Jun 30 2009 12:26PM | Permalink | Email this | Comments (0) |

By Nick Bajzek

A lot of product-related videos manage to cross my desk. They vary from wobbly cellphone-like jobs to feature-length, full production videos. But the quality of the shot doesn’t matter much to me—I’m in it for the nuts and bolts. 



That said, I enjoyed this video of a Pocket Door installation from Johnson Hardware. My buddy Efrain from the Walt Denny Inc. Home Products Agency gave me the heads-up on this one. I honestly, literally, absolutely didn’t get around to checking it around until now (sorry for the dealy Efrain and Mel!). Bu...Read More

Jun 29 2009 12:56PM | Permalink | Email this | Comments (1) |

By Nick Bajzek

I had a brief exchange last week with Deidra Darsa, HPBA media and public relations manager, about the latest trends in outdoor living. Here’s a snippet of our conversation:

TPG: What outdoor living trends have emerged since the downturn?

DD: I think the outdoor living trend has been a growing phenomenon for the last few years. I believe the recent downturn has caused people to re-think their lifestyle. Instead of looking to spend entertainment dollars away from home, they’re looking at investing in their homes and creating a backyard resort. With an enhanced outdoor living area they have increased their overall living...Read More

Jun 26 2009 10:03AM | Permalink | Email this | Comments (0) |

By Nick Bajzek

You’ve heard plenty about radiant flooring—especially from me on this blog. But take a look straight up—warm air rises, cold air descends…so why not a radiant ceiling to heat or cool the home?

It’s an idea and practice that’s big in Europe. Swiss-Dex is a firm that recently caught my attention. Like hydronic or radiant floor systems, the system works like this—run cold water through coils in the ceiling to cool the visible ceiling surface. Cold air will, thanks to the laws of thermodynamics, settle to its lowest point. And since the cold is distributed evenly over the ceiling, you’ll get plenty of cool ambient air. And it works in reverse. The dew point for the ambient air determines the minimal temperature necessary for the cold water...Read More

Jun 24 2009 10:24AM | Permalink | Email this | Comments (0) |

By Nick Bajzek

I’m wrapping up listening to our hour-long webcast on the Housing Stimulus. I’ll post the link for the webcast if you missed it. Anyways, I thought our presenter Jason Stone, Principal of Sage Homebuilders, St. Louis, did a great job, especially when it comes to his “6 Common Questions” section, which I’ll post below.

He did have some other insights as well. “This may be a marketing opportunity. You might want to go back and contact past clients within the past few months and see if they are aware of the credits,” said Stone on the available stimulus credits. 

His take on the Energy Star requirements and the products that qualify was also very interesting: “We ...Read More

Jun 16 2009 12:59PM | Permalink | Email this | Comments (0) |

By Nick Bajzek

Hey folks. I'm busy wrapping things up before my trip to lovely San Francisco for the Pacific Coast Builders' Conference. I'll be visiting a ton of booths at the show and I'm sure I'll be inundated with cool new products to share once I return to the office on Monday.

In the meantime, follow me on Twitter: @nbajzek.

Jun 15 2009 9:52AM | Permalink | Email this | Comments (0) |

By Nick Bajzek

No, this isn’t the latest in tankless technology…nor is this your standard storage tank. The S.U.N. Equinox Heating System, made by a partnership between firms Solar Usage Now, Rotex Australia and the Gas Technology Institute, utilizes the unique Rotex atmospheric tank. Thanks to the coiled construction of the tank, the system is capable of producing up to 18 gallons per minute of hot hygienic water with a heat loss of less than three degrees per day.

It’s contractor friendly, too—the system is “plug and play” for installation ease. It stands...Read More

Jun 12 2009 10:04AM | Permalink | Email this | Comments (0) |

By Nick Bajzek

Happy Friday readers! Today’s news is that Rockville, Md.-based BuildTopia Inc. has released a series of new functionality tools for BTBuilder, the company’s flagship construction management system…if you haven’t tried the platform before, I suggest you give it a shot. I’m no wizard with software (my colleagues and relatives can attest to that) and I found it extremely easy to use.

Not to sound like a fanboy, but It’s an incredibly durable and stable platform for project and purchasing managers. According to the company, this latest release allows for more collaboration during the entire construction process. That means your web-base...Read More

Jun 11 2009 9:50AM | Permalink | Email this | Comments (0) |

By Nick Bajzek

I’m busy wrapping things up for PCBC—so little time, so many booths to visit. Luckily the new dress shoes I bought are nice and broken in. At any rate, if you’re going to San Francisco next week for PCBC, I suggest you join my boss, Editorial Director Paul Deffenbaugh, for an evening of “cocktails, dinner, networking and a special presentation” at our NARI Night event at the Sheraton in Palo Alto. Details are below.

