Builder articles from August 2002

Builder archives from August 2002

Let cooler heads prevail: the future of attached housing is threatened by fee-hungry lawyers. (Editor's Notes).(Brief Article)
August 1, 2002... IMAGINE A WORLD WHERE YOU COULDN'T EVEN CONSIDER building attached housing because of the legal risk. That's the reality that's shaping up for builders in some Western markets right now. They can't get insurance on condo and townhome projects...

B mail.(Letter to the Editor)
August 1, 2002... Investment Strategies I AGREE WITH YOUR NOTES EDITOR'S (June, page 21) that real estate is an excellent place to make money, however, I think that you are being unfair to the stock market investors to compare the past 12 years with the...

Calendar.(Brief Article)
August 1, 2002... SEPTEMBER 11-13 BUILDER Fast Track Conference, Las Vegas Take your company to the next level. The country's fastest-growing builders will be on hand to share their secrets for growth and profitability. Three concurrent...

Moratoria mania? Builders and planners watch and wait for the impact of Supreme Court ruling. (House Blend).(Brief Article)
August 1, 2002... IT WAS THE TYPE OF SUPREME COURT CASE THAT makes everyone involved in land development-builders, developers, planners-very nervous. The dispute dated to the 1980s, when the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency, worried about environmental impacts...

Burning. (House Blend).(controlling the damage from forest fires)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2002... Since mid-June, 22 major fires burned in seven Western states consuming nearly 800 square miles-and the fire season had just begun. The largest Colorado blaze in history, allegedly sparked by a Park Service employee, charred more than 100,000...

Triple play. (Big Deals).(Lennar Corp.'s recent acquisitions)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2002... Lennar is expanding on both coasts. In July the Miami based builder added three companies to its fold: B. Andrews and Co. of Bel Air, Md.; Cambridge Homes of Fresno, Calif.; and, as previously pending, Pacific Century Homes in Temecula, Calif....

Photo factory. (Big Deals).(Bekaert ECD)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2002... Thanks to energy uncertainties and a growing international market, photovoltaic solar cells have finally gone mainstream. In mid-June, Bekaeri ECD opened a new mass production plant in Detroit. It has promised to produce three miles of solar...

Splish splash. (Big Deals).(contest)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2002... Got a cool kitchen? Think your bath is beautiful? Let a panel of design experts be the judge in the first BUILDER/CUSTOM HOME Kitchen and Bath Awards. The winners will be featured in the March 2003 issues of BUILDER and CUSTOM HOME. The...

Moldy suit. (Big Deals).(Fischer Homes)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2002... Much to builders' dismay, mold lawsuits continue to spread. Alleging that her home has been infested by mold, an Ohio homeowner is suing Fischer Homes of Crestview Hills, Ky., for $75 million. The builder, which fixed leaks in the home in die...

On the level: single-story living rules in the sunbelt. (Stair Free).(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
August 1, 2002... ONE-LEVEL LIVING IS RED hot in the Southwest, as single-story homes make up more than 8o percent of the homes built in Arizona last year, followed closely by 71 percent in Texas, and 6o percent in Nevada. It makes sense in those states, which...

Leafy living: Seattle builder Peter Nelson constructs what may be the ultimate escape. (Branching Out).(Brief Article)
August 1, 2002... IN REAL LIFE, PETER NELSON BUILDS SPEC homes in Seattle, doing two infill projects each year. But Nelson, a carpenter by trade, is quickly becoming better known for the work he does on the side: treehouses. Built with reclaimed Douglas fir...

Westward bound. (Big Deals).(Neumann Homes opens Colorado division)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2002... Windy City builder Neumann Homes is heading West to the Mile High City. In May, Neumann established a new division in Denver in its first venture outside Illinois. Overall, the Warrenville, Ill.-based builder expects to close 1,360 homes this...

Dioxin detector. (Big Deals).(introduced by Triangle Laboratories)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2002... Triangle Laboratories, based in Durham, N.C., has announced a new technology for testing dioxin levels in former industrial sites, farmlands, and other "at risk" land parcels. The test, called "RapidScreen," costs about $300 per sample, less...

