Builder articles from July 2000

Builder archives from July 2000

Call to Action.(builders must act to reform permit process)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2000... To really reform the approval and permit maze, builders need to become advocates for their cause. SHIFTING GOVERNMENT REQUIREMENTS, NEVER-ENDING plan reviews, overlapping agencies, unjustified time delays-those are the realities builders...

The Spotlight Collection.(Brief Article)
July 1, 2000... OUR SPOTLIGHT SERIES PACKAGES ARticles from the range of Hanley-Wood publications--not just BUILDER, but also REMODELING, OLD-HOUSE JOURNAL, HANLEY-WOOD'S TOOLS OF THE TRADE, RESIDENTIAL ARCHITECT, and others--grouped around specific topics. We...

BMAIL.(Brief Article)(Letter to the Editor)
July 1, 2000... ICFs Market I JUST WANTED TO TELL YOU HOW MUCH I enjoyed reading your February article "Sound Footings" (page 160). We at the Portland Cement Association have worked closely with Bruce Davis and his company, and I've come to respect the...

Public Pillory.(survey of Tampa Bay are homeowners finds dissatisfaction with home building practices)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2000... A survey of Tampa Bay area homeowners has rocked the reputations of area builders, especially U.S. Home. SOON AFTER THE ST. PETERSBURG TIMES PUBlished its scathing account of home building practices in Central Florida, copies of the article...

New Nerd Towns.(electronic commerce drives development of new central cities)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2000... Nerds rule. As e-commerce grows, new "downtowns" are sprouting up for business and housing. Unlike the many traditional 19th-century downtown areas that are being redeveloped around the country, these new "nerd" downtowns are more likely to...

Ranch Delayed.(Newhall Ranch project)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2000... A Kern County, Calif., judge has temporarily halted development of the 22,000-home Newhall Ranch project, to be located on 12,000 acres near Los Angeles. The judge said the developers, Newhall Land and Farming Co., did not adequately address...

New homeowners in four Florida counties have lots to gripe about. [*].(Brief Article)
July 1, 2000... * Number of homes that have significant flaws, such as "badly cracked slabs, leaks, buckling floors, and sagging roofs"--20%. * Number of homes not completed on time--40%. (About 15% of delays lasted more than three months.) * Percent...

The Air Out There.(American Lung Association report on air quality)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2000... A special report released by the American Lung Association may affect the perceived livability of many major metropolitan markets. According to "State of the Air 2000," many U.S. cities received a failing grade for their outdoor air quality....

44Se Habla Espa[tilde{n}]ol?(www.realestateespanol.com provides information for Latino home buyers)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2000... According to the U.S. Census, the nation's Latino population will top 40 percent by the year 2010, and as their numbers increase so will their buying power. To meet the demand, a plethora of new Spanish language Web sites aimed at home buyers...

Transit Town.(new Bay Area Rapid Transit facility in Richmond, CA)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2000... Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) and Richmond, Calif.'s redevelopment agency have broken ground an a project that will concentrate housing and multi-use development around a new rail stop. Billed as a great example of smart growth, the new station...

Hit the Books.(International Residential Code)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2000... New, streamlined building code tempers hassles with uniformity and a few perks. NOT ALL THE CHANGES IN THE NEW INTERnational Residential Code (IRC) will make your life tougher. Sure, you may have to install basement window egress, and your...

RECOIL.(pro-gun housing development near Pahrump, Nev.)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2000... A new 77-home community near Pahrump, Nev., is blazing a frightening trail with its pro-gun development, Front Sight. Developer/builder Ignatius Piazza is targeting his community to Uzi enthusiasts who will have unfettered access to 13 shooting...

SALINE SOLUTION.(desalinization plant planned for Tampa Bay Area)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2000... The first desalinization plant is expected to be built in Tampa Bay/St. Petersburg, Fla., to address water shortages caused by housing and population growth. It could solve the area's 25-million-gallon-per-day consumption requirement.

