to create convenience. The most commonly used option is, to email us a PDF set of plans of your home, then call and discuss with one of our representatives. You may also pick a soffit panel design from the catalog and a size from the options available and submit an email to [email protected] or you can also use our contact form below.
LOUVERS-GRILLES
WHAT ARE LOUVERS?
Louvers are not seen typically in modern architecture for any other reason than simply put, a technical device used to allow air movement while keeping out snow and rain. In Coastal architecture and design they are used as a feature that has a common function which is to cool an area in hot climates and block direct sunlight. We also see a high demand for using them as privacy panels in entertaining or living areas. There is always a desirable look achieved by using louvers vertically between columns on a home’s porch, lanai, veranda, pergola, porte cache, or outdoor entertaining structure.
WHY SHOULD I BUY PVC LOUVERS?
PVC louvers are a great replacement for aluminum, wood, and fiberglass louvers for several reasons. First they are made in a very unique authentic, traditional, very desirable scale and size. Second because of the sheer volume of options in sizes and uses available they can be made to accommodate almost any project design demands. They also have the ability to be very easily installed and painted at the site, with no requirement of specially skilled tradesmen. A person with the right tools and basic carpentry and painting skills can handle the installation and finishing process. Once installed they can be caulked in and fasteners can be covered and then the entire unit can be painted in a variety of finishes. We have beautiful PVC louvers with no exposed fasteners, engineered for HVZ (high-velocity zones) that will be easily maintained and cared for for the longest life cycle available.
HOW CAN I USE HB PVC LOUVERS?
HB PVC Louvers and PVC grills can be used in a variety of locations. They are typically used at a porch, lanai, veranda, pergola, porte cache, or outdoor entertaining structure.
There are various uses for louvers/grills as they can be used as
- Privacy Panels
- Decorative panels
- Shade features
HOW DO I ORDER HB PVC LOUVERS?
The ordering of HB PVC louvers from HB Elements is a very simple process that has been designed to create convenience. The most commonly used option is, to email us a PDF set of plans of your home, then call and discuss with one of our representatives. You may also pick a HB PVC louvers design from the catalog and a size from the options available and submit an email to [email protected] or you can also use our contact form below.
PVC BRACKETS
WHAT ARE PVC BRACKETS?
PVC brackets are decorative detailing elements that are created for a variety of purposes in the architectural and design world. Most notably being a low maintenance replacement to traditional wood brackets. In comparison to the alternative wood, foam, aluminum, or steel components which all have some form of negative maintenance characteristics, it checks more boxes for positive results. In construction and design, it is the fastest-growing decorative product on the market due to its strong upside for everyone involved, especially the end-user. For more information read our ultimate guide to PVC Brackets.
WHAT ARE PVC BRACKETS MADE OF?
PVC brackets are made from free foam or Celuka type cellular PVC’s. The process of manufacturing free foam or celuka PVC is very technical, the material needs environmental stability in order for it to extrude into an exact shape and consistency as it cures coming out of the extrusion and down the line.
WHY SHOULD YOU USE PVC BRACKETS?
PVC brackets have many different characteristics which improve the life, looks, and longevity of an exterior bracket. They typically come with a hollow core and have some form of installation cleat that makes installation very simple and something almost anyone can put up. In comparison to its competitors PVC brackets have much better versatility and have superior durability and ease of upkeep and painting compared to their competitors.
HOW LONG DO PVC BRACKETS LAST?
The life cycle of HB Elements PVC brackets are a lifetime, but they will require proper installation, maintenance and care. As long as they are not installed incorrectly, used as a structural element, and or painted or finished incorrectly they will have this awesome, low maintenance, very durable, long lasting life cycle.
DO WE HAVE TO PAINT PVC BRACKETS?
No, you don’t have to. But to be clear, in 98% of the projects we have reviewed they are painted to cover the caulking and nail hole putty, as well as match the house trim color. The reality is it will last much longer if it is cared for according to the practices of care and maintenance that we offer.
WHAT IS A PERGOLA?
A Pergola typically is built over a deck or a patio used as a shade structure. Its similarity to an arbor as they both are built using Post and Beam construction. A pergola is used typically as a free-standing structure consisting of four or more columns. It is a structure that provides shade and creates a room or outdoor living area. The columns support a flat roof that consists of beams left alone running in one direction and rafters crossing in the opposite direction. Then as an option PVC Purlins are used to give an additional layer to create more shade and protect or additional support to the climbing plants or vines.
WHAT ARE HB PVC PERGOLAS AND TRELLISES?
HB Elements PVC trellis’s come in a variety of different forms. Our typical is a structural component with either a free-standing column or wall-mounted bracket that support beams and rafters creating a decorative structure above a door or window opening.
Our unique PVC pergolas and PVC trellis come in an easy to install kit and have, as all of our products, a variety of design details to create a unique structure. The beauty is in the simplicity of design and installation.
Our PVC Pergolas and PVC Trellises are engineered to meet the highest standard and are created to meet the demands of the coastal environment.
HOW DO I ORDER AN HB PVC PERGOLA OR PVC TRELLIS?
The ordering of PVC Pergolas or PVC Trellis from HB Elements is a very simple process that has been designed to create convenience. The most commonly used option is, to email us a PDF set of plans of your home, then call and discuss with one of our representatives. You may also pick a PVC Pergola or PVC Trellis design from the catalog and a size from the options available and submit an email to [email protected] or you can also use our contact form below.
HOW LONG DO PVC PERGOLAS OR PVC TRELLIS LAST?
The life cycle of HB Elements PVC Pergola or PVC Trellis is a lifetime, but they will require proper installation and maintenance and care. As long as they are not installed incorrectly, used as a structural element, and or painted or finished incorrectly they will have this awesome, low maintenance, very durable, and long-lasting life cycle.
WHAT ARE HB PVC PERGOLAS MADE OF?
HB PVC Pergolas are made of cellular PVC with an interior structural core of aluminum. The structural columns are engineered to meet the requirements of the high velocity hurricane zone (HVHZ) of the coastal environments we specialize in. All hardware is either Aluminum or stainless steel and if exposed we prefinish them with a marine-grade finish.