/
Text
J U LY/A U G U S T 2 0 2 3
URBAN
OASIS
A PEACEFUL SPEC HOME IN AUSTIN
MAKES THE MOST OF ITS LOT
ALSO IN THIS ISSUE
A Radon Mitigation Solution: 18
The Most Valuable Products Awards: 23
A New Method for Moving Dirt: 66
PROBUILDER.COM
JULY/AUGUST 2023
VOLUME 88, NO. 4
6
EDITOR’S NOTE: AI FOR HOME BUILDERS
9
NAHB HOUSING POLICY BRIEFING: OSHA
TIGHTENS ITS SAFETY ENFORCEMENT
10
NAHB CHAIRMAN’S MESSAGE: A REFLECTION
ON BELONGING
12
SALES+MARKETING: SYNC’ING YOUR
SALES+MARKETING TEAMS
14
BUSINESS MANAGEMENT: IMPROVING HOME
BUILDING PRODUCTIVITY, PART 1
16
DESIGN TRENDS: DESIGN FOR DISTINCTION
18
QUALITY MATTERS: A RADON MITIGATION
SOLUTION
23
<< PRODUCTS: The Most Valuable
Product Awards
44
DESIGN: Urban Oasis
54
HOUSE REVIEW: ACCESSORY DWELLING UNITS
66
23
Q+A: CLIFF FETNER’S
NEW WAY TO MOVE DIRT
The 5th annual Most Valuable Product Awards recognize the best in style,
innovation, and efficiency across 16 product categories
ON THE COVER:
A small-lot gem in Austin earns our admiration on page 44.
PHOTO: CATE BLACK PHOTOGRAPHY
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JULY/AUGUST 2023
PROBUILDER
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2021
2023 SPONSORS:
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M U S I C : A L E JA N D R O M AG A Ñ A ( A . M . ) / M I X K I T. C O
CLOPAY
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EDITOR’S NOTE:
VOL. 88 NO. 4
AI for Home Builders
220 N Smith Street, Suite 440
Palatine, IL 60067-2477
847.391.1000 • Fax: 847.390.0408
STAFF
EDITORIAL DIRECTOR
Rich Binsacca
541.257.7084 | rbinsacca@sgcmail.com
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Ingrid Bush
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ASSOCIATE EDITOR
Layne Deakins
814.483.9923 | ldeakins@sgcmail.com
CONTRIBUTING EDITORS
Larry Garnett | Scott Sedam | Tony Callahan
CONTENT CONSULTANT
Denise Dersin
DESIGNER
Robin McCartney
GROUP DIRECTOR – PRINCIPAL
Chris Perrino
847.391.1015 | cperrino@sgcmail.com
EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT —
BUILDING GROUP
Tony Mancini
484.412.8686 | tmancini@sgcmail.com
DIRECTORS – EVENTS
Judy Brociek
630.267.8117 | jbrociek@sgcmail.com
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CORPORATE
I’LL ADMIT THAT I’M GETTING A LITTLE SCARED of AI (artificial intelligence), both professionally and personally. Even though I encounter it every day
as my web browser searches for a research report or to verify a source, autofills an
app password, or suggests how to finish a sentence in a Google doc (all helpful and
seemingly benign), the latest evolution of machine learning—namely ChatGPT,
but in all its current and envisioned forms—leads my overactive imagination to
a Terminator-like conclusion, when the computers become self-aware and realize
humankind has become obsolete and burdensome.
It doesn’t help that business media coverage of the topic estimates that AI will eventually (and probably sooner than later) fully replace 25% of current jobs,
while two-thirds of all jobs (roughly 300 million) will be affected by AI
automation in some way. Those most vulnerable include fairly mundane
data entry and background research tasks, but also computer programming and customer-facing services (think self-service grocery checkouts
and chat bots on most consumer websites). Also on the list: journalists.
For all you know, a bot wrote this column and that guy pictured on the
right is a figment of the publisher’s imagination. Or at least unemployed.
But what about home builders? While technology has definitely infiltrated the industry, it’s still a mostly human activity, certainly on the
jobsite and, I believe, in-person sales and community engagement. But
even for those jobs and others, AI promises to make them easier, creating more time for things only humans can do ... for now.
RICH BINSACCA
In a somewhat prescient (for me) column in 2019 titled “The Robots
Editorial Director
Are Coming!” I encouraged builders to at least respect and pay attention
rbinsacca@sgcmail.com
to what AI and other technologies could do for their business. And since
@ProBuilderMag
the advent of the Bing app with ChatGPT earlier this year, I’ve met industry professionals who have embraced and leveraged the latest tech.
For instance, a production home builder using AI programming to make it far easier and faster for its team and homeowners to search for and find details about warranty coverage, and start-ups such as Arx that are using the technology to streamline
the process of finding, vetting, and financing land deals from months to mere days,
and HomeScribe.ai to help builders use AI for sales and marketing.
Then there are learning thermostats, drones and robots that inspect construction
quality and progress and even help with manual tasks, and augmented reality programs for customized home buying experiences that are in use by home builders.
These and other applications of AI are helpful, not harmful, and promise to give
our industry a much-needed boost in overall productivity that ideally results in
lower costs, faster builds, greater profitability, and more attainable prices—a better
world for all. Then again, that’s exactly what a clever bot would say.
