Custom Home articles from September 2005

Custom Home archives from September 2005

How big?(Editor's Page)
September 1, 2005... I live in that is being argued in communities throughout the country, especially in places where custom home building is flourishing. The controversy is over the appropriate size of new houses being built in established neighborhoods; the media...

The envelope, please: are design awards for builders too?(On Your Mind)
September 1, 2005... Architects like to win design awards. No surprise there; design is what they do, and everyone likes to hear that his work is something special. The fact that one's professional peers and potential clients also might hear doesn't hurt either. It...

Lucky break: good advice averts a disaster.(From the Trenches)
September 1, 2005... You never know when you're going to stumble into a dangerous situation, but an incident involving one of my company's second homes taught me that taking an expert's advice can lead to a lucky outcome. Let me start with a little background. My...

Missed opportunity: a plan to deal with no-show trades.(Customer Service)
September 1, 2005... A builder I know once issued work orders to five trade contractors. The builder's representative had arranged access to the client's home for a full day, 11 business days in the future. This work clam appeared on each of the five work orders...

In-house feuds: what to do when employees battle.(Case Study)
September 1, 2005... Scenario: Barry sat in his office, his head in his hands. His office had closed an hour ago, but Barry was sitting there, alone, trying to determine what he could do. The problem that had been festering for months, simmering below the surface,...

Is the price right? How to find your ideal markup.(Strictly Business)
September 1, 2005... The one question builders ask me more than any other is what markup to use to price their jobs. My answer is quite simple: It depends. There is no magical markup that can be used by all custom builders. Each builder needs to evaluate his own...

Seal the deal: dont be afraid to ask for the sale.(The Top Line)
September 1, 2005... Many custom builders are frustrated that they can't seem to close a deal with prospective clients. Despite your killer sales presentation, detailed marketing materials, beautiful model homes, and stellar word-of-mouth referrals, some clients...

TV visions.(Trend Lines/Custom Touches)
September 1, 2005... Most families are too active these days to dose themselves off in a separate room to watch TV, so it's no surprise that built-in TV screens are showing up all over the house. But no one wants to see all of the boxes, control panels, and cords...

Greening the American House.(Reinvention 2005: Designing For The Future)
September 1, 2005... Join us for residential architect's 2nd annual Reinvention 2005 Symposium and learn about the broader landscape of livable design, focusing on the essential themes that inform all great residential architecture. Discuss the future...

Bungalow mod.(K+B Studio)
September 1, 2005... The owners of this 100-year-old San Antonio, Texas, bungalow wanted a remodel that would preserve the home's charm and comfortable fit with its dense neighborhood. They also wanted a new Modern kitchen that flowed into expand ed living spaces...

Sheer daring.(K+B Studio)
September 1, 2005... Because the master suite occupies the entire top level of this Pacific Northwest home, the owners were more than willing to satisfy their adventurous spirit with some bold architectural moves. Architects Dave Pelletier and Pearl Schaar seized...

Glass expanses.(K+B Studio/Products)
September 1, 2005... Minimalist-inspired Urban 6036 S and SA shower enclosures incorporate frameless tempered glass panels, clean lines, unobtrusive hardware, and acrylic bases into compact footprints that still provide plenty of room to move. For a modern touch,...

Contemporary blend.(K+B Studio/Products)
September 1, 2005... The contemporary Classic 3 cabinetry collection features rift-sawn white oak slab doors and drawer fronts with horizontally oriented graining. Horizontal-grain end panels keep the visual effect flowing around the edges of the cabinetry, while...

In control: explore the array of home management choices.(The Digital Home)
September 1, 2005... Last century, X-10 was synonymous with affordable home control. This century's de facto control standard for the mainstream market has yet to be crowned but various home control platforms are vying for bragging rights. Some use powerline, some...

Michael Cook: gear that helps 21st-century custom builders get ahead.(Trend Lines/Gearhead)
September 1, 2005... Heritage Homes Inc. of Michigan, Stevensville, Mich. Heritage Homes of Michigan chairman Michael Cook says his superintendents store job specs on their Treo 600 PDAs. Out on the jobsite, they can easily refer to all of the job's details and...

