Builder articles from September 2001

Builder archives from September 2001

Promise Unfulfilled.(BuildNet files Chapter 11)
September 1, 2001... Frustration continues for builders as hopes die that BuildNet would be able to fulfill their needs for business software systems. THE LATEST INSTALLMENT IN THE HOME BUILDING industry's seemingly never-ending quest for viable business...

BMAIL.(Letter to the Editor)
September 1, 2001... Top Dollar THE HOUSING IN DOWNTOWNS IS TOO EXPENSIVE FOR SOME ethnic families ("Metropolis Now," July, page 37). Here in Memphis, Tenn., minorities have followed the Poplar Avenue corridor and moved east and southeast of downtown, which is...

Stealth Cities.(suburbs)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
September 1, 2001... Fannie Mae has discovered 53 stealth cities rapidly growing under the radar. EVERYBODY'S HEARD OF PHOENIX, BUT HOW about Chandler, Gilbert, Glendale, Mesa, Peoria, Scottsdale, or Tempe? A report released in June by the Fannie Mae...

Home Buying Aid.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
September 1, 2001... Citing a lack of affordable housing, the U.S. House of Representatives in April approved a bill (H.R. 1776) that allows cities to use federal grants to help city employees--firefighters, teachers, etc., purchase homes near where they work. The...

Killer Mice?(Brief Article)
September 1, 2001... A recent Johns Hopkins University study published in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology turns the heat up on household mice. They describe the little critters as tiny terrors that can cause fires by chewing through electrical wires...

Coming to Terms.(clustering systems for file segmentation in database marketing)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2001... CLUSTER: In direct marketing, a method of dividing all households in a country or region and classifying them into about 60 different types, such as "Blue Blood Estates" and "Denim and Pickups." Usually referred to as "lifestyle groups."...

Victory at Sea.(condominiums on a ship)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2001... Forget the condo by the sea--how about a condo on the sea? For $2 million and up, home buyers can buy luxury condos in The World of ResidenSea, the first oceangoing luxury resort community on a ship. The World will embark on a circumnavigation...

Census Scandal.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
September 1, 2001... Census Bureau admits changing classification of "same-sex spouses" to "married couples" in 1990 data. ONE OF THE HOTTEST CONTROVERSIES IN DEMOgraphics is roaring over Census 2000, which shows gargantuan increases in the number of same-sex...

Mile-High End.(Brief Article)
September 1, 2001... Spurred by changing regulations and a softening economy. Denver builders discover their creative sides. WITH A DRAMATIC LEAP from just 4,000 to more than 22,000 housing units a year in the 1990s, Denver has been one of America's fastest...

Mutual Benefit.(Portland Oregon and Intel Corp.)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2001... Portland, Ore long known for its aggressive growth control measures, has again pushed the envelope. The city struck a deal with gigantic computer-chip maker Intel Corp., requiring the company to pay a $1,000 annual growth impact fee for every...

Tool Trouble.(nail gun injuries)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
September 1, 2001... Lawsuits triggered by nail gun injuries have attorneys suggesting that tool manufacturers conspire to hide the truth. LOG ON TO THE PHILADELPHIA-BASED FIRM OF Monheit, Monheit, Silverman & Fodera (www.civilrights.com), and you get an earful...

PUNCH LIST.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
September 1, 2001... BUILDERS editors pick the best, worst, and most intriguing housing-related news. CLEAN AND CLEAR: Pilkington Windows has launched a new self-cleaning window product called Activ. The company says it is aggressively courting the residential...

Brits on Top.(Brief Article)
September 1, 2001... Investors plan to cast their commercial real estate investment nets across the United Kingdom, according to a June "GlobeSt.com Quick Survey." Germany was a distant second, and France and Spain tied for third. Previous investment experience and...

The Old South.(Census statistics)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2001... The U.S. Census shows that the population in Southern states is growing faster than in the rest of the country, including the number of more mature Americans. In fact, the U.S. population is eider than ever with a median age of 35.3 years. The...