Tribal tribulations: recent grant money and corporate support suggest that Indian housing may finally gain the momentum needed to grow. (Native Housing).(Brief Article)
August 1, 2002... THE SORRY STATE or NATIVE AMERICAN HOUSing, both on and off tribal lands, has been well documented. More than 40 percent of tribal homes are overcrowded or in substandard condition. Yet only in recent years has the situation begun--ever so...

Fence me in: Builder editors surf the net for the coolest new building materials. (Editor's Internet Pick).(Brief Article)
August 1, 2002... GOOD FENCES MAKE GOOD NEIGHBORS, ESPEcially on compact infill lots or in TNDs. Americans realize that a little separation is a good thing and are investing in fences in record numbers. According to U.S. News and World Report, Americans spent...

Cold comfort: the DOE's decision to weaken air-conditioner efficiency standards may ripple through society for years to come. (Inside Story).(Department of Energy)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2002... THE DOE (DIRECTED BY THE BUSH administration) has gained the political thumbs up it needs to roll back seasonal energy-efficiency ratings (SEER) on new central air conditioners and heat pumps. But the decision, like the 2001 election, has left...

Funkytown: vibrant cities grow economically by appealing to the new "creative class. (The Straight Dope).(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
August 1, 2002... In contrast to the navy-suited, conformist-thinking, 9-to-5 "organizational man" of the past, the creative class dresses casually, values diversity, and works nontraditional hours infields such as science, engineering and the arts. These...

Sales threat: tougher underwriting on homeowners' insurance policies may strangle move-up sales. (Inside Story).(Brief Article)
August 1, 2002... HOME INSURERS REELING FROM INVESTment and claim losses are mining claims databases to justify policy denials, new fees, and higher premiums on existing homes. Why does this matter to builders? Move-up sales are often contingent on the sale...

Rip roarin'. (Top Shelf).(advertisement)
August 1, 2002... MEASURE, MARK, AND RIP DRYWALL SHEETS WITH JUST ONE TOOL? WITH THE EZRip, YOU can leave behind the multiple tools you usually need to do this job. Featuring multiple measuring scales, Neoprene wheels, a retractable razor, and storage for 10...

Open sesame. (Top Shelf).(advertisement)
August 1, 2002... SMART VENT LOOKS LIKE AN ORDINARY AIR VENT, BUT ITS automatic louvers adjust to changes in temperature, and its sensors respond to rising water levels. In rising temperatures, the louvers open completely to allow moisture to escape and shut...

Paper moon. (Top Shelf).(advertisement)
August 1, 2002... PAPER IS NOT JUST FOR BOOKS ANYMORE--WITH RICHLITE, YOU CAN USE it for your countertops as well. The paper-based surfacing material has a natural soapstone appearance that requires little or no maintenance and will resist heat, stains, and...

Points of light. (Top Shelf).(advertisement)
August 1, 2002... NO NEED FOR A THOUSAND POINTS OF LIGHT, JUST get four. Instead of a standard bulb, the Lightwave 2100 flashlight uses four light emitting diodes (LED) that have a typical life of thousands of hours, so you may never need to change a bulb again....

Bean there. (Top Shelf).(advertisement)
August 1, 2002... NOW YOU CAN EAT your soy and insulate with it, too. Biobase 500 soy-based spray foam can insulate your homes with an value of 13 and is available in a 1/2-pound foam at a price comparable to traditional fiberglass insulation. The manufacturer...

Holes in one. (Top Shelf).(advertisement)
August 1, 2002... IF YOU ARE SPENDING MORE TIME SHAKING DIRT off your shovel than digging, the Toolite shovel may be a time-saving solution. The shovel has strategically placed pea-sized holes that allow mud or other sticky material to release easier from the...

