Builder articles from January 2002

Builder archives from January 2002

Car talk: Our Homelink show home aims to dispel some old notions about design and technology in new homes. (Editor's Notes).(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... WHEN IT COMES TIME TO BUY A CAR, MOST PEOPLE don't go look at used cars first, do they? No, they visit new-car dealerships, so they can see first-hand the advances in technology and design. They believe that new cars are built and designed...

B-mail.(Brief Article)(Letter to the Editor)
January 1, 2002... Beating the Odds HAVING READ BUILDER MAGAZINE for many years now, I must say that I find your reporting on individual community experiences most interesting and useful. Thank you for running our company's turnaround story, "Connecticut...

Material evidence: Despite a few bumps in the road, the costs of most building materials show surprising resilience. (Buying Time).(Brief Article)(Industry Overview)(Statistical Data Included)
January 1, 2002... WHEN WE REPORTED IN NOVEMBER ABOUT how well the housing industry had weathered the economic turmoil following Sept. 11, we kept silent on one key part of the long-term economic prognosis-the costs of building materials. Before jumping to (the...

Fungus among us. (House Blend).(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... Pulte Homes is going on the offensive With growing consumer fears about mold, the big builder recently announced a program targeting indoor air quality. In partnership with Masco Contractor Services of Florida, the "Environments for...

Crippling fees. (House Blend).(high cost of California homes)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... Why is California's housing least affordable? "Local fees add a staggering $64,320 to the cost of every new single-family home in Danville in the San Francisco Bay area," says Mick Pattinson, president of San Diego-based Barratt American and...

Color trends. (House Blend).(Brief Article)(Industry Overview)
January 1, 2002... What will be your buyers' favorite color this year? If you're having trouble second-guessing what consumers will be drawn to, the Alexandria, Va.-based Color Marketing Group has come out with its annual list. Like last year, ethnic-inspired...

New York state of mind: Will urban housing markets collapse? (Urban Renewal).(Brief Article)(Industry Overview)
January 1, 2002... A NEW YEAR HAS BEGUN, YET MORE THAN 1,000 people who lived in the lower portion of the 22.7 square miles that make up Manhattan still have not returned to their homes because of damage from Sept. 11. Some have simply gathered up what...

Put a cork in it: Builder editors surf the net for the coolest new building materials. (Editor's Internet Pick).(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... NOT JUST FOR WINE BOTTLES AND BULLETIN boards anymore, cork is one of the most versatile flooring materials around. Popular in the 1930s and 1940s, (Frank Lloyd Wright used it at Falling Water), cork flooring gave way to carpeting for many...

Missed opportunity: Despite low interest rates, only a few builders choose to use them as a closing technique. (Market Low Rates).(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... FOR SEVERAL YEARS NOW, LOW MORTGAGE RATES have helped boost housing. But the historic low rates at the end of 2001 failed to change many builder marketing plans. "Move-down buyers come with cash. They don't need a 'heavy close,"' says...

Coming to terms. (House Blend).(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... Caption: Coming to Terms AIR RIGHTS: The right to control, use, or occupy the space above a designated property. Air rights can be leased, sold, or donated to other parties.

Lumber limbo. (House Blend).(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... The U.S. Department of Commerce's actions to impose 12.6% anti-dumping duties and a 19.3% countervailing duty on Canadian lumber shipments is bad trade policy, bad economic policy, and would act as a new hidden tax on American home buyers,...

Coffer klatch: Create a luxurious ceiling for a fraction of the price. (Cost Cutter).(Brief Article)(Interview)
January 1, 2002... DECORATIVE CEILINGS IN THE DINING room or master bedroom can add value to modest homes without breaking the builder's bank. Boulder, Colo., architect Jerry Gloss, of Knudson Gloss Architects, recommends a process, which he refers to as "the...

Expensive lessons: Building copyright infringement results in multi-million dollar awards. (Infringe Not).(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... BEWARE MIMICKING HOMES AND THEIR PLANS, even those from brochures. Architectural plans always had copyright protection as drawings, but a 1990 federal law added structures to copyrightable creative works. Think of it this way, says Chicago...