HEIGHTENED HOME BIDS.(eHomeSale)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2000... The already red-hot San Francisco Bay Area real estate market will reach incinerator temperatures with Yahoo's announcement of a new online home auction service. Prudential California Realty and Homebid.com are also partners in the endeavor,...

IT'S BACK.(asbestos found in home improvement products)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2000... Asbestos, vilified for years as a cancer-causing substance, is making its way back into homes. The EPA has found the lethal fibers in attic insulation, Zonolite, produced by W. R. Grace and Co., as well as in more than 3,000 products on the...

HUD Endorsement.(Codes Requirements for Housing Accessibility)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2000... HUD has endorsed a new building codes document clarifying the federal Fair Housing Accessibility Guidelines. The Codes Requirements for Housing Accessibility, prepared by HUD, the NAHB, and the International Code Council, describes the...

Pulte Greens.
July 1, 2000... For architectural students at the University of Arizona, real-life experience is the best teacher. ARID-CLIMATE DESIGN PRESENTS BOTH CHALLENGES and rewards: Do it wrong and the house becomes a solar-powered oven. Do it right and a home...

Beyond Sprawl.(nine states pass referenda on open space and brown-field issues)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2000... States address open space and brown-field issues. IN A PRESENTATION BY BRUCE KATZ DIRECTOR of The Brookings Institution's Center on Urban and Metropolitan Policy, called "Moving Beyond Sprawl: The Federal Role," nine states were identified...

Curves Ahead.
July 1, 2000... THIS IS NOT YOUR ORDINARY TRACK lighting. Flex 12 low-voltage lighting has a ribbon-like track that can be field-cut easily and curves by hand, allowing for an infinite number of installation and design options. The track measures 1 5/8 inches...

Tough as Nails.(Styrofoam Duramate Plus insulation board)(Brief Article)(Product Announcement)
July 1, 2000... TIRED OF TREATING INSULATION BOARD like it's fine china? Styrofoam Duramate Plus insulation board has improved stiffness and can be stomped on, bent, soaked, or frozen without losing its strength or insulation performance. The boards...

Light as a Feather.(N62FN angled finish nailer)(Brief Article)(Product Announcement)
July 1, 2000... WITH A MAGNESIUM HOUSING AND 16 FEWER PARTS, THE N62FN angled finish nailer weighs in at 3.8 pounds, making it the lightest in the industry, up to 2 pounds less than comparable nailers. The engine uses no oil and delivers 400 pounds of driving...

Room for Change.
July 1, 2000... FOR EVERY ROME BUYER WHO HAS EVER CHANGED THEIR mind, Moen has introduced the M-Pact faucet system for bathroom sinks and showers. The trim pieces in the system fit a common valve underbody allowing the builder to alter color and style without...

Total Control.
July 1, 2000... ARE YOUR HOMES KEEPING UP WITH THE INTERNET AGE? The Home Controller allows homeowners to access and control heating/cooling equipment, home security systems, lighting, and appliances by logging on to a secure Internet site. In addition to a...

Small Wonder.
July 1, 2000... POPPING POPCORN IS FUN AGAIN. THE 13-INCH-CUBE HALF-PINT microwave is ideal for smaller kitchens or those who wish to have a second microwave somewhere else in the home. It offers 600 watts of power and has Auto-Touch controls, one-touch...

Calling All Cowboys.
July 1, 2000... Want more profit? Hire entrepreneurs. HOW DID McBRIDE & SON HOMES INCREASE its "willingness to refer" rate by 15 percent and significantly increase its profits? The secret was to tap the entrepreneurial spirit of managers who have a yen to...

Now Secure This.
July 1, 2000... Surveillance may be cheaper than you think. THEFT OF ITEMS IN THE MODELS AT ROLLING HILLS Ranch, in Southern California, is practically nonexistent. That's because Liz Jackson, senior vice president and San Diego division manager for...