CHAIRMAN EMERITUS (1922-2003)
H.S. Gillette
CHAIRPERSON
K.A. Gillette
PRESIDENT / CEO
E.S. Gillette
SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT / CFO
David Shreiner
For advertising contacts, see page 63
STAY CONNECTED TO PROBUILDER
• Check out our Events and Idea
Homes for regular updates and
to register and attend. Go to
sgchorizonevents.com/#pb
to learn the latest!
• Correction: Shaddock Homes’
2022 revenue in our Housing
Giants rankings was incorrectly
reported. It is $301,627,762,
placing it #79 on our list.
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JULY/AUGUST 2023
PROBUILDER
7
NAHB POLICY BRIEFING:
OSHA Tightens Jobsite Safety Enforcement
HOUSING UNITS UNDER CONSTRUCTION
FROM MAY 2022 TO MAY 2023
Single-family, privately owned
Multifamily
1100
1000
900
800
700
SOURCE: U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT AND THE U.S. CENSUS BUREAU
MAY 2023
APR 2023
MAR 2023
FEB 2023
JAN 2023
DEC 2022
NOV 2022
OCT 2022
SEPT 2022
AUG 2022
JULY 2022
JUNE 2022
600
MAY 2022
ARMEDARMADILLOSTUDIO / STOCK.ADOBE.COM
As of May, there were 994,000 apartment
units under construction (started but not
completed), up 17% compared to a year ago,
according to the U.S. Department of Housing
and Urban Development and the U.S. Census
Bureau. That’s the highest level of apartment construction in almost 50 years, but is
expected to decline in some markets as those
projects are completed.
There were 695,000 single-family homes under construction in May, down 16% compared
to a year ago. The data also shows single-family starts increased 18.5% to 997,000 SAAR,
albeit 6.6% lower year-over-year.
Multifamily starts increased 27.1% to an
annualized 634,000 pace. Overall housing
starts in May increased 21.7% to a seasonally
adjusted annual rate of 1.63 million units.
It’s worth noting that while single-family
starts are down year-to-date, single-family
completions are down just 1.2%, as projects
started at the end of 2022 are completed.
Growing housing supply helps in the fight
against inflation, as more inventory reduces
shelter inflation, a leading source of growth in
the Consumer Price Index.
notices based on serious violations. As before, the SVEP carries elevated penalties
and stricter inspection requirements for
employers placed in the program.
Ketcham noted that under OSHA’s
multi-employer citation policy, an employer can qualify for SVEP even if none
of its own employees were exposed to
SVEP-related hazards.
Ketcham shared with the committee the
most-cited OSHA violations for the first
seven months of the federal fiscal year 2023,
with the top three violations being fall protection, ladders, and scaffolding.
Scott Ketcham, director of OSHA’s
Office of the Directorate of Construction,
visited the recent spring meeting of
the National Association of Home
Builders’ Construction Safety and Health
Committee, in Washington, D.C., to provide more detail about the SVEP update and
discuss his office’s other safety initiatives.
Among the changes: the SVEP was expanded to include all OSHA standards and
will be applied for all types of hazards. The
update also lowered the bar for an employer
to be placed in the SVEP to just two willful
or repeated violations or failure-to-abate
(THOUSANDS, SEASONALLY ADJUSTED)
I
n June 2010, the Occupational
Safety and Health Administration
(OSHA) instituted the Severe Violator
Enforcement Program (SVEP) to focus
enforcement efforts on “recalcitrant employers who demonstrate indifference to
the health and safety of their employees
through willful, repeated, or failure-toabate violations” of the Occupational
Safety and Health Act.
In September 2022, OSHA broadened
the program’s scope and expanded its criteria, resulting in more employers being
placed on the SVEP list.
*SEASONALLY ADJUSTED
ABOUT NAHB: The National Association of Home Builders is a Washington, D.C.-based trade association representing more than 140,000 members involved in
home building, remodeling, multifamily construction, property management, subcontracting, design, housing finance, building product manufacturing, and other
aspects of residential and light commercial construction. For more, visit nahb.org.
probuilder.com
JULY/AUGUST 2023
PROBUILDER
9
NAHB CHAIRMAN’S MESSAGE:
A Reflection on Belonging
A
s members of the National Association of Home Builders gathered in Washington, D.C.,
in early June for NAHB’s annual Legislative Conference and spring leadership meetings,
I was struck anew by the feeling of connectedness I have when among my peers. Home
builders, remodelers, marketers, architects, educators, and other industry professionals all gathered
in one place, working together to make residential construction, and our country, stronger.
I also thought about you, the reader. You may be an NAHB member; you may have even joined us in
D.C. in June. But it’s likely you don’t yet belong to our association. Certainly, you strive for excellence
in your craft, providing the best possible products and services for your customers. You wouldn’t be
taking the time to read this publication to learn more about the latest in housing news and ideas if you
didn’t believe in innovation and personal and professional growth.
Which is why I write to you now. Being a member of NAHB is an investment in yourself and in your business. It’s also an investment in the future of home building. During
our Legislative Conference, more than 700 housing professionals engaged in over 300
meetings with lawmakers on Capitol Hill, advocating on behalf of our industry. And
when builders speak up, legislators listen.