Peachy plantation. (House Blend).(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... The 2002 edition of The New American Home opens next month at the International Builders' Show in Atlanta. This year's plantation-style, move-up home was built by Atlanta's John Wieland Homes and Neighborhoods and showcases the latest in...

Echo boom. (House Blend).(Workforce demographics)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... That expected boom of boomers' kids is here. At more than 80 million, the kids of the post-war generation are now entering the workforce whether out of college or while studying. Born between 1977 and 1997, the echo boomers may be "the most...

Falling decks. (Punch List).(San Francisco decks collapsing)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... Some San Francisco multifamily decks are collapsing. A 22-year-old woman was paralyzed after one such incident in November 2001--the third serious incident in less than two years. City inspectors, not builders, are being criticized, the San...

All that shines. (Punch List).(glass tiles)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... Glass tiles and small mosaic patterns are expected to be huge hits with new-home buyers in 2002. Most glass tiles sell for $25 to $35 per square foot. Expect both deep and bright colors--inspired by cultures in India and Japan--to sell well,...

The end of high design? (Punch List).(housing design)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... With economic corrections, a war, and terrorism constantly in the headlines, designers and architects are re-thinking and re-tooling "glamorous" design ideas for homes. "Ostentation is out," The Washington Post reports.

Navy base scandal. (Punch List).(Orlando Sentinel covers Baldwin Park development)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... The Orlando Sentinel has cried foul over the land deal that sold prime Orlando lake-front real estate of the now closed Naval Training Center for the new Baldwin Park development. The Sentinel suggests the city gave the prime waterfront land...

Last man standing: New owners race to update seven key housing industry back-office accounting competitors. (Survival of the Fittest).(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... "LAST MAN STANDING" WAS THE name of a movie. Now it's the name of the game--the home building industry's back-office software survival game. With two of the seven leading housing industry back-office systems having been spun back to their...

Lennar's Patriotism increases: Nation's fourth largest home builder buys leading Baltimore builder. (Inside Story).(Lennar buys Patriot Homes)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... LENNAR HAS SIGNED AN AGREEMENT to purchase Patriot Homes, a leading home builder in the Baltimore marketplace, for an undisclosed price. During fiscal 2001, Patriot will deliver approximately 350 homes at an average sales price of approximately...

Pr Retires: Del Webb public relations staff eliminated. (The Straight Dope).(following Pulte Corp. merger)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... As consolidation continues in the housing industry, the merger last year of Pulte and Del Webb has resulted in the elimination of Del Webb's public relations functions at the corporate level. As of Jan. 1, all public relations matters are being...

Open wide. (Top Shelf).
January 1, 2002... YOUR JOB JUST GOT EASIER WITH the Wide Open Wood I Beam Joist; it features three pre-cut holes-two II 3/4-inch round and one II 3/4-inch x 16-inch obround--per piece so you can easily route ductwork and pipe without having to cut the joist....

Walk the plank. (Top Shelf).
January 1, 2002... DUOLINK IS THE WORLD'S FIRST TWIN TONGUE-AND groove, glueless laminate flooring system. The system--made of a high-density fiberboard core with moisture-sealed edges--features the company's unique Tap-N-Lock technology to insure a secure fit....

Barely there. (Top Shelf).
January 1, 2002... NEXT TO KIWIS, THIS STAINLESS STEEL GAS COOKTOP IS New Zealand's best export. The Auckland, New Zealand-based firm's five burner, 36-inch cooktop sits only 5/8 inch above the countertop, and its 2 5/8-inch overall depth is shallow enough to...

Switch hitter. (Top Shelf).
January 1, 2002... WITH THE FLICK OF A SWITCH, USERS CAN TRANSFORM THE 1/2-INCH Panasonic drill/driver (model no. EY6535NQKW) into an impact driver The tool's unique, dual-mode switching gear system is teamed with the company's latest 15.6-volt nickel-metal...

Slide and glide. (Top Shelf).
January 1, 2002... WHAT'S IN A NAME? A WHOLE LOT IF IT IS ANDERSEN. AND WITH ITS NEW 200 Series Narroline gliding patio door, your clients can get the name at an attractive price. Available in two configurations to fit six different opening sizes, the door is...

