Gene Summy has written articles for magazines like The Journal of Light Construction and Builder and Developer Magazine.
Here are a few hot topics Gene has written about:
The case for “Knock Down” or “Buttered” sealant used during window installation.
Electrical Box Flashing (scroll to the bottom of the document)
Installing Vinyl Replacement Windows
A happy TLS Laboratories customer talks about her experience.
My experience with TLS was nothing short of remarkable. They are completely professional at all levels, have great ability to recognize
and diagnose, and offer effective solutions to difficult technical problems. Gene and his Teams interaction with our Subcontractors was
clear, succinct, and well received, TLS established its credibility here in the valley and is recognized as a significant resource in problem analysis and solutions.
— Jim Warhurst
Six Sigma Black Belt
Pardee Homes
Gene was referred to us as a defense expert for an exclusive custom home in Bel Aire, California. We represented the window manufacturer who was being sued for defective product. The home was a mess. The home definitely had serious water intrusion problems. Initially, the plaintiffs brought action against the window manufacturer only. Everyone was certain the windows were the sole cause of the water intrusion experienced by this homeowner. Gene was the first expert to predict that the windows and doors may be fine, that the manufacturer may not have any responsibility. He brought in his team of testing experts, and was able to successfully demonstrate that the home had many serious water intrusion problems; the windows and doors however did not appear to contribute any water into the home. The insurance carrier and the window manufacturer are thrilled with Gene's expertise. He may have saved them as much as a million dollars in costs of litigation and repair. I would highly recommend Gene Summy as a defense expert to any attorney in need of a true professional.
— Keith Cooper, Esquire
San Francisco, California
Thank you so much for making my home safe and worry free. You were fast, efficient, clean, friendly and extremely helpful and easy to work with. My windows, doors and walls look beautiful! In the heavy rains since you completed the work I haven’t seen a single leak. And thank you also for all of your advice and patience along the way.
You guys are great!
Thanks,
— Katie M, Studio City (November 2011)
Quality and long term performance are important. TLS Labs has joined with design professionals and TradePartners to identify products, materials and methods that yield the desired performance important to homebuyers. I recognize Gene Summy's knowledge and passion, and appreciate the years we've worked together. His experience with windows, weatherproofing materials, and installation methods has helped our trades and field personal understand the critical quality requirements for window performance and installation into the exterior weatherproofing system of a home. The TLS Team has worked with our field construction staff in a productive and collaborative way. I compliment Gene Summy and the TLS Team for their contributions to the homebuilding industry.
— Sincerely,
Robb Pigg
Corporate Vice President / Operations
Shea Homes
I have nothing but great things to say about Gene Summy and TLS Laboratories. Gene’s expertise in windows and water intrusion prevention has made him a tremendously valuable asset to the building industry. The TLS Laboratories’ team is highly skilled, professional, and has a proven track record of providing practical solutions to water intrusion challenges. Their ability to objectively test our RainBuster window installation system to ASTM and AAMA Standards has proven extremely valuable.
— John Stroup
National Marketing Director
Top Industrial, Inc.
I have had the opportunity to work with Gene Summy on many occasions over the last several years. I have found him to be knowledgeable, professional and extremely reliable. Whenever I want an expert opinion about windows, or if I need to recommend a window expert to someone, Gene is my first choice.
— Bob Rettig
Bob Rettig Construction and Consulting
Thanks again for the great presentation at The University of California San Diego and going the extra mile (or 90). I think the guys really enjoyed it and I know I did. It's always good to learn something new and have your opinions confirmed about the correct way to do things. You have a great product that is going to be very beneficial to the ultimate customer/consumer of our products.
— Brian Bishop
Structural Inspector, Instructor SDSU
We work with TLS labs to help solve some of the tough water intrusion problems builders experience. They are an important resource we call on for their real-world perspective.
— Jim Rossner
Fortifiber Building Systems Group
TLS Laboratories recently helped Centex Homes resolve a large scale window flashing issue at one of our communities. His expert knowledge of windows and flashing systems identified the problem and they assisted in designing a repair that could be implemented with minimum impact on our homeowners. They are reliable, professional and service oriented. I am pleased to offer them a recommendation.
— Shawn Reed
Vice President, Construction Operations
Centex Homes
“Gene Summy and his team from TLS Labs recently worked with us at our home in La Jolla to resolve a water intrusion issue. Together with his very capable team, they identified the source of the intrusion and provided a very detailed report that was used by all involved parties to develop a solution for the source of the intrusion. As we were so impressed with Gene’s knowledge and passion displayed during the testing process and analysis, we then hired him to oversee the installation of our new windows and home enveloping. The window company also hired TLS to test the windows once installed. Gene was the respected authority that acted as a liaison between the window company, stucco company and us as homeowners. His knowledge, expertise and therefore, reputation in the industry is outstanding. We would highly recommend Gene and TLS Labs to identify and solve any water leak issues.”
— Maureen and Robert Bauchman/ LaJolla, CA / October 2011
California’s building business is the largest industry in the state with the least amount of quality control. Leaking windows is one of construction’s
major defects, causing over 2 billion dollars in monetary losses. Your creation of a window installers school and certifying program at your
facility is inspired. Your seminar at the builders conferences educating contractors on the proper window installation methods is enlightened.
