In this issue...
Finding the Best Online Resources
During the 2007 International Builders' Show (IBS), the NAHB Research Center presented "The Best Online Resources for Building Technologies," an educational program aimed at updating builders on many of the most useful and time-saving resources currently available online.
Nearly all home building firms use the Internet. However, many builders may just be scraping the surface of what the Internet has to offer them.
Search engines are among the web's most valuable—and often most underused—resources. Today’s search engines offer a variety of tools far beyond searching. For example, the top three engines—Google, Yahoo, and MSN—all offer mapping services that can find locations, give directions, and provide directory listings that will locate any type of business near an address.
Search engines may also offer language tools that can be invaluable to builders with contractors who are not fluent in English. Users can paste text, such as instructions, into a form that will quickly translate the text into another language, or type in the URL for a website that they want to translate.
RSS feeds are a useful and time-saving tool for builders who want to stay on top of industry news, but don’t have time to browse several sites each day. Instead of visiting several websites for news, RSS users have new information delivered to them in an organized, automatically-updated format that allows them to quickly scan dozens—or hundreds—of headlines that are targeted to their interests.
Building industry websites have also come a long way. In addition to news and articles, many industry sites offer networking and customization features to help users easily match site content to their needs. Advanced content may include online calculators, complete guideline publications, instruction and event videos, checklists, and subscriptions.
Below is just a sample of the useful industry sites recommended during the IBS educational program. To view the entire presentation, including a more comprehensive list of websites, visit www.ToolBase.org/IBS07webresources.
General Building Information
- The ToolBase Services site offers a wide range of information on building technology from PATH, HUD, NAHB, DOE, and others. It includes the PATH Technology Inventory, which features practical information on over 150 new building technologies, several with downloadable CAD drawings to incorporate right into your plans. The site is organized so that each topic has several types of content, including technology overviews, design guides, case studies, and field evaluations.
- NAHB's site has information on economic housing and supply data, codes and standards info, local and national technology-focused education and networking opportunities, consumer statistics, and resources for nearly all segments of the housing industry. NAHB members can login to access many of the tools not available to the general public.
- News and magazine sites such as HGTVPro.com, The Journal of Light Construction, and Builder Magazine offer timely articles and enhanced content such as videos, forums, directories, and design tips and tools.
Energy Efficiency
Green Building
Moisture and Mold
- North Dakota State University’s Extension Service offers an extensive website
for information, news, and links on preventing and managing moisture problems in homes.
- The Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) website includes a Mold Resources page that offers easy to read, science-based information on types of mold, remediation, and moisture control. This site can help builders communicate with concerned homeowners.
Universal Design House Seeks to Drive Market Demand
Over the past several years, the building industry has become increasingly aware of the benefits of universal design, or accessible housing. Universal design includes a wide variety of features—such as wider doorways, entrances, stairways and hallways; curbless shower stalls; accessible appliances; and lever door handles—that make a home comfortable for people of all physical abilities.
Although it may initially seem to be geared toward residents with disabilities, universal design is, in fact, universal. Most residents will find universal design features useful at some point in their lives. For example, families with small children can more easily maneuver strollers in an accessible home. Anyone recovering from an injury or surgery will have an easier time doing every day tasks, like showering or cooking. And accessible homes allow residents to comfortably stay in their homes as they get older, which many of the 77 million baby boomers in the United States may find appealing over the next couple of decades. Universal design even makes moving and deliveries less of a hassle—who wouldn’t want to avoid getting their new couch stuck in the front door?
But despite its benefits, universal design has not infiltrated mainstream building practices, primarily because the market does not yet demand it. Most homebuyers are not aware of how universal design can benefit them and the resale values of their homes, and builders may not see much benefit to spending extra time and money to alter their home designs, especially if they still have to educate and sell buyers on the concept.
A new demonstration home in Virginia is hoping to change all that. The home is the result of the Greater Prince William Coalition on Housing and Universal Design, a unique partnership between county officials, community members, and universal design groups that aims to educate the public, special interest groups, and the building industry, and drive demand for universal design.
Last year, the Coalition announced a request for proposals from home builders who were interested in building a universal design demonstration house. Centex Homes stepped up to the challenge. According to Frank Disbrow, the company’s special assignments purchasing manager, Centex had been interested in universal design concepts for some time, but had not yet constructed an accessible home. The demonstration project gave the company an opportunity to explore how universal design works.
