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Affordable Construction

Affordability is important to the home building industry. Building homes and developing communities for all levels of families concerns builders, government agencies, and homeowners.

Innovative Products & Processes - Technology Inventory

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Consider using the products below to take advantage of their potential to provide one or more of the following in the homes you build: Affordability, Energy Efficiency, Quality & Durability, Environmental Performance, and Safety.

Advanced Framing Techniques: Optimum Value Engineering (OVE)

Frost-Protected Shallow Foundations (FPSF)

HVAC Sizing Practice

Interior Storm Windows

Modular Multiple Dwellings

Plumbing Manifolds

Shared Wastewater Treatment Systems

Two-Story Manufactured (HUD-Code) Homes

Design & Construction Guides

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Guides for designing and building various types of construction

A Builder's Guide to Marketable Affordable Durable Entry-Level Homes to Last-

Affordable Housing Development Guidelines for State and Local Government

Affordable Residential Construction: A Guide for Home Builders - Volume II

Community Guide to Basic and Cost-Saving Construction in the American Southwest

The Quality of Concrete Costs a Little More - A Concrete Homes Technology Brief

Best Practices

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General recommendations and accepted practices

Building Innovation for Homeownership

Cost-Saving Construction Opportunities and the HOME Program

Performance Reports & Case Studies

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Evaluation of how products and systems perform in real life applications

Innovative Rehabilitation Technologies: A State of the Art Overview This study identifies promising cost-saving technologies for housing rehabilitation

TechPractices: Ryan Homes, The Cornell, Rochester, NY The Cornell is an efficient but small two-story colonial built as a more energy-saving version of an existing Ryan model noted for its efficiency. The Cornell is less expensive to build than the older model and more energy efficient.

The Affordable Housing Demonstration: A Case Study This Affordable Housing Demonstration project in Lacey, Washington, investigated saving housing costs by changing processing procedures, land development standards and construction codes, and using building practices not typically used in the area.

The Diffusion of Innovation in the Residential Building Industry The ability to know how, why, and where builders adopt new technologies is critical for future technological research and research dissemination.

Questions & Answers

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Frequently asked questions, answered by home building professionals

Are tankless water heaters fueled by natural gas more energy efficient than their electric counterparts?

Do you have information on the cost difference between a conventionally-framed house and one framed using building components like wall panels, floor, and roof trusses?

How can I estimate the cost of steel framing for my house?

How does the cost of fiber-cement siding compare to other siding products?

How does the cost of steel framing compare to wood framing?

How is white cement different and why is it used in decorative concrete?

I am a production builder and I typically build slab on grade with 2x4 framing. Considering the rising costs of building lots, what are some construction techniques that will help me to reduce the cost of construction on each house?

I am building a four-story garden style apartment building and the adjoining units have back-to-back bedrooms. I want to build a soundproof party wall but the price of construction needs to be reasonable. What would you suggest?

What is advanced framing or OVE?

What products can I specify to help lower my plumber's bid prices?

Where can I find information on the ENERGY STAR® program and ENERGY STAR-rated appliances and equipment?

Where can I get information on the affordable features of the LifeWise Home?

Where can I get information on the life expectancy of building materials and products?

Where would I go for more information on ductless, mini-split heating and air conditioning systems?

Web Links

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Recommended Web resources for additional information

Affordable Housing Design Advisor The Affordable Housing Design Advisor brings together experience and ideas from successful affordable housing projects all over the country. Online tools, resources, and ideas to help you design affordable housing.

Baltimore Habitat for Humanity Rehab: Baltimore, Maryland Optimized HVAC performance, energy conservation through sustainable design, Optimum Value Engineered Framing, Engineered Wood, High-Efficiency Furnaces, and ENERGY STAR appliances.

Barrington Hills NextGen: Barrington, New Hampshire Ranch-style homes on floating slabs with foundation anchorage, a permanent foundations, solid and permanent skirting.

Center of Excellence for Sustainable Development: Green Buildings: Affordable Department of Energy site for sustainable, affordable housing.

Citizens Housing Corporation's Folsom/Dore Apartments: San Francisco, California High-Efficiency Refrigerators, Universal Design Kitchens and Bathrooms, Deconstruction, Construction Waste Management, Compact Fluorescent Lamps, Structured Wiring Systems, Insulated Headers, No-Formaldehyde Fiberglass Insulation, Fly Ash Concrete, Linoleum, Recycled Content Carpet, Low- or No-VOC Paints, Low-Flow Plumbing Fixtures, Drainwater Heat Recover, Latex Foam Sealant, No-Formaldehyde Fiberglass Insulation.

