Parex 121 Optimum was specifically designed with applicators in mind. Applicators in the market were surveyed to better understand what they wanted out of a bagged base coat and adhesive product.  Based on this feedback, the proprietary 121 Optimum formula was developed to be easier for applicators to apply and handle on the wall.  "The product was developed to have a creamier consistency to help reduce arm fatigue", said Quenton Roehricht, Parex Brand Manager. "We have also improved the working time of the product allowing applicators to make corrections as needed".  

Parex 121 Optimum Base Coat & Adhesive is a dry bagged product that is a required component of our Optimum EIFS series, however it can be used in all of Parex EIFS.   Overall, the product provides the ability to achieve a more efficient application process for a superior EIFS installation.  In addition to EIFS, 121 Optimum can be used as a level coat for cement and masonry walls or for mesh embedment in Parex Krak-Shield (crack reduction) assemblies.  

"There has been quite a bit of excitement for the launch of 121 Optimum".  Quenton commented. "Applicators, involved in initial product testing, have eagerly anticipated its launch.  We are very pleased with the outcome of 121 Optimum".

About ParexLahabra Inc.
ParexLahabra Inc. is the US based parent company of leading building material brands; Parex, La Habra Stucco, El Rey Stucco, Teifs, Mer-Krete and Mer-Ko. The product lines of ParexLahabra Inc. are designed for the, new/retrofit, construction of commercial, institutional and residential buildings. The 2002, ISO 9001-2000 certification of Parex helped to substantiate ParexLahabra Inc. as a leader in the building materials industry with over 80 years of combined experience in the US construction industry. For more information regarding ParexLahabra visit parexlahabra.com

"The era of the 'McMansion' could well be over as home sizes have been trending downward recently, with a significantly higher number of architects reporting demand for smaller homes this year," said AIA Chief Economist Kermit Baker, PhD, Hon. AIA. "And as the housing boom has passed there seems to be a renewed interest in investing in properties to make homes more livable, as opposed to real estate that can be resold quickly for a profit." 

See the complete Housing Trends Survey results HERE

Says Lynn Franco, Director of The Conference Board Consumer Research Center: "After back-to-back months of strong gains, Consumer Confidence retreated in June. The decline in the Present Situation Index, caused by a less favorable assessment of business conditions and employment, continues to imply that economic conditions, while not as weak as earlier this year, are nonetheless weak. Looking ahead, Expectations continue to suggest less negative conditions in the months ahead, as opposed to strong growth."

Consumers' appraisal of present-day conditions was less favorable in June. Those claiming business conditions are "good" decreased to 8.0 percent from 8.8 percent, while those saying conditions are "bad" increased to 45.6 percent from 44.5 percent. Consumers' assessment of the labor market was also less favorable. Those stating jobs are "hard to get" increased to 44.8 percent from 43.9 percent. Those saying jobs are "plentiful" decreased to 4.5 percent from 5.8 percent.

Consumers' short-term outlook also waned in June. Consumers anticipating an improvement in business conditions over the next six months decreased to 21.2 percent from 22.5 percent, while those expecting conditions will worsen increased to 20.2 percent from 18.0 percent in May.

The job outlook was also more pessimistic. Those anticipating more jobs in the months ahead decreased to 17.4 percent from 19.3 percent, while those anticipating fewer jobs increased to 27.3 percent from 25.6 percent. The proportion of consumers expecting an increase in their incomes declined to 9.8 percent from 10.8 percent.

Stuart Miller, President and Chief Executive Officer of Lennar Corporation, said, "During the second quarter, the housing market experienced an uptick in sales of new homes, compared to the first quarter, as more confident homebuyers took advantage of increased affordability. Declining home prices, historically low interest rates and government stimulus programs, such as the $8,000 federal tax credit and the $10,000 California state tax credit, created unique purchasing opportunities and made it more compelling for homebuyers to enter the market. While we are sensing pent-up demand in the market, rising unemployment, increased foreclosures and tighter credit standards continue to present challenges for the industry to generate sales at a more robust pace and at stabilized pricing. This combined with a recent spike in mortgage rates has made it difficult to predict when the market will ultimately turn the corner."

The company said the average sales price of homes delivered decreased to $251,000 in the second quarter of 2009 from $274,000 in the same period last year, primarily due to reduced pricing. Sales incentives offered to homebuyers were $52,600 per home delivered in the second quarter of 2009, compared to $48,700 per home delivered in the same period last year.

"The hard truth is that we can't build our way out of this problem," said NAHB Chairman Joe Robson, a builder and developer in Tulsa, Okla. "We need to make sure our utilities more efficiently generate and transmit power. We need to make our existing housing stock more energy efficient. We need to reduce our 'plug load' - home appliances, televisions and computers - and make these products more energy efficient. This bill's focus on new home construction won't get us very far at all."

The House of Representatives on June 26 passed H.R. 2998, sweeping legislation that requires new homes to be built 30 percent more energy efficiently than mandated in the 2006 International Energy Conservation Code. That number increases to 50 percent by 2014 and then increases 5 percent every three years.

"That's simply too far, too fast," Robson said. "The market is not geared up to supply the necessary materials and equipment, and that's going to drive up costs. The result will be fewer working-class families in these new energy-efficient homes. They'll be relegated to older, less efficient housing stock and face ever higher utility bills."

According to the U.S. Department of Energy, homes are responsible for about 21 percent of the energy consumed each year. "Forcing more regulation on a fraction of those homes just won't move the needle," Robson said.

Nor does H.R. 2998 do much to address the more than 94 million homes built before 1991, when energy efficiency codes became the norm. The bill misses the mark because older, inefficient homes are the source of the vast majority of energy loss associated with buildings.

However, home builders and remodelers can and do play an important part in helping to reduce the nation's energy dependence, Robson pointed out. "The NAHB National Green Building Program is educating our builders and their customers and providing stringent, third-party certification for all green homes," he said. "Our members are eager to go green because that's what their customers want, and building in energy efficiency is a very important part of sustainable construction."

Robson called on Congress to create more balance in the final legislation by taking a page from solutions that already have reaped great benefits - such as this year's tax breaks for energy-efficient appliance, window and insulation purchases that can spur home owners to make needed changes to their homes. A more reasonable goal, such as a 30 percent increase in residential energy efficiency by 2012, a resolution unanimously passed by the NAHB Board of Directors, makes more sense, he said.

"This isn't about making it easier on builders. It's about coming up with a solution that makes sense and takes a balanced approach - not one that looks only to new buildings for energy reductions," Robson said. "We are at a particularly fragile point in our economic recovery, and saddling home buyers with additional costs makes it even more difficult to get a mortgage when credit is already tight.

"Let's look at ways to recover the energy lost in utility transmission. Let's incentivize innovation in renewable energy. Not only can we not afford such drastic change to new home construction, but more importantly, we cannot afford to wait for new homes to solve this problem," Robson said.

Learn more HERE

The building, which already meets Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) criteria, will undertake sustainability initiatives above and beyond those used by the United Stated Green Building Council to rate a green building. Modernization strategies, designed by Chicago-based Adrian Smith + Gordon Gill Architecture (AS+GG), include:

--Efficiency improvements to the building's exterior envelope and windows. The tower has 16,000 single-pane windows. Sustainability plans for the building call for a window replacement and glazing program. Strategies to achieve a thermal break of the curtain wall are also being investigated. These upgrades would achieve savings of up to 50 percent of heating energy.

--Mechanical systems upgrades in the form of new gas boilers that utilize fuel cell technologies, which generate electricity, heating and cooling at as much as 90 percent efficiency. Mechanical upgrades also will include new high-efficiency chillers and upgrades to the distribution system.

