The Payback on Panels
A way to build better and faster — what's not to like? Builders are finding there's a lot to like when building with advanced panel systems. Panelized wall systems are prefabricated building panels that form a structural "envelope" for the home, eliminating the need for conventional wood framing.
Light of Luxury
Generations ago, the Breyer family built a large estate outside of Philadelphia on the profits from countless gallons of ice cream. Area kids who "screamed for ice cream" years ago now clamor to own a luxury town house on the estate's last remaining acreage. Since the late 1980s, the site had been developed with mid-market town houses and mid-rise apartment projects.
Home on the Range
One of Destination Homes' models in the master-planned community of Daybreak — in South Jordan, Utah — hits buyers' hot buttons in a way that deserves scrutiny. Daybreak spans 4,126 acres within the western part of the Salt Lake Valley and is surrounded by the Oquirrh Mountains. What's unique about this community is that it is not a collection of miniature neighborhoods built by different builders.
Creative Coastal
If you own a small production building company and want to learn how to make a big splash in your market — against the competition of much larger firms — take a look at what Sabal Homes did with the Tradewind model at MiraBay, a master-planned community on the eastern shore of Tampa Bay, Fla.
Sun Belt Growth Shapes Housing's Future
The U.S. Census Bureau predicts that Florida will edge past New York into third place in population by 2011, while California and Texas remain in first and second places. That's big news in the political arena — since it will re-shape distribution of seats in the U.S. House of Representatives — but it comes as no surprise to home builders.
March starts slide: No worry?
It's easy to get caught up in waiting for the other shoe to drop...After all, it's been more than 12 years since the last major recession in the housing industry. So it should come as no surprise that more than a few people started running for cover when the U.S. Commerce Department reported a plunge of nearly 18% in March housing starts.
Class Action Fairness Act
The first legislative victory of the 109th Congress — long-awaited reform of the nation's class action laws — was also a big win for the nation's home builders. President Bush signed the "Class Action Fairness Act of 2005" into law on Feb. 18, shortly after it cleared the House and Senate.
Terra-Tubes
Profile Products' new Terra-Tubes Fiber Filtration Tubes are effective as an engineered storm water treatment device. Terra Tubes can function as part of a polymer delivery system or stand-alone fiber tube for specialized applications. This engineered composite of wood fibers, man-made fibers and performance-enhancing polymers is designed to filter and treat sediment-laden runoff while reducing...
Outwater
Outwater's Wood Carved Pierced Mouldings are inspired by historical and classical designs. These 2-foot long mouldings are designed with predrilled opposing holes that fit snugly together with glued wooden dowels. providing a cohesive, continuous presentation. Offered in five different designs, these architectural elements come in a variety of hardwood options: hard maple, cherry and oak.
