1. Follow all manufacturers’ installation instructions. Installation protocols and code requirements can vary significantly from one type, style or brand of shingle to another. For example, starter-course instructions, nailing-pattern requirements and roof-coverage area often vary from product to product. Unfortunately, instructions often get overlooked or discarded altogether during the construction process. Failing to follow instructions can lead to durability problems and can possibly void the manufacturer’s warranty, leaving the builder bearing the full cost of any needed repair or replacement. Here are three simple ways builders can reinforce the importance of following installation instructions:

•Take the time to read the instructions and quiz your crew on proper installation protocols. Regardless of how many times they’ve installed those materials, they may have been doing something wrong all along and just didn’t know it.
•Make sure all current installation instructions are on file with the jobsite superintendent and affixed to the scope of work given to the roofing-trade crew leader.
•Regularly take stock of installation instructions on file on the jobsite to be sure they are the most current for the type and style of material you’re using.

2. Create a comprehensive job plan. A builder’s goal with any element of a job should always be to do it right the first time to avoid costly delays. The key to getting it right is creating a comprehensive job plan for every type of work on the site. Roofing is no exception. Here are three tips for creating an effective roofing job plan:

•Carefully lay out the job before it begins. Place evenly spaced chalk lines along the roofing underlayment to give the installer a visible guide for every course.
•Before the roofing work begins, decide on valley style and ridge and gable end treatment, and be explicit about those details on the plans and scope of work.
•Periodically confirm the takeoff and make sure there is a sufficient quantity of shingles from the same dye lot on the jobsite. Running a few square feet short at the end of the job and filling in with shingles that don’t quite match is a rookie mistake that reflects poorly on your reputation for quality.

3. Get the fastening details right. Builders often specify the type and style of shingle for the roof, but they rarely choose the type and gauge of fasteners for those shingles. Using the wrong fasteners can lead to wind damage and result in a red tag by the code inspector.
The type of fastener required for the job is called out in the manufacturer’s installation instructions, as well as in the local building code. If you have a personal preference for either nails or staples, make sure that detail is included on the approved plans and specifications for a given project, as well as in the roofer’s scope of work. If staples are to be substituted for roofing nails, make sure the acceptable wire gauge and staple length are clearly stated, as well.

 
Surprisingly, one of the most common mistakes builders make on roofing projects is failing to follow installation instructions. Quizzing the crew on proper installation protocols and keeping current installation instructions on file with the jobsite superintendent are two ways builders can help avoid mistakes in the field.
Through work with builders of all sizes in the National Housing Quality (NHQ) Certification Program, the NAHB Research Center has discovered several common mistakes and process omissions made on the jobsite that can jeopardize the quality and durability of typical, asphalt-shingle roof installations. Here are five areas builders should focus on to avoid those mistakes:

1. Follow all manufacturers’ installation instructions. Installation protocols and code requirements can vary significantly from one type, style or brand of shingle to another. For example, starter-course instructions, nailing-pattern requirements and roof-coverage area often vary from product to product. Unfortunately, instructions often get overlooked or discarded altogether during the construction process. Failing to follow instructions can lead to durability problems and can possibly void the manufacturer’s warranty, leaving the builder bearing the full cost of any needed repair or replacement. Here are three simple ways builders can reinforce the importance of following installation instructions:

•Take the time to read the instructions and quiz your crew on proper installation protocols. Regardless of how many times they’ve installed those materials, they may have been doing something wrong all along and just didn’t know it.
•Make sure all current installation instructions are on file with the jobsite superintendent and affixed to the scope of work given to the roofing-trade crew leader.
•Regularly take stock of installation instructions on file on the jobsite to be sure they are the most current for the type and style of material you’re using.
2. Create a comprehensive job plan. A builder’s goal with any element of a job should always be to do it right the first time to avoid costly delays. The key to getting it right is creating a comprehensive job plan for every type of work on the site. Roofing is no exception. Here are three tips for creating an effective roofing job plan:

——————————————————————————–
Builders often specify the type and style of shingle for the roof, but they rarely choose
the type and gauge of fasteners for those shingles. Using the wrong fasteners can lead
to wind damage and result in a red tag by the code inspector.
——————————————————————————–
 •Carefully lay out the job before it begins. Place evenly spaced chalk lines along the roofing underlayment to give the installer a visible guide for every course.
•Before the roofing work begins, decide on valley style and ridge and gable end treatment, and be explicit about those details on the plans and scope of work.
•Periodically confirm the takeoff and make sure there is a sufficient quantity of shingles from the same dye lot on the jobsite. Running a few square feet short at the end of the job and filling in with shingles that don’t quite match is a rookie mistake that reflects poorly on your reputation for quality.

