Table of Contents June 2010

Editor's Notes

• By the Numbers

  You know what they say: You can't improve what you don't measure.

   

Products

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  Water Less

  What will these new guidelines mean for showering?

   

Inside Story

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  Supporting the Troops

  But some wonder if estimates about new jobs and people in their markets might be exaggerated.

   
• 

  Auspicious Beginnings

  The startup expects to close around 200 homes in 2010.

   

Success Stories

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  Starting Over

  When the bottom fell out of the condo market, JAG Development went back to the bank, but they didn't go back to the drawing board. Their designs were still marketable.

   

Top Shelf

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  Quick Change

  HydroRight converters a standard toilet into a dual flush.

   
• 

  Level One

  The GLL2-80 laser is the first 360-degree dual-plane line laser.

   
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  Radio Wave

  DC012 jobsite radio will charge NiCad and Lithium-ion batteries.

   
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  Extreme Measures

  Liquid Nails Extreme adhesive can be applied to wet or frozen lumber.

   
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  Cut Up

  SKIL power saw makes length and width cuts.

   
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  Dust Down

  ProForm Lite causes drywall dust to fall straight to the floor.

   
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  Easy Brick

  Composite brick and grid system makes patios and decks easy to install.

   
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  Needful Things

  PowerAssist targets builders with all-in-one tools.

   

Green House

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  The Guts of Green-Approved

  This green-approved program is designed to identify and qualify products and systems specifically for the National Green Building Standard.

   
• 

  In the Wind

  It May be the Next Step in Home Energy Efficiency

   
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  Tree-Lined Green

  NorthWest Crossing in Bend, Ore., takes sustainability beyond building green.

   

Crowe's Economy

• Reluctant Buyers

  New NAHB survey reveals what builders think is holding back home buyers from purchasing a home.

   

Tech Tools

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  Meeting the Challenge

  BIM software can help builders be more efficient and meet these challenges.

   

• Tailor Made

  New applications developed suited market to older buyers.

   

Features

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  Zero Energy Casita

  Fort Worth, Texas

   
• 

  Riverside Mews

  Pittsburgh, Penn.

   

• Truro Residence

  Truro, Mass.

   

• Common Ground

  Lopez Island, Wash.

   
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  Pushing Zero

  Four projects strive to produce as much energy as they use.

   
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  Locally Grown

  Some local leaders already showed gains in business.

   
• 

  Futures Trading

  In home building's future, new products and technologies will focus on water, energy, and sustainability.

   

National Beat

• Major Milestone

  Smyrna, Del.-based Bestfield Homes holds the distinction of having the 1,000 certificate under the National Green Building Certification Program.

   
• 

  Credit Crisis

  The NAHB and its members urge Congress to put pressure on lenders to start lending again.

   

Last Word

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  Diversification Spells Success for New Jersey's PRC Homes

  Property management and commercial construction help to cushion the blows of the housing downturn.

   

Other Articles

• article with playlist

   

• Art 2 with playlist in extras

  What happens when you marry the artistry of a custom home builder with the purchasing power and operational efficiencies of a volume builder? Hopefully, a union that will leave these two Orlando, Fla.-based home construction companies in better stead to weather the downturn.