September October 2008 MAB

GREEN BUILDING ISSUE MID-ATLANTIC

Vol. 50 Issue 5 September/October 2008 www.homebuilders.org

Growing

Green

Green building provides builders with opportunities for growth

PLUS Green Roofs Redesigning Homes to Add Value Green Marketing

MID-ATLANTIC BUILDER september/october 2008

www.homebuilders.org

MID-ATLANTIC BUILDER september/october 2008

www.homebuilders.org

MID-ATLANTIC BUILDER september/october 2008

www.homebuilders.org

MID-ATLANTIC BUILDER september/october 2008

www.homebuilders.org

MID-ATLANTIC BUILDER september/october 2008

www.homebuilders.org

MID-ATLANTIC BUILDER september/october 2008

www.homebuilders.org

MID-ATLANTIC BUILDER september/october 2008

www.homebuilders.org

MID-ATLANTIC BUILDER september/october 2008

www.homebuilders.org

MID-ATLANTIC BUILDER september/october 2008

www.homebuilders.org

September/October 2008 Vol. 50 Issue 5

Publisher John Kortecamp

Editor Kristin Josephson Hogle communications@homebuilders.org

Design Network Design Group Jen Smith, Art Director Heather Winkel, Graphic Designer

Advertising Network Publications, Inc. Irene Hatzigeorgalis, Account Executive 410-584-1962, irene@networkpub.com Chris Martin, Account Executive 410-584-1964, cmartin@networkpub.com Megan Crawford, Advertising Coordinator 410-584-1907, mcrawford@networkpub.com

HBAM Legal counsel Linowes and Blocher

18 Green Building a Plus for Builders in Tough Market

As the housing industry moves out of its cyclical downturn, green business appears headed for a galloping rate of growth.

Mid-Atlantic Builder

34 Green Building Getting to Green

38 Journal of Light Construction Reprint

22 In a Slump, Builders Redesign Homes to Add Value

Builders have begun to implement some dramatic changes in how they build and sell homes in order to remain competitive and profitable as the housing downturn drags on longer than originally expected.

24 A Big, Green Living Machine

The green roof on the Hilton Baltimore Convention Center Hotel not only offers environmental benefits, it will also enhance the look of the hotel and the guest experience.

28 Green Marketing for Builders and Remodelers

Capturing a market of increasingly savvy consumers – particularly those green-educated homebuyers who may purchase higher-end residences – will require builders to take new, detailed approaches to marketing.

By Jim Groff

Housed-Stringer Exterior Stairs

Corners 50 52 53

Legal Sales and Marketing Technology

is a bi-monthly publication of HBAM Member Services, Inc., a subsidiary of the Home Builders Association of Maryland, Inc., 7127 Ambassador Road, Suite 150, Baltimore, MD 21244 410-265-7400, www.homebuilders.org.

Postmaster: Send address changes to Home Builders Association of Maryland, Inc., 7127 Ambassador Road, Suite 150 Baltimore, MD 21244.

CUSTOM PUBLISHING SERVICES PROVIDED BY Network Publications, Inc. and Network Design Group, The Creative Group of Network Publications, Inc., Executive Plaza 1, Suite 900, 11350 McCormick Road, Hunt Valley, MD 21031, 410-584-1900

ECO BOX

Departments

12 14 16 46 55 58 60

Publisher’s Message President’s Message Events New Members Notable Products Industry News Education Courses

Mid-Atlantic Builder text and cover pages are printed on forest-friendly Anthem Matte paper using soy ink.

Using this combination of papers saves the following: Paper: 6 tons Total Energy: 73,000,000 BTUs Greenhouse Gases: 11,021 lbs. Co2 Wastewater: 34,127 gallons Solid Waste: 4,437 lbs.

Environmental impact estimates were made using the Environmental Defense Paper Calculator.

10

MID-ATLANTIC BUILDER september/october 2008

www.homebuilders.org

www.homebuilders.org

september/october 2008 MID-ATLANTIC BUILDER

11

Photo Credit stuart zolotorow

2008 HBAM Leadership Executive Committee

publisher’smessage

Looking forward to 2009 Let me begin with an understatement and a fairly obvious one at that. From an industry standpoint, 2008 has been a year that can’t end too soon.

“Let’s just get through this thing” is a sentiment I’ve heard more times than I could count. So with only a couple of months left, let’s look ahead at what is going to make 2009 the year when things begin to turn around. There is still plenty of negativity in the media and problems in the financial markets and we can expect those factors to be with us even into the recovery, but let’s focus on those factors that suggest better things are in store for us next year and beyond.

1. Job Stability in this area—The Labor Department reports that the National unemployment rate is at 5.5% while the Maryland unemployment rate is 4.0%.

In one year, the national unemployment rate has jumped from 4.5% to 5.5% while the state rate has only moved from 3.5% to 4.0%. Maryland is showing minimal unemployment rate increases compared to the rest of the nation. Due in large part to the health care sector and government defense contractor job growth.

2. Job Creation—Although job growth is not as fast as it may have been two years ago, Maryland is still seeing overall job growth. So far in 2008, Maryland has added 6,500 new jobs while the nation overall has shed 300,000 jobs.

3. BRAC—Beginning in approximately 18 months, 60,000 new jobs will begin coming to this region, split between Aberdeen Proving Grounds in Harford County and Fort Meade in Anne Arundel County.

These jobs will bring an estimated 28,000 new households to the region.

The average wages of these new jobs are over $70,000 and the average household 12

MID-ATLANTIC BUILDER september/october 2008

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

income of households likely to move to Maryland due to BRAC exceeds $110,000.

NSA—Cloaked in a heavy veil of secrecy, the National Security Agency (NSA) has been quietly adding approximately 1,500 new jobs per year for the past several years, a trend that is expected to continue for the foreseeable future.

First-Time Home Buyer Tax Credit— Recently enacted by Congress, the bill will provide a $7,500 tax credit for first-time home buyers. Single taxpayers with incomes up to $75,000 and married couples with incomes up to $150,000 qualify for the full tax credit. Experts believe that the stimulative effect of the temporary first-time home buyer tax credit is likely to ripple throughout the entire housing market.

Interest Rates—Interest rates are still holding steady at 6.52% in the middle of August compared to 6.59% at the same time last year.

Affordability—The number of homes on the market in the Baltimore metro area priced under $250,000 in May 2006 was 3,600; May 2007 was 5,400 and May 2008 was 7,400. That’s double the choices for first-time homebuyers in two years.

Attitude—NAHB’s latest surveys of single-family builders have revealed stabilization in confidence levels and even a slight upturn in sales expectations for the next six months.

Here’s to celebrating the new year early!

President Lou Baker President-Elect Mike Owings First Vice President Eliot Powell Associate Vice President Pete Baxter Secretary Jack Orrick Treasurer Theresa Leatherbury Immediate Past President Chris Rachuba

chapter Presidents Anne Arundel County Eric DeVito Baltimore County Evan Morville Baltimore City Sandy Marenberg Carroll County Paul Kotsher Howard County Scott Armiger Upper Chesapeake Bill Luther

Council Presidents Land Development Council Steven Rubin HBAM Remodelers Donald Lynch Sales and Marketing Council Shawn Fortney Certified Master Builder/Remodeler Jeff Powers Builder Mart Jerry Hoover

HBAM Board of Directors David Altfeld Steve Bartenfelder Steve Breeden Tim Burkard Chickie Grayson Dover Hankins Joe Hikel Jim Hunter Jim Joyce Chip Lundy Cynthia McAuliffe

John Meade David Miller Paul Mueller Tim Naughton Howard Perlow Scott Peterson Jake Ruppert Rich Pezzullo Dale Thompson William Zahler

Alternate Directors Pat Costello George Decker Patti Freeman Jay Hergenroeder Martin K.P. Hill Barbara Magill Mary Beth Taylor

John Kortecamp HBAM Executive Vice President www.homebuilders.org

www.homebuilders.org

september/october 2008 MID-ATLANTIC BUILDER

13

Photo Credit Stuart Zolotorow

Visit www.homebuilders.org for an on-line listing of Mid-Atlantic Builder advertisers with hotlinks. There, you can also view MAB archives and find information on upcoming events and current industry issues.

president’smessage

DIRECTORY OF ADVERTISERS Appliance Dist. Unlimited AZEK Building Products

Why Green Building?

When energy prices soared in the late 1970s, the National Association of Home Builders was the first organization to step forward and introduce voluntary energy guidelines for new residential

construction and the energy efficiency of new housing has more than doubled in the last 30 years. With the introduction of the NAHB National Green Building Program, our industry has propelled marketdriven green building into the mainstream and I’d like to encourage our members to get on board.

Why are we doing this? Surging consumer demand has made green building more mainstream than ever. The guidelines are unique compared to other proposed residential green building guidelines and standards because they are designed to help all builders—not just niche builders—construct energy-efficient, environmentally sensitive new homes, without adding costly and mandatory regulations to the building process. Further, the guidelines are not a one-size-fits-all solution. Lastly, it is quite apparent that municipalities will be driving green requirements through the approval process in the not-too-distant future. The NAHB wants to be proactive on this topic to ensure that these requirements are reasonable and worthwhile.

More than 60 stakeholders, representing a broad cross section of the home building industry, collaborated to craft guidelines that are as flexible as they are effective. They were developed for new single-family homes, but can be adapted for multifamily and custom development and remodeling projects as well. They also are adaptable to different climate conditions and building techniques.

The Model Green Home Building Guidelines and the national program offer us instructions based on several guiding prin14

MID-ATLANTIC BUILDER september/october 2008

ciples. For instance, preparing and designing lots to reduce development’s impact on vegetation, soil and water can also enhance long-term performance. Using resources, energy and water efficiently will help make the most of building materials and help homeowners save money on utility bills.

Carefully managing moisture, ventilation and off gases can help those with allergies and respiratory ailments live and breathe in a more comfortable indoor living environment. And with a little education from us, homeowners can use and maintain their home optimally.

We are the ones who will be putting these guidelines into practice, but I also see them as a tool to help our association get formally involved in the green building movement.

Local green building programs are currently operating in more than 70 areas of the country, many of which have developed their own ways to certify and promote green homes and raise the visibility of members and their associations.

Consumer demand for “green” is growing quickly, and affordable technology is following rapidly. Don’t miss the boat. Our industry has taken a pragmatic approach to green building by offering builders and consumers a flexible and voluntary framework.

Take a look at the Model Green Home Building Guidelines on www.nahb.org/gbg to see which ones best suit you and your customers.