3. Get the fastening details right. Builders often specify the type and style of shingle for the roof, but they rarely choose the type and gauge of fasteners for those shingles. Using the wrong fasteners can lead to wind damage and result in a red tag by the code inspector.
The type of fastener required for the job is called out in the manufacturer’s installation instructions, as well as in the local building code. If you have a personal preference for either nails or staples, make sure that detail is included on the approved plans and specifications for a given project, as well as in the roofer’s scope of work. If staples are to be substituted for roofing nails, make sure the acceptable wire gauge and staple length are clearly stated, as well.

4. Adjust nail guns for the job. As the builder, you may not own and use nail guns on the jobsite, but it’s your responsibility to make sure they are adjusted to the proper settings to provide adequate, consistent fastener penetration. Too little pressure leaves the crown of the nail or staple too high, creating a bulge in the profile of the shingle. Too much pressure and the nail or staple can crush the shingle or even be driven through it.

If a nail gun or automatic stapler is to be used, make sure the air pressure is correct. Also, because air pressure can change over the course of a day, the compressor should be checked periodically to ensure air pressure remains within an acceptable range. Ask your trade contractor to document all air pressure checks and adjustments during the course of the day.

5. Conduct a personal inspection of the completed work. An inspection from both the roof level and ground will ensure that the quality of workmanship and aesthetic details are what you expect. As part of the inspection, you should:

•Scan for holes in shingles that were created during the installation of cleats or other temporary framing members. Shingles with holes need to be replaced, not simply filled with roofer’s mastic.
•Make sure the paper and the shingles in the roof valley are secured to the roof sheathing, not suspended above it.
•Look for reverse shingling, especially near a chimney or a plumbing stack. Water flows downhill and shingles need to let it flow, not catch it.
•Look through the trusses or ceiling framing from the underside of the roof to confirm if nails or staples were used in compliance with your specifications. This inspection can also confirm if sufficient quantities of fasteners were used and spacing guidelines were followed.
Document all required corrections and agree with the roofing contractor on when a follow-up inspection can be scheduled. Don’t assume the corrections will be made; always re-inspect. Document all inspections and make sure you and the roofer sign off on the final report.

Specific scopes of work and inspection checklists are two key elements of a documented quality management system adopted and implemented by quality-minded builders across the country. Check out the NAHB Research Center’s Web site for more information on implementing quality management systems for both builders and trade partners.

Created in 1964, the NAHB Research Center is a full-service product commercialization company that strives to make housing more durable, affordable and efficient. The Research Center provides public and private clients with an unrivaled depth of understanding of the housing industry and access to its business leaders.

by Don Carr

http://www.housingzone.com/custombuilder/article/ca6718957.html?nid=2822&rid=6397697

www.dvwise.com

But in the Midwest, the return of the ranch has been far more dramatic: Single-story new homes jumped from 44 percent in 2003 to 52 percent in 2008, the last year for which figures are available.

Although many of those are patio homes targeted at retirees, the traditional family ranch is slowly reappearing.

During the past few years, several central Ohio homebuilders have introduced three-bedroom family-style ranches boasting more than 2,000 square feet.

At Parsons’ suggestion, Romanelli & Hughes built a 2,914-square-foot ranch model at Mansard Estates in Galena in 2008. Since opening the model, Parsons said, five of the 12 homes the company has built in the subdivision and neighboring Walnut Grove Estates have been ranches.

Dominion Homes, central Ohio’s second-largest homebuilder, also introduced a family ranch home, the 2,230-square-foot Waltham model, as part of its Tradition collection last year in several central Ohio subdivisions.

And Hallmark Homes, which entered the central Ohio market last year, offers its 2,354-square-foot Westport ranch at its Oak Park community in Dublin.

“Everyone said we need to build a ranch, ranches are what’s selling, and I said if that’s the case, we’ll build it — and in the first month we offered the design, we sold three of them,” said William Hayes, who oversees Oak Park for Hallmark Homes.

Hayes said the company plans to introduce three more ranch models at Oak Park, an atypical number for the New Jersey-based builder.

“In the Midwest, the ranch seems to be enjoying a resurgence,” he said. “We don’t see that as much in our other markets.”