--The tower's 104 high speed elevators and 15 escalators that will be modernized with the latest technology to achieve 40 percent reduction in their energy consumption.

--Water savings that will be realized with conservation initiatives through upgrades to restroom fixtures, condensation recovery systems and water efficient landscaping, which will reduce water usage by 40 percent and save 24 million gallons of water each year.

--Lighting that will be upgraded through advanced lighting control systems and daylight harvesting, an advanced lighting control system that automatically dims lights in tenant spaces based on the amount of sunlight entering through the windows. Combined, these upgrades will save up to 40 percent of lighting energy consumption.

--Renewable energy like wind and solar, and technologies like green roofs that will be tested. Wind turbines will be tested to take advantage of the tower's height and unique set-back roof areas. Solar hot-water panels will help heat water for the building. Green roofs that can sustain high- altitude conditions, and that will be among the tallest in the world, will be tested to reduce storm water runoff, improve insulation, help mitigate the urban heat island effect, and provide pleasant vistas for tenants overlooking the areas.

"Buildings are the world's largest contributor to carbon emissions, and therefore the biggest opportunity to address climate change is to retrofit existing structures," said Adrian Smith, partner, AS+GG. "Our goal in the Sears Tower greening project is to create a holistic approach that integrates high-performance building technologies and design strategies for maximum energy efficiency. In the process, we hope to set a benchmark for how high-rise buildings throughout the world can limit their impact on the environment."

"Sustainable architecture in new buildings is important but not enough to address the climate and energy crises facing our world," added Gordon Gill, partner, AS+GG. "We have to apply what we've learned to our existing stock of commercial buildings--especially iconic structures such as Sears Tower, which we hope will inspire similar initiatives around the globe. These will serve as great examples for building owners and managers and can reposition existing building stock to be as competitive as most new buildings or even better."

Developers also plan to create greenspace around the tower's Plazas. A new hotel is also planned.

The cost of construction for the Sears Tower project is estimated at $350 million. A number of private and public financing and funding options are being explored. The majority of the energy savings will be realized in approximately five years and work will start immediately.

For more information on the sustainability plans for the building, please visit: www.searstower.com/icon

Read the story HERE

D51825
Clipped Head Framing Nailer
Date code range: 20080249-20082749

D51850
Full Round Head Framing Nailer
Date code range: 20080249-20082749

According to the recall notice, the bump action trigger on the framing nailers could have been incorrectly assembled during production, which would allow the nailer to eject a fastener unexpectedly or cause the trigger lock-off not to function. This can pose a serious injury hazard to the user or bystander.

The products were sold a wholesale distributors and retailers nationwide from January 2008 through September 2008 for about $280.

Consumers should immediately stop using the framing nailers and contact DEWALT for instructions on receiving a free replacement bump action trigger.

For additional information, contact DEWALT toll-free at (877) 437-7181 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday or visit the firm's Web site at www.DEWALT.com

The campaign, which was created and developed by Sub-Zero, features Wolf, Kohler, McGuire Furniture, Baker, Ann Sacks, FIJI Water, uncorked.com and Saveur Magazine. The interactive mini-site allows consumers to select kitchen products that best fit their individual needs, using resources such as photo galleries, videos and kitchen trend articles. The mini-site also includes the Dream Kitchen sweepstakes, where consumers have a chance to win approximately $50,000 in retail prizes from Sub-Zero and its partners. One winner will be selected through a random drawing on or around September 3, 2009.

"The Sub-Zero Dream Kitchen mini-site is the ultimate destination for consumers who want inspiration while planning their kitchens," said Christopher Parr, Brand Communications and Interactive Marketing Manager for Sub-Zero and Wolf. "Featuring wonderful brands and products, the mini-site allows consumers to imagine the possibilities."

"Saveur is thrilled to work in tandem with Sub-Zero and the other complementary brands on the Dream Kitchen promotion," said Merri Lee Kingsly, Saveur's Publisher. "This program reaches discerning consumers that appreciate quality products -- exactly the Saveur reader."

The Sub-Zero Dream Kitchen campaign is promoted across numerous channels, including magazines, websites, blogs, enewsletters, and the social networking sites Twitter and Facebook.

"FIJI Water is proud to partner with Sub-Zero for a promotion that is flawlessly executed across various channels," said Amy Shoaff, Senior Interactive Marketing Manager for FIJI Water. "This program is a perfect opportunity for us to reach our target demographic while working with brands that are equally committed to providing premium products that offer style and fine quality."

Learn more on the web at: http://subzerodreamkitchen.com

FLAMEDXX OSB is oriented strand board coated with a fire retardant in a proprietary process. The resulting panels qualify for a Class A fire retardant material rating (specifically, its Flame Spread Index = 10 and Smoke Developed Index = 110). In the extended 30-minute test, which is not conducted on most coated products, there is no evidence of progressive combustion.

Patrick Thompson, president of FLAMEDXX, said, "We are very pleased to have reached this agreement with Arch. They have been at the forefront of fire retardant treated wood products for decades. They know the market. We could not have found a better partner."

Rodney Hardison, Arch Wood Protection's New Business Development Manager for North America, said his company had been monitoring fire retardant coatings for several years. "There have been a number of manufacturers making claims for their coatings; FLAMEDXX has substantiated performance of its coated OSB through testing by accredited agencies using accepted protocols. It has been issued a code evaluation report. Fire retardant coated OSB fits well with our Dricon® wood product line, and FLAMEDXX OSB matches our desire to offer the most reliable options."

Arch Wood Protection, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Arch Chemicals, Inc., manufactures wood treating chemicals and licenses production of some of the best known brands of pressure-treated wood, including Dricon® fire retardant treated wood and Wolmanized® lumber. The company intends to market FLAMEDXX OSB through Dricon wood licensees and their dealers. FLAMEDXX OSB is used primarily for roof and wall sheathing, subfloors, single layer flooring, temporary shelters, and liners in multi-family residential housing and institutional and commercial buildings.

Read the story HERE

The Company delivered 1,761 homes at an average selling price of $216,200 in the second quarter of 2009, compared to 2,810 homes delivered in the year-earlier quarter at an average selling price of $226,600.

"As with many other industries and companies, prevailing recessionary economic conditions weighed heavily on the homebuilding industry and on our operations during the second quarter," said Jeffrey Mezger, president and chief executive officer. "Despite the turbulent economy, however, we narrowed our loss for the quarter compared to a year ago through the continued execution of strategic initiatives designed to improve our gross margins, reduce our overhead costs and restore our operations to profitability."

"Looking forward, although key economic indicators remain mixed, we are beginning to see signs that some negative housing market trends may be moderating at both the local and national levels," continued Mezger. "Ongoing foreclosure activity, which has increased housing supply and exerted downward pressure on home prices in a number of markets, is also leading housing affordability to record levels. Job market weakness and tight mortgage lending standards continue to restrain demand, yet consumer confidence appears to be growing. While these conflicting market signals make it premature to declare that housing has reached the end of its severe, multi-year correction, they may indicate we are approaching a point of relative stability, especially if the overall economy rebounds and mortgage interest rates remain low."

The show is an excellent opportunity for both homeowners and exhibitors to see what's out there as the ecomony (hopefully) starts to improve.

Learn more about the show at: www.manchesterhomeshow.com/

During the presentation at company headquarters in Chandler, Arizona, Todd McCormick also announced that McCormick Systems Inc. will continue to work with the Foundation to provide estimating software and companion education/training to institutions across the country. Company founder, Jack McCormick noted, "We've made an in-kind investment of close to $900,000 by giving colleges and universities access to our software. Students and their professors gain and so do their colleges."

