Professional Builder (1993) articles from May 2004

Professional Builder (1993) archives from May 2004

Sedam offers gain without pain.(Letters)(Letter to the Editor)
May 1, 2004... I just finished reading Scott Sedam's Lessons Learned column in Professional Builder's March issue. With all due respect to Chris Canaday, I cannot disagree with him more. I, for one, have had enough of having (as Teddy Roosevelt said) "my...

Inspirational column.(Letters)(Letter to the Editor)
May 1, 2004... Scott Sedam brought back memories of my college days (Michigan State University, bachelor of science, building construction, 1975). My mentor was the late William Lloyd, a great teacher, and he did inspire us. I also remember reading...

Corrections.(Correction Notice)
May 1, 2004... In "Don't Skimp on Lot Evaluations" in Professional Builder's January issue, Newberry Campa Design Studio should have been identified as a design firm, not an architectural design firm. In the chart accompanying "County-Level Research...

Lucky, the builder.(Perspective)
May 1, 2004... In a recent letter, one of you chided Professional Builder, and me in particular, for our scare tactics. You wrote: "I read your magazine every month and get a lot of good ideas, but I take exception to a couple of points of view. In...

Silver Springs Village.(Plans and Projects)(Cover Story)
May 1, 2004... Silver Springs Village, an active-adult project in Atlanta's west suburbs, proves that seniors will flock to a TND community, especially if prices stay under $200,000. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Opportunities Mark Gibbs, owner of...

Bauer Highlands.(Plans and Projects)
May 1, 2004... In a new home market dominated by Craftsman homes, a two-builder team brought European flair to middle-market buyers in Portland, Ore. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Opportunities Tired of the low gables, exposed rafters and square...

Finisterra at Firelight.(Plans and Projects)
May 1, 2004... The latest project from Joyce Homes in master-planned Highlands Ranch, Colo., is in Firelight, an upscale subdivision of detached single-family homes with its own homeowners association. Joyce, the smallest-volume builder of the six at...

Design sketchbook: outdoor kitchens; These areas can really cook nearly year-round.(Plans and Projects)
May 1, 2004... Backyard cookouts play a large role in the homeownership dream for most Americans. As summer approaches, we anticipate spending weekends relaxing by the pool as hamburgers sizzle on the outdoor grill. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] While sales...

Can you pass the bonus test?(Lessons Learned)
May 1, 2004... I have been asked countless times, "How do I get my people to act like owners, not merely employees?" So let's play "You Be the Consultant!" How would you answer the ownership question? A) Have frequent meetings where you talk about the...

Understanding the candidate.(The H.R. Dept.)
May 1, 2004... Ever notice how great job candidates seem easy to interview, whereas others make you work for answers? To demonstrate what I mean, here are responses from two candidates we interviewed last year. "Bill" and "Susan" had similar time in the home...

Profitability starts with land.(Bottom-Line Building)
May 1, 2004... Soaring land prices the past several years have spurred more builders to enter raw land acquisition and development for the first time. Be careful. Development really is a different business. Don't go into it without doing your homework and...

A dose of reality.(Customer Satisfaction)
May 1, 2004... 'What do you mean it's a three-month delay to get the tile guys in here?!" How many times have you heard customers react like that to news that's out of your control? Every builder faces such challenges, which come with building a complicated...

Estimating -- Part V.(Learn)
May 1, 2004... Throughout our discussion of estimating, we have stressed the importance of using a system. Now we will describe the steps involved in doing a good estimate as the estimator determines what a project should cost. By the way, there should...

The ascent of stairs.(Design)
May 1, 2004... Stairs do more than take us from top to bottom and back again. They also offer an opportunity to make a design statement. Formal staircases in a home's entry have long been popular, but builders are upping the ante to respond to buyers'...

Frost-protected shallow foundations: this PATH top-10 technology saves builders and homeowners money.(Build)
May 1, 2004... A frost-protected shallow foundation (FPSF) makes an elegant building solution from either side of the new home transaction. Homeowners benefit from increased comfort and lower energy bills. Builders profit from reduced excavation and materials...

10 tips for land research: from four lots to 40,000 green acres, the fundamentals of land acquisition apply long before the buy.(SpecialReport)
May 1, 2004... What do a rare bird, an angry mob, a traffic jam and a knee-deep puddle have in common? All can kill a land deal. Habitat protection, community sentiment, transportation issues and water regulations can delay or deny a housing project. But...