New family ranches share a single-floor plan and three-bedroom design with their 1950s ancestors, but, as Parsons likes to say, “This ain’t your mama’s ranch.”

For example, Romanelli & Hughes, Dominion and Hallmark ranches all come with at least 9-foot ceilings (the Romanelli & Hughes model has 10- and 12-foot ceilings) and walls of windows in the rear of the house, giving the homes a larger feel.

“Today’s ranches feel more open; they have more windows and don’t feel so confined,” said William Cornely, president and CEO of Dominion Homes.

Layouts get an update, too.

In the newer floor plans, the master suite is separated from the two other bedrooms, as opposed to traditional ranches, which cluster bedrooms in one wing or down one hall.

The most striking difference, though, is the reduction or elimination of formal rooms: The homes group kitchen, living and dining uses into one large living area at the rear of the house.

“The main focal point of the ranch is around entertaining,” Hayes said. “The kitchen is the center; everything revolves around (it). Families just don’t use that formal space anymore.”

In place of a formal living room, ranches often offer a “flex room” off the foyer that can serve as an office, den, formal living room or media room.

Although some contemporary ranch plans offer open dining areas, others dispense with a dining room altogether. Romanelli & Hughes has built smaller versions of its ranch model that replace the dining room with a larger breakfast room off the kitchen which a homeowner can dress up for big holiday meals.

“Who needs a formal dining room anymore?” Parsons asked. “We’re very informal now.”

Modern ranches also come with 8- or 9-foot-deep basements that can be finished, taking advantage of the homes’ large footprints.

As Parsons quipped, “The best part of a ranch? What you get up, you get down.”

In its Mansard Estates model, Romanelli & Hughes finished about 1,300 square feet in the basement — plenty of space for a bar/entertainment room, theater and fourth bedroom and bath — leaving 1,600 square feet for storage, utilities or future living space.

The large ranch footprint, however, is a prime reason that ranches slipped in popularity. As an industry rule of thumb, two-story homes are 20 percent less expensive to build because the foundation, basement and roof are smaller, and framing costs less.

Such expenses turn a $300,000 two-story home into a $360,000 ranch.

Charles Ruma, president of Virginia Homes, which has offered three or four ranch designs for several years, said many buyers who say they want ranches end up purchasing a two-story home because they can get more space for their money.

But for other buyers, cost is less important than the convenient layout and accessibility as the homeowners get older.

According to a National Association of Home Builders’ survey, 52 percent of all buyers prefer a single-story plan to a two-story. The figure skyrockets with older buyers: 79 percent of buyers older than 55 prefer a single story.

The aging population probably will continue to drive the rise in ranches, although the homes might come in a variety of designs.

Westport Homes is working on a ranch design that will feature two master suites, with the idea that empty nesters might use one bedroom for an elderly parent or for guests, said Jack Mautino, president of the Columbus division.

“Baby boomers are aging differently than prior groups,” he said. “They’re not looking to go live in a community that’s 55 and older. They like their independence, their single-family home. They still want to be outside, with the privacy of outdoor living and a garden.

“What I anticipate is we will see more ranches, maybe smaller ones, as people hold onto their homes much longer.”

Jim Weiker, THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH

http://www.housingzone.com/probuilder/articleXml/LN1132370794.html

www.dvwise.com

Now that the housing recovery is nearly upon us–most economists expect a full-fledged recovery to begin this year–it’s time to figure out which markets will be the front-runners. Based on last year’s performance, especially the level of building permits pulled in the fourth quarter, it’s already clear that some markets are poised to grow at a faster pace this year than others in 2010.

Green shoots may be sprouting in markets throughout the country, but which markets will flower first? That’s the question we attempt to answer with the Builder Market Health Index, compiled by Hanley Wood Market Intelligence, our market research arm. Market Intelligence (MI) first input 2009 data and 2010 projections for household formations, resale values, and job and income growth. Then, after sprinkling in some secret sauce to weight these drivers, it ranked by health the top 100 housing markets (determined by permits pulled in 2009).

Not surprisingly, many of the markets that topped our 2009 list are on the 2010 leader board, including most of the major markets in Texas, where low development costs kept a lid on house prices during the boom, and strong local economies provided a cushion from the blow of a national recession.