This National Association of the Remodeling Industry night will concentrate on differentiation. It’s a tough market out there and many firms (especially the “little guys” so to speak) can get lost...Read More

Jun 9 2009 1:41PM | Permalink | Email this | Comments (0) |

By Nick Bajzek

Your client’s homes may have a wired home security system, but they may not know that most systems can be defeated by a crook with a pair of wire cutters—cut the phone line and there won’t be any sirens.

Front Point Security has a wireless solution. Depending on the sophistication of the installation, users can be controlled over the Internet or on a smartphone (there’s an iPhone app, too). Notifications can be sent via e-mail or text as well. It’s one of the only systems out there that can protect a home/building during renovations and then transfer to be the permanent home security option for completed projects.

Since the whole system is wireless, customers can place sensors on anything that opens...Read More

Jun 8 2009 9:58AM | Permalink | Email this | Comments (0) |

By Nick Bajzek

Low cost per kilowatt hour? Check. Easy to install? Check. Low cost? Double check. That’s why I think the Honeywell Wind Turbine is a great stopgap measure to greening our grid and a great way for builders and green enthusiasts to attract more buyers.

The Honeywell Wind Turbine, made in partnership with EarthTronics and WindTronics, generates energy from its gearless Blade Tip Power System that eliminates mechanical resistance and drag. This technology allows the turbine to generate power in wind speeds as low as 2 miles per hour and as high 45 miles per hour, without the typical noise associated with wind turbines.

The Honeywell Wind Turbine will be available in Fall 2009 through launch ...Read More

Jun 4 2009 2:42PM | Permalink | Email this | Comments (0) |

By Nick Bajzek

Jim Petersen, CEO of Petersen-Dean Roofing and Solar Systems, the nation’s largest, privately-owned roofing and solar company, calls the company’s new roofing system a “One-two punch.” I have to agree—the SmarterRoof represents an evolution in roofing. SmarterRoof incorporates a specially-designed, light color tile and Energy Star-rated coating that reflect the sun’s rays to keep building temperatures cooler, while rooftop solar panels capture that sunlight and transform it into free, clean, renewable energy to power the home or your commercial projects.

After all, a roof can heat up to more than 170 degrees by absorbing heat from the sun on a hot day, raising temperatures inside by as much as 30 degrees…I remember the attic in our old hous...Read More

Jun 3 2009 12:44PM | Permalink | Email this | Comments (0) |

By Nick Bajzek

Paint gurus Sherwin-Williams and Benjamin Moore recently introduced iPhone-bas...Read More

Jun 2 2009 1:19PM | Permalink | Email this | Comments (5) |

By Nick Bajzek

Jeremy Friedman, of Kaloosa Builders broke new ground with the first green-certified home in Alabama (and only the 173rd in the nation) under the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) National Green Building Program

This cottage-style, 3,600-square foot spec home in Fairhope, Ala. not only received a gold rating, it became only the 173rd home nationwide to qualify for any rating since the NAHB National Green Building Program was created in 2005.

The Fairhope Green home is being built according to the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) Green Building Guidelines. Builders can score points with the program based on using energy efficient methods and appliances, show water conserv...Read More

May 29 2009 9:58AM | Permalink | Email this | Comments (0) |

By Nick Bajzek

One of the best parts about PCBC—other than the awesome six-hour plane ride to San Francisco, of course—is the Cool Products Competition, now in its eighth year. If you’re an attendee, it’s always cordoned off from the rest of the show in one of the major intersections at the convention center. It’s ALWAYS worth taking a look! You’ll find some excellent products there. 

According to the PCBC brass, this year’s competition was divided into four categories: Conserves Natural Resources; Contributes to a Healthier, Safer Living Environment; A New, Cool Invention; and Saves Energy. 

For a preliminary look, check out the winners this year:

Category: Conserves Natural Resources
Winner: EcoStar, Booth #1140
Product: Majestic Slate 10" Traditional Tiles, ...Read More

May 28 2009 1:53PM | Permalink | Email this | Comments (0) |

By Nick Bajzek

1 percent might not be a percentage you’d trot out there and be happy with, but the Structural Insulated Panel Association (SIPA) is quite proud of the market share SIP-based construction has grabbed during the downturn.

According to SIPA’s annual survey, SIP construction doubled its market share since the height of the building bubble in 2005. This comes despite an 8.8 percent decrease in OSB-based production (there are other methods, but most SIPs are made of insulating foam sandwiched between two OSB facings...metal boards are also fairly common).

"With the U.S. economic recession and three straight years of falling housing starts, industry contraction is somewhat inevitable," said Bill Wachtler, Executive Director of SIPA. "However, the SIP indus...Read More