BuildingOnline eUpdate Building Industry News

New ConstructConnect Spec-Data document for Firm-Fill® SCM Sound Control Mats from Hacker Industries, Inc.

Fri, 14 Sep 2018 08:00:00 PST

Hacker Industries, Inc. releases specifications related to the their Gypsum Concrete Underlayment and Sound Control Mat products. They recently added the Specifications for Firm-Fill® SCM Sound Control Mats, please click to download the PDF.

For more information on their complete line of Gypsum Concrete Underlayment products and Sound Control Mats, please contact Hacker Industries.

JELD-WEN Holding, Inc. to Participate in J.P. Morgan 2018 Homebuilding & Building Products Conference

Thu, 10 May 2018 08:00:00 PST

CHARLOTTE, N.C.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- JELD-WEN Holding, Inc. (NYSE:JELD) today announced that Brooks Mallard, executive vice president and chief financial officer, and John Linker, senior vice president, corporate development and investor relations, will participate in the J.P. Morgan 2018 Homebuilding & Building Products Conference in New York, New York, on May 14, 2018. JELD-WEN is scheduled to present at 1:15 p.m. ET. A link to the live audio webcast, along with a replay and additional information, will be available on the investor relations portion of the company’s website at investors.jeld-wen.com.

About JELD-WEN
JELD-WEN, founded in 1960, is one of the world’s largest door and window manufacturers, operating manufacturing facilities in 20 countries located primarily in North America, Europe and Australia. Headquartered in Charlotte, N.C., JELD-WEN designs, produces and distributes an extensive range of interior and exterior doors, wood, vinyl and aluminum windows and related products for use in the new construction and repair and remodeling of residential homes and non-residential buildings. JELD-WEN is a recognized leader in manufacturing energy-efficient products and has been an ENERGY STAR^® Partner since 1998. Our products are marketed globally under the JELD-WEN^® brand, along with several market-leading regional brands such as Swedoor^® and DANA^® in Europe and Corinthian^®, Stegbar^®, and Trend^® in Australia. For more information visit www.jeld-wen.com.

SOURCE: Jeld-Wen.com

Rising Incomes Boost Housing Affordability in First Quarter of 2018

Thu, 10 May 2018 08:00:00 PST

Strong wage growth more than offset an increase in mortgage interest rates to boost nationwide housing affordability in the first quarter of 2018, according to the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB)/Wells Fargo Housing Opportunity Index (HOI) released today.

In all, 61.6 percent of new and existing homes sold between the beginning of January and end of March were affordable to families earning the U.S. median income of $71,900. This is up from the 59.6 percent of homes sold that were affordable to median-income earners in the fourth quarter.

“Continued job growth, rising wages and strong consumer confidence are fueling housing demand. In turn, this should lead to more buyers entering the housing market in the coming months,” said NAHB Chairman Randy Noel, a custom home builder from LaPlace, La. “However, builders continue to face headwinds that could impact affordability, including chronic labor and lot shortages, rising prices for building materials and excessive regulations.”

“At the national level, median family income rose an impressive 5.7 percent to $71,900 in 2018 from $68,000 last year, and this wage growth helped to boost housing affordability,” said NAHB Chief Economist Robert Dietz. “A growing economy, along with tight inventories and increasing household formations, will lift housing production in the year ahead. But we also expect mortgage rates to continue to rise, and this will place downward pressure on affordability.”

Average mortgage rates jumped by nearly 30 basis points in the first quarter to 4.34 percent from 4.06 percent in the fourth quarter of 2017.

Of the 237 metropolitan areas recorded in the first quarter HOI, 167 markets registered a gain in affordability from the fourth quarter of 2017, 68 posted a loss and two were unchanged.

Youngstown-Warren-Boardman, Ohio-Pa., was the nation’s most affordable major housing market. There, 90.9 percent of all new and existing homes sold in the first quarter were affordable to families earning the area’s median income of $60,100. Meanwhile, Cumberland, Md.-W.Va., was rated the nation’s most affordable smaller market, with 98.5 percent of homes sold in the first quarter being affordable to families earning the median income of $55,500.

Rounding out the top five affordable major housing markets in respective order were Indianapolis-Carmel-Anderson, Ind.; Scranton-Wilkes Barre-Hazleton, Pa.; Toledo, Ohio; and Harrisburg-Carlisle, Pa.

Smaller markets joining Cumberland at the top of the list included Springfield, Ohio; Elmira, N.Y.; Wheeling, W.Va.-Ohio; and Fairbanks, Alaska, which also posted a fifth place tie with Binghamton, N.Y.

San Francisco, for the second straight quarter, was the nation’s least affordable major market. There, just 9.2 percent of the homes sold in the first quarter of 2018 were affordable to families earning the area’s median income of $119,600.

Other major metros at the bottom of the affordability chart were located in California. In descending order, they included Los Angeles,-Long Beach-Glendale; Anaheim-Santa Ana-Irvine; San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara; and San Diego-Carlsbad.

All five least affordable small housing markets were also in the Golden State. At the very bottom of the affordability chart was Salinas, where 10.7 percent of all new and existing homes sold were affordable to families earning the area’s median income of $69,100.

In descending order, other small markets at the lowest end of the affordability scale included Santa Cruz-Watsonville; San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles-Arroyo Grande; Napa; and San Rafael.

Please visit www.nahb.org/hoi for tables, historic data and details.

Editor's Note: The NAHB/Wells Fargo Housing Opportunity Index (HOI) is a measure of the percentage of homes sold in a given area that are affordable to families earning the area's median income during a specific quarter. Prices of new and existing homes sold are collected from actual court records by Core Logic, a data and analytics company. Mortgage financing conditions incorporate interest rates on fixed- and adjustable-rate loans reported by the Federal Housing Finance Agency.

SOURCE: NAHB.org

Now Showing! EIFS: A Hero Hidden in Plain Sight

Fri, 04 May 2018 08:00:00 PST

The “Hero” campaign was initiated by EIMA’s Board of Directors and Communications and Education Committee to educate the construction industry on the many benefits of exterior insulation and finish systems (EIFS).

Learn More & Watch the Video

The Home Depot Foundation Reaches Quarter-Billion-Dollar Commitment to Veteran-Related Causes

Fri, 04 May 2018 08:00:00 PST

The Home Depot Foundation Reaches Quarter-Billion-Dollar Commitment to Veteran-Related Causes

ATLANTA, May 4, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, The Home Depot® Foundation announced it has reached its goal of investing a quarter of a billion dollars in veteran-related causes by 2020 – two years early.

Since 2011, the Foundation’s mission has been to improve the homes and lives of U.S. military veterans, with a focus on serving homeless, combat-wounded and senior veterans. In 2016, due to the growing needs of those who served, the Foundation pledged to give $250 million by 2020 to nonprofits serving veterans.

Through incredible partnerships with organizations including Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation, Semper Fi Fund, Habitat for Humanity, Volunteers of America and many others, The Home Depot Foundation has impacted the lives of veterans and their families across the United States. Since 2011, the Foundation has enhanced nearly 40,000 veteran homes and facili-ties in more than 2,500 cities.

“Our veterans have sacrificed so we can have our freedom, so it’s a true honor to give back to them,” said Shannon Gerber, executive director of The Home Depot Foundation. “We’re fortunate to work with the best nonprofits in the veteran housing space and we’ll continue to partner together to serve those who have served us all.”

About The Home Depot Foundation

The Home Depot Foundation works to improve the homes and lives of U.S. veterans, train skilled tradespeople to fill the labor gap and support communities impacted by natural disasters.

Since 2011, the Foundation has invested a quarter of a billion dollars in veteran-related causes and improved more than 40,000 veteran homes and facilities in 2,500 cities. In 2018, the Foundation committed an additional $50 million dollars to train 20,000 skilled tradespeople over the next 10 years starting with separating military members and veterans, at-risk youth and members of the Atlanta Westside community. To learn more about The Home Depot Foundation and see Team Depot in action, visit thd.co/community and follow us on Snapchat, Twitter and Instagram @teamdepot and on Facebook at facebook.com/teamdepot.

SOURCE: HomeDepot.com

Builder Confidence in the 55+ Housing Market Remains Healthy in First Quarter

Thu, 03 May 2018 08:00:00 PST

Builder confidence in the single-family 55+ housing market dropped five points to 66 in the first quarter of 2018, according to the National Association of Home Builders' (NAHB) 55+ Housing Market Index (HMI) released today. The decline came off of an all-time high reading of 71 from the fourth quarter of 2017.

“Builders and developers for the 55+ housing sector continue to report strong demand,” said Chuck Ellison, chairman of NAHB's 55+ Housing Industry Council and Vice President-Land of Miller & Smith in McLean, Va. “However, there are many places around the country facing labor and lot shortages, along with increased building materials costs, which are affecting production.”

There are separate 55+ HMIs for two segments of the 55+ housing market: single-family homes and multifamily condominiums. Each 55+ HMI measures builder sentiment based on a survey that asks if current sales, prospective buyer traffic and anticipated six-month sales for that market are good, fair or poor (high, average or low for traffic).

When compared to the previous quarter, among the three single-family components of the 55+ HMI, present sales fell nine points to 70, expected sales for the next six months rose seven points to 80 and traffic of prospective buyers stayed even at 51.

Meanwhile, the 55+ multifamily condo HMI increased 10 points to 64, which is the highest reading since the inception of the index in 2008. All three components posted record highs as well: Present sales rose eight points to 67, expected sales for the next six months increased 10 points to 70 and traffic of prospective buyers jumped 15 points to 55.

Three of the four components of the 55+ multifamily rental market went down from the previous quarter: Present production declined three points to 59, expected future production fell four points to 57 and present demand for existing units decreased three points to 68, while future expected demand edged up one point to 68.

“The decline in the 55+ single-family HMI is consistent with slight softening of other measures of single-family construction seen recently, likely due to winter weather effects, which may be affecting housing activity in some areas of the country,” said NAHB Chief Economist Robert Dietz. “However, market conditions overall remain favorable, and we expect gradual continued growth in the 55+ housing sector.”

For the full 55+ HMI tables, please visit nahb.org/55hmi.

SOURCE: NAHB.org

Habitat for Humanity, Lowe’s and more than 18,000 women build with families nationwide during National Women Build Week

Thu, 03 May 2018 08:00:00 PST

ATLANTA, May 3, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- For the 11th year, Habitat for Humanity and Lowe's will host the annual National Women Build Week from May 5-13 where thousands of women volunteers and Habitat homeowners will unite nationwide to build up their communities and gain skills in home construction.

Experience the interactive Multichannel News Release here: https://www.multivu.com/players/English/8318351-lowes-habitat-for-humanity-national-women-build-week/

National Women Build Week encourages women nationwide to devote at least one day to help build decent and affordable housing in their local communities. Women have the strength and determination necessary to build Habitat houses, addressing the problem of affordable housing in a concrete way so that families can achieve stability and independence through safe, decent and affordable homes.

In fact, according to a 2018 national study by Lowe's and Habitat for Humanity, more than nine-in-10 American women believe providing and advocating for access to affordable housing for women can benefit society.¹ The survey also found:

Nearly all women (98 percent) agree access to affordable housing helps women heads of household thrive.
Having a safe, stable home is a source of pride (96 percent) that makes women feel more confident (98 percent) and independent (97 percent).
Three-in-five (62 percent) women say they cannot afford to purchase a home that meets their family's needs in the neighborhood where they want to live.

"For 11 years, National Women Build Week has brought together thousands of strong women of all construction experience levels to build or repair homes with hardworking, empowered Habitat homeowners to address this critical issue," said Lisa Marie Nickerson, associate director, Habitat for Humanity International. "We have seen firsthand the strength and independence that homeownership can provide for families. We are thankful for Lowe's continued support, without which this week would not be possible."

Lowe's and Habitat share the vision that every woman, man and child have a decent place to lay their heads at night. Far too often, low-income families are faced with choosing between paying their housing costs and buying necessities like food and medical care to provide for their family. National Women Build Week recruits, educates and inspires women to build, and advocate for decent and affordable houses in their communities alongside their future neighbors—making a difference in their community, one nail at a time.

"Lowe's is proud to sponsor National Women Build Week to educate, inspire and empower women to volunteer alongside other women in their community to address the critical issue of affordable housing. We know women working together are an unstoppable force for creating meaningful change in our communities," said Colleen B. Penhall, Lowe's vice president of corporate social responsibility. "At Lowe's, we believe that a safe, stable home is an important source of strength, pride and security for families. Together with Habitat, our Lowe's Heroes volunteers and women nationwide, National Women Build Week will provide valuable support to advance accessible housing in the communities where we all live and work."

Lowe's helped launch National Women Build Week in 2008 and has brought together more than 117,000 all-women construction volunteers to build or repair homes with nearly 5,000 families over the past 10 years. This year, Lowe's donated $2 million to Habitat for Humanity to support the 2018 National Women Build Week, and provides how-to clinics at stores to help equip women volunteers for the builds. Since 2003, Lowe's has committed over $30 million to Habitat for Humanity International and helped more than 6,500 Habitat families improve their living conditions.

Both women and men of all experience levels can participate by signing up to volunteer with their local Habitat organization or by joining the conversation online. As part of National Women Build Week, Lowe's and Habitat are activating a social movement to generate conversation about building one another up and sharing the message of women empowerment, positivity and action by using #BuildHer and #WomenBuild.

About Habitat for Humanity
Driven by the vision that everyone needs a decent place to live, Habitat for Humanity began in 1976 as a grassroots effort on a community farm in southern Georgia. The Christian housing organization has since grown to become a leading global nonprofit working in local communities across all 50 states in the U.S. and in more than 70 countries. Families and individuals in need of a hand up partner with Habitat for Humanity to build or improve a place they can call home. Habitat homeowners help build their own homes alongside volunteers and pay an affordable mortgage. Through financial support, volunteering or adding a voice to support affordable housing, everyone can help families achieve the strength, stability and self-reliance they need to build better lives for themselves. Through shelter, we empower. To learn more, visit habitat.org.

About Lowe's in the Community
Lowe's, a FORTUNE^® 50 home improvement company, has a 60-year legacy of supporting the communities it serves through programs that focus on K-12 public education and community improvement projects. In the past decade, Lowe's and the Lowe's Charitable and Educational Foundation together have contributed nearly $300 million to these efforts, and for more than two decades Lowe's Heroes volunteers have donated their time to make our communities better places to live. For the latest news, visit Newsroom.Lowes.com or follow @LowesMedia on Twitter.

¹ The 2018 Lowe's and Habitat for Humanity National Women Build Week Survey presents the findings of an online survey conducted by Toluna from April 5-8, 2018 among a random sample of 1,019 American women age 18+. The margin of error for a sample of this size is ± 3% at a 95% level of confidence.

SOURCE: Lowes.com

Rooftop Decks for Every Style

Thu, 03 May 2018 08:00:00 PST

Fresh air, great views and capitalizing on unused space — it’s no wonder rooftop decks are a hot trend for suburban homes and urban apartment complexes alike.

Once reserved for the urban elite, rooftop decks are popping up all over the country as an attractive option that offers a mixture of space savings and an unrivaled view. The magic of rooftop decks is they take advantage of what was formerly unused space — the top of a building or the flat roof over part of a home — and reclaims it for a unique entertaining area or a family gathering spot.

“Especially when we’re working in cities, rooftop decks are essentially reclaiming space for a family that probably wouldn’t have any outdoor space otherwise,” said James Muckinhaupt, a senior builder/project manager for Mosaic Outdoor Living, a high-end custom deck builder in Colorado.

All that new-found space can present a challenge to designers and the homeowners they serve as they try to define the space to make the most of the rooftop deck’s open layout.

“If designers don’t really delineate the space well, we’ve found the decks end up being a giant space that’s never fully utilized by the homeowner,” James said.

James and his wife, Mary, a custom furniture consultant, offer some advice on how to turn your rooftop deck into a personal oasis and get the most out of the space.

1. Define the use

Mary said defining how the deck will be used the majority of the time is the top way to make sure the space fits the homeowners’ needs. Questions like, “Will the deck host weekly family dinner?” and “Will you use it daily for drinks and lounging?” help determine whether or not a kitchen/dining area is needed and how much seating should be included.

“It’s also important to know the average number of people they expect to fit on the deck,” Mary said. “If we don’t furnish and set the deck up so it’s conducive to their needs, we’ve found that people don’t use the deck.”

2. Stay true to your style

Most people have a style or color scheme they are already drawn to. A good designer will pay attention to the rest of a homeowner’s space and incorporate that theme into the rooftop deck to create a cohesive style from interior to exterior.

3. Focus on materials

Materials have a huge impact on the final look of the deck, whether it's sleek tile, decorative concrete or luxury composite lumber. James said his rooftop decks are primarily Envision^®composite lumber by TAMKO, because of the wide variety of styles the boards can accommodate, taking on everything from the look of exotic hardwoods to distressed reclaimed barn wood.

4. Add a covering

Regardless of how the deck will be used, it’s nice to have a covered area to escape the heat of the sun or the rain. Depending on the homeowners’ needs and budget, the covering can be anything from a grouping of large umbrellas to a covered structure with glass walls.

5. Include a fire element

If adding a covering helps extend deck season through the extreme heat of summer and the rain of spring, including a fire element extends the deck’s use through the fall and winter. This could be something as simple as a fire pit or as elaborate as a built-in fireplace.

“Between a shade covering and a fireplace, you’re extending deck season to 70-80 percent of the year, depending on where you live,” James said.

6. Work with the views

In the process of deciding where to add a covering and how to position furniture on a rooftop deck, consider the natural views. One area of the deck may offer superior views, either of nature or of a cityscape. Position furniture to open up to the best view and construct deck coverings and any needed walls, to obstruct any undesirable views.

“The view is one of the best things about a rooftop deck, so we want to focus the seating around whatever is the best view,” Mary said. “If there are great views on multiple sides, we’ll recommend using swivel chairs to give people the best of both.”

About TAMKO
TAMKO^® Building Products, Inc. is one of the nation’s largest independent manufacturers of residential and commercial roofing products (including Heritage^® Asphalt Shingles and MetalWorks^® Steel Shingles), decking and railing products, waterproofing, cements, and coatings. Since 1944, TAMKO’s success is the direct result of teamwork and enduring relationships with customers, suppliers and employees. Privately owned, TAMKO is committed to producing top-quality products with excellent product support. For more information about TAMKO, visit our Web site at www.tamko.com.

