Nation's Building News Online

Plain Text Version (Click Here for Graphical Version)

Sponsored by Countrywide Home Loans National Builder Division
and 2-10 Home Buyers Warranty

www.NAHB.org
Week of May 5, 2003

Front Page

President's Message

* There Are No Better Housing Advocates Anywhere

Regulation

* Urban Growth Boundaries Strike in San Jose
* City Claims Impact Fee Is a ‘Tax’
* Web Site Offers Help on EPA Compliance

Member Dividends

* NAHB Plays Key Role in Introducing Cost-Saving Foundations

Housing and Economics

* NAHB Works With Census on Property Tax Data
* Impact Fees Grow as Property Taxes Decline
* Home Building Rises in California, But It's Still Not Good Enough
* Spotlight on: Santa Fe

For Consumers

* The Kitchen Is the Most Important Room in the House

Small Builders and Remodelers

* Harvard Index Shows Gains in Remodeling Activity

Business Management

* Does Your Planning Software Match Your Project's Sophistication?
* Early Warning Signs Point to Possible Business Failure

Seniors Housing

* Seniors Buy Maintenance-Free Homes Close to Current Address
* Nursing Homes on the Decline

Research

* Wearable Computers a Possible Solution for Reading Blueprints

Building Systems

* Carpenter Bees Can Be Stopped From Tunneling Into Wood

Sales & Marketing

* Know Your Competition and Increase Your Sales

Labor

* Training Program Graduates Its First Class in Nashville

Building Products

* Fiber Glass Insulation Addresses Air Quality Concerns

Design

* Best in American Living Awards Accepting Entries

Building News Coast To Coast

Association News & Events

* Charlotte Builders Exemplify Ethics in Business

NBN Back Issues

 

NAHB Plays Key Role in Introducing Cost-Saving Foundations

NAHB staff and members and the NAHB Research Center played a central role in enabling home builders in colder climates to substantially reduce their foundation costs.

In 1984, the Research Center began development of technology for Frost-Protected Shallow Foundations, building upon experiences in Scandinavia where the technique was already widely used. The research was funded by the Society of the Plastics Industry, and Dick Morris, who is now on the NAHB Construction, Codes and Standards staff, was the principal investigator.

Research continued into the 1990s and in 1995 the American Society of Civil Engineers began writing a consensus standard for the design and construction of the foundations. That standard was published in September of 2001.


Sponsored by: Countrywide Home Loans

See how Countrywide’s Prime Rate OTC construction loan can offer more flexibility to qualified buyers.
Learn how our Home Equity Loan offers flexible payment options and the ability to reuse the funds.

Longtime NAHB builder member Gerald Eid, president of Eid-Co Buildings in Fargo, ND, chaired the consensus committee that wrote the standard.

“Cold-climate builders,” says Eid, “will be able to use this green technology to reduce foundation costs by up to 40% because they’ll be able to reduce the foundation frost depth to 12 or 16 inches and save energy and resources.”

The standard includes techniques for frost-protection of heated, semi-heated and unheated buildings. “I find the method to be especially useful for frost protection of handicap accessible slab-on-grade buildings,” says EID, “but there are also designs for crawl spaces and walk-out basements.”

To purchase a copy of the standard, click here.


Save Up to 69% With Viking Office Products

NAHB and Viking office products are working together to bring members more than just low prices through the NAHB's Member Advantage Program.  Viking advantages include fast overnight delivery, same-day delivery in major cities nationwide, savings up to 69% from manufacturers' list price, free delivery on orders as small as $25 (continental U.S. only), one-year guarantee on everything, complete delivery (virtually no backorders) and friendly, courteous, helpful people. 

Call 800-421-1222 and mention code 'HB' for the standard 10% member discount. Order online at www.VikingOP.com and use code 'HB' in the comments box to get your discount.

To order online and for details on more than a dozen other money-saving Member Advantage discount programs click here, or send a blank e-mail to membersavings@nahb.com.
Go to www.nahb.org to explore the numerous advantages associated with membership in your local, state and national home builders association.
[ Go to Top ]


Sponsored by: 2-10 Home Buyer's Warranty

Need to Buy General Liability Insurance?
Are You Controlling Your Exposure to Moisture, Mold and Fungus?
Structural Defects, Can They Happen to You?
Insurance Coverage a Challenge?

To unsubscribe or to manage your subscription, CLICK HERE

Nation's Building News Online is produced and distributed by the National Association of Home Builders