PB October 2009

Home builders and designers who want to be successful in the entry-level market must understand the lifestyles, attitudes and priorities of Generations X and Y.

2010 National Housing Quality Awards Gold winner Simonini Builders shows what solid communication and company culture can do for a home builder in a downturn.

Wayne Homes' solid processes and focus on satisfied employees and customers earns it a Silver in the 2010 National Housing Quality Awards.

Home builders can expect lumber prices to remain fairly stable for 2009, and they're now at levels about one-third lower than they were at the height of the housing boom, according to reports from Random Lengths.

Sales training expert John Rymer outlines how and why you should focus on revitalizing your home building sales team

The fail rate for first-year home builder trade councils is about 60%. Follow this advice to make sure yours succeeds.

The sliding patio and sliding French doors from Marvin now have an ADA-compliant option: the new Low Profile Sill. It stands just ¾-inch off the base flooring to help you build an easy transition between inside and out. It features a DP-40 rating and a flush profile. For more info, go to HousingZone.

Fire, meet your match. Plastpro's new Fire-Rated Fiberglass doors feature stiles as well as top and bottom rails in each door that are designed to meet fire-rating code regulations. Each fire-rated entry product features Plastpro's Hydroshield Technology, which allows the doors to resist denting, splintering, warping and corrosion.

Expanding and embracing the essence of modern living, Kolbe's TerraSpan doors can incorporate up to 10 panels per unit with a 12-foot maximum panel height. Each panel is 2¼ inches thick, so it requires minimum space when open. Builders can install the doors so they nest behind one another or are recessed into a pocket opening.

The company's artisans handcraft every door. They even take it a step further to ensure that they produce the door to your exact specifications; CAD drawings of every product and samples of the company's stains and distressing options are provided.