Lou Baker 2008 HBAM President

43

Back Cover BASCO Shower Enclosures 15 Bay National Bank 5 BGE 2 BGE Outdoor Lighting 51 Bonded Builders 16 Bradford Bank 56 Broan-Nutone 17 Builders Advantage Centerspread California Closets 43 Chaney Enterprises 1 Carrier 45 Certainteed 27 Columbia Bank, The 35 Coover & Barr, LLC 32 Electrolux 11 EP Henry Corp.

3 Ferguson Enterprises, Inc. 41 General Shale Brick 7 Ground Loop Heating & Air Conditioning 9 HTG Insurance Group 53 KAWG & F 56 Kleendeck 54 Lennox Industries, Inc. 27 Marvin Windows

25 Mid Atlantic Propane and Gas 57 Pollmeier Flooring 23 Potomac Valley Brick & Supply 50 Premier Lifts, Inc. 6 ProSource Wholesale Flooring 33 Provident Bank 60 Railtec Construction LLC 39 Reeb Millwork Corporation 13 Reico Kitchen and Bath Inside Back Cover Residential Warranty Corp.

21 Rexel Branch 59 Sound Structures 21 Southern Pacific Supply Inside Front Cover Susquehanna Bank 33 Swift Flooring Distributors 52 The L&L Company 35 Tyco Fire & Building Products 8 Walbrook Mill/Lumber Company 45 Weyerhaeuser 4 www.homebuilders.org

Events

www.homebuilders.org

CALL 410-265-7400 for information on registration for our events or visit www.homebuilders.org.

FOR INFORMATION on sponsoring any of our events, please call Carey Swift at 410-265-7400, ext. 118.

Sales Strategies that Increase Your Profits

HBAM Remodelers General Membership Meeting

September 3, 2008 Pikesville Hilton

September 16, 2008 T.W. Perry, 800 Central Ave, Linthicum, MD

Join the HBAM Sales and Marketing Council for a special sales presentation

by Tom Richey. With marketing concepts developed over 40 years in the housing industry, Tom will be teaching sales strategies that will give you the edge needed to increase your profitability. For more information, contact Amanda Steers at 410-265-7400, ext. 121 or email amanda@homebuilders.org.

The HBAM Remodelers Council will be holding their general membership meeting. The program will begin at 8:30 a.m.

For ticket information, contact Vickie Martin at 410-265-7400, ext. 105 or email vickie@homebuilders.org for details.

Celebrity Chef Night and Auction October 16, 2008 Martin’s West

LDC Awards of Excellence

Mark your calendars for the 2008 Celebrity Chef Night and Auction and prepare yourself for the best TAILGATE party ever.

Want to donate an auction item? Want to show off your culinary talents? Contact the events department at 410-265-7400 or visit www.homebuilders.org for more information. A portion of the proceeds benefit the Builders’ Haven Foundation.

September 25, 2008 The Center Club in Baltimore

Remodeling Awards of Excellence

Mark your calendar for the 2008 LDC Awards of Excellence. If you have a project that you would like to enter into the Awards of Excellence program, please contact Stephanie Draminski at 410-265-7400, ext. 108 or stephanie@homebuilders.org

November 13, 2008 Boumi Temple

Experience the art of remodeling at the 18th Annual REM Awards of Excellence program. The annual event recognizes outstanding achievements by members who provide customers with excellence in remodeling design and craftsmanship.

Visit www.homebuilders.org for more information. Entry deadline is September 15.

ICON Awards November 20, 2008 Turf Valley Resorts

Don’t miss this association-wide celebration where the builder and associate member of the year awards and the lifetime achievement award will be announced. Visit www.homebuilders.org for more information. n

16

MID-ATLANTIC BUILDER september/october 2008

www.homebuilders.org

www.homebuilders.org

september/october 2008 MID-ATLANTIC BUILDER

17

Green Building a Plus for Builders in Tough Market

18

MID-ATLANTIC BUILDER september/october 2008

www.homebuilders.org

H

ome builders attending the NAHB National Green Building Show in New Orleans this past May were told by market analysts that they have a long way to go to sell the benefits of sustainable construction technologies to their prospective customers.

At a time when housing demand remains largely sluggish around the country, advances in green building are providing a notable shot in the arm for builders. As the housing industry moves out of its cyclical downturn, green business appears headed for a galloping rate of growth.

Builders polled in the latest survey by McGraw-Hill Construction on the evolving trends and opportunities in the green residential marketplace cited demand from this part of the industry for keeping their businesses alive during hard times.

“We have hit the tipping point for builders going green,” said Harvey M. Bernstein, McGraw-Hill’s vice president of industry analytics, alliance and strategic initiatives.

“This year, the number of builders who are moderately green — those with 30 percent green projects — has surpassed those with a low share of green — those who are green in less than 15 percent of their projects,” Bernstein said.

“Next year,” he predicted, “we will see even greater growth, with highly green builders — those with 60 percent green projects — surpassing those with a low share of green. This year has seen an 8 percent jump over last year, and we expect another 10 percent increase next year.”

“It’s official. Green has gone mainstream,” said Ray Tonjes, chair of the NAHB Green Building Subcommittee. “Now, the NAHB National Green Building Program is making it easier for home builders to provide sustainable, environmentally friendly homes for their customers. We’re ready for the market transformation that McGraw-Hill Construction estimates.”

“Green is driving a lot of what really is happening in this marketplace,” said Bernstein.

Green home building is poised to generate between $12 billion and $20 billion in sales this year, accounting for a 6 percent to 10 percent share of the housing market, according to the McGraw-Hill report, up from $7 billion in home sales and a 2 percent share in 2005.

This year’s green building is projected to double over the next five years, reaching a 12 percent to 20 percent share of the U.S. housing market with $40 billion to $70 billion in sales in 2012.

Green homes are defined by McGraw-Hill as those containing energy-efficient, indoor air quality, water-efficient, resource-efficient and site management features.

www.homebuilders.org

Forty percent of those surveyed by McGraw-Hill said that the down market has made it easier to market green homes, and 16 percent said that the housing slump has made it much easier.

The higher quality associated with green building appears to be the key factor driving demand going forward at a time when homes need to stand out in a market with a glut of inventory, Bernstein said. Acknowledging that current adverse economic conditions are imposing an obstacle, he said that rising energy costs are influencing customers and increasing their willingness to pay a premium for green housing.

Experiencing the strongest growth in green building this year are the Pacific, South Atlantic and Mountain regions, in that order, the survey showed. From consumer surveying, the states with the highest percent of green home purchases from 2004 to 2006 were Washington, Nevada, Colorado, Texas and Florida.

Texas was the one state where builders seemed to be less bullish on prospects for green building than their customers, he said.

Among other survey findings: • Eighty-five percent of those polled said that homes have become more energy-efficient over the past two years. Other features making homes more environmentally friendly include: tighter insulation (55 percent), more recycled content (41 percent), better indoor air quality (39 percent) and more water conservation (28 percent).

• To learn more about green building, builders are most often using print sources (90 percent), followed by home building Web sites (71 percent); home building product manufacturers (64 percent); and NAHB trade shows, conferences and workshops (58 percent).

• Seventy-six percent reported no difference in the time it takes to gain project approval for green homes versus those that are non-green.

• Ninety-five percent said that creating a better quality product that would retain its value longer was a very or somewhat important motive for building green. Next down on the list of motives was “it’s the right thing to do” (91 percent), which was the top motivating factor in a similar 2006 survey. That was followed by “expanding business with customers interested in green building” (90 percent), lowering recycling costs (90 percent) and staying ahead of the competition (80 percent).

september/october 2008 MID-ATLANTIC BUILDER

19

• Triggers impacting expansion of green building include: energy costs and utility rebates (84 percent), emphasis on efficiency (77 percent), superior performance (76 percent) and gaining a competitive advantage (74 percent).

• Among obstacles with the greatest impact on future green home building: consumer willingness to pay (82 percent); higher first cost (82 percent); overall economic conditions (81 percent); lack of education about green building (72 percent); lack of awareness about green products (72 percent); and codes, ordinances and regulations (67 percent).

• Builders who are heavily involved in green building said there was an average 7.5 percent higher incremental cost to build green over an average project; moderately involved builders reported an average 10 percent cost premium; and builders who are only minimally involved perceived a 10.8 percent higher cost on average.

• Only 24 percent agreed that environmental regulations hinder green building.

• The most highly used green building features were: air sealing/tight construction; increased insulation; water-reducing plumbing fixtures; Energy Star windows, appliances, HVAC, exterior doors and lighting; and instant tankless water heaters.

• The most requested green building features were: increased insulation, instant tankless water heaters, Energy Star appliances, air sealing/tight construction and insulation foundation walls and floors.

• The top five most important energy efficiency options were: high-efficiency HVAC equipment (94 percent), Low E glass windows (92 percent), reduced air infiltration (90 percent), more energy-efficient appliances (90 percent) and above-code energy programs such as Energy Star certification (84 percent).

water-efficient appliances (80 percent), storm water mitigation (65 percent), water filtering systems (42 percent) and gray water recycling (33 percent).

• The most important green material options: hi-performance, engineered wood products (78 percent); allergenfree, chemical-free building materials (66 percent); recycled building materials, such as those used in decks and sheds (63 percent); alternatives to wood products (61 percent); and certified sustainably harvested lumber (53 percent).

• The most highly rated green materials: OSB (78 percent), alternatives to dimensional lumber (72 percent), construction waste reduction (55 percent), easily available products and materials (54 percent) and recycled/recyclable products (52 percent).

• The most important indoor air quality options were: HVAC (90 percent), formaldehyde-free finishes (73 percent), low VOC paint (66 percent) and minimum off-gassing (65 percent).

• Seventy percent of those surveyed recognized green brands in house wrap, doors and windows, insulation, water conservation and HVAC. No product category had less than 25 percent recognition, Bernstein said, and anything over 5 percent is considered significant.

• Without prompting, green product brands cited by builders included: GE and Whirlpool appliances; Tyvek house wrap; Andersen, Pella and Marvin windows; Trane, Carrier and Lennox HVAC; Trex exterior framing; Owens Corning insulation; Kohler and Delta water conservation; Sherwin Williams and Benjamin Moore paint and wall finishes; TJI wood framing; and James Hardie cladding. n More information on green building from McGraw-Hill Construction can be found at: www.analyticsstore.construction.com and www.greensource.construction.com.

• The most important water conservation options were: water-efficient fixtures and faucets (81 percent),

20

MID-ATLANTIC BUILDER september/october 2008

www.homebuilders.org

www.homebuilders.org

september/october 2008 MID-ATLANTIC BUILDER

21

In a Slump, Builders Redesign Homes to Add Value

H

aving reduced their prices about as much as they can, home builders are focusing on making improvements to their business operations and being as resourceful as possible to increase their sales, according to a new study from the NAHB Research Center — “Implications of the Soft Housing Market for Builders, Suppliers and Manufacturers.”