SOURCE: TAMKO.com

L&W Supply to Acquire NexGen Building Supply

Wed, 02 May 2018 08:00:00 PST

CHICAGO–May 2, 2018–L&W Supply Corporation, a leading distributor of top quality building materials and specialty products in the United States, has signed a definitive agreement to acquire NexGen Building Supply. NexGen distributes drywall, ceiling systems, steel stud and other building materials, with locations in Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Tennessee and Ohio.

As a leading distributor of interior building products in the Midwest, the NexGen acquisition supports L&W Supply’s overall growth strategy. “We look forward to welcoming the NexGen associates, customers and suppliers to the L&W Supply family,” said Dan Piché, L&W Supply’s president. With the NexGen acquisition, L&W Supply will operate 156 locations in 35 states.

The transaction is L&W Supply’s largest acquisition since joining the ABC Supply family, and follows the recent and successful integrations of Wright Bros. Supply in Northern California and Ace Supply Inc. in Montgomery, Alabama. The transaction is subject to clearance under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act and is expected to close in the second quarter.

About L&W Supply
Since 1971, L&W Supply has been recognized as a world-class interior products company and is one of the nation’s largest distributors of wallboard, suspended ceiling tiles, steel studs, joint treatment, insulation, EIFS, fasteners and related building products. L&W Supply was acquired by ABC Supply in November 2016. Headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, L&W Supply operates 141 branches in 35 states. More information about L&W is available online at www.lwsupply.com.

About ABC Supply
ABC Supply Co. Inc. is the largest wholesale distributor of roofing in the United States and one of the nation’s largest wholesale distributors of select exterior and interior building products. Since its founding by Ken and Diane Hendricks in 1982, ABC Supply’s sole focus has been serving professional contractors—taking care of them better than any other distributor and offering the products, services and support they need to build their businesses. A 12-time Gallup Great Workplace Award winner, ABC Supply is an “employee-first” company that treats its associates with respect and gives them the tools they need to succeed. Headquartered in Beloit, Wisconsin, ABC Supply has more than 700 locations nationwide. More information is available at www.abcsupply.com.

SOURCE: LWSupply.com

New NAHB Publication Encourages Builders to Work with Brokers to Sell New Homes

Wed, 02 May 2018 08:00:00 PST

BuilderBooks, the publishing arm of the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) recently released a new publication, Partnering with Brokers to Win More Sales by Quint Lears, MIRM. This new book gives practical suggestions to help companies create long-term, productive relationships and work effectively with their local real estate brokers to increase new home sales.

Builders or their representatives occasionally face stumbling blocks when it comes to working with brokers, but establishing a good working relationship can lead to success for both parties When builders work with brokers and give them tools to sell the new homes, everybody wins—the builder, the broker and the customer. Lears offers usable tips for builders to work with brokers to reach more buyers, highlight the benefits of new homes and ultimately make more sales.

Author, Quint Lears is the creator and host of NewHomeSales.com, an online media platform featuring insights, ideas and best practices from top new home sales, marketing and home building professionals. He is also a Realtor specializing in new home sales in Las Cruces, NM.

Partnering with Brokers to Win More Sales is available for purchase ($24.95 Retail/$22.95 NAHB Member, ISBN 978-0-86718-762-5) at BuilderBooks.com or by calling 800-223-2665. The e-book is available at ebooks.builderbooks.com ($16.99 Retail/$14.99 for NAHB Members).

SOURCE: NAHB.org

Beacon Roofing Supply Announces Acquisition of Minnesota-Based Tri-State Builder’s Supply

Tue, 01 May 2018 08:00:00 PST

HERNDON, Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 1, 2018-- Beacon Roofing Supply, Inc. (Nasdaq: BECN) (“Beacon” or the “Company”), the largest publicly traded distributor of roofing and complementary building products in the United States and Canada, announced today that it has acquired Tri-State Builder’s Supply (“Tri-State”), a wholesale supplier of roofing, siding, windows, doors and related building products located in Duluth, Minnesota. Founded in 1952, Tri-State serves the broad market area of Minnesota, northern Wisconsin and Upper Michigan. The acquisition deepens Beacon’s already strong presence in the Upper Midwest, which now includes more than 30 branches throughout Minnesota, Wisconsin and Michigan.

Tri-State’s Owner and President Mark Peterson, who will remain with the Company, stated: “We are thrilled to join the Beacon team. When we looked at potential partners for this next step in Tri-State’s growth, Beacon was head and shoulders above the rest. Beacon shares our work ethic and values, our dedication to great customer service, and our commitment to employee development. Also, Beacon’s national platform and excellent reputation across the region will enable Tri-State to offer our customers broader product offerings and even more efficient deliveries. I am very excited about our future with Beacon.”

Paul Isabella, Beacon’s CEO and President, emphasized the strategic fit of the acquisition and the compatibility of the two companies, stating: “We are very excited that Mark and the rest of the Tri-State team have joined the Beacon family. Over the last 65 years, Tri-State has earned its reputation as a trusted supplier of premium building materials with a strong customer base and a knowledgeable, experienced team. Combining Tri-State with our existing Roof Depot and new Allied branches expands our footprint in the region and enhances our ability to service our Minnesota, northern Wisconsin and Upper Michigan customers. The Tri-State acquisition also demonstrates that Beacon has the financial and operational capacity to capitalize on the momentum of the Allied deal by continuing to add high-quality companies to our organization. I look for that trend to continue during the rest of 2018 and beyond.”

About Beacon Roofing Supply
Founded in 1928, Beacon Roofing Supply, Inc. is the largest publicly traded distributor of residential and commercial roofing materials and complementary building products, operating 570 branches throughout all 50 states in the U.S. and 6 provinces in Canada. To learn more about Beacon and its family of regional brands, please visit www.becn.com.

Forward-Looking Statements
This release contains information about management's view of the Company's future expectations, plans and prospects that constitute forward-looking statements for purposes of the safe harbor provisions under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Actual results may differ materially from those indicated by such forward-looking statements as a result of various important factors, including, but not limited to, those set forth in the "Risk Factors" section of the Company's latest Form 10-K. In addition, the forward-looking statements included in this press release represent the Company's views as of the date of this press release and these views could change. However, while the Company may elect to update these forward-looking statements at some point, the Company specifically disclaims any obligation to do so, other than as required by federal securities laws. These forward-looking statements should not be relied upon as representing the Company's views as of any date subsequent to the date of this press release.

SOURCE: BeaconRoofingSupply.com

ADEX Announces Top Products for Architects and Designers

Sun, 29 Apr 2018 08:00:00 PST

CertainTeed® Wins Three Platinum ADEX Awards for Innovative Ceiling Products

ADEX, the Awards for Design Excellence, is the largest and most prestigious program recognizing products and projects in the architecture and design industry showcasing the best designs of the year. As an outcome of the 2018 ADEX Awards, CertainTeed Ceilings won three platinum awards in the Building Materials category specifically for the Acoustical Ceilings, Drywall Ceiling Systems and Suspended Ceilings product categories.

CertainTeed Ceilings’ winning innovations are a direct result of the brand’s ongoing commitment to being the right partner for designers, architects and contractors. The superior high-performance panels, grid systems and accessories awarded, offer a seamless look while installing quickly and easily for better value.

An anonymous cross-sectioned panel of judges presented CertainTeed Ceilings with three platinum awards for the following products:

Symphony® m - A series of smooth ceilings with design flexibility, Symphony® m is a mineral fiber panel which provides excellent sound absorption (up to NRC 0.75) and noise blocking (33-41). Symphony® m exceeds FGI Guidelines for cleanability and acoustic performance in healthcare applications and is a certified clean room component to ISO Class 4 (highest among comparable products).
QuickSpan™ Locking Drywall Grid System – An innovative, locking ceiling grid system that provides the industry’s longest unsupported spans for flat drywall. QuickSpan™ is engineered and designed to offer 10 times faster, easier installation in hallway and corridor applications, cutting installation time from two days to four hours. The QuickSpan™ locking system is composed of heavy-duty, metal materials for maximum rigidity and screw grip. Its locking channel includes pre-engineered locking tabs spaced every 8” on center, allowing tees to quickly twist and click into place to prevent lateral and upward movement or deflection. This provides the installer with peace of mind that the layout is accurate, and the channel is set.
SmartFit Yoke – This accessory enables faster installation of the suspension system when linear panels and fixtures require tightly spaced parallel main tees. It features a two-piece system with pre-drilled holes every inch, decreasing the number of required hanger wires and reducing installation time. This accessory is compatible with the entire line of CertainTeed acoustical and drywall suspension systems.

About CertainTeed

Through the responsible development of innovative and sustainable building products, CertainTeed, headquartered in Malvern, Pennsylvania, has helped shape the building products industry for more than 110 years. Founded in 1904 as General Roofing Manufacturing Company, the firm's slogan “Quality Made Certain, Satisfaction Guaranteed,” quickly inspired the name CertainTeed. Today, CertainTeed® is a leading North American brand of exterior and interior building products, including roofing, siding, fence, decking, railing, trim, insulation, drywall and ceilings.

A subsidiary of Saint-Gobain, one of the world’s largest and oldest building products companies, CertainTeed and its affiliates have more than 5,700 employees and more than 60 manufacturing facilities throughout the United States and Canada. The group had total sales of approximately $3.7 billion in 2017. www.certainteed.com

SOURCE: CertainTeed.com

LP Increases Production of LP Legacy® Premium Sub-Floor with Addition of Hanceville, Ala., Mill

Thu, 26 Apr 2018 08:00:00 PST

Additional capacity will help meet growing demand for the engineered sub-floor.

Nashville, Tenn. (April 26, 2018) – LP Building Products has added manufacturing capabilities for its new LP Legacy^® premium engineered sub-floor to its mill in Hanceville, Ala. The increased capacity will help LP meet increasing demand for LP Legacy while expanding market availability and supply efficiencies into Texas and other regions west of the Mississippi.

To manufacture LP Legacy in Hanceville, which also produces LP^® TechShield^® radiant barrier sheathing, TopNotch^® 250 and 350 sub-flooring, and other sheathing and industrial panels, the company had to make significant investments in its equipment there. These include upgrades to its resin application process to accommodate Gorilla Glue Technology^® and higher-quality printing capabilities as part of its alliance and branding with Gorilla Glue. The printing enhancements also allow for the addition of fastener marks onto Legacy panels, providing for easy, accurate installation.

LP also implemented additional quality-control testing, which is essential for maintaining Legacy panels’ leading proprietary design values qualified by APA Product Report^® PR-N127. LP Legacy is APA-rated with the highest bending stiffness in the industry and as one of the strongest panels.

“LP Legacy has seen tremendous success since it was introduced late last year. Our long-time customers appreciate having a new premium option, and the industry has acknowledged LP Legacy as one of the highest quality sub-floor panels on the market,” said Kayla Boyce, LP’s OSB Product Manager. “The addition of the Hanceville facility will ensure we can keep up with demand and efficiently expand into new regions as more and more builders embrace the product’s benefits. Dealers will also appreciate the ability to obtain mixed loads from the mill.”

Packed with more resin, wax, and wood strands, LP Legacy sub-floor boasts superior moisture resistance that prevents edge swell. LP Legacy sub-flooring uses Gorilla Glue Technology for one of the industry's strongest, stiffest sub-floors. The panel’s high density makes it ideal for hardwood floors, tile applications, and homes that may be exposed to the elements for longer periods during construction.

“The improved printing capabilities at the Hanceville plant are in part to ensure quality branding and highlight our alliance with Gorilla Glue,” said Boyce. “Gorilla Glue Technology not only plays a key role in the product’s performance, but it’s a name that consumers readily recognize. Builders can leverage that brand recognition in their own marketing efforts to promote the high quality and performance of their work.”

LP Legacy, which is also manufactured in LP’s Roxboro, N.C., and Sagola, Mich., facilities, carries a class-leading Covered Until It’s Covered^™ no-sand warranty, as well as a Lifetime Limited Warranty that lasts as long as the home.

To learn more about LP Legacy and complete warranty details, visit www.LPCorp.com/Legacy. See Legacy be Tested Extreme at www.testedextreme.com.

About LP Building Products Louisiana-Pacific Corporation is a leading manufacturer of quality engineered wood building materials including OSB, structural framing products, and exterior siding for use in residential, industrial and light commercial construction. From manufacturing facilities in the United States, Canada, Chile and Brazil, LP products are sold to builders and homeowners through building materials distributors and dealers and retail home centers. Founded in 1973, LP is headquartered in Nashville, Tennessee, and traded on the New York Stock Exchange under LPX.

SOURCE: LPCorp.com

Boral Adds Carved Block Profile to Versetta Stone Line of Mortarless Stone Veneer

Tue, 24 Apr 2018 08:00:00 PST

Boral Adds Carved Block Profile to Versetta Stone® Line of Mortarless Stone Veneer

Larger-format, split-face stone profile brings a clean, contemporary look

ROSWELL, Georgia (April 24, 2018)– Boral® is expanding its Versetta Stone® lineup with Carved Block, a profile reminiscent of split-face stone. Versetta Stone mortarless stone veneer panels provide the beauty and texture of authentic stone masonry without the added skill and time required for installation. A larger stone format, Carved Block is ideal for modern home styles and light-commercial applications.

Carved Block stones range from 16 to 20 inches wide by 8 inches tall, oriented across a 36-inch-by-8-inch panel. The profile comes in two colors: Midnight is a dark gray hue with almond tones, providing a dark yet warm tone that brings the texture to life; Sea Salt is a creamy blend of beige and khaki for a soft, neutral look.

“Carved Block is a complete departure from our other profiles, offering a much more contemporary aesthetic,” says Aaron Sims, Product Manager for Light Building Products. “It fills a need for something different in masonry, for a look that is clean and modern against other popular trends such as large-format floor tiles and expansive quartz slabs.”

Versetta Stone panels install easily with nails or screws and feature an integrated moisture management system. They do not require additional footings for support. The stone veneer carries a Class A fire resistance rating and passes freeze/thaw testing.

For more information, visitwww.versettastone.com.

About Boral North America

Boral Industries is owned by Boral Limited, an international building and construction materials company, headquartered in Sydney, Australia.

Boral North America has a national fly ash processing and distribution business and manufactures stone veneer, concrete and clay roof tiles, concrete block, light building products and windows. Boral North America also has a construction materials business in Denver and has a 50% share of the Meridian Brick joint venture.

SOURCE: BoralAmerica.com

Lowe’s and GE Lighting Expand Partnership to Differentiate Light Bulb Offering

Tue, 24 Apr 2018 08:00:00 PST

MOORESVILLE, N.C., April 24, 2018 /PRNewswire/ — To further enhance the customer experience, Lowe’s Companies, Inc. (NYSE: LOW) and GE (NYSE: GE) announced today an expanded partnership to help customers easily find the right light bulb for their home while also saving energy and money.

As a part of this expanded partnership, Lowe’s will become the only nationwide home center to offer industry-leading GE light bulbs. Additionally, GE Lighting will become the only nationwide supplier to Lowe’s U.S. consumer retail outlets for light bulbs, including GE’s popular, proprietary light bulb line, reveal®.

“GE is trusted by both do-it-yourselfers and professional customers for producing some of the most energy efficient and longest-lasting light bulbs in the industry,” said Ann Haines, Lowe’s merchandising vice president for lighting. “We are thrilled to expand our partnership and make purchasing a light bulb easier than ever before.”

The new light bulb aisle at Lowe’s simplifies the customer selection process by clearly showcasing a wide range of options at various price points so customers can quickly compare and choose a bulb that best meets their needs. GE’s packaging will also be color coordinated to reflect color temperatures – warm yellow for soft white and cooler blue for daylight.

The new light bulb offering includes an expanded assortment of energy-efficient options, with more than half of the selection dedicated to LED solutions. A focal point of the LED category is GE’s best light—reveal® HD+ LED light bulbs, which not only help reduce monthly energy costs, but they also filter out dull, yellow light while simultaneously bringing out colors and patterns that pop.

“For years reveal has been a favorite with consumers, and we’ve continued to expand this offering, including adding many more LED options,” said Daraius Patell, GE Lighting’s North America consumer leader. “Having reveal in the Lowe’s lighting assortment adds to the depth of quality lighting options available to shoppers, allowing them to bring the best features of their homes to light and save energy at the same time.”

GE Lighting’s reveal HD+ LED bulbs are backed by a Lowe’s Love Your Light Guarantee where customers can return in-store or online purchases of them within 90 days for a full refund if they are not completely satisfied.

About Lowe’s
Lowe’s Companies, Inc. (NYSE: LOW) is a FORTUNE^® 50 home improvement company serving more than 18 million customers a week in the United States, Canada and Mexico. With fiscal year 2017 sales of $68.6 billion, Lowe’s and its related businesses operate or service more than 2,390 home improvement and hardware stores and employ over 310,000 people. Founded in 1946 and based in Mooresville, N.C., Lowe’s supports the communities it serves through programs that focus on K-12 public education and community improvement projects. For more information, visit Lowes.com.

About GE
GE (NYSE: GE) is the world’s Digital Industrial Company, transforming industry with software-defined machines and solutions that are connected, responsive and predictive. GE is organized around a global exchange of knowledge, the “GE Store,” through which each business shares and accesses the same technology, markets, structure and intellect. Each invention further fuels innovation and application across our industrial sectors. With people, services, technology and scale, GE delivers better outcomes for customers by speaking the language of industry. www.ge.com

SOURCE: Lowes.com

New Home Sales Rise 4 Percent in March

Tue, 24 Apr 2018 08:00:00 PST

Sales of newly built, single-family homes rose 4.0 percent in March to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 694,000 units after an upwardly revised February report, according to newly released data by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and the U.S. Census Bureau. This the second highest reading since the Great Recession.

"The March new home sales report is consistent with our solid builder confidence readings over the past several months," said NAHB Chairman Randy Noel, a custom home builder from LaPlace, La. "As consumer confidence grows and more prospective buyers enter the housing market, the sales numbers should continue to make gains."

Regionally, new home sales rose 28.3 percent in the West and 0.8 percent in the South. Sales decreased 2.4 percent in the Midwest and 54.8 percent in the Northeast.