Build Your Own Crew.
July 1, 2000... With some products, trades may not be the best answer. GOING FROM WOOD CONSTRUCTION TO CONcrete was a good move for custom builder Don Denning of Denning Homes, in Salem, Ore. Customers loved the permanence, low maintenance, and quiet of...

Repatriation.
July 1, 2000... This apartment builder hunts down urban areas with unmet housing needs and goes to town. CITY BLOCKS DON'T GET MUCH MORE derelict than the turf wedged between Annunciation and Tchoupitoulas streets, just a ricochet away from New Orleans'...

Promising Purchase.
July 1, 2000... Centex's acquisition of Wayne Homes--two years later. TWO YEARS AFTER CENTEX ACQUIRED Canton, Ohio-based Wayne Homes, the heads of both companies are raving about what the deal has meant to their respective businesses. "The whole...

Milan Makeover.
July 1, 2000... Astoria Homes, Las Vegas' fastest-growing builder, started as a design -focused operation but failed -- big-time. That early catastrophe was the catalyst for their current success. TOM McCORMICK IS A SELF-EFFACING kind of builder. Even with...

Falling Down.
July 1, 2000... Accounts like this one from an unhappy homeowner, who happens to consult on golf course developments, give builders a black eye. What is the industry going to do to wipe out systemic quality and communication breakdowns? IMAGINE TAKING SIX...

More Bang for Your Buck.(Brief Article)
July 1, 2000... Q: I like this plan because it stacks and is boxy, but some of the rooms don't furnish well and it seems to lack pizzazz. How can I give this plan some drama and curb appeal, yet keep my direct costs down? A: EVEN A BOXY PLAN CAN HAVE...

Prices Up.(Brief Article)
July 1, 2000... Count on paying more for materials through year's end. THE NEWS CONTINUES TO BE GOOD with regard to wood products prices, which finally came down after spiking unmercifully last year. In 1999, the price of lumber was up 4.8 percent over...

Housing Policy for the 21st Century.
July 1, 2000... EVERY AMERICAN should have the opportunity to live in a decent and affordable home. The housing community, working as partners with government, has made great progress in meeting America's housing needs, although much remains to be done. ...

Chew On This.(Brief Article)
July 1, 2000... As Formosan termites chew their way through homes in Louisiana and the South, builders and legislators are left searching for solutions. FOR ROBERT S. KAYSER JR., VICE president and director of Gentry Builders in Ewa Beach, Hawaii, there...

Hardware Fair.(Brief Article)
July 1, 2000... The National Hardware Show offers builders a look at the bottest new products and trends in the industry. WHETHER YOU'RE SEARCHING FOR a new line of cordless tools or just looking to get in on the latest and greatest trends, head out to...

Fire Stop.(Brief Article)
July 1, 2000... CHRISTINA B. FARNSWORTH So-called controlled-burn fires were so uncontrolled they destroyed homes and so hot they melted electric and natural gas lines surrounding Los Alamos, N.M., this May. In response, the Santa Fe Area HBA...

Set the Agenda.(Brief Article)
July 1, 2000... If you want the next Congress to be in housing's corner, spend the next few weeks working to elect candidates who believe just as strongly as you. THIS YEAR'S NATIONAL ELECTIONS are particularly important to the housing industry. For the...

How to Fight Rising Rates.(Brief Article)
July 1, 2000... Time-tested techniques help mitigate tightened monetary policy effects. THE FEDERAL RESERVE IS IN THE process of monetary tightening that is designed to slow growth of the U.S. economy and keep inflation in check. The housing market...

Budapest Success.(Brief Article)
July 1, 2000... CHRISTINA B. FARNSWORTH Katalin Vaughan, the NAHB's director of international affairs and international conference organizer, reports the Budapest conference--the first international conference hosted by the NAHB-- exceeded expectations....