Based on surveys of builders earlier this year, the Research Center report says that builders have begun to implement some dramatic changes in how they build and sell homes in order to remain competitive and profitable as the housing downturn drags on longer than originally expected.

Among the findings: • Three-quarters of the builders polled said they have redesigned their homes to represent the best value among their competitors, and about 70 percent are making their homes more energy-efficient.

• The most popular home purchase incentives are free upgrades. The most commonly offered upgrades are in the kitchen, including appliances, countertops and cabinets.

The majority of builders are now paying closing costs and fees for new home buyers, while just under half are helping their buyers to sell their current homes.

• Home builders have increased their flexibility, allowing buyers to specify modifications to home designs and material selection.

• The market downturn has made this a great time for manufacturers to go directly to consumers to gain knowledge of their specific building product needs.

22

MID-ATLANTIC BUILDER september/october 2008

• Home trade-in programs, used only by about 15 percent of the home buyers surveyed, are rated as one of the most effective programs for luring buyers back into the market.

This process is similar to “trade-ins” in the automobile business, where the builder purchases the old home as part of the sales contract for the new home.

• Looking to future business improvements, about 30 percent of the home builders said that they will adopt a green building program soon. Additionally, 18 percent said they will improve business performance monitoring, 17 percent said they will adopt a quality assurance program and 16 percent said they will undergo major cost cutting to improve their competitiveness.

The Research Center study also identifies changing relationships among builders, home buyers, manufacturers, suppliers and subcontractors in the new environment facing the industry.

“Waiting out” the current slowdown in sales is an unsuccessful strategy for housing businesses both in the short- and long-term, the study finds, and builders need to be positioning themselves so that they are well prepared to gain the most when the housing market eventually rebounds.

Also identified by the study are the business and technology improvements that builders are using to reduce their operating costs and increase sales performance; changes in home design and materials usage in response to the downturn; and the most popular manufacturer-sponsored programs for builders.

The complete report is available from the NAHB Research Center by calling 800-638-8556. n www.homebuilders.org

www.homebuilders.org

september/october 2008 MID-ATLANTIC BUILDER

23

A Big, Green Living Machine Hilton Baltimore Convention Center Hotel topped by largest green roof in area

“I

t’s alive!” While that’s usually the shout from someone who’s just spotted Godzilla, in this case the living giant isn’t scary in the least and it’s actually good for the environment. It’s the Baltimore area’s largest green roof high atop the Hilton Baltimore Convention Center Hotel. The 32,000 square foot green roof is located on two buildings. Just for perspective, the roof will be slightly larger than the Baltimore Ravens’ football field.

“Hensel Phelps has been working for some time to incorporate environmentally friendly and sustainable building techniques into the projects we build,” explains Stan Carlat, Operations Manager of Hensel Phelps’ Mid-Atlantic District Office, the contractor in charge of the Baltimore Hilton project. “The green roof on this project not only offers environmental benefits, it will also enhance the look of the hotel and the guest experience since the meadowlike environment will be visible from some areas of the hotel. In addition, the green roof will help lower energy costs, a financial benefit for Hilton.”

The roof was designed by Roofscapes, Inc., a Philadelphia firm with extensive experience in the field, and installed by Furbish Company of Baltimore, which specializes in sustainable building systems. The team is rounded out by roofing companies Ralph J. Meyer Co. of Pittsburgh and local firm Rich Roofing, who installed the water-tight roofing system under the green roof, and Emory Knoll

24

MID-ATLANTIC BUILDER september/october 2008

www.homebuilders.org

Roofmeadow ROOFRUG, Roofscapes, Inc.

underlayment recovery board (optional)

Roofmeadow extensive media Roofmeadow drainage mat capillary fabric (optional for irrigated systems) root-barrier (optional) primary waterproofing membrane

insulation

Farms of Street, Maryland, who will provide the plants that will populate the roof.

The first portion of the roof was completed in November 2007. Installation of the second part of the roof started in mid-March and was completed in early April.

Shallow roots, deep benefits While some green roofs are modular systems which are constructed offsite and then installed, the Hilton’s roof is being built in place 4 stories above the ground. It is an extensive living roof which means the depth of the roof and growing media is less than six inches. That makes it lighter in weight and lower maintenance than an intensive living roof which can be home to a wide variety of plants and even small trees. The roof will be planted with six types of Sedums, low growing, shallow-rooted succulents that are extremely drought tolerant.

“This roof will be a resilient, living machine,” says Michael Furbish, President of Furbish Company. “The biggest advantage it will offer is storm water management. The roof helps control erosion and runoff because 65 percent of rainfall will remain on the roof, nourishing the plants. The rainfall that is shed from the roof comes off at a slower, deliberate pace very different from the destructive power of water falling in fast, powerful, concentrated streams that occur with a traditional roof. That means you’re not stressing the ground storm water management systems and are also minimizing polluting runoff.”

And this living machine does much more than manage runoff. The plants create a protective blanket over the base roof materials providing significant protection against UV damage and minimizing expansion and contraction of the roof caused by temperature variations which can cause structural damage. That, in turn, extends the service life of the roof to three to five times longer than the life of a roof without a green cover. “You would usually have a 15 to 20 year warranty on the waterproof membrane on a roof,” explains Furbish. “With a green roof, you have a roof that could very well last 80 years, which is an economic benefit for building owners.”

Turning down the temperature on heat islands While most people would guess that green roofs also help cut energy costs, they might be surprised to learn how they achieve those savings. It’s not that the vegetation acts as an 8

insulator, but rather it’s a heat sink. According to the experts at Roofscapes, Inc., the green roof slowly absorbs and holds energy from the sunlight and then releases it when the ambient air cools. It acts as a heat storage battery and reduces heating and cooling demands within the building.

The vegetative cover reduces roof surface temperatures to about two or three degrees below ambient air temperature. At the hottest part of a sunny summer day, the temperature of a dark colored roof is about 175 degrees Fahrenheit. A light colored roof heats up to 130 degrees Fahrenheit. But a living roof’s temperature only rises to 95 degrees Fahrenheit.

Not only does this decreased temperature cut energy use within the building, it also mitigates what is known as the “heat island effect,” a term used to describe the phenomenon in which urban air and surface temperatures are up to 10 degrees higher than temperatures in surrounding rural areas. Heat islands can increase health hazards including air pollution and deaths caused by heat waves. The plants on a green roof also help make the city a quieter place by reducing sound reflection and transmission.

Green roofs: a “growing” movement As the drive to use more sustainable and environmentally sound building methods and materials continues to grow in the U.S., more designers and builders are including green roofs on their projects. In the near future, perhaps, green roofs will be as prevalent as they are in Germany, where the technology has been in use for more than 30 years and approximately 10 percent of all German roofs are green.

Michael Furbish foresees strong growth for living roofs and other sustainable technologies in the Baltimore/Washington area and across the country. “If we all just continue to follow approved building practices, we’d need four additional earths to supply the resources we’d use,” he says.

“That’s not feasible. We cannot continue down our current path without jeopardizing our future, our children’s futures and the futures of other cultures around the globe.”

Agrees Hensel Phelps’ Stan Carlat, “The positive effects of using sustainable building practices will be felt not just locally, but worldwide. That’s one reason that Hensel Phelps seeks out opportunities to build green in our projects. It’s a win-win for everyone and we’re very pleased to be part of Baltimore’s move toward a greener city.” n www.homebuilders.org

www.homebuilders.org

september/october 2008 MID-ATLANTIC BUILDER

27

Green Marketing for Builders and Remodelers Understanding the benefits of green products or practices is key to capturing the market

28

MID-ATLANTIC BUILDER september/october 2008

www.homebuilders.org

By Jim Groff

M

ost builders and remodelers agree that the movement toward green building practices and products creates significant revenue potential. In fact, in a 2007 Professional Builder survey, 70 percent of builders said that green marketing is “extremely important” or “somewhat important” to their marketing strategy.

Unfortunately, builders and remodelers (along with manufacturers, distributors and dealers) face a significant challenge as they strive to realize the opportunity inherent in the evolving green building market. Not only must a business understand the environmental benefits of their products or practices, but they must be able to explain them.

Capturing a market of increasingly savvy consumers – particularly those green-educated homebuyers who may purchase higher-end residences – will require builders to take new, detailed approaches to marketing.

Here are a few critical steps builders and remodelers should incorporate into their green marketing efforts:

Understand the marketplace Have a firm understanding of green trends and issues. Keep yourself educated. Take time to meet with vendors and business partners about new green products, research or marketing approaches.

Consider designating someone in your company as your ‘green expert’ – and make them responsible for keeping on top of the newest policies and developing trends.

Be knowledgeable about your position in the marketplace. Most successful green marketing programs begin with some sort of research: How large is the market for your service and how important are green messages and product characteristics to them?

If you don’t have a large research budget, start by interviewing a dozen or so key customers. In addition, knowing what green claims your competitors are making can help you better position your own products. In your market, you may be able to position yourself as “green” before your competitors do.

Know your company’s green strengths Create an environmental stewardship policy. Good marketing and

branding should have a solid basis in reality. If you don’t have a formal “green” policy, or if you haven’t reviewed it recently, take a close look at your operations, programs and policies. Develop a written statement that underscores your commitment to sustainability and details the specific steps you have taken as an organization to “go green.”

www.homebuilders.org

Detail all green elements of your approach in several areas. If you

haven’t already, determine and quantify the aspects that your product or service contributes to sustainability: Green design (situating a home on a lot for maximum energy efficiency); green production processes (on-site practices that reduce waste); and homeowner comfort (products and practices that effectively manage indoor air quality and moisture). This can help demonstrate a comprehensive green building approach. Be sure to back up all claims with verifiable support.

Capturing a market of increasingly savvy consumers – particularly those green-educated homebuyers who may purchase higher-end residences – will require builders to take new, detailed approaches to marketing.

Know your customers Be a good listener. Builders must articulate why the consumer should care about green elements: What’s in it for them? To build those messages, you should get to know whether your customers are deeply committed to environmental issues, or simply ‘fashionably green,’ by addressing green issues in customer questionnaires or initial consultations. Hearing and understanding the priorities of the people for whom you are working can help you communicate the importance of your green strengths, as well as help to balance budget, resources, efficiency and expectations.

Create a green marketing program and follow it Armed with an in-depth understanding, a company can craft a detailed plan to leverage its green strengths. Among the primary elements of any plan: Audit all communications materials. Step back and assess all of

your marketing communications: brochures, sales sheets, direct mailers and all other materials. Some may also want to review logos, taglines and color schemes. Develop a plan for gradually modifying any materials to maximize your green message.