Taking account: Beazer takes $2.6 million earnings charge after finding accounting issues in Florida division. (Vital Signs).(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
August 1, 2002... IN A NEWS CYCLE WHERE THE HEADLINES continually announce the latest scandals in the formerly vanilla world of accounting, the last thing a company wants to reveal is a problem with its books. Yet Beazer Homes did just that in July, after an...

Higher fiber: if your wood doors warp and your steel' doors dent, fiberglass may ease your pain. (Products).(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
August 1, 2002... IN A RECENT NATIONAL STUDY, THE MAR-ket research firm NFO WorldGroup concluded that a more attractive front entrance can increase the perceived market value of a home by about $25,000. This speaks volumes to how important a quality entry door...

Carbon copy. (Products).(Brief Article)
August 1, 2002... The Carbonite entry doer offers the look of wood but has the maintenance benefits and performance of a composite material. The door is made with enhanced fiberglass so it resists dents and corrosion, and the wood-grain surface accepts paint or...

Classic crafted. (Products).(Brief Article)
August 1, 2002... Molded of impact-resistant fiberglass, Classic Craft offers the look and feel of natural red oak. Resistant to dents, warping. and cracking, the door features solid oak square edges, a polyurethane foam core, a wide laminated wood lock stile...

Nice'n smooth. (Products).(Brief Article)
August 1, 2002... The ArTek smooth fiberglass door can withstand rain, snow, and sun and will resist cracking, splitting, and warping, the manufacturer says. Available in a variety of panel designs with decorative glass options and sidelites, the door has a...

Grand entrance. (Products).(Brief Article)
August 1, 2002... Newport II offers the look of wood but with the insulation and performance off fiberglass. It has an insulated polyurethane core that the manufacturer says results in six times the energy efficiency of a conventional wood door. The doors come...

Panel member. (Products).(advertisement)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2002... The raised panels of this entry door have crisp edges and shadow lines that create a wood-like appearance, and the polyurethane foam core provides a better insulating value than a typical wood door. Eight decorative glass collections are...

Cover up: new paint offers brighter colors and longer fade resistance. (Products).(Sherwin-Williams, Devine Color, California Paints)(Brief Article)(Product Announcement)
August 1, 2002... REMEMBER WHEN PAINT WAS PAINT? Well, it still provides the same function it always has, but it has become more specialized and advanced. Technological improvements, new palettes, and easier color selection processes have moved paint into the...

Sugar and spice. (Products).(Brief Article)
August 1, 2002... Valley Vineyard & Spices is a collection of rich earthy colors. The acrylic latex paints are odorless, stain-resistant, and washable with soap and water. The manufacturer says the paint has a rich yogurt-like consistency and offers one-coat...

Accent minded. (Products).(Brief Article)
August 1, 2002... Exterior Accents offers UV resistance, high-hiding abilities, and reliable color. The manufacturer says the advance bases in the product allow builders to use the brightest and boldest colors without worrying about fading due to weather and...

Kids' stuff. (Products).(Brief Article)
August 1, 2002... The Kids' Color Collection includes 51 colors that help builders and home buyers choose the right colors for different age groups. Organized into three life-stage categories, the colors include Rock-A-Bye Baby for infants. Childhood Dreams for...

Flat back. (Products).(Brief Article)
August 1, 2002... The new 2010 acrylic latex interior paint can cover black paint with white in one coat, the manufacturer says. It offers durability and stain-resistance, and the manufacturer says the flat paint can be scrubbed like semi-gloss paint. Quick...

Drain plugged. (NAHB Briefs).(economic effects of building low-income apartment housing)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
August 1, 2002... Like many other myths that "everybody knows," the myth that building a low-income apartment housing community drains resources from a metropolitan area just doesn't hold up to scrutiny, says the NAHB. The NAHB's Economics Group has unveiled a...

Health help. (NAHB Briefs).(General Accounting Office reports on market share of health insurance companies)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
August 1, 2002... The General Accounting Office report, "Private Health Insurance: Number and Market Share of Carriers in the Small Group Health Insurance Market," shows that the five largest insurance carriers combined have 75 percent or more of the market...