McCormick's additional $100,000 cash investment in ELECTRI International will support both the Education Center and the new Transmission & Distribution Enterprise, a dedicated fund within the Research Center that focuses on research and education for line constructors. Jack McCormick is enthusiastic about this new fund. "Over the years, there have been a number of proposed projects that would have been beneficial for line contractors, but there's only so much project money to go around. We serve both the inside and outside parts of this industry, so it's a natural fit for McCormick to put money into this new dedicated fund." McCormick Systems is the first electrical construction industry partner to make an investment in the ELECTRI International T & D Enterprise.

McCormick Systems was founded in 1979 by Jack McCormick. "I had started out as an electrician apprentice in Eugene, Oregon, in 1958. By the early 1970s, I had my own electrical contracting company. Then, I had an idea for a new product and turned to one of NECA's Oregon chapters as a sounding board. Those chapter members were instrumental in reviewing and evaluating our new product development." NECA honored McCormick in 1981 with a special award for providing the first affordable estimating software on a mini-computer.

Acknowledging the McCormick Systems gift, ELECTRI Council chairman Michael Mazzeo (Mazzeo Electric Corporation, NY) stated, "We are honored to recognize McCormick Systems as an ELECTRI International Program Guarantor. The level of commitment shown by both Jack and Todd McCormick sends an important signal to our contractors and to other industry partners. We are strong. We are vital to our industry. We are moving forward."

The McCormick Systems gift also generates a release of $20,000 from the Foundation's current anonymous challenge grant. For additional information about ELECTRI International's research and education portfolio and about the Challenge Grant, contact ELECTRI executive, Russ Alessi at 301-215-4518 or rja@necanet.org

Organizers say they will host some webcasts in the Fall, while rescheduling the main event for next year.

To read the full announcement, go to: http://www.mhw.com/mhw/1312/conference/about-the-conference.jsp

Read the story at Architectural Record

In his new role at On Center Software, Moyer will be focusing primarily on the improvement of On Center Software's Solution Provider Network. His duties will also include supporting Integrated Business Partners whose products operate in conjunction with On-Screen Takeoff, such as Sage Timberline Office, MC2 ICE, McCormick Systems, U.S. Cost Success Estimator and WinEst cost estimating software.

"We are very excited to welcome David into the On Center Software family," said Angelo Castelli. "We know he will prove to be a great asset to the Business Development Department and the company in general. Having personally worked with David as a business partner during his time at Sage, we have seen firsthand the impact he can make in growing our Solution Provider Network."

Moyer brings with him over 20 years of experience in the construction software industry. Prior to joining On Center Software, he served as the Vice President of Sales for Digitek, Inc., a Sage Channel Partner. He also served as the Vice President of Sales for Sage Software, Construction and Real Estate Division.

Visit On Center Software at: www.oncenter.com

"Valore means 'value' in Italian," says Ray Rosewall, president and CEO of DaVinci Roofscapes. "We named this product Valore because this tile delivers value to both homeowners and roofing installers. Backed by our 50-year warranty, and now with the $10 per square rebate opportunity for installers, there's more 'valore' in this product than ever before!"

The $10 per square rebate on DaVinci Valore Shake and Valore Slate synthetic roofing tiles may be claimed by the roofing installer on both new roofing projects and reproofing projects. For official rebate forms and more details, call 1-800-DAVINCI.

For additional information call 1-800-328-4624 or visit davinciroofscapes.com

According to organizers, this year's show will emphasize green building and will have an all-new educational format for builders, developers and remodelers.

Learn more about the show at: www.sebcshow.com

"Today marks the start of a new beginning for USI," said Paul Lustig, Chief Executive Officer, USI. "In reaching this final milestone, we have emerged from our restructuring with a strengthened financial position and with, in essence, a debt free balance sheet. Our expeditious financial restructuring is a testament to the strength of our underlying business and we appreciate the unwavering dedication and loyalty shown by our employees, customers and suppliers through our reorganization. We are excited to move forward and capitalize on future opportunities as a financially stronger company."

Visit them online at: www.unitedsub.com

Browse this website, www.FrankRWalker.com for the estimating "bible", The Building Estimator's Reference Book, 28th Edition, and view abstracts of the content, containing over 1500 pages of analytical and tabular data presented in thousands of charts, reference tables and unit price tables embedded in the text and organized in EXCEL files. In the online version, these EXCEL files are accessible. The Building Estimator’s Reference Book is now positioned as the ideal companion for spreadsheet estimating and takes the “grunt work” out of developing spread sheet templates in your estimating system. Now the Walker "Classic" estimating reference book has been transformed to an online application in the estimating process.

According to Eugene R. Callahan, Walker CEO, "The redevelopment of this comprehensive body of work facilitates our ability to provide enormous amounts of constantly updated data previously limited by the constraints of print technology and broadens our reach to a diversified universe of users. The on-line subscription options allow design professionals, educators, general and subcontractors and specialty users to subscribe the data selectively and conveniently in their offices or in the field."

For more information, please contact THE FRANK R.WALKER COMPANY at:
Phone: 1-800-458-3737
eMail: info@FrankRalker.com
Web: www.FrankRWalker.com

Existing-home sales – including single-family, townhomes, condominiums and co-ops – rose 2.4 percent to a seasonally adjusted annual rate1 of 4.77 million units in May from a downwardly revised level of 4.66 million units in April, but remained 3.6 percent below the 4.95 million-unit pace in May 2008.

Lawrence Yun, NAR chief economist, expected an improvement. "Historically low mortgage interest rates clearly drew buyers into the market, and housing remains very affordable even with a recent uptick in rates," he said. "First-time buyers also are being drawn off the sidelines by the $8,000 tax credit, which is helping to absorb inventory. However, the increase in sales is less than expected because poor appraisals are stalling transactions. Pending home sales indicated much stronger activity, but some contracts are falling through from faulty valuations that keep buyers from getting a loan."

Total housing inventory at the end of May fell 3.5 percent to 3.80 million existing homes available for sale, which represents a 9.6-month supply at the current sales pace, down from a 10.1-month supply in April.

Yun said the appraisal problem is serious. "Lenders are using appraisers who may not be familiar with a neighborhood, or who compare traditional homes with distressed and discounted sales," he said. "In the past month, stories of appraisal problems have been snowballing from across the country with many contracts falling through at the last moment. There is danger of a delayed housing market recovery and a further rise in foreclosures if the appraisal problems are not quickly corrected."

An NAR practitioner survey in May showed first-time buyers accounted for 29 percent of transactions, and that the number of buyers looking at homes is nearly 10 percentage points higher than a year ago. "This is the time of year when we see large increases in the number of repeat buyers, who are benefitting from sales to entry-level buyers," Yun said. "Investors appear less active, but are more prevalent in areas with large price corrections."

NAR President Charles McMillan, a broker with Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage in Dallas-Fort Worth, said appraisals and the tax credit are key issues. "To maximize the potential for a housing recovery and subsequent economic recovery, we need realistic appraisals that are based on proper comparisons and done by a local specialist," he said. "In addition, the first-time buyer tax credit should be expanded to all buyers of primary homes regardless of income. Extending the credit into 2010 would allow more time for the market to catch up with underlying demand, in part because many families with children, who normally time their purchase based on school year considerations, do not have enough time to move before the start of school in late August.

"Freeing a pent-up demand in housing will absorb inventory at a faster pace, strengthen communities and stabilize home prices earlier," McMillan said.

The national median existing-home price for all housing types was $173,000 in May, down 16.8 percent from a year earlier. Distressed properties, which declined to 33 percent of all sales in May from 45 percent in April, continue to downwardly distort the median price because they generally sell at a discount relative to traditional homes.