Focus on your website. Be sure your website’s content and design

reflect the green benefits of your product and your company’s sustainability efforts. In addition, review your search engine continued on page 32 september/october 2008 MID-ATLANTIC BUILDER

29

30

MID-ATLANTIC BUILDER september/october 2008

www.homebuilders.org

www.homebuilders.org

september/october 2008 MID-ATLANTIC BUILDER

31

continued from page 29 optimization (SEO) program – be sure all key words, links and other SEO tactics work to boost your site rankings for Web visitors using green-related search terms.

‘Deputize’ your team. Take time to train employees, sale repre-

sentatives and business partners about your green marketing program – your key messages, ways in which your company has modified its marketing approach, and why green is important to growth. Educating your team is an inexpensive but effective way to build momentum and bring consistency to a program.

Green: The time is now There’s no longer any argument for builders to take a “wait and see” attitude toward greener building and marketing. In fact, the National Association of Home Builders reports that, by the end of 2007, half its members were already incorporating green practices into their building approach. So, get started today. Take the first step by taking credit for the green practices you already employ and build from there. Those who carefully orchestrate their green marketing approach will be poised to take fullest advantage of the exploding green opportunity. n Jim Groff is president of Baublitz Advertising of York, Pa., a full-service marketing firm that is a member of the U.S. Green Building Council. You can reach Jim Groff at groffjc@baublitz.com. For a fuller treatment of the issues discussed in this article, download a complimentary copy of the white paper, “Seeing Green: The Environmental Marketing Opportunity,” at www.baublitz.com.

Take a look www.homebuilders.org

Redesigned to meet the needs of builders, remodelers, subcontractors, suppliers and home owners.

Easy to navigate, both consumers and industry professionals can instantly gain access to membership lists, statistical information, government affairs updates, event calendars and more.

•

You’ll be able to register for events online, update your membership information, pay dues and more.

•

32

MID-ATLANTIC BUILDER september/october 2008

www.homebuilders.org

www.homebuilders.org

september/october 2008 MID-ATLANTIC BUILDER

33

green building GETTING TO GREEN! – NGBS MAKING PROGRESS!

A Practical Guide to NAHB Model Green Building Guidelines

By H. Alan Mooney, P.E. Figure 1. L-E-S-S Low impact Work with the site, don’t remake it Efficient

Conserve energy, water and materials, both on site and by minimizing shipping

Sustainable Use manufactured products instead of grown/organic products Small

Build a smaller home

Figure 2. Threshold Point Ratings for Green Buildings NGBS, 2008 (NAHB, 2005)

I

n the last issue, I talked about the pending release of the National Green Building Standard (NGBS) following a collaborative effort between ANSI and NAHB. As of May 22, 2008, that process has moved into its final stage; final comments have been submitted and the NGBS is expected to be approved by ANSI in the near future.

In future issues I will compare the NGBS to the previous NAHB Green Building Guidelines.

In fact, there are a lot of changes, both to the individual categories and to the scope. While the fundamentals have not changed, the process to get to a green building rating has; it is more comprehensive and more complicated.

As you consider green building for your company, perhaps this acronym will help.

L-E-S-S. Figure 1.

Both the NGBS and the LEED-H standards are intended to guide you to this objective.

While there are many, many details and it appears to be a sophisticated process, if you keep these objectives in mind, there is a very high probability that you will meet the require-

ments for a NGBS rating with the homes you are building now. In other words, as I have said before, if you want to build a green home, establish a starting point by looking closely at what you are building now. Most of the standards are driven by logic, common sense and good construction practice and, in my experience, that’s what already guides the homes you are building.

As you develop your green building program and standards for your company, keep in mind my previous articles about your signature. Who you are as a builder, what you “stand for,” will be more important in the long run than that you are building “green.”

For reference, here is the latest table establishing the new threshold ratings and adding the new “Emerald” (think “brilliant green!”) rating. (Figure 2, see below) 1. In addition to the threshold number of points in each category, all mandatory provisions of each category shall be implemented.

Category

Bronze

Silver

Gold

Emerald

Lot Design

39 (8)

66 (10)

93 (12)

119

Resource Efficiency

45 (44)

79 (60)

113 (77)

146

Energy Efficiency

30 (37)

60 (62)

100 (100)

120

Water Efficiency

14 (6)

26 (13)

41 (19)

60

Environmental Quality

36 (32)

65 (54)

100 (72)

140

Homeowner Education

8 (7)

10 (7)

11 (9)

12

Global Impact *

(3)

(5)

(6)

Optional

50 (100)

100 (100)

100 (100)

100

TOTALS

222 (234)

406 (306)

558 (389)

697

* Global Impact has been deleted from the NGBS.

34

MID-ATLANTIC BUILDER september/october 2008

www.homebuilders.org

www.homebuilders.org

september/october 2008 MID-ATLANTIC BUILDER

35

green building Who you are as a builder, what you “stand for,” will be more important in the long run than that you are building “green.”

2. For dwelling units greater than 4,000 square

304 Green Buildings. The threshold points

feet, the number of points in global impact shall be increased in accordance with Section 601.1. (A prorated increase based on floor area). Total Points shall be increased by the same number of points.

With those concepts in mind, how do you achieve a green performance “threshold” rating?

Here are some excerpts and a review of what the latest draft of the NGBS says.

required for the environmental performance levels for a green building shall be in accordance with Table 304. To qualify for one of these performance levels, all of the following shall be satisfied: 1. The threshold number of points, in accordance with Table 304, shall be achieved as prescribed in Categories 1 through 6. The lowest level achieved in any category shall determine the overall performance level achieved for the building.

2. In addition to the threshold number of points in each category, all mandatory provisions of each category shall be implemented.

3. In addition to Section 701, either Section 702 (the Performance Analysis) or Section 703 (the Prescriptive Method) shall be used to establish the threshold Performance Level under Category 3 (Energy Efficiency).

4. In addition to the threshold number of points prescribed in Categories 1 through 6, additional points from Category 7 shall be achieved from any of the Categories.

Where deemed appropriate by the Adopting Entity, additional points from Category 7 may be assigned to another category (or categories) to increase the threshold points required for that category (or categories).

Points shall not be reduced by the Adopting Entity in any of the seven other categories.

Paragraph 304 is, again, essentially the same as 302; it is just emphasizing a few variables in the standards, such as the Prescriptive Method for energy conservation.

Compliance Method 301 Environmental Performance Levels. The building, project, site, and/or development’s environmental performance level shall consist of all mandatory requirements, plus points assessed using the point system specified…

Paragraph 301 is pretty simple; read the tables and the corresponding sections, satisfy the mandatory requirements and add those discretionary items you choose to get to the level you want.

302 Awarding of Points. Points shall be awarded as follows: 1. The maximum number of points that can be awarded for each practice is noted within that practice.

2. Point allocation for multi-unit buildings shall be as prescribed in Section 304.

3. The Adopting Entity shall allow new products and practices to be added where deemed to meet the intent of this Standard. Points assigned for any new product or practice shall be determined at the discretion of the Adopting Entity.

Paragraph 302 is essentially the same as 301 except to add point (3) that allows the standard to grow and gives you the option of seeking approval for things you think are green but are not specifically addressed in the standard.

36

MID-ATLANTIC BUILDER september/october 2008

305 Multi-Unit Buildings. For multi-unit buildings, points for the green building practices that apply to multiple units shall be credited once for the entire building. Where points are credited, practices shall be implemented in all units as applicable. Where application of a prescribed practice allows for a different number of points for different units in a multi-unit building, the fewer number of points shall be awarded.

www.homebuilders.org

Performance Level Green Remodel Practice

BRONZE

SILVER

GOLD

EMERALD

Increase in energy and water efficiency as per Section 307*

25%

50%

75%

100%

Figure 3. Table 306 Threshold Point Ratings for Green Remodels

* See Section 307 for mandatory compliance requirements.

Paragraph 305 simply expands the single family standard to multi-family buildings and provides criteria for prorating the points. Essentially, you are pursuing a green rating for the building as a whole, not individual units, therefore you cannot add points for each unit that complies. Including multi-family buildings is new to the NGBS; it was not in the NAHB Green Building Guidelines.

306 Green Remodel. The threshold points re-

quired for the environmental performance levels for a green remodel shall be in accordance with Table 306. Figure 3.

Paragraph 306 addresses remodeling projects, which were not included in the previous NAHB Green Building Guidelines. Essentially, the Remodel requirements relate to improvements in performance, primarily for energy and water conservation. There is quite a lot added to NGBS on remodeling and additions. We will review that in more detail in another article.

But Who Does It? The NGBS, in paragraph 108, says: Verification of conformance to green building practices shall be the appropriate construction document, architectural plans, site plans, specifications, builder certification and sign-off, inspection report or other data that demonstrates conformance as determined by the Adopting Entity. Where specific documentation is required by a provision of the Standard, that documentation will be noted with that provision.

In other words, documentation to confirm compliance is up to you. Unlike LEED which has created a network of LEED certified consultants, the NGBS is leaving it to you to confirm your compliance, based on documents that show your intent prepared by your designers or other professionals. In some cases, verification by a sub-contractor is suggested.

For your green claims to have credibility, your reputation for “doing what you say you will do” becomes very important. I think this is a good approach since it helps separate the genuine

www.homebuilders.org

quality builders from the “wannabes.”

However, it also means giving some thought to your signature as builder, something I have discussed before.

HBAM is considering a program for thirdparty certification of compliance with NGBS. If established, that will add still more credibility to your program, especially considering that neither NGBS nor LEEDS is mandatory yet.

However, what you do on your own and with clear commitment and documentation, will ultimately be your best evidence of your delivery of a green product.

Your signature is lasting. Building green is important but no longer distinctive. In the future, building green will probably be mandated. Effectively combining the two will serve you well for a long time and, for most builders, will be a continuation of your already established reputation and commitment to quality construction. Don’t think of yourself as a green builder. Instead, think of yourself as a quality builder with a commitment to craftsmanship and customer satisfaction, all with a green background.

As the NGBS develops, we will continue to review the changes and the differences between that and the previous NABH Green Building Standards. n Criterium Engineers has specialized in residential construction for nearly 50 years, with more than 60 offices in more than 30 states. We have evaluated more than 600,000 buildings.

H. Alan Mooney, P.E, President of Criterium Engineers, is a licensed, Professional Engineer in 8 states, with more than 35 years experience and has been the author and presenter for various NAHB programs, mostly on construction quality. For more information, please visit www.criterium-engineers.com.

Don’t think of yourself as a green builder.