Transformer shortages, workforce development funding, energy codes, and regulatory
overreach were at the top of our meeting agendas, and I believe we’ll see intentional action
as a result. We’ve already seen several key pieces of legislation move forward, including
bills in the House and Senate protecting transformer production for the next five years,
a bill in the House that would restore meaningful congressional oversight of regulatory
rule-making, and a House bill that seeks to protect consumer access to natural gas stoves.
These are all important issues, and NAHB is on the front lines for the whole industry.
ALICIA HUEY
Our
staff experts in Washington—leading housing economists, a robust legal team, and
2023 NAHB Chairman
experienced
regulatory analysts—are a resource not found anywhere else.
@nahbhome
Advocacy is our core business, but building homes, enriching communities, and
changing lives is our core mission. We accomplish this by fostering an environment
where industry professionals can learn from leaders in the industry and from one another. We have
tools and systems in place, such as a members-only networking platform and mentoring programs
that connect the industry from coast to coast and everywhere in between.
Each day, you go to work at a jobsite or an office and work with your team. But as an NAHB member, you go to work knowing you’re part of something much larger, working for a mission bigger
than all of us: housing opportunity and attainability for all.
As our industry grows and changes in the wake of a global pandemic and major economic
shifts, we need more backgrounds, experiences, opinions, and expertise to future-proof our industry. We will continue to face headwinds, but with new voices, we can identify and implement new
ideas. Diversifying and growing NAHB’s membership is about much more than the success of this
Association, it’s about your success.
You will find belonging within NAHB, so come join us. To learn more, visit nahb.org/value. And
remember to join us at the International Builders’ Show in Las Vegas, Feb. 27-29, 2024. Registration
opens Sept. 1.
W2W4 AT NAHB
• Registration for the NAHB International Builders’ Show
opens Sept. 1. Don’t miss your chance to join
us in Las Vegas, Feb. 27–29, 2024. Register at
buildersshow.com, with significant savings for NAHB
members through the end of September.
10
PROBUILDER
JULY/AUGUST 2023
probuilder.com
• Professional Women in Building Week is Sept. 11–15,
an opportunity to celebrate women in our industry.
Visit nahb.org/pwbweek to help raise awareness
about the opportunities for women across the home
building industry.
facebook.com/NAHBhome
twitter.com/NAHBhome
COMMITTED
TO GETTING YOUR
JOB DONE. EASIER.
When the success of your job depends on staying on schedule and within budget, builders like you
choose ABC Supply. Our builder-specific programs, tailored support, national footprint and best-in-class
delivery fleet help ensure that your deadlines are met and your costs are controlled.
Visit abcsupply.com to find a location near you.
ROOFING
|
SIDING
|
WINDOWS
|
TOOLS
|
GUTTER
|
ACCESSORIES
SALES+MARKETING:
Sync Sales and Marketing for
a Better Brand Experience
Get your sales and marketing teams together to create and deliver
a consistent brand message from start to finish
By Ali Quedenfeld
people through the door ... and their objections and hang-ups, too.
Marketing plays a role, as well, using
modern practices such as social listening—monitoring and analyzing related or
relevant social media content—to gather
insights from your followers and those of
your competition. Marketing also conducts competitive research and gathers
relevant industry data to help form your
messaging and brand.
Once you’re actively listening to the
market and making product changes to
reflect it, you’re on track to identifying
your brand’s unique selling propositions
(USPs)—the differentiators that address
market demands. Your USPs should be
outlined clearly for not only sales and marketing but also for the rest of the company
to understand your unique qualities and
how you stand out from your competition,
as well as how you respond to market demands and changes better than them.
T
oo often, builders expect buyers
to flock to their homes and communities without first laying the
necessary groundwork for success. The old
adage, “If you build it, they will come,” has
stipulations, and those include marketing
and sales teams working in tandem to ultimately discover what your buyers want.
When those two teams weave a cohesive
story, you can expect to deliver a superior
brand experience for buyers.
Tap Into What Matters Most
Before we get into generating sales traffic,
your sales and marketing teams need to
gather and share preliminary intelligence
for business development.
12
PROBUILDER
JULY/AUGUST 2023
The sales team is your primary source
of firsthand feedback from prospects and
buyers that you can’t get anywhere else. If
you’re not tapping into product and process
feedback from your salespeople, start today.
In addition, make sure to coach the sales
team to ask the right questions and generate conversations that will deliver useful
intel. Formal surveys are great, but often
the most authentic, valuable feedback
comes from open conversations between
the sales team and your customers.
Builders that employ online sales counselors have the added advantage of having customer feedback at their fingertips
in real time about what communities,
floor plans, or quick move-in homes bring
probuilder.com
Your brand differentiators create consistency in the overall brand experience—and
not just in what you say but how you say it.
Messaging needs to be consistent from the
early shopping phases to deep in the funnel.
Consistency is key to building trust in
your brand. Develop and use clear talking
points and meet regularly as a complete
sales and marketing team. Then take it a
step farther by clarifying your voice when
telling your brand story and ensure all team
members use the same level of enthusiasm.