"We saw sales move forward in the West and the South regions, which is in line with recent evidence of faster growth in population, employment and single-family construction in these areas," said NAHB Senior Economist Michael Neal. "But with nationwide economic growth and favorable demographics, we can expect continued strengthening of the housing market across the country."

The inventory of new home sales for sale was 301,000 in March, which is a 5.2-month supply at the current sales pace. The median sales price of new houses sold was $337,200.

James Hardie Completes Acquisition of Fermacell

Fri, 20 Apr 2018 08:00:00 PST

James Hardie Industries plc (ASX:JHX) announced today that it has completed its acquisition of German based XI (DL) Holdings GmbH and its subsidiaries (including, but not limited to, Fermacell GmbH) from Xella International S.A. in an all-cash transaction based on an enterprise value of €473 million. The closing of the transaction took place on 3 April 2018 (Central European Time) following the completion of all customary closing conditions.

In December 2017, James Hardie entered into a €525 million 364-day term loan facility to fund the Fermacell acquisition. We funded the closing payment with a combination of cash on-hand and a €400 million drawdown on this facility. We anticipate refinancing this facility in the euro bond market during calendar year 2018. Dr. Jack Truong, President, International Operations of James Hardie, welcomed the completion of the acquisition which will add over 800 new James Hardie employees in Europe. Dr. Truong said, “We welcome our new employees to the James Hardie group and acknowledge the hard work undertaken by our integration team consisting of people from James Hardie, Fermacell and our advisors to achieve this significant milestone.”

Dr. Truong added, “We are ready to realize the benefits of this strategic acquisition and are excited about adding this high quality business to the James Hardie group. Fermacell’s broad European footprint and capabilities offer the right enabling platform to accelerate our fiber cement business growth in Europe. We are also excited about the future growth opportunities of Fermacell’s core business in regions such as the UK, France and Scandinavia”.

Louis Gries, Chief Executive Officer of James Hardie, commented, “Reaching this significant milestone is an important step in achieving our long-term strategic goals in Europe. Fermacell’s market position, go-to-market strategy and strong management team will enable us to scale and accelerate our European business. The Fermacell acquisition diversifies our geographic, product and end-market portfolio, complementing our strong positions in North America and Australasia, and will create significant growth opportunities and drive longterm value for customers, employees and shareholders.”

Beginning with the first quarter fiscal year 2019 results, James Hardie intends to include a European Building Products segment in its report of quarterly results. This new segment will include the on-going James Hardie European Fiber Cement business and the newly acquired Fermacell business. The current International Fiber Cement segment will be renamed Asia Pacific Fiber Cement and will include our Australia, New Zealand and Philippines businesses.

James Hardie will provide additional information regarding Fermacell as well as an update on the integration, in its management presentation at the fourth quarter fiscal year 2018 results briefing on Tuesday 22 May 2018 at 10:00am AEST.

SOURCE: JamesHardie.com

Remodeling Confidence Remains in Strong Territory Despite Three Point Slip

Thu, 19 Apr 2018 08:00:00 PST

The National Association of Home Builders’ (NAHB) Remodeling Market Index (RMI) posted a reading of 57 in the first quarter of 2018, down three points from the previous quarter and back to the same level as the third quarter of 2017. The RMI has been above 50—indicating that more remodelers report market activity is higher compared to the prior quarter than report it is lower—since the second quarter of 2013. The overall RMI averages ratings of current remodeling activity with indicators of future remodeling activity.

“An RMI reading over 50 shows that consumers still remain engaged in home improvement,” said NAHB Remodelers Chair Joanne Theunissen, CGP, CGR, a remodeler from Mt. Pleasant, Mich. “However, higher prices for labor and materials like lumber continue to cause delays in project starts and higher overall project costs.”

Current market conditions decreased two points from the fourth quarter of 2017 to 58. Among its three major components, major additions and alterations waned four points to 56, minor additions and alterations increased one point to 60, and the home maintenance and repair component fell four points to 57.

The future market indicators index dipped four points from the previous quarter to 55. Calls for bids increased one point to 57, amount of work committed for the next three months decreased four points to 54, the backlog of remodeling jobs dropped nine points to 57 and appointments for proposals fell three points to 54.

“Strong price appreciation, inventory shortages of homes for-sale and home owners’ desire for updated amenities maintain the remodeling industry on solid footing,” said NAHB Chief Economist Robert Dietz. “This quarter’s dip may be related to unusually cold weather in many parts of the country, but the forecast is for the remodeling market to grow in 2018.”

For the full RMI tables, please visit www.nahb.org/rmi. For more information about remodeling, visit www.nahb.org/remodel.

SOURCE: NAHB.org

The Home Depot to Hire 1,000 Technology Professionals

Wed, 18 Apr 2018 08:00:00 PST

ATLANTA, April 18, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- The Home Depot® is hiring approximately 1,000 new technology professionals in 2018 at its primary technology centers in Atlanta, Austin and Dallas to support initiatives related to its $11.1 billion three-year strategic investment plan.

In December 2017, the company announced investments related to its store and online shopping experience, supply chain and delivery capabilities, and associate and workforce management systems. Many of these initiatives require advanced software engineering, system engineering, UX design and product management.

"With the rapidly changing retail environment, this is easily one of the most exciting places to work in technology," said Matt Carey, EVP and chief information officer of The Home Depot. "Our team is building some of the most advanced software anywhere to help customers shop whenever, wherever and however they want."

Recently named one of Fast Company's 50 Most Innovative Companies, The Home Depot's technology team uses the latest modern development stacks and agile practices across public and private cloud platforms. Additionally, the team leverages artificial intelligence, augmented reality, big data, machine learning, and voice and visual recognition capabilities to build award-winning experiences for customers and associates.

Interested in working in technology at The Home Depot? Hear CIO Matt Carey discuss how the team builds customer-first solutions using the latest software engineering techniques in this edition of the "Give Me an H" podcast and see open positions at careers.homedepot.com/technology.

About The Home Depot
The Home Depot is the world's largest home improvement specialty retailer, with 2,284 retail stores in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, 10 Canadian provinces and Mexico. In fiscal 2017, The Home Depot had sales of $100.9 billion and earnings of $8.6 billion. The Company employs more than 400,000 associates. The Home Depot's stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: HD) and is included in the Dow Jones industrial average and Standard & Poor's 500 index.

SOURCE: HomeDepot.com

Housing Starts Rise 1.9 Percent on Multifamily Surge

Tue, 17 Apr 2018 08:00:00 PST

Gains in multifamily production pushed overall housing starts up 1.9 percent in March to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1.32 million units, according to newly released data from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and the Commerce Department.

Multifamily production rose 14.4 percent to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 452,000 units—its highest reading since December 2016. Meanwhile, single-family starts fell 3.7 percent to 867,000 units.

“Builders are optimistic about future demand for housing and are ramping up production to meet this demand,” said NAHB Chairman Randy Noel, a custom home builder from LaPlace, La. “Single-family starts dropped slightly this month, but single-family permits year-to-date are up 5 percent from their level over this same period in 2017.”

“The modest decline in single-family starts in March is still in line with our solid builder confidence readings and is largely attributable to lingering winter weather that is causing production delays in certain areas of the country,” said NAHB Chief Economist Robert Dietz. “With ongoing job creation, wage increases and rising household formations, we can expect continued, gradual strengthening of the housing market in the coming months.”

Regionally in March, combined single- and multifamily housing production increased 22.4 percent in the Midwest and ticked up 0.8 percent in the Northeast. Starts inched down 0.6 percent in the South and 1.5 percent in the West.

Multifamily strengthening pushed overall permit issuance up 2.5 percent in March to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1.35 million units. Multifamily permits jumped 19 percent to 514,000 while single-family permits fell 5.5 percent to 840,000.

Permit issuance rose 9.0 percent in the Midwest, 3.0 percent in the West and 2.1 percent in the South. Permits declined 5.5 percent in the Northeast.

SOURCE: NAHB.org

Builder Confidence Slips One Point, Remains in Solid Territory

Mon, 16 Apr 2018 08:00:00 PST

Builder confidence in the market for newly-built single-family homes edged down one point to a level of 69 in April on the National Association of Home Builders/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index (HMI) but remains on firm ground.

“Strong demand for housing is keeping builders optimistic about future market conditions,” said NAHB Chairman Randy Noel, a custom home builder from LaPlace, La. “However, builders are facing supply-side constraints, such as a lack of buildable lots and increasing construction material costs. Tariffs placed on Canadian lumber and other imported products are pushing up prices and hurting housing affordability.”

“Ongoing employment gains, rising wages and favorable demographics should spur demand for single-family homes in the months ahead,” said NAHB Chief Economist Robert Dietz. “The minor dip in builder confidence this month is likely due to winter weather effects, which may be slowing housing activity in some pockets of the country. As we head into the spring home buying season, we can expect the market to continue to make gains at a gradual pace.”

Derived from a monthly survey that NAHB has been conducting for 30 years, the NAHB/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index 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.

The HMI index gauging buyer traffic held steady at 51, the chart measuring sales expectations in the next six months fell a single point to 77, and the component gauging current sales conditions dropped two points to 75.

Looking at the three-month moving averages for regional HMI scores, the South remained unchanged at 73, the Northeast fell one point to 55, the Midwest declined two points to 66, and the West dropped three points to 76.

Editor's Note: The NAHB/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index is strictly the product of NAHB Economics, and is not seen or influenced by any outside party prior to being released to the public. HMI tables can be found at nahb.org/hmi. More information on housing statistics is also available at housingeconomics.com.

SOURCE: NAHB.org

International Housing Association Focuses on Global Skilled Labor Shortage

Mon, 16 Apr 2018 08:00:00 PST

The International Housing Association (IHA) is focusing on ways to secure the skilled work force necessary to address the needs of the residential construction industry around the world, IHA leaders announced during the association’s annual meeting April 11-13 in Washington, D.C.

This effort will further the IHA’s priorities on housing affordability, availability and choice, while assisting to position the economies of IHA member countries for future success.

“The global residential construction industry has experienced a growing shortage of skilled labor for many reasons. Workers are leaving their home countries for better job opportunities elsewhere, the population of skilled trade workers is aging and young people are seeking professions requiring a college education instead of the building trades,” said Kristin Brookfield, IHA chair and chief executive for industry policy at HIA Australia.

“With the residential construction industry in most countries facing increased housing demand, the skilled labor shortage creates a range of challenges that ultimately affect housing supply and affordability.

“IHA members have a common interest in ensuring that the residential construction industry can address these challenges, and the recent discussion allowed members to share information about housing demand and skilled labor shortages in their country.

“We have agreed to look at the potential solutions to address the skilled labor shortage. Our membership represents 13 different countries, so we have the unique opportunity to be able to share our experiences and recommendations on different programs and policies,” she said.

Members will pursue a variety of goals including: raising the perception of skilled trades, sharing strategies designed to address the benefits the industry provides to a diverse group of workers and sharing approaches to make certain those taking up training in the residential building trades are appropriately paid.

“Members recognize this is a complex problem and that there are no simple solutions, but we hope that by working collectively we can gain insights in ways to improve the supply of skilled labor for the residential construction industry,” she said.

The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) serves as the Secretariat of IHA. For more information visit www.internationalhousingassociation.org.

SOURCE: NAHB.org

NAHB Study Shows Steady Gains in Construction Employment, But Levels Remain Below Peak

Tue, 03 Apr 2018 08:00:00 PST

A new construction employment analysis from the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) shows that 9.8 million people worked in construction in 2016, and more than 3.8 million of them worked in residential construction. These numbers reflect modest but steady job gains since 2011, when construction employment bottomed out. However, employment levels remain below the peaks reached during the housing boom in 2006, when more than 11 million worked in construction, and home building employed more than 5 million people.

“While it is promising to see that residential construction employment is on the rise, it is still far below where we need to be to meet the increasing demand for housing,” said NAHB Chairman Randy Noel, a custom home builder from LaPlace, La. “We will continue to push for programs and policies that address the labor shortage, such as workforce development initiatives and comprehensive immigration reform.”

NAHB’s analysis also shows the number of home building jobs across states and congressional districts.

California tops the nation in employment of residential construction workers—more than half a million residents worked in home building in 2016. This number is still down significantly from the 2006 peak of 788,000, though. Despite being one of the states most severely affected by the housing downturn, Florida comes in second with 361,000 residential construction workers.

Among the states hardest hit by the housing downturn and slowest to recover home building jobs are New Mexico, Nevada and Arizona, which still show job losses of 46, 43, and 41 percent, respectively, compared to 2006. Despite these significant job losses, home building in Nevada and Arizona continues to employ a relatively high share of local workers—more than 3 percent of the employed labor force.

NAHB’s analysis indicates that the average congressional district has more than 8,800 residents working in residential construction, but that number is often significantly higher. For example, in Montana’s single congressional district, close to 20,600 residents are in home building. Colorado’s 7^th district, which incorporates parts of the Denver-Aurora metro area, and Florida’s 19^th district, which serves an area on the west coast from Fort Myers to Marco Island, come in second and third with more than 18,000 employed in home building.

NAHB estimates of residential construction employment by state and congressional district are based on two main sources of data: the American Community Survey from the Census Bureau and the Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages compiled by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. These estimates include self-employed workers, who constitute approximately a quarter of the labor force of the sector. Read the full study on HousingEconomics.com.

SOURCE: NAHB.org

LMC Brings Specialist Together at the Annual Meeting

Mon, 02 Apr 2018 08:00:00 PST

There were two exciting, special events held at the 83^rd LMC Annual Meeting in Tampa, Florida March 21 – 23 that brought together niche specialists from the industry to learn and network together.

They included a Marketing Idea Exchange and a brand new Kitchen & Bath Showcase. The Exchange brought together marketing professionals from around the country who specifically work in the forest products and building materials industry. The K&B Showcase brought kitchen and bath designers together to learn with National Kitchen and Bath Association accredited courses, to see the latest and greatest products, and to network.

The Exchange began with a case study and ice breakers where the group got to know one another, explored challenges everyone was facing, and new solutions to overcome those challenges. The Marketing Idea Exchange featured two professional facilitators to help guide the conversations.

“I attended the Marketing exchange with the group. Whole new group of people I haven’t met, so a lot of networking and great contacts that I’ve made,” said Stacy Bivona of Builders Warehouse. “Our keynote speakers were great, they were very engaging. They kept the conversation flowing and a lot of the questions that the group had were addressed. There was very natural, collaborative discussions—it’s been great.”

The attendees then broke into two small groups to tackle two big topics: "Building Your Pro Business" and "Digital Marketing."

“I think the most valuable thing about the LMC Marketing Exchange was connecting with other dealers, different and the same as myself, and really learning about what they’re doing as well as things I can implement in our business in order to help grow,” said Jim Carpenter of Curtis Lumber.

The Kitchen and Bath Showcase was available all three days of LMC Annual, beginning with the educational sessions on March 21. The K&B Showcase also brought all the LMC K&B suppliers together in one area on the floor. Allowing kitchen and bath dealers to interact with the suppliers all in one place.

“The suppliers are pleased they are very happy with the results of the new layout of this show where we brought all of the K&B vendors together,” explained Deirdre Garland, a Kitchen & Bath Buyer for LMC and a key organizer of the Showcase. “They are getting a lot more direct traffic, targeted dealers, and they are a lot busier than in years’ past.”

Dealers that attended the Showcase expressed that they liked the opportunity to network with other designers and they especially appreciated the accredited courses—namely, the 20/20 training.

SOURCE: LMC.net

Millennials Leading the Growth of New Home Buyers

Mon, 02 Apr 2018 08:00:00 PST

As the housing industry celebrates New Homes Month in April, recent data from the Census Bureau confirms that millennials are increasingly entering the housing market as first-time buyers.

The homeownership rate of millennials—now at 36 percent—registered the largest gains among all age groups in 2017. As the nation’s largest demographic group, more than 70 million millennials are poised to dominate the home buying market in the months and years ahead.

“Millennials are recognizing the benefits of homeownership and are eager to buy their first homes,” said National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) Chairman Randy Noel, a custom home builder from LaPlace, La. “And contrary to conventional wisdom, this generation is in the market for single-family homes in the suburbs as they look ahead to raising their families.”

Home builders recognize the changing demographics and the increasing demand for entry-level homes. Yet rising construction costs and limited lot availability create significant challenges to building smaller, single-family detached homes that are both affordable to first-time buyers and cost-effective for builders.

With millennials willing to compromise on space, townhouses are offering a more affordable option for younger buyers ready to purchase their first homes. After experiencing a drop during the Great Recession, the share of new townhome construction has been rising since 2009. According to NAHB analysis of Census data, townhome construction in 2017 was up seven percent from 2016.

Millennials also are looking for homes with three bedrooms and two bathrooms, outdoor space, flexible areas that can be used for a variety of purposes and more luxurious finishes, like quartz countertops.

Ongoing economic growth and rising wages are expected to continue boosting housing demand throughout 2018. NAHB analysis of the Census Bureau’s Housing Vacancy Survey shows that the number of home owner households increased by 1.5 million in 2017, while the number of renter households declined by 76,000.

Home buyers can access home buying and home building information and resources at NewHomesMonth.org.

SOURCE: NAHB.org

February New Home Sales Flat After Upward Revisions to Prior Months

Fri, 23 Mar 2018 08:00:00 PST

Sales of newly built, single-family homes remained virtually unchanged, inching down 0.6 percent in February to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 618,000 units after upward revisions to the January, December and November reports, according to newly released data by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and the U.S. Census Bureau.

“New home sales are at a steady level, which is consistent with our measures of solid builder confidence in the housing market,” said NAHB Chairman Randy Noel, a custom home builder from LaPlace, La. “As housing demand grows, builders need to manage increasing costs for labor, lots and building materials to keep their homes competitively priced.”

“The recent upward revisions to the sales numbers reflect our forecast for a gradual strengthening of the single-family housing sector in 2018,” said NAHB Chief Economist Robert Dietz. “Demographic tailwinds point to higher demand for single-family homes in the months ahead. Combined with solid job market data, we expect more consumers to enter the housing market this year.”

The inventory of new home sales for sale was 305,000 in February, which is a 5.9-month supply at the current sales pace. The median sales price of new houses sold was $326,800.

Regionally, new home sales rose 19.4 percent in the Northeast and 9 percent in the South. Sales decreased 3.7 percent in the Midwest and 17.6 percent in the West.