According to Leon Harper, chairman for the Coalition, the demonstration home differs from others because it was built by a national production home builder. “Most other [universal design] demonstration homes have had to look for people to donate materials or appliances,” Harper said. For this home, Centex used their regular suppliers, vendors, and contractors, without financial assistance from the Coalition. This allowed the builder to examine how universal design would fit into its typical construction process.
Centex immediately discovered the importance of planning ahead, especially for the floors. Unlike traditional homes, which can hide some differences between floor heights at thresholds, universal design homes seek to make all floors flush so that wheelchairs, scooters, and strollers can move easily between rooms and in and out of the home.
In order to construct a no-step, flush entrance, Centex constructed the foundation about 14 inches lower than they would on a traditional home. They also had to make advance plans for handling the subfloors. “Hardwood flooring might be 3/4-inch thick, but the tile and its substrate may be 1¼-inch thick, so you have to account for that when doing the subfloor,” explained Disbrow.
Centex also planned the home to accommodate one-floor living, if it becomes necessary, by placing the master suite and laundry room on the first floor. The builder also provided ample open space around appliances, cabinets, and fixtures. The kitchen’s center island has a lowered countertop and sink where a user could prepare food while seated, refrigerator drawers and a roll-under stove top. The master bath features a curbless shower and reinforcements in the walls for future installation of grab bars.
Now that Centex has constructed the prototype home, the company will be well equipped if it decides to incorporate universal design in future homes. “Going through the mental exercise once definitely makes the process easier,” said Disbrow.
Upon completion of the five-bedroom, 5,300 square-foot home, the Coalition opened it for interactive, guided tours. The home has received national media exposure, resulting in a steady stream of interested visitors. The tours, which are conducted by 35 trained volunteers, aim to educate the public about the importance of universal design. Tour participants have a chance to see what universal design looks like – at first glance, it’s not apparent.
Making special features fit in with the rest of the home is an important component to marketing, according to Harper. “The first thing most people ask when they see the home is, ‘what’s so special about it? They don’t notice how it’s different [from a traditional home]. The key to universal design is making it seamless and invisible.”
For example, the demonstration home includes a space that a future owner can use for an elevator shaft. Until the need for an elevator arises, the space functions as a pantry on the first floor and a computer nook on the second.
Additionally, the front entrance of the home includes a hinged sidelite that can be opened for additional access. When needed, the sidelite expands the door’s width from 36 inches to 60 inches. When it’s not in use, the sidelite simply fits in with the aesthetics of the entryway.
The home’s staircase is constructed from a combination of dark and light woods that also provide an inconspicuous accessible advantage. Casual observers might enjoy the stairway’s appearance, but the contrast between the two colors also provides a guide for the visually impaired. The home also features large windows that contribute to a bright, well-lit space that is enjoyable for most residents, but has an additional value for those with poor vision.
The Prince William County Demonstration House will be open for tours until the end of March, 2007. For more information about the demonstration home and tours, visit www.pwcgov.org/ud.
Resource Review: Directory of Accessible Building Products
Each year, as demand for aging-in-place and universal design approaches grows, an increasing number of building professionals find themselves researching, planning, and building homes designed to help older residents and those who have special physical needs live more comfortably, safely, and independently in their homes.
Likewise, the number of manufacturers that cater to these industries has also grown, offering builders and designers an abundance of options. The NAHB Research Center’s Directory of Accessible Building Products (DABP) provides a practical guide to currently-available accessibility products and technologies for the building industry.
The seventeenth edition, which was released at the 2007 International Builders’ Show (IBS), continues the DABP’s tradition of acting as much more than a mere listing. This year, the DABP includes descriptions for nearly 200 products, with a focus on kitchen and bathroom appliances, fixtures, cabinets and faucets, as well as home automation and climate control products, doors, ramps, stair lifts, and accessible floor plans. Many listings include recommended construction and installation details that can help builders and remodelers maximize the value of the product.