Your brand differentiators should trickle into every piece of communication that
goes out internally and externally, from
marketing to close. Doing so will not only
attract the right buyers, it will also give
buyers the confidence they need to trust
your brand from beginning to end. PB
Ali Quedenfeld is account group
director and builder marketing manager at Group Two, in
Philadelphia, a full-service marketing partner for home builders.
Learn more at grouptwo.com.
PHOTO: BLUE PLANET STUDIO / STOCK.ADOBE.COM
How You Say It
W h a t d o e s B o u n d l e s s ™ m e a n? H a v i n g t h e
i n s p i r a t i o n , i n n o v a t i o n a n d p ro d u c t c h o i ce s to
d e s i g n a n d b u i l d a n y t h i n g . F o r s t a r te r s .
© 2023 Westlake Royal Building Products
SIDING & ACCESSORIES
WestlakeRoyalBuildingProducts.com
TRIM & MOULDINGS
ROOFING
STONE
WINDOWS
OUTDOOR LIVING
How to Improve Home
Building Productivity, Part 1
Simplifying and standardizing your processes and purchasing creates
efficiencies that save money and time and attract the best trade partners
By Tony Callahan, Contributing Editor
I
recently attended a seminar at a building industry convention where the
presenters compared the productivity from the agricultural, manufacturing
and construction industries from 1947 to
2010 based on data from McKinsey Global
Institute. Agriculture’s gain was 1,600
times the gross value added per 1 hour
worked, double that of manufacturing.
Construction’s gain was one.
Our industry did make some early gains,
but since the 1960s it has produced basically the same output as in 1947. While I
find it hard to believe that our industry is
that bad, there is no arguing it has lagged
behind others in efficiency gains—by a lot.
14
PROBUILDER
JULY/AUGUST 2023
This lack of productivity improvement
has had a profound impact on housing affordability, available labor, inflation, and
other challenges builders face today. And
there are definitely some things we can do,
from simplification and standardization
to off-site construction, automation, vertical integration, and housing design. Let’s
tackle the first two.
Simplification. How many floor plans
does a home builder really need to be successful? How many structural options?
Most errors on a jobsite are associated
with an option, a “custom” specification,
or a change order, all of which create variability that erodes efficiency.
probuilder.com
As I strive to be a preferred customer, I
often ask installing trades who their favorite home builders are and why. The answer
is often: a builder or general contractor
that minimizes variations—namely, fewer
floor plans with fewer options; those that
even-flow production and don’t shower
trades with change orders. That criterion
will become more prevalent and important as volume increases and our trade
partners struggle to find skilled labor that
is less prepared for complexity.
My advice: Once you have a proven
floor plan your customers like and your
installing trades are familiar with, do all
you can to reuse that plan. If you are a
national builder, have a floor plan library
available to all of your divisions. Yes, you
may need to re-skin an elevation or two to
achieve a regionally appropriate look, but
for the most part, floor plans will travel
within a similar architectural style in almost any market.
Standardization. Very few home builders have followed the standardization of
other industries. Consider, as just one example, the number of window SKUs in a
typical new home. I’ve walked houses with
more than 20 and those with just three.
My advice: strive toward the latter.
The impact of using too many window
types, sizes, and colors carries risk, from
manufacturing, materials handling and
packaging, to replacement of damaged
units, framing and installation, jobsite
waste, and rework, not to mention homeowners who need to source window coverings for 20 different-size windows.
SKU standardization is at the heart of
efficiency. It’s a building block that many
efficiency improvements are built upon.
Set a goal to reduce SKUs and drive more
volume with fewer options, then advance
that learning curve and set your goals for
the top. That’s the key to productivity. PB
Tony Callahan, CPSM, CSCP, is
an expert in purchasing and supply chain management. For the
full article, go to probuilder.com/
building-productivity-part-one.
PHOTO: IVAN KRUK / STOCK.ADOBE.COM
BUSINESS MANAGEMENT:
DESIGN TRENDS:
Design That Differentiates
Shifting consumer attitudes and lifestyle needs demand new thinking
in your approach to home design
By Jenni Nichols
1
2
As homes become smaller in order to be
more affordable, buyers’ shifting priorities
could result in spaces that combine functions usually kept separate, or a reallocation of square footage to support the needs
of today’s consumer.
16
PROBUILDER
JULY/AUGUST 2023
3. Smaller Outdoor Spaces
Traditionally, a home’s laundry, back
kitchen, and owner’s entry are three distinct
spaces. But the design team for Barnaby,
the first America at Home Study Concept
Home (photo 1), designed by Dahlin Group
and built by Garman Homes, of Cary, N.C.,
made great use of square footage by combining all three functions in one space.
Also, our most recent consumer study
about home storage found 51% of homeowners have more than one refrigerator
and/or freezer, so providing a convenient
space in the home for that extra appliance
is a clear point of differentiation, while
also saving square footage.
probuilder.com
When smaller homes are built on smaller
lots, outdoor living layouts and sizes shift,
too. At Minto Communities’ new collection of paired homes designed for low
maintenance at attainable price points, the
only outdoor living opportunities are open
or screened porches to the front (photo 3).
At 18 feet by 9 feet, they’re smaller than a
typical yard but allow for multiple gathering areas … with no yard maintenance.
