Custom Home articles from March 2006

Custom Home archives from March 2006

Renewal.(Editor's Page)
March 1, 2006... It's just nature's way--everything ages and breaks down. That process isn't confined to living things, it also applies to houses and neighborhoods. But while we can only do so much about our own increasingly decrepit bodies, we can make houses...

Thinking big: how do luxury production builders impact the custom market?(On Your Mind)
March 1, 2006... What do you do when an 800-pound gorilla decides to play in your sandbox? That is the question facing an increasing number of custom home builders, as high-end production builders like Pennsylvania-based Toll Brothers cast a long shadow on a...

A cautionary tale: safety first and last.(From the Trenches)
March 1, 2006... Sirens shattered the silence of an otherwise sunny, tranquil spring day in the foothills above Tucson, Ariz. The neighbors and tradesmen working on nearby projects stopped what they were doing as fire trucks appeared on the street. The firemen...

Velocity errors: are you working at the speed of mistakes?(Customer Service)
March 1, 2006... Most people today find themselves moving so fast that they may miss opportunities, overlook relevant details, or make foolish mistakes, doing some thing wrong when they know better. Do any of these examples sound like things that happen to you?...

Staff appreciation: reward key employees.(Case Study)
March 1, 2006... Scenario: Glen had worked as a superintendent for Pinnacle Builders for the past five years. David, the president, always liked Glen. He thought he was smart, hardworking, and loyal. So when Glen told David that he was giving his two weeks...

Stop theft! Protect your assets with strong internal controls.(Strictly Business)
March 1, 2006... Several months ago I received a call from a client who said that he suspected that his bookkeeper was embezzling his company's funds. The bookkeeper had worked for the custom builder for over a year and was a hardworking, loyal employee (at...

Stay motivated: successful sales start with a good attitude.(The Top Line)
March 1, 2006... All salespeople have good and bad days but for those who sell custom homes, the highs can be really high and the lows down-in-the-dumps low. With so much time and money riding on each potential sale, it's least when a sale is made and famine...

Fire stone.(Trend Lines/Custom Touches)
March 1, 2006... There's nothing quite like a massive stone fireplace to recall distant times and places. Custom home pros like big rocks used in rustic as well as sleek ways to fit the home's mood and locale. They also commend the way an oversized fireplace...

Main course.(K+B Studio)
March 1, 2006... Brad Burke wanted to practice sustainability, so he designed a solar-powered home for his family of five. He also hoped to foster group interaction and felt focusing on the kitchen did that. "For the way we live and most people live, the...

Outward bound.(K+B Studio)
March 1, 2006... Small, versatile, and sustainable with strong indoor/outdoor ties--these were architect Tom Lenchek's goals for his own vacation home in the Cascade Mountains. The lone bathroom in this 1,400-square-foot cabin is a microcosm of those...

Dual axes.(K+B Studio/Products)
March 1, 2006... The interlocking modules of Vitra's Piu Due suite seem to float on the wall. The oak finished units are part of the CounterWare line of bath fittings, blending square and rectangular shapes in a minimalist design built around both horizontal...

Sleek ventilator.(K+B Studio/Products)
March 1, 2006... Ideal for island range applications where overhead vent hoods are not desirable, Bosch's DHD2 downdraft ventilation system elevates up to 10 inches when in use to position its intake above most pots and pails to better catch cooking smoke and...

Integration Inc.: digital content makes its television premiere.(The Digital Home)
March 1, 2006... With roughly 60 percent of homes being built these days featuring structured wiring, it appears builders have gotten the message. Structured wiring, whether a standard feature or step-up amenity, is here to stay. Now what? That's the question...

Turko Semmes: tools for the 21st century.(Trend Lines/Gearhead)
March 1, 2006... Semmes & Co. Builders Inc. San Luis Obispo, Calif. Semmes & Co. Builders typically works on remote jobsites where the local utilities haven't run electrical lines, so most of the power for corded tools during construction comes from a site...