SOURCE: NAHB.org

Budget Accord Misses the Mark on Affordable Housing

Thu, 22 Mar 2018 08:00:00 PST

Randy Noel, chairman of the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) and a custom home builder from LaPlace, La., today issued the following statement on the Low Income Housing Tax Credit component of the $1.3 trillion spending bill agreed to by congressional leaders:

“Bipartisan leaders in the Senate and House fell woefully short by agreeing to a budget compromise that significantly waters down any improvements to the Low Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC). The nation is facing a significant affordable housing crisis and the LIHTC is the premier program to help builders produce affordable rental housing units. Unfortunately, the spending bill does not do nearly enough to meet the affordable housing needs of this country, particularly in Texas, Florida and Puerto Rico, which are still struggling to recover from the devastating hurricanes of last year.

“NAHB will continue to push Congress to finish the job and quickly pass the Affordable Housing Improvements Act, which enjoys broad, bipartisan support on both sides of the Capitol. It would make a real difference by strengthening the LIHTC program and promoting the construction of hundreds of thousands of sorely needed affordable rental units over the next decade.”

SOURCE: NAHB.org

New NAHB Resource Shows Professionals How to Build a Successful Social Media Marketing Plan

Tue, 20 Mar 2018 08:00:00 PST

Social media has become increasingly important to businesses as a marketing and sales tool, however with the plethora of social media sites now available businesses may have a hard time keeping up or even knowing where to start. In Social Media Marketing for Your Business, the latest title released by BuilderBooks, the publishing arm of the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), builders and residential construction professionals will learn a long-term approach to building and maintaining an effective marketing strategy with social media as a main component.

In her latest book, author Carol Morgan teaches industry professionals how to:

Create a cohesive content plan with strategy and goals
Set marketing and social media goals and measure their success
Increase website traffic
Manage your online reputation
Maximize engagement and interaction on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and more

Social Media Marketing for Your Business is designed to show readers how to be successful and how to get the desired results by ensuring that all the various social media components are working well together.This invaluable resource includes tips and strategies on how to assess and expand marketing initiatives featuring tools such as scorecards and checklists. Housing professionals will gain the knowledge to develop a plan that will help market their business, increase visibility and make more sales.

Carol L. Morgan, MIRM, CAPS, CSP, has decades of experience as a marketing, public relations and social media expert, strategist, and consultant. She is President of Denim Marketing, which works nationwide with builders, developers, mortgage companies, construction product manufacturers, apartment developers, banks and others in the housing and construction industry.

Social Media Marketing for Your Business is available for purchase at www.BuilderBooks.com or by calling 800-223-2665. Soft-cover/144pages, $19.95 retail, $17.95 NAHB member, ISBN 978-0-86718-764-9.

SOURCE: NAHB.org

Multifamily Drop Pushes Total Housing Starts Down as Single-Family Makes Gains

Fri, 16 Mar 2018 08:00:00 PST

A decline in multifamily starts pushed overall housing production down 7.0 percent in February to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1.24 million units, according to newly released data from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and the Commerce Department.

Multifamily production fell 26.1 percent to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 334,000 units after an exceptionally high January report. Meanwhile, single-family starts posted a 2.9 percent gain to 902,000 units.

“The uptick in single-family production is consistent with our builder confidence readings, which have been in the 70s for four consecutive months,” said NAHB Chairman Randy Noel, a custom home builder from LaPlace, La. “However, builders must manage rising construction costs to keep home prices competitive.”

“Some multifamily pullback is expected after an unusually strong January reading. Multifamily starts should continue to level off throughout the year,” said NAHB Chief Economist Robert Dietz. “Meanwhile, the growth in single-family production is in line with our 2018 forecast for gradual, modest strengthening in this sector of the housing market.”

Regionally in February, combined single- and multifamily housing production increased 7.6 percent in the Midwest. Starts fell 3.5 percent in the Northeast, 7.3 percent in the South and 12.9 percent in the West.

Multifamily weakness pushed overall permit issuance down 5.7 percent in February to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1.3 million units. Multifamily permits fell 14.8 percent to 426,000 while single-family permits were essentially unchanged, edging down 0.6 percent to 872,000.

Permit issuance rose 12.7 percent in the Northeast and 3.4 percent in the Midwest. Permits declined 3.4 percent in the West and 12.4 percent in the South.

SOURCE: NAHB.org

Builder Confidence Remains on Solid Footing in March

Thu, 15 Mar 2018 08:00:00 PST

Builder confidence in the market for newly-built single-family homes edged down one point to a level of 70 in March from a downwardly revised February reading on the National Association of Home Builders/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index (HMI) but remains in strong territory.

“Builders’ optimism continues to be fueled by growing consumer demand for housing and confidence in the market,” said NAHB Chairman Randy Noel, a custom home builder from LaPlace, La. “However, builders are reporting challenges in finding buildable lots, which could limit their ability to meet this demand.”

“A strong labor market, rising incomes and a growing economy are boosting demand for homeownership even as interest rates rise,” said NAHB Chief Economist Robert Dietz. “With these economic fundamentals in place, the single-family sector should continue to make gains at a gradual pace in the months ahead.”

The HMI component gauging current sales conditions held steady at 77, the chart measuring sales expectations in the next six months dropped two points to 78, and the index gauging buyer traffic fell three points to 51.

Looking at the three-month moving averages for regional HMI scores, the Northeast rose one point to 57, the South decreased one point to 73, the West fell two points to 79, and the Midwest dropped four points to 68.

SOURCE: NAHB.org

Innovation is the Key to a Successful Business

Thu, 15 Mar 2018 08:00:00 PST

Newport Beach, Calif. (March 15, 2018) Hacker Industries, Inc., supplier of Firm-Fill® Gypsum Concrete Underlayments and Firm-Fill® SCM Acoustical Control Mats, is privileged to showcase their products to drywall contractors and their affiliates across the United States. Please visit Hacker Industries, Inc. at INTEX Expo in booth 1726 to learn what innovations FIRM-FILL® products can offer your business.

Since innovation is the key to a successful business, the addition of FIRM-FILL® products has been a huge success for our Licensed Applicators. One Licensed Applicator of Hacker Industries, Inc., who is based in New York City, recently expanded his business by adding FIRM-FILL® products. In the concrete jungle of Manhattan high rises, installing floor leveling concretes over concrete has often been a job done by barrel-mixing. The cost-entry point for barrel-mixing may be low, but it is a labor-intensive and time-consuming process.

The Licensed Applicator invested in a pump to install FIRM-FILL® Gypsum Concrete. With FIRM-FILL® being pumpable and virtually self-leveling, he can install up to 40,000 sq. ft. in a single day, pour it over an inch thick and feather it to zero to create a level, smooth surface for finished floor coverings.

By reinventing his installation method and products, he has seen his margins increase and his pump has already paid for itself. He is recruiting a larger crew so he can handle the demand for the projects in the area.

INTEX Expo will be held March 27-28 at the Walt Disney World Swan & Dolphin Resort. If you would like to contact Hacker Industries, Inc. prior to the show, please call us at 800-642-3455, email us at info@hackerindustries.com or find us on the web at www.HackerIndustries.com.

Regulatory Horror Story Highlights Need to Reform Permitting Process

Thu, 15 Mar 2018 08:00:00 PST

Illustrating how the federal regulatory system has run amok and the need for Congress to pass legislation to fix a broken permitting process, a development firm today shared its three-decade nightmare with a House panel regarding its futile attempts to obtain a Clean Water Act permit.

During a hearing before the House Subcommittee on Interior, Energy and the Environment, lawmakers heard how The ESG Companies based in Virginia Beach, Va. has been denied a Section 404 Clean Water Act permit to develop its property for close to 30 years, even though the company has repeatedly gone through proper channels and put forth state-approved plans that would result in no net loss of wetlands.

Valerie Wilkinson, vice president and chief financial officer of The ESG Companies, testified before the House committee on behalf of the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB). She described how an ongoing regulatory quagmire has prevented her firm from developing a multi-use community to meet local housing needs on land purchased in the mid-1980s.

“The land we acquired almost three decades ago still lays undeveloped and we continue to be held hostage by the federal government,” said Wilkinson. “Throughout every step of the process, the rules have changed and new requirements have been added. After 30 years, we’ve spent more than $4.5 million and are still not even close to obtaining the required federal Clean Water Act 404 permit for our project.”

During The ESG Companies’ decades-long odyssey to obtain required permits for the development of its property, the firm has hired specialists with extensive expertise in environmental geology and wetlands hydrology, scores of environmental consultants to conduct wetland functional assessments and consultants suggested by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

“Over the past 30 years, we have complied with every request, modified our building plans and created an extremely aggressive conservation plan to combat environmental impacts,” said Wilkinson. “Most businesses do not have the time, money and fortitude to engage in these lengthy battles and are forced to abandon such projects. We mean to stay in this fight, but it is difficult to say what else we can do to move this project forward.”

In a positive development, the Trump administration is working to rescind the waters of the U.S. rule. Though the rule is not currently in effect, it would increase federal regulatory power over private property and lead to increased litigation, costly permit requirements, and lengthy delays for any business trying to comply.

NAHB will work with the administration to develop a new rule that will protect the nation’s waterways and environment and take into account the interests of small businesses and local communities across the land.

To further streamline the permitting process and prevent federal agencies from needlessly delaying projects, NAHB is seeking a regulatory and legislative solution that would:

Require one federal agency to take the lead on evaluating projects. Allowing builders to consult with one agency will ultimately reduce the time and resources needed to obtain a permit, while continuing to protect the environment.
Give the federal government a two-year deadline to complete the permitting process. This would provide clarity and certainty to home builders and other small businesses.
Allow states to administer the Clean Water Act 404 permitting program for certain waters within their borders. By granting authority to the states as envisioned by Congress, red tape in Washington will be cut and permit costs and delays for home building projects and related infrastructure projects will decrease.

SOURCE: NAHB.org

Elmhurst Gypsum Flooring, Inc. Completes 34,700 sq. ft. Gypsum Concrete Underlayment Installation in 1 Day

Thu, 01 Mar 2018 08:00:00 PST

Headingly is a quiet, rural, community outside of Winnipeg, Canada, and is home to the Heartland Estates Adult Community, where people move to enjoy a peaceful lifestyle. As Heartland Estates’ Phase II nears completion, leases are being signed for these first-class, spacious suites that offer plenty of natural light, large kitchens, private balconies and in-suite laundry rooms among other luxury amenities.

To create a living space as peaceful as the surrounding Headingly countryside, developer Bridge Road Construction Ltd. brought in Elmhurst Gypsum Flooring Inc. to install the floor underlayment needed to not only provide the necessary sound attenuation that helps create a quiet home, but the required fire protection as well.

Elmhurst Gypsum Flooring chose Firm-Fill® 3310+ Gypsum Concrete Underlayment, the newest gypsum formulation provided by Hacker Industries, Inc. They were able to install all 34,700 ft2, at a depth of one inch, in a single day. This feat highlights one of the benefits of Firm-Fill® Gypsum Concrete Underlayment (GCU) - their ease of installation. Experienced crews like Elmhurst Gypsum Flooring, working with a quality product like Firm-Fill® GCU, help keep projects on schedule by being able to do the job fast and right the first time around.

Firm-Fill® 3310+ is a premium poured floor underlayment delivering best-in-class performance with compressive strengths from 3000-3900 psi. Ideal over wood or concrete subfloors in multi-family, hospitality, and renovation projects, FIRM-FILL® 3310+ maximizes sound control and creates an enhanced surface for finished floor coverings.

Like all Firm-Fill® GCUs, 3310+ is listed in over 105 UL Fire Rated Designs, meets ASTM F2419 and Tile Council of North America F180, as well as evaluation report approval from ICC-ESR 3386 and IAPMO UES-474, demonstrating that they meet IBC’s latest code approvals. FIRM-FILL® SCM acoustical control mats also meet all above code approvals. When installed together, Firm-Fill® GCU and SCM can dramatically improved acoustical performance in multifamily housing.

Elmhurst Gypsum Flooring Inc. has been a licensed installer of FIRM FILL® products since 1992. In that time, they have installed FIRM FILL® GCU, as well as FIRM FILL® SCM acoustical control mats, in residential and commercial properties across Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Northwestern Ontario. For more information on Elmhurst Gypsum Flooring, Inc., as well as their other construction businesses, visit them online at www.elmhurstgroup.ca.

Exterior Rendering of Heartland Estates with Parking

Wood laminate installed over 1" of FIRM-FILL 3310+

SOURCE: HackerIndustries.com

Apartment and Condominium Market Ends Fourth Quarter on a Positive Note

Thu, 22 Feb 2018 08:00:00 PST

The Multifamily Production Index (MPI), released today by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), posted a gain of seven points to 53 in the fourth quarter of 2017.

The MPI measures builder and developer sentiment about current conditions in the apartment and condominium market on a scale of 0 to 100. The index and all of its components are scaled so that a number above 50 indicates that more respondents report conditions are improving than report conditions are getting worse.

The MPI provides a composite measure of three key elements of the multifamily housing market: construction of low-rent units, market-rate rental units and “for-sale" units, or condominiums. All three components increased in the fourth quarter: low-rent units rose two points to 56, market-rate rental units climbed 11 points to 54 and for-sale units increased nine points to 49.

The Multifamily Vacancy Index (MVI), which measures the multifamily housing industry's perception of vacancies, remained even at 41, with lower numbers indicating fewer vacancies. The MVI has been fairly stable since 2013, after peaking at 70 in the second quarter of 2009.

“Multifamily developers continue to see solid demand in many parts of the country,” said Steven Lawson, president of The Lawson Companies in Virginia Beach, Va., and chairman of NAHB’s Multifamily Council. “However, developers need to be careful to manage costs as prices of land, labor and some building materials continue to rise."

“The positive MPI reading is consistent with builder sentiment readings in other segments of the housing industry,” said NAHB Chief Economist Robert Dietz. "Continued job growth and increasing household formation are key drivers for the multifamily market moving forward.”

For data tables on the MPI and MVI, visit www.nahb.org/mms.

SOURCE: NAHB.org

GARAGA adds a new garage door model: the PRINCETON

Thu, 22 Feb 2018 08:00:00 PST

To complement the traditional and carriage house designs seen on many houses these days, Garaga is adding a new garage door model pattern to its range of residential garage doors, the PRINCETON model for its Townships Collection.

The Townships Collections includes 3 models: the Princeton, the Eastman and the Cambridge. All these steel doors are 2 3⁄8 inches thick, including the decorative PVC overlays.

The PRINCETON

This model is mostly used for carriage house and Craftsman‑style house designs. What distinguishes this door is the fact its top glass section is 30 inches high. The Princeton comes in a choice of 9 different colors as well as up to 12 different decorative window options.

The Princeton is a 2 3⁄8‑inch‑thick steel door and insulated with polyurethane foam which provides an R‑16 insulation factor. Six different door designs are offered for widths of 8 to 18 feet and heights of 7 or 8 feet.

As we were told by Mr. Maxime Gendreau, Director of Marketing at Garaga, "This new garage door offers a rich and cozy style which will exceed homeowners’ expectations. We are confident this garage door model will WOW them! The Princeton door is offered with traditional‑style as well as carriage‑house overlay configurations."

SOURCE: Garaga.com

Statement from NAHB Chairman Randy Noel on IRS Announcement Clarifying Tax Deduction for HELOCs

Wed, 21 Feb 2018 08:00:00 PST

Randy Noel, chairman of the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) and a custom home builder from LaPlace, La., issued the following statement regarding today’s IRS announcement clarifying tax deductions taken on home equity loans or home equity lines of credit :

The National Association of Home Builders applauds today’s announcement by the IRS clarifying that households can take a tax deduction on a home equity loan or home equity line of credit if the loan is used for home improvements. This is a major victory for remodelers and for home owners who want to invest in their homes. NAHB has been pushing hard for this outcome since December, when The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 was signed into law. We will continue to work with Congress and the Administration as they hammer out the details of the new tax law.

SOURCE: NAHB.org

Housing Production Makes Healthy Gains to Start New Year

Fri, 16 Feb 2018 08:00:00 PST

A surge in multifamily production pushed overall housing starts up 9.7 percent in January to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1.33 million units after an upwardly revised December reading, according to newly released data from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and the Commerce Department.

Multifamily starts rose 23.7 percent to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 449,000 units. Meanwhile, single-family production posted a healthy 3.7 percent gain to 877,000 units.

“The growth in production is in line with our reports of solid builder confidence in the housing market,” said NAHB Chairman Randy Noel, a custom home builder from LaPlace, La. “A pro-business regulatory climate and increasing housing demand are boosting builders’ optimism, even as they continue to face supply-side hurdles such as rising construction material prices and access to lots and labor.”

“Demand for owner-occupied housing is rising due to favorable demographic tailwinds and a healthy labor market. Increases in after-tax incomes should help prospective buyers save for a downpayment on a home,” said NAHB Chief Economist Robert Dietz. “As consumers continue to enter the single-family market, we should see builders increase production to meet this demand.”

Regionally in January, combined single- and multifamily housing production increased 45.5 percent in the Northeast, 10.7 percent in the West, and 9.3 percent in the South. Starts fell 10.2 percent in the Midwest.

Overall permit issuance rose 7.4 percent to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1.4 million units, which is a post-recession high. Multifamily permits registered a 26.5 percent gain to 530,000 while single-family permits edged down 1.7 percent to 866,000.

Permit issuance rose 92.5 percent in the South and 17.1 percent in the West. Permits declined 2.6 percent in the Midwest and 21.7 percent in the Northeast.

SOURCE: NAHB.org

Ply Gem Building Products Celebrates Its Commitment to Innovation Through Its First-Annual Innovation Challenge

Fri, 16 Feb 2018 08:00:00 PST

Industry leading manufacturer invites more than 9,000 associates companywide to pitch new solutions that address critical needs for next generation residential and commercial building products and customers.

Cary, N.C. (February 16, 2018) – Ply Gem® (NYSE: PGEM), a leading North American building products manufacturer, demonstrated its commitment to innovation – one of the company’s core values –through its inaugural Innovation challenge. The competition, open to all full-time Ply Gem associates, was implemented to identify and evaluate high-potential, innovative go-to-market solutions through in-house teamwork and collaboration.

