Builder articles from March 2004

Builder archives from March 2004

Missed opportunity: economists failed to predict housing's incredible year in 2003.(Editor's Notes)
March 1, 2004... WHEN THE PRESS RELEASE CAME IN ANNOUNCING that housing starts rose 8.4 percent last year to the highest level in 25 years, I was reminded of an old maxim: The only people who can be wrong more often than economists and still keep their jobs are...

Worthy aspirations.(B Mail)(Letter to the Editor)
March 1, 2004... AS A BUILDER WHO HAS DEDICATED HIS entire career to providing affordably priced housing to working families and who has seen firsthand the enormous financial and social benefits of homeownership for those with lower incomes, I was absolutely...

Not quite home.(B Mail)(Letter to the Editor)
March 1, 2004... I VISITED THE NEW AMERICAN HOME 2004. Please! The floor plan was horrible, the master bedroom was much too small, and the master bath was a joke. The shower had windows for walls, with a second bathtub on the deck... not a private deck at all....

Steeling beauty.(B Mail)(Letter to the Editor)
March 1, 2004... THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THE GREAT ARTICLE on our new EcoSteel systems ("All for One," January, page 71). What a wonderful way to kick off our new year! Northern Steel has received several interesting industry contacts as a result of your...

Calendar.(Book It)(Calendar)
March 1, 2004... MARCH 14-16 National Green Building Conference. Austin, Texas This conference for the mainstream residential building industry will promote environmentally responsible construction methods. Contact: 800-368-5242, ext. 8338 or...

Discovery zone: research house may offer realistic applications for green practices.(Research Project)
March 1, 2004... BOULDER, COLO.-BASED MCSTAIN NEIGHBORHOODS is trying to change the perception that building green is too expensive for the average production home builder. As part of its effort, the company is building a demonstration house in Loveland, Colo.,...

Framed!(House blend: trends, tips, cool stuff)(Pratte Building Systems)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2004... Pulte is partnering with a top Southwest framing and foundation company in a quest for quicker cycle times and lower costs. The arrangement, a joint venture between Pulte and Pratte Development Co., will be known as Pratte Building Systems. It...

Modified dream.(House blend: trends, tips, cool stuff)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2004... The National Low Income Housing Coalition (NLIHC) claims that the Bush administration's actions on housing policy don't match its rhetoric. One example: NLIHC says the American Bream Downpayment Act, signed by President Bush last year,...

Magic mortgages.(House blend: trends, tips, cool stuff)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2004... Washington Mutual has opened up a mortgage center in Harlem, N.Y., as part of a five-year partnership with the Johnson Development Center, a company run by former basketball star Magic Johnson. Atlanta, Chicago, Los Angeles, and Washington, are...

Defects fight.(House blend: trends, tips, cool stuff)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2004... The Colorado Association of Home Builders is bracing for a fight over a constitutional amendment that will seek to overturn the state's construction defects law. The existing law requires homeowners to notify builders of the defect and caps...

Smart start.(House blend: trends, tips, cool stuff)
March 1, 2004... A new report from the Washington-based National Center for Housing and the Environment has concluded that engaging in land market monitoring gives communities a valuable tool that can make smart growth even smarter. The report, titled...

From the ashes: Hallmark Communities helps San Diego residents rebuild after the wildfires.(Starting Over)
March 1, 2004... AS WILDFIRES FORCED CHARLES OSGOOD AND his wife to evacuate their San Diego home last October, he never doubted he would return. "I didn't believe there was any probability that our house would burn down," says Osgood. "I even locked the doors...

Data management: new Web-based tool helps builders track and manage warranty information.(Editor's Internet Pick)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2004... SALT LAKE CITY -- BASED AXIS POINTE (www.axispointe.com) says its new HomeProfile Web-based productivity tool will help builders save money by efficiently collecting, managing, and accessing warranty and product data for every home they sell....