Your goal: Figure out the demand in your
area among your target buyers and design
new product with their needs in mind. PB
Jenni Nichols is VP of DesignLens for the New Home Trends
Institute. Email her at jnichols@
jbrec.com or visit newhome
trendsinstitute.com. For the
complete version of this article, go to
probuilder.com/design-trends-differentiate.
PHOTO: AMBER GLUCKIN
1. Multifunctional Spaces
2. Shrinking Spaces
More builders also are
creating high-quality
home offices that are
sometimes half the size
of a typical bedroom—
an approach that has
consumer support.
In a collection of
single-family detached
homes designed by
Woodley Architec tural
Group for Trumark Homes, the only private
office is a 5' 5" by 8' 7" space (photo 2), but it
has enough room for a desk, chair, and ample storage, plus plenty of natural light.
W
hile the housing mar3
ket has fared better
this year than most
experts expected, our research
shows that about half of consumers still believe it’s a bad time
to buy a home.
The question, then, is how
to appeal to consumers and get
them to buy despite shifting
market factors that cause them
to rethink their must-haves. The
answer: put consumers front
and center as you design new homes or
rethink your older product to truly differentiate you in the marketplace.
There are multiple pivots to consider,
but one, specifically, can really help steer
your approach: floor plan layouts that accommodate new household priorities.
Barnaby’s three-in-one space also has
features that support multiple functions,
such as a sink for washing up that also
serves the laundry and back kitchen.
As homes get smaller, multifunctionality will become more important. Consider
what makes sense to combine, but don’t
get carried away; you still want to give
consumers what they want, and sometimes shrinking separate spaces is better
than combining them.
John Cannon Homes
Adelaide Model
Sarasota, FL
The freedom to give
your customers more.
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P GT W I N D OWS .C O M
QUALITY MATTERS:
HOW TO PROTECT HOMEBUYERS
FROM RADON
CONSIDER THIS RELATIVELY SIMPLE AND INEXPENSIVE PASSIVE MITIGATION SYSTEM
BY ANDREW SHIPP
A
silent poison, a fatal gas, an invisible killer. While it goes by many
names, to the building industry
and a growing portion of the population it’s
commonly known as radon—an odorless,
colorless, radioactive gas the Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA) says is responsible
for about 21,000 lung cancer deaths per
year, second only to smoking.
WHERE IS RADON?
Varying levels of radon are found across
the U.S. To help define and locate high-risk
areas, the EPA created a map (see opposite
page) showing the potential for radon at the
county level across the country.
Even in lower-risk areas, the EPA recommends actions to mitigate radon levels
when they are above a concentration of
4 pCi/L (picocuries per liter).
The location of the house and its foundation type ultimately determine the proper
method, but a common tactic is called “soil
suction” or “soil depressurization.”
This technique involves containing radon gas below the home’s foundation, directing it into a chimney system, and venting it to the outside of the home, where it
dissipates to essentially harmless levels.
HOW-TO BEST PRACTICES
Regardless of foundation type, start by
installing perforated pipe that encircles
the inside of the foundation walls or under the perimeter of the slab—the “highway” that radon gas will take to travel
out of the house. Install a “tee” fitting at
18
PROBUILDER
JULY/AUGUST 2023
above the roof and clearances from wina predetermined place along the pipe run
dows, doors, and other openings that may
for a vertical venting pipe.
allow the vented gas to reenter the house.
Bury the perimeter pipe with no less
than 4 inches of ½-inch-diameter or larger
aggregate gravel to create a collection area
PASSIVE OR ACTIVE?
that will serve as a path of least resistance
A soil suction system is considered a “pasfor the gas to move toward the piping.
sive” mitigation method, in that it doesn’t
Next, install a minimum 6-mil polyethrely on a fan to direct or vent radon gas. By
ylene vapor retarder on top of the gravel,
contrast, an “active” system requires meensuring that seams between sheets and
chanical ventilation to expel radon from
any penetrations (including the “tee” fitthe house. Even with a passive system, I
ting) are properly taped and sealed. If you’re
often recommend including a powered rebuilding on a crawlceptacle in the attic in
space, you may need to
case homeowners want
WELLNESS IS AN
seal along the edges to
to make the system “acproperly contain radon
tive” at a later date.
INCREASINGLY
gas under the plastic.
I also encourage
IMPORTANT SELLING
Once you have the
builders to look into
POINT AMONG TODAY’S
substrate portion done,
radon levels where they
HOMEBUYERS. RADON
seal all cracks, gaps, or
build and to consider
holes in the slab or founmitigation as a stanMITIGATION IS ONE
dation floor, including
dard detail in making
ASPECT OF BUILDING
the gap where the slab
occupant health a priHEALTHY HOMES
meets the walls in a
ority. Wellness is an
basement or crawlspace.
increasingly important
Then connect an unselling point among
perforated PVC pipe to the tee fitting, idehomebuyers, and new homes offer a disally outside of conditioned space or in a
tinct advantage over existing homes in
sealed area, and run it vertically up and out
which radon mitigation is far more diffiof the house—essentially creating a chimcult and expensive. PB
ney where air pressure differences within
the pipe will draw radon gas up and out.