“Essential to Ply Gem’s longstanding history of success is our people; we have the best and brightest minds in the industry and we believe that innovation is everyone’s responsibility,” said Gary E. Robinette, chairman and CEO, Ply Gem Building Products. “This year’s Innovation challenge has reinforced Ply Gem’s core values, providing an open platform for our associates to express their ideas, while highlighting our company’s ongoing dedication to advancing building science and exceeding customer needs, now and in the future.”

Following a thorough application and judging process for the Ply Gem Innovation competition, four winning product technology and business model solutions were selected from among the 400 entries. All submissions were evaluated based on their potential impact to customer engagement, practicality of use/potential for scale, market share, revenue, and/or cost improvement. Ply Gem awarded a combined total of $100,000 to the top four winners.

1st Place Entry: An industry-first means of making Ply Gem’s building products more accessible and secure at the jobsite, resulting in measurable customer efficiencies for new construction and remodeling.
2nd Place Entry: A revolutionary new window hardware concept that reduces SKUs and inventory in Ply Gem window plants, while providing an improved customer experience in terms of operation and design aesthetic.
3rd Place Entry: An approach that combines smart home technologies to bring new purposes to Ply Gem’s existing array of building products such as vinyl siding and windows.
4th Place Entry: A new model for adding functionality and reinventing where windows can be installed in the home.

Throughout its 75-year history, Ply Gem has been committed to pushing the boundaries of sustainability, advanced material science and smart manufacturing. The Ply Gem Innovation challenge is an extension of the company’s Foundation Labs division, which serves as a new approach to making innovation a sustainable business model and exploring opportunities for researching, prototyping, testing and launching new products and methodologies into the industry.

For more information on Ply Gem products and solutions, visit www.plygem.com.

About Ply Gem Building Products
Ply Gem (NYSE: PGEM), headquartered in Cary, N.C., is a leading manufacturer of building products in North America. Ply Gem produces a comprehensive product line of windows and patio doors; vinyl, aluminum and steel siding and accessories; engineered slate and cedar roofing products; designer accents; cellular PVC trim and mouldings; vinyl fencing and railing; stone veneer and gutterware; all used in both new construction and home repair and remodeling in the United States and Canada. Visit www.plygem.com for more information.

Builder Confidence Stays at Strong Level in February

Thu, 15 Feb 2018 08:00:00 PST

Builder confidence in the market for newly-built single-family homes remained unchanged at a healthy 72 level in February on the National Association of Home Builders/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index (HMI).

“Builders are excited about the pro-business political climate that will strengthen the housing market and support overall economic growth,” said NAHB Chairman Randy Noel, a custom home builder from LaPlace, La. “However, they need to manage supply-side construction hurdles, such as shortages of labor and lots and building material price increases.”

“The HMI gauge of future sales expectations has reached a post-recession high, an indicator that consumer demand for housing should grow in the months ahead,” said NAHB Chief Economist Robert Dietz. “With ongoing job creation, increasing owner-occupied household formation, and a tight supply of existing home inventory, the single-family housing sector should continue to strengthen at a gradual but consistent pace.”

The HMI component charting sales expectations in the next six months rose two points to 80, the index measuring buyer traffic held steady at 54, and the component gauging current sales conditions dropped one point to 78.

Looking at the three-month moving averages for regional HMI scores, the Midwest rose two points to 72, the South increased one point to 74, the West remained unchanged at 81, and Northeast fell two points to 56.

SOURCE: NAHB.org

The Home Depot Launches Interview Self-Scheduling to Attract More Than 80,000 Spring Hires

Wed, 14 Feb 2018 08:00:00 PST

ATLANTA, Feb. 14, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- The Home Depot® has launched a new tool that allows job applicants to self-schedule in-person interviews as the company works to fill more than 80,000 positions for its busy spring selling season.

Using the tool, which is available 24/7 on any device, candidates who have completed an application for an open job in a Home Depot store or distribution center can easily choose the most convenient interview appointment available. About 80 percent of The Home Depot's candidates have taken advantage of the tool since the pilot began this past November.

"Just as we're continuously evolving to meet the changing expectations of our customers, we're harnessing new technologies to do the same for job seekers," said Tim Hourigan, EVP – Human Resources. "This consumer-like experience helps us hire the best talent to serve our customers."

Candidate Self-Service is the latest in a series of enhancements The Home Depot has made to its application process. Last spring, the company saw a 50 percent increase in candidates after rolling out its 15-minute application, Mobile Apply and Text-to-Apply capabilities.

The Home Depot is also enhancing its onboarding experience this spring with the introduction of PocketGuide for associate training, a mobile application that leverages gamification to help associates learn while they're in the aisles. PocketGuide delivers product knowledge and learning activities to the palm of an associate's hand, significantly reducing backroom training. The application is rolling out to all garden associates for this spring season and will expand to more store departments throughout 2018.

Job seekers can visit careers.homedepot.com/retailjobs for a list of seasonal and permanent opportunities in their area. The time associates accrue during their seasonal assignments generally applies to eligibility for benefits like profit-sharing bonuses and vacation if they transition to a permanent role with The Home Depot.

The Home Depot is the world's largest home improvement specialty retailer, with 2,284 retail stores in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, 10 Canadian provinces and Mexico. In fiscal 2016, The Home Depot had sales of $94.6 billion and earnings of $8.0 billion. The Company employs more than 400,000 associates. The Home Depot's stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: HD) and is included in the Dow Jones industrial average and Standard & Poor's 500 index.

SOURCE: HomeDepot.com

NAHB Commends Trump Infrastructure Plan

Mon, 12 Feb 2018 08:00:00 PST

The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) today commended President Trump’s $1.5 trillion infrastructure plan to rebuild and revitalize the nation’s aging transportation network.

“This package includes a number of provisions that are designed to spur economic and job growth that will also boost the housing sector,” said NAHB Chairman Randy Noel, a custom home builder from LaPlace, La. “Specifically, it will streamline the regulatory and permitting process to get new projects off the ground, place an emphasis on vocational training and delegate authority back to state and local governments.”

The plan expedites environmental reviews by giving the Army Corps of Engineers primary authority to make jurisdictional determinations under the Clean Water Act (CWA) and removing the Environmental Protection Agency’s authority to veto a CWA Section 404 permit. Improvements to the CWA Section 404 permit program are particularly important to home builders who rely on them to authorize impacts to wetlands and streams as a result of residential developments, utility lines and linear transportation projects, among other activities.

The proposal also contains a number of initiatives to help to alleviate the severe labor shortage in the residential construction industry. It would expand Pell Grants and alter the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education program to increase funding to high schools “to promote strategies such as apprenticeship, work-based learning and dual-enrollment.”

“A robust transportation system that enables people to live near where they work will benefit housing and the economy,” said Noel. “We urge Congress to support the president’s infrastructure initiative.”

SOURCE: NAHB.org

Statement from NAHB Chair Randy Noel on Nationwide Injunction for WOTUS Rule

Thu, 08 Feb 2018 08:00:00 PST

Randy Noel, chairman of the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) and a custom home builder from LaPlace, La., issued the following statement regarding the Feb. 7 motion by NAHB and its coalition partners including farmers, miners and foresters to ask the U.S. District Court in Texas to issue a nationwide preliminary injunction on the waters of the United States, or the WOTUS Rule:

“For far too long, our members have been in limbo, and that uncertainty is not good for home buyers or for the national economy. We must protect our nation’s waterways, but in a way that’s defensible and understandable.

“We support the efforts of the Trump Administration to re-craft the rule within the bounds of the Clean Water Act, but we also need certainty that previous Administration's too-broad interpretation of federal jurisdiction – the flawed 2015 rule – never sees the light of day.”

SOURCE: NAHB.org

Housing Affordability Remains Flat in 2017

Tue, 06 Feb 2018 08:00:00 PST

Data for all four quarters of 2017 show housing affordability remaining essentially flat throughout the year, according to the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB)/Wells Fargo Housing Opportunity Index (HOI) released today.

In all, 59.6 percent of new and existing homes sold between the beginning of October and end of December were affordable to families earning the U.S. median income of $68,000. This is just slightly up from the 58.3 percent of homes sold that were affordable to median-income earners in the third quarter, and effectively the same rate as in the fourth quarter of 2016, when the HOI stood at 59.9 percent.

“Builder confidence and consumer demand remain strong, and this should help bring more buyers into the marketplace in the year ahead,” said NAHB Chairman Randy Noel, a custom home builder from LaPlace, La. “At the same time, builders are working hard to keep home prices affordable as they continue to grapple with persistent labor and lot shortages, burdensome regulations and rising costs for building materials. Another factor that could have a negative effect on housing affordability in the first quarter is a recent rise in mortgage interest rates.”

“Ongoing job and economic growth coupled with tight inventories and rising household formations are boosting housing demand,” said NAHB Chief Economist Robert Dietz. “Meanwhile, NAHB has reduced its home price forecast this year to 2.9 percent as a result of the recently enacted tax reform legislation. While it will further boost economic activity, the new tax law is expected to contribute to price softness in some high-cost, high-tax markets now that deductions for income and property taxes are capped at $10,000 per year.”

The national median home price fell to $255,000 in the fourth quarter of 2017 from $260,000 in the previous quarter. Price changes in this series can sometimes diverge from other national measures due to the limited geographic scope of the underlying data. Meanwhile, average mortgage rates inched down four basis points in the fourth quarter to 4.06 percent from 4.1 percent in the third quarter.

Youngstown-Warren-Boardman, Ohio-Pa., and Syracuse, N.Y., tied as the nation’s most affordable major housing market. In both metros, 88.3 percent of all new and existing homes sold in the fourth quarter were affordable to families earning the area’s median income of $54,600 and $68,000, respectively. Meanwhile, Cumberland, Md.-W.Va., was rated the nation’s most affordable smaller market, with 96.9 percent of homes sold in the fourth quarter being affordable to families earning the median income of $53,900.

Rounding out the top five affordable major housing markets in respective order were Indianapolis-Carmel-Anderson, Ind.; Scranton-Wilkes Barre-Hazleton, Pa.; and Columbia, S.C.

Smaller markets joining Cumberland at the top of the list included Kokomo, Ind.; Wheeling, W.Va.-Ohio; Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, Iowa-Ill.; and Mansfield, Ohio, which also posted a fifth place tie with Monroe, Mich.

San Francisco, which had been the nation’s least affordable housing market for 19 straight quarters before being displaced by Los Angeles in the third quarter of 2017, once again assumed the mantle as the least affordable market. There, just 6.3 percent of the homes sold in the last quarter of 2017 were affordable to families earning the area’s median income of $113,100.

All five least affordable small housing markets were also in the Golden State. At the very bottom of the affordability chart was Salinas, where 12 percent of all new and existing homes sold were affordable to families earning the area’s median income of $63,100.

In descending order, other small markets at the lowest end of the affordability scale included Santa Cruz-Watsonville; San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles-Arroyo Grande; Napa; and San Rafael.

Please visit www.nahb.org/hoi for tables, historic data and details.

SOURCE: NAHB.org

Housing Market Makes Modest Gains Even as Permits Slip

Tue, 06 Feb 2018 08:00:00 PST

Overall housing and economic activity in metro markets across the nation remained on a gradual, upward trend in the fourth quarter of 2017 even as permit activity remained a stubbornly lagging indicator, according to the National Association of Home Builders/First American Leading Markets Index (LMI) released today.

“While the home price appreciation and employment components of the LMI are at healthy levels and continue to expand, we are concerned with the sluggish permit activity,” said NAHB Chief Economist Robert Dietz. “The weak permit numbers indicate that builders may be hesitant to start projects as they contend with supply-side hurdles, such as rising material prices and labor shortages.”

“This report shows that the overall housing market is moving forward at a gradual pace, with the fastest growing metro areas mostly in the South and West,” said NAHB Chairman Randy Noel, a custom home builder and developer from LaPlace, La. “Continued economic growth, rising consumer demand and a pro-business political climate should keep housing on an upward trajectory in 2018.”

Markets in 195 of the 337 metro areas nationwide returned to or exceeded their last normal levels of economic and housing activity in the fourth quarter of 2017. This represents a year-over-year net gain of 25 markets. Meanwhile, 82 percent of markets have shown an improvement year over year.

Two of the three individual components of the LMI registered healthy readings. Employment is at 98 percent of normal activity and home price levels are well above normal at 158 percent. However, single-family permits are running at only 56 percent of normal activity.

In an encouraging sign, employment levels are at or above normal activity in 128 markets — a 8.5 percent rise over last quarter. Permit levels, on the other hand, are at or above normalcy in only 62 markets and dropped 7.5 percent from the third quarter of 2017.

“The number of markets on this quarter’s LMI at or above 90 percent has risen to 274 — more than 81 percent of all metro areas,” said Kurt Pfotenhauer, vice chairman of First American Title Insurance Company, which co-sponsors the LMI report. “This shows that the overall market continues to make modest, but consistent gains.”

Baton Rouge, La., continues to top the list of major metros on the LMI, with a score of 1.71 — or 71 percent better than its historical normal market level. Other major metros leading the group include Austin, Texas; Honolulu; Oxnard, Calif.; and Provo, Utah. Rounding out the top 10 are San Jose, Calif.; Nashville, Tenn.; Spokane, Wash; Los Angeles; and Salt Lake City.

Among smaller metros, Odessa, Texas, has an LMI score of 2.15, meaning that it is now at more than double its market strength prior to the recession. Also at the top of that list are Midland, Texas; Walla Walla, Wash.; Florence, Ala.; and Gadsden, Ala.

The LMI examines metro areas to identify those that are now approaching and exceeding their previous normal levels of economic and housing activity. Approximately 340 metro areas are scored by taking their average permit, price and employment levels for the past 12 months and dividing each by their annual average over the last period of normal growth.

For permits and employment, both the 12-month average and the annual average during the last period of normal growth are also adjusted for the underlying population count. For single-family permits and home prices, 2000-2003 is used as the last normal period, and for employment, 2007 is the base comparison. The three components are then averaged to provide an overall score for each market; a national score is calculated based on national measures of the three metrics. An index value above one indicates that a market has advanced beyond its previous normal level of economic activity.

SOURCE: NAHB.org

55+ Housing Market Ends Fourth Quarter on Record High

Thu, 01 Feb 2018 08:00:00 PST

Builder confidence in the single-family 55+ housing market remained strong in the fourth quarter of 2017 with a reading of 71, up 12 points from the previous quarter, according to the National Association of Home Builders' (NAHB) 55+ Housing Market Index (HMI) released today. This is the highest reading since the inception of the index in 2008.

“Builders and developers in the 55+ housing market are reporting strong demand across the country,” said Chuck Ellison, chairman of NAHB's 55+ Housing Industry Council and Vice President-Land of Miller & Smith in McLean, Va. “However, regulations in some parts of the country can make it challenging to meet the demand.”

All three index components of the 55+ single-family HMI posted increases from the previous quarter: Present sales posted a record high, increasing 14 points to 79, while expected sales for the next six months jumped 10 points to 73 and traffic of prospective buyers rose seven points to 51.

The 55+ multifamily condo HMI posted a gain of three points to 54. The index component for present sales increased four points to 59, expected sales for the next six months rose five points to 60 and traffic of prospective buyers remained even at 40.

Two of the four components of the 55+ multifamily rental market went up from the third quarter: present production increased three points to 62 and expected future production rose four points to 61, while present demand for existing units fell four points to 71 and future expected demand dropped nine points to 67.

“The strong performance of the 55+ HMI at the end of 2017 is consistent with recent increases in broader measures of the housing market, including the NAHB/Wells Fargo HMI,” said NAHB Chief Economist Robert Dietz. “We expect continued growth in the market for new 55+ housing in 2018 due to favorable demographics, rising home owner wealth and the current tight supply of existing homes on the market.”

For the full 55+ HMI tables, please visit nahb.org/55hmi.

Weyerhaeuser Distribution Adds Allura Siding in Northeast

Thu, 01 Feb 2018 08:00:00 PST

The fiber cement siding manufacturer to offer its full siding and trim line

Seattle, Wash., February 1, 2018 - Weyerhaeuser Distribution’s Easton, Pennsylvania facility will now offer Allura, a leading fiber cement siding manufacturer. The facility will service markets in the northeast including Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, Maryland, Connecticut and Delaware. The specially formulated, high performance fiber cement siding has a natural wood look and is easy to maintain and can stand up to weather conditions in all climates.

Allura’s lap siding comes in both smooth and traditional finishes, both have fire, bug, moisture, impact and fade resistant qualities. Smooth lap offers a smooth matte finish with the lowest gloss finish available while traditional lap showcases a realistic wood grain. Both finishes are available with a ready-to-paint option, or customers can choose from one of the ColorMax® solid colors and stain color solutions.

In addition, a full line of ColorMax and primed products lines will be available including planks, panels, shingles, soffits, trim, and shapes offering a complete one-stop-shop for ease of installation.

"We’re excited to add Allura to our wide range of building products in Easton – offering builders another way to differentiate their homes,” said David Helmers, vice president of Weyerhaeuser Distribution. “Coupled with Easton’s excellent customer service and quick delivery capabilities, we’re confident our customers will quickly adopt this high performing, affordable alternative siding for both new construction and remodeling.”

For more than 75 years, Allura has manufactured fiber cement exterior building products. With an industry-leading 50-year limited warranty and commitment to sustainability, Allura is a powerful addition to Weyerhaeuser’s distribution offering. Allura’s fiber cement siding products are manufactured in its three plants, North Carolina, Indiana and Oregon.

“We’re pleased to partner with Weyerhaeuser’s Easton-based distribution network and its loyal dealer base,” says Jessica L. Navascues, CEO, Allura. “The partnership expands our national reach and is an important step in the growth of Allura in the U.S. building products market.”

For more details on Allura fiber cement siding, visit www.AlluraUSA.com.
For more information on Weyerhaeuser Distribution, visit www.weyerhaeuser.com/distribution.