Hot-rod cool.(Trend Lines/What's New)
March 1, 2006... Inspired by the cool forms and colors of classic American motorcycles and hot-rods, Ten50 Design's new series of refrigerators have a distinctly masculine aesthetic. Built on the platform of a bottom-mount fridge from parent company Heartland...

Clever concealment.(Trend Lines/What's New)
March 1, 2006... Sliding glass doors conceal a built-in television inside the +Integration Multi-Media Highboard from Poggenpohl USA, ensuring the homeowners only see the television when they want to watch it. On either side of the central entertainment section...

Mark your calendar: important upcoming events.(Trend Lines/Events)(Calendar)
March 1, 2006... April 3-5, Digital Home Conference, San Diego, Calif. For information visit www.digitalhomeonline.net. * April 4-7, Coverings Show, Orlando, Fla. For information call 866.285.3691 or visit www.coverings.com. * April 5-6, Residential Design...

Cottage clarity: a Maine summer home shows Shingle style in a new light.(On Site)
March 1, 2006... If one were to designate an official residential style for the New England coast, Shingle style would have to be a front-runner for the title. Originating in the 1880s, the style has enjoyed such a robust revival since the late 20th century...

Filling in: it takes finesse and foresight to build an infill custom home.(Portfolio)(Cover story)
March 1, 2006... There's nothing like the patina of an established, well-kept urban or close-in suburban neighborhood. The sense of community, convenient location, and often strong architectural character of these areas has made them some of the most desirable...

Drain game: new housewraps deliver increased air management, moisture protection, and water drainage.(Products/State of the Art)
March 1, 2006... When housewrap was first introduced to the home building industry in the late 1970s, its purpose was to prevent air movement through the wall cavity and to allow moisture vapor to escape. Over the years, moisture damage has become a more...

DuPont.(Products/State of the Art)
March 1, 2006... Tyvek DrainWrap is engineered with vertical grooves on the material's non-woven surface, providing bulk water drainage by channeling it to the outside. The housewrap resists air infiltration and water intrusion and allows moisture vapor to...

Valeron strength films.(Products/State of the Art)
March 1, 2006... Engineered to facilitate moisture drainage in wall cavities, Valeron Vortec housewrap is a thin, flexible micro-perforated plastic film with a raised pattern of dimples and bumps. The housewrap's textured surface channels water away from the...

Benjamin obdyke/BBA fiberweb.(Products/State of the Art)
March 1, 2006... The Home Slicker Plus Typar rainscreen and weather-resistive barrier bonds together Typar housewrap and the Home Slicker rainscreen, protecting the wall cavity against moisture intrusion. Water is trapped in the Home Slicker's three-dimensional...

Pactiv.(Products/State of the Art)
March 1, 2006... GreenGuard RainDrop is a woven material that incorporates vertical cords every few centimeters to create drainage channels that allow water to move to the bottom of the wall. The manufacturer says that the drainage channels cannot be crushed,...

Alan Banks.(Products/Great Finds)
March 1, 2006... Evans Coghill Homes, Charlotte, N.C. Rain and humidity can be a big problem in North Carolina, where custom builder Alan Banks does all of his building. Over the years he has experienced moisture problems with standard OSB, but he...

Pete Barthelme & Russ Walker.(Products/Great Finds)
March 1, 2006... Rohe + Wright Builders, Houston Rohe + Wright Builders have installed countless tankless water heaters in homes over the years, but recently the company has installed a half-loop recirculating system in conjunction with an electric...

Coating with colors.(Products/Fine Finishes)
March 1, 2006... Drawing from a palette of 24 standard colors as well as its database of Benjamin Moore, Sherwin Williams, and Pantone color formulations, glass finishing company GlassKote USA can match nearly any color to produce custom finishes on glass for a...

The art of fire.(Products/Fine Finishes)
March 1, 2006... When Walter Moberg of Moberg Fireplaces begins working with a client for a custom fireplace, the first question he asks is. "How will you use the fireplace?" The answer becomes the foundation for the rest of the design process. "'So often...