Moving On Up.(Terri Montague takes over for Enterprise Foundation)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2001... Glass ceiling smashes as Montague becomes first female president of the Rouse's Enterprise Foundation. TERRI MONTAGUE WANTED A NEW CHALLENGE. She never thought she'd need a sledgehammer to get it: The former Boston Financial investments...

Top Pay.(Statistical Data Included)
September 1, 2001... Despite economic downturn, home building and manufacturing CEOs clean up on executive pay rates. REGARDLESS OF A MARKET THAT continues to hover on the edge of a recession, salaries for the CEOs of home building companies, manufactured...

Internet Shopping.(Brief Article)
September 1, 2001... Study finds Internet home buyers happiest. A recent case study by the California Association of Realtors (CAR) finds that home buyers who let their fingers do the walking through the Internet were happier about their home purchase than...

Fuse Your Illusion.(Brief Article)
September 1, 2001... EVEN THOUGH SUMMER'S WANING, THE HEAT IS STILL on with the Fusion collection of architectural glass tiles. A color glaze is sandwiched between two pieces of melted glass, so the individual handmade tiles vary in color and surface texture. The...

Range Rover.(Brief Article)
September 1, 2001... COOK WITH CLASS USING THE ROLLS ROYCE OF RANGES-LA CORNUE'S Chateau 120 is custom made from the finest materials. The range, featuring burner grates made from cast iron, is equipped with a vaulted oven, a solid top, and an airtight door. The...

Don't do Windows.(Brief Article)
September 1, 2001... FOR THE LAZY BOY, OR GIRL, IN ALL OF US, THERE'S ACTIV--THE FIRST GLASS manufactured with self-cleaning properties. During dry, clear weather, the glass uses the sun's UV rays to break down dirt. During wet weather, or when sprayed with a hose,...

Dynamic Duo.(Brief Article)
September 1, 2001... THE DUET FRONT-LOADING CLOTHES WASHER WILL KNOCK YOUR socks off and clean them too! Shown with the Duet dryer, the washer increases usable capacity by 28 percent over the average conventional washer. During regular cycles, the washer saves 68...

Navy Sealant.(Brief Article)
September 1, 2001... OKAY MICHELANGELO, SHOW US your stuff. Caulk with the XST Extreme Silicone II sealant; then paint it until your heart's content. Whether you re-create the Sistine Chapel, or just paint it with a solid color, the sealant remains flexible so you...

Board Stiff.(Brief Article)
September 1, 2001... LOOKING FOR SOMETHING MORE FROM YOUR VINYL SIDING? Never fear: CraneBoard vinyl siding is here. This solid-core siding meets Energy Star energy-efficiency guidelines because its foam backing has an R-value of 4. With the look of cedar and the...

Divine Details.(Lee Wetherington Homes)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2001... Plan your merchandising before working drawings are done. PROFIT LIES IN THE DETAILS. LEE WETHERINGton Homes (LWH) of Sarasota, Fla., improved its home designs by adjusting schedules to get up-front design input on these money-making...

Selling a Legend.(Brief Article)
September 1, 2001... Spectrum Skanska sold million-dollar homes on New York's Long Island Sound by showcasing its Gold Coast history and shoreline. ON THE SHORES OF LONG ISLAND SOUND LIES THE LEGEND Yacht & Beach Club, a new move-up/move-down community by...

Star of the Sea.(Brief Article)
September 1, 2001... Selling a dream caused a sales stampede for Estrella del Mar on the Mexican Riviera. SELLING SECOND-HOME COMMUNITIES IS NEVER ABOUT price, or floor plans, or builder. It's always driven by location and lifestyle. At Estrella del Mar on the...

Connecticut Yankees.(Brief Article)
September 1, 2001... Landslide of hard work turns around hillside community. BY THE TIME RJN RESIDENTIAL builder Bob Nagler was hired to turnaround Crowne Pond in Wilton, Conn., hopes had tumbled for the mountainside development of 26 luxury homes perched on a...

