Professional Builder (1993) articles from March 2002

Professional Builder (1993) archives from March 2002

Letters.
March 1, 2002... Big-Builder Blindness Thirty-five years ago, Boise Cascade acquired the company I worked for, RA. Watt Construction Co., in Los Angeles. The name was changed to Boise Cascade Building Co., and we set out to show the dumb local builders in...

Marvin Windows and Doors launches a new Web site. (Special Advertisement).
March 1, 2002... Marvin Windows and Doors launched a completely redesigned, restructured Web site, www.marvin.com, on Dec. 13, 2001. This site utilizes leading-edge design, exciting multimedia, easy navigation and a wealth of information unmatched in the window...

Living what we learn. (Perspective).(Brief Article)
March 1, 2002... A ritual happens every weekday in our home. My two daughters come home from school, and each calls me whether I'm in the office or on the road. Our conversation or their messages always contain the same information: the best new thing each...

Unexpected moments. (Publisher's Letter).(Brief Article)
March 1, 2002... There are moments that are gifts and enable us to appreciate the people in our lives and the things we do in a heightened, more obvious way. In these instances, we feel a connection that reassures us of life's meaning and blessing. It hits out...

Nothing but net worth: Builders seek better strategies to lock in personal gains. (Outfront).
March 1, 2002... Luxury home builder Jay Grant of Grant Homes in Morristown, N.J., tapped a deep reservoir of builder interest last month at the International Builders' Show with an hour-long seminar on preserving personal net worth. A packed crowd of...

Hovnanian to build all Energy Star in New Jersey. (Outfront).(Brief Article)
March 1, 2002... K. Hovnanian Enterprises recently committed to build all of its New Jersey homes in accordance with Energy Star qualifications. The company had completed 50 such homes as of March 1, according to the Energy Star Web site. Making the...

At the Builders' Show. (Outfront).(Brief Article)
March 1, 2002... Brian Catalde, president of Paragon Communities in Playa del Rey, Calif., is a man on a mission when it comes to making the most of his time at the International Builders' Show. From the moment he and his colleagues touched down in Atlanta last...

Housing: A Key push to Economic Recovery. (NAHB Opinion).(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
March 1, 2002... A new NAHB report concludes that housing is critical in uplifting the nation's economy in 2002. According to Housing: The Key to Economic Recovery (available at www.nahb.com), the lowest home mortgage interest rates in 30 years, strong...

Two communities mandate 'visitability'. (Outfront).(new accessibility requirements in Naperville, IL, and Pima County, AZ)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2002... Accessibility requirements on publicly funded housing are not unheard-of -- Austin, Texas; Chicago; Atlanta; and Urbana, Ill., all have such accessibility codes. In February, two communities trumped that by requiring that all new housing be...

Home buyer stats. (Outfront).(expectations of walk-through items)(Brief Article)(Polling Data)(Statistical Data Included)
March 1, 2002... Sixty-seven percent of home buyers anticipated the number of walk-through items they encountered. The data show that customers will accept some punchlist items but are concerned with their severity and how items were handled. The key is to have...

'Decent help' hard to find. (Green Builder[R]).(on learning carpentry)(Brief Article)(Column)
March 1, 2002... It was one of those chance occurrences when two people who know each other happen to come together at the same place. I was driving along a residential lane, and as I turned a corner I noticed another builder I hadn't seen in a long time....

Scratch the neighbors' backs. (Outfront).(Olson Co. uses cross-marketing to sell homes)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2002... Successful infill development often requires more than just an intricate knowledge of the surrounding area. Existing neighbors need to feel as though they, too, have a stake in the new project. One way infill pacesetter The Olson Co. of San...

Watch those land prices. (Outfront).(market tips for construction industry)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2002... While today's low interest rates have added to consumers' ability to keep buying homes, it might be time to read the tea leaves. A rise in the unemployment rate will ultimately affect the housing market. And therein lies the dilemma: Not...