Instead, think of yourself as a quality builder with a commitment to craftsmanship and customer satisfaction, all with a green background.

september/october 2008 MID-ATLANTIC BUILDER

37

journal of light construction

Housed-Stringer Exterior Stairs A simple site-built jig made it easy to build this elegant outdoor staircase

by Andy Engel

I

prefer to build stairs using housed-stringers, which means that the ends of the treads and risers are wedged and glued into mortises routed into the stringers. While this approach sounds like a lot of work, it doesn’t take much longer than crafting a decent set of notched-stringer stairs. What you get for the extra effort is a stronger stair, since you haven’t notched away half the stringer, and one that’s practically seamless.

While I first used this technique to build interior stairs, I particularly like it for exterior ones. The tight, glued joints at the stringer tend

38

MID-ATLANTIC BUILDER september/october 2008

to keep out water and I pitch the stairs about 1⁄ 8 inch per foot of run to prevent water from puddling. Stairs built this way stand up to the weather without the cupping and cracking common to most porch or deck stairs. Because each riser acts as a beam supporting the tread above, I’ve never felt the need for more than two stringers. I’ve built porch stairs that were eight feet wide using just two housed-stringers.

Preparing the Stock You can use any rot-resistant material for exterior stairs. For the project shown on these www.homebuilders.org

pages, I chose relatively cheap pressure-treated 2x12s for the treads, since they would be painted to match my client’s painted porch floor.

The stringers (which would also be painted) are treated 2x10s; because they remain mostly intact, they’re actually much stronger than notched 2x12s. I used 4/4 meranti — a fairly rot-resistant tropical hardwood that’s readily available in my area — for the risers, in part because PT stock isn’t available in the 1x8 or 1x10 sizes that I needed. In addition, meranti risers clear-finished with a Penofin penetrating oil finish would nicely match the meranti porch railing that I’d already made for the deck.

When I’m building a set of stairs, I select the best stock I can, checking for knots, digs and pitch pockets and cutting out as many defects

www.homebuilders.org

as possible. I pay close attention to the bows and crowns in all the stringer, riser and tread stock. In every case, any crown faces up. Additionally, when I lay out the stringers, I make sure that the bows in them will face each other.

That way, the bows more or less cancel each other out, resulting in a straight, square stair.

After cutting the treads and risers to length, I rip them to width. To straighten the edges, I like to rip both sides of the stock. These treads are 11 inches wide, which, with a 1 1⁄4-inch overhang, gives me a run of 9 3⁄4 inches. After ripping the treads, I bullnose them with a 3⁄8-inch roundover bit. This bullnose perfectly matches the radius left at the front of the mortise by the 3⁄4-inch-diameter bit I use to hog out the mortises. I rip the risers to the stair

september/october 2008 MID-ATLANTIC BUILDER

39

journal of light construction Figure 1. After laying out the stringers, the author makes a plywood jig to guide the pattern routing bit he will use to cut the mortises for the treads and risers.

Laying Out Housed-stringers A. Set stair gauges on square (9 3/4" for the run and 7 1/2" for the rise) and mark run line.

Clamp

Crown Ri se

n Ru

D. Align jig with tread/riser layout lines, clamp to stringer

2 x 10 stringer

Tread/riser layout lines

B. Remove stair gauges. Shift square forward along run line by about 2", moving tread/riser layout further into stringer. Reset gauges.

1"-thick plywood jig (2 layers of 1/2" plywood glued up)

Site-built jig

71/2" original rise 11/4"

3/ 4"

11/2"

93/4" original run

C. Lay out treads and risers using original rise/run measurements to index framing square. If necessary, shift layout one way or the other to accommodate any wood defects.

16"

14" 10" 4° angle

4° angle

71/2"

20"

93/4"

rise of 7 1⁄ 2 inches, except for the bottom one, which has to be one tread thickness — 1 1⁄ 2 inches — narrower.

Laying Out the Stringers

Figure 2. Because the site-built jig will guide the router, it’s important to cut the template carefully. Here, a carpenter makes the first plunge cuts with a circular saw (top) and then finishes up with a jigsaw (bottom).

40

There are two main differences between laying out housed-stringer stairs and notched-stringer stairs. Unlike notched stringers, housed-stringers are laid out from the bottom edge of the stringer. Instead of marking the bottom of the tread and the back of the riser, the layout marks you make for housed-stringers represent the top of the tread and the front of the riser (see Figure 1).

I set stair gauges on my framing square exactly as if I were going to notch the stringers, with one gauge on the 9 3⁄4-inch run and one on the 7 1⁄ 2-inch rise. Working from the bottom, I lay the square on the stringer, mark the run line, then remove the gauges and shift the square forward along this line by about 2 inches. Holding the square exactly on this line, I reset the gauges, then lay out the first riser and tread. As I move the square down the stringer to lay out the rest of the treads

MID-ATLANTIC BUILDER september/october 2008

and risers, I align the original 9 3⁄4-inch run length on the square with the riser line I’ve just marked; if I’m moving up the stringer, the original 7 1⁄ 2-inch riser height on the square lines up with the tread I’ve just marked. When all the treads and risers are laid out, I mark the top and bottom cuts. The top cut is one riser thickness behind the face of the top riser. I like to make the bottom plumb cut about half the thickness of the newel beyond the bottom tread nosing.

Starting at the back-of-the-tread/bottom-ofthe-riser intersections, I use a square to transfer index marks to the second stringer. When laying out the second stringer, be sure that those same tread and riser intersections align with the index marks. You may have to fudge one or two by as much as 1⁄8 inch, but as long as you stay within that tolerance, the stringers will be consistent and your stair will be square. Fudging the layout in this way may require you to plane some of the treads for an exact fit.

Because more than half the stringer will be visible to anyone walking up the stairs, I pay attention to knots and the like. Simply shifting www.homebuilders.org

journal of light construction

the layout 6 inches one way or the other can place wood defects behind the treads and risers, making a piece of #2 material look like #1.

Cutting the Mortises

Figure 3. Using a plunge router with a 3⁄4-inch diameter pattern routing bit, the carpenter cuts 1⁄2-inch-deep mortises in two passes. The jig is clamped to the stringer so that the top of the tread and the front of the riser align with the layout marks.

Figure 4. Cut from 9-inch-long scrap riser material, the wedges are beveled at 4 degrees, which is done by setting the saw to 2 degrees and flipping the stock end-for-end at each cut. The carpenter eyeballs the cuts so that the sharp ends of the wedges measure about 3⁄ 16 inch.

42

You don’t need a lot of specialized tools to build a set of housed-stringer stairs.

To cut tread and riser housings, I use my old 2 1⁄ 2-hp Bosch plunge router (anything smaller would be straining) with a pattern routing bit (I use a CMT 811.690.11B) guided by a jig I make from plywood scraps. I use a Kreg pocket screw guide to help me fasten everything together.

A simple jig. The key to housed-stringer stairs is the jig and a pattern routing bit. To match the 1-inch depth of the available pattern routing bits, I make my jig 1 inch thick by gluing up two 16-inch-by-20-inch thicknesses of void-free 1⁄ 2-inch plywood.

I mark the cutouts in the jig several inches longer than any stair layout I’ll ever make, since they have to be long enough for the mortises to extend through the bottom of the stringer and any extra opening beyond the bottom of the stringer helps in clearing chips. It’s okay to make the jig larger, but don’t make it any smaller, or the clamps used to hold the jig in place will get in the way of the router.

When I cut out the opening, I plunge cut with a circular saw and finish up with either a jigsaw or hand saw (Figure 2, page 40).

Since this jig will guide the router bit, any flaws in the cuts will show up in the mortises, so I cut carefully.

Rout in a clockwise direction. I clamp the jig to the stringer so that the top of the tread and the front of the riser align with the layout marks. The tread nosing, of course, sticks out past the riser mark. Using a 3⁄4-inch-diameter pattern routing bit, I cut 1⁄2-inch-deep mortises in two passes, making sure that the bit is lowered enough that the bearing rides on the jig. (If the bearing doesn’t ride on the jig, the bit will cut into it.) To minimize any chance of nicking the jig, I lower the bit into the jig beyond the stringer before starting the router (Figure 3).

MID-ATLANTIC BUILDER september/october 2008

With such a large bit buried in a tough southern yellow pine stringer, feed direction is critical. I move the router clockwise so that I don’t jam the router by climb cutting, and stop when necessary to clear chips. To avoid tear-out where the back of the tread meets the front of the riser, the routing passes are made working from the top to the bottom of the right stringer and in the opposite direction on the left stringer.

After cutting the mortises, I make the top and bottom cuts in each stringer with a circular saw.

Assembling the Stair Before putting the stair together, I cut wedges from 9-inch-long scrap riser material with a miter saw. The wedges are beveled at 4 degrees, which is done by setting the chop saw to 2 degrees, then flipping the stock end-for-end at each cut. I eyeball the cuts so that the sharp ends of the wedges measure about 3⁄16 inch, and cut two for each tread and riser (Figure 4).

A word of caution: Don’t cut too many wedges from each piece of stock; to keep your fingers intact, throw away at least 3 inches of each block.

Next, I set the stringers upside down on horses and firmly seat the top and bottom treads in their mortises with their crowns facing up. Then I check that the back of each tread aligns with the riser cut above (“above” and “below” in this case refer to the orientation of the stair once it’s installed). If the tread’s too wide, I plane it down to fit. With the tread seated and the stringers bar-clamped together, I drive home a heavily glued wedge on each side, stopping when the end of the wedge starts to splinter (Figure 5, page 44). If the wedge has intruded into the riser mortise below, I chop off the intrusion with a chisel. For glue, I prefer to use Titebond III, which is rated for outdoor use, but PL 400 or a polyurethane glue would work, too.

After I’ve set the top and bottom treads, I check for square by measuring the stair’s diagonals. If the treads are squarely cut, the stair should be dead on. If it’s off a bit, I adjust the www.homebuilders.org

www.homebuilders.org

september/october 2008 MID-ATLANTIC BUILDER

43

journal of light construction

Figure 5. With the tread seated and the stringers bar-clamped together, the carpenter drives home a heavily glued wedge on each side.

Figure 6. To set a riser, the carpenter runs a bead of glue along its top, then seats it in its mortises so that it contacts the tread above and smears the glue around, which helps prevent drips (above left). Then he runs a bead of glue along the back of the tread before driving home wedges on each side of the riser (above right).

stringers to get the diagonals even. Then I set and wedge the rest of the treads, cutting back any wedges that extend beyond their tread with a handsaw.

Gluing sequence is important. When placing the risers, I make sure that any crown faces the tread above. First, I run a bead of glue along a riser top, then quickly seat it in its mortises so that it contacts the tread above. This smears the glue around, and helps prevent drips.