Make an Entrance.(Brief Article)
September 1, 2001... Q: Although my clients appreciate the convenience of direct access into their homes from the garage, many are requesting a more appealing sense of entry from this utilitarian area of their home. Can you suggest any new design ideas to enhance...

BUG BARRIERS.(Brief Article)
September 1, 2001... Effective insect resistance requires intervention during the earliest phases of construction. TWENTY YEARS AGO, MOST TREATMENT FOR WOOD-DESTROYING insects happened long after the builder's departure. Exterminators Sprayed gallons of...

Mixed Bag.(Brief Article)
September 1, 2001... Confidence and prices rise as stocks fall THE RECESSION DEFYING HOME building industry continues to confound economic experts and pundits, who are still forecasting a sharp decrease in housing starts nationwide. Instead, the industry keeps...

BALANCE BEAMS.(Brief Article)
September 1, 2001... The WI and GPI series Wood I Beam joists feature the Georgia-Pacific's FiberStrong OSB web. Both series come with wide flanges that allow for longer spans and greater load carrying capacity, the company claims. The WI series features solid sawn...

STRAND TALL.(Brief Article)
September 1, 2001... The flange material for TJI joists is TimberStrand laminated strand lumber (LSL). Covering the top and bottom of the Performance Plus web, LSL flanges are made from aspen and poplar trees. Trus Joist converts these trees into high-strength...

Different Strokes.(I-joists market has seen tremendous growth)
September 1, 2001... A recap of I-joists and the I-joist market. AN I-JOIST IS AN I-JOIST RIGHT? Well, yes and no. They're not all the same. Unlike commodity-based solid sawn lumber, I-joists differ from manufacturer to manufacturer. Some manufacturers use...

JOIST A MINUTE.(Brief Article)
September 1, 2001... StrucJoist I-joists are available with either LVL flanges or machine stress-rated lumber. The joists webs are manufactured from OSB. Designed for residential applications, the joists are available in common industry-standard sizes.

HOIST THE JOIST.(Brief Article)
September 1, 2001... The BCI Advantage series I-joist is equipped with a flange depth of 1 5/16 inches instead of the traditional 1 1/2 inches. This, according to the maker, offers a lightweight joist that is easier to handle and faster to install compared to...

ENDEARING ENGINEERING.(LI 300)(Brief Article)(Product Announcement)
September 1, 2001... Used for a variety of residential, commercial, and remodeling applications, the LPI 200, 225, 300 series joists have top and bottom flanges made from ultrasonically graded veneers that are bonded with exterior adhesives. The OSB webs allow...

Something for Everyone.
September 1, 2001... Universal design is easy to access. UNIVERSAL DESIGN PROMOTES PRODucts and spaces that are accessible to all people. If this sounds difficult to build, think again. Finding such barrier-free products may be easier than you think. A...

SINKING SINK.
September 1, 2001... The Approach motorized adjustment for sinks raises and lowers the height of the sink for easy and comfortable access. With the touch of a button, the sink height can change from 28 inches to 36 inches. The system, which must be used in...

SLIDE OUT.
September 1, 2001... Hafele's base cabinet pullout system mounts to a cabinet's inside wall. Featuring ball-bearing full-extension slides, the system allows easy access to items stored in inconvenient places. Multiple storage tray sizes are available.

ABOVE THE RIM.
September 1, 2001... For comfort and accessibility, the Tessera wall-mount toilet can be installed with a rim height range of 15 inches to 19 inches--1 to 5 inches higher than standard bowl heights. The European-style toilet features an insulated, polyethylene tank...

BARRIER-FREE FAUCET.
September 1, 2001... Designed for ease of use with a contemporary look, the Salora pullout kitchen faucet features a wide loop handle, a streamlined faucet body, and a washerless cartridge system. The faucet installs with the company's patented, single-bolt...

China Bound.(NAHB's World Focus on China Housing conference)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2001... The NAHB's World Focus on China Housing conference will be held November 7-9 in Shanghai. The conference is attracting major participation from several countries including the United States, according to conference chairman Joe Honick. Panels...