Immigrant home demand. (Outfront).(number of households, homeownership, occupational data for immigrants)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
March 1, 2002... Census Bureau figures demonstrate just how massive the influx of immigrants has been in the United States. Today, 11% of all households are headed by foreign-born individuals. On average, the rate of homeownership among nonnative residents...

Johns Manville goes formaldehyde-free. (Outfront).(introduces fiberglass insulation made with acrylic binder)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2002... Johns Manville announced in February that the formaldehyde binder in its fiberglass insulation will be replaced with an acrylic binder. JM group marketing manager Bill Blalock points out that the amount of formaldehyde in fiberglass insulation...

After the honeymoon. (The Department of Labor).(techniques for ensuring success of new employees)(Brief Article)(Column)
March 1, 2002... The hire is made, the orientation complete; now you are ready for that big return on your investment. But what if the rookie does not understand how to get help? How do you ensure success in the first three months of your new hire's employment?...

Generation X: Wired to buy. (Outfront).(survey of consumer house hunting habits)(Brief Article)(Polling Data)(Statistical Data Included)
March 1, 2002... When people in the 24-36 age group decide to buy a new home, the Internet is playing a bigger role, new research by Professional Builder shows. But the overall picture that emerges of Internet use by young house hunters is mixed. One...

Paint receives (Green) seal of approval. (Outfront).(Pittsburgh Paints develops environmentally friendly paint line)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2002... Pittsburgh Paints has created a zero-VOC (volatile organic compound) line of paints for residential markets that addresses home buyer concerns about indoor air quality. While VOC-free paints are not new, the company says its Pure...

Quality blues: Think twice before you take that zero-defect assurance walk. (Outfront).
March 1, 2002... At a recent conference, somebody asked me if there is a downside to quality. Great question. Can a total focus on quality actually hinder a company? My answer: Absolutely! Examples are all around us. One I have seen many times is an overblown...

Everything and the kitchen sink: Build an options program so buyers get what they want -- and you get the profit. (Sell).(Brief Article)
March 1, 2002... The retail sensibility defines new home buyers as it has consumers of cars, clothes and appliances for years. New home buyers want something unique, and they feel they have earned the right to get it. The tools to deliver on these desires:...

Builders by the numbers: Aggressive, competitive and thoroughly in love with their jobs. (Manage).
March 1, 2002... There's no such thing as an "average" builder. Likewise, no builder of any note or ambition would dare think of himself, his company, and its products and services as merely "average." Most operators understandably regard themselves as...

For boomers, by bommers: Developers plan a community so special they'd like to live there. (Sell).
March 1, 2002... Coming soon to the Eastern Shore of Maryland: a community designed by baby boomers to appeal to baby boomers. Three building and development companies along with a leader in waterfront development, all from the Baltimore/Washington area,...

Fidelity's models: Halfway through the winter selling season, Florida startup's model homes are living up to promises made by architect Don Evans and merchandiser Kay Green. (Design).
March 1, 2002... Floor plans and elevation renderings are fun to peruse, but does the real product live up to the hype? That's what readers have been asking since last May, when we showed the conceptual plans Orlando, Fla., architect Don Evans designed for...

National Green Building Conference to show builders it's easy to be green. (Special Advertising Supplement).(Brief Article)
March 1, 2002... The fourth annual National Green Building Conference is the most important environmental home building conference of the year. The conference, which will be held March 24-26 at The Westin Seattle, will answer the "riddles" of being green for...

Broan-NuTone GuardianPlus: Whole-house HEPA filtration system generates healthier, more profitable homes. (Special Advertising Supplement).(Brief Article)
March 1, 2002... Our national drive to maximize the energy efficiency of our homes has triggered an unfortunate and increasingly costly side effect: deteriorating indoor air quality. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency reports that, on average, indoor air...

Marvin: Integrity[R] windows dramatically cut home energy costs. (Special Advertising Supplement).(Brief Article)
March 1, 2002... High-performance windows are a major element in all green building programs. They're also essential to any new home plans or remodeling projects designed to increase energy efficiency and reduce home utility costs - high-priority goals with...