About Weyerhaeuser
Weyerhaeuser, one of the world’s largest forest products companies, began operations in 1900. The company’s wood products business offers leading structural frame materials and OSB products, software, and technical support for residential, multi-family, and light commercial construction under the Weyerhaeuser and Trus Joist® brand names. Weyerhaeuser is also one of the largest building products distributors in the U.S., offering products through more than 300 suppliers. Weyerhaeuser manages its timberlands on a sustainable basis in compliance with internationally recognized forestry standards, and all of the company’s structural wood products are certified to the SFI® standard. www.weyerhaeuser.com/distribution

About Allura
For over 75 years, Allura has manufactured and distributed fiber cement exterior building products including lap siding, panels, soffits, shakes, exterior trim and decking. Specially formulated to withstand any type of climate, fiber cement products by Allura with their realistic wood grain won't crack, warp or splinter and effectively resist fire, water and fungus. To learn more about Allura's fiber cement products, go to www.AlluraUSA.com. Also, follow Allura at www.facebook.com/allurausa and on Twitter @AlluraUSA.

2-Year Delay of WOTUS Rule a Much-Needed Step, NAHB Says

Wed, 31 Jan 2018 08:00:00 PST

The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) applauds today’s announcement by the Environmental Protection Agency mandating a two-year delay of the Obama-era “waters of the United States” (WOTUS) Rule.

“This delay gives the agency more time to work with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and replace the rule with new definitions that provide needed clarity and narrow federal authority,” said NAHB Chairman Randy Noel, a custom builder from La Place, La.

“This is a decision we have been waiting a long time for. In addition to sending comments and providing testimony, NAHB has met repeatedly with EPA leaders to explain the effects of these new definitions and how the overreach and resulting confusion affects not only property owners but the regulators themselves.”

“The 2015 WOTUS rule developed by the Obama administration will not be applicable for the next two years, while we work through the process of providing long-term regulatory certainty across all 50 states about what waters are subject to federal regulation,” EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt said in a press statement.

In 2015, the Obama Administration issued a new definition of WOTUS to determine the scope of federal Clean Water Act jurisdiction. That definition – which would require builders and developers to obtain federal permits for activities in isolated ponds, dry streambeds and most ditches – was immediately met with litigation around the country.

“We want to keep our waterways clean, but we also need clarity so we can follow the rules,” Noel said.

SOURCE: NAHB.org

EIMA Announces New Board of Directors for 2018/2020

Wed, 31 Jan 2018 08:00:00 PST

Falls Church, Va., January 31, 2018 — The EIFS Industry Members Association (EIMA) is pleased to announce the election of its new board of directors effective immediately. Peter Daechsel of BASF – Wall Systems has been elected by the EIMA Board of Directors as the EIMA President for the 2018/2020 term. Mr. Daechsel is a longtime member of EIMA who has served on various committees, and most recently, as the vice president on the board of directors.

In addition to Mr. Daechsel, the rest of the board positions are as follows:

Steve Kennedy, Vice President (Dow Construction Materials)
Greg Weidbusch, Secretary (Parex USA)
David Boivin, Treasurer (STO Corp)
Mike Murphy, Manufacturer Director (Dryvit Systems, Inc.)
Steve Smithwick, Manufacturer Director (Master Wall®, Inc.)
Dave Neff, Distributor Director (Manning Materials)
Sarah Aird, Contractor Director (Aird Incorporated)

Sarah Aird was elected to the EIMA Board of Directors last fall by EIMA membership. Her addition will give contractors an added voice and seat at the table for important industry decisions and activities.

The EIFS Industry Members Association, founded in 1981, is a national non-profit technical trade association comprised of leading manufacturers, suppliers, distributors and applicators involved in the EIFS industry. For additional information please visit www.EIMA.com.

SOURCE: EIMA.com

Statement from NAHB Chairman Randy Noel on President Trump's State of the Union Address

Wed, 31 Jan 2018 08:00:00 PST

Randy Noel, chairman of the National Association of Home Builders and a custom home builder from LaPlace, La., issued the following statement regarding President Trump's State of the Union address:

"President Trump said 'America is a nation of builders' and the nation's home builders wholeheartedly agree. The president knows that housing and homeownership are critical to a strong and prosperous nation. We commend him for working tirelessly to reduce unnecessary regulations that hurt small business owners and impede a more robust housing recovery. And we strongly support the president's call for more vocational schools to train young workers and prepare them for careers in the construction trades and other industries.

"Moreover, the landmark tax reform law championed by President Trump will keep housing and the economy moving forward and put more money into the pockets of middle class households. And that's good for housing. NAHB looks forward to working with the White House to continue to promote policies that will spur job and economic growth and promote homeownership and rental housing opportunities for all Americans."

SOURCE: NAHB.org

Dean Schwanke Named NAHB Vice President for Multifamily Housing

Tue, 30 Jan 2018 08:00:00 PST

The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) today announced the appointment of Dean Schwanke to the position of Vice President, Multifamily Housing.

Schwanke will bring his broad research, economic analysis, communications, program planning and management experience to the department, which serves NAHB member developers, builders and finance partners building condominiums and apartments.

“We’re very pleased to have Dean aboard,” said NAHB CEO Jerry Howard. “His long experience in the industry will help our members as they face the challenges of land acquisition, financing and design as well as the growing barriers to building affordable and workforce housing.”

Schwanke has spent a large portion of his career at the Urban Land Institute (ULI) in areas vital to the success of multifamily and mixed-use development. He served as senior vice president at the ULI Center for Capital Markets and Real Estate, and later as senior vice president for case studies and publications. After leaving ULI, he worked as a consultant on real estate and urban development issues.

His knowledge in areas of policy, development trends and analysis, program development, publications and awards will be welcome resources to the members of the NAHB Multifamily Council and its Housing Credit Group: industry professionals working to provide rental housing using the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit.

SOURCE: NAHB.org

New Home Sales Rise 8.3 Percent Overall in 2017

Thu, 25 Jan 2018 08:00:00 PST

Sales of newly built, single-family homes fell 9.3 percent in December to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 625,000 units, according to newly released data by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and the U.S. Census Bureau. Despite this monthly decline, new home sales rose 8.3 percent overall in 2017 to 608,000 units.

“The number of consumers planning to buy a new home in the near future is trending upward,” said NAHB Chairman Randy Noel, a custom home builder from LaPlace, La. “Inventory remains low, but its growth in 2017 is an encouraging sign. Our members are also telling us that market conditions continue to improve.”

“Some moderation in sales was expected this month after a strong November reading,” said NAHB Senior Economist Michael Neal. “With ongoing job creation and rising home equity, we should see housing demand continue to grow in the months ahead.”

The inventory of new home sales for sale was 295,000 in December, which is a 5.7-month supply at the current sales pace. The median sales price of new houses sold was $335,400.

Regionally, new home sales decreased 2.4 percent in the Northeast, 9.5 percent in the West, 9.8 percent in the South and 10 percent in the Midwest.

SOURCE: NAHB.org

EIMA Announces Growing Membership and the Addition of Master Wall®, Inc.

Wed, 24 Jan 2018 08:00:00 PST

Falls Church, Va., January 24, 2018 — The EIFS Industry Members Association (EIMA) is pleased to announce the achievement of several exciting membership milestones. After the premier firm Arquitectonica was announced as EIMA’s 500th member in late 2017, 2018 quickly started with the addition to the membership rolls of Master Wall®, Inc., the major manufacturer of exterior insulation and finish systems (EIFS).

“The 500th member milestone was a great way to cap off 2017, which also represented the largest membership increase since 2013-2014” said Mike Murphy, the 2016/2018 president of EIMA and president of Dryvit Systems, Inc. “These increases were thanks in large part to the growing interest in EIFS by architects and contractors who want to join in advancing this amazing exterior wall cladding.”

“If it was possible to outdo 2017, Master Wall®, Inc. quickly kicked 2018 into high gear with its EIMA membership. With membership continuing to grow, Master Wall’s® addition reflects the renewed commitment to EIFS that is taking place across the EIFS industry by most of its participants” said Dave Johnston, EIMA’s executive director. “Master Wall®, Inc. saw the importance of joining others in EIMA to advance EIFS, and its membership will certainly contribute to growing the EIFS industry and its markets.”

Master Wall®, Inc. represents one of the leading EIFS manufacturers in the United States, and the fifth manufacturer belonging to EIMA. Their membership strengthens the industry, while also adding more like-minded professionals to the existing associations committees and initiatives.

Founded in 1987, Master Wall®, Inc. manufactures quality EIFS, stucco, and other coatings for residential and commercial projects, across the United States. With 5 offices and plants across the country, the corporate headquarters for Master Wall® are located in Midland, Georgia.

SOURCE: EIMA.com

Christy Beck to Serve as 2018 NAHB National Sales and Marketing Council Chair

Tue, 23 Jan 2018 08:00:00 PST

Seasoned new home sales professional Christy N. Beck, MIRM, CSP, Broker, of Raleigh, N.C. was installed as the 2018 chair of the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) National Sales and Marketing Council (NSMC) during the International Builders’ Show in Orlando, Fla., earlier this month. As chair, Beck represents the nearly 5,000 members of NSMC who are dedicated to selling and marketing new homes.

“I’m focused on helping our members set and achieve goals that allow them to be successful in their fields,” said Beck, director of sales for the North Carolina division of Caruso Homes. “NSMC has a wealth of resources, and I look forward to helping members access these tools to build their careers.”

Beck’s past volunteer experience for NAHB includes serving as the 2015 chair of the IRM Board of Governors and as a member of the NAHB Education committee. She serves on the Board of Directors for the Home Builders Association of Raleigh-Wake County.

NAHB recognized Beck with the Bill Molster Lifetime Achievement Award for her service to NAHB, NSMC and the Institute of Residential Marketing. For her commitment to new home sales and marketing education, she was recognized as NAHB’s 2017 Sales and Marketing Designee of the Year. Beck was named NAHB’s Sales Manager of the Year in 2012.

SOURCE: NAHB.org

LMC Dealers Learn at Nation’s Best Executive Education Program

Tue, 23 Jan 2018 08:00:00 PST

The room was abuzz with inspiration and ideas as over 40 dealers from 22 states came together for their final day at the LMC Executive Education Program. The program was held in Philadelphia, PA January 14 – 19, 2018 at the renowned Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania.

“The partnership with Wharton and the ability to offer this kind of program, not seen elsewhere in the industry, is part of the reason LMC dealers stand out,” said LMC president John Somerville. “Since its inception in 2015, there has been high demand to be in attendance for this unique executive education experience.”

Recently, US News and The Financial Times named Wharton the best executive education program in the country, a feeling which was shared by the participants.

“All the professors, everybody was wonderful,” said Mike Heim, Inside Sales Manager of Tague Lumber in Media, PA. “[The program] gave us an opportunity to step outside our companies and hear other people’s points of view. You absolutely need to do it.”

The exclusive event has been described as a ‘first class experience,’ a rare opportunity to learn and grow under the guidance of Wharton professors—renowned in the field of business. For participants in this years’ program, a new case study was offered around the topic of driving growth.

“The program has been eye opening,” explained Leanne Hallam, Office Manager of Killingly Building Products in Providence, RI. “It has really enveloped a lot of skills in just a few short days.”

This year, an entirely new curriculum was offered at the program, which led to two previous attendees coming back to learn more. Cory Jameson, CEO of Guy C Lee in Smithfield, NC, was one of the attendees who came back to attend the Wharton program offered by LMC for a second time.

“It’s a whole other experience being here for a second time,” Jameson said. “It reinforces what you learned the first time and it really makes you appreciate the people that are in this room.” He added that if a company has invested in an attendee by sending them to the LMC Wharton program it is very powerful for their future.

About LMC: LMC (Lumbermens Merchandising Corporation) is the leading Forest Products and Building Materials Buying Group in the USA owned by independent lumber and building material dealers. There are over 1,400 LMC dealer locations in the United States and the Bahamas. "Building Business Together" is LMC’s philosophy, rooted in a history of working together and standing the test of time since 1935. LMC dealers are united in their purchasing, creating a strong foundation that supports the growth of unique supplier relationships and purchasing opportunities. To learn more about LMC, visit www.lmc.net

SOURCE: LMC.net

NAHB Launches New Campaign to Raise Safety Awareness Among Home Builders, Remodelers

Mon, 22 Jan 2018 08:00:00 PST

The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) launched Safety 365, a new member and public awareness campaign designed to ensure that building industry professionals have the information and resources to help keep construction workers safe and help minimize accidents, injuries and deaths. The initiative is designed to make construction safety a priority, every day, 365 days a year.

“Our members realize the importance of jobsite safety because we know that our employees have families to return home to. We want to keep these workers safe from accidents and injuries,” said NAHB Chairman Randy Noel, a home builder and developer from La Place, La. “Safety 365 is an important initiative that will keep these efforts at the forefront of our industry.”

The campaign is a joint effort of the NAHB Construction Safety Committee and Builders Mutual Insurance Co., which has supported NAHB’s workplace safety efforts since it worked with the association in 2006 to launch the SAFE awards, NAHB’s popular annual program honoring workplace safety efforts and highlighting innovative products and solutions.

Through posts on NAHBNow, the association’s blog; newsletter stories; tweets and other efforts, the Safety 365 campaign will highlight a different aspect of construction workplace safety each month and also promote safety off the job, including materials to help keep home owners safe when they’re working on DIY projects.

“Builders Mutual is thrilled to be a part of such a critical initiative that looks to protect the health and well-being of the employees that build the American dream each and every day,” said Mike Gerber, senior vice president and chief marketing officer for Builders Mutual Insurance Co. “If the building industry continues to work together to raise the awareness of safety on the job-site, then home builders and their employees are better positioned for long-term success.”

The campaign will align with NAHB’s vast array of educational resources, safety training materials, and news updates to help educate employers and workers on the various safety and health hazards the industry faces on the jobsite, and to better understand and comply with Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requirements.

SOURCE: NAHB.org

NAHB Associates Committee Honors Dedicated Members, Supporters

Thu, 18 Jan 2018 08:00:00 PST

Four longtime members of the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) have been honored for their professionalism, political engagement, volunteer activities, service to the industry and support of NAHB Associate members. They were recognized during the 2018 NAHB International Builders' Show? held last week in Orlando, Fla.

Presented by the NAHB Associate Members Committee, the Builders Engaging Associate Members (BEAM) Award went to William K. Doelker, owner of Key Homes LLC in Buckner, Ky. The BEAM award is given to a builder member who values doing business with NAHB Associates: the trade partners, suppliers and service providers who are also members of the NAHB federation.

Considering his subcontractors to be part as his own team, Doelker calls on Associate members for 100 percent of his subcontracted work because it shows that as NAHB members, they care about contributing to the housing industry and like him, strive for outstanding quality and customer service.

The committee honored Kim Hefner-Hines of H & H Design Consultants in Wentworth, S.D., as the Bill Polley Advocate of the Year for her support of NAHB's political action committee, BUILD-PAC. Winners are recognized for their energy, enthusiasm and ability to recruit contributors to support BUILD-PAC.

Hefner-Hines has been integral to the success of the Home Builders Association of the Sioux Empire's BUILD-PAC Gold Key dinner fundraiser. Since she led the creation of the event, the number of local association contributors at the Gold Key level or above has increased from fewer than five to 38. With Hefner-Hines' help, South Dakota has increased its BUILD-PAC contributions by over $63,000 from 2013-2014 levels.

The committee also recognized Michael G. Farr of Cascade Manufacturing Co. in Cascade, Iowa, with the Associates Chairman's Award. This is given to an Associate member who has demonstrated teamwork and willingness to help the committee with its initiatives.

Farr is an NAHB Life Director and has served on its board for 15 years. He is Associate national director for the Home Builders Association of Iowa and second vice-president of the Greater Cedar Rapids Housing & Building Association. He has chaired numerous state and local committees in his more than 20 years as an Associate member.

New for 2017, the Associates One to Watch award recognizes a young Associate member who propels his or her career forward; advances in local, state and national NAHB associations; advocates for the home building industry; engages with peers and demonstrate active community involvement. This year's award goes to Rich Robinson, vice president of the Member Rebate Program in Manasquan, N.J.

A 15-year member of the Shore Builders Association of Central New Jersey, Robinson worked with his father in 2002 to start the Member Rebate Program to help home builders receive rebates through their association membership. The company has grown to become a member benefit in local and state associations across 40 states.

Finally, the committee has also named Hefner-Hines as NAHB's Associate of the Year. This award recognizes Associate members who have distinguished themselves by their contributions to the home building industry on the local, state and national level.

In addition to her exemplary service to BUILD-PAC, Hefner-Hines has been a national leader, serving as Associates Committee chair in 2014, leadership and recognition chair, strategic planning chair and now as BUILD-PAC vice-chair. She also served on the NAHB Membership Committee for six years and serves on the Public Affairs Committee.

"Billy Doelker, along with my esteemed peers Kim, Mike and Rich, demonstrate the best characteristcs of being a member at NAHB and their local and state home builders associations," said Monica Sommerfeldt Lewis, owner of Archer Lion Inc. in Chippewa Falls, Wisc., and chair of NAHB's National Associate Members Committee.

"I'm honored to be able to thank all four of these individuals for sharing their enthusiasm, passion and professionalism year after year strengthening the housing industry and building a strong association," Lewis added.

SOURCE: NAHB.org

Remodeling Market Indicators Hit High in Fourth Quarter

Thu, 18 Jan 2018 08:00:00 PST

The National Association of Home Builders’ (NAHB) Remodeling Market Index (RMI) posted a reading of 60 in the fourth quarter of 2017, up three points from the previous quarter and only the second time since 2001 the reading has reached 60. For 19 consecutive quarters, the RMI has been at or above 50, which indicates that more remodelers report market activity is higher compared to the prior quarter than report it is lower. The overall RMI averages ratings of current remodeling activity with indicators of future remodeling activity.

“A booming stock market and low unemployment continue to fuel consumers’ investment in their homes,” said NAHB Remodelers Chair Joanne Theunissen, CGP, CGR, a remodeler from Mt. Pleasant, Mich. “Natural disaster-related repairs also caused strong demand for maintenance and repair projects.”

Current market conditions increased four points from the third quarter of 2017 to 60. Among its three major components, major additions and alterations jumped seven points to 60, minor additions and alterations increased three points to 59, and the home maintenance and repair component rose three points to 61.

The future market indicators index rose one point from the previous quarter to 59. Calls for bids decreased two points to 56, amount of work committed for the next three months rose two points to 58, the backlog of remodeling jobs gained a significant six points to 66 and appointments for proposals fell two points to 57.