Sales Up.(U.S. Census Bureau reports an increase in new-home sales of 1.7 percent in June 2001)
September 1, 2001... The U.S. Census Bureau reported an increase in new-home sales of 1.7 percent in June. The NAHB attributes the housing market's strength to low mortgage interest rates and unsettled conditions in the stock market. Regionally, June new home...

Free Web for Small Builders.(HOMEBUILDER.COM, THE NAHB's official new-homes listing Internet site)
September 1, 2001... Small builders benefit from free Internet site creation and hosting. HOMEBUILDER.COM, THE NAHB's official new-homes listing Internet site, is creating and hosting free Web sites for one year for all NAHB builder members who construct 25 or...

Production Bottlenecks.
September 1, 2001... Breakdowns in market processes can provoke violent price swings. THE VOLUME OF HOUSING PRODUCtion has been quite strong this year despite a dramatic slowdown in overall economic growth and bona fide recession conditions in other major parts...

RMI Debuts.
September 1, 2001... In July, the NAHB unveiled its Remodeling Market Index (RMI), a new economic index produced by the NAHB Economics Group and Public Affairs that measures activity in the vast $150 billion remodeling market. In its first outing, the RMI rated...

Home Restored.(Brief Article)
September 1, 2001... Hilton Head HBA helps rebuild fire-ravaged home. BEN AND IDA STEWART, residents of Hilton Head Island, S.C., for more than 70 years, had no insurance when their home was catastrophically damaged after a fire broke out in a storage area near...

A Rockin' Ridge.(housing in Palmdale, California)
September 1, 2001... In just one release, Pardee Homes sold out its energy-efficient Canton Ridge in suburban Los Angeles to first-time buyers and families. THE TOWN OF PALMDALE, CALIF., IS A YOUNG AND VIGOROUS CITY IN THE DRAMATIC HIGH DESERT north of Los...

Think Big.(Hammond Homes offers New Forest-Texas Big Series in Houston)
September 1, 2001... Texas buyers demand bigger than most, and Hammond Homes offers more space in a community where big is the name. CLICHES ARE SOMETIMES TRUE-TEXANS like things big. Hammond Homes capitalizes on this preference at New Forest-Texas Big Series...

Sure Bet.
September 1, 2001... Las Vegas' first luxury high-rise off the Strip was a gamble, but it paid off for Turnberry Place. TALK ABOUT A BIG PAY OFF. THE ORIGINAL PREMISE for Las Vegas' Turnberry Place--an upscale trio of residential towers a half-block off the...

NORDIC TRACT.
September 1, 2001... Minnesota's Jackson Meadow proves sustainable building can be charming, uncommon, and a quick sell--even for a first-time community builder. JACKSON MEADOW IS NEStled on the gently sloped land of Marine on St Croix, Minn. A village of...

FAST TRACK.
September 1, 2001... IT'S OUR THIRD ANNUAL LOOK AT THE FASTEST-GROWING BUILDERS. CHECK OUT HOW THEY STAY AHEAD OF THE CURVE. TRUE TO FORM, THE INTRACTABLE, GROWTH-HUNGRY companies on our Fast Track list continue to astound with their triple-digit revenue...

FEEDING FRENZY.
September 1, 2001... The legal profession wants to form symbiotic relationship with your business. You provide the exposed flesh. They'll provide the butchers. SLOPPY RECORD KEEPING. FAST-paced production. Stilted communication with poorly trained laborers. To...

Single FILE.(part two of three)(survey results)(Statistical Data Included)
September 1, 2001... IN FEBRUARY, BUILDER BLEW THE COVER OFF OUR FIRST-EVER NATIONAL INTERNET-BASED SURVEY ON GENERATION X. THIS MONTH, IN PART TWO OF OUR THREE-PART SERIES, WE ZERO IN ON THE AMAZING 44 PERCENT OF RESPONDENTS WHO ARE NOT MARRIED. ALONE,...