Then I pull the riser away from the tread below and run a bead of glue along the back of that tread before sliding the riser back into position (Figure 6). Finally, I liberally apply glue to a pair of wedges and smack home a wedge on each side of the riser, occasionally tapping the riser to keep it seated against the tread above.

Screws complete the assembly. Using a Kreg jig, I drill three pocket screw holes into the top of each riser. Epoxy-coated 1 5⁄8-inch deck screws driven here pull the tread and riser snugly together, and help ensure a sound glue joint. Using the Kreg pocket screw bit (any countersink bit would work, but this one’s handy), I then predrill for 2 1⁄2-inch stainless steel screws into the back of the tread below (Figure 7).

As soon as the last riser is in, I flip the stairs over so that I can scrape off any glue drips.

Setting the stairs is a piece of cake. Two or three guys can move them into position, and half a dozen screws into the top riser secures them. n Andy Engel is a carpenter and writer in Roxbury, Conn.

Figure 7. Using a Kreg jig, the carpenter drills three pocket screw holes into the top of the riser, then uses epoxy coated 1 5⁄8-inch deck screws to pull the tread and riser together (top). Next he pre-drills (bottom) before driving 2 1⁄2-inch stainless steel screws through each riser into the back of the tread below.

44

MID-ATLANTIC BUILDER september/october 2008

www.homebuilders.org

www.homebuilders.org

september/october 2008 MID-ATLANTIC BUILDER

45

Benefits of Membership Legislative Advocacy Public Relations and Information Education EVENTS Events and Conferences ANNUAL

& CONFERENCES

HBAM offers a variety of events and programs each year that provide both business and social forums to increase your industry contacts.

HOMEBUILDERS Association of Maryland

Contact Kim Dresser at 410-265-7400, ext. 115 or kim@homebuilders.org for more information.

46

MID-ATLANTIC BUILDER september/october 2008

Builder Mart Key Connections MAX Maryland Awards of Excellence International Builders’ Show Celebrity Chef Night, Auction & Wine Festival Golf Outing & Picnic HBAM Remodelers Awards of Excellence The Governors Conference on Housing The Maryland Housing Conference Th e Maryland Real Estate & Construction Forecast Conference Icon Awards President’s Luncheon La nd Development Council Community Development Awards

Do Business With Your Fellow HBAM Members.

“Building Your Business Through Association” is our philosophy. HBAM members believe that they should support those who support the building industry.

NETWORK with other companies in the building industry to gain new contacts as well as strengthen your current ones at the Celebrity Chef Night & Auction, Golf Outing & Picnic, sporting events, chapter and council meetings and more.

KEEP UP-TO-DATE about pertinent legislative and regulatory issues on a local, state and national level.

INCREASE YOUR KNOWLEDGE of the building industry through our educational programs and seminars.

TARGET YOUR MARKET with cost effective advertising in any of HBAM’s publications and receive a spreadsheet of HBAM members.

STAY INFORMED with HBAM’s publications. You will receive Mid-Atlantic Builder, HomeFront, HomeFront Online and the Buyers’ Guide.

ADD CREDIBILITY for your company in the building industry as well as with the general public by being associated with one of the largest building associations in the country.

WWW.HOMEBUILDERS.ORG is designed to serve both consumers and those in the building industry. You can access the latest legislative news, find out about member benefits, profile your company in the online directory or register for an event. Consumers can visit the HBAM home page to find you and other builders or suppliers in their area.

The site received over 3 million hits in 2007. www.homebuilders.org

HBAM Welcomes New Members Associates AmeriGas Propane

Don Lynch 1573 Tilco Drive, Suite 2 Frederick, MD 21704 Phone: 301-620-1879 Fax: 301-620-9046 www.amerigas.com Sponsor: Scott Armiger, Orchard Development Corporation Supplier - Propane

Billboard Marketing Maria Schulze 5236 Grovemont Drive Elkridge, MD 21075 Phone: 410-747-2830 Fax: 410-747-2839 Sponsor: Scott Armiger, Orchard Development Corporation Supplier - Promotional Products

Bob Lucido Team LLC Remax Advantage Realty Bob Lucido 8171 Maple Lawn Blvd., Suite 150 Fulton, MD 20759 Phone: 240-295-6000 Fax: 240-295-4220 Sponsor: Pat Costello, Forty West Builders, Inc. Professional Services - Real Estate

Builder/Architect Magazine Sunshine Media Gail Dixon 9400 Snowden River Parkway Suite 110 Columbia, MD 21045 Phone: 443-742-5669 Fax: 410-381-1293 www.builderarchitect.com Professional Services - Publishing & Printing

Eastern Alliance Insurance Group Sarah Steciw 25 Race Avenue Lancaster, PA 17603 Phone: 888-654-7100 Fax: 717-399-3781 www.eains.com Sponsor: Eliot Powell, Whitehall Development, LLC Professional Services - Insurance

Harbour Sign & Graphics, Ltd. Rich Cegelski 5700 Erdman Avenue Baltimore, MD 21205 Phone: 410-488-8810 Fax: 410-488-8813 Professional Services - Signs & Displays

www.homebuilders.org

HMS Insurance Assoc.

Brian Baker Inc. t/a Baker Homes

The Liparini Co., Inc.

Chuck Wise 10751 Falls Road Suite 256 Lutherville, MD 21093 Phone: 410-337-9755 Sponsor: Theresa Leatherbury, Rachuba Group, The Professional Services - Insurance

Brian Baker P.O. Box 495 Fallston, MD 21047 Phone: 410-803-0640 Fax: 410-893-7925 Builder - Small Volume

Nick Liparini 8835-P Columbia 100 Pkwy Columbia, MD 21045 Phone: 410-730-0810 Fax: 410-715-0681 www.brantlygroup.com

Liberty Custom Homes

Remodeler

K Benefit Solutions Mark Kauffman 11350 McCormick Road, Suite 1000 EPII Hunt Valley, MD 21231 Phone: 443-886-2748 Fax: 888-469-1542 Professional Services - Insurance

M.R. Stone Paul Menzi - MR Stone 1202 Rising Ridge Rd. Mt. Airy, MD 21771 Phone: 301-607-9988 Fax: 301-831-0309 Sponsor: Shawnn Bittorie, William Douglas Associates, Inc. Supplier - Stone, Marble & Granite

Kevin Philpot P.O. Box 187 Chester, MD 21619 Phone: 410-643-3099 Fax: 410-643-7418 www.libertycustomhomesusa.com Builder - Custom

developers

TM Contracting, LLC Tim Meuchel 720 E. Lake Avenue Baltimore, MD 21212-3135 Phone: 410-435-6699 Fax: 410-435-6700 www.tm-contracting.com Remodeler

St. John Properties, Inc. Jennifer McLaughlin 2560 Lord Baltimore Drive Baltimore, MD 21244 Phone: 410-788-0100 Fax: 410-369-1875 www.sjpi.com Sponsor: Eliot Powell, Whitehall Development, LLC

Madison Square Federal Savings Bank Ronald Ballard 9649 Belair Road, Suite 300 Baltimore, MD 21236 Phone: 410-529-7400 Fax: 410-529-4915 www.madisonsquarefsb.com Professional Services - Banking & Mortgage

ONeil Interactive LLC Dennis O’Neil 16102 Baconsfield Lane Monkton, MD 21111 Phone: 410-864-8911 Fax: 410-982-6570 Professional Services Consulting & Customer Svc.

Southern Elevator Brendan Skelly P.O. Box 414 Linthicum Heights, MD 21090 Phone: 443-927-7126 Fax: 410-694-0893 Supplier - Elevator & Lift Systems

Builders

Art Wood Builders, Inc. Brian Wood 1412 Rock Ridge Road Jarrettsville, MD 21084 Phone: 410-692-0035 Fax: 410-692-0035 www.artwoodbuilders.com Builder - Custom

september/october 2008 MID-ATLANTIC BUILDER

47

HBAM Policy Partners

HBAM Policy Partners | 2008

What is a Policy Partner? Since 2001, HBAM has been underwriting benchmark studies and programs that have been essential in helping us build our case that: • The buildable inventory, across the region, is precariously low (2003 University of Maryland study by Dr. Gerrit Knaap); that • Counties and municipalities must be accountable for maintaining sustainable residential development capacity (2001 RESI/Towson University Study of Baltimore County); that • At specific price points, new residential construction is a net contributor to a county’s tax base (2004 Optimal Solutions Group, Anirban Basu and RESI/Towson University); that • The lack of affordable workforce housing throughout central Maryland is severely affecting our quality of life (Maryland Workforce Housing Coalition 2005); and mostly • Building moratoria do not curtail growth, they only serve to deflect it to ever more remote areas of the mid Atlantic region (University of Maryland 2005).

As we continue to press our case, these fact based, objective studies and policy initiatives have been critical in convincing governmental officials that our concerns and positions are legitimate.

Policy Partners are those members who have been willing to financially support this essential work. Please review the list of our current Policy Partners. I encourage you to recognize and thank them for their leadership. We, and indeed all in the industry, owe them a debt of gratitude. We also must take the opportunity to encourage you, if your company is not on the list, to join them by becoming a HBAM Policy Partner. Please call Nancy Fox at 410-265-7400, ext. 122 or email nancy@homebuilders.org. n

2008

Beazer Homes + Bob Ward Companies + Clark Turner Signature Homes, LLC* Forty West Group, Inc.+ Gemcraft Homes, Inc.* Goodier Builders, Inc.+ Grayson Homes+ Mister, Burton & Palmisano, P.C.+ Mueller Homes, Inc. Orchard Development* Owings Brothers Contracting, Inc.+ Powers Homes* Provident Bank+

Pulte Homes Maryland DC Division + Residential Title & Escrow Company+ Ryland Homes + Shelter Systems Limited + Susquehanna Bank+ The Rachuba Group + Thomas Builders, Inc.+ Whitehall Development, LLC + Williamsburg Group,LLC + Woodhaven Building and Development+

+ Received * Commitment Made As of 5/29/08

Sponsor Club Members do business with members

Presenting Members Taking Care of Business We Take Banking Personally Firewall Specialists

All Things Financial

We Don’t Just Insure Builders, We Help Build a Better Bottom Line

contributing Members Allied Building Products Expect Excellence ChesapeakeHome Magazine IWIF Injured Workers Insurance Fund

Lansing Building Products Provident Bank The Right Size Bank Residential Title & Escrow Company Don’t Make a Move Without Us!