Toilet attacks?(House blend: trends, tips, cool stuff)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2004... Wired magazine recently devoted a column to the discussion of Japanese versus U.S. toilets. It suggests that many Americans find the "smart" features of Japanese toilets, such as automatic lid lifters, heated seats, remote controls, and "gentle...

No dead space?(House blend: trends, tips, cool stuff)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2004... Residential growth around Chicago and many other places in the United States has squeezed older cemeteries to the point where there's no place left for the newly deceased. At the Lake Zurich cemetery, homes on three sides of the cemetery have...

Great start: lots of up-front talk helps a Missouri TND sail through the approval process.(Zoning Success)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2004... IMAGINE YOU'RE A BUILDER WHO WANTS TO PUT UP 4,300 homes on 638 acres in St. Charles, Mo. It's a billion-dollar, mixed-use project. Half the site will have to be raised out of a 500-year flood plain, and stormwater runoff will require that 75...

True savings: billing software from TrueLine helps McMillin Cos. save the cost of 2.5 staffers.(Cost Cutter)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2004... THE CORKY MCMILLIN COS. IN SAN DIEGO says it saves roughly $250,000 a year on the salaries, benefits, and overhead on 2.5 accounting personnel by using TSC Solutions' TrueLine Billing Module. TrueLine consolidates the bills its five general...

Steady strength.(House blend: trends, tips, cool stuff)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2004... The National Association of Realtors (NAR) predicts that the median price for new homes will increase by 5.1 percent. David Lereah, NAR's chief economist, reports that while the rate of price increases for 2004 will be slower than last year, it...

Go for gold.(House blend: trends, tips, cool stuff)
March 1, 2004... The 41st Gold Nugget Awards competition will recognize design and planning excellence from 14 Western states and the Pacific Rim countries. Entry deadline is April 9 (fees duo April 2). For an entry package, call 800-658-2751, e-mail mayer...

Back to school: Cornell University's master's degree program prepares students for the real estate world.(Building Connections)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2004... NO ONE CAN SAY THAT CORNELL UNIVERSITY'S master's degree in real estate doesn't provide real world experience. Among students' class projects: evaluating raw land and providing a full-blown feasibility report to big builder clients such as...

Environmental prodigy: by adopting a comprehensive plan of action, this Arizona building company has set itself on an environmental plateau far above its competitors.(Head And Shoulders)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2004... A PHOENIX-BASED CONTRACTOR HAS TAKEN HOME an award for environmental leadership from Arizona's governor. Kitchell Contractors has created an environmentally friendly way of doing business called the Construction Environmental Management Program...

Tough tees: a golf course expert says courses in master planned communities are often too difficult for the homeowners who want to play them.(Grounds For Frustration)
March 1, 2004... GOLF, FORMERLY A MUST-HAVE amenity in master planned communities, has landed in the rough. Nationally, new course construction has slowed, with just 171 new 18-hole equivalent courses built in 2003, compared with 398 in 2000, according to the...

Tank defense: home inspectors have begun to take note of risky hot water tank installation in the home garage. Why not get proactive?(Inside Story)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2004... THE UNIFORM PLUMBING CODE (UPC) instructs that hot water heaters in garages need to be placed 18 inches off the floor. The idea: keep vehicles from crushing the tank, and keep potential ignition sources (both gas and electric) away from the...

Arkell case reversed: Minnesota Supreme Court fees general contractor in building code case.(The straight dope: the whole truth and nothing but the truth)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2004... Prosecutors must prove intent before builders can be jailed for a building code violation, according to a recent ruling by the Minnesota Supreme Court. The ruling, issued on the final day of 2003, set free general contractor John Arkell,...

Razor's edge.(Topshelf: the latest and greatest building products)
March 1, 2004... IT'S A FACT OF LIFE: KNIFE BLADES BREAK--AND OFTEN. UNLESS you have this one, which the manufacturer claims is the first shatter-resistant blade for utility knives. Ideal for cutting many surfaces, the blade has an edge that stays sharp for up...