Home Vision.
September 1, 2001... Research home will test radical new ways of designing building and living. THE PROCESS OF HOME BUILDING IS DYSFUNCTIONAL," says architect Kent Larson. "Most new homes are low-grade, low-tech, inflexible, unresponsive, disruptive to...

In-House ASP.
September 1, 2001... California company adds wireless connectivity to its back office. THIS MAGAZINE GETS LOTS of questions about wireless. A common one is which application service provider (ASP) to use. But sometimes the best advice is "none of them." That's...

Town Tracker.(Brief Article)
September 1, 2001... A potentially useful tool or researching a new community or market, www.neighbarhoodplace.com asks for a zip code and returns data that includes household size, median age, median income and spending levels, crime rates, as well as demographic...

Future Techs.(recruiting electrical contractors)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2001... Wondering where future tech installers will come from? So are the electricians' unions. The National Electrical Contractors Association and International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers have blanketed the nation's high schools with career...

Super-Efficient Heat Pump.(residential split system heat pump )
September 1, 2001... Mitsubishi Electric HVAC, has introduced the first residential split system heat pump to power three indoor zones from a single outdoor unit. It includes a compressor technology that the company says has, until now, been limited to commercial...

High-Tech Fill.(dirtmarket.com)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2001... Buying and selling dirt online. "DIRT IS COMPLICATED," says Dave Rossi, the Campbell, Calif., construction manager who started dirtmarket.com. He describes the new online service as "a dating service for dirt," in which companies with...

Wireless Home Control.(system under development to allow access to air conditioning, security systems, appliances remotely)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2001... New wiring system may give homeowners remote control of lights and appliances. NARROWBAND HOME CONTROL MAY lack the sex appeal of broadband Internet technology, but it has a potentially huge market. That helps explain how Zensys...

PLANS ONLINE.(eplans.com)
September 1, 2001... WWW.EPLANS.COM provides builders and homeowners a simple, easily accessible way to streamline one of the most challenging stages of building a home: choosing a house plan. By providing fast and easy-to-navigate options, the process of selecting...

Alterna[R].(Brief Article)
September 1, 2001... Alterna[R] The industry's first fusion-crafted exterior wood 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 split and it's...

Morgan[R] Choose.(Brief Article)
September 1, 2001... Morgan[R] Choose Morgan fur the best in genuine oak and pine wood stile nod 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...

Norco[R] Radius Head Clad Wood Patio Door.(Brief Article)
September 1, 2001... Norco[R] Radius Head Clad Wood Patio Door 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...

Caradco[R] SmartFit[TM].(Brief Article)
September 1, 2001... Caradco[R] SmartFit[TM] Introducing the Caradco SmartFit 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, [LoE.sup.2][R] glass,...

Impression Mirror door by DoorCraft[R].(Brief Article)
September 1, 2001... Impression Mirror door by DoorCraft[R] Impression Mirror door from 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...

International Wood Products[R] introduces Aurora.(Brief Article)
September 1, 2001... International Wood Products[R] introduces Aurora, the world's finest composite doors. Beautiful doors specifically engineered to withstand the harshest of elements. The new Aurora line is an excellent value, designed to reflect all of the...

Nord[R].(Brief Article)
September 1, 2001... Nord[R] Known for intricate detail, dramatic designs and unparalleled selections that demonstrate wood's beauty, the Nord offering includes Fir as well as Hemlock. Products include exteriors, 8'0", interiors, sidelights, transoms, French doors...

Pozzi[R] Clad Wood Raised Panel Patlo Doors Pozzi.(Brief Article)
September 1, 2001... Pozzi[R] Clad Wood Raised Panel Patlo Doors 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 doable swing. Interior and exterior...

Summit[R] Series 9000 MagnaFrame[TM].(Brief Article)
September 1, 2001... Summit[R] Series 9000 MagnaFrame[TM] The Summit 9000 Series is a new, vinyl, wide profile, architecturally designed window, offered as single-hung, double-hung, slider or custom fixed. With the benefits of vinyl and wood in maintenance, energy...