Contemporary collection. (Top Shelf).(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... IF YOUR BUYERS LIKE CONTEMPORARY LOOKS, SHOW them the Roy collection of bathroom accessories. Designed by Valentina Downey, the collection is made from chrome-plated brass with satin crystal accents. A shelf, robe hook, mirror, and towel holder...

Systems builder: Prefab framing has saved Japanese builders time and labor. Will Americans buy it? (Engineered Framing).(Brief Article)(Company Profile)
January 1, 2002... IF YOU WERE ON SITE WHEN DAVE AND Jen Chmielewski joined with four others to frame their Duluth, Minn., home, you would have noticed something missing: noise. Gone was the scream of the circular saw. The only sound that June day was the...

Above and beyond: If all manufacturers handled product defects the way these three companies did, builders would find protecting their reputations a whole lot easier. (Product Fixes).
January 1, 2002... THOUGH A MANUFACTURER MAY SELL dozens of different products to the home building industry, if one proves defective, the entire company's survival is at risk. Marvin Windows and Doors, Louisiana-Pacific, and DryVit each secured their...

Great elevations: The winners of the first-ever SmartSystem[TM] Home of the year awards exemplify the versatility of this premium engineered wood siding material. (Smart System Home of the Year).(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... Talk to the winners of the first-ever SmartSystem[TM] Home of the Year Awards, and you might get the impression they each used a different exterior siding material on their award-winning homes. On one house, for instance, the siding...

A winning combination: Category 1: Single-family detached homes under 3,000 square feet. (Home of the Year).(Brief Article)(Company Profile)
January 1, 2002... For years, design-builder Les Stevenson had been trying to convince his custom-home clients to let him design a house that combined the best of the timber-frame style and traditional stick construction. But it wasn't until his firm, Stevenson...

To your health: Category 2: Single-family detached homes over 3,000 square feet. (Gold Winner).(Michele Myers chooses SmartSystem siding)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... With this project, North Carolina builder Michele Myers was out to prove that a house could be both beautiful and healthy, combining dramatic and marketable design with arguably the most stringent environmental standards around. Essential to...

A legacy of color: Category 3: Single-family attached homes. (Gold Winner).(Serge Cote chooses SmartSystem siding)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... Developer Serge Cote was worried. The 70 unit, for-sale townhouse project he was planning for Pemberton, an area near the resort town of Whistler, BC, would require a four-year build out. But he was unsure if the vibrant color scheme he had...

Looks prevail: Category 1: Single-family homes under 3,000 square feet. (Merit Award Winner).(Matt Johnstone chooses SmartSystem siding)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... Canadian builder Matt Johnstone had always been drawn to the architecture of the South Carolina coastline, but it wasn't until he developed and built Harbour Park in the lakeside resort area of Grand Bend, ON, that he was able to bring that...

Style and stability: Category 1: Single-family homes under 3,000 square feet. (Merit Award Winner).(Mike Tigchelaar chooses SmartPanels siding)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... Rummaging through his shop a few years ago, Ontario builder Mike Tigchelaar uncovered a section of a SmartPanel[TM] he'd used on a previous job. "It still looked the same as when I bought it," he says. "For a wood-based siding, it's very...

What is SmartSystem[TM] siding? (Smart System Home of the Year).(Louisiana-Pacific )(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... Few products can promise the moon and deliver it, especially to a naturally skeptical bunch of builders. But SmartSystem[TM] siding from Louisiana-Pacific does just that. Available in lap boards and panel configurations, as well as a variety of...

Mergers ahead: Strong sales, surging stocks spur more home building mergers. (Vital Signs).(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
January 1, 2002... KING OF THE HILL. IT'S A POSITION coveted by all of the nation's largest home builders. Reaching the pinnacle's peak rewards its conqueror unique access to credit, unrivaled economies of scale, unsurpassed name recognition, and unmatched...

An educated guess: Estimating software saves time and takes the guesswork out of estimates. (Products).(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... ESTIMATING SOFTWARE CAN'T PREvent you from procrastinating or waiting until the last minute to submit your bid, but it can help you when time's running out. Alma Jessop, president of L.A. Construction in Salt Lake City, says many builders...