Day One Monday: International Builders' Show. (Special Advertising Supplement).(Brief Article)
March 1, 2002... February 4, 2002 HABITAT FOR HUMANITY IN MERIWETHER COUNTY AND I WILL NEVER BE THE SAME BECAUSE OF THE GENEROSITY OF MANY WONDERFUL PEOPLE. OUR AFFILIATE HAS AVERAGED BUILDING 2 HOUSES PER YEAR, BUT BECAUSE OF THE HABITAT @25 WE WILL HAVE...

Propane Education & Research Council. (Products & Materials).(Brief Article)
March 1, 2002... A proud sponsor of Habitat@25, the Propane Education & Research Council represents propane marketers across the country. Propane, the Exceptional Energy, is a safe, efficient and environmentally sound energy source offering reliability and...

Day Two Tuesday: International Builders' Show. (Special Advertising Supplement).(Brief Article)
March 1, 2002... February 5, 2002 THE PARTNERSHIP THAT EXISTED DURING THE HABITAT@25 BUILD WAS REMARKABLE. BUILDERS, SUPPLIERS, VOLUNTEERS AND THE REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE LOCAL HABITAT AFFILIATES ALL WORKED TOGETHER AND THAT SPIRIT OF COOPERATION AND...

Exterior trim. (Products & Materials).
March 1, 2002... New owners of the Habitat@25 project homes will soon discover the ease of maintaining their homes thanks to the top-quality trim and louver products supplied by Style Solutions[TM] Incorporated. Made of tough, high-performance urethane, the...

Balustrade systems. (Products & Materials).
March 1, 2002... Hanging out on the front porch... a great American pastime. Now the residents of the Habitat@25 project homes can have that same experience. Thanks to the donation of structural balustrade systems from Style Solutions[TM] Incorporated, several...

Day Three Wednesday: International Builders' Show. (Special Advertising Supplement).
March 1, 2002... February 6, 2002 MY PARTICIPATION IN HABITAT @25 WAS CONSTRUCTED ON MY OWN PERSONAL MORAL OF PAYING IT FORWARD TO EACH AND EVERY PERSON I HAD THE PLEASURE OF ASSOCIATING WITH THROUGH THE ENTIRE PROJECT. John P. Jarboe Jr. First...

Wood Promotion Network. (Products & Materials).(advertisement)
March 1, 2002... There is one international home builder that builds 5,500 entry-level, wood-framed houses each year in the United States. Amazingly, its customers are almost always thrilled with the workmanship, and they rarely complain about delays....

Andersen Corporation. (Products & Materials).(advertisement)
March 1, 2002... From our founding as a lumberyard in a Wisconsin river town to our rise as the market leader in the window and patio door industry, the Andersen story one of change and innovation inspired by customer needs. Our dedication to product excellence...

Dow Building Materials. (Products & Materials).(advertisement)
March 1, 2002... Dow Building Materials is the recognized leader in extruded polystyrene insulation. Since developing STYROFOAM (*) extruded polystyrene insulation, Dow continues to build on its foam expertise and technical strength to broaden its offering of...

Whirlpool Corporation. (Products & Materials).(advertisement)
March 1, 2002... Whirlpool Corporation creates appliances your customers truly appreciate and will use for years to come. By offering cutting-edge customer service, customer-focused brands, powerful industry leadership and a vision for the future, we are able...

YORK International. (Products & Materials).(advertisement)
March 1, 2002... As the largest independent supplier of heating, ventilating, air-conditioning and refrigeration equipment in the United States, YORK International understands that it has an obligation to use its leadership position to help build a stronger...

Merillat. (Products & Materials).(Advertising)(Product Announcement)
March 1, 2002... Since it was founded in 1946, Merillat Industries, LLC has developed a reputation as a cabinetry solutions supplier to the building industry. The leading manufacturer of cabinetry for new home construction, Merillat is committed to helping...