But Lone Star markets were eclipsed this time around by some relatively hot markets in the Carolinas, which accounted for seven of the top 20 spots. Many of the major cities along the Mid-Atlantic seaboard continue to benefit from a strong influx of people drawn by a comfortable way of life, affordable housing, and growing employment prospects.

As with last year, markets that hit the trifecta–having within their borders a state capital and a big university along with a diversified economy–dominate our list of hottest markets. A strong base of government employment, whether it be from the state or the military, has helped stabilize some markets through the housing recession. In many cases, the government is the biggest employer among the 20 markets on our list.

We present this data with one big caveat. These markets may be healthier than others, but they aren’t healthy in the way they were during the housing boom, when it was common to find rising population, employment, and income. Virtually every housing market still has at least one blemish. And for that reason only two received a rating of 50 or more, indicating they are truly healthy. That’s an improvement, though; only one scored 50 or higher last year.

Hanley Wood Market Intelligence, which took into consideration forecasts from Moody’s Economy.com and other sources, is looking for several of these healthiest markets to break out this year. A few of them witnessed dramatic increases in building permits pulled in the fourth quarter of last year, momentum that is expected to carry over into 2010. Several of the markets on this list are poised for double-digit growth. Read on.

3. Charlotte-Gastonia-Concord, NC-SC

Market Health Indicator: 48.0

2009 Total Building Permits: 7,607

2010 Building Permit Forecast: 7,442

Home to 1.77 million people, Charlotte has been one of the strongest housing markets in the country during the last three years. Housing prices in this banking center (Wachovia and Bank of America have big presences here) were pretty stable last year, barely inching down. Income levels actually rose in 2009. And households continued to form at a relatively high rate, compared to the rest of the country. The job picture should brighten in 2010; the area is projected to add 2% more jobs. Single-family permit activity began rising in the fourth quarter–it was up 20% over the year-ago period–despite a glut of downtown condos that have been converted to rentals.

By:Boyce Thompson

http://www.builderonline.com/local-markets/the-20-healthiest-housing-markets-for-2010.aspx?cid=BLDR100225002&page=1

www.dvwise.com

But as we enter a new age of pragmatism, the goodies that were once deal-closers are backfiring. Fully loaded homes are unsellable now that buyers can’t afford houses built around their hobbies du jour. They’re no longer treating home as an ephemeral commodity to be swapped out with each life change or whim.

Instead, many homeowners are finding that what they really want are flexible dwellings that can expand and contract with them as their physical, relational, and financial circumstances ebb and flow. It’s no longer feasible to uproot when that second baby is born, when grandma moves in, when the kids leave for college, when one spouse launches a home business, or when the other gets laid off.

At the same time, builders looking to mitigate risk are realizing that in order to stay afloat, they must build smaller, less prescriptive homes that can appeal to a broader swath of the population—all the while value-engineering their plans to provide more bang for the buck.

But there’s a fine line between universal appeal and vanilla design, and the need to differentiate remains. How do you build something practical and compact that still feels special? Do you shrink the entire floor plan equally, or do you abide by different rules of proportion? How do you parcel out a limited construction budget to create the most value? And how can you make one structure work equally well for buyers at different stages in their lives and in different tax brackets?
For answers to these questions, Builder turned to designer Marianne Cusato, who is perhaps best known as the creator of the original Katrina Cottage. Who better to ask? Disaster relief is what this beleaguered industry needs right now, and that includes a pro forma or two that skittish lenders will be willing to bankroll. Cusato joined forces with building scientist Mark LaLiberte, and came back with a no-nonsense plan that wastes little, appeals to many, and can be built just about anywhere.

Including on the Web. Unlike previous Builder show homes, this one isn’t a brick-and-mortar structure. It’s virtual. Why? Because the beauty of this versatile little house is that it can be configured in, oh, so many ways—more ways than we could possibly have space for in print. We showcase a few variations here, but for a full tour you can visit www.builderconcepthome2010.com.
——————————————————————————–

Dollars and Sense

How much does our Home for the New Economy cost to build? Construction costs vary by region and the level of finish will greatly impact price, but Cusato estimates that the basic house can be built for about $110 per square foot, excluding land costs.
——————————————————————————–

Simple Architecture

Let there be no doubt this is a smart little plan that faces the recession head on. At 1,700 square feet, the Home for the New Economy is essentially a saltbox with another box tacked onto the back. In other words, it’s uncomplicated massing that’s easier, faster, and cheaper to build—particularly from a framing and foundation standpoint—than a house with lots of bump-outs and undulating roof forms.