Power tool. (Products).(Precision Estimating software)(Brief Article)(Product Announcement)
January 1, 2002... Milano, Scott Precision Estimating combines a spreadsheet interface with a customizable database to deliver a flexible estimating program. The CAD Integrator creates estimates directly from CAD drawings. Users can compare several estimates...

Easy interface. (Products).(Bid-Builder)(Brief Article)(Product Announcement)
January 1, 2002... Milano, Scott Bid-Builder features an interface similar to Microsoft Excel, so users are comfortable immediately, says the maker. A complete mechanical and plumbing database with prebuilt items and assemblies is included. Users can...

Complete control. (Products).(Estimator-PRO 4.1)(Brief Article)(Product Announcement)
January 1, 2002... Milano, Scott Estimator-PRO 4.1 estimating software offers users complete control of their own costs. According to the company, the product can automatically update costs from suppliers' or subcontractors' text or Excel files sent via...

Put a lid on it: With pickup storage, you can pick up and go. (Products).(truck caps)(Brief Article)(Product Announcement)
January 1, 2002... KEEPING GEAR PROTECTED FROM the weather and break-ins are two top reasons builders install caps on their truck beds. But, it isn't always easy keeping your gear organized and accessible. The right truck storage accessories--caps, toolboxes, and...

Cabin fever. (Products).
January 1, 2002... Designed to offer a secure and weatherproof shield for your equipment, the DCU series cap is available in four standard heights and can be custom-built to meet exact specifications. Each unit in the series features base rails, structural...

Space maker. (Products).
January 1, 2002... The X-Tender Drawer sliding storage system is designed for use with most enclosed caps, vans, and SUVs. According to the maker, the system maximizes functional cargo space and gives users full access to items in the front of the bed. The shelf,...

Body work. (Products).
January 1, 2002... Cargobody fiberglass truck bodies are available in custom configurations and can easily install on more than one truck, says the maker. Options include a rollout deck, roof racks with ladder fasteners, and additional shelving. If on-site...

Top down. (Products).
January 1, 2002... For quick access, the Retrax roll-top pickup bed glides back and forth in a low-profile rail system made from aluminum. Manufactured from Lexan, an impact-resistant polycarbonate product, the rigid bed cover is made of one piece without joints...

Call to recovery: Creating homes is the United States' emotional and economic nexus to recovery. (From the President).(Brief Article)(Industry Overview)(Statistical Data Included)
January 1, 2002... THE LANDSCAPE OF OUR LIVES changed irrevocably over the course of a few terrifying hours on Sept. 11, 2001. Never again will we view our families, our homes, our nation, or our world in the same light. Even Old Glory, the enduring symbol of...

Mayor opens. (NAHB Briefs).(Rudolph Giuliani to address 2002 International Builders' Show)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... Rudolph Giuliani, New York's popular and charismatic former mayor, will give the keynote address at the grand opening ceremonies of the 2002 International Builders' Show in Atlanta on Feb. 8. Bart Connor, a renowned Olympic gold medalist...

Increase spurs. (NAHB Briefs).(Federal Housing Administration increases multifamily loan limit)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
January 1, 2002... The 25 percent multifamily loan limit increase appropriated for the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) should spur building of thousands of apartment units and play a critical role in meeting America's housing needs, says the NAHB. ...

Builder school venture. (NAHB Briefs).(Home Builders Institute and Delmar create Residential Construction Academy)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... The NAHB's Home Builders Institute (HBI) and Delmar, a Thomson Learning business, are developing the Residential Construction Academy, The Academy will set craft standards, publish instructional material to address those standards, develop...

Incentives limit decline: Aggressive incentives--including options, paying closing costs or points, and buying down interest--keep consumers in market. (Seiders Economy).(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
January 1, 2002... THE U.S. ECONOMY OFFICIALLY sank into recession last March, and the terrorist attacks on Sept. II put additional downward pressure on our economic system. Even so, this recession is shaping up as a relatively mild setback, due largely to...

Housing floats on: "Good Times" rolled in the 113th Tournament of Roses Parade. (Home Builders Care Corner).(National Association of Home Builders of the United States)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... THE NAHB CELEBRATED the new year and housing's national importance with a float in the 113th Tournament of Roses Parade, whose theme was "Good Times." The NAHB float, "Springtime in the Neighborhood," depicted "nature's commotion as spring...