Ryland Homes America’s Home Builder Saratoga Insurance Brokers Susquehanna Bank

T.W. Perry Wachovia Uncommon Wisdom The Williamsburg Group Maryland’s Award Winning Homebuilder

K. Hovnanian Homes The First Name in Lasting Value

48

MID-ATLANTIC BUILDER september/october 2008

www.homebuilders.org

The Home Builders Association of Maryland presents

A Builders’ Tour of frAnce October 2008 Paris & Provence

Earn Your Way to France with the HBAM Membership Recruitment Program How? Simple! For every new member you get to join HBAM between June 1st 2007 and October 1st 2008, you will get a voucher toward your unforgettable trip to France. Get a new member at the basic dues level of $665 and get a $250 voucher. Get a new member at the $5,000 level and get a $2,750 voucher. Get a new member in the top dues category and get a Free Trip Voucher. There is no limit on the number of vouchers you can earn.

Or, you can simply pay the fee yourself. And this year, vouchers can be exchanged within the same company.

This Builders’ Tour is specially designed for you. Fly direct to and from Paris, from nearby Dulles Airport.

Special presentations in each destination will provide insights into the unique architectural and building techniques used to construct century’s old historic buildings still in use today.

Travel with your building industry friends and enjoy France’s best weather season with average temperatures in the mid-70s. You will experience France’s incomparable sights, sounds and tastes. Stay in premier hotels.

Enjoy ample free time. Schedule a day side trip to Monet’s Giverny or into the French Countryside. Best of all—let us pay your way... some of it or all if it.

$3,975 per person/double occupancy (single supplement available)

Tour Features Round trip air to Paris, from Dulles International Airport N Transfers between airports and hotels N 8 nights accommodations at exclusive hotels N Breakfast daily N Two full days of guided sightseeing N 1 dinner in each city N Private deluxe motor coach transportation on day trip to Aix en Provence and Avignon N Special building industry focus on each tour with experts in each city N Tour is partially deductible as a business expense* N Exclusive gourmet dinner (jacket and tie) aboard Bateaux Mouche on the Seine N

Make your reservations now and then rack up voucher credits in our membership campaign and see how much of France you can get for free! Don’t wait, make your plans and reservations now. Due to the exclusive facilities included in this very upscale trip, reservations are necessarily limited.

*Ask your accountant to determine deductibility

What better way to kick

A deposit of $800 per person will confirm your space on this special tour. For reservations, call Via WAYE Travel & Cruises at 410-828-5655 or 800-852-3113.

back from the everyday stresses of today’s market than a top flight “get

“This was our first time to Europe and it was entirely stress free and truly the experience of a lifetime. We can hardly wait for France in 2008.”

Dave and Julie Chmura Elegant Builders

away” to beautiful Paris and Provence. Join HBAM on its second international tour, this time to France, and to get you there, we’ll help you pay your way...some of it, or all of it.

www.homebuilders.org

september/october 2008 MID-ATLANTIC BUILDER

49

corner features legal NAHB Efforts Minimize Problems with Lead Paint Rule As a result of a series of NAHB meetings with the Environmental Protection Agency, the

Office of Management and Budget and members of Congress, the EPA’s Lead: Renovation, Repair and Painting rule recognizes that remodelers cannot be held responsible for pre-existing lead hazards and that professional remodelers make homes safer and cleaner after completing their work.

In direct response to NAHB concerns, the rule includes a statement outlining the difference between lead remediation

50

MID-ATLANTIC BUILDER september/october 2008

workers, who work explicitly to remove lead from homes, and remodelers, who are not hired or equipped for lead hazard removal work. Professional remodelers minimize lead hazard exposure through clean work practices.

Remodelers were concerned that the rule would have required them to spend time and money at the end of a job verifying that the area was clear of lead by testing dust either in a lab or on site.

Listening to NAHB concerns, the EPA has now instituted a more reasonable process

that outlines cleaning steps after a job has been completed.

Also resulting from NAHB advocacy, the rule now recognizes previous training through the Department of Housing and Urban Development on working with lead, which will make it easier for those who hold this certification to receive approval to work in lead-exposed homes under the new rule.

While the specifics are still being developed, HUD-certified remodelers would need to take a four-hour refresher course and pass a test to be certified under the new lead paint rule.

Remodelers estimate that jobs involving lead paint may increase as much as 20 percent under the regulation, and they remain concerned that there is no requirement for home owners to comply, opening up a major gap in the protection of children.

During the next few months, NAHB will be working to educate its members on the rule and consult with the EPA on rolling out a training program.

For more information, e-mail Kelly Mack at kmack@nahb.com or call her at 800-368-5242, ext. 8451. n

www.homebuilders.org

www.homebuilders.org

september/october 2008 MID-ATLANTIC BUILDER

51

corner features sales and marketing Save Your Gas Looking to make a major impact on your selling efforts without ever leaving your desk? Instead

of wasting windshield time, cruise the information superhighway.

Check out these tips for strategically researching potential customers without ever putting a gallon of gasoline in your car.

Brainstorm Abe Lincoln said, “Given eight hours to cut a cord of wood, spend two of them sharpening your axe.” Take time out to think freely. Focus on only positive opportunities and methods to learn. Even in these challenging times, perhaps because

of this challenging business environment, it is an opportune time to strategize for the future.

Seek Long-Term Opportunities During these times it is easy to panic and accept any sale that comes your way… which you should! But your proactive focus should target the specific audience that creates long term opportunities. Commercial sales, condo associations and one-time sales are valuable short term opportunities.

Concentrating on builders, subcontractors and re-sellers of your product will provide ongoing revenue streams for the future.

Use the Internet This tool brings information to your fingertips. Search web sites of associations such as HBAM (www.homebuilders.org), the NAHB (www.nahb.org) or the U.S. Census Bureau (www.census.gov) to stay updated on industry information. Then, visit company web sites, competitive manufacturer web sites and anything you can Google to gain more information on your target audience, their goals and how you can sell to them.

Speak Your Client’s Language Many prospects are difficult to reach on the phone. Rather than persistently leave messages, try dropping a casual prospecting e-mail to prospects and clients. This affords you the opportunity to be precise with your message and your clients the chance to receive your message and answer at their convenience. In the modern world, you must adapt to a variety of conversation mediums. Strive to figure out which is best for each individual client.

Manage Your Field Time Effectively Don’t drive aimlessly around your territory without appointments. If you don’t have a scheduled meeting in the field, then don’t leave your office. Cold calls and casual visits should be fill-in activity that surrounds productive scheduled appointments.

Based in Chicago since 1998, Building Leaders, Inc. has distinguished itself as the premier sales and sales management education specialists in the building materials industry. For more information, visit www.buildingleaders.com or call 773-769-4409. n

52

MID-ATLANTIC BUILDER september/october 2008

www.homebuilders.org

corner features technology Technology Adds Safety, Convenience, Energy Efficiency

By Lewis Franke The many technology advances in home safety, convenience, entertainment, energy efficiency, home building processes and more that are

available today not only help builders interact with customers more effectively, they help builders differentiate themselves from their competition.

But trying to keep up with and explain these advances to customers can be a bit bewildering. Builders should consider establishing relationships with electronic systems contractors (ESCs) who can help customers better utilize the technologies they choose for their homes.

Safety, Convenience and Efficiency Lighting controls are gaining in popularity because they not only provide safety and convenience for home owners, they add drama, fun and energy efficiency, too.

With lighting controls, home owners can create personal lighting environments for when they come home to an empty house, for when they have guests over for dinner or for whatever mood strikes them. Most lighting scenarios can be ac-

complished at the touch of a button, through preset timing or a command from a cell phone.

HVAC controls are another programmable technology that can help increase energy efficiency while also enabling home owners to enjoy their home environments more.

Home Entertainment The advances in entertainment-related technology include everything from surround sound and whole-house audio to home theaters and plasma and LCD highdefinition television.

Not only is the technology advancing the quality of images and sound people enjoy, it gives builders and home owners the flexibility to put the entertainment technology just about anywhere in the house.

More home owners are placing their flat panel TVs above fireplaces, for instance, because the new technology has a smaller footprint and needs less cabinetry. The same is true for speakers. Home owners and builders can place them throughout the house so music can be played in any room desired — or all of them ― while controlling the music from one location.

www.homebuilders.org

september/october 2008 MID-ATLANTIC BUILDER

53

Home Automation Home automation helps tie all these technologies together — and home servers are where home automation technology appears to be heading.

Think of home servers as a central computer that seamlessly integrates and distributes information to control the various technologies throughout the house. Not only can home servers store more information than typical desktop and laptop computers so home owners can store their digital music, photos, video and files conveniently, they also can be used to automate and direct all house functions.

The above are only a few of the technology options available in home building today ― and they will continue to evolve and provide more benefits to home owners. By offering technology resources that prospective home owners want, builders can position themselves with some of the best advertising available — a pleased customer. n Lewis Franke, CCPI, CCPD, CCI, is a CEDIA-certified installer, designer and instructor who specializes in complete systems integration. Franke works with DM Home Entertainment, a custom electronic systems contractor in the Dallas area and has more than 15 years experience with audio, video and AV systems integration. For more information, contact Franke at lefranke2000@yahoo.com.

Use our

logo

and gain credibility As HBAM members in good standing, we encourage you to use our logo on your advertising materials, website, business cards and promotional brochures. Your company will gain credibility in the building industry as well as with the general public. By using the Home Builders Association of Maryland’s logo, you can show the industry and consumers who you are, what you stand for and who you stand with.

Visit our website at www.homebuilders.org to download the logo today.

HOMEBUILDERS Association of Maryland

54

MID-ATLANTIC BUILDER september/october 2008

www.homebuilders.org

notableproducts ranchers whose livelihood requires arable land and pastures.

Now this “throwaway” wood, which might otherwise be burned down to clear land, can be put to productive use.

Pacific Western Wood Products Expands Bamboo Product Line

Onset Announces WiFi-based Monitoring solution for Tracking Renewable Energy Systems performance Onset Computer Corporation, the “HOBO” data logger company, unveiled the HOBO® U30/Wi-Fi Remote Monitoring System, a web-based monitoring system that provides real-time, remote access to energy and environmental data over any Wi-Fi network. The HOBO U30/Wi-Fi provides a simple and cost-effective means of verifying the effectiveness of green roofs, solar power systems, wind turbines and other types of renewable energy systems. It accurately measures, records and documents critical performance data that can be used to obtain green/energy-related rebates and credits. For example, it can track wind turbine efficiency by measuring wind speed, wind direction and output power. On green roofs, it can document performance by tracking air temperature, wind, soil moisture and rainfall. For more information, visit www.onsetcomp.com.