Adding on adds up: for consumers, real estate investment is the one positive performer in their investment portfolios. Remodeling maintains and enhances that asset. (From the President).(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
August 1, 2002... FOR HOMEOWNERS LOOKING FOR positive news about their investments, reading the real estate section in the local newspaper has replaced scanning the financial pages. With the existing stock of roughly 120 million homes now valued at $13 trillion...

Fed still housing's friend: the Federal Reserve may ease policy accelerator rather than hit the brakes. (Seiders Economy).(forecasts of Federal Reserve Board's policy on interest rates)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2002... OVER THE YEARS, THE FEDERAL Reserve has often been a villain in the eyes of the housing industry. Our most recent case of Fed-induced heartburn occurred back in 2000, when Chairman Greenspan and his troops hiked short-term rates in an effort to...

Closing the gap. (NAHB Briefs).(and related article)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2002... Perhaps goaded by May's release of the Millennial Housing Commission's report, President Bush announced in mid-June the "Renewing the Dream" initiative. The tax credit program's goal is to expand homeownership, particularly among minority...

Helping hands: Builders Care's ultimate goal--eradicate substandard housing. (Home Builders Care Corner).(in Jacksonville, Florida)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2002... THERE ARE BETWEEN 45,000 AND 60,000 substandard dwellings in Jacksonville, Fla., and The Northeast Florida Builders Association (NEFBA) is doing something about them. In some cases, the houses have been condemned, and the people living in...

Leisure life? (NAHB Briefs).(Brief Article)
August 1, 2002... After 33 years in the NAHB's public affairs department as an NAHB spokesperson and trainer, Betty Christy retired. Future plans include launching a consulting business and riding her new lawn tractor, her NAHB retirement gift of choice (no...

Move up within. (Hotsellers).(San Marino development in Coto de Caza, California)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2002... San Marino, Coto de Caza, Calif. WHY IT WORKED: San Marina gave local residents a chance to move up without moving out of a neighborhood they loved, Homes with very flexible plans bring historic California architectural styles reminiscent...

Midwest magic. (Hotsellers).(Treyborne Cove Condominiums Commerce Township, Michigan)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2002... Treyborne Cove Condominiums Commerce Township, Mich. WHY IT WORKED: Pent-up Detroit-area demand for well-appointed, move-down homes that live large are the key to Treyborne's success. Though not age-qualified, buyers are empty-nesters and...

Affordable gems. (Hotsellers).(Silverado Place, Las Vegas, Nevada)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2002... Silverado Place, Las Vegas. WHY IT WORKED: Affordable doesn't have to look stripped down. These beautifully detailed but modestly sized homes include everything a buyer needs. Thus buyers save thousands of dollars that they would otherwise...

Opportunity knocks: even in a strong housing market, builders face obstacles in every direction, so this year's collection of trade secrets focuses on survival. Use this guide to turn your challenges into opportunities. (Builder Survival Guide).
August 1, 2002... ANTI-GROWTH INITIATIVES. An increasingly diverse workforce. Customers who want it all at every price point. To many builders, those obstacles are just that: obstacles. Pain-in-the-backside hurdles that prevent them from doing their job and...

Trim the fat: as American society changes, more new buyers than ever will be looking for simple, affordable housing. (Aim for Affordability).(Brief Article)
August 1, 2002... It's easy to sing the virtues of affordable housing. That's the melody line, and almost anybody can hum along. But it's what happens in the background--the orchestration--that makes any affordable builder successful. Jerry Wade, owner of...

Control overhead costs: even in a strong market, smart builders monitor their cast of doing business. (Make More Money).(Brief Article)
August 1, 2002... WHEN TIMES ARE GOOD, IT'S easy for builders to become big spenders. "In the last couple of years, I've seen [operating costs] creeping up to 20 percent," says Chuck Shinn of the Lee Evans Group in Littleton, Cob., who generally recommends...