"The decline in the distressed sales share likely results from an increase of repeat buyers in May," Yun said. "First-time buyers are concentrated in the lower price ranges, which include most of the distressed sales."

Single-family home sales rose 1.9 percent to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 4.25 million in May from a pace of 4.17 million in April, but are 3.0 percent below the 4.38 million-unit level in May 2008. The median existing single-family home price was $172,900 in May, down 16.1 percent from a year ago.

Existing condominium and co-op sales increased 6.1 percent to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 520,000 units in May from 490,000 in April, but are 8.9 percent below the 571,000-unit level in May 2008. The median existing condo price4 was $173,800 in May, down 21.9 percent from a year earlier.

Regionally, existing-home sales in the Northeast rose 3.9 percent to an annual level of 800,000 in May, but are 10.1 percent below a year ago. The median price in the Northeast was $243,600, which is 12.5 percent below May 2008.

Existing-home sales in the Midwest jumped 9.0 percent in May to a pace of 1.09 million but are 4.4 percent below May 2008. The median price in the Midwest was $145,800, which is 10.4 percent lower than a year ago. In the South, existing-home sales were unchanged at an annual pace of 1.74 million in May but are 8.9 percent below a year ago. The median price in the South was $157,400, down 9.9 percent from May 2008.

Existing-home sales in the West slipped 0.9 percent to an annual rate of 1.14 million in May, but are 11.8 percent higher than May 2008. The median price in the West was $197,700, down 30.6 percent from a year ago.

Housing demand has withered under the weight of crushing job losses, house price deflation, and tighter credit standards, the report concludes. First-time homebuyers are struggling to meet today’s stricter underwriting guidelines, household growth is well below long-term trends, and immigration has slowed; as a result, the share of homes for sale and vacancies stand at near record levels despite sharp decreases in housing production. “The best that can be said of the market is that house price corrections and steep cuts in housing production are creating the conditions that will lead to an eventual recovery,” remarks Eric S. Belsky, Executive Director of the Joint Center. “For now, markets remain under considerable stress.”

The housing downturn hit low-income minorities especially hard. With unemployment rates sharply higher among minorities, minority households are more likely than others to spend more than half of their incomes on housing. Also, higher shares of minorities live in neighborhoods with elevated foreclosure rates and where house prices fell the most.

Meanwhile, the number and share of households spending more than half their incomes on housing continues to remain at elevated levels. Before the economy began to shed jobs in 2008 and 2009, the number of households with such severe cost burdens, in 2007, stood at 18 million, up from 14 million, in 2001. Although renters are more cost burdened than homeowners, the most rapid growth in households with housing burdens, during the decade, occurred among owners.

Even though present housing challenges are legion—including still soaring foreclosures, millions of homeowners stuck in homes worth less than the amount they owe on their mortgage, and falling rental property values—the State of the Nation’s Housing report concludes that the demographic moorings of future demand remain strong. The largest generation in American history will be reaching young adulthood in record numbers over the next decade. As a result, even under a set of household projections that assume annual immigration falls some 40 percent below the average of the first half of this decade to just half of U.S. Census Bureau immigration projections, household growth from 2010-2020 should still rival the solid performance in the 1995-2005 period. Even if immigration slows considerably, minorities will still account for about three-quarters of household growth.

“With the echo baby boom driving demand for starter homes and apartments and the baby boom powering demand for homes suited to older Americans,” explains Mohsen Mostafavi, Dean of the Harvard University Graduate School of Design, “the design professions will be called upon to deploy new technologies and designs to meet the aesthetic tastes and functional needs of a new, more diverse younger generation on the one hand and a generation in need of home modifications to help them age more safely and healthfully in place on the other.”

Looking beyond the current turmoil, the report underscores the potential to reduce domestic energy consumption by making the existing housing stock more energy efficient and creating dynamic mixed-use communities. Bringing the efficiency of the existing housing stock up to that of homes built since 2000 could save as much as 20 percent of residential energy consumption and more compact urban development could cut vehicle miles traveled substantially. Getting there will be a challenge, cautions the report, because local regulations often discourage compact and mixed use developments. Further incentives may be necessary to get property owners to invest in meaningful energy upgrades.

The Joint Center for Housing Studies is one of the nation’s leading centers for information and research on housing markets and trends in the United States. Marking its 50th anniversary in 2009, the Joint Center is a collaborative unit affiliated with the Harvard Graduate School of Design and the Harvard Kennedy School. The State of the Nation’s Housing report has summarized national housing trends for a wide audience of policymakers, practitioners, industry decision makers, academics, affordable housing advocates, and public sector leaders since 1988. The Center’s research and additional information about its programs and activities are available at www.jchs.harvard.edu

This decision furthers KB Home's commitment to building more sustainable, environmentally friendly homes. While KB Home already offers Shaw low-VOC carpet that meets the Carpet and Rug Institute (CRI) Green Label Plus standards, all carpet offered in homes that begin construction after June 30, 2009 will also be recyclable.

"This is one more example of how KB Home is exploring all aspects of our homes and finding ways to use more environmentally friendly products that are good for our customers and our planet," said Jeffrey Mezger, president and chief executive officer of KB Home. "As a national homebuilder, we take seriously the opportunity we have to change the way new homes are built today for the sake of a better tomorrow. Shaw has been an outstanding partner to work with in our company-wide commitment to sustainability."

KB Home homebuyers can now choose between Shaw's Anso(R) nylon carpets and other Nylon 6 carpets, both of which are recyclable using a cradle-to-cradle manufacturing process that converts old carpet into a raw material that can be used to make new carpet. This practice mimics the renewal process in which natural products can be returned to the earth for decomposition. Shaw's Anso nylon products also contain post-consumer carpet content derived from its recycling operation. Shaw currently recycles 120 million pounds of Nylon 6 carpet each year and was recently recognized by the EPA and the Carpet America Recovery Effort (CARE) with the EPA/CARE Innovations in Carpet Recycling Award for the company's Evergreen Nylon Recycling facility and leadership in post-consumer carpet recycling.

"We applaud the decision by KB Home to ensure that carpets in all of its homes are recyclable in a cradle-to-cradle process," Shaw CEO Vance Bell said. "Shaw's Anso nylon and other Nylon 6 carpets are the most sustainable products available because of their capability to be recycled and repesent a distinct environmental benefit."

Shaw's Evergreen facility is part of a system of efficient post-consumer carpet collection, recycling, and value recovery on a large scale. Shaw has reclaimed and recycled more than 225 million pounds of post-consumer carpet since Evergreen's opening in 2007. If a homeowner decides to install new flooring, they should ask their flooring installer to recycle their old carpet or contact Shaw at 1-800-434-9887 to locate the nearest recycling facility.

"Today's report provides further evidence that the recovery is going to be a slow one as the housing market continues to bump along, trying to find a bottom," added NAHB Chief Economist David Crowe. "The good news is that, even as the sales pace leveled in May, inventories of unsold new homes continued to shrink for a 25th consecutive month - a trend that is helping bring supply and demand into better alignment and thereby setting the stage for an eventual market recovery."

The median sales price of new houses sold in May 2009 was $221,600; the average sales price was $274,300. The seasonally adjusted estimate of new houses for sale at the end of May was 292,000. This represents a supply of 10.2 months at the current sales rate.

The number of new homes for sale fell 2.3 percent to 292,000, which is a 10.2-month supply at the current sales pace.