New Jeld-Wen Juniper Doors Deliver Sustainable, Eco-Savvy Style with Rustic Appeal JELD-WEN is the first to introduce interior and exterior doors made with Western juniper as part of the JELD-WEN® IWP® Estate collection. The natural beauty of juniper works well for rustic, historic and traditional styles, such as Mediterranean, Old World and Lodge architecture. Considered a “water hog,” the overgrowth of juniper, especially in the Western states, has been linked to the disappearance of critical water springs in high desert regions, as a single tree can consume 30 to 50 gallons of water per day.

Since invasive juniper outcompetes several native plant species, this leads to a loss of forests and wildlife habitat. So much so, state and local governments have offered programs to help support juniper removal in areas where it is quite literally a growing problem. In addition, junipers have created a major obstacle for farmers and www.homebuilders.org

Pacific Western Wood, Inc. is expanding its product line to include more Bamboo panels -- vertical and horizontal grain, natural and carbonized finishes and bamboo decking.

PWWP has many sizes of Natural and Carbonized panels in stock with more product on the way. Bamboo is the new green building product -- fast becoming a favorite choice of architects, cabinet makers, furniture makers and builders, Bamboo has been used for centuries in Asia and now plywood products are crafted from strips of Bamboo laminated together. It is moderately light in weight, has high strength and is a sustainable material that can be harvested every three to five years. Bamboo is an eco-friendly choice. Bamboo plywood is a versatile, attractive and sustainable material. For more information, visit www.pacificwesternwoodproducts.com.

Retro

The Tower

EcoSmart Fire Announces Two New Additions To The EcoSmart Fire Collection EcoSmart Fire, designers and producers of the EcoSmart Fireplace Collection have introduced The Tower, a free standing fire tower inspired by the ‘Padella Romana’, which was used as lighting inside the homes of wealthy Patrician families during the Roman Empire.

EcoSmart Fire, has also introduced Retro, a free-standing fireplace reminiscent of the 60’s with its rounded corners and tube design. Retro is ideal for both indoor and sheltered outdoor locations in either commercial or residential applications. Like the rest of the EcoSmart Fireplace collection, The Tower and The Retro burn environmentally friendly, non polluting denatured alcohol. The flame can be regulated and shuts off with a lever, leaving no mess and requiring no cleanup.

For more information, visit www.ecosmartfire.com.

september/october 2008 MID-ATLANTIC BUILDER

55

Consumers, Builders, Roofers, Electricians Embrace Roofing Solution That Delivers Solar Energy Benefits and Maintains Aesthetics of Tile Roof

Ceratech High Performance Green Cement Technology Unveiled For Masonry and General Construction Projects

The Eagle Solar Roof powered by Open Energy’s SolarSave® Integrated Solutions provides an environmentally sound and beautiful way for homeowners to save on their electricity costs.

The SolarSave® panels of the Eagle Solar Roof are effectively installed alongside roof tile on the home thereby maintaining the aesthetics and performance of a tile roof while generating clean, safe, quiet energy from the sun. The resulting installation provides quiet and reliable power generation, reducing pollution and green house gas emissions while delivering safe and secure sustainable energy. For additional information, visit www.eagleroofing.com.

Ceratech, Inc., unveiled “extreme green cement technology,” engineered specifically for masonry and new construction projects. The launch of the Fortress Extreme green Masonry SystemTM & RediMAX TM Cement Technology is expected to impact the architectural, engineering, building and manufacturing industries by allowing companies to specify green, high performance block, mortar, grout and concrete made from Ceratech’s revolutionary green sustainable cement binder technology. The Fortress Extreme green Masonry SystemTM is a block, mortar, grout and structural parging system that incorporates Ceratech’s ultra-high strength green cement technology to produce structures with superior strengths compared to traditional masonry products and in a condensed timeframe. For additional information, visit www.ceratechinc.com. n

56

MID-ATLANTIC BUILDER september/october 2008

www.homebuilders.org

www.homebuilders.org

september/october 2008 MID-ATLANTIC BUILDER

57

industrynews Pulte Homes Delivers Three Townhomes for Deserving Area Families What started as blank concrete slabs on an otherwise vacant lot in Havre de Grace, turned into three spanking new townhomes for deserving families set to become homeowners as part of the Harford Habitat Pulte Home Builders Blitz 2008. This marks the third straight year Pulte Homes, Mid-Atlantic Division has rallied for the Habitat cause, getting subcontractors on board to build the homes at no charge to Harford Habitat for Humanity.

This year’s Blitz is part of a national effort spearheaded by Habitat for Humanity International. Across the U.S., 1000 professional home builders, teamed with 110 Habitat for Humanity affiliates, are striving to complete 263 homes by week’s end, a process that normally would take months. The first Home Builders Blitz was staged in 2006. That year, 1,000 professional builders worked to create 250 for the needy in just one week.

While Habitat International elected to make this a bi-annual event, Harford Habitat held its own version last year because of a commitment made by Pulte to return, despite the real estate market’s economic down-turn.

“When I found out from Harford Habitat that I was accepted . . . my knees got a little weak.

My daughter and I looked at each other and grinned face-to-face, smiles were just from here to there.”

that we were able to accomplish this in these tough financial times. We are really blessed,” says Harford Habitat Executive Director Joann Blewett.

All Builders Blitz families are headed by single mothers: Candice Brooks, Tina Dunker and Denise Smith Williams. Says Dunker, “When I found out from Harford Habitat that I was accepted, I actually had to go into the office to drop something off. I had my oldest daughter with me and I gave them the paper and they told me I’d been accepted and my knees got a little weak. My daughter and I looked at each other and grinned faceto-face, smiles were just from here to there.”

“We’re building three homes for Habitat this year because we at Pulte love to give back to the community. And we’re giving three families an opportunity to have home ownership that they otherwise would not have had. Even though times are a little bit tough in the home industry right now, we’re more than happy to be here and be part of this,” says Pulte Homes – Mid Atlantic Division President, Lou Baker.

Pulte’s donation to Harford Habitat with the Blitz Build II will amount to more than $300,000, not factoring in the land purchase.

According to Mayor Dougherty, “This is going to certainly be a feather in our hat. The design, with front porches, is unheard of out there and I think it’s going to change the entire character of this neighborhood. Knowing Habitat, it’s a project where the people are invested. They become proud owners of a home, which is a plus-plus for the City of Havre de Grace.”

“We would have completely understood if Pulte decided they couldn’t do the build this year, but they stood by their commitment just like they stand behind the quality of their homes.

They got all their subcontractors on board, too. It’s because of that extended Pulte family, including Rob Manns, a designer with Edmeades & Stromdahl who donated architectural services, plus the City of Havre de Grace and Harford County government and sizeable grants from groups including the United Way of Central Maryland, APG Federal Credit Union, M&T Charitable Foundation and The Maryland Affordable Housing Trust

58

MID-ATLANTIC BUILDER september/october 2008

www.homebuilders.org

Allied Building Products Earns Forest Stewarship Council’s National Chain-of-Custody Certification Allied Building Products Corp., a distributor of residential and commercial roofing, siding, waterproofing, windows and interior/exterior building materials, announced that it has earned the nationally recognized Forest Stewardship Council’s Chain-of-Custody certification through the Rainforest Alliance’s SmartWood program.

A non-profit organization, the Forest Stewardship Council is devoted to encouraging the responsible management of the world’s forests and sets high standards to ensure forestry is practiced in an environmentally responsible, socially beneficial and economically viable way. As a Chain-of-Custody distributor, Allied Building Products grants its customers the option to identify and choose Forest Stewardship Council’s certified products knowing there is a system in place to verify the sources of the wood used to manufacture the products and provides a link between responsible production and consumption. As a certified member of the Forest Stewardship Council’s Chain-of-Custody program, Allied Building Products’ residential and commercial sales teams are now able to bid on projects that are seeking Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Building Rating System® designation - the nationally accepted benchmark for the design, construction and operation of high performance green buildings. For more information on Allied Building, stop by any branch location, call 1-800-4-ALLIED or visit www.alliedbuilding.com.

New Online Resource for Green Building Sector A valuable new resource is now available to corporations, government officials, the media and other stakeholders across the green building products industry. Scientific Certification Systems (SCS) has launched the SCS Certified Products Database.

The SCS Certified Products Database is available online by going to the SCS home page at www.scscertified.com and clicking on the icon and link in the lower right box, or by going directly to http://www.scscertified.com/ecoproducts/products/ The database allows users to search for certified products by manufacturer, product category, product sub-category, product type, brand name and certification number. Users also can conduct searches by the relevant SCS certification program and by conformance program or standard such as the ANSI/BIFMA furniture emissions standards or LEED. The user-friendly interfaces include easy-to-use features such as pull-down menus, open field key word searches and search refinement and reset functions. n

www.homebuilders.org

september/october 2008 MID-ATLANTIC BUILDER

59

courseofferings Making More Sales In 2009 and Positioning To Thrive Again in 2010 September 18, 2008 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM Hilton Baltimore 401 West Pratt Street Baltimore, MD 21202

2009 Real Estate & Construction Forecast Conference November 6, 2008 Martin’s West

Experts in the real estate industry will review recent trends in real estate and look to the future for opportunities. They will point out emerging hot spots, as well the mainstays of the real estate landscape. Find out what 2009 has in store for you and your company.

For information on any of the offered courses, please visit www.homebuilders.org.

cost for each course C Members – $250.00 R Non RC Members – $275.00 Non HBAM Members – $325.00

60

MID-ATLANTIC BUILDER september/october 2008

www.homebuilders.org

MID-ATLANTIC BUILDER september/october 2008

www.homebuilders.org

/H39 0cWZRW\U >`]RcQba 4cSZSR Pg 4]`eO`R BVW\YW\U

7\b`]RcQW\U /H39 >]`QV BVS CZbW[ObS >]`QV >ZO\Y •

;ORS eWbV >`]QSZZ• BSQV\]Z]Ug /H39 >]`QV Wa bVS ¿`ab ^]`QV TZ]]`W\U b] TcZTWZZ bVS ^`][WaS ]T PSOcbg O\R Rc`OPWZWbg 0SbbS` bVO\ e]]R ]` Q][^]aWbSa /H39 >]`QV Wa W[^S` dW]ca b] []Wabc`S \SdS` \SSRa ^OW\bW\U O\R `SaWaba aQ`ObQVW\U O\R abOW\W\U /H39 >]`QV Wa ^S`TSQb T]` Q]dS`SR ]` c\Q]dS`SR O^^ZWQObW]\a 4]` bVS Z]]Y ]T O b`ORWbW]\OZ ^]`QV eWbV \]\S ]T bVS VOaaZSa OaY OP]cb /H39 >]`QV

eee OhSY Q][ &%% /A9 /H39

MID-ATLANTIC BUILDER september/october 2008

– & /H39 0cWZRW\U >`]RcQba /ZZ `WUVba `SaS`dSR

www.homebuilders.org