Changing tastes.(Trend Lines/What's New)
September 1, 2005... The LINX120 Drinking Water System utilizes a proprietary ion-exchange membrane to remove harmful substances such as potassium and lead and 90 percent of total dissolved solids. The Dial-A-Taste control allows users to regulate the levels of...

Walking on glass.(Trend Lines/What's New)
September 1, 2005... Based on the manufacturer's aluminum-grid framework, the GlassWalk structural glass flooring system uses two-ply laminated glass modules ranging from 12-by-12-inch up to 40-by-45-inch sizes. The top layer of the glass module is tempered for...

Mark your calendar: important upcoming events.(Trend Lines/Events)(Calendar)
September 1, 2005... New Location * Due to damage from Hurricane Katrina, the 2005 Custom Builder Symposium originally scheduled for New Orleans will be held at the Sheraton Atlanta in Atlanta Nov. 11-13. For more information, call 800.368.5242, ext. 8338,...

Dacor is the oven found in winning Custom Home projects.(Custom Home 2005 Design Awards)(Advertisement)
September 1, 2005... Since 1965, Dacor has been a leader in the cooking appliance market, boasting an impressive array of industry firsts that have led to patented technology and a new definition of what the modern kitchen should be. With this constant...

2005 Custom Home Design Awards.(Cover Story)
September 1, 2005... Now in its 10th year, the Custom Home Design Awards program continues to attract some of the finest houses in the country--this year more than 350 homes vied for honors. The cream of this crop, the winners of the 2005 competition, are featured...

Nancy Morrison: Benchmark Custom Luxury Homes, Jacksonville Beach, Fla.(Products/Great Finds)
September 1, 2005... Benchmark Custom Luxury Homes, Jacksonville Beach, Fla. Benchmark Custom Luxury Homes has changed the way it approaches laundry rooms. integrating them into butler's pantries that are adjacent to the kitchen instead of hiding them in...

Vince Ghiloni: Ghiloni Custom Builders Inc., Granville, Ohio.(Products/Great Finds)
September 1, 2005... For paint finish coats that are smooth and even, custom builder Vince Ghiloni relies not on a palm but rather on a primer. Prep & Prime High Build Fill & Seal wail surfacer, his primer of choice, has actually helped him sell jobs over the past...

Carver's art.(Products/Fine Finishes)
September 1, 2005... Woodcarver Deborah Mills of Deborah Mills Woodcarving and Art Furniture works with traditional techniques and themes to create one-of-a-kind designs in wood for applications that include doorways and doors, window frames, mantel pieces,...

Cast of stone.(Products/Fine Finishes)
September 1, 2005... Utilizing proprietary, concrete-based lightweight cast stone. Milestone Ltd. can create custom architectural ornaments and match antique elements that achieve the appearance and texture of natural stone. The company specializes in architectural...

Callback.(Correction Notice)
September 1, 2005... The following product information contained an incorrect phone number in the May/June 2005 issue. * Tremco Barrier Solutions. The Horizon Foundation Finishing System provides moisture and thermal protection to exposed foundation walls between...

Clad curves.(Products/Doors)
September 1, 2005... Extruded aluminum cladding, available in 55 colors, bends seamlessly around the entire exterior curve of the full radius-top French hinged patio door. Its 2 1/4-inch frame is made from kiln-dried select Western woods; interiors are available in...

Panel perfection.(Products/Doors)
September 1, 2005... Part of the IWP Aurora fiberglass door collection, entry door model A1208 features eight raised panel's and decorative clavos and comes in a rustic knotty alder wood-grain texture. The door is available with a non-wood composite, pre-hung...

Elegant options.(Products/Doors)
September 1, 2005... Architectural entry doors offer many decorative options applied to glass lights, including leather, mulberry paper, and stainless steel. The doors feature hardwood frames. Cherry Tree Design. 800.634.3268. www. cherrytreedesign.com. Circle 158...