 “Somewhere along the line, homeowners were told they needed 10 gables or they didn’t measure up,” says Cusato, whose book, Get Your House Right, lists this phenomenon among a litany of superfluous extras that end up devouring construction budgets.

“When you don’t have tons of gables, you aren’t putting money into extra flashing in the peaks and valleys of your roof, or in a patchwork quilt of different materials on the front elevation.”

Take away those expenses and you can spend more on features that serve multiple purposes—such as a deeper porch that doubles as outdoor living space. Or double-hung windows on all sides that channel natural light and allow cross-ventilation, thus reducing the burden on the HVAC system. Aesthetics alone aren’t sufficient justification for any one line item, Cusato cautions. There’s more value for the buyer in features that do double, or triple duty.

Apply the same value test to every other design decision and four-sided architecture suddenly becomes doable, she points out. Better to perfect one clean element—say a 6-foot window and trim detail—and repeat it consistently than to muddle up the face of the house with 10 competing pieces of eye candy that give the front elevation the fake appearance of a façade in the backlot of an old movie studio.

by Jenny Sullivan

http://www.builderonline.com/design/a-home-for.aspx

www.dvwise.com

I recently discovered how important the attic space is to the overall energy efficiency of a house when I had an assessment done on my small, c. 1975 three-story townhouse in Hyattsville, Md.

My house has a three-year-old SEER 14 HVAC system, insulated replacement vinyl windows, and fairly decent (preexisting) fiberglass insulation. With three months to go in 2009, my electric bill is already $1,655.90. If history is any guide, by the end of the year I will have paid $1,865. And this is with a relatively mild Washington summer.

It’s been a mystery that my electricity bill continued to rise even though I have taken measures to help reduce it. A price hike by my utility provider, Potomac Electric Power Co., is one part of the explanation. But recently I found another: My unsealed and uninsulated attic was literally sucking conditioned air out of the house and money right out of my wallet.

This is partly the reason I’m uncomfortable in my house, why my house is dusty (despite my fastidious efforts), and why my electricity bill for one person was way out of control, says Dan Robinette, a comfort advisor at Minnick’s, a Laurel, Md.-based heating and air-conditioning firm that participates in Maryland’s Home Performance with Energy Star program.

“Most attics are under-insulated and poorly sealed,” says Robinette, who did the assessment of my house. “This is a big problem when it comes to the comfort of the home. These two things affect everything from the temperature in the upper levels, to the air quality, to the number of times your A/C is running in a day. So with a little time and materials and you can get that attic sealed up, insulated, and be on your way to a happy home.”

Robinette’s recommendation? Seal the attic and have 13 inches inches of cellulose blown into the space, which is what I did.

“Air sealing and insulation have a large impact [on a house],” says Amber Wood, program manager for energy efficiency at the NAHB Research Center in Upper Marlboro, Md. “Before anything, you have to seal all penetrations into the attic such as electric boxes, ceiling fans, knee walls, and attic openings, but you have to make sure the soffit vent can ventilate or it can lead to moisture problems.”

Sealing the attic and blowing in insulation—either cellulose or fiberglass—establish the house’s thermal envelope, help prevent air leakage, and help maintain the temperature of the conditioned space below.

“In cold weather, warm air is continually rising,” Denver-based insulation manufacturer Johns Manville says on its Website. “Leaks into the attic allow the expensive, heated air to escape into the attic, while at the same time drawing in cold air to displace it from the basement or other exterior leaks. This continuous air movement makes the home feel drafty and raises energy bills. By sealing attic air leaks, you plug the escape route of rising air and effectively stop the chimney effect.”

Other common sources of attic leaks that Johns Manville says should be checked include: areas between floor joists and behind kneewalls, the attic hatch, wiring holes, plumbing vents, recessed lights, and the furnace flue.

The sealing and insulation of my attic came in at a shade under $1,400. Robinette says—and other consultants agree—that this is typically what it costs. (During my assessment, he also discovered that my house has severely leaky ducts and proposed AeroSeal treatment to have them sealed from the inside out, which he estimated would cost another $1,900.)

André Desjarlais, who manages the building envelopes program at Oak Ridge National Laboratory in Oak Ridge, Tenn., says Robinette made the right call on my attic. In fact, Desjarlais says people don’t realize just how important the treatment of the attic space is in the overall energy efficiency of a home.