Work the system: the days of handshake agreements are over. Adopt a complete business system that creates a well-managed database of documents, and reduce your legal risk. (Paper Trail).(Brief Article)
August 1, 2002... THE BIG STICK OF LITIGATION may be the one incentive that can push builders toward better documentation. How well do you track your jobs? Does your company have clearly written guidelines that describe the responsibilities of each employee?...

Don't ignore wireless.(Brief Article)
August 1, 2002... Even in a community with a fiber in-frastructure, you might still want to outfit common areas, like pool decks and clubhouses, with wireless local area net-works or WLANs Once linked to a wireless connection, users will be able to take their...

Make your models sing: a California builder takes merchandising to a new level. (Mood Altering Experience).(SeaCountry Homes)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2002... When customers enter the master bathroom of the Daphne model at Stallions Crossing in San Diego they feel as if they are not alone. They can see a cascade of water from the shower and hear the operatic styling of a happy home-owner just before...

Secure perimeters. (Builder Survival Guide).(Brief Article)
August 1, 2002... Don't take for granted the safety of your tools--or equipment belonging to your subcontractors. Not only can you suffer direct losses, but according to security experts, the presence of a few alarms and sensors at your office or jobsites may...

Learn Spanish, teach English: builders can improve construction quality and jobsite safety by communicating better with Latino workers. (Close the Language Gap).(Brief Article)
August 1, 2002... ?HABLA ESPANOL? IF you don't, it's time to learn--or face safety infractions, jury lawsuits, and quality control problems. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Hispanics represent nearly 30 percent of construction laborers....

Get 'em young: it's hard finding help, the lament goes--especially in light of the negative attitude among consumers towards the home building industry. (Lasso Labor).(Brief Article)
August 1, 2002... A CARTOON, A CD-ROM GAME, and school programs may give home building a positive spin and the labor force it needs. In February, the NAHB made Bob the Builder, the wildly popular cartoon character originated in England, an honorary NAHB...

Capture leads: you don't have to re-invent your company to start reaping the benefits of the Internet. Small steps can bring big rewards. (Stay with Tech).(Brief Article)
August 1, 2002... Even with the dot-corn crashes and false technology starts riddling the building industry, refusing to consider what technology can do to help you run your company smarter is a sure path to failure. Start with the basics. For example, many...

Gift wrap the garage. (Builder Survival Guide).(Brief Article)
August 1, 2002... In Contra Costa, a San Francisco Bay area county, the answer to growth surrounds the BART (Bay Area Rapid Transit) station. Officials involved the public and a multitude of experts in a series of charrettes to find an acceptable way to increase...

Spec your tech: use standard specifications to make vendors speak your language. (Simple Standards).(Brief Article)
August 1, 2002... WHEN WE LOOKED AT STRUCtured wiring systems for our July 2002 issue (see "Home Run," page 158), we mentioned that we were confused. The reason: Manufacturers take pains to convince buyers that their products are different from everyone...

Get smart: all signs suggest that resistance to unplanned growth will he with us for the long term. Now is the time to work leaner and cleaner-to accommodate ever-narrowing confines. (Solving Sprawl).(and related article)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2002... IF YOU THINK NIMBY NEIGHBORS ARE the only real anti-growth force threatening the way you do business, think again. Local government, environmental groups--even hunters and fishermen--have all joined in the anti-growth movement in recent months....

Strive for simplicity. (Buyer Survival Guide).(Brief Article)
August 1, 2002... "Many builders fall down in making houses too complicated, so it takes them longer to build," says Bernie Glieberman of Crosswinds Communities in Novi, Mich. "They don't even realize it, and they don't understand why their costs are way above...

Charge it! (Buyer Survival Guide).(Brief Article)
August 1, 2002... To keep buyers from going wild with change orders, charge a small fee ($100 to $150) per switch, advises Steve Hays, an accountant with Rubin, Brown, Gornstein and Co. in St. Louis. "It forces buyers to make changes up front," he says. "Even on...