Craftsman appeal.(Products/Doors)
September 1, 2005... New entry door styles in the Craftsman collection feature wide stiles and rails: classic details such as ovolo or square sticking: and flat, raised, or beaded panels. Doors are constructed of Western pine, alder, or fir. Kolbe Windows & Doors....

Genuine character.(Products/Doors)
September 1, 2005... Available in panel, decorative-light, and French designs, entry doors in the Mahogany collection are constructed from mahogany. Several glass options are available for decorative-light doors, while French doors have beveled glass. Simpson Door....

Super-sized views.(Products/Windows)
September 1, 2005... The Ultimate Double Hung Magnum window is available in sizes up to 5 1/2 feet wide and 10 1/2 feet tall and meets commercial design pressure ratings. Constructed with a spiral balance system for smooth operation, it is available with an...

Storm safety.(Products/Windows)
September 1, 2005... Pinnacle Impact Windows feature SeaStorm Lo[E.sup.2] insulated glass and offer a design pressure performance rating of DP50. The insulating pane utilizes annealed glass on the exterior and laminated glass on the interior. The windows come with...

Living copper.(Products/Windows)
September 1, 2005... The Copper Clad Homestead push-out casement window features an exterior cladding of copper. The copper cladding is available in a shiny brushed finish as well as two patina finishes, all of which will age and change color based on the...

Strong tilt.(Products/Windows)
September 1, 2005... LifeGuard Insulated Glass double-hung windows are able to tilt in lot cleaning and maintenance while providing impact and thermal resistance. When the sashes are closed, the interlocking system automatically connects upper and lower sashes...

Authentic aesthetic.(Products/Windows)
September 1, 2005... Instead of jambliners, the Kingsview single-hung window uses a clip and track balance system with a side-load removable bottom sash. The bottom sash rail allows slight ventilation without water infiltration. Hurd Windows & Doors. 800.433.4873....

CHDA resources.(Products)
September 1, 2005... The products used in this year's winning Custom Home Design Award homes. Custom Home of the Year, p.78, Sonoma County, Calif. Bathroom/kitchen plumbing fittings: Dornbracht, Circle 400; Bathroom plumbing fixtures: Diamond Spas, Circle...

Roofing and siding.(SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION)(Advertisement)
September 1, 2005... A home is a retreat, a sanctuary, a place of comfort that shelters its dwellers from the elements, to make sure what's inside a home stays protected, you must make sure what's outside is doing its job--namely, roofing and siding. The roofing...

Stacked glass.(Last Detail)
September 1, 2005... Defining views and controlling solar gain were paramount for this desert home built in a dense community. Architect and builder Andy Byrnes, principal of Phoenix-based The Construction Zone, created an entry that is invitingly bright yet...

Rain, or not.(Editor's Notes)
September 1, 2005... It was a blazingly hot summer in the Washington, D.C., region, where I live. For weeks rain was scarce, the temperatures soared above 90 degrees F and the sun was unforgiving. Fortunately, we had a wet spring. That made things uncomfortably...

Gate escape.
September 1, 2005... An individual's right to privacy may raise political questions, but when it comes to protecting the home, owners still reign supreme. The privacy fences and gates highlighted below provide attractive solutions for generating seclusion while...

Water-smart landscapes: apply the principles of xeriscaping. Some municipalities are asking homeowners and builders to install landscapes that conform to the climate and the local water supply.(In Depth)
September 1, 2005... Over the past two decades, homeowners in arid parts of the United States have been quietly yanking out their thirsty Kentucky bluegrass lawns, replacing them with drought-tolerant turf such as tall fescue and buffalo grass, and surrounding them...

Conquering the wet wall: how to create these simple yet versatile water features.(Problem Solved)
September 1, 2005... The simplicity of water walls makes them all the more versatile. Gentler versions, such as this installation designed by Los Angeles-based Orange Street Studio, emit a thin film of water over the surface for a subtle look. It's such a...

Las Vegas oasis: making a splash in the desert.
September 1, 2005... Nothing refreshes quite like water, and that goes double in the hot, dry climate of Las Vegas. Just the sight and sound of sparkling, splashing water make the environment seem a little cooler--and a house a little more appealing. For its Las...