“At a high of 60, the RMI is consistent with the strong growth in home improvement spending in 2017,” said NAHB Chief Economist Robert Dietz. “However, the surge in the backlog of remodeling jobs likely reflects supply-side challenges remodelers are facing in the form of skilled labor shortages and rising material prices.”

For the full RMI tables, please visit www.nahb.org/rmi. For more information about remodeling, visit www.nahb.org/remodel.

SOURCE: NAHB.org

Single-Family Sector Boosts Housing Production in 2017, More Gains Expected this Year

Thu, 18 Jan 2018 08:00:00 PST

Nationwide housing starts fell 8.2 percent in December to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1.19 million units after an upwardly revised November reading, according to newly released data from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and the Commerce Department.

The December numbers show a return to trend after an especially strong November report, but overall 2017 saw significant gains in housing production. Starts rose 2.4 percent last year, pushed up by an 8.5 percent jump in the single-family sector. Multifamily starts dropped 9.8 percent.

Looking at the December 2017 report, single-family starts fell 11.8 percent to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 836,000 units. However, the three-month moving average for single-family production reached a post-recession high. Meanwhile, multifamily starts ticked up 1.4 percent to 356,000 units.

“There is a pro-business sentiment in Washington right now, and our builders hope to continue receiving relief from overly burdensome regulations,” said NAHB Chairman Randy Noel, a custom home builder from LaPlace, La. “This political climate is boosting their optimism in the housing market.”

“A return to normal levels of housing production this month is expected after a very strong fall season,” said NAHB Chief Economist Robert Dietz. “We saw a surge of housing activity in the South after hurricane-related delays, and now that region is returning to its positive growth trend.”

NAHB is forecasting continued growth in housing production this year, led by ongoing single-family gains. Total housing starts are expected to grow 2.7 percent to 1.25 million units. Single-family production should increase 5 percent to 893,000 units while the multifamily sector is expected to edge 1.6 percent lower this year to 354,000.

Regionally in December, combined single- and multifamily housing production fell 0.9 percent in the West, 2.2 percent in the Midwest, 4.3 percent in the Northeast and 14.2 percent in the South.

Overall permit issuance in December was essentially flat, inching down 0.1 percent to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1.302 million units. Single-family permits rose 1.8 percent to 881,000 units while multifamily permits fell 3.9 percent to 421,000.

Permits rose 43 percent in the Northeast, 8.7 percent in the Midwest and 1.7 percent in the West. Permits declined 11.1 percent in the South, led by a drop on the multifamily front.

SOURCE: NAHB.org

Builder Confidence Remains Strong as New Year Starts

Wed, 17 Jan 2018 08:00:00 PST

Builder confidence in the market for newly-built single-family homes dropped two points to a level of 72 in January on the National Association of Home Builders/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index (HMI) after reaching an 18-year high in December 2017.

“Builders are confident that changes to the tax code will promote the small business sector and boost broader economic growth,” said NAHB Chairman Randy Noel, a custom home builder from LaPlace, La. “Our members are excited about the year ahead, even as they continue to face building material price increases and shortages of labor and lots.”

“The HMI gauge of future sales expectations has remained in the 70s, a sign that housing demand should continue to grow in 2018,” said NAHB Chief Economist Robert Dietz. “As the overall economy strengthens, owner-occupied household formation increases and the supply of existing home inventory tightens, we can expect the single-family housing market to make further gains this year.”

The three HMI components registered relatively minor losses in January. The index gauging current sales conditions dropped one point to 79, the component charting sales expectations in the next six months fell a single point to 78, and the index measuring buyer traffic fell four points to 54.

Looking at the three-month moving averages for regional HMI scores, the West rose two points to 81, the South increased one point to 73, the Midwest inched up a single point to 70 and Northeast climbed five points to 59.

SOURCE: NAHB.org

Michigan Remodeler Joanne Theunissen Installed as 2018 NAHB Remodelers Chair

Tue, 16 Jan 2018 08:00:00 PST

Remodeler Joanne Theunissen, CGP, CGR, of Mt. Pleasant, Mich., was installed as the 2018 chair of the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) Remodelers last week during the International Builders’ Show in Orlando, Fla. As chair of NAHB Remodelers, Theunissen represents over 53,000 members of NAHB who are involved in the remodeling industry.

“The predicted continued growth in the remodeling sector yields many opportunities for remodelers,” said Theunissen, owner of Howling Hammer Builders Inc. “I look forward to representing remodelers’ interests on issues such as labor shortages and building material price increases, while doing my best to help their businesses thrive.”

Theunissen has over 17 years of experience in the remodeling industry. She is a past president and current board member of the Home Builders Association of Central Michigan and was previously the Michigan state representative to NAHB. She has served as an NAHB national area chair and chair of the Design, Professional Women in Building, 55+ Housing Industry and National Sales and Marketing committees/councils. Theunissen was named the NAHB Professional Women in Building Woman of the Year in 2012.

Theunissen is a certified Building Analyst through the Building Performance Institute and a Certified Construction Mediator through the Construction Mediation/Arbitration Institute. She is also an active member of the National Association of Professional Women and Women Construction Owners & Executives.

SOURCE: NAHB.org

Home in Texas Hill Country Named Home of the Year in National Design Competition

Thu, 11 Jan 2018 08:00:00 PST

Augusta, a 3,600-square-foot custom home with dramatic golf course views in Boerne, Texas, was named Home of the Year today in the 2017 Best in American Living Awards (BALA) by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB).

Augusta’s balance of stone, wood, and metal opened up with floor-to-ceiling glass creates an elegant modern residence that recalls historical Texas homes from the 1800s.

Its main design feature is the living room, transparent from front to back through floor to ceiling glass that is framed in rich wood and metal. Limestone side walls extend beyond the glass, further connecting the inside to the outdoors. A weathered steel guardrail along the cantilevered deck outside the living room creates privacy for the interior spaces while preserving the sweeping view of the golf course.

Beyond the dramatic living room, the four-bedroom, four-and-a-half bath home is designed to provide owners and guests their own zones of living. A guest house allows additional visitors to find their own place of privacy.

BALA judges praised the extensive use of glass and noted how the stone on walls and floor tie the design together, saying it feels like you’re living outside in every space.

“Great design taps into the emotions that make a house a home,” said Tom Kopf, NAHB’s 2017 Judging Chair and 2017 Best in American Living Awards Subcommittee Chair. “The BALA program celebrates the designers and builders as ‘the best of the best.’ ”

The house was designed by Craig McMahon Architects, Inc. and built by Johnny Canavan Custom Homes, both based in San Antonio.

In its 34th year, BALA recognizes outstanding achievement by builders and design professionals in all sectors of the residential housing industry including single-family production, custom, rental, affordable, interiors, remodeling, community and international. Award winners were announced at the annual NAHB International Builders’ Show in Orlando.

Additional information about the 2017 BALA winners, including photographs of the projects, can be found at bestinamericanliving.com.

SOURCE: NAHB.org

Arizona Master Bath Receives ‘Room of the Year’ Honors in National Design Competition

Thu, 11 Jan 2018 08:00:00 PST

“Beautiful Necessities,” the master suite bathroom in an Oro Valley, Ariz., single-family home, was named the Room of the Year today in the 2017 Best in American Living Awards (BALA) by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB).

Combining clean lines and creative details, architect/designer Soloway Designs and interior designer Lori Carroll & Associates achieved the client’s vision of innovative, distinctive styling in a calm, comfortable room.

The space is bathed in natural light, with an expansive window overlooking the rugged desert landscape. Materials that define modern design—glass, tile and wood—establish a clean simplicity that, paired with luxurious amenities, create an inviting, soothing retreat.

At the same time, the suspended mirror—which serves as a room partition—joystick faucets, and distinctive custom-built vanities give the room a distinctive flair.

BALA judges commended the layering of textures in the room, and appreciated the thoughtful, innovative touches that make the room funky and fun.

Additional information about the 2017 BALA winners, including photographs of the projects, can be found at bestinamericanliving.com.

SOURCE: NAHB.org

Best in American Living Awards™ Program Announces 2017 Hall of Fame Inductees

Thu, 11 Jan 2018 08:00:00 PST

The Best in American Living Awards™ (BALA) program inducted its sixth class into the BALA Hall of Fame during the annual NAHB International Builders’ Show in Orlando. The Hall of Fame awards recognize innovative, well-respected individuals and companies in the building industry who have significantly affected residential design and construction.

The 2017 BALA Hall of Fame class includes:

Lita Dirks. Dirks, owner of Lita Dirks & Co. in Greenwood Village, Colo., is an award-winning, nationally recognized leader in model-home interior design and merchandising. She regularly judges national and regional interior design competitions, conducts lectures and seminars, and authors articles for national publications. She was honored with the NAHB Institute of Residential Marketing’s Presidential Award two years in a row and was the 1993 recipient of the Bill Molster Award for lifetime achievement in service to the association’s National Sales and Marketing Council. Dirks was selected for the Hall of Fame due to her long-time contributions to the industry. She is a leader in not only defining trends but also in innovation, particularly as it relates to 55+ housing and design.

Jerry Gloss. A senior and founding partner at KGA Studio Architects PC in Louisville, Colo., a residential architectural studio, Gloss’s leadership has created a legacy of excellence in residential design. His portfolio of work has garnered a long list of awards and recognitions during the firm’s 40-year history. He is recognized nationally as a housing industry speaker on market-driven design, builder/architect relationships and the design-build process. Gloss has a long history of success with BALA, and his peers site him as having contributed greatly to the success and prestige of the program.

Habitat for Humanity. Driven by the vision that everyone needs a decent place to live, Habitat for Humanity began in 1976 as a grassroots effort on a community farm in southern Georgia. The Christian housing organization has since grown to become a leading global nonprofit, working in more than 1,300 communities throughout the United States and more than 70 countries. Families and individuals in need of a helping hand partner with Habitat to build or improve a place they can call home. Habitat homeowners help build their own homes alongside volunteers and pay an affordable mortgage.

Additional information about the 2017 BALA Hall of Fame inductees can be found at bestinamericanliving.com.

SOURCE: NAHB.org

Best in American Living™ Awards Shine a Spotlight on Top Design Trends for 2017 and Beyond

Thu, 11 Jan 2018 08:00:00 PST

A remarkable 129 single-family, multifamily, interior design, remodeling and community projects were honored at the 2017 Best in American Living™ Awards (BALA) ceremony held during the 2018 National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) International Builders’ Show in Orlando, Fla. Judges awarded eight Best in Region, five Of the Year and two Judges’ Discretionary awards. In addition, one Game Changer award was given as well as one “Wow!” award, a special award given to a project with a one-of-a-kind design detail. These projects represent the nation’s best in home and community design, interior design and remodeling.

BALA winners showcase top design trends that home buyers can expect to see in homes and communities over the next several years. Overall, homes showcased blurred lines between commercial and residential materials and between single-family and multifamily details. There is also a shift towards more modern architecture but with understandable forms, like roof peaks and row homes with traditional scaling. This year featured many more trends, among them:

Clean details. Winners favored clean and simple lines and detailing over their ornate counterparts, making homes feel fresh and uncluttered.

Open but defined floor plans. By changing materials, adding columns or changing ceiling heights, open floor plans have evolved to include added definition. This creates more function and order for homeowners who, in the past, may have struggled to best organize and use vast, open spaces.

Metal and wood exterior details. Particularly on single-family homes, winners showed an increased usage of metal and wood, often combining the two materials to create interesting two-tone facades on both traditional and contemporary-style homes.

More developed regional styles. In both single-family and multifamily projects, strong regional styles have emerged. For example, in Michigan, expect to see familiar peaked roof, layered facades and sturdy columns.

Restored and repurposed. Historic preservation and restoration as well as adaptive reuse projects are increasingly popular with multifamily designers and developers. Adaptive reuse projects can be particularly chic and sought-after by millennials.

Whites, grays and charcoal paints. Gray is still trending with homebuyers, and white is in it for the long haul. There is also an increase in monochromatic designs that incorporate multiple textures. For example, a white kitchen with quartzite countertops, a white shiplap ceiling, white cabinets and airy white window coverings creates a clean and multi-layer look that is guaranteed to compliment itself.

Right-sized kitchens. Double islands are appearing infrequently, and single-islands are designed to be smaller and proportionally sized with the kitchen and adjoining rooms.

Spa-like baths. Bath design is trending towards refinement and sophistication, creating an atmosphere that is reminiscent of hotel baths. Tasteful and luxurious are the two words that will define baths in 2018. Also look for floating (wall-hung) vanities and stand-alone tubs.

More information about this year’s winners and trends can be found at bestinamericanliving.com.

SOURCE: NAHB.org

California Apartment Building Named Community of the Year in National Design Competition

Thu, 11 Jan 2018 08:00:00 PST

Malden Station, an apartment building next to a Metrolink train station and Fullerton, California’s SOCO cultural district, was named the Multifamily Community of the Year in the 2017 Best in American Living Awards (BALA) today by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB).

The project design mirrors and contributes to the young, edgy and artistic culture of Fullerton. Built on the site of a former citrus packing house dating from Orange County’s agricultural era, Malden Station backs onto the former Santa Fe Railway tracks and the newer Metrolink passenger rail station.

The building’s exterior evokes the evolution of the city in three materials: the red brick of its industrial past, siding for its trendy present, and acrylic paneling for its lively future. Large murals facing the railway pay homage to the city’s history. Lounge chairs on rails and ornamental box cars on tracks take up the railway theme.

The adjacent Metrolink station, the nearby SOCO District with its array of restaurants, entertainment venues and bicycle shop, and the building’s onsite amenities, including a clubroom, pool, spa, gym, lounge and shops, encourage a lifestyle less dependent on the automobile.

“Malden Station has a nice street presence and fun elements that give it character,” said Tom Kopf, NAHB 2017 Judging chair and 2017 Best in American Living Awards subcommittee chair. “The project has had an outstanding impact on the community.”

The project was designed by Architects Orange of Orange, Calif., interior designer Hibner Design Group of Irvine, Calif., and landscape architect Sitescapes Landscape Architecture of Costa Mesa, Calif. It was built by CW Driver of Pasadena, Calif., and developed by Pinnacle Living of Irvine.

Additional information about the 2017 BALA winners, including photographs of the projects, can be found at bestinamericanliving.com.

SOURCE: NAHB.org

Connecticut Builder Elected First Vice Chairman of NAHB

Thu, 11 Jan 2018 08:00:00 PST

Greg Ugalde, a Connecticut-based builder and developer with more than 25 years of experience in the home building industry, was elected as the 2018 first vice chairman of the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) during the association’s International Builders’ Show in Orlando, Fla.

Ugalde is president and chief legal officer of Torrington-based T&M Building Co., Inc., one of the largest home builders in the state. Since its founding in 1962, T&M has built more than 3,500 new homes in over 40 Connecticut communities. He is also the founder and owner of GFU Investments LLC, a builder/developer minority-owned business that focuses on urban development.

“Our focus this year is to ensure that housing and homeownership remain a national priority,” said Ugalde. “NAHB will work with Congress to advance comprehensive housing finance reform and reduce burdensome regulations in order to put families in homes, create jobs and move the economy forward.”

Ugalde has been active in the NAHB leadership structure at the local, state and national levels throughout his career. A life director, he has served on the NAHB Board of Directors for 15 years and has been a member of the NAHB Executive Board for the past decade.

He has also served on eight NAHB committees, was a member of several NAHB task force groups, served as the vice chairman of the Budget and Finance Committee and was chairman of Build-PAC and three other committees. From 2006-2010, he served as the NAHB State Representative from Connecticut. He was the Moderator of the State Representatives in 2010 and in 2011 and 2012 he was elected as the National Area Chairman for his region.

From 2003-2005, Ugalde was the president of the Home Builders and Remodelers Association of Connecticut (HBRA), was named local and state 2000 Builder of the Year, has served on the HBRA board since 1999 and been a member of its executive committee since 2000. He is a three-time recipient of the HBRA Distinguished Service Awards, and served as chairman of the Connecticut Developers Council from 1997-2004. Ugalde received the state home building industry’s highest honor, the Charles J. LoDolce Award, in 2011.

An effective advocate and spokesperson on a broad range of housing issues, Ugalde has served on the HOMEConnecticut Steering Committee, the National Land Use Attorneys Network, the Governor’s Blue Ribbon Commission on Affordable Housing and the Town of Burlington’s IWWC and Parks & Recreation Commission. In 1998 he received the Hartford Business Journal’s 40 under 40 Award.

Community involvement is important to Ugalde. He has served as president of the Avon-Canton-Farmington Youth Hockey Association. A certified coach in hockey and little league, he has coached more than 20 teams. He served on the Westminster School Board of Trustees and is an accomplished member of the American, Connecticut and Massachusetts bar associations.

Ugalde resides in Burlington with his wife, Mary-Jane, and their four children.

NAHB’s newly elected senior officers serve on a multi-leadership ladder. Ugalde will become chairman of NAHB’s Board of Directors in 2019.

SOURCE: NAHB.org

New Jersey Builder Elected as Second Vice Chairman of NAHB

Thu, 11 Jan 2018 08:00:00 PST

Dean Mon, a New Jersey-based builder and developer with more than 30 years of experience in the home building industry, was elected as the 2018 second vice chairman of the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) during the association’s International Builders’ Show in Orlando, Fla.

Mon is president of the D.R. Mon Group, Inc., which specializes in the development and construction of classic urban living projects throughout New Jersey. Since 1985, the company has created communities throughout Morris, Hunterdon, Union, Hudson and Monmouth Counties.

“We expect total housing starts and new home sales to rise in 2018 and will work with policymakers to bolster the ongoing recovery,” said Mon. “Specifically, NAHB will be calling on the White House and Congress to preserve financial stability by maintaining an appropriate level of federal support for the U.S. housing finance system. We will also work with lawmakers to ensure that homeownership remains attainable and that safe, decent and affordable housing remains an enduring national priority.”

Mon has been active in the NAHB leadership structure at the local, state and national levels throughout his career. A senior life director with more than 20 years of service, Mon has chaired several influential NAHB committees, including the Federal Government Affairs Committee, the Construction Safety & Health Committee, and the Single Family Production Builders Committee. He also served three terms as the NAHB National Area 2 chairman and is a member of the NAHB Executive Board.