As mentioned earlier, some builders run
Andrew Shipp is a building performance spethe vent pipe through the roof, while othcialist on the PERFORM Builder Solutions
ers vent it out a side wall; each option has
team at IBACOS. For a roundup of radonspecific guidelines to ensure effectiveness,
testing and mitigation products, go to
such as how high the pipe must terminate
probuilder.com/radon-products.
probuilder.com
FAN (ACTIVE SYSTEM)
ROOF FLASHING
ILLUSTRATION: COURTESY U.S. DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY BUILDING AMERICA SOLUTIONS CENTER
PERFORATED
PERIMETER PIPE
WIRING
SEALED
PENETRATIONS
CONCRETE SLAB
VENT STACK
ELECTRICAL JUNCTION BOX
(ACTIVE SYSTEM ROUGH-IN)
“TEE” FITTING
POLYETHYLENE VAPOR BARRIER
The EPA’s map of radon risk potential across the country indicates
Zone 1 (in red) as having the highest potential levels of radon,
while Zone 2 (orange) has moderate levels, and Zone 3 has the
lowest risk of radon exposure.
probuilder.com
JULY/AUGUST 2023
PROBUILDER
19
Open Web Floor Trusses
Open Web is an
Open Throttle
Get faster cycle times and more streamlined
MEP installs than I-joists can deliver.
See everything Open Web can do.
MII.COM/OPEN-WEB
probuilder.com
JULY/AUGUST 2023
PROBUILDER
23
CONNECTED HOME
GOLD
PLUG-&-PLAY SOLAR AND BATTERY KITS /
CRAFTSTROM
To help combat rising energy costs and unreliable
utility grids, it is Craftstrom’s goal to provide anyone with
the opportunity to install solar at a fraction of the cost of
traditional solar installs. To achieve this, the company has
created a suite of products that it says allows users to easily
install their own solar and battery system within 10 minutes
using standard power outlets. craftstrom.com
SILVER: M-PWR SMART DOORS / MASONITE
Masonite M-Pwr Smart Doors are the first residential exterior
doors to integrate power, lights, a video doorbell, and a smart
lock into the door system. residential.masonite.com
BRONZE: SMARTENTRY / ACCURATE LOCK & HARDWARE
SmartEntry is a fully customizable, battery-powered
smart lock that requires no wiring for installation and can
be paired with virtually any style of architectural trim,
the company says. All components are hidden inside the
lock’s mortise pocket so there are no exposed electronics.
accuratelockandhardware.com
DOORS AND WINDOWS
GOLD
WINDOW OPENING CONTROL DEVICE / MARVIN
Designed for safety, Marvin’s window opening control device (WOCD) restricts
the opening of a sash to less than 4 inches, preventing potential falls for children
5 years and younger, while still allowing for ventilation. The device also can be released to
enable the sash to fully open for egress and it automatically engages again when the window
is fully closed. Marvin’s WOCD meets the ASTM F2090 standard, is coastal compliant, and
features completely concealed hardware when the window is fully closed. marvin.com
SILVER: HIDDEN SCREEN / PELLA
Drawing on decades of screen design and innovation, Pella says its Hidden Screen is the
industry’s first and only hidden screen for vinyl windows among leading national window
brands. pella.com
BRONZE: DOORLENZ / CRAFT-MODERN
Doorlenz is a family of mini-porthole-type windows made of anodized aluminum and tinted
acrylic that can be installed in an existing door to add interest. Installation is easy and
requires no hardware. craft-modern.com
24
PROBUILDER
JULY/AUGUST 2023
probuilder.com
PROJECT Private Residence.
DESIGN Blue Hills Inc.
PRODUCT Richcliff® pavers
in Smoke Shale.
SPACE
Matters
Outdoor rooms will complete
your home builds, increase
salable square footage and
improve buyer satisfaction.
At Unilock, we have the right
pavers, slabs and walls to deliver
profit growth, labor efficiencies,
and environmental solutions
while creating distinction for the
perfect home and protecting
your buyers’ investment.
Contact us for FREE samples
and product information.
UNILOCK.COM | 1-800-UNILOCK
EXTERIORS
GOLD
BEACH HOUSE SHAKE / DERBY BUILDING PRODUCTS/TANDO
Using Tando’s composite technology, the company’s
Beach House Shake offers the authentic look of cedar
shake siding. In response to market demand for a product with the
unique, individual, and natural variations of untreated cedar that
stays looking as fresh as the day it was installed, Tando says its
Beach House Shake achieves a new level of realism and architectural
precision. tandobp.com
SILVER: PROVINCE SLATE TILE / DAVINCI ROOFSCAPES
Class A- and Class 4-rated, DaVinci Roofscape’s Province Slate tiles
resist severe weather and high winds, as well as insects, termites,
algae, and moss growth. davinciroofscapes.com
BRONZE: RISE SIDING AND TRIM / RISE BUILDING PRODUCTS
RISE Building Products’ parent company, RISE Composite
Technologies, has patented a manufacturing process—RISE
Technology—that compresses postconsumer and postindustrial
synthetic fiber and polymer waste into dense, durable
wood replacement products RISE Siding and RISE Trim.