“There are lots of stats,” Desjarlais says. “But let’s take the average home with 2.3 people. Half of the energy bill for that home is used to heat and cool it. Half of the remaining [portion] is due to energy losses through the attic.”

It would be logical to assume that under-insulated attics is a problem largely for older homes, and in some ways this would be an accurate assumption. Older homes tend to be leaky and poorly insulated, and some construction techniques from yesterday may not be appropriate for how homes are built today. “Yes, the older [the homes] get, the worse the problem is,” Robinette says.

But Mike Barcik, senior research engineer and director of technical services at the Southface Energy Institute in Atlanta, says attic inadequacies aren’t only relegated to old homes; many new homes suffer from the same ailments. “I would say 90 percent of all existing homes need some improvement and are probably under-built, including those built two years ago,” Barcik says. “I might even up that to 98 percent.”

The problem with new homes, Barcik continues, is that building inspectors are largely focused on safety, and so a home’s energy usage gets overlooked. “The energy code is a fantastic code if it’s enforced, but it’s not enforced in many states,” he explains. “We have done blower tests to prove it.”

Neglecting the attic seems unthinkable given that it’s relatively cheap to address during construction of the house. Wood says, for example, that a builder may pay about $100 to $500 more in material to seal and insulate an attic. “It’s not that expensive,” she says. “They can do it either with foam and fiberglass, or they can use caulk. Caulking takes more time, but it’s inexpensive.” So the tradeoff is a $500 upfront cost compared to the $1,400 I paid to retrofit my house? That sure sounds like an investment that would be worth considering for new-home buyers and their builders.

by Nigel Maynard

Nigel Maynard is senior editor for products at BUILDER magazine.

http://www.builderonline.com/energy-efficientconstruction/even-smart-builders-continue-to-neglect-the-attic.aspx

www.dvwise.com

The floor, says San Francisco Bay Area–based Interior Floor Design, is “the foundation upon which we build our castles, our empires, our humble abodes” and “a reflection of who we are, how we got here, [and] where we want to go … .” Well, the floor may not be as profound as all that for most people, but you get the idea: It’s a big deal.

Whether out of style preference or complacency, most consumers choose to stick with traditional options—wood, vinyl, ceramic, carpet. These materials serve buyers well, and they have proven themselves over the years. But for those willing to walk on the wild side, there is a vast world of materials to choose from: recycled rubber, cutting-edge Italian and Spanish ceramic tiles, reformulated linoleum, carpet tiles, woven vinyl, and even concrete.

After years as an “alternative” material, once exotic bamboo flooring has almost worked its way into being classified as a mainstream option. Today, it is regarded as a high-quality material that is durable, attractive, and sustainable.

Bainbridge Island, Wash.–based Teragren, known for a variety of bamboo products, has a new offering called Synergy. Unlike traditional end- or flat-grain bamboo, Synergy is a strand product that is manufactured by fusing bamboo strands with adhesive. The company claims that Synergy is about 150 percent harder than red oak and 125 percent harder than North American maple.

Most people are familiar with cork boards, fish bobbers, and wine stoppers, but fewer may be aware that the material can be used as flooring. “The resilient quality of cork makes it a great option for areas where people stand for long periods of time,” says Lancaster, Pa.–based Capri Cork. “It is easier on the limbs than other hard surfaces.” Because the individual cells of cork are closed, the material does not easily absorb liquids. As a result, it performs well in wet areas.

For those who want to step out even further on the edge, there is leather. But not just any leather. Mississauga, Ontario–based TORLYS recently unveiled a new floating floor system that is made with 65 percent recycled leather scraps from the manufacturing of jackets, belts, and handbags. The company mixes the leather with 35 percent natural ingredients such as resins. As the company explains it, the leather is adhered to a high-density fiber core and a cork backing for comfort, warmth, and quietness. So far the reviews have been good.

“We’re absolutely thrilled with the positive response we have received from the design community and consumers who are seeking a highly styled and sustainable alternative flooring,” says Charles Lammers, the company’s vice president of U.S. sales. “They love the combination of unique rich looks, durable wear, and environmental benefits.”

For the truly intrepid buyer, there is aluminum from AlumaFloor in Addison, Ill. The material is the epitome of urban cool, ideal for lofts, high-end condos, live/work spaces, or adaptive reuse projects. AlumaFloor can be designed in any shape a buyer wants, the company says, and is machined so pieces fit tightly and need no grouting.