Regionally, the decline in new-home sales was entirely focused on the South, where sales fell 8.5 percent for the month. Meanwhile, sales of new homes gained 1.3 percent in the West and posted double-digit gains of 28.6 percent and 18.6 percent in the Northeast and Midwest, respectively.

The Black Mamba saw blade bodies are laser cut from virgin steel, then flattened, ground and tensioned. Carbide tips are then brazed onto the plates and ground to our specifications, enabling smooth, accurate cutting. Black Mamba blades also feature laser cut expansion slots that reduce noise, minimize vibrations and prevent heat buildup and blade warping, as well as laser cut diamond knockouts for easy twist removal. Each step in the manufacturing process is computer-controlled and monitored by sophisticated inspection equipment to assure the tightest tolerances and superior quality.

"The Black Mamba blades provide exceptional value for professional framing applications where clean cuts and superior performance are required," said Phil Fried, A.G.E. sales manager with Amana Tool. "With the A.G.E. line, we provide access to the highest quality saw blades at the best possible prices for professional users and contractors. Our top-quality, European-manufactured saw blades are built on the Amana Tool reputation for high quality and superior performance standards."

Black Mamba saw blades are available in 7 ¼" diameter with either 24 teeth for general rip and cut framing or decking (#MD7240) or 40 teeth for finish cuts (#MD7400). Prices start at $11.16 USD per blade. To view or download an A.G.E. catalog, visit www.agecuttingtools.com

Read more at the Minneapolis Star Tribune

Or you can download the Sherwin-Williams app at: sherwin-williams.com/colorsnap

Benjamin Moore's app can be downloaded at apple.com/iphone/appstore

At a hearing this week in Wilmington, Delaware, the Court granted initial approval for BMHC to access a new $80 million in debtor-in-possession (DIP) financing facility from Wells Fargo Bank and certain of its other existing lenders. The Court authorized $40 million to be immediately available to the Company on an interim basis, with the full $80 million accessible upon final Court approval. The Company expects the new financing to provide ample liquidity to meet its ongoing obligations to employees, customers and suppliers during the reorganization process.

"We are very pleased that the Bankruptcy Court in Delaware has approved our First Day Motions and our DIP financing, which allow us to continue business as usual and to meet our obligations to our customers, suppliers and employees," said Robert E. Mellor, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. "All of our operations are open, and we are continuing to serve our customers with the same focus and dedication as always. We appreciate the support we have seen from both our customers and suppliers as we move forward with this process to make BMHC financially stronger for the long term."

BMHC will maintain normal operations and continue to pay employee wages, salaries and benefits in the usual manner. The Company intends to make payment for goods received and services provided to it on or after the filing date in the normal course of business and in accordance with the terms of existing supplier agreements. In addition, under its proposed Plan of Reorganization, the Company expects to pay in full suppliers of goods provided in the 20 days prior to filing and those with claims of under $5,000.

"Owning a home is still a big part of the American dream," said Luis Fernando Ramirez, vice president west region for Coca-Cola North America. "Home ownership for first-time homebuyers has become increasingly difficult for families. We are excited to offer the local community a chance to live the dream. There's nothing more gratifying to us than being able to refresh consumers and make their lives more enjoyable as they 'open happiness' this summer."

Consumers receive one (1) automatic entry into the California Dream Home Giveaway sweepstakes each time they purchase four (4) of the eligible Coca-Cola Company products listed below in a single transaction at participating Albertsons stores. Purchases must be made during the promotional period, and consumers must use their Albertsons Preferred Savings Card. Eligible Coca-Cola products for entry accrual are:

--12 pack (12oz cans) or 8 pack (12oz bottles) of sparkling beverages of the Coca-Cola Company
--8 pack (20oz bottles) of POWERADE ION4
--12 pack (.5 liter bottles) of Nestea
--12 pack or 4 pack Vitaminwater

The California Home Giveaway sweepstakes is only open to legal residents of California and Nevada who are 21 years of age or older at the time of promotion registration. Sweepstakes begins June 17 and ends August 11.

Learn more about the show at: www.gardeningcolorado.com/fall/default.htm

Tests have shown that Dura Coat XT-10 paint coating with Teflon®surface protector is harder, stronger, longer lasting and more scratch resistant, providing an overall better protection than other rain gutter coating systems. This means owners of Custom-Bilt Metals continuous gutters will likely be able to eliminate a yearly chore on their calendars; cleaning the exterior of the gutters and enjoy their resistance to "tiger striping," a term used by builders for the dirty vertical streaks common to gutters.

Custom-Bilt Metals knows that gutters have the potential to detract from the beauty of a home, so they have provided features to ensure that their rain gutters provide an aesthetically pleasing element. Aluminum and steel gutters are available in 22 colors and are all finished with Dura Coat XT-10 with Teflon(R) surface protector that will help keep them cleaner longer and offer the ability to create an attractive trim feature along the roof that is also highly functional. Uncoated copper rain gutters are also available and may be ideal for those looking to add a naturally weathered elegance to the look of a home.

"As a homeowner I know I dread the process of cleaning gutters and often procrastinate about it," said Tony Chiovare, president of Custom-Bilt Metals. "Depending on the weather and where you live dirt, dust and air pollution can build up on gutters which can create an eyesore on the home. Our continuous gutters aim to be a care-free product and thanks to their durability, long-term ease-of-care and lifetime warranty, they will also be the last gutter system a homeowner will ever need."

Giving builders a competitive edge With Custom-Bilt Metals' continuous gutters, builders are able to integrate stylish and durable gutters into a new build, remodel or reroofing project and are armed with a lifetime warranty. With these benefits and the advantage of well-known brand names including Dura Coat XT-10 with Teflon surface protector, Ironman roll-forming machines and Custom-Bilt Metals' steel, builders will stand out from the competition.

For builders and contractors, Custom-Bilt Metals has created a one-stop shop for the installation of all types of roll-formed gutters, providing five different gutter profiles in 22 colors, which are delivered to the jobsite with necessary supplies including accessories and fabrication equipment. They are also the only manufacturer that finishes their gutters with Dura Coat XT-10 with Teflon(R) surface protector for added customer satisfaction. In addition, Custom-Bilt Metals will assist contractors in finding a gutter professional that is experienced and qualified to perform the installation.

To learn more about Custom-Bilt Metals' continuous gutters with Dura Coat XT-10 with Teflon surface protector visit www.custombiltmetals.com/products-gutters.php

EngineerSupply is always looking for new ways to improve their customers online shopping experience. One of their recent developments is the addition of online product videos. These videos address many frequently asked questions and offer customers a way to see products in use. EngineerSupply is also getting involved in social networking, including a blog, online videos, a YouTube page, a Facebook page and a twitter profile. This allows them to better connect with their customers and allows for an easy exchange of information and ideas. EngineerSupply regularly publishes online articles to assist customers with product selection and common questions. These are just some of the small steps EngineerSupply is taking now to ensure their customers are being taken care of and served for years to come.


Visit them online at www.engineersupply.com

With Excel's architectural design team creating so many designs, the company is introducing the Excel Drawing Board, a new blog that will not only showcase these modular and prefab designs and renderings, but ask builders and consumers to provide their feedback. Excel's architects will consider all the feedback and may make changes based on the suggestions provided. The feedback will also help Excel's team decide whether or not to finalize the featured design concepts.

Feedback provided on the blog will also help to inform Excel's design team as they move forward on the needs and aspirations of both builders and consumers.

"As the nation's top custom modular manufacturer, we thrive on innovation and our unique ability to construct almost any home or commercial space using our precision manufacturing process," said Steve Scharnhorst, President and CEO of Excel Homes. "It's really key to our innovation process that we address the needs of our builder partners, and showcase design features that consumers are looking for in their dream homes. The new Excel Drawing Board blog provides a unique, online, interactive space that is open to everyone so we can achieve this goal."