Safe Parties' Safe Haven.(Brief Article)
July 1, 2000... High schoolers celebrate. FOR THE PAST 10 YEARS, THE HBA OF LAKE County, Fla., has donated money and time to host a series of "safe" parties--called Project Graduation--for the year's graduates. The new graduates have a great time mingling...

Hail Cedar.(Brief Article)
July 1, 2000... Spanish-style architecture is almost the law in many parts of California, but Centex Homes raised the bar with CedarPointe at Northlake. Buyers have flocked to an attainable product high on interior finishes and versatile floor plans. AS...

Hot Boxes.(Brief Article)
July 1, 2000... In a boom economy, the move-up buyer is the center of attention. But Panitz Homes is making a mint by catering to the particular needs of first-time buyers. FIRST-TIME BUYER HOMES ARE OFTEN ACCUSED OF BEING too boxy. But building a better...

Ladies' Choice.(Brief Article)
July 1, 2000... In a region where new housing is rare, Thorndike Development in Quincy, Mass., found a waterfront site for attached townhomes that's attracting empty nesters and professionals, with single females the largest buying segment. PLACING A...

GETTING IT BUILT.(Brief Article)
July 1, 2000... Some call this a transition time. Others say the worst is yet to come. It all adds up to more--more opposition to new development, more time spent waiting for approvals, more consumer backlash. How did we get there, and more important, how can...

HOW WE GOT HERE.(Brief Article)
July 1, 2000... Seeds of Disaster PERMIT DENIED. ENTITLEment delayed. Density variance decimated. Beneath these increasingly common rejection notices lie some unstable footings. They include archaic urban planning, a hypocritical, misinformed public, slow...

Progressive Permitting: HOW IT SHOULD WORK.
July 1, 2000... HOPELESSLY OUTDATED OR inefficient land-use policies or an overt anti-development political climate--and in some cases, both--landed to locales on the "Worst Places to Build" list (see chart, page 142). Frustrated builders around the country...

Copping An Attitude: WAR OF WORDS.
July 1, 2000... BLAME THE BUYERS, FOR demanding palaces at the prices of starter homes. Blame the builders, for making housing disposable. Blame the Realtors, for promising too much. Blame the lawyers, for, well, being lawyers. So much tension. So much...

Team Players: GOOD GUYS FINISH FIRST.
July 1, 2000... MAINTAINING PUBLIC support and great public relations takes more than having a catchy tagline or industry slogan. Small and large builders alike have learned that the key to being seen as a "good guy" is playing an active role in the community...

Consensus Through Charrette: CITIZEN BUY-IN.
July 1, 2000... TYPICALLY A DEVELOPER GOES to a community with ideas and plans in hand, and tries to sell them. But you change the dynamics considerably--usually for the better--when you involve the community in the very beginning of the development process,...

National Elections: WILL THEY MAKE A DIFFERENCE?(Brief Article)
July 1, 2000... FEW EVENTS HAVE THE POWER to change everything, including the way you do business. A presidential election--especially one that ushers a new party into the White House and influences the balance of Congress--certainly qualifies as one of those...

Project Approval: 10 SUREFIRE WAYS TO SUCCEED.(Brief Article)
July 1, 2000... 1. BUILD RELATIONSHIPS WITH PLANNING AND ZONING OFFICIALS. Early interaction with city staff is a must. Establish a person-to-person relationship with someone in each municipality where you build. Becoming a visible community participant...

IT TAKES A VILLAGE.(Brief Article)
July 1, 2000... A developer and five builders team up to produce a successful community that highlights South Carolinas architectural heritage. FIFTEEN MINUTES FROM DOWNTOWN CHARlottee, just over the border in South Carolina's upcountry. Baxter Village is...

MEDIA ALERT.(Brief Article)
July 1, 2000... IT'S LIGHTS, CAMERA, AND ACTION IN TODAY'S SOPHISTICATED NEW-HOME MEDIA ROOMS. SKEPTICS PREDICTED THAT TELEVISION would be the death of radio as well as the movies. They couldn't have been further from the truth--box office sales are...