Loose screws.(Topshelf: the latest and greatest building products)
March 1, 2004... THE MANUFACTURER SAYS THE SNAP ON WALL PLATE HAS THE INDUSTRY'S first subplate that fits onto a designer-style wiring device's mounting screws. Once the wall plate is positioned, it manually ratchets into place. The design makes it easier for...

Easy reader.(Topshelf: the latest and greatest building products)
March 1, 2004... READING BLUEPRINTS AT THE JOBSITE CAN BE CONFUSING. Planreader tape measures can help. The products feature standard 1-inch markings, but they also have architect 1/4-inch scales for scaling construction plans. The company says the markings...

Light years.(Topshelf: the latest and greatest building products)
March 1, 2004... THE DEBUTANTE SMALL-SCALE PENDANT is a good example of the refined industrial aesthetic that is hot at the moment. Made from spun aluminum, the fixture has a cone-shaped shade that measures 6 inches in diameter and has a 5-inch ceiling canopy....

Cell mate.(Topshelf: the latest and greatest building products)
March 1, 2004... SUPERCELL 2000 IS THE only fusion-welded cellular vinyl window on the market, the company claims. Cellular material, it says, has an insulation capacity that is 200 percent higher than hollow vinyl and 60 percent higher than wood. It comes...

Old world.(Topshelf: the latest and greatest building products)
March 1, 2004... RUMBLED CLAY PAVERS ARE A good choice for buyers who want the cobblestone-look of historic Main Street USA, the manufacturer says. Designed to look centuries old, each brick goes through a tumbler that rounds the edges but allows each piece to...

Cold warrior: this New Jersey builder preaches the religion of insulated concrete forms to anybody and everybody who will listen.(Concrete Ideas)
March 1, 2004... ED TRINKLE HASN'T FOUND AN INSULATED concrete form (ICF) angle he can t work. This custom builder from Blockwood, N.J., has been constructing high-end custom homes in the area exclusively with ICFs for four years--and he can't keep up with...

Renovating renaissance: discipline and dedication return an Oregon builder to profitability.(Financial Focus)
March 1, 2004... THE HONEYMOON ENDED QUICKLY for the new COO. Days after Tim Breedlove started his job in 1999 as Renaissance Homes' COO, his financial analysis uncovered serious cracks within the West Linn, Ore., home building company he'd just joined. "This...

Solar giants? Who would have believed that big builders would be the ones pushing solar energy into the housing mainstream?(Sun Worshippers)
March 1, 2004... IF YOU HAPPENED TO VISIT BUILDER'S show home, the Ultimate Family Home, during this year's International Builders' Show in Las Vegas, and you didn't climb up and take a close look at the roof, you may have missed one of the home's most...

Keystone delivers colonial flair with high performance features.(Special Advertising Section)(Advertisement)
March 1, 2004... The Villages at Lady Lake is a planned-community built in an area that appeared to be too challenging for most residential construction. Industry leaders Keystone Retaining Wall Systems, Inc. and Contech Construction Products, Inc. teamed up to...

A recognition of builders using Silestone natural quartz in their communities: a satisfied customer is your best reference!(Builder Profile of the Month)(Advertisement)
March 1, 2004... As the vice president of Andrew Homes, Andy Backus always tries to crystallize just what it is he is trying to accomplish before he makes any major business decision. "We are a design/build firm with a keen eye for detail," he says. "We...

View from the top: the sales center model at BellaMare at Williams Island, Fla., offers a glimpse of penthouse living.(Market smarts: new marketing and sales techniques with proven results)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2004... THE TEMPORARY SALES CENTER AT BellaMare, a 310-unit luxury condo tower amid an island community of similar development, allows prospects to tour a ground-floor model... but you'd never know it by the view. In addition to a working...

