This article on Remodeling.hw.net looks at an actual home remodel of a historical house built in 1669. The remodel is a part of the 2013 Remodeling Design Awards, and focused on adding a recycling center to the kitchen without changing the aesthetics, footprint, traffic flow, or window and door arrangement. It also created a storage […]
Construction Jobs Return, but Will Workers Be There?
Before the California building industry collapsed, so many people were employed in construction that other industries were having trouble filling all the positions that they needed. In the years since, after half of the construction jobs that were available in 2005 disappeared, the building industry is starting to revitalize. The question is, will those construction […]
The Impact of Rising Interest Rates on Housing Affordability
The average interest rate of a 30 year fixed rate mortgage recently rose by 8 basis point to 4.39% over the course of a week, according to Freddie Mac. This year so far, mortgage rates have risen almost one percent and are currently higher than they have been since August 2011. This rise in mortgage […]
Smart Vapor Retarders
Vapor retarders have been one of the most confusing aspects of building design in terms of recommended practice and application over the last thirty years. Initially, it was recommended that vapor retarders be installed on the warm side of walls in the form of a polyethylene (or poly) vapor barrier. After that, it was recommended […]
An Interview with Dr. Joseph Lstiburek
Dr. Joseph Lstiburek of Building Science Corporation believes that the current residential venting standard, ASHRAE 62.2, ventilates at too high a rate. This translates into humidity problems in hot or mixed humid climates, dryness in cold climates, and too much energy use in every climate. More than that, Dr. Lstiburek believes that the 2013 update […]
SHADE is Solar Home Adapting for Desert Equilibrium
Solar Home Adapting for Desert Equilibrium (SHADE) is a collaborative project between Arizona State University and the University of New Mexico (combined effort dubbed Team ASUNM), the goal of which is to address the problem of urban sprawl and create a model for sustainable desert living inspired by the saguaro cactus’ ability to survive in […]
On Rooftops, There is a Growing Rival for Utility Companies
According to NBC News, utility companies are becoming increasingly alarmed as more and more homeowners opt for a full solar installation on their homes. Utility companies are reputedly trying to roll back government incentives that promote solar energy, citing the future of the industry as being on the line. Nicholas Brown of Jamaica is one […]
Simplicity is Bliss in Ábaton’s Portable Pre-Fab House
In a modern life that is hectic and cluttered, our hoses may not be the sanctuaries that we wish for. In that case, Spanish architecture firm Ábaton may have a good solution in their ÁPH80 prefabricated house. It is a simple, portable, and recyclable micro home that runs 290 square feet, but still boasting 11 […]
An Infinitely Flexible Faceplate for Multimedia Cables
Of the many different kinds of faceplate for multimedia cables—from telephone, data, coaxial, and even specialty jacks, such as HDMI, S-video, component video, VGA, and fiber-optic cables—this article highlights the infinitely flexible faceplate. The infinitely flexible can host up to four different cables at a time and uses brush fibers to fill the space between […]
Growing Share of Consumers Plan to Purchase a New Home
On a monthly basis, consumer confidence in the housing industry seems to show mixed results. On a larger scale, it can be seen that confidence is increasing over time. Thomson Reuters and the University of Michigan’s Consumer Sentiment Index rose to a seasonally adjusted level of 84.1 in July, one point higher than in June. […]