Rest easy: this Low Country retreat sits gently on its island site.
September 1, 2005... Hurricanes, humidity, and termites, oh my. South Carolina's island Low Country presents harsh elements that cause flora and fauna to flourish, but leave manmade structures susceptible to all manner of blight. Architect, builder, landscape...

Light underfoot.(Outdoor Products)
September 1, 2005... The MS-2200 Miracle Solar Energy Lighting Brick is designed for use in roads, paths, and poolside patios. The solar-powered LEDs can stay illuminated all night the maker says, and have an operating life up to 100,000 hours. The MS-2200 installs...

Cobbled tile.(Outdoor Products)
September 1, 2005... The HI-TECH Gres tile collection is manufactured from porcelain and replicates the look of flat cobblestone with a rough texture and natural edges. The series comes in six colors and two sizes. Gruppo Ceramiche Saicis. 877.675.3772....

Clean up.(Outdoor Products)
September 1, 2005... Modular outdoor family showers are constructed of Western red cedar with tongue-and-groove walls, and come in four configurations. Interior features include a shower tower with rain showerhead, a heated towel rack, a tankless water heater, and...

Protected deck.(Outdoor Products)
September 1, 2005... CorrectDeck CX composite decking with SafeGuard incorporates an antimicrobial agent extruded with each plank that resists mold, mildew, and staining. SafeGuard also enhances traction control and resists color fading, the maker says....

Chilled out.(Outdoor Products)
September 1, 2005... The Outdoor line of undercounter refrigeration units features argon-charged, insulated glass doors and quiet compressors. Single-cabinet models in single-, dual-, and triple-compartment styles are available. Options include beer taps, wine...

Gas glow.(Outdoor Products)
September 1, 2005... Based on the design of vintage European fixtures, the Berlin Landhaus transportable gas pole lantern does not require installation of gas lines, but houses a butane gas container in its hollow base. Dahlhaus Lighting. 718.218.6651....

Row away.(Outdoor Products)
September 1, 2005... The Aqua Fit 19 Dual Temp Aquatic Fitness System has been redesigned with an adjustable jet that provides a high-volume lower-body massage and an ergonornic rowing seat. The fitness pool features six high-volume swim jets, an adjustable...

Water dance.(Outdoor Products)
September 1, 2005... Custom musical fountains are suitable for outdoor pools, ponds, and lakes. The Liquid Fireworks series incorporates articulated nozzles, musical programs, and colored lights. An ambient mode changes the display every 15 minutes. Waltzing...

Synthetic green.(Outdoor Products)
September 1, 2005... SofTrak synthetic putting greens deliver a realistic roll and bounce, the manufacturer claims. Each green starts with a double-layer crushed-stone base and is finished with a proprietary silica-blend in-fill that fluffs the green fibers for...

Garden party.(Outdoor Products)
September 1, 2005... Polyester powder coated cast-aluminum Taiyo Bollard exterior fixtures are available with the conical Garden dome (shown) and Urban dome. Taiyo is available in black, silver, and several other options. Forms+Surfaces. 800.451.0410....

Dry below deck.(Outdoor Products)
September 1, 2005... Constructed of solid extruded vinyl, TimberTech DrySpace is a drainage system designed to keep water from draining into the space below second-story decks, turning previously, unusable space into a dry outdoor living area. DrySpace installs to...

Spa treatment.(Outdoor Products)
September 1, 2005... The J-300 series of spas is composed of eight styles and sizes. Features include a jet system that mixes equal parts air and water for a softer massage, ergonomic seats, cushioned headrests, and a digital control system. Jacuzzi Spas....

Cheyenne waterfall.(Outdoor Products)
September 1, 2005... UV stable, lightweight and incredibly strong composite waterfall installs in 1-2 hours. Factory tuned and pre-finished. 3 piece molded construction. poolrock.com (520) 573-0025 visit: www.poolrock.com Circle no. 1349 [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]...