DoorCraft[R] Exterior Steel doors.(Brief Article)
September 1, 2001... DoorCraft[R] Exterior Steel doors You'll find wood or steel edge options along with 24- and 25-gauge galvanized steel faces that are ready for a variety of finishes, or ready to install with no finishing required. These rogged, rustproof and...

International Wood Products[R] Introduces the IWP Estate[TM] Collection.(Brief Article)(Product Announcement)
September 1, 2001... International Wood Products[R] Introduces the IWP Estate[TM] Collection This new door line from IWP is beautifully handcrafted, built with old-world craftmanship for new-world architec ture. These aged and beautiful doors match any...

Pozzi[R] Clad Wood Radios Patio Doors.(Brief Article)
September 1, 2001... Pozzi[R] Clad Wood Radios Patio Doors Aluminum clad wood exteriors feature an extruded frame and stretch form panel. This means the arch of our Pozzi radius patio doors, whether clear, primed or aluminum clad, is a remarkably clean, extremely...

Atas International, Inc.(lightweight metal shingles )(Brief Article)(Product Announcement)
September 1, 2001... For a unique roof appearance, try Castlelop[TM], a diamond-shaped metal tile from Atas International, Inc. These lightweight metal shingles are 16" square and feature an expanded styrene backer board for added strength. The overlapping design...

Waterloov[R].(Brief Article)
September 1, 2001... Can gutters blend into the elegant exterior decor of a home while serving their somewhat inelegant purpose? One manufacturer says yes. Waterloov[R] produces gutters and gutter protection in a wide range of custom colors so that homeowners can...

DCI Products.(gutter insert )(Brief Article)(Product Announcement)
September 1, 2001... To protect gutters from blockage and ice, turn to Flo-Free, a gutter insert from DCI Products. Flo-Free prohibits the blockage of the natural flow of rainwater through any new or existing gutter system. Constructed of 3/4" industrial strength...

Howard Tools, Inc.(18-pound shear)(Brief Article)(Product Announcement)
September 1, 2001... Shingle Shear, a new tool from Howard Tools, Inc., makes cutting double-and triple-laminated shingles fast, easy and accurate. The shear makes cuts up to 18 inches long in a single chop. Its steel blade can be easily resharpened; the company...

Royal Wood.(wood/plastic co-extruded composite trimboards )(Brief Article)(Product Announcement)
September 1, 2001... When adding trim to the exterior of a home, builders need a material that is durable and easy to install. Royal Wood Trimboards offer these qualities. The trimboards are unique wood/plastic co-extruded composite trimboards that won't rot, warp,...

Phantom Screens.(Brief Article)
September 1, 2001... Many homeowners know the drawbacks of conventional screens. They're unattractive, easily damaged, hard to maneuver and hard to keep clean, plus they obstruct views. Phantom Screen offers an innovative alternative to conventional screens:...

Cherry Tree Design.(Brief Article)
September 1, 2001... Screens can also be used inside a home to add a unique touch of decor to virtually any style. Cherry Tree Design constructs shoji screens for a variety of interior uses: doors, windows, cabinets and room dividers. The artisans at Cherry Tree...

Beveled Glass Designs.(Brief Article)
September 1, 2001... A beveled glass entry makes a statement -- a statement that you don't compromise on quality, a statement that shows style and taste. That's why Beveled Glass Designs created its Symphony Collection of doors, sidelites, transoms and complete...

Bilco.(Brief Article)
September 1, 2001... How hard would it be to turn a basement into additional saleable square footage? Not hard at all with Bilco's ScapeWEL[R] window well systems. ScapeWELs are easily added to existing home plans. They install quickly and easily, and will provide...

Fort Knox Security Products.(Brief Article)
September 1, 2001... When Fort Knox Security Products realized that its vault doors -- built primarily for securing valuables -- were being used for family safety as well, the company developed the Vault Door 4000 with this dual use in mind. The Vault Door 4000 is...