Included with each prospective design will be an artistic rendering and description highlighting the benefits and features of the concept. Excel's architects will also provide information on the use of each design, what inspired them and green features.

The first four features will include a Flexi-School, featuring a series of modules connected to form educational structures that can meet any size and needs; Eco-Friendly Classroom designs that provide mentally stimulating environments; the (Un)boxy Short-term Housing Complex solution; and Ready-To-Go Rest Facilities for interstate roadside rest stops that can also be modified for use in other locations such as school athletic fields, amusement parks and golf courses.

Based in Camp Hill, PA, Excel Homes is the largest custom modular home manufacturer in the United States. The company has built more than 28,000 modular homes since its inception in 1984, with a footprint that spans from Maine to Georgia and as far west as Michigan. Excel Homes builds modules in climate-controlled plants in Liverpool, PA, Avis, PA, Oxford, ME, and Marlboro, NY.

The blog can be found at http://www.exceldrawingboard.com/

Fire Safety, the first webinar in the Hard Hat Safe-T-Zone series, will be held August 13 and 25 at 7:00 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. in eastern, central, mountain and pacific time zones.

With over 25 years of management and safety training experience, FBMA's Director of Safety, Phil Copare, will present each webinar in the Hard Hat Safe-T-Zone series. With a masters in business from Rollins College and bachelors in building construction from the University of Florida, Phil is a certified OSHA instructor and has provided consulting services to notable clients such as the Associated Builders & Contractors, Inc.; National Center for Construction Education and Research; and Everglades University.

For a nominal fee of $50.00 per logged on computer, companies can register both employees and customers for the Hard Hat Safe-T-Zone webinar series. For users operating a personal computer, the computer should be operating on Windows 2000 or higher. MAC users will need a version of OS X 10.4 (Tiger) or higher. Audio is available by use of telephone, or a computer with speakers and a microphone.

To obtain a synopsis for each webinar, dates, times and website link to register, contact Cristina I. Bowerman, FBMA's Director of Communications at (352) 383-0366, ext. 234 or e-mail Cristina@fbma.org

Established in 1920, FBMA promotes the use of wood building and accessory products, develops programs to make businesses more efficient and effective, provides networking opportunities and lobbying efforts for its membership and the betterment of the building supply industry throughout the State of Florida.

According to Randy Mendioroz, principal of Aquatic Design Group (ADG), annual operating costs for an outdoor pool can cost thousands with natural gas (71% of total cost), electricity (14%), pool chemicals (10%), and water (5%).

Following are four ways to "green up" pool operations from ADG, a nationally renowned pool and aquatic design and consulting firm. These tips will help the environment and save significant money for pool owners - from consumers to commercial pool operators and municipalities:

Warm Up to Thermal Blankets:
One daily task that yields major savings: thermal blankets. While some pool owners may grumble about removing and replacing covers each day, a well-insulated set of thermal blankets on a pool (even indoors) saves more costs than just about anything else. Studies on outdoor pools have shown natural gas cost savings of up to 40% for operators who dutifully replace pool blankets every evening. At an average capital cost of $2.50 per square foot of water surface area, thermal blankets can pay for themselves in six to 12 months.

Harness the Power of the Sun:
Interested in solar heating, especially with utility rates spiking? When natural gas had a unit price of $0.55 per thermal unit (therm), proposing solar was an exercise in political correctness since the payback averaged eight to 10 years and the average life of most systems was 12 years. Today, however, with natural gas prices hovering in the vicinity of $0.85-$1.00 per therm, more pool operators are going solar.

Installation cost for passive solar systems (assuming suitable mounting space with proper solar orientation) runs approximately $18-$22 per square foot of solar panel. The amount of solar panel required varies by region, but an average of 80% of water surface area is common. With a potential annual operating cost savings of $65,000-$75,000 (e.g. for 50-meter pool) and an expected full return on investment within four to six years, solar heating may be attractive to the average pool operator.

Lighten Up with LEDs:
Replacing energy-consuming incandescent underwater lights with high-efficiency LED fixtures can dramatically reduce expenses. A 70-watt LED fixture produces approximately the same amount of light as a 450-watt incandescent fixture, but saves nearly 85% in the amount of energy consumed. Initial capital costs for LEDs are approximately double that of incandescent: $500 per LED fixture, as opposed to $250 for an incandescent. However, LED lights will provide 55,000 hours of light compared to 3,800 hours of incandescent light. The changeover is well worth the investment.

Bye Bye Red Eyes:
Chlorine may be the most popular pool sanitizer, but when managed improperly may cause high levels of chloramines - the true culprit behind the obtrusive "chlorine" odor. By combining an adequate chemical control system - equipped with total water balance control and a part-per-million residual analyzer - and properly sized chlorine feed systems, such problems can be eliminated.

A healthy, virtually chemical-free alternative is an on-site salt water chlorine generation system. Non-iodized table salt (sodium chloride) is added directly into a swimming pool. Salt dosing levels typically range from 3,000 parts per million (ppm) to 5,000 ppm. Human tears have a salinity of 7,200 ppm (sea water: salinity of 36,000 ppm), so the concentration in the pool is relatively low: no salty smell, taste or feel.

As saline water passes through a chlorine generating cell, low electrical currents transform salt into chlorine. Once the chlorine has killed bacteria and other organic compounds, it reverts back to salt, and the process begins again.

Despite relatively high capital and maintenance costs, the advantages of salt water chlorine generation include reducing or eliminating the storage and handling of chlorine and other chemicals, eliminating the cost of purchasing liquid chlorine, and producing water with a more natural, smooth and silky "soft water" feel, akin to a European spa treatment.

Founded in 1984, Aquatic Design Group specializes in the design and engineering of innovative swimming pools and water features. For more information, call (760) 438-8400 or visit www.aquaticdesigngroup.com

The study, now in its third year, measures customer satisfaction with cabinets based on evaluations in five factors (in order of importance): ordering and delivery; price; operational performance; design features; and warranty. Customers may have installed the cabinets themselves or with help from family and friends; hired an independent contractor or remodeler; used an installation service provided by a home improvement retailer; or used an installation service provided by the product manufacturer.

KraftMaid Cabinetry ranks highest with a score of 749 on a 1,000-point scale and performs particularly well in three of five factors: ordering and delivery, operational performance and design features. Armstrong (746) follows in the rankings, performing particularly well in the price and warranty factors. Kitchen Craft Cabinetry (730) also ranks above the industry average.

The study finds that the importance of the ordering and delivery factor with cabinets has decreased considerably compared with 2008. At the same time, the importance of price and design have both increased.

"Consumer appetites for large remodeling projects have diminished due to the trying economic times," said Jim Howland, senior director of the real estate and construction practice at J.D. Power and Associates. "As a result, consumers are more price-sensitive when choosing cabinetry."

Providing good service during ordering and delivery, however, can still effectively differentiate cabinet manufacturers from their competition, even as consumers have become more price-sensitive.

"The challenge to manufacturers is that cabinetry products may be increasingly viewed as a commodity, so differentiation through ordering and delivery services becomes especially critical," said Howland.

Overall, cabinet manufacturers perform well in the ordering and delivery process. Cabinet owners report the following about their delivery experiences:

--91 percent received their cabinets as ordered; --90 percent received their cabinets on time; --86 percent received their cabinets both as ordered and on time; and --19 percent had cabinets that arrived damaged.