Whether you are testing new window installations in La Jolla, San Clemente, Santa Barbara, or teaching others, your passion for quality makes you stand
out in our industry. Your sincerity and integrity are attributes that make customers like me keep coming back. Your experience, skill, and
professionalism are obvious to all of us that work with you in the construction forensics profession.
— Jim Stevens CSL 227624
Engineering and Building Contractor
After almost 1 1/2 years of lip service and excuses on a brand new house, thank God we found Gene Summy of TLS Labs. They were professional and specific from the first contact. From the moment they arrived, TLS people were first class, protecting the hardwood floors where they would be walking to covering up all furniture and valuables with plastic to protect. In very short order Gene was able to identify the problems with leaking windows, installation and wall construction. Considering that time is of the essence in situations like this to stop the damage, Gene provided a detailed report in a timely matter to get things going ASAP. Gene and his people are trustworthy, professional and we will be using TLS to assure that future work is done correctly. Gene Summy and TLS Labs are the EXPERTS.
— James Harrison
Eugene Oregon
Gene and his experts at TLS laboratories represent a rare and valuable service group in the homebuilding industry. They are reliable in their problem solving abilities and take a proactive approach to preventing issues from arising. Laing Luxury Homes considers them an integral part of our team and risk management area.
— Tom Redwitz
President
Laing Luxury Homes
As District Sales Manager for Whitecap Construction Supply in Northern California I have been trying to solve
leaky window problems for customers for years. Gene Summy of TLS Labs has been instrumental in helping me find solutions. His pre-folded
corners are the only good answer I’ve found for recessed window applications. Gene’s expertise is invaluable as a resource for anything
regarding window setting or remediation.
— Sincerely, Pat Esrey
TLS has been a wonderful supplier for Milgard Windows. Whenever we need windows tested, they react quickly to our time lines and work extremely well with
our field personnel.
The test results are based on industry standards and their reports are well documented with photographs and thorough explanations. I would recommend
TLS to anyone that needs fair and comprehensive window testing.
— Best Wishes,
Gary Hoffman
Milgard Windows
My client, a window manufacturer, was alleged to have defectively designed and manufactured windows installed in hotels nationwide. Gene Summy and TLS Labs had the experience and knowledge necessary to help us defend the case. Gene was able to identify defects in the building envelope that allowed for water infiltration. He was critical of the testing methods used by another window testing company that didn’t follow AAMA standards, and ultimately helped us posture the case for settlement.
— Cecilia A. Horan
Hinshaw & Culbertson LLP
Chicago, Illinois
Gene was contacted in September 2003 due to some very serious leak problems we had with windows being improperly installed by another contractor. He came highly recommended to us, and we wanted only the best.... Gene and his team worked quickly and efficiently to remedy all of our challenges...His team was prompt, pleasant, hardworking and left our home as clean as possible at the end of each work day. Gene’s knowledge and experience is reassuring and we would not hesitate to recommend him to our friends.
— Bruce and Allie North
Laguna Niguel California
I have worked with Gene and his team at TLS Labs for years now. Recently we had had a large commercial project in Northern California with water intrusion problems. Other experts spent months on the investigations and got us nowhere. In fact their conclusions were incorrect; their incorrect conclusions would have cost my company 100's of thousands of dollars.
Gene and his team arrived and within 3 days had not only investigated the property, but also developed a solution for repairs. His correct conclusions saved my company 100's of thousands of dollars because Gene proved that my company was not at fault. The solutions were adopted by the property owners and repairs were successfully performed. Now the property that was a problem for us is leak free. Everyone in the transaction is happy. Gene and his team are a first class outfit and I would work with them anytime.
— George Stoutenburg
Vice President / Service Edge Development
Every now and then a project presents itself to us as a problem child. Nothing seems to go right. Very few teams in the country are as talented at determining the sources of water intrusion; especially determining the cause as product failure or as installation failure. When we need answers that we can count on to be honest and accurate, we call Gene and his team at TLS Laboratories. We know they will tell us what we need to know to get the project back on the right track.
— Chris Cole
Associated Building Supply
Oxnard, California
TLS Labs has worked with me as a team member on various projects ranging from custom town homes and apartments to class A office buildings where we felt it necessary to insure ourselves with a water intrusion expert such as Gene. We have always felt a high comfort level knowing that we had such a highly qualified individual and company on our team. TLS has proven thermselves time and time again to insure success with our projects and give our owners piece of mind.
— Jim Knorr / Legacy Building Services
For the last five years we at Shea Homes have partnered with TLS Laboratories to improve the quality of the homes we deliver to our customers. One of our goals has been to greatly reduce the amount of window related rain leaks. Having just gone through the winter of 04/05 with minimal leaks reported in the communities where our program with TLS was implemented. I would say the program is working very well.
— Dennis Williams,
Director of Customer Service,
Shea Homes Southern California
Dear Gene,
— Donna Buono
Wow! Are we glad we met you! Our home leaked for years without anybody able to figure out the reasons until you arrived. Thank you for your hard work.
San Clemente, Ca.