Of course, there are things to remember no matter what flooring option you’re considering. First of all, alternative materials are not for everyone. The trick is to know when and where they are appropriate.

It is highly unlikely, say, that a family with kids will choose metal (though given the material’s durability it may not be such a bad idea). Leather seems highly impractical in a kitchen, but it may work nicely in a study or an office. And bamboo may be all the rage, but—depending on the finish—it is important to know its limitations with heavy foot traffic and high moisture. If you keep these things in mind, you will help your buyers choose a floor that they’ll be happy to walk on and show off to guests for many years to come.

by Nigel F. Maynard

http://www.builderonline.com/products/walk-on-it.aspx?cid=BLDR100224002&page=1

www.dvwise.com

So which is better, old or new? Some savvy builders are opting for a little of both in an effort to deliver homes with character. Some are doing so by integrating reclaimed or vintage materials as accents inside or outside the home. Others are faithfully replicating historic architectural styles–down to every last cornice detail, porch column, and gable end–in ways that look authentic, but with products and practices that perform like new construction.

Here are some examples of new or remodeled homes that tell great stories.

Barn Raising
Tommy Sancic’s company, Olde Wood Ltd., recycles vintage wood from old barns and farmhouses that have structurally outlived their use. His personal residence in Malvern, Ohio, which showcases his wares, is arguably packed with more history than some museums.

Clad in random-width pine siding sourced from local farms, the rustic home is topped with an antique slate roof, rusted tin trim, a foundation skirted in reclaimed barnstone, soffits made of old-growth walnut, and exterior support timbers salvaged from an old woodworking shop in Cleveland, circa 1880. (The roof’s slate tiles are 9 pounds each, bringing the total weight of the roof to 80,000 pounds.)

The guest suite is paneled in 18- to 22-inch planks rescued from a demolished historic train station formerly located fewer than 8 miles away. Brick pavers in the exterior landscaping were sourced from industrial buildings in Cleveland’s Flats area.

In addition, the home’s kitchen cabinets, flooring, backsplash, fireplace, support beams, floor joists, stairs, bathroom vanity, and shower tiles are all made from reclaimed materials. All wood available through Olde Wood Ltd. is de-nailed, kiln-dried, and milled as dimensional lumber.

by Jenny Sullivan

http://www.builderonline.com/design/vintage-details-lend-character-to-new-homes.aspx?cid=BLDR100223003&page=1

www.dvwise.com

Single-family starts increased to seasonally adjusted pace of 484,000, which is 1.5% above December’s numbers and 35.6% jump over January 2009.

Permits, which are a crucial indicator of future construction activity, slipped 4.9% on an overall basis to a seasonally adjusted rate of 621,000. Compared to January 2009, this is a 16.9% jump from those admittedly weak levels during the depth of the downturn.

Single-family permits stayed nearly flat in January for single-family building, inching up just 0.4% on a monthly basis to a seasonally adjusted level of 507,000.

“The small increase may indicate that builders were stocking up on permits to meet an anticipated surge in demand from the second homeowner’s tax credit,” said Patrick Newport, U.S. economist for IHS Global Insight, who did note that “this surge has yet to materialize.”

Still, that single-family permit pace stands 48.2% above the same month one year ago.

Overall, the relatively small movement in the monthly numbers for both starts and permits seemed to give analysts comfort about the year head. “With the decline in activity following the original expiration of the housing tax credit firmly behind us, we believe this data continues to support our view that housing demand continues to stabilize if not slowly reemerge,” said Michael Rehaut, a housing analyst with J.P. Morgan.

by Alison Rice
Alison Rice is senior editor, online, at BUILDER magazine.

http://www.builderonline.com/housing-starts/total-housing-starts-increase-2-point-8-percent-in-january.aspx?cid=BLDR100218002

www.dvwise.com

Factors that have helped boost confidence include:

- Continued low interest rates
- Attractive home prices that appear to have stabilized in many markets
- The availability of the home buyer tax credit
- the improving employment market

Several limiting factors are still weighing down builder expectations, including the large number of foreclosed homes on the market, the lack of available credit for new and existing projects, and inappropriately low appraisals tied to the use of distressed properties as comps.

Derived from a monthly survey that NAHB has been conducting for more than 20 years, the NAHB/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index gauges builder perceptions of current single-family home sales and sales expectations for the next six months, as well as asking builders to rate traffic of prospective buyers. Regionally, February’s HMI results were mixed. While the Midwest and South each registered two-point gains, to 13 and 19, respectively, the Northeast and West each registered one-point declines, to 19 and 14, respectively.