Moisture management: mold prevention can be a watershed for your business.(ProductReport)
May 1, 2004... Sparked in part by mold-related lawsuits, many builders have put greater emphasis on managing moisture, a primary source of mold. "Because it's become such a litigious society, we have been made keenly aware of the importance of managing...

Rev-a-shelf.(Products)
May 1, 2004... This stainless steel, pullout waste container fits around plumbing in kitchen, vanity and wet-bar sink base cabinets. It includes 10- and 20-liter bins, a lid, built-in handles and full-extension ball bearing slides. The product is available...

Atlantis building products.(Products)
May 1, 2004... Cedarway hand-split siding replicates the look and feel of natural split cedar. The product comes in four styles: traditional shake with a 14-inch panel (all panel sizes are double course) and 48-inch exposure, hand-split shake (18-inch panel,...

Chadsworth's 1.800.columns.(Products)
May 1, 2004... The PolyStone collection of load-bearing columns for interior and exterior use includes several new styles. The belley column has a bell curve in the middle, the knee-wall column is suitable for porches or to divide rooms, and the Norfolk fits...

Porter-cable.(Products)
May 1, 2004... Two new 4 1/2-inch angle grinders feature a spanner wrench on the handle to reduce the time required to change pads, blades, discs or other accessories during use. Both models operate at 10,000 rpm and include a three-position auxiliary handle....

LG Hi-Macs.(Products)
May 1, 2004... Each of the eight colors (Metis is pictured) in the Volcanics collection of acrylic solid surfaces was named after an active volcano. The line is designed to combine the durability and repair ease of an acrylic base with the deep tones and...

Ridgid.(Products)
May 1, 2004... Four new storage chests include permanently retained locks and recessed shackles for job-site security. The two 16-cubic-foot models have a cord-access feature so power tool batteries can charge in the chest while it's locked. The 31-cubic-foot...

Therma-Tru.(Products)
May 1, 2004... Classic-Craft Mahogany Collection fiberglass doors now include half-light and six-panel styles. The half-light style is available with Ashurst, Longford (shown) and Arcadia decorative glass as well as clear glass. Elliptical transoms are...

Kwikset.(Products)
May 1, 2004... The auburn hue of the venetian bronze finish is hand-crafted to reveal bright copper highlights on the edges and corners of door hard-ware. It's offered now on select products in the Ultra-Max Security line and is expected to be available on...

Alside.(Products)
May 1, 2004... Charter Oak Energy Elite vinyl siding features the Fullback foam support and insulation system, which eliminates the void between the siding and exterior walls. The siding can cut energy bills by 20% compared with conventional vinyl siding,...

Merillat.(Products)
May 1, 2004... Spring Valley cabinetry, part of the Merillat Classic line, now comes in cherry. Shown in the paprika finish, it's also offered with a cider finish. Like the rest of the Classic line, Spring Valley is available in square and arched door styles....

Georgia-Pacific.(Products)
May 1, 2004... StyleLine decorative wall panels are made of an MDF substrate certified to contain 100% recovered and recycled fiber. Each 4X8-foot flat panel has eased edges painted to match the face. Seams are designed to resemble a finished V-groove after...

Danze.(Products)
May 1, 2004... Designed to bridge contemporary and old-world styles, the Bannockburn collection comprises centerset, widespread, mini-widespread, Roman tub and tub/shower faucets, along with complementary accessories. All are available in chrome, brushed...

Takagi.(Products)
May 1, 2004... The Flash T-K Jr. tankless water heater is 20 inches high, weighs 40 pounds and can deliver more than 180 gallons every hour, Takagi says. Thanks to a computer-controlled electronic ignition, the gas unit operates without a pilot light, so it...

Fujitsu general America.(Products)
May 1, 2004... Halcyon IAQ ductless, mini-split systems use plasma ionization and electrostatic filtration to neutralize and remove airborne irritants, odors and allergens such as cigarette smoke, dust, pollen, mold spores and pet dander. Four 12-SEER models...

Puzzling Portland: debate still rages over whether the urban growth boundary works.(NewstoUse)
May 1, 2004... Oregonians seem to love the urban growth boundary that surrounds Portland. Since the law creating the UGB was implemented in 1978, five years after passage, voters repeatedly have rejected ballot initiatives to repeal it. City planners across...