risebuildingproducts.com
FLOORING
GOLD
FLUSH-MOUNT FLOOR REGISTERS / VENTIQUES
Functional and stylish floor vents from Ventiques offer
a flush-mount frame and grill the company says can be
installed with all flooring types for a seamless finish. Vents are easy
to install, handicap accessible, and available in multiple styles and
finishes. Made from powder-coated aluminum, Ventiques Flush Mount
Metal Floor Registers will not bend, crack, rust, peel, or chip, the
company says. ventiques.com
SILVER: TRACSAFE ANTI-SLIP COLOR COAT / DAICH COATINGS
Following the successful launch of TracSafe Anti-Slip Sealer, Daich
Coatings has introduced TracSafe Anti-Slip Color Coat, a real stone
organic coating available in five colors that bonds firmly to a variety of
interior and exterior flooring materials. daichcoatings.com
BRONZE: BARNWOOD LIVING COLLECTION / AHF PRODUCTS/BRUCE
The Barnwood Living Collection by Mark Bowe is a select group of
hardwood floors inspired by the timeworn character of reclaimed
barnwood and manufactured to meet the practical demands of today’s
homes. bruce.com
26
PROBUILDER
JULY/AUGUST 2023
probuilder.com
Our Life’s Work
Changes
Lives
670 HOMES BUILT OR REMODELED
$3.1 MILLION
90
in resources Donated
Tyler Hubbard
COMMUNITIES
IMPACTED
HOME FOR GOOD PROJECT AMBASSADOR
rough our Home for Good project,
Cornerstone Building Brands partners with Habitat for
Humanity and the Country Music industry to help build
affordable housing for families in need. Whether we’re
donating products, facilitating house builds or using music
to strengthen and inspire our communities, everything we
do is changing lives - for good.
Visit HomeForGoodproject.com to learn more.
Tyler and the McClain family in front of their future Tennessee home
OUR PORTFOLIO OF LEADING RESIDENTIAL BR ANDS
TM
HARDWARE
GOLD
BIJOU COLLECTION / BELWITH KEELER
The culmination of Belwith Keeler’s rich legacy,
combined with new ideas, the Bijou Collection
was curated based on several factors: stylistic research;
input from kitchen designers; attention to trends; and
consumer desires to elevate interiors beyond currently
available mass-market styles and sizes. At the heart of
the collection is the re-release of the Bijou X Pull, one of
Belwith’s time-honored pieces originally created in the
1960s. belwith-keeler.com
SILVER: 2066 SOFT-CLOSE KIT / L.E. JOHNSON PRODUCTS
L.E. Johnson Products/Johnson Hardware recently
expanded its popular line of soft-open/soft-close sliding
door hardware with the heavy-duty 2066 Soft-Close Kit,
which enables doors weighing up to 330 pounds to open
and close softly. johnsonhardware.com
BRONZE: BIT PULL / TOP KNOBS
Top Knobs’ mixed metal Bit Pulls feature the manufacturer’s
highly sought-after Flat Black finish paired with Honey
Bronze or Pewter Antique details. topknobs.com
HEALTHY HOME
GOLD
OVERTURE / BROAN-NUTONE
Using sophisticated sensor technology, the Overture
fully automated fresh-air system monitors home indoor
air quality. When it detects a rise in indoor air pollution caused by
increased humidity, volatile organic compounds, carbon dioxide,
or small particles (sometimes referred to as PM2.5), the system
automatically turns on the nearest ventilation fan to eliminate the
pollutant while simultaneously bringing in fresh, clean air from
outside. broan-nutone.com
SILVER: CARBON-NEGATIVE AREA RUGS / FLOR
Peninsula, Stratosphere, and Hemisphere are the first-ever carbonnegative area rugs available from FLOR, combining durability and
beautiful design, as well as being nontoxic, hypoallergenic, and
meeting or exceeding standards for low VOCs. flor.com
28
PROBUILDER
JULY/AUGUST 2023
probuilder.com
HEATING, VENTILATION, AND AIR CONDITIONING
GOLD
INTELLI-HEAT DUAL FUEL SYSTEM / MITSUBISHI
The Intelli-Heat Dual Fuel System from
Mitsubishi Electric Trane HVAC US can be used
to provide cost-effective, efficient, and environmentally
friendly cooling and heating year-round. Dual-fuel systems
enable homeowners with gas furnaces to reduce their fossil
fuel dependency and enjoy the benefits of all-electric,
high-performance heat pumps. Similar to hybrid cars, this
technology is a bridge to a more electrified, sustainable
built environment. metahvac.com
SILVER: FLUSH MOUNT FLOOR REGISTER / VENTIQUES
Made from powder-coated aluminum, Ventiques flushmount, handicap-accessible vents will not bend, crack, rust,
peel, or chip, the company says. ventiques.com
BRONZE: ZONED WIRELESS AUTOMATIC COMFORT CONTROL /
ECONTROLS
The 2-Zone comfort control, for new construction and
remodels, automatically controls the distribution of heating
and cooling to upstairs and downstairs zones to keep each
zone’s temperatures within 2˚ F. econtrolsusa.com
KITCHENS AND BATHS
GOLD
PURIST SUSPEND KITCHEN FAUCET / KOHLER
With its ceiling-mounted design, the Purist
Suspend Kitchen Faucet pushes the boundaries
of faucet design to create a striking aesthetic that doesn’t
clutter countertops. The innovative faucet is designed to
streamline the cleaning process and features increased
rotation and wireless compatibility with a waterproof remote
puck that allows users to seamlessly turn the faucet on and off,
minimizing mess and wasted water. The remote also includes
features to manage the activation, temperature, and volume of
water dispensed. kohler.com
SILVER: WORKSTATION SINK / DELTA FAUCET
Delta Faucet’s first-ever Workstation Sinks are designed for
versatility and feature high-quality materials and coordinating
accessories, allowing kitchens to better accommodate daily
tasks. deltafaucet.com
BRONZE: STATEMENT + ANTHEM COLLECTIONS / KOHLER
The Statement and Anthem Collections from Kohler breathe
new life into well-loved shower standards by marrying the
latest technology with enduring craftsmanship. kohler.com
30
PROBUILDER
JULY/AUGUST 2023
probuilder.com
LIGHTING
GOLD
MUDR 1 AND MUDR 2 MUD-IN CHANNELS / ALLOY LED
Mudr trimless recessed linear LED lighting channels
provide seamless integration into ceilings and walls. They
feature a patented lens design that casts illumination evenly across
the entire surface of the lens, eliminating dark edges. The channels
are made of high-quality aluminum with a frosted polycarbonate lens
and are available in 4- and 7-foot kits. Resistant to moisture, dust,
and other elements, they are engineered to cool and prolong the tape
light’s lifespan. An ideal solution for modern residential environments.