Change is in the air: no longer an upgrade, a 13-SEER AC rating now is the minimum standard.(Green Products)
March 1, 2006... As of Jan. 23, residential air conditioner manufacturers were no longer allowed to produce air conditioning units with a seasonal energy efficiency ratio (SEER) less than 13. By all accounts, the tougher standard is the biggest and most...

Period petite.(Products/Period Pieces)
March 1, 2006... Measuring 61 inches long and 29 1/2 inches wide, the Shropshire slipper bath is a compact version of a classic Victorian freestanding style. The tub is made from Englishcast solid surfacing, and comes with several feet options, including...

Old style.(Products/Period Pieces)
March 1, 2006... Made from resin in 33 faux finishes, ornamental architectural accents integrate modern building features and systems into a period-style home. The collection encompasses a range of products, including HVAC grilles (shown). Beaux-Artes....

Vintage restoration.(Products/Period Pieces)
March 1, 2006... Salvaged antique hardware and fixtures are cleaned and restored to working order, but allowed to retain the marks of their former lives. Vintage door sets, cabinet knobs and pulls, hooks, porcelains, window hardware, and a variety of...

Artistic expression.(Products/Period Pieces)
March 1, 2006... Carved from maple, red oak, cherry, and specialty woods, American Arts & Crafts corbels are a fluid interpretation of the Arts and Crafts period. The corbels come in sizes ranging from 41/2 to 34 inches tall. Enkeboll Designs. 800.745.5507....

Philly style.(Products/Period Pieces)
March 1, 2006... Taken from a design found in colonial Philadelphia, the Classic Philadelphia Lattice shutter features a flat center panel framed by graduated slat sticking. Each stile-and-rail shutter is custom made to specified measurements and is available...

Safety first.(Products/Siding)
March 1, 2006... SaferWood siding panels combine the insect resistance and dimensional stability of inland red cedar with a Class-A fire resistant treatment which removes air and moisture from the wood and replaces it with a fire-retardant chemical. Seven...

Rustic rocks.(Products/Siding)
March 1, 2006... Featuring tones of blue and gray with greenish tints, the Whispering Pines line of natural stone veneers is available in both full veneer--measuring 3 to 5 inches thick--and thin veneer--measuring 3/4 to 1 1/4 inches thick. Whispering Pines...

Stone light.(Products/Siding)
March 1, 2006... Ranging in thickness from 3/4 to 1 1/4 inches and weighing less than 15 pounds per square foot, Robinson Rock Thinrock natural stone veneer allows nearly any exterior wall to be built without the need for load-bearing foundations. Four new...

Indigenous beauty.(Products/Siding)
March 1, 2006... Decay--and insect-resistant bald cypress siding is dimensionally stable, resistant to splitting and warping, and preserved with the wood's own oils. All grades and dimensions are available in bevel, board-and-batten, channel, and beaded bevel...

Blue light special.(Last Detail)
March 1, 2006... Redoing a bathroom on a tight budget is a common challenge given to residential designers. Architect Stanley Moore of Ann Arbor, Mich.-based Wright Street Design Group found a way to make economical more eye-catching by reusing what he could...

It must be the water.(Editor's Notes)
March 1, 2006... What's as important as the dirt a house sits on? That's an easy question. Water--the water that flows beside it, through it, under it, and that rains down on it (or doesn't). So in this issue we're focusing on [H.sub.2]O. The water that...

Love shacks.
March 1, 2006... Being small and utilitarian doesn't mean a shed can't be pretty. For designers and builders, creating something simple can provide an opportunity to convey the essence of their firm's aesthetic or material philosophy. For example, the Martha's...

Made from scratch: outdoor kitchens need the right ingredients.(In Depth)
March 1, 2006... Few things evoke the sweet life for custom home clients more than the tantalizing smell of a backyard barbecue on a warm day. Whether it's hot dogs or steak, daiquiris or hors d'oeuvres, everything seems to taste better when it's consumed...

Gone fishing.(Petscapes)
March 1, 2006... Vergil Hettick, koi expert and curator of the Earl Burns Miller Japanese Garden at California State University-Long Beach, would like to correct a common misconception about koi ponds. "It's not something you can build in a weekend," he says....