Waste not: an energy-conscious builder boosts awareness and sales by guaranteeing annual heating and cooling bills.(Ideal Homes partnered with Engineered for Life program by United States. GreenFiber)
March 1, 2004... OKLAHOMA BUILDER VERNON MCCOWN BELIEVES HIS COMPANY, Ideal Homes, has a two-year window (specifically, a low-E, dual-paned vinyl window) before the rest of the market catches up with its evolving commitment to building energy-efficient homes....

Above and beyond: for its new high-end, high-rise condo project, Coscan Homes gives buyers a taste of true luxury in the sky.(Market smarts: new marketing and sales techniques with proven results)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2004... WHEN BUILDER/DEVELOPER COSCAN HOMES BEGAN PRESALES for Atlantic One, a 145-unit, high-rise condo project in Aventura, Fla., with prices starting at $800,000, well-heeled prospects bemoaned the new realities of security checks and long lines...

Get to know acrylic: easy cleaning and durability make homeowners happy and increase referrals, making more and more contractors want to ...(Special Advertising Section)(Advertisement)
March 1, 2004... How do contractors please today's customers and increase referrals? When it comes to the bathroom, more and more, the answer is acrylic. Recent research identifies two key items that can make homeowners most happy: First, bathroom surfaces...

Second chances: new Fannie Mae program should bring money back into battered manufactured housing industry.(Vital Signs)
March 1, 2004... FOR MANUFACTURED HOME CUSTOMERS and lenders, it was financially painful irony. While others purchased site-built homes for hundreds of thousands of dollars for no money down, those looking for a manufactured home with a 30-year mortgage had to...

Trend watch: stuck in a product rut? These five trends give you the skinny on the next hot thing.(Products: products and tools every builder should know about)
March 1, 2004... LOCATION MAY BE THE MOST IMPORTANT element to selling a home, but don't underestimate the significance of cool kitchens and bathrooms. Truth be told, these rooms are the real money-makers. Of course, consumers are a finicky lot, so figuring out...

Homes online.(NAHB Briefs)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2004... From protecting wildlife to framing a house--and everything in between--kids across the country now can bring the home building process to life in an interactive environment with the launch of the NAHB's "Homes of Our Own" online coloring book,...

Clean water.(NAHB Briefs)(the Clean Water Act and the Oil Pollution Act)(U.S. vs. Needham)(National Association of Home Builders of the United States)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2004... The federal government may not impose regulations over non-navigable waters, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit has decided, which directly contradicts previous circuit court decisions. The NAHB has called on the Supreme Court to...

Lending hands: a new mortgage program will benefit minority households.(National Association of Home Builders )
March 1, 2004... OUR INDUSTRY'S ONGOING EFFORTS TO provide affordable homeownership opportunities to working families received a tremendous boost recently when HUD proposed the creation of an FHA-insured zero down-payment mortgage. The NAHB has long...

Financial fears: should builders fear the budget deficit?(Seiders Economy)
March 1, 2004... HISTORICALLY, THE HOME BUILDING INDUSTRY has been a staunch opponent of large federal budget deficits. After all, large deficits smack of fiscal irresponsibility in Washington. Worse yet, large deficits mean heavy borrowing by the Treasury that...

New director.(NAHB Briefs)(Federal Housing Finance Board)(Alicia R. Castaneda)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2004... The NAHB commends the U.S. Senate for confirming the nomination of Alicia R. Castaneda to serve as a director of the Federal Housing Finance Board (FHFB), which regulates the Federal Home Loan Bank System. "The FHFB will clearly benefit...

Look ahead: electrochromic windows change the function of windows.(The NAHB Research Center Corner)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2004... IN YEARS TO COME, ELECTROCHROMIC (EC) windows, which control the amount of solar heat that passes through window glass, are likely to change the way consumers think about the function of windows. EC windows allow solar heat-gain through the...