Panels get tougher thanks to fiber-reinforced polymer.(Sheathing)
May 1, 2004... Engineers at the University of Maine's Advanced Engineered Wood Composites Center might have invented a way to help houses survive natural disasters. The team, led by center director Habib Dagher and William Davids, an assistant professor of...

Irresponsible regulation.(NAHB Opinion)
May 1, 2004... In its report "Waters and Wetlands," the General Accounting Office found that the Environmental Protection Agency and the Army Corps of Engineers have regulated U.S. waters and wetlands irresponsibly. Specifically, the GAO said the...

ICC approves SIPs for all seismic zones.(NewstoUse_Build)
May 1, 2004... In a series of cyclic shear wall tests on structural insulated panels, APA--The Engineered Wood Association found that SIP walls perform similarly or better than stick-built walls under simulated earthquake conditions. [ILLUSTRATION...

Plastic ducts can limit leaks.(NewstoUse_Build)
May 1, 2004... A recent installation of a rigid-plastic ductwork system in a home in Cartersville, Ga., indicates that plastic ducts can reduce air leakage. Norwalk, Conn.-based Steven Winter Associates worked with Building America team partner Outlook...

Off-the-shelf fix for I-joist mis-cuts.(Product Innovation)
May 1, 2004... I-joist manufacturers' standards dictate that web holes must be perfect circles to transfer shear forces properly, and they advise builders of the minimum distance between holes and from bearing points of the joist. But with multiple...

Bowled over.(NewstoUse_Design)
May 1, 2004... The Kitchen/Bath Industry Show last month in Chicago revealed an overwhelming trend: Over-the-counter sinks are big in bathrooms, especially powder rooms. Also called over-mount bowls, basins and vessels, the sinks come in surprising materials,...

Cradle-to-cradle contest to reward winning designs.(Sustainability)
May 1, 2004... Drawing on the principles in the book Cradle to Cradle: Remaking the Way We Make Things by William McDonough, FAIA, and Michael Braungart, the Roanoke (Va.) Regional Housing Network has launched the first International Cradle to Cradle Housing...

Watch those interest rates.(NewstoUse_Manage)
May 1, 2004... With home sales booming and recent price increases in petroleum products and building materials, the stage is set for the Federal Reserve Board to raise interest rates, which could put a damper on housing demand. Sales of new homes surged...

Management material: retiring military officers.(NewstoUse_Manage)
May 1, 2004... Builders of virtually every size have trouble finding talented young managers to help grow their firms. If you're in that boat, here's a tip: Watch what the big public builders do. Lately, the big boys have extended their recruiting efforts...

Eye in sky watches custom builder's sites.(Web Cam)
May 1, 2004... Custom builder Mike McGuffie of Regal Classic Homes (www.regalclassichomes.com) in Orlando, Fla., is using Web cams on his jobs to keep customers informed of progress and trade contractors and vendors on their toes. Regal or the home buyer can...

Documentary-style video touts luxury condos.(NewstoUse_Sell)
May 1, 2004... 'If L.A. had a Main Street, it would be Wilshire Boulevard," says the video for The Californian on Wilshire, a 23-story luxury condominium project scheduled to open in 2005. The continuous-loop production plays on one of three plasma...

Builder's online program keeps buyer frenzy under control.(Customer Management)
May 1, 2004... With the Southern California housing market red-hot again, Irvine-based MBK Homes has created a customer management program to prevent the camp-outs and lotteries that home buyers dread. The builder's Insider's Club keeps prospects informed of...

Compact plans could lower services costs.(NewstoUse_Land)
May 1, 2004... Building higher-density communities with tighter infrastructure designs and community services can save significant costs, according to The Brookings Institution's Center on Urban and Metropolitan Policy. A March report by the center calls this...

Paradise lost.(NewstoUse_Land)
May 1, 2004... Think twice before developing large, controversial parcels. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Last November in Ventura County, Calif., protests prompted the proposed Ahmanson Ranch master plan to be turned into a nature conservancy. Six...

Track permit statistics, free and easy.(Census Information)
May 1, 2004... By tracking residential building permits issued in a city, county, metropolitan area or state and comparing trends, a builder can learn a lot for free. The U.S. Census Bureau's Residential Construction Branch offers this information at...