Benchmark.(Vista French patio door system from General Products Company)(Brief Article)(Product Announcement)
July 1, 2000... Vista [3F.sup.TM], an all-steel French patio door system from General Products Company, known for its Benchmark(R) Steel Door and Frame Systems, features the exclusive [BenchLight.sup.TM] Glass Insert System that provides a weathertight seal...

Champion.(heritage series doors )(Brief Article)(Product Announcement)
July 1, 2000... Our heritage series doors feature true raised mouldings, panels with more than 60 standard styles, plus unlimited custom designs, and virtually any sizes. Solid core rails and stiles. One piece raised panel areas that cannot split or separate!...

Andersen Windows.(Brief Article)(Product Announcement)
July 1, 2000... Maintenance is not an issue with Andersen(R) gliding patio doors, whose vinyl cladding eliminates the need for scraping, puttying and painting. Andersen gliding patio doors come standard with low-E glass (two types are available) and a patented...

Hurd Casement Windows.(Brief Article)(Product Announcement)
July 1, 2000... Hurd casement windows lead the industry in terms of performance, durability, aesthetics and special features and options. Their dual-arm system makes it possible to manufacture wider (up to 31-inch) windows and significantly reduces operating...

Caradco(R).(clad wood double-hung window)(Brief Article)(Product Announcement)
July 1, 2000... Introducing the Caradco [SmartFit.sup.TM] clad wood double-hung window. With full-tilt value! An affordable, high quality builder's window engineered to your requests. Tilt-in removable top and bottom sash, Lo-E2(R) glass, prefinished white...

Morgan(R).(natural wood stile and rail doors)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2000... Morgan's line of premier, natural wood stile and rail doors includes nine new Oak and Pine exterior designs. With a century-old reputation for quality, Morgan offers ten times more exterior designs and three times more interior designs than...

Masonite.(CraftMaster Door Designs)(Brief Article)(Product Announcement)
July 1, 2000... To continue providing homebuilders with the widest range of molded panel interior door design options, CraftMaster(R) Door Designs by Masonite introduces [Carrara.sup.TM], a versatile, two-panel, square top, smooth surface design. Clean lines...

Crestline.(window products)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2000... Crestline's comprehensive family of windows includes a product to fit each particular need, precisely. In standard models and special shapes. With options like grilles, special colors, low-E glass and custom designs. Visit our Web site--...

Hy-Lite.(acrylic block products)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2000... Hy-Lite(R) Products, Inc. offers a comprehensive selection of acrylic block windows, panels and partitions for residential and commercial projects. Available in a variety of colors and block patterns, Hy-Lite acrylic blocks are 70 percent...

KVW.(extruded vinyl Hinged Patio Door)(Brief Article)(Product Announcement)
July 1, 2000... KVW, a division of Kolbe & Kolbe Millwork Co., Inc. offers an extruded vinyl Hinged Patio Door. The door is low-maintenance and energy-efficient, while also having numerous trim, hardware, glazing and divided lite options. Matching sidelites,...

Milgard.(Milgard Vinyl Classic Series windows)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2000... Voted #1 in quality by BUILDER magazine, Milgard Vinyl Classic Series(R) windows offer an insulated glass unit for superior energy efficiency, and a fusion-welded frame and sash for added strength and performance. Designed for easy maintenance,...

Norco(R).(new radius head patio door and a half-panel clad patio door)(Brief Article)(Product Announcement)
July 1, 2000... The Norco patio door line now includes a new radius head patio door and a half-panel clad patio door. For those who love the look of a patio door with arched transom. The sophisticated designs combine the look of bygone elegance with modern...

Pella(R).(Pella casement window )(Brief Article)(Product Announcement)
July 1, 2000... Introduced in the of 2000, the new and improved Pella casement window features a low-profile, integrated crank with a fold-away handle that won't get in the way of window treatments. The new design also incorporates stronger, more durable...