Masonite. (Products & Materials).(advertisement)
March 1, 2002... Masonite International Corporation -- the New Masonite -- is committed to excellence in all that we do. Masonite supports the communities where our employees live and work, which includes participation in Habitat for Humanity projects not only...

Square D. (Products & Materials).(advertisement)
March 1, 2002... SQUARE D/Schneider Electric leads the industry in providing innovative electrical solutions that meet the changing needs of builders and home buyers. We offer the industry's largest service and support network of residential sales engineers and...

James Hardie Siding Products. (Products & Materials).(advertisement)
March 1, 2002... Owning your own home defines the American Dream. A home means independence, stability, security, comfort. That is why James Hardie is delighted to have participated in the Habitat for Humanity 25th anniversary project. We commend Cahners and...

Builders see value in decorative mouldings. (Products & Materials).(Brief Article)
March 1, 2002... From starter homes to high-end customs, home builders across the country are using decorative wood mouldings to create traditional classical millwork statements. Gary Streigler, who builds in the South Central United States, says, "The...

Andersen Windows. (Products & Materials).(advertisement)
March 1, 2002... From our founding as a lumberyard in a Wisconsin river town to our rise as the market leader in the window and patio door industry, the Andersen story is one of change and innovation inspired by customer needs. Our dedication to product...

Delta[R] Faucet. (Products & Materials).(Brief Article)
March 1, 2002... At Delta Faucet Company, we produce Beautifully Engineered[TM] products that give our builder partners a competitive advantage. Our kitchen and bath faucets are intelligently designed for good looks and easy installation, and precisely...

[0] Masonite. (Products & Materials).(advertisement)
March 1, 2002... Masonite International Corporation -- the New Masonite -- is committed to excellence in all that we do. Masonite supports the communities where our employees live and work, which includes participation in Habitat for Humanity projects not only...

Builders see a demand for more decorative millwork. (Products & Materials).(Brief Article)
March 1, 2002... For the past five years, the demand for decorative moulding and millwork has been growing. "People are wanting more detailing because of the trend toward traditional interiors," says Betty McGuire, a designer in the Dallas-Fort Worth metro...

[0] James Hardie Siding Products. (Products & Materials).(advertisement)
March 1, 2002... Owning your own home defines the American Dream. A home means independence, stability, security, comfort. That is why James Hardie is delighted to have participated in the Habitat for Humanity 25th anniversary project. We commend Cahners and...

[0] Dow Building Materials. (Products & Materials).(advertisement)
March 1, 2002... Dow Building Materials (+) is thc recognized leader in extruded polystyrene insulation. Since developing STYROFOAM (*) extruded polystyrene insulation, Dow continues to build on its foam expertise and technical strength to broaden its offering...

Whirlpool Corporation partners with Habitat for Humanity International. (Products & Materials).(Brief Article)
March 1, 2002... Poverty is an issue that transcends industries. Architects, builders and thousands of volunteers have joined together -- turning rhetoric into response to provide decent and affordable homes to families in need. Starting on June 1, 1999,...

Builders experience diversity of styles and quality wood products from White River. (Products & Materials).(Brief Article)
March 1, 2002... More and more builders are changing to White River's wood mouldings and decorative wood products. Why? One reason is the diversity of styles, profiles and product choices. Besides offering affordable products, White River educates its customer...

Builders see many advantages in upgrading their moulding and millwork. (Products & Materials).(Brief Article)
March 1, 2002... In today's business economy, contractors can choose a wide variety of products to make their homes more appealing. Home buyers also are more educated than ever in product knowledge and are willing to pay more to get the amenities they want. ...

Scheduling Part III -- five guidelines for data collection: Standardize the process to make it as productive as possible. (Learn - [Third in a Series of Six]).
March 1, 2002... M.M. (Mike) Weiss Jr. Before we assemble the particulars to make a schedule, it is important to set up a procedure that will make the process simple, dependable and productive. There are five guidelines for collecting the data needed to...

