Abstract: In at least one embodiment, it is contemplated that the present invention provides a baluster system including a handrail, at least one newel post having a shaft, a mounting plate abutting the shaft and adapted for fixing the newel post to a lower supporting surface, a plate abutting the shaft, and an intermediary shaft portion having a second end abutting the plate and a first end having a swivel mount adapted for fixing to the underside of the handrail, and at least one baluster having a first end having a swivel mount adapted for fixing to the underside of the handrail, a second end having a swivel mount for fixing to a lower supporting surface and a baluster shaft extending between the first end and the second end.

Abstract: In at least one embodiment, the present invention provides a decorative ceiling beam assembly having a longitudinally extending reversible base plate, a longitudinally extending first side wall portion, a longitudinally extending second side wall portion and a longitudinally extending reversible bottom plate such that the components interfit to create a longitudinally extending, rectangularly prismatic decorative ceiling beam having a hollow cross section.

Abstract: It is contemplated that the present invention provides a preassembled pocket door frame including a first vertical member, a second vertical member, an intermediary member having a vertically extending central slot, an upper member horizontally extending between the first vertical member and the second vertical member, and at least a pair of transverse braces, each transverse brace extending horizontally between the intermediary member and the second vertical member, each transverse brace having a moveable coupler operable such that each transverse brace is movable from a first, stowed position to a second, generally orthogonal position.

Abstract: A sheathing element for covering a preexisting physical structure comprising a first planar portion disposed at an angle to a second planar portion, a longitudinally extending slot located centrally along a longitudinally extending edge of the first planar portion or the second planar portion, and a longitudinally extending tongue located centrally along a longitudinally extending edge of the first planar portion or the second planar portion such that the longitudinally extending tongue of a first sheathing element fits within the longitudinally extending slot of a second sheathing element in a grippable yet releasable manner.

Abstract: A replacement or repair stair tread assembly for covering over an existing worn stair tread includes a core that is surrounded by hardwood edge members, of which at least on edge has a bullnose. The edge members and core are mated at tongue and groove joints. The bullnose has a greater depth of section than the core. The core is a multi-ply matrix with veneer surface skins of the same grain orientation and type of wood. The multiple plies are arranged such that successive layers have cross-wise grain orientation. The plies of the core have symmetrically balanced properties relative to the neutral axis or neutral plane of the core in bending, both cross-wise and length-wise. The balanced properties may pertain to water absorption and to resistance to bending.