J.D. Power and Associates offers the following tips to consumers shopping for cabinets, based on what cabinet owners say is most important:

--As you shop for cabinet styles and finishes, consider your lifestyle and habits, including the wear and tear likely to be placed on your cabinetry. When it comes to wood finishes, certain woods--such as cherry, oak and hickory--are more shock-resistant than others.

--Pay close attention to how smoothly drawers open and close. Ask about the load rating for drawer slides to ensure they are strong enough to suit your needs. Look for self-closing and anti-slam features, as well.

--When remodeling your kitchen, choose your appliances first, then measure and fit the cabinets around them. Do this before measuring for and ordering your countertops.

--Shopping around and comparing prices is a given. Be sure to consider the cost of not only the base cabinets, but also any accessories, such as cutting boards, roll-out trays and storage accessories.

--Don't dismiss the need for spacers between your cabinets so that the doors clear your baseboards and the drawers don't rub against each other.

--When you order your cabinets, think ahead about delivery. Ask about the manufacturer's procedures for remedying defects or discrepancies in the order if they should occur. If the ordering process isn't smooth, it can tell you a lot about how the delivery might turn out.

--To protect the investment you've made in your new cabinets, adhere to the care instructions provided by the manufacturer. They may recommend a specific cleaner, for example. Check out the manufacturer's Web site for helpful information to help keep your cabinets looking new.

The 2009 Cabinet Satisfaction Study is based on responses from more than 1,300 consumers who purchased new cabinetry within the previous 12 months. The study was fielded between March and April 2009.

View J.D. Power's complete rankings at: http://www.jdpower.com/Homes/ratings/Cabinet-Satisfaction-Ratings

Admission is $6 for adults, with free admission for military personnel and kids attending with a paying adult admission.

Learn more at: www.thorschproductions.com/index_hids3.html

MoistureShield Solid can be ordered with or without grooved sides to accommodate hidden fastening systems and is available in six colors: Cape Cod Gray, Earthtone, Rustic Cedar, Seasoned Mahogany, Terracotta, and Desert Sand.

"We've listened to the feedback from contractors, and a number of them prefer to use solid decking boards in their projects," says Brent Gwatney, Vice President of Sales and Marketing for MoistureShield. "Our new solid decking board enhances our existing line of Green building materials and provides contractors with more options to meet all of their decking needs. It is AERT's goal to provide the most sought after Green products at reasonable prices."

MoistureShield composite decking materials and composite decking accessories are manufactured using AERT's patented process that encapsulates recycled wood fibers in recycled polyethylene plastic. Due to this unique product make-up, it is resistant to rot, decay, moisture and insects. MoistureShield environmentally friendly decking contains a minimum of 30% post-consumer recycled content, and 60% pre-consumer recycled content.

In addition, MoistureShield decking and deck accessories require no special tools to install and are backed by a limited lifetime warranty against rot, decay and insect damage. MoistureShield products also exceed the requirements for landscape decking published in the LEED for Homes green building standard.

For more information on MoistureShield products, please contact A.E.R.T. Customer Service at 866-729-2378 or visit www.moistureshield.com

Architects, product specifiers, customers, and the general public can find practical information on how the company's products, processes, and plant network contribute to make positive contributions to green building practices.

The new site includes many tools starting with the Product Sustainable Features page listing National Gypsum wallboard plants, their use of recycled content, and the distance between the plant and its source of gypsum.

Other website tools include:

--An interactive map allowing the user to scroll over a plant location to see if a job site is within a 500-mile radius of the plant's shipping area.

--A project gallery spotlights unique green building projects using National Gypsum products.

--NGC product listing is a click away as well as information about certifications including the company's GREENGUARD Certifications. These verify that NGC products meet the highest standards for indoor air quality.

--The company's sustainable manufacturing processes are detailed.

--The site links users to valuable resources including the NGC Gypsum Construction Guide; the Gypsum Association Sustainability site; the USGBC site; Code Reports, Assembly Drawings; and the Fire & Sound Selector Guide.

"The new site will evolve and introduce new information regularly," said Mundise Mortimer, manager, Technical Marketing. "We want project designers and specifiers to have all the information they need to design the walls and ceilings for their projects."

The show will feature great seminars and educational courses, networking and lots of "after work" fun!

Learn more about the show at: http://www.floridaroof.com/content/Convention_Information

South Florida Media Group is a hyperlocal community advertising company with Internet sites, magazines and community newspapers. South Florida Media Group is based in Boca Raton, Florida.

"We are very happy to have acquired Welcome Wagon and look forward to continuing the 80-year legacy of welcoming new homeowners to their community," said Craig Swill, CEO of South Florida Media Group. Steve Goodman, President of South Florida Media Group, added, "With SFMG's successful formula in capitalizing on local market advertising and Welcome Wagon's position of national dominance, we will further strengthen and poise the company for explosive growth."

Check out the list now at: http://constructionmanagementdegree.org/?page_id=113

"We are a market leader in residential siding because we continue to modify, enhance and evolve our fiber cement technology," said John Dybsky, Product Manager, James Hardie. "The HardieZone product line benefits from our most aggressive and focused research and development to date, resulting in specialized siding products designed specifically for the variety of climate challenges where the products are being used."

The HardieZone System represents the seventh generation of James Hardie siding products innovation. Starting with the development of a fiber cement substrate that offered superior exterior protection over wood and stucco, additional improvements have included those meant to further improve product performance and enhance aesthetic qualities, both in design and color.

HZ5™ and HZ10™ Products Take on Mother Nature
The HardieZone system was fine-tuned to withstand the stress of eight climate variables. These include: temperature fluctuation, ultraviolet exposure, humidity, rainfall, snow, hail, hurricane and topographical factors. Each impacts the wear and tear on a home's exterior. Based on each climate's frequency and severity ratio across North America, common variables were analyzed and grouped to form the HZ5 and HZ10 zones. Siding products were developed for each zone.

The HZ5 product's composition protects against freezing temperatures, snow, ice and moisture, and maintains its dimensional stability under severe weather conditions. One of the HZ5 product's innovations is a beveled top and drip edge, which is added to the HardiePlank® lap siding, providing improved water management.

Designed for the heat and unstable climates of North America's western and southern regions -- particularly the coastal regions -- the HZ10 product's composition is resistant to moisture damage, cracking, splitting, rotting, swelling, high winds, termites and flame. Its specially formulated primer delivers excellent performance in the HZ10 zone.

Making the Best Even Better
James Hardie ColorPlus® Technology adds even more protection to the HardieZone system. Specially formulated paint is baked on in the factory, applying a finish that lasts up to twice as long as conventional paint application(1). ColorPlus Technology increases the product's finish performance and resists damage in freezing temperatures and heavy moisture conditions. It also adds up to 30 percent more fade resistance when installed in zones with significant ultraviolet exposure(2).

"The HardieZone System incorporates everything we have learned over the past three decades, resulting in products that aren't just tough; they're tough against specific climate conditions," said Dybsky. "We're also introducing an industry-best, 30-year limited, non-prorated warranty that reflects our confidence in the products and will provide customers with lasting peace of mind."

(1) James Hardie accelerated weathering tests compared with brush-applied national paint in a lab environment.

(2) James Hardie accelerated QUV test results compared to nationally available premium paint in a lab environment.