Welcome everyone home: Pima County, Ariz., and Naperville, Ill., made the news, but the state of Vermont led the pack on legislating residential accessibility. (Embrace Universal Design).(Brief Article)
August 1, 2002... THE TRUTH ABOUT INCLUsive, accessible, universal, visitable design is both simple and obvious. Any person--large or small, young or old, able-bodied or not, should be able to easily enter and leave any house, maneuver in and out of the major...

Add extra amenities: buyers are rushing to the community that has it all. (One-Stop Shopping).(KSI Development planned community, Virginia)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2002... Thirty- and 40-somethings often find themselves green with envy when shopping with mom and dad for active adult communities. How come seniors get to have all the fun? There is a large market demanding top-notch amenities, and builders who want...

Go on the green: doing green in this no-growth era can mean the difference between stopping and starting new-home building projects. Or it can simply mean more sales. (Strive for Sustainability).(Artistic Homes builds affordable and energy efficient homes)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
August 1, 2002... AS NO-GROWTH MOVEMENTS grow stronger and municipalities let voters decide type and location of new housing developments, interest in green building is growing. Environmental constraint was not as serious an issue for Artistic Homes of...

Get on the telly. (Builder Survival Guide).(Crosswinds Communities puts videoconferencing to use for meetings)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
August 1, 2002... At Crosswinds Communities, regional meetings used to require weeks of planning and thousands of dollars in travel costs. But the time now involved in air travel has nudged the Novi, Mich., builder to try a new way of connecting employees and...

Analyze the plan. (Builder Survival Guide).(forensic plan reviews can eliminate construction defects)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2002... Forensic plan reviews can help get insurance now and avoid litigation later. Construction defects often trace back to the plans, so it makes sense to analyze plans to eliminate inconsistencies and errors before building, says Stan Luhr,...

Do specs right: limit your risk by making smart choices that sell specs fast. (Find Your Focus).(Brief Article)
August 1, 2002... TO MANY BUILDERS AND INdustry consultants, "spec" might as well be a dirty word. As houses that are under construction, but unsold, specs increase a builder's exposure in an already risky business. They also tend to be less profitable than...

Diversify your campaign: take aim at specific targets to get the most bang for your marketing buck or risk losing customers to the competition. (Marketing Mix).(successful marketing campaign, C.P. Morgan Company Inc.)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
August 1, 2002... Indianapolis builder C.P. Morgan had always been delivering more square footage for less money, but the builder hadn't claimed it in the marketplace until 1997 when the company launched a wildly successful brand awareness campaign to carve out...

Update your designs: California is like a crystal ball for builders. Look to its latest innovative projects to see what's on the design horizon. (Coastal Connection).(Californian designs being picked up by rest of country, United States)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2002... WITH A GROWING POPULAtion and a shrinking supply of land, California builders and architects have become problem solvers. Creating new garage configurations, carving out private outdoor space, and adding rooms for home offices and extended...

Gold standard: tired of turrets? Worn out by whimsy? Californians, once mad for French country and massive mediterraneans, opt for moderation. (Gold Nugget Awards).
August 1, 2002... STORYBOOK ARCHITECTURE WITH tall towers, cutesy details, and swoopy roofs didn't fare well in this year's Gold Nugget contest. Instead the message was restraint and respect for historic styles as well as modern innovation and experimentation...

Excessive force slammed! Shattered homes left in the wake of a Maryland super tornado point out both the strengths and shortcomings of modern building codes.
August 1, 2002... MAGINE THAT A TERRORIST triggers a one-ton nuclear suitcase bomb a quarter mile from your latest subdivision. An instant later, a 300-mph blast of wind thunders across the landscape, hurling trash cans, cars, and tree limbs into your buildings...

Revolving door: when sales managers leave, you lose big. Here's how to keep them and your revenue from walking away.
August 1, 2002... ASK MANNY SCHATZ ABOUT sales managers and builders, and you'll get an earful. "Most sales managers are set up for failure," believes Schatz, a builder-turned-consultant with Professional Builder Services in Danville, Calif. "They're hired...

