September 2014

Sustainable Features Are Serious Selling Points for New Homes

1 Comment / Green Building/Housing /

New homeowners across several generations are showing increasing preference for sustainable features in new homes. The Home Buyer and Seller Generational Trends report, published by the National Association of Realtors, details the breakdown of types, sizes and characteristics of homes purchased by five different generational demographics. The categories include:

Sustainable Features Are Serious Selling Points for New Homes Read More »

How to Offer Universal Design Techniques to Your Home Building or Remodeling Work

Leave a Comment / New Construction /

While universal design is frequently used in projects responding to aging-in-place or mobility issues, it’s not a construction technique intended to respond strictly to those factors. In residential construction, universal design is intended to create living spaces that can be used by the most people to the fullest extent possible without the need for additional

How to Offer Universal Design Techniques to Your Home Building or Remodeling Work Read More »

How Stone Is Making Its Way Into the U.S. Home Building Marketplace

Leave a Comment / Construction Trends /

Homeowners are choosing stone as an exterior accent and cladding material at an increased rate. Stone use in home building has risen 6 percent in the years between 2004 and 2002, according to Builder. This data on stone use in was published in the most recent Builder Practices Survey, conducted by Home Innovation Research Labs.

How Stone Is Making Its Way Into the U.S. Home Building Marketplace Read More »

Metal Roofing Making a Mark as a Durable “Last Roof” Option

13 Comments / New Construction /

A lighter, sturdier and more wind-resistant roofing material is becoming increasingly popular among residential construction professionals and home improvement companies. Metal roofing, a style of roofing material made of lightweight but extremely durable steel or aluminum, is becoming more common in American construction and remodeling projects, according to an article at Remodeling. Traditional Exterior by

Metal Roofing Making a Mark as a Durable “Last Roof” Option Read More »

Is Solar-Powered Sanitation the Wave of the Future? Here Are the Latest Developments

Leave a Comment / Green Building/Housing, News /

An experimental solar-powered sanitation system promises to bring better health and hygiene to developing countries. At the same time, the system shows promise as a practical alternative to current bathroom fixtures in the United States and other industrialized nations.

Is Solar-Powered Sanitation the Wave of the Future? Here Are the Latest Developments Read More »

Silica Dust Standards and Innovative Products Work Together to Keep Workers Safe

1 Comment / News /

With new standards for exposure to silica dust under consideration, new products are already being fielded that improve silica dust safety and reduce the amount of airborne crystalline silica on constructions sites. The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has proposed new rules that improve silica dust exposure standards by reducing the permissible exposure

Silica Dust Standards and Innovative Products Work Together to Keep Workers Safe Read More »

Meritage Homes Expands Home Building to Southern Region

Leave a Comment / New Construction, News /

A Top 10 national homebuilder has expanded its operations to cover the southern region of the United States. Meritage Homes has opened a new South Region office in Atlanta, Georgia. The new regional office will incorporate offices in Nashville, Tennessee, along with operations in Atlanta and the Greenville-Spartanburg area of South Carolina, according to the

Meritage Homes Expands Home Building to Southern Region Read More »

Solar-Powered Homes: Where and Why Are They Becoming So Popular?

1 Comment / Construction Trends, Green Building/Housing /

The use of solar power for generating electricity isn’t a new technology, but in the last few years, it’s become more popular as an option for homeowners and builders. Solar power offers a range of benefits that make it an extremely attractive and economical option in residential construction. These benefits include:

Solar-Powered Homes: Where and Why Are They Becoming So Popular? Read More »

Homebuilder Confidence on the Rise After the First Six Months of 2014

Leave a Comment / News /

A major measure of homebuilder confidence shows increased consumer optimism among first-time homeowners and residential home builders in the United States in the latter part of 2014. In July, the National Association of Home Builders/Wells Fargo sentiment measure — a leading indicator of homebuilder confidence — rose almost 10 percent, to 53 from June’s 49,

Homebuilder Confidence on the Rise After the First Six Months of 2014 Read More »