About James Hardie®
James Hardie's USA Fiber Cement business manufactures a range of building materials for external and internal cladding and lining applications. Products include, HardiePlank® Lap Siding with ColorPlus® Technology, HardiePanel® Vertical Siding, HardieShingle® Siding, HardieSoffit® Panels and HardieBacker® Ceramic Tile Backerboard. The company introduced its fiber cement products to the United States in 1988 and since then, its siding products have been installed on millions of homes across the United States. James Hardie is the largest producer of fiber cement building products in North America and the largest producer of siding products that are used as exterior cladding on houses. For more information about James Hardie, please visit www.jameshardie.com

"The outlook for home sales has improved somewhat in recent months, due largely to implementation of the first-time home buyer tax credit and gains in housing affordability," said NAHB Chairman Joe Robson, a home builder from Tulsa, Okla. "However, looking forward, home builders are facing a few headwinds, including expiration of the tax credit at the end of November; a recent upturn in interest rates; and especially the continuing lack of credit for housing production loans."

"As expected, the housing market continues to bump along trying to find a bottom," said NAHB Chief Economist David Crowe. "Meanwhile, builders are taking their cue from consumers, who remain uncertain about the economy and their own situation. Builders are also finding it difficult to complete a sale because customers cannot sell their existing homes."

Derived from a monthly survey that NAHB has been conducting for more than 20 years, the NAHB/Wells Fargo HMI gauges builder perceptions of current single-family home sales and sales expectations for the next six months as "good," "fair" or "poor." The survey also asks builders to rate traffic of prospective buyers as "high to very high," "average" or "low to very low." Scores for each component are then used to calculate a seasonally adjusted index where any number over 50 indicates that more builders view conditions as good than poor.

Two out of three of the HMI's component indexes were unchanged in June, including the index gauging current home sales, which held at 14, and the index gauging traffic of prospective buyers, which held at 13. Meanwhile, the index gauging expectations for the next six months declined a single point, to 26.

Regionally, the decline was entirely focused in the South, which is the nation's largest housing market. There, the HMI declined 3 points to 15, while the rest of the regions posted gains. The Northeast had a one-point gain to 20, the Midwest, a one-point gain to 15, and the West, a two-point gain to 14.

The company said the bankruptcy is part of a "pre-negotiated" restructuring plan agreed upon with its lenders that will help it reduce its debt load. BMHC also said it has secured $80 million in debtor-in-possession (DIP) financing from Wells Fargo Bank and certain of its other existing lenders.

BMHC plans to continue to operate as usual while it restructures its balance sheet and will honor all of its commitments to customers. All of the Company's locations are open today and BMHC says it has no plans to close any locations.

The company has filed motions that will allow it to continue to pay its employees in the usual manner and to continue without disruption their medical, dental, life insurance, disability and other benefits.

Robert E. Mellor, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, said, "We are very pleased to have reached agreement with representatives of our bank group on a plan that will put our Company in a stronger financial position for the future. Their support, and the fact that our new financing is coming from existing lenders, is a sign that our business partners have confidence in our strength as a company and our long-term potential. BMHC is an industry leader with a strong market niche and well-recognized brands. We pride ourselves on the quality of our products and services, and our customers should know that this will not change while we undergo this restructuring."

Additional information on the restructuring is available on the Company's website at www.bmhc.com

BUILDING PERMITS
Privately-owned housing units authorized by building permits in May were at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 518,000, a 4 percent increase from April. Single-family authorizations in May were at a rate of 408,000; this is 7.9 percent above the revised April figure of 378,000. Authorizations of units in buildings with five units or more were at a rate of 92,000 in May.

"Today's report showing three consecutive months of gains in single-family housing starts and two consecutive months of gains in single-family permits is a very welcome sign that the market may be nearing a turning point," said NAHB Chief Economist David Crowe. "That said, our recent surveys tell us that builders remain very cautious about the future, and that they are aware of the upcoming expiration of the first-time buyer tax credit at the end of November. Homes that get started now should be able to close by that deadline, and this may be spurring some of the latest construction activity."

HOUSING COMPLETIONS
Privately-owned housing completions in May were at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 811,000. This is 3.3 percent below the revised April estimate of 839,000 and is 28.8 percent below the May 2008 rate of 1,139,000. Single-family housing completions in May were at a rate of 491,000; this is 9.4 percent below the revised April figure of 542,000. The May rate for units in buildings with five units or more was 314,000.

Read the article here

The show will feature cutting edge home furnishings, green building products and even special tours to an architecturally significant home in Los Angeles.

Read all about it at: www.caboomshow.com/

View the story and video report here

The WoodSource Seminars will be held Thursday and Friday, August 20 and 21, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at Gaylord Palms Resort and Convention Center in Kissimmee, Florida. Registration fees are $50.00 for both days, and $25.00 for one day. This fee includes continuing education seminars, materials, breaks, lunch and admittance to the Gulf Atlantic Building Products Expo.

This year's seminars include: Designing for Sustainability – Life Cycle Analysis; Designing for Sustainability – Designing Utilizing Wood Building Products to Reduce Global Warming; Changes in the 2007 Edition of the Florida Building Code, a two-part series; Destroying the Myth That Wood Design is Only for One and Two Story Buildings; Available Options to Use Wood in Lieu of Noncombustible Materials; The Florida Energy Code; Achieving an Energy Star(R) Rating; Green Building Verification; Building Green: The Importance of the Design Phase; Connectors for Wood Construction; and Advantages of Engineered Wood When Designing and Building Structures.

To register for this year's WoodSource Seminars, visit http://www.woodsourcemagazine.com/id17.html. Should hotel accommodations be needed, FBMA has negotiated a discounted room rate of $145 per night at the Gaylord Palms Resort in Kissimmee, Florida. To receive this rate, contact Gaylord Palms at (407) 586-2000 or register online at www.fbmamainevent.com

Held by the Florida Wood Council and WoodSource Magazine, this year's seminars were generously sponsored by Pennsylvania Lumbermens Mutual Insurance Company.

Established in 1920, FBMA promotes the use of wood building and accessory products, develops programs to make businesses more efficient and effective, provides networking opportunities and lobbying efforts for its membership and the betterment of home building throughout the State of Florida.

Designed for easy access to pertinent product information, the new guide includes a brief synopsis of all Hacker Floor Underlayments' features and benefits, technical data, UL Listings, and code approvals.  It also includes a product chart that allows architects, contractors, and building owners to find the right Hacker Floor Underlayment for their project by selecting the type of project and the type of subfloor.

Hacker Industries, Inc.'s line of FIRM-FILL® Gypsum Concretes, GYP-SPAN® Radiant and sound control mats lead the industry in reliability and customer satisfaction in new construction, renovation and repair projects.  With over 2 billion square feet of successful installations throughout North America, Hacker Floor Underlayments are the ideal choice for multi-family, residential, and commercial applications providing superior compressive strengths matched with exceptional acoustical and fire resistance properties.

Free copies of the product guide are available by contacting Hacker Industries, Inc. at (800) 642-3455 or info@HackerIndustries.com

"These unique sample boards have the 3D depth without the weight of traditional sample boards," says Wendy Bruch, marketing manager for DaVinci Roofscapes. "The rich color selection of the slate and shake synthetic roofing tiles really comes through on these boards. Plus, a textured surface accurately simulates the natural feel of the product."

Another way DaVinci has made it easier to transport the high definition samples boards is with a carrying case. And, product features and benefits are clearly listed on the back of every sample board to assure ease of use and accurate information during presentations.

"These sample boards will change how roofing contractors, remodelers and builders make roofing presentations," says Bruch. "The boards are no longer heavy to carry and bulky to store. These lightweight boards are impressive to homeowners and make for an unmatched sales presentation."

The new high definition DaVinci sample boards are available on a complimentary basis to building industry professional by calling 1-800-DAVINCI.

DaVinci Roofscapes has manufactured award-winning synthetic slate and shake roofing since 1999. The polymer roofing tiles are virtually maintenance free and far more cost effective than the natural product. DaVinci leads the industry in tile thickness, the tile width variety and