Actively involved in the New Jersey building industry, Mon has served as director, executive board member and president of the New Jersey Builders Association (NJBA). As the 1996 president of the NJBA, Mon led the charge to amend the state’s Uniform Construction Code Act to require that all codes must be necessary, practical and cost-effective. This review resulted in an annual savings of approximately $4,000 per home. He was inducted into the NJBA Hall of Fame in 1996 and named the NJBA Builder of the Year in 1998. In 2000, he received the NJBA Affordable Housing Award.

Mon has held every leadership position from committee chair to president at his local association, the Metropolitan Builders & Contractors Association of New Jersey.

A New Jersey resident since 1964, Mon attended Newark College of Engineering where he acquired a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemical Engineering. Mon served in the U.S. Army from 1968 to 1970, achieving the rank of sergeant, and served a tour of duty in Vietnam.

NAHB’s newly elected senior officers serve on a multi-leadership ladder. Mon will become chairman of the NAHB Board of Directors in 2020.

SOURCE: NAHB.org

New Jersey Builder Elected as Second Vice Chairman of NAHB

Thu, 11 Jan 2018 08:00:00 PST

Mon has held every leadership position from committee chair to president at his local association, the Metropolitan Builders & Contractors Association of New Jersey.

NAHB’s newly elected senior officers serve on a multi-leadership ladder. Mon will become chairman of the NAHB Board of Directors in 2020.

SOURCE: NAHB.org

San Francisco Home Renovation Named ‘Remodel of the Year’ in National Design Competition

Thu, 11 Jan 2018 08:00:00 PST

The four-story Glen Park Residence in San Francisco, renovated to showcase remarkable Bay Area views while providing comfortable everyday living, was named the Remodel of the Year in the 2017 Best in American Living Awards (BALA) today by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB).

Designer CSS Architecture and builder MT Development Inc. teamed up to create a remodel that would capture views, bring in daylight, and establish a sense of calm through simplicity and open space.

Large windows and minimalist white walls draw the eye to the views, which become more and more amazing as one moves up through the four floors of the house. On the top floor is the main living space, with views of the city and beyond from the living room one way and views of the terraced yard from the kitchen the other.

The charcoal gray charred Cypress exterior sets the structure apart from its neighbors. A pop of color from red recessed entryway accentuates the distinctiveness.

Landscape architect/designer SCULPT Gardens, Inc., designed each level of the terraced yard with a unique function. One level sports an outdoor kitchen and fire pit, another has a hot tub and the next a lawn.

BALA judges commended the renovation’s sculpted interior with its clean surfaces and strong sight lines. They applauded the use of glass to reveal views and the innovative exterior with its attention grabbing red portal.

“Great design taps into the emotions that make a house a home,” said Tom Kopf, NAHB 2017 Judging chair and 2017 Best in American Living Awards Subcommittee chair. “The BALA program celebrates the designers and builders as ‘the best of the best.’ ”

Additional information about the 2017 BALA winners, including photographs of the projects, can be found at bestinamericanliving.com.

SOURCE: NAHB.org

Walkable Raleigh Neighborhood Named Community of the Year in National Design Competition

Thu, 11 Jan 2018 08:00:00 PST

Oakdale at Mordecai, a neighborhood of new single-family homes in a revitalized area of Raleigh, N.C., was named the Community of the Year in the 2017 Best in American Living Awards (BALA) today by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB).

Nestled between two historic districts near downtown, Oakdale’s architecture was designed to fit the aesthetic of the surrounding area while also including popular modern features. Architect/designer Scott Gardner Architect, PLLC, and builder Robuck Homes Triangle LLC created eight different house plans that include large open kitchens, generous storage and rear garages. The community offers 30 exterior designs and many interior finishes.

Streetlights, sidewalks and welcoming streetscapes invite residents to head out on foot to enjoy the neighborhood and the city. It’s a short walk from Oakdale to the revitalized Person Street Business District, which USA Today called one of the country’s Top 10 "up and coming" neighborhoods in 2014.

“Oakdale feels like a community,” said Tom Kopf, NAHB 2017 judging chair and 2017 Best in American Living Awards subcommittee chair. “It looks like it’s been there forever, has lots of charm and makes you see yourself walking its sidewalks.”

In other words, Oakdale is the perfect fit for the BALA Community of the Year award. “Great design taps into the emotions that make a house a home. The BALA program celebrates the designers and builders as ‘the best of the best’,” he said.

Additional information about the 2017 BALA winners, including photographs of the projects, can be found at bestinamericanliving.com.

SOURCE: NAHB.org

Keystone Hardscapes® by PaveStone Unveils New CityStone™ Product Designs

Tue, 09 Jan 2018 08:00:00 PST

Additions Strengthen Design Versatility in Pedestrian and Vehicular Applications

ORLANDO, Fla. (Jan. 9, 2018) – Pavestone®, a Keystone Hardscapes® producer and leading manufacturer of segmental concrete products for the residential, commercial, institutional, retail and government markets, is expanding its popular CityStone™ series with four new products. Part of the Keystone Hardscapes® paver portfolio, CityStone™ will be showcased at International Builders’ Show (IBS) in booth W3171 at the Orange County Convention Center from Jan. 9-11, 2018.

Joint patterns are what give CityStone™ pavements their recognizable surface texture and classic appeal. The CityStone™ additions are proven on projects including patios, sidewalks, residential driveways and parking spaces. Modulating with the comprehensive line of CityStone™ pavers, the new additions can be used in a variety of size and shape combinations to create timeless designs with enduring beauty and durability.

New CityStone™ Products

CityStone™ Demi 6cm –An artful combination of equal quantities of 4” x 8”, 8” x 8” and 8” x 12” units. Designed for light vehicular applications in fast-installing repeating runner or ashlar patterns.
CityStone™ XL Supra 6cm – Combines equal quantities of 8” x 16”, 16” x 16” and 16” x 24” units with stunning results. Designed for pedestrian applications in fast-installing repeating runner or ashlar patterns. Combine with
CityStone™ XL 12” x 24” 6cm – Large format paver designed for pedestrian applications adds an element of sophistication to any project with stacked, runner, basketweave and herringbone installation patterns.
CityStone™ XL 24” x 24” 6cm – Striking large format paver designed for pedestrian applications in traditional stacked and runner patterns.

More information on the CityStone™ series and other Keystone Hardscapes® products by Pavestone® is available at www.keystonehardscapes.com.

Pavestone®
Founded in 1980, Pavestone® is a leading manufacturer and supplier of concrete pavers, retaining walls, clay brick pavers and permeable pavers. With manufacturing facilities across the country, Pavestone® serves the residential, commercial, institutional, retail and government markets. Part of Keystone Hardscapes®, The QUIKRETE® Companies’ professional hardscapes division, Pavestone® fulfills its brand promise for “Creating Beautiful Landscapes® every day. For more information about Pavestone® visit www.pavestone.com.

Keystone Hardscapes®
The first segmental retaining wall company in the United States, Keystone Hardscapes® is the preferred hardscape solution provider to the residential, commercial, institutional, retail and government markets. Keystone Hardscapes® is the commercial concrete paver and wall distribution and licensing division of The QUIKRETE Companies, which manufactures and distributes products from more than 200 facilities in the U.S., Canada, Puerto Rico and South America. Keystone Hardscapes® is committed to helping architects, specifiers, contractors and homeowners bring landscape, structural support and outdoor living projects to life. For more information about Keystone Hardscapes® visit www.keystonehardscapes.com.

Kleer Introduces Corner Trim With Integrated Nailing Flange

Tue, 09 Jan 2018 08:00:00 PST

Nailing flange enhances the look of siding installation while saving installation time.

WIXOM, MICH. (Jan. 9, 2018) – Kleer Lumber, an industry leader in cellular PVC trim, is adding an outside corner to its lineup of trim components with an integrated nailing flange. The system, which includes a flat trimboard, a J-channel brick, and the new corners, saves installation hassles and ensures a clean, streamlined appearance. Each integrated nailing flange forms a 3/4-inch pocket to conceal end cuts, ideal for enhancing and finishing the look of vinyl siding and other panelized polymer systems, such as shake, shingle, and stone.

Made with expanded cellular PVC, the trim components offer the look of wood without the associated maintenance, and they will not splinter, rot, delaminate, or swell.

“Our trim components with integrated nailing flange help installers create a more refined, finished appearance for their façades, in a format that is simple and straightforward to install,” said Matt Michalski, Product Manager for Kleer Lumber. “They’re the ideal complement to a range of siding materials, while offering an authentic look and the promise of minimal maintenance and long-term durability.”

Outside corners with integrated nailing flange come in two sizes: 3-1/2 inches by 3-1/2 inches by 20 feet and 5-1/2 inches by 5-1/2 inches by 20 feet. Flat styles measure 1-1/8 inches by 3-1/2 inches by 16 feet, and the J-channel brick is 1-1/4 inches by 3 inches by 17 feet.

Kleer trimboards cut and fasten with standard tools, and they can be installed in direct contact with the ground, masonry, and other potentially wet surfaces.

For more information, visit www.kleerlumber.com.

About Boral
Kleer Lumber is a product of The Tapco Group, recently acquired by Boral Industries. Boral Industries is owned by Boral Limited, an international building and construction materials company headquartered in Sydney, Australia.

Tremron Puts New Face on Wall Systems with Visage®

Tue, 09 Jan 2018 08:00:00 PST

Unique Manufacturing Process Gives Flexibility to Project Designs

ORLANDO, Fla. (Jan. 9 2018) – Tremron, a leading manufacturer of hardscape products for the residential, commercial, institutional, retail and government markets in the Southeast, is showcasing its versatile Visage® two-piece wall system at the International Builders’ Show (IBS). A Keystone Hardscapes® design, Visage® will be on display along with other Tremron concrete wall and paver products at IBS in booth W3171 at the Orange County Convention Center from Jan. 9-11, 2018.

Manufactured through a proprietary process that can deliver up to five finished faces per unit, Visage® provides unmatched functional and aesthetic flexibility to meet the project demands of any market. The customizable nature of Visage® from Tremron is grounded in the ability to execute contemporary looking projects by mixing-and-matching the appropriate pieces based on length, shape and texture. In addition, Visage® requires minimal cutting and uses the proven Keystone Hardscape® pin connection system for ease of installation. The combination of these factors make Visage® ideal for a variety of one- and two-sided projects including planters, columns, fire pits, retaining walls, free standing walls and columns.

Visage® Components

Unit 1 – 6” high by 16” or 12” wide by 8” deep with two finished sides
Corner – 6” high by 16” or 14” wide by 8” deep with three finished sides
Cap – 3” high by 8” wide by 10” deep with two finished sides

Visage® is currently available in the Southeast through Tremron, but is being customized by market for geographic expansion through Keystone Hardscapes® commercial distribution channel. More information on Visage® other Keystone Hardscapes® products by Tremron is available at www.keystonehardscapes.com.

Tremron
Founded in 1992, Tremron is a leading manufacturer and supplier of concrete pavers, remodel pavers, retaining walls, fire pits, clay brick pavers and permeable pavers in the Southeast. With six manufacturing plants and four design centers, Tremron serves the residential, commercial, institutional, retail and government markets across Alabama, Georgia, Florida, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee. Part of Keystone Hardscapes®, The QUIKRETE® Companies’ professional hardscapes division, Tremron is committed to exceeding customer expectations through unmatched product innovation, design, performance, selection and service. For more information about Tremron, visit www.tremron.com.

Maze Celebrates 170 Years in Business!

Tue, 02 Jan 2018 08:00:00 PST

W. H. Maze Company in Peru, IL. is celebrating its 170th year of doing business as a nail manufacturer and retail lumberyard. In operation since 1848, Maze Company continues to be the largest manufacturer of specialty nails supplying U.S. and Canadian customers many millions of pounds of nails annually. The 5th and 6th generations of the founder, Samuel Maze, work at the manufacturing facility so there is a lot of heritage, tradition and pride in the company. All Maze Nails are 100% Made in the USA in Peru, Illinois. The Maze lumber operation is still thriving too – and is the oldest lumberyard in the state of Illinois.

NAHB Applauds Signing of Tax Bill into Law

Fri, 22 Dec 2017 08:00:00 PST

Granger MacDonald, chairman of the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) and a home builder and developer from Kerrville, Texas, issued the following statement after President Trump signed the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act into law:

“NAHB commends President Trump and members of Congress for their hard work and dedication in crafting this once-in-a-generation overhaul of the nation’s tax code. Providing tax relief for hard-working families and creating a more favorable tax climate for small business will make the economy more vibrant and competitive. In turn, this will boost the housing sector, which represents roughly one-sixth of the U.S. economy. Housing not only equals jobs, but jobs mean more demand for housing.”

SOURCE: NAHB.org

New Home Sales Hit Post-Recession High in November

Fri, 22 Dec 2017 08:00:00 PST

Sales of newly built, single-family homes in November rose 17.5 percent to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 733,000 units from a downwardly revised October reading, according to newly released data by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and the U.S. Census Bureau. This is the highest sales pace since July 2007. Year-to-date, new home sales are 9.1 percent above their level over the same period last year.

“The November sales numbers are consistent with our reports of growing builder confidence, particularly big gains in traffic to new home sites,” said Granger MacDonald, chairman of the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) and a home builder and developer from Kerrville, Texas. “Builders are encouraged by the increased demand for housing and expect business to continue to improve in 2018.”

“Tax reform legislation should boost economic growth, setting the stage for continued strengthening of the housing market,” said NAHB Chief Economist Robert Dietz. “Job market growth, expected wage increases and tight existing home inventory will also help the market move forward next year.”

The inventory of new homes for sale was 283,000 in November, which is a 4.6-month supply at the current sales pace.

New home sales increased in all four regions. Sales rose 31.1 percent in the West, 14.9 percent in the South, 9.5 percent in the Northeast and 6.9 percent in the Midwest.

SOURCE: NAHB.org

Statement from NAHB Chairman Granger MacDonald on DOI’s Reversal of Controversial Interpretation of MBTA

Fri, 22 Dec 2017 08:00:00 PST

Granger MacDonald, chairman of the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) and a home builder and developer from Kerrville, Texas, issued the following statement regarding the Department of the Interior’s reversal of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA):

“NAHB is pleased to see that the Department of the Interior’s Principal Deputy Solicitor reversed a controversial Obama administration decision to subject private landowners, including home builders, to federal prosecution under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act.

It made no sense to hold landowners responsible for the lives of more than 1,000 different species of birds protected under the act and make them risk significant fines or even criminal prosecution if, during the course of normal business operations including building a home, a bird was accidentally injured or killed.

The decision today demonstrates the Trump administration’s commitment to a common-sense regulation. NAHB views today’s action by Department of the Interior as providing small businesses like home builders with the regulatory clarity and certainty small businesses need from the federal government.”

SOURCE: NAHB.org

LP Legacy Launch Party & Happy Hour at the International Builders’ Show

Wed, 20 Dec 2017 08:00:00 PST

Date: Tues., January 9
Time: 3:30 to 5:00 p.m.
Location: International Builders’ Show, Booth W2900

Event Details:

LP will celebrate the launch of its LP Legacy premium sub-flooring and unveil the product’s second Tested Extreme Expedition during an afternoon happy hour party Jan. 9 on the floor of the International Builders’ Show. The event is open to LP customers, other Builders’ Show attendees, and the media.

Attendees will:

Experience and sample the strength, stiffness, and moisture resistance of LP Legacy premium sub-flooring
Go behind the scenes of the product’s first extreme test, a 70-foot drop from a remote waterfall
Be the first to see LP Legacy’s Tested Extreme Expedition #2
Enjoy free cocktails and hors d’oeuvres
Stop by our booth to enter to win a $2,000 REI gift card – drawing will take place during the launch party on Tuesday between 4:30 and 5:00pm

Registration

No pre-registration required.

Single-Family Starts Rise in Line with Builder Confidence

Tue, 19 Dec 2017 08:00:00 PST

Nationwide housing starts rose 3.3 percent in November to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1.297 million units after a downwardly revised October reading, according to newly released data from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and the Commerce Department. This month’s reading is a post-recession high.

Single-family production rose 5.3 percent in November to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 930,000, which also is the highest post-recession report. Year-to-date, single-family starts are 8.7 percent above their level over the same period last year. Meanwhile, multifamily starts fell 1.6 percent to 367,000 units after a strong October reading.

“The increase in single-family production is consistent with builder confidence gains, and shows builders are optimistic about new federal policies aimed to promote small business growth,” said Granger MacDonald, chairman of the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) and a home builder and developer from Kerrville, Texas.

“The strong November reading indicates that builders are continuing to increase single-family production to meet growing demand for housing,” said NAHB Chief Economist Robert Dietz. “With low unemployment and increasing owner-occupied household formation, single-family starts should continue to make gains in 2018.”

Regionally in November, combined single- and multifamily housing production rose 19.0 percent in the West and 11.1 percent in the South. Starts fell 12.9 percent in the Midwest and 39.6 percent in the Northeast.

Overall permit issuance in November was down 1.4 percent to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1.298 million units. Single-family permits rose 1.4 percent to 862,000 units while multifamily permits fell 6.4 percent to 436,000.

Permits rose 1.4 percent in the South. Permits declined 3.0 percent in the West, 4.7 percent in the Midwest and 5.7 percent in the Northeast.

SOURCE: NAHB.org

Builders Confident as Market Primed to Expand in 2018

Mon, 18 Dec 2017 08:00:00 PST

Builder confidence in the market for newly-built single-family homes increased five points to a level of 74 in December on the National Association of Home Builders/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index (HMI) after a downwardly revised November reading. This was the highest report since July 1999, over 18 years ago.

“Housing market conditions are improving partially because of new policies aimed at providing regulatory relief to the business community,” said NAHB Chairman Granger MacDonald, a home builder and developer from Kerrville, Texas.

“The HMI measure of home buyer traffic rose eight points, showing that demand for housing is on the rise,” said NAHB Chief Economist Robert Dietz. “With low unemployment rates, favorable demographics and a tight supply of existing home inventory, we can expect continued upward movement of the single-family construction sector next year.”

All three HMI components registered gains in December. The component measuring buyer traffic jumped eight points to 58, the index gauging current sales conditions rose four points to 81 and the index charting sales expectations in the next six months increased three points to 79.

Looking at the three-month moving averages for regional HMI scores, the Midwest climbed six points to 69, the South rose three points to 72, the West increased two points to 79 and Northeast inched up a single point to 54.

SOURCE: NAHB.org