CMHI - Canadian Manufactured Housing Institute The Canadian Manufactured Housing Institute (CMHI) is the voice of the factory-built housing industry in Canada.

Colonia Hills: Brownsville, Texas Redesigned framing for the Community Development Corporation of Brownsville, Texas (CDCB) standard home design, cutting out a substantial amount of lumber while still meeting the International Residential Code (IRC) in force throughout Texas. Flexible Gas Piping and possibly double-glazed windows.

Habitat for Humanity of Westchester: Yonkers, New York Insulated Form Systems; SIPs; High-performance Windows; Drywall Clips and Stops; and Pre-finished Drywall Corners.

Habitat for Humanity: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Optimizing HVAC performance, conserving energy through sustainable design, incorporating PATH technologies and other environmentally friendly building materials, and helping ensure energy and resource-efficient construction practices. Optimum Value Engineered Framing, Engineered wood, High-Efficiency Furnaces, and ENERGY STAR appliances.

Highland Hills Cottage Development: San Antonio, Texas Solar water heating, possible use of Photovoltaics, SIPs for energy efficiency, Xeriscaping and Rainwater Harvesting. San Antonio's Planning Department, San Antonio Redevelopment Agency, non-profit Mexican American Unity Council, two for-profit area builders and local utilities participation.

Housing Research Foundation The Housing Research Foundation offers information for housing professionals and consumers on issues affecting the future of public housing, especially the revitalization of severely distressed properties and communities, and housing options for low-income seniors and disabled persons.

International Group for Lean Construction (IGLC) The International Group for Lean Construction is a network of professionals and researchers in architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) who feel that the practice, education, and research of AEC have to be radically renewed in order to respond to the challenges ahead.

KnowledgePlex KnowledgePlex offers best practices, discussions, research and more for professionals working on affordable housing and community development.

Land Use Issues Impeding Affordable Housing with Mobile Homes Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) and the industry have joined together to identify obstacles to advancing manufactured housing development in Canada.

Manufactured Housing Project, Consumers Union Southwest Regional Office This site provides information about manufactured housing developed by Consumers Union, the nonprofit publisher of Consumer Reports magazine, for both consumers and policymakers, as well as links to other sites with useful manufactured housing information.

Manufactured Housing Publications from HUD USER A comprehensive list of documents available from HUD USER about manufactured housing.

Miami HOPE VI: Miami, Florida Strategies considered: recycled demolition waste; limited use of materials and products with high embodied energy; recycled content; locally produced materials and products; low- or no-VOC content materials; water-conserving products; 50% reduction of the energy use allowed under the current code; storm water management; and alternative energy sources.

National Multi Housing Council NMHC advocates on behalf of rental housing, conducts apartment-related research, encourages the exchange of strategic business information, and promotes the desirability of apartment living.

NEST: National Economic Service-life Tools NEST is a set of tools and resources designed to help homeowners choose the right amount of durability for their homes. NEST can find the durable materials help maintain your home at the lowest cost.

New York City Habitat for Humanity: New York, New York Habitat for Humanity International (HFHI) expanded its urban HFHI initiative to New York City (HfHnyc), Energy Star housing at a minimum.

NextGen Manufactured Housing, Danbury, CT Manufacturer: New Era Building Systems, Strattanville, Pennsylvania. Changes in design and construction increase quality and affordability.

PATH The Partnership for Advancing Technology in Housing (PATH) is a government/industry initiative that seeks to accelerate the development and widespread use of advanced technologies to radically improve the affordability, quality, durability, environmental performance, and energy efficiency of our nation's housing. To learn more about PATH, visit their website at www.pathnet.org.

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) HUD's mission is to increase homeownership, support community development and increase access to affordable housing free from discrimination.

University Place Cooperative: Washington, DC University Place Cooperative project encompasses a total of 15 units that will optimize HVAC performance and energy conservation, and educate local subcontractors about new materials and construction methods.

Viviendas y Comunidades - Departamento de Vivienda y Desarrollo Urbano de EE.UU.

Did You Know?

Related Information

Affordability is important to the home building industry. Building homes and developing communities for all levels of families concerns builders, government agencies, and homeowners.