The DABP’s detail and thoroughness make it a reliable, one-stop resource for accessible products, and a must-have reference for all building professionals. To order a copy of the Directory of Accessible Building Products, call the NAHB Research Center at (800) 638-8556, or visit the website at www.nahbrc.org/bookstore. Printed copies of the DABP are free, but have a $6.50 shipping and handling fee. You can also download a PDF version of the DABP by visiting www.ToolBase.org/DABP.
Top Ten Technologies for 2007
PATH’s new “Top Ten Technologies” were introduced at the 2007 International Builders’ Show. These are proven building technologies that haven’t yet achieved widespread market acceptance, but will help builders build better homes. “With the Top Ten, we’re making it easier for builders and consumers to find promising technologies that will improve durability, efficiency, affordability, and overall environmental performance,” says Dana Bres, a research engineer with PATH.
Take, for example, mold-resistant gypsum board. “Moisture-resistant drywall has been designed so if it gets wet, it won’t support mold growth,” says Bres. “If your home has excess humidity or you have a flood, you’ll have problems to deal with, but mold in the drywall won’t be one of them. And the difference in cost compared to standard drywall is relatively modest.”
PATH’s Top Ten for 2007
Mold-Resistant Gypsum. Treated gypsum wallboard products won’t support mold growth because they don’t provide “food” for the mold to eat, unlike typical gypsum board. Practical for basement, bath — or any room in the house.
Solar Water Heating. An environmentally sound way to reduce energy bills and, with federal tax credits through Dec. 31, 2007, they’re now a more affordable one.
Recycled Concrete Admixtures. Recycled materials such as granulated coal ash, blast furnace slag, fiberglass, granulated plastics, and other industrial byproducts can substitute for sand, gravel, and stones.
Combined Heat and Power (CHP). A CHP system can provide power for everyday use and act as a built-in emergency generator if the grid goes down. The electricity powers lights and appliances, while the heat can be used for space and water heating. Ideal for multifamily and townhouse communities.
Horizontal Axis Washer/Dryer. Highly water- and energy-efficient two-in-one washer/dryer that saves space, costs less than two separate units, and requires no venting so it can be installed almost anywhere.
Hydrophilic, Impact-Resistant Windows. Self-cleaning, glare-reducing windows that also stand up to tornadoes and hurricanes. Glass is laminated with composites strong enough to withstand high winds and projectiles. Special window coating also makes glazing easy to clean.
Super-Sized (Vertical) Insulating Concrete Forms (ICFs). All the energy efficiency, strength, and building speed benefits of conventional ICF walls, but they go up faster and easier because fewer pieces are assembled on site. Provide outstanding disaster resistance and sound deadening.
Induction Cooktops. A magnetic field heats only the cooking container, so food heats much faster, while the stovetop stays cool. They also go from extremely low to extremely high settings and back again nearly instantly.
GPS for Land Development. Satellite-controlled software that dramatically reduces a builder’s labor and material costs by simplifying site grading while improving accuracy. Helps exca-vation machines more efficiently and accurately cut and fill grade, and reduces the potential for soil erosion.
Permeable Pavers & Pavement. Rainwater is naturally filtered through the soil on the way to groundwater aquifers and surface waters. That means less stormwater running off paved surfaces into rivers and streams, reducing pollution. Can also lower construction costs for developers and municipalities by reducing stormwater handling requirements of the site.
For more information on any of the Top Ten Technologies, as well as dozens of other innovative technologies identified by PATH as being beneficial, visit the PATH Technology Inventory.
Quality Matters: Bridging the Gap
In this soft housing market, many builders have experienced a decline in sales and production numbers. However numbers don’t always tell the full story. There are often other key areas of your business which, when operating with optimum efficiency, can help to bridge the gap during tough times.
If you are not achieving your objectives, a gap analysis is one of the simplest tools available to evaluate what might be standing in the way. A gap analysis is a basic comparison between a company’s current processes and those that must be implemented to achieve the desired results. Quality management experts from the NAHB Research Center’s National Housing Quality (NHQ) Program recommend using key performance indicators such as targets for profit margins, new home construction volume, budget variances, overhead percentages, sales and marketing costs, customer referrals, and overall customer satisfaction ratings to set new business goals and tune-up quality management processes that don’t meet established standards. Refer to your business plan for additional guidance on setting specific objectives for your company.