Stay at home. (NAHB Briefs).(National Association of Home Builders of the United States remodeling training course)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... A new training program co-sponsored by the NAHB Remodelors Council, AARP, the NAHB Research Center, and the NAHB Seniors Housing Council, will be offered for the first time at the NAHB Seniors Housing Symposium in Orlando, Fla., next May. ...

Gimme Shelter Gimme superior walls. (New Product Alert).(Superior Walls)(Brief Article)(Product Announcement)
January 1, 2002... Stay dry and well protected from wind and rain with sturdy, insulated above-grade Superior Walls. The precast wall system that started the underground revolution in the building industry stands strong against the forces of nature above ground...

Convenience in store. (Hotsellers).(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... WHY IT WORKED: A 1,700-acre master plan that's home to the first new-urbanist--style development in the midlands section of the state. There are several competitors similar in size, but none have packaged the town center component. *...

By the bay. (Hotsellers).(The Holiday Organization's Hamlet en Olde Oyster Bay)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... WHY IT WORKED: It is the first new, large-scale residential development in the quaint North Shore Long Island town of Oyster Bay in years. The 55-acre parcel originally intended for a landfill has become a market phenomenon thanks to the...

Walk this way. (Hotsellers).(Peachtree Walk, Atlanta)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... WHY IT WORKED: Constructed as rental apartments before the Summer Olympics in 1996, the building was just converted to condos by the original developer, allowing it to come in under market on the prices per square foot. * The one-and...

Homelink: Builder's 2002 showcase of techniques and products is designed for the way builders really build and the way buyers really live.(Morrison Homes and Looney Ricks Kiss Architects Inc.)
January 1, 2002... AH, THE APPEAL OF AN OLD HOUSE--A charming, character-rich design on a spacious lot with mature trees. This is what a lot of home builders are up against, the notion that older homes are better than new construction. But in their nostalgic...

Open sesame. (Products Spotlight).
January 1, 2002... Clopay's wood garage doors (design No.4) richly complement the carriage house design. Each 9-by-8-foot, smooth-paneled cedar door features rectangular windows. Part of the Reserve Collection, the doors come in six designs in a variety of wood,...

Smooth move. (Products Spotlight).(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... James Hardie Building Products Hard plank lap siding, used in a 6-inch-wide smooth finish, contributes to the homes traditional facade. It was combined with inch-thick Harditrim boards from the same maker. Hardiplank, which is made from...

Cultural matters. (Products Spotlight).(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... Cultured Stone, hardly distinguishable from the real thing, gives the home a look of substance. Subtle, almost naturally occurring hues--gray, green, brown, putty, and orange--make the Owens Corning product look as though it was dug up on thc...

It's a lock. (Products Spotlight).(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... The entry door is secured with a lockset from Kwikset's Society Brass Collection. This particular set, done in a satin nickel finish, as is most of the door hardware in the home, is as solid as the home it protects. It includes concealed...

Window of opportunity. (Products Spotlight).(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... Saving from efficient building techniques were used to spec premium wood casement windows from Windsor Windows' Pinnacle Series. Clad with extruded aluminum, the windows create an old-fashioned look but provide modern benefits. Low-E glass...

Rugged roof. (Products Spotlight).(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... Architectural roof shingles from Owens Corning come with a 40-year warranty. The shingles consist of several layers, including two fiberglass mats bonded between layers of weathering grade asphalt. Heavier and thicker than standard three-tab...

Special handling. (Products Spotlight).(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... The door hardware inside the home also comes from Kwikset. Product lines include the Bedford and Windham knob, Savannah French Door Combinations, Pembroke, Tulane, and Hampshire Levers, each available with a low-profile deadbolt. Other designs...

Perfect swing. (Products Spotlight).(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... The in-swing patio doors provided by Windsor Windows & Doors include both single and bi-hinge models. The hinges can be adjusted after installation for fine tuning of door swing, and the doors feature multi-point locks for added security. Made...

Good wood. (Products Spotlight).(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... Plank flooring from Bruce Hardwood Floors, milled with micro edges end square ends, lends a contemporary look to this traditional home. Bass used slate inlays to Croatia medallion threshold, demonstrating the versatility of the Newcastle...