Wolf. (Products).(advertisement)
March 1, 2002... The company's built-in ovens have a dual convection system for even temperature and airflow. Two fans and four heating elements operate simultaneously or in sequence, depending on which of the eight cooking modes (bake, roast, broil, convection...

Timeline vinyl windows & doors. (Products).(advertisement)
March 1, 2002... Features of the company's swing patio doors include a stainless steel multipoint lock system with key lock and a full-height, anodized aluminum gear hinge for structural strength. The doors resist warping, bowing and twisting thanks to a...

Norco. (Products).(advetisement)
March 1, 2002... Black has been added to the color options for the company's aluminum-clad windows, joining white, brown, sandstone, Hartford green, burgundy and vanilla cream. The clad wood windows are crafted with an extruded aluminum cladding on the frame...

Benjamin Obdyke. (Products).(advertisement)
March 1, 2002... Home Slicker rain screen for sidewalls can protect and lower moisture levels in various siding and cladding systems but is especially suited for wood lap siding, wood shingles or shakes, fiber-cement, EIFS and brick, the company says. It helps...

Heatilator. (Products).(advertisement)
March 1, 2002... The 1100 wood-burning fireplace has an opening that's 50 inches wide and 33 inches tall. Optional accessories include a traditional brick or herringbone-pattern refractory, fully framed iron or traditional DM glass doors, and a mission-style...

Imperial products. (Products).(advertisement)
March 1, 2002... The X-Sill threshold features a vinyl nose and rail with an oak grain and texture. It is impervious to rot and impenetrable to water, the company says. The composite base consists of one continuous unit, and an integral aluminum screw thread...

Klein tools. (Products).(advertisement)
March 1, 2002... The 5-in-1 screwdriver/nut driver includes four common screwdriver bits, and the reversible barrel can be used as a 5/16-inch nut driver when the bit is removed. The 10-in-1 features eight popular screwdriver bits, and its reversible barrel can...

TimberTech. (Products).(advertisement)
March 1, 2002... The Engineered Decking Systems line of composite decking now includes a railing system (pictured) and 5/4 plank, which joins the company's tongue-and-groove and 2x6 planks. The railing system includes a top rail, side rail and balusters plus an...

Contact Lumber. (Products).(advertisement)
March 1, 2002... Embark SL pre-finished moldings and millwork are designed to offer the stained look of hand-finished hardwood furniture without on-site finishing. They are embossed to enhance their natural wood-grain characteristics, and color highlights are...

M.K. Morse. (Products).(advertisement)
March 1, 2002... Master Cobalt reciprocating saw blades cut wood, plastic and metal. They combine a special tooth configuration with fatigue-resistant backer electron beam welded to an 8% cobalt high-speed steel cutting edge. Three thicknesses are available for...

Construction systems. (Products).(advertisement)
March 1, 2002... The Whalen Jack system was designed by a carpenter as an alternative to traditional scaffolding. The system attaches to the building, so level and dry ground is not required, and it does not impede those working at the base of the building. The...

Harris Tarkett. (Products).(advertisement)
March 1, 2002... The Crossroads collection of distressed wood floors offers various species and colors (hickory suede is shown) and three construction options -- Longstrip, engineered plank and solid strip. A five-step finishing process is designed to give a...

Formica. (Products).(advertisement)
March 1, 2002... The 14 patterns of registered embossed tile flooring include weathered clay (pictured). The designs are offered in two grouted tile formats--12x12-inch squares and random-size blocks. Both formats are sold as 12x48-inch planks. All designs...

Transolid. (Products).(advertisement)
March 1, 2002... Tuscana is one of The Metals -- five new additions to the Transcendence line of bath furniture. The wall-mounted, forged metal frame is integrated with a solid-surface vanity top and bowl. Two frame finishes are offered along with various...

Hy-Lite products. (Products).(advertisement)
March 1, 2002... One-piece acrylic block inserts for interior doors are designed to bring more light into a room. Each unit comes pre-assembled and requires no additional reinforcing of the doorjamb. Available in various block patterns, the inserts are 22...