Record year.(NAHB Briefs)(National Association of Home Builders of the United States)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2004... New-home construction in 2003 reached 1.848 million units, the highest in 25 years and 8.4 percent above starts for 2002. "The strength in housing in 2003 was concentrated in single-family unit starts, while condominium units in multifamily...

Credit bill.(NAHB Briefs)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2004... To help the White House achieve its goal of 5.5 million new minority homeowners by 2010, the NAHB supports homeownership tax credit legislation that will facilitate development in inner cities, struggling suburbs, and isolated rural areas. ...

Hudson River Views.(Hot sellers: sold out! Fast-moving communities)
March 1, 2004... Discovery Cove at Half Moon Bay, Croton-on-Hudson, N.Y. WHY IT WORKED: It's the only gated, fully amenitized, terrace and townhome community located directly on the banks of the Hudson River--and just a 47-minute express train ride from...

All Ashore.(Hot sellers: sold out! Fast-moving communities)
March 1, 2004... Heritage Point, Barnegat, N.J. WHY IT WORKED: The New Jersey shore location and prices far below those in the northern counties of the state are a big draw for active adults, as are the homes' stone-detailed exteriors and open-plan...

California Dream.(Hot sellers: sold out! Fast-moving communities)
March 1, 2004... Monterra at Rancho Etiwanda, Rancho Cucamonga, Calif. WHY IT WORKED: Talk about timing--homes in Monterra at Rancho Etiwanda went on sale less than a month after the Interstate 210 extension opened, which means the commute to Los Angeles is...

History lessons: Baldwin Park, a TND in the heart of Orlando, Fla., looks to Florida's past for its architectural inspiration.(traditional neighborhood development )
March 1, 2004... THERE'S SO MUCH HISTORY connected with the site of Orlando's Baldwin Park, a new, mixed use, 1,093 acre community, that it's not surprising that the developer has seized upon the past for much of this TND's newfound identity. But rather than...

The truth about density: what's the real relationship between housing density and quality of life? Will denser zoning ease traffic congestion? Result in high crime rates? Cause an increase in pollution? The answers may surprise you--and your fiercest opponents.(Myths And Misconceptions)
March 1, 2004... AS A BUILDER, YOU PROBABLY LIKE the idea of higher density zoning, of putting more units on every acre of precious land. At the very least, you would like to have the freedom to make that choice. But pick up a newspaper in any growing region of...

The most versatile and complete deck system available.(Special Advertising Section)(Advertisement)
March 1, 2004... Royal Crown Limited Offers An Innovative Vinyl Decking System Deck Lok[TM] is a complete deck and railing package that boasts a unique, patent-pending snap connection system that eliminates exposed fasteners. Designed to make installation...

Safe havens: niches give smaller builders shelter from the storm of big builder competition.
March 1, 2004... ROD CULLUM HARBORS NO ILLUSIONS ABOUT his ability to compete directly with the big guys. "When we do the analysis and look at the risk/reward scenario and the hierarchy in our market," says Cullum, a custom builder in Scottsdale, Ariz., the...

Perfect fit: improper window installation is epidemic, say experts. The good news, though, is that the information to put windows in the right way exists. Here are the five most important steps for proper installation.(Interview)
March 1, 2004... "I CAN TELL YOU WHAT THE problem with window installation is in one word," says engineer Alan Mooney: "skill." Or lack thereof, as the case has long been with windows. As president of Portland, Maine-based Criterium Engineers, Mooney can...

Bringing home the green.(Special Advertising Section)(Advertisement)
March 1, 2004... Attend the 6th annual National Green Building Conference and see first-hand how you can bring home the green. For the entire building industry: * Educational Sessions * Exhibits * Product Demonstrations * Tours *...

A big help: new construction-management software aims to deliver the features of an integrated back-office system to small builders.(Builder tech: technology for the smart building business)
March 1, 2004... EDITED BY STEVE ZURIER MOST BUILDERS WHO CLOSE 100 HOMES per year feel the national builders breathing down their necks. To stay competitive, these smaller builders need software that lets them grow on their own terms, while affording the...