Sitting pretty. (Products Spotlight).
January 1, 2002... With comfortable furniture from Lifestyle Contract Furnishings, the perch becomes an extension of the living space. Four lines were used throughout Homelink--Lexington Home Brands, Drexel Heritage, Henredon, and Summer Classics outdoor...

Light my fire. (Products Spotlight).
January 1, 2002... The Icon 160T fireplace from Heatilator is the focal point of the great room. The 36-inch-wide wood burning fireplace has a traditional brick pattern refractory. The manufacturer's Caliber GCDC60 direct-vent gas model was used to warm up the...

Cook's nook. (Products Spotlight).
January 1, 2002... Whirlpools 36-inch range anchors the kitchen, It features a sleek gas cooktop with durable cast-iron gates, on Internet-enabled even, and a distinctive canopy hood, which is also 36 inches. With a touch of the Web tablet residents can access a...

Quick silver. (Products Spotlight).(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... Part of a new generation of Internet-enabled products from Whirlpool, the designer series stainless steel dishwasher with Whisper Quiet Plus sound Insulation combines the power of the Internet with functionality, convenience, and a cool...

Storage sense. (Products Spotlight).(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... Designed using Merillat's Organomics concept, cabinetry solutions that make roams mare functional and efficient, the Amera Spencer Paint Maple and Leland Park Cherry cabinets have utility cabinet roll-out racks and trays. The cabinets,...

Up above. (Products Spotlight).(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... A new headboard laminate ceiling from Armstrong mixes easily with walnut-stained maple box beams in the kitchen. The Four Seasons planks, also used en the screen porch, are surfaced with a maintenance-free resin. They come in a variety of...

Tile one on. (Products Spotlight).(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... The shower is a mix of molding pieces and tumbled marble-like tiles from Crossville Ceramics. The natural-toned porcelain stone tiles add variety within unity in this subtle color scheme. Extremely resistant, the product needs no sealers,...

Faucet major. (Products Spotlight).(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... The sturdy dual lever, chrome faucet from Price Pfister lends a sleek, modern element to the master bath. Price Pfister also provided shower and tub faucets in stainless steel and brushed nickel with ceramic disc valving. A Pforever Warranty...

Stow it. (Products Spotlight).(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... The organization theme carries through to the walk-in closets in the master suite provided by Schulte Corp. This custom creation, which includes the FreedomRail system and Activity Organizers, is fully flexible and can be re-configured for a...

Sinking feeling. (Products Spotlight).(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... SINKING FEELING: sterling's exclusive stainless steel Vikrell laundry sink is the shining star of this essential space. Engineered for durability and lasting performance, the single bawl sink is a classic addition to practically any decor. The...

Air control. (Products Spotlight).(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... By removing moisture and pollutants from indoor air, Carrier's energy recovery ventilator has a high-efficiency core and prefilter that cleans outdoor air prior to entering the home. It helps prevent mold problems, at the same time improving...

"Green" wallboard. (Products Spotlight).(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... The 1/2-inch gypsum drywall from Temple used in Homelink can make a rare environmental claim. Scientific Certification Systems, based in California, certifies the product to contain 95 percent recycled materials. The home includes...

Water shield. (Products Spotlight).(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... Keeping water away from basement walls was paramount. The builder used Koch Waterproofings Tuff-N-Dri, a two-part system with a 15-year transferable warranty. The application process consists of spraying on a polymer-modified asphalt emulsion,...

Low-cost flashing. (Products Spotlight).(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... Dupont Tyvek's Flex Wrap is essentially a self-adhesive, 6-inch-wide strip of polyethylene sheeting placed like "Z" flashing between foam panels. It also was used on the homes exterior, around windows and doors, to provide a durable,...

Easy breathing. (Products Spotlight).(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... One-inch-thick extruded polystyrene, applied to the inside of basement walls, helps control humidity levels. Unlike exterior sheathing. these panels should have no laminate skins, so that they have enough permeability to allow wet areas to dry...

Color my world. (Products Spotlight).(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... The broad variety of Sherwin Williams' paint colors is demonstrated in Homelink. The interior walls are Cashmere Premium interior latex paint in both flat and eggshell finishes, and the interior trim is coated with ProClassic Premium semi-gloss...