Playing with pavers: pavers offer both practical and aesthetic benefits. Here's how to use them in your projects.(Problem Solved)
March 1, 2006... Looking for another pool deck option that can ride out ground movement while offering stylistic flair? Pavers--those brick or tile-like stones that are precast from concrete--may be just the answer. They come in all variations, from the basic...

Correction.(Correction notice)
March 1, 2006... In CUSTOM HOME OUTDOORS' Winter 2005 issue, the designers and builders of the project pictured did not receive credit. The pool was built by Liquid Evolution LLC. The pool and landscape were designed by Greey/Pickett Partners. H&S International...

Backyard ecology: rain gardens are as eye-pleasing as they are practical.(Expert Opinion)
March 1, 2006... What do you get when you dig a shallow ditch in a low spot on the lawn, mix in some organic matter to create good drainage, and add shrubs and perennials that aren't fussy about wet roots? A rain garden--a colorful idea that's becoming chic for...

Artful living: a California landscape winds its way to the beach.(Cover story)
March 1, 2006... Leave it to passionate art aficionados to take the concept of weekend beach house to the level of museum and sculpture garden. While their Newport Beach, Calif., getaway was under construction, the owners were able to buy the property next...

On the waterfront: Mitchell Kunik designs with water sports in mind.
March 1, 2006... People love to live by the sea--and the lake, the canal, or the bay. For those lucky enough to build a house on one of them, recreational water activities are a prime design consideration. Mitchell Kunik, president of Affiniti Architects in...

Ancient stones.(What's New: Outdoor Products)
March 1, 2006... The Celtik Wall system features manufactured stones with a rough-hewn texture that emulates the look of prehistoric Celtic stones. A patented anchor pin system eases positioning and increases stability of the retaining wall. Other applications...

Spacious living.(What's New: Outdoor Products)
March 1, 2006... The Fire Stone Tuscany Pergola, constructed of fiberglass-reinforced resin, consists of stone-textured, metal-framed classic columns topped with wood-textured beams stretching 14 feet square. It is weather-resistant year-round. Fire Stone Home...

Planks of Gold.(What's New: Outdoor Products)
March 1, 2006... Available in most common decking sizes and railing components, Iron Woods clear all-heart Garapa Gold hardwood resists rot, decay, splintering, scratching, and fire without chemical treatments, the maker says. The hardwood decking features a...

Falling water.(What's New: Outdoor Products)
March 1, 2006... Hand-carved from single blocks of granite and basalt, outdoor fountains axe available in many stock styles as well as custom designs. The Japanese-inspired fountains, including the curved waterfall shown, are part of the larger carved-stone...

Stainless accents.(What New: Outdoor Product)
March 1, 2006... The Merit Plus stainless steel wood-burning fireplace comes in two popular wood-burning framing sizes and with a minimum clearance to combustibles. Its front face, lintels, fire grate, and curtain firescreen are all constructed of stainless...

Seamless searing.(What New: Outdoor Product)
March 1, 2006... The Outdoor Gas Grill, constructed entirely of stainless steel in both 27-and 36-inch widths, features seamless edges. A built-in thermometer allows better temperature control; 22,500 BTUs are available in each burner. An interior halogen light...

Tropical sensation.(What New: Outdoor Product)
March 1, 2006... Available in Deck planks and fascia, TimberTech Earthwood composite decking replicate the look of a tropical hardwood. The planks measure 12, 16, and 20 fee long and resist rotting and warping. TimberTech Earthwood comes in dark Tropical...

Water-saving luxury.(What New: Outdoor Product)
March 1, 2006... The De Soleil Roman-style spa is designed to accommodate four bathers without using more than 270 gallons of water. The fill-and-drain spa features a hot and cold spout. 12 hydrotherapy jets. chromatherapy lights, and waterfall faucet. MTI...

Child's play.(Outdoor Indulgences)
March 1, 2006... Builder Alan Mowrer offers design/build services for custom playhouses that can match a real house style for style and finish for finish. Each playhouse is constructed just like a real home, fully finished and built entirely on site using...