For example, if you are missing your profit margins, a gap analysis allows you to break down costs into smaller increments and compare them with industry guidelines or averages available from organizations such as the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB). If your numbers deviate significantly from other similar-sized builders, perhaps you are not looking at the total costs. There are often underlying costs that occur with quality-related fixes that can negatively impact your profit margins. The high costs of warranty service work can be a double whammy since it costs you time, money, and can impact your reputation with customers in the long run.
Not getting enough customer referrals? Determine the root cause by taking a fresh look at the sales process, superintendent/customer interactions, and the warranty service process to determine if your sales staff is asking the right questions. When referral rates and customer satisfaction scores are low, a gap analysis is essential to finding the answers.
After reviewing areas of your business plan to identify practices and procedures (or the lack thereof) that are preventing your company from being successful, prepare a list of items that can be implemented, redesigned, or documented better. This will help verify that tactical decisions are aligned with overall corporate goals, and can have a substantial effect on the bottom line.
For more information on how to get started with a gap analysis in your company, visit www.nahbrc.org/quality.
EVHA Winners Combine Integrated Approaches with Cutting-Edge Technology
Each year, EnergyValue Housing Award (EVHA) winners showcase the winning practices that have put them at the forefront of energy-efficient construction. This offers an excellent chance to learn about both advanced technologies that are paving the future of energy efficiency, and about practical approaches that many mainstream builders can implement now.
One of the cutting-edge trends among the 2007 winners—who were unveiled on Feb. 7, during a special ceremony at the International Builders’ Show (IBS)—was the use of photovoltaic (PV) solar power systems.
For Bob Ward Companies, an EVHA Silver award winner in the custom home, moderate climate category, implementing a PV system offered an opportunity to find out more about the technology. “We thought [PV] was a natural fit for us and that we could use it as a learning experience,” said Marcy Loane, the company’s director of marketing.
According to purchasing manager Joe Gregory, several builders who have toured the home are curious about the PV system. “Most of their questions are about cost,” said Gregory. Although the initial price of solar energy systems can put them out of reach for many builders and buyers, EVHA winners reduced costs by taking advantage of rebates and incentives from federal and state governments, energy programs, and manufacturers.
Grupe Homes, an EVHA Gold award winner in the production home, moderate climate category, avoided the challenge of selling solar to their customers as an option by including it in all of the homes they build. “Most people will go with $15,000 worth of upgrades rather than $15,000 in solar,” explained project manager Linda Targowski. The company found a way to keep the homes competitively priced with the PV systems included.
Despite the solar trend, EVHA builders and judges emphasize that no single technique or technology is the key to an efficient home. “It has to be integrated,” said judge David Hales, a building systems specialist for the Washington State University Energy Program. “The house acts as a whole system.”
EVHA winners select framing methods, insulation, and appliances that result in high efficiencies, and they pay careful attention to air sealing, ductwork, and ventilation as well. “Attention to detail is necessary,” says Robert Burnside, president of EVHA Silver award winner Fireside Homes. “Things like not sealing nooks and crannies can undo all the benefits.”
EVHA winners also recommend getting a home energy rater. “A good energy rater will give you lots of ideas,” says Rob Sabin of Aspen Homes of Colorado, an EHVA Gold award winner in the production home, cold climate category. Gregory agrees. “A rater will help you work the bugs out before you build.”
Veridian Homes, the 2007 EVHA Builder of the Year, suggests monitoring new practices. The company uses a systematic and documented process. “Not only does this provide consistency,” says David Simon, president of operations, “but it allows [us] to track product performance, quality, craftsmanship, and durability.”
Builders don’t need to overwhelm themselves with new technology to improve energy efficiency. One technique that offers an easy, inexpensive way to significantly improve a home’s energy efficiency is placing ductwork in the conditioned space, which allows leaks to contribute to heating or cooling the house. “Once you’ve incorporated this change into the design, it’s almost a no-cost improvement, but it can save 10 to 25 percent of a home’s energy bills,” explains Hales.
Every year the EVHA honors home builders who voluntarily incorporate energy efficiency into the design, construction, and marketing of new homes. Think you’re up to the challenge of becoming one of these energy-efficiency elite builders? Find out more about applying by visiting www.nahbrc.org/evha. Even those who don’t receive an award end up learning a lot about their companies through the application process itself and the judges comments that they get back.