Builder/developer Mark Gibbs gained new insights on active adults with the success of Silver Springs Village.(The Last Word)
May 1, 2004... PB: What did you learn from Silver Springs Village [page 28]? MG: How perfectly courtyard homes fit the lifestyles and concerns of older active adults, especially single-again women. We targeted our cottages to couples age 50 to 60 and the...

What's new in the kitchen and bath.(The Details)
May 1, 2004... Creating the kitchens and baths that buyers love often separates one builder from another with prospects. The luxury sector leads the rest of the market in cutting-edge designs and products for these important spaces. Gathered here are the...

Retailer, builders partner for showcase.(The Details)
May 1, 2004... High-end furniture retailer Robb & Stucky recently partnered with 25 high-end home builders in South Florida for its first Luxury Property Showcase. At the daylong event at the company's 80,000-square-foot furnishings showroom in Boca Raton,...

Make your own medallions.(The Details)
May 1, 2004... Entry statements start with the floor. Precision [H.sub.2]O, with offices in Spokane, Wash., Murray, Utah, and Buffalo Grove, Ill., produces custom medallions that grace the floors of the finest homes, such as the installation below in a Salt...

Corrections.(Correction Notice)
May 1, 2004... In the article "Dream Team" (LHB, October 2003), KMK Interiors should have been listed as an interior consultant, not interior designer. Also, Ken Newberry should have been called a designer, not an architect. "Partnership Generates Heat" (LHB,...

Grand entrance.(Entryway)
May 1, 2004... The entrance to this 7,112-square-foot residence in Scottsdale, Ariz., celebrates the arrival of friends and family in a style that reflects the homeowners' passion for entertaining. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] A winding path of Oklahoma...

Dynamic duo.(Kitchen/Butler's Pantry)
May 1, 2004... Inspired by the residential architecture of Barbados, where abundant windows and doors open to capture ocean breezes, this 4,500-square-foot, spec-built beauty in Charleston, S.C., features a floor plan that wraps around an open-air piazza. ...

High visibility.(Master Bath)
May 1, 2004... When builder/architect Luis Jauregui designed this 5,214-square-foot, Tuscan-style residence for the Texas Capital Area Builders Association's 2002 Parade of Homes, he infused the striking interior living spaces with Western spirit by using...

Private screening.(Home Theater)
May 1, 2004... Although well-suited for formal entertaining, this Gothic Mediterranean home in Manalapan, Fla., has a fun side, too, says builder Lauree Simmons. One of the 15,830-square-foot residence's most inviting spaces is its lower-level media room,...

Sunken treasure.(Wine Cellar)
May 1, 2004... Hidden in a secluded niche on the lower level of a 9,500-square-foot custom residence in Sparta, N.J., is a gem prized by the homeowners--a wine cellar painstakingly crafted to resemble a centuries-old space even though it's brand-new. ...

Peak performance: Rocky Mountain retreat reinforces family's connection to community.(TheTour)
May 1, 2004... This modern-day mountain lodge in Genesee, Colo., serves as the primary residence for its owners, who share a long family history with the upscale community 20 miles west of Denver. "They wanted their home to pay homage to their historical...

Floor show.(The Products)
May 1, 2004... Made from reclaimed and re-milled barn wood, Bunkhouse Plank flooring from Yesteryear Floorworks preserves the wood's original surface and character. Each American oak or southern yellow pine plank has a 3/4-inch tongue-and-groove, is...

Warm reception.(The Products)
May 1, 2004... DCS has redesigned its warming drawers, which come in stainless steel, black or white in 27- and 30-inch sizes or, for custom cabinetry, fully integrated configurations. Features include a removable shelf/serving tray that can hold two...

Great Scott.(The Products)
May 1, 2004... George C. Scott art-glass basins, designed for Ann Sacks by the Seattle glass designer, have layers of glass that transmit and reflect light. The round basins come in neutral and primary color combinations and in 17- and 20-inch diameters. Some...

It's showtime.(The Products)
May 1, 2004... Moen enters the luxury market with its ShowHouse brand, which debuts with three powder room collections (Sophisticate is shown), the Waterhill kitchen and bath suite and the Woodmere line of pull-down kitchen and prep faucets. The Casa powder...