Spec-Temp. (Products).(advertisement)
March 1, 2002... The company now offers insulated and curved insulated products on a made-to-order basis. The flat and bent tempered products are used to add thermal and sound-deadening values to window units. Various spacer types are offered to allow for...

Lutron electronics. (Products).(advertisement)
March 1, 2002... With the Faedra dimmer, lights can gradually fade on and off and be dimmed from up to 10 locations. One tap turns lights on to a pre-selected level, and two taps raises them to full on. When turning lights off, one tap fades the lights to off,...

Landcaster. (Home Plans).(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
March 1, 2002... Brought to you by Weather Shield Windows & Doors. Plan Number: HDS-3758 Buyer Profile: This plan was designed for the move-up, growing, active family and has plenty of room for growth. Unique Selling Features: As you enter through...

Queenstown Harbor. (Home Plans).(Brief Article)
March 1, 2002... Brought to you by Weather Shield Windows & Doors. Plan Number: 6663 Buyer Profile: This plan is perfect as a move-up home. Just less than 3,000 square feet of living space, this spectacular layout offers all the amenities. Unique...

Kilbride. (Home Plans).(Brief Article)
March 1, 2002... Brought to you by Weather Shield Windows & Doors. Plan Number: Kilbride Buyer Profile: This plan is designed for the luxury buyer who has a taste for Southern flair. Unique Selling Features: This plan features a courtyard entry...

Alan Mascord. (Home Plans).(Alan Mascord Design Associates Inc.)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2002... Brought to you by Weather Shield Windows & Doors. Plan Number: 2206B Buyer Profile: This plan is designed for a sophisticated home buyer seeking a more formal style with family-friendly livability. Unique Selling Features: This...

Charlotte. (Home Plans).(Brief Article)
March 1, 2002... Brought to you by Weather Shield Windows & Doors. Plan Number: 95367-PB Buyer Profile: A great starter home designed for the buyer looking far more than basic shelter. Unique Selling Features: A strong curb appeal and a great,...

Bomanite. (Flooring Connection).(advertisement)
March 1, 2002... Bomanite cast-in-place colored, imprinted and textured architectural concrete paving adds beauty and value to your project. Choose from a wide variety of textures, more than 90 patterns and 25 standard colors. Custom colors also available. For...

Goodwin Heart Pine. (Flooring Connection).(advertisement)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2002... Goodwin produces fine floors for the luxury market. While still competitively priced, the river-recovered, antique wood creates an unparalleled, stable, fine-grained product, favored by architects, designers and quality builders. Call...

BHK of America. (Flooring Connection).(advertisement)
March 1, 2002... BHK Moderna Signature Glueless Engineered Wood Flooring features a high quality engineered wood product available in six new woodgrain patterns. Tongue and groove planks feature a thick wear layer finished with seven coats of acrylic UV finish,...

Protective Products. (Flooring Connection).(advertisement)
March 1, 2002... Carpet Protection is just one of the many surface protection and dust control products from Protective Products. It is designed specifically for protecting carpets against damage and from job site dirt and grime. Carpet Protection is a...

Abatron, Inc. (Flooring Connection).(advertisement)
March 1, 2002... This unique catalog is an invaluable resource for high-performance restoration/maintenance products. Featured are products for repairing rotted wood, spalled and damaged concrete, and metal. Structural adhesives, protective coatings, moldmaking...

Prestige Carpets, Inc. (Flooring Connection).(advertisement)
March 1, 2002... Save up to 60% on residential and commercial carpet, hardwood, laminate, vinyl and custom rugs. All the newest styles and colors all guaranteed. No minimum order. Direct shipping. FREE SAMPLES. FREE QUOTES on any product. Call 800-235-1079,...

The zen of bathing. (Design File).(advertisement)
March 1, 2002... Simplicity was the mantra of designers at Bassenian/Lagoni Architects and Color Design Art in creating the master bath of The Picasso. Balance, elegance and functionality merge to create a soothing retreat in this $292,000 home. ...