Put your company on the fast track to growth & profitability. (Builder FastTrack Conference).(BUILDER FastTrack Conference)
August 1, 2002... September 11-13 2002 Paris Hotel Las Vegas, NV Attend the BUILDER FastTrack Conference Concentrate on one track--construction, sales/marketing/design, or business--or mix and match sessions to suit your needs. Learn how...

Brand builder: builders who use interactive floor plans say that while there's no measurable effect on sales, they do strengthen the company's brand. (Builder Tech).(Brief Article)
August 1, 2002... A NUMBER OF BUILDERS ARE PUTTING INTER-active elevations and plans on their Web sites. The technology, which has been available for nearly two years, lets buyers see how a home will look with and without various options (a breakfast nook, a...

Hard cell. (Builder Tech).(Sharp Corp. to market solar cells, modules, and systems in North America)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2002... Sharp Corp. has decided to make its solar cells, modules, and systems available in North America. The Osaka, Japan, company, which claims to have "supplied solar energy systems to more than 50,000 Japanese residences," will sell them through...

Plug and play. (Builder Tech).(Cogency Semiconductor designs USB-HomePlug Wall Adapter)(Brief Article)(Product Announcement)
August 1, 2002... We now have an example of what power-line networking might look if the technology ever becomes real. In May, Toronto-based Cogency Semiconductor (www.cogency.com) unveiled its design for a USB-HomePlug Wall Adapter. The design, which it is...

CRM inches forward: big builders are adding technology piecemeal to their Web sites. (Builder Tech).(Brief Article)
August 1, 2002... CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIP MANAGEMENT, OR CRM, is a hot topic among home builders. Given big builders' financial resources, it's no surprise that they lead the way. Two of them, Shea and Beazer, recently added CRM functionality to their Internet...

The missing mile: cable still rules for delivering high-speed data to homes, but experts think fiber may proliferate faster.
August 1, 2002... AMERICANS MAY SOON CONSIDER broadband access a birthright. "There are more and more subscribers using more and more applications that demand more and more bandwidth," notes Dave Waks with Systems Dynamics, a broadband consultant in Morris...

Team effort: how online options selection works. (Workings).(Brief Article)(Illustration)
August 1, 2002... WHEN CUSTOMERS GO TO A BUILDER'S Web site to choose options, their choices trigger a chain of behind-the-scenes actions. These need not be done by an expensive piece of custom software. Instead, different applications from different vendors...

What's new at Builder online secrets revealed. (Builder Survival Guide).(Brief Article)
August 1, 2002... SECRETS SOMETIMES ARE JUST MEANT to be shared, especially those hard-earned business tips from other home builders. BUILDER magazine divulges this inside information each August, with its special Trade Secrets issue. This year's edition, dubbed...

Alterna. (Doors & Windows: Special Advertising Section).(advertisement)
August 1, 2002... Alterna[R] The industry's first fusion-crafted exterior wood composite door. Alterna by DoorCraft[R] provides the best of wood, steel and fiberglass without the drawbacks. A beautiful entrance door with proven performance. It won't dent or...

Doorcraft. (Doors & Windows: Special Advertising Section).(advertisement)
August 1, 2002... Impression[TM] Mirror door by Doorcraf[R] Impression Mirror dour by DoorCraft adds beauty and dimension to any room. The Impression Mirror door is ideal for use in a bedroom, bathroom or closet. Applications include sliding pocket door, sliding...

IWP. (Doors & Windows: Special Advertising Section).(advertisement)
August 1, 2002... IWP[R] Aurora the world's finest composite doors. Beautiful doors specifically engineered to withstand the harshest elements. The Aurora line is an excellent value, designed to reflect all of the beauty, texture and weight of a premium hardwood...

Morgan. (Doors & Windows: Special Advertising Section).(advertisement)
August 1, 2002... Morgan[R] Choose Morgan for the host in genuine oak and pine wood stile and rail doors. With a century-old reputation for quality, Morgan offers ten times more exterior designs and three times more interior designs than many other...