Proficient program.(Builder tech: technology for the smart building business)(SpeakerCraft's Proficient Audio Systems)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2004... SpeakerCraft's Proficient Audio Systems brand now features two new programs for a builder's design center and model homes. The builder program centers around the Proficient Music Center, which features a CD player, AM-FM tuner, and supports two...

Intercom music.(Builder tech: technology for the smart building business)(M&S Systems)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2004... M&S Systems is marketing an intercom to residential builders that handles standard functions such as voice communications, paging, and room monitoring, but also can play stereo music over the system. The DMCI unit can attach to a home stereo,...

Sales aids: GE Mortgage Insurance Web site offers consumer incentives that can help builders close sales.(Builder tech: technology for the smart building business)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2004... ANTICIPATING THAT THE COMPETITION TO close sales will increase as interest rates rise in 2004, GE Mortgage Insurance launched a Web site in January that lets builders offer buyers up to $2,000 in discounts on consumer items. Builders can sign...

Rugged renegade.(Builder tech: technology for the smart building business)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2004... Xplore Technologies Corp., best known for making "ruggedized" computers for utility, public safety, and military applications, has released the Renegade, a heavy-duty Tablet PC for builders at a relatively affordable price: $2,995. The company...

Compare & shop.(Builder tech: technology for the smart building business)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2004... Toll Brothers has added a shopping cart feature on its Web site that lets customers compare the features and benefits of up to three communities on a single Web page. The new "My Toll Home" feature, launched late last year, also lets buyers do...

Get tech ready! Use these tips to prepare for your next technology project.(Builder tech: technology for the smart building business)
March 1, 2004... EDITED BY STEVE ZURIER TECHNOLOGY CONSULTANTS WHO TALK ONLY about the features and benefits of their products miss the point. Innovative technology is important, but a project can succeed only if the company is ready to make some changes....

No magic bullet: stop waiting for the one-size-fits-all system. Here are three companies that took different paths to creating an integrated system that manages the building life cycle.(Hacienda Builders, Pointsett Homes, Taylor-Morley)
March 1, 2004... BUILDERS CAN'T WAIT AROUND ANYMORE. MOST are tired of wringing their hands over the failure of BuildNet during the dot-com era. And, last year's collapse of i4Synergy underscored that a single software solution to manage the building life cycle...

Builder plans: featuring new plans from the nation's leading designers.(Missing Links)
March 1, 2004... What's New on Builder Online: The American Dream Tour FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO DIDN'T GET YOUR fill of new building products on display at January's International Builders' Show in Las Vegas, another dose of fresh products is on its way to a...

Palmcroft-Encanto, Phoenix.(Walk Through)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2004... LOOKING FOR ALL THE WORLD LIKE AN OASIS IN DOWNTOWN Phoenix, the Palmcroft-Encanto neighborhood is marked by curving, tree-lined streets, lush landscaping, and a 220-acre park with gently rolling green fields, dotted with picturesque ponds....

The complete package: here, in one place, is everything you need to profit from house plans.(Editorial)
March 15, 2004... When we began planning this issue, we embarked on a simple goal: to create the single best resource for home plans that meet your needs and those of your customers. Now, as you hold the largest collection of house plans we've ever put together,...

Make your life easier: with HomePlanners customization service, any home plan can be personalized to fit your customers' needs.
March 15, 2004... The home building process is different for everyone--some people know exactly what kind of plan they'd like to build from the get-go, and others must search numerous plans to see what strikes their fancy. Regardless of which category your...

Added bonus: help your clients make the most of their bonus space with this handy guide to the planning process.
March 15, 2004... Homes with expandable areas offer great opportunities for the family on the grow. Attics, basements, breezeways, and sometimes even garages provide future space that will easily convert into a home office, additional sleeping space, a hobby...

