Builder Magazine

FEATURES

Builder 100 Company Profiles and Charts

Profiled in brief: Pulte Homes, Fischer Homes, Mattamy U.S. Group and more. Plus all the B100 charts.
Factory-Built Housing Industry Turns to Multifamily, Energy Efficiency in Downturn

The factory-built housing explores new markets and energy efficiency to survive.
2009 Watermark Awards: Lava Living

Special focus: lighting.
2009 Watermark Awards: Evergreen Kitchen

Special focus: green design.
2009 Watermark Awards: Camelot

Merit: best kitchen in a single-family detached remodeled home—over 5,000 square feet.
2009 Watermark Awards: Greenfield Living

Grand: best kitchen in a single-family detached remodeled home-2,000 to 3,000 square feet; Special focus: energy efficiency.
2009 Watermark Awards: Miller Renovation

Merit: best master bath in a remodeled home.
2009 Watermark Awards: Clayton Kitchen

Merit: best kitchen in a single-family detached remodeled home—2,000 to 3,000 square feet.
2009 Watermark Awards: Center Stage

Grand: best master bath in a custom home.
2009 Watermark Awards: Tub Living

Bath of the Year and Grand: best master bath in a remodeled home.
The 2009 Watermark Awards

Builder's annual look at the best in kitchen and bath design
Builder 100: A Horrid 2008 Behind Them, Few Builders Are Making Dramatic Changes

The hard times that began in 2006 for the housing industry dragged on through 2008. That was especially true for those companies that compose our Builder 100, whose market share of total closings fell last year to 38.7 percent from 41.2 percent in 2007.

EDITOR'S NOTE

New Beginnings

The biggest builders are reinventing themselves with more sustainable business models.

INSIDE STORY

Obama's Lastest Plan for Small Businesses Offers Potential Relief for Builders

Some companies that are restructuring their debt could benefit.
Construction Fraud Getting Harder to Stop

Vigilance and auditing are keys to thwarting crimes, says leading risk management firm.
Light Rail Isn't Always A Direct Path Towards Transit-Oriented Developement

Density and affordability mandates for construction around stations can be roadblocks.

TOP SHELF

Ridgid Fiber-Cement Saw

Circular Saw Reduces Fiber-Cement Dust by 90 percent
Tiger Claw Deck Fastener Gun

Semi-Automatic Gun Reduces Installation Time for Hidden-Deck Fasteners
Rev-A-Shelf Pullout Waste Containers

Cabinet Waste Containers Made from Bamboo and Feature Soft-Close Hardware
Uponor Pre-Insulated AquaPEX

Pre-Insulated Plumbing Tubing Saves Time and Installation Costs
Danze Three-Function Faucet

New Faucet Offers Spray, Bubble, and Pause Options
Trove Wood Veneer Wallcovering

Wood Veneer Wallcovering Made from Sustainably Harvested wood
AERT EcoShield Composite Deck Tile

Deck Tiles Easily Snap Together for Installation or Removal
ROTOZIP Spiral Saw

18-volt spiral saw one of the first cordless units on the market

GREENHOUSE

Micro-CHP and Phase Change Energy Solutions

Key components of the next generation of energy-efficient housing.

PRODUCTS

Stimulus Bill Causes DOE to Increase Energy Standards for Windows and Doors.

Window Makers Brace for Tighter Energy Star Criteria.
New EPA Program Certifies Clean-Burning Open-faced Wood Fireplaces

Fireplace Manufacturers Seek to Make Wood-Burning Fireplaces Popular Again

TECH TOOLS

New Online Source for Building Green

GreenBuildingAdvisor.com is a new one-stop database of green-building expertise.
Collaboration Between Software Developers Benefits Builders

Software companies join forces to offer builders an end-to-end tool.

NATIONAL BEAT

NAHBRC's Green Standard is in High Gear

Certification requests for the National Green Building Standard are pouring in.
NAHB Mobilizes to Get Credit Moving

The NAHB is working to get AD&C credit flowing.

LAST WORD

Home price index author sees more volatility ahead

Yale's Robert Shiller is planning to offer investors securities based on housing's risk.

OTHER ARTICLES

Multifamily Builders Experienced Tough Times in 2008

Last year was a bad one for multifamily builders, and 2009 will likely be worse.
Builders Are Missing Out on Money-Saving Opportunities

Hidden source for saving additional dollars can be found in waste in product and process.
Skewed Numbers Show a False Spring

Unsustainable factors are making the numbers look more hopeful than they really are.
Economic Free Fall May Be Behind Us

Thanks to the government's aggressive efforts, the economic turmoil may have bottomed.