Pozzi(R).(clad wood exterior swinging patio door)(Brief Article)(Product Announcement)
July 1, 2000... Pozzi has created a unique, clad wood exterior swinging patio door. With a style typical of Colonial or Americana, this versatile door is available in single or double swing. Interior and exterior "Raised Panel" available as single horizontal...

PrimeCel.(Brief Article)
July 1, 2000... The next generation window is here. PrimeCel windows, manufactured entirely of cellular PVC, are more energy efficient than wood and rigid vinyl. Factory pre-finished, they can be painted and offer homeowners the beauty of wood windows without...

Sierra Pacific Windows.(Brief Article)(Product Announcement)
July 1, 2000... Experience the value of buying direct. Eliminate the middleman. We have knowledgeable salespeople to give you the expertise you need. We offer a complete line of wood and aluminum clad windows and doors as well as an architectural support...

Silver Line.(Brief Article)(Product Announcement)
July 1, 2000... Silver Line offers a complete line of window products for home renovation with windows to match any style. Vinyl construction provides a weathertight seal and is virtually maintenance free. Our integration of performance, quality, price and...

Therma-Tru Doors.(Brief Article)
July 1, 2000... New 8' TALL Classic-Craft(R) fiberglass doors are breathtaking. Available in an eye-catching nine-panel style with seven decorative doorlite options and also in a massive 3'6" wide six-panel style. Backed by a lifetime-limited warranty, their...

VELUX-AMERICA INC.(Brief Article)
July 1, 2000... VELUX-AMERICA INC.'s energy-efficient Model [FCMT.sup.TM] skylight is a state-of-the-art curb-mounted fixed glass skylight designed to work with all roofing materials and installation methods. Four different sizes have been configured to fit...

Simonton Windows.(Brief Article)
July 1, 2000... The Impressions(R) Super Sensor Glass Package, optional on Simonton Impressions(R) 7500 retrofit windows, combines Low ESC/Krypton-filled glass, the unique Super Spacer(r) and KeepSafe(r) laminated glass to make an I.G. unit that creates an...

Vetter.
July 1, 2000... Vetter's recently launched Web site. www.vetterwindows.com, is designed for easy navigation and allows visitors to explore the Vetter product line and request literature. Visitors also will find condensation facts, care and maintenance tips and...

WeatherShield.(Brief Article)
July 1, 2000... The Weather Shield Legacy [Series.sup.TM], with [ThermoGold.sup.TM] glass, includes a variety of tilt double-hung, casement, and direct-set aluminum-clad wood windows constructed with improved sightlines, high resistance to strong weather, and...

Windsor.(Brief Article)
July 1, 2000... The newest addition to the company's complete line of vinyl windows and patio doors, the double hung has been designed for new construction and can be modified for retro-fit applications. It has a combination pocket/sloped sill and...

SilverLine Windows.(Brief Article)
July 1, 2000... Choosing the right window is essential to the success of your building project. There are, perhaps, no windows to better satisfy all of your requirements than Silver Line Windows. Silver Line's integration of performance, quality, price, and...

Nothing But Net.
July 1, 2000... As Internet manid sweeps through the industry, many wonder when--and how--hidebound home builders will enter the digital decade. TO DOT.COM, OR NOT TO DOT.COM, THAT IS THE QUESTION. With each passing day, the Internet threatens to take over...

Sun City, Ariz.(Brief Article)
July 1, 2000... RECLAIMED FROM COTTON FIELDS. SENSATION AND SUCCESS despite naysayers--100,000 visitors, 300 sales inaugural weekend. Grand-opening traffic snaked 30 miles into the desert. For 18 years through three phases, homes sold better than 1,000 a year....

Callback.
July 1, 2000... ON PAGE 57 OF OUR JUNE ISSUE, UNDER "Jaws of Life," the price listed for Ridge Tool Co.'s ProPress crimping system was incorrectly listed. The correct price is $2,249. We regret the error.