Meet your client's needs: help your clients align their home's design with their lifestyle.
March 15, 2004... Your clients will have countless considerations when they sit down to search for their new home plan, and with more than 1,000 possibilities in this magazine, picking the right one can be a daunting task. Choosing which home plan to build...

Designer profiles: take a look at some of Builder's top-notch designers.(Company Profile)
March 15, 2004... Home Design Services, Inc. Home Design Services, established by CEO Jim Zirkel in 1971, is a full-service architectural firm, located in Orlando and Jacksonville, serving Florida coast to coast. Luxury. homes to production housing is his...

Featured designers.(Construction planning)
March 15, 2004... This special issue of BUILDER features more than 1,000 plans from the following designers: Ahmann Design, Inc. Hiawatha, IA Alan Mascord Design Associates, Inc. Portland, OR Andy McDonald Design Group Madisonville,...

Featured home plans.(Construction planning)
March 15, 2004... Plan: HWM0901007 Square Footage: 1,992 Bedrooms: 3 Bathrooms: 2 1/2 Dimensions: 63'-0" X 57'-2" Foundation: Slab, Crawlspace, Basement Price Code: B Vaulted and volume ceilings highlight this extraordinary...

Simonton ProFinish[R] Windows.(PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT)
March 15, 2004... Simonton Windows offers builders more options than ever before when selecting top-quality vinyl windows and sliding patio doors. The energy efficient Simonton ProFinish[R] series is constructed with g4-inch Insulating Glass, fusion-welded...

Beam central vacuum systems.(HOT NEW PRODUCTS)
March 15, 2004... The only central vacuum system proven to relieve allergies offers even more indoor air quality benefits. The new Beam Advocate[TM] Power Team cleans more surfaces faster, more thoroughly and with less effort than ever before. The Beam Advocate...

Aristokraft cabinets.(HOT NEW PRODUCTS)
March 15, 2004... Aristokraft offers details of distinction, such as a beautiful new cherry wheat finish and new decorative half-spindle turnings (shown). Embellishments such as half-turnings can finish off a row of cabinets or delineate special features. Also...

Carrier's new Infinity System.(HOT NEW PRODUCTS)
March 15, 2004... With Carrier's revolutionary Infinity System, temperature, humidity and IAQ are all controlled at the touch of a button in one centralized location. Plus, the Infinity System has simplified installation down to one wiring diagram, and it even...

Color trends in Cabinetry.(HOT NEW PRODUCTS)
March 15, 2004... Omega Cabinetry will display spectacular examples of today's color trends. Consumers are seeking subtle, complex and new looks, like Omega's rich brown Truffle, shown with accents from their new Stainless Steel Collection. Don't miss Omega's...

Honeywell.(HOT NEW PRODUCTS)
March 15, 2004... Air conditioning and heat pump systems in new construction usually use ozone-depleting R-22 refrigerant, but options using environmentally friendlier R-410A are now available from several HVAC manufacturers. Specifying refrigerant R410A based...

Pella.(HOT NEW PRODUCTS)
March 15, 2004... New from Pella! ProLine[R] Simulated Divided Light double-hung windows offer design flexibility and enhance the curb appeal of your projects at an outstanding value. Contoured grilles are permanently applied to the interior and exterior of the...

IWP Aurora Old World knotty alder doors.(HOT NEW PRODUCTS)
March 15, 2004... IWP Aurora Old World knotty alder doors by JELD-WEN capture the rich look of ages past. Featuring innovative composite technology, they are the most enduring and exquisitely beautiful doors available today. Whether exposed to constant sunlight,...

AuraLast wood.(HOT NEW PRODUCTS)(Advertisement)
March 15, 2004... AuraLast wood will extend the natural beauty of JELDWEN wood windows and patio doors. AuraLast wood is solid western pine and pressure treated to protect the wood from decay, termite infestation and water absorption. AuraLast wood is now...