Seamless integration.(The Products)
May 1, 2004... Cosentino offers its Silestone natural quartz countertops integrated with Kindred stainless steel kitchen sinks in flushmounted, bevel-mounted and under-mounted versions. Choose a single- or double-basin sink or an offset model that pairs a...

Counter measures.(The Products)
May 1, 2004... Each Craft-Art solid wood countertop is custom-built with full-length pieces of wood and waterproof glues and then sealed and finished with Waterlox tung-oil finish. Wood choices range from American cherry to African paduak as well as...

High aspirations.(The Products)
May 1, 2004... The Aspire line by Cooper Wiring Devices comprises 45 electrical devices in two-tone color combinations white satin, silver granite and desert sand. The line, which features a curved motif and contrasting matte and low-gloss finishes, includes...

Nice and knotty.(The Products)
May 1, 2004... Jeld-Wen designed the composite IWP Aurora knotty alder entry door to combine the performance of fiberglass with the curb appeal of wood. Finish choices include caramel, cashmere, honey, mocha, sable, sequoia and various paint colors. Hardware...

Depth perception.(The Products)
May 1, 2004... KitchenAid has extended features of its built-in refrigerators to side-by-side units, including this counter-depth model. The AquaSense In-Door-Ice dispenser increases usable freezer space, and the ExtendFresh temperature management system...

Primm and proper.(The Products)
May 1, 2004... A handcrafted wrought-iron frame with a cattail design cradles the free-standing Primm soaker tub, which MTI Whirlpools offers in more than 30 colors of Lucite cast acrylic. The oval tub measures 66X41 3/4 inches and has a depth of 26 inches....

New 'wave.(The Products)
May 1, 2004... Wolf has introduced a convection microwave oven that replaces the standard microwave in its product line. Users can choose from four cooking modes: microwave, convection, automatic mix or broil. Available as a free-standing or built-in unit,...

Cellars' market.(The Products)
May 1, 2004... Chateau undercounter wine cellars from Marvel Industries come in three monochromatic designs--black, white and stainless steel--and feature glide-out racks with maple facings that can be painted or stained. Three sizes are available: 24-bottle,...

True style.(The Products)
May 1, 2004... Available in 14 wood species and a wide range of sizing options, stain-grade interior and exterior doors from TruStile Doors feature stile-and-rail construction. In addition to wood doors, the company offers paint-grade MDF doors and custom...

Star power.(The Products)
May 1, 2004... Star Stainless Design creates custom stainless steel countertops, backsplashes, cabinet doors, toe kicks and shelves for the kitchen. The company also has created the StarDuster polishing cloth and kit to maintain the appearance of its products...

Have a seat.(The Products)
May 1, 2004... The Italian-made Tuscany toilet seat from Bemis features a low-profile design, contoured shape and porcelain feel. Designed to complement any bathroom decor, it's made of fire-retardant Coralink, which resists scratching and fading. The Tuscany...

Brass instruments.(The Products)
May 1, 2004... Newport Brass introduces two new faucet collections, the old-world 1000B Series (shown) and the contemporary 1400 Series. Each includes matching tub/shower fittings, Roman tub deck sets, a bidet set, accessories, lighting and decorative trim,...

Mirror images.(The Products)
May 1, 2004... With the television mirror by Seura, homeowners can watch the morning news while brushing their teeth. When activated by the user's touch, an LCD TV screen appears within the mirror. When turned off, the screen disappears, and the user sees...

Touch me not.(The Products)
May 1, 2004... Technical Concepts enters the residential market with three touch-free products. Auto-Faucet uses sensors instead of an infrared beam, so water flows as hands approach from any angle. AutoFlush works with most tank toilets, the company says....

Oh my goddess.(The Products)
May 1, 2004... Named after a Greek goddess, Brizo replaces Delta Select as the premium line from Delta Faucet. It debuts with Floriano, a single-handle, high-arc kitchen faucet with a pull-down design, and Vesi (shown), a bath faucet with a retro design and a...

Live up to the Hype.(The Products)
May 1, 2004... The Hype faucet from Villeroy & Boch has a single lever that camouflages itself when not in use by hugging the shape of the tap. The faucet comes in chrome and satin chrome. The Hype family also includes shower faucets, body sprays, towel bars,...