Matt Phair, HousingZone Contributing Editor
February 17, 2010
HousingZone

1. Traditional is the New Contemporary
Traditional will continue as the most popular kitchen design style in 2010, with contemporary following closely behind, while the Shaker style is seeing a surprisingly strong resurgence. Shades of whites and off-whites will be the most common kitchen colors in 2010, while brown, beige, and bone hues will also be popular.

2. Cherry on Top
Cherry will remain the most popular wood for kitchen cabinetry, followed closely by maple, while alder increases in use. As for the finishes placed on those cabinets, medium natural, dark natural, glazed, and white painted will all be common. Other colors of painted cabinetry and light natural finishes are in decline, however, as are distressed finishes.

3. Floored by Tile
Ceramic and porcelain tile, as well as natural stone tile, remain popular kitchen flooring options, but hardwood will dominate the kitchen landscape more than ever in 2010. For countertops, granite continues to be the most popular option, but quartz will nearly catch up in popularity. For backsplashes, ceramic or porcelain tile and glass will serve as the primary materials.

4. Flexible Faucets
Standard kitchen faucets will become less standard in 2010 in favor of more convenient models. Pull-out faucets continue to increase their market dominance, while pot filler faucets will also become more prevalent. Kitchen faucets will most often be finished in brushed nickel, followed by stainless steel, satin nickel, and — surprisingly — polished chrome.

5. Undercounter Refrigeration
French door and freezer-bottom are the two most popular styles of refrigerators, and side-by-side refrigerators remain a popular option. A surprising trend is the extent to which undercounter refrigerator drawers are being used in the latest kitchen designs. Perhaps even more surprising is that undercounter wine refrigerators have been recently specified by half of kitchen designers.

6. A Range of Cooking Options
The tried-and-true range continues to serve as the workhorse for cooking, although the combination of a cooktop and wall oven is beginning to overtake it. Gas will maintain its position as the most popular type of cooktop over electric, although induction cooking continues to gain in popularity due to its energy efficiency. 

Energy- and water-efficient appliances are here to stay.

7. Dishwasher-in-a-Drawer
Standard dishwashers, with the traditional door that pulls from the top down, will once again be easily the most common type in 2010. However, an increasing number of dishwasher drawers will be installed in kitchens this year for their convenience and their ability to wash small loads of dishes in each drawer, thereby saving water and electricity.

BATHROOMS
1. In With the Old, Out with the New
Traditional will be the most popular design style in bathrooms in 2010, as contemporary designs will be a distant second, followed by the Shaker style as an even more distant third. Beiges and bones will be the most common colors used in bathrooms, followed by whites and off-whites, and then by browns, indicating a somewhat subdued color palette this year.

2. Ceramic and Granite
Ceramic and porcelain tile will be the dominant flooring materials in bathrooms this year, while natural stone will continue to prove popular as well. Though increasingly popular in kitchens,hardwood flooring won’t become common in bathrooms in 2010. For vanity tops, granite will remain king, with quartz and marble also proving popular options.

Ceramic, granite, and porcelain tile presents a wide range of texture, color, and contrast. 
 

3. Simple Fixtures
Perhaps more than ever, the most common color for fixtures will be white. Bisque and off-white will be the only other fixture colors at all common in new or remodeled bathroom. For sinks, simple undermount models will be most popular, followed by integrated sink tops, drop-in sinks, vessel sinks, and pedestal sinks.

4. A Nickel for Every Finish
Faucet finishes in the bathroom are similar to those used in current kitchen designs, with brushed nickel continuing to lead the way in 2010. Polished chrome and satin nickel will also be incorporated into many bathrooms, just as they had been throughout 2009. These faucet finishes will be followed by bronze and stainless steel.

 The National Kitchen & Bath Association (NKBA) is a non-profit trade association with nearly 40,000 members that has educated and led the kitchen and bath industry for more than 45 years. NKBA.org provides consumers with an inspiration gallery of award-winning kitchen and bath designs, as well as articles, tips, an extensive glossary of remodeling terms, and illustrations and explanations of planning guidelines. At NKBA.org, consumers can also find certified kitchen and bath professionals in their areas, submit questions to NKBA experts, and order the free NKBA Kitchen & Bath Workbook.

NKBA News Release

www.dvwise.com