alloyled.com
SILVER: RADIANT WAVE SWITCH / LEGRAND
Available in 15A and 20A versions—each boasting the sleek form factor
and smooth lines of Legrand’s Radiant Collection—the Wave Switch
features an adjustable, internal sensor that can be set to register
motion from 1 to 6 inches from the device face. legrand.com
BRONZE: H SERIES RESIDENTIAL LIGHTING / DMF LIGHTING
Combining reliable performance with modular design that features
a single, compact, field-adjustable LED light module, H Series LED
downlights offer field-selectable lumens, Natural Warm Dim technology,
quality construction, and builder-friendly installation. dmflighting.com
MISCELLANEOUS
GOLD
WILDERNESS COLLECTION H31 GAS FIREPLACE /
ORTAL HEAT
With a 65-inch viewing area, the H31 gas
fireplace is the tallest model in Ortal’s Wilderness
Collection, delivering stunning views of large, ultrarealistic flames. The towering viewing space—measured
from the bottom to the top of the glass—makes a grand
visual statement. ortalheat.com
SILVER: LOOM ACOUSTIC ART / SPACEKIT
Loom is the latest design in Spacekit’s Acoustic Art
system of sound dampening artwork made from
upcycled rice hulls. spacekit.co
BRONZE: CHAMELEON ADAPTABLE HOSE SYSTEM /
H-P PRODUCTS
The Chameleon Adaptable Hose System combines the
benefits of a retractable central vacuum hose system
with the affordability of standard central vac inlets
to create a hybrid system of hose management and
storage. h-pproducts.com
32
PROBUILDER
JULY/AUGUST 2023
probuilder.com
PROVIA® ENTRY DOORS + SCHLAGE® HARDWARE
STYLE + SECURITY
The perfect combination
ProVia is pleased to offer
a range of handsome and
durable Schlage handlesets
for our fiberglass and steel
Smart Wi-Fi Collection
entry doors.
Select from Schlage Vintage,
Classic, and Smart Wi-Fi
styles, for great curb appeal
your customers will love.
Vintage Collection
Classic Collection
DOORS | WINDOWS
SIDING | STONE | ROOFING
View more options:
provia.com/doors/hardware
OUTDOOR LIVING
GOLD
NEEVO 720 SMART GRILLS / NEXGRILL
Nexgrill’s line of Neevo 720 smart grills are NEX-fi enabled so they
can connect to the Nexgrill app and remove the guesswork from
grilling by using the SureTemp Controller, built-in temperature probes, and a
knobless digital LED control panel that operates on a finely tuned algorithm to
maintain consistent cooking temperatures. There are two models, the 720 and
the 720 Plus with Air Fryer (shown), which offers seven cooking modes: air fry,
bake, convection bake, broil, convection broil, toast or warm. nexgrill.com
SILVER: VILLA PERGOLA / BON PERGOLA
Made from extruded aluminum alloy, the Villa Pergola features warm-white
LED edge lighting and has a hidden drainage system to channel water off
the motorized roof louvers and through high-flow water gutters within the
aluminum posts. bonpergola.com
BRONZE: COSMOPOLITAN TABLE COLLECTION / DANVER STAINLESS OUTDOOR
KITCHENS
The Cosmopolitan Table Collection provides versatile solutions for outdoor
spaces of any footprint and introduces new cooking options for small spaces,
in particular, with six table offerings: Cook, Prep, Store, Dine, Buffet Cook,
and Buffet Store. danver.com
PLUMBING, MECHANICAL, AND ELECTRICAL
GOLD
PROTERRA PLUG-IN HEAT PUMP WATER HEATER / RHEEM
The new 120-volt plug-in model installs with minimal to no electrical work and has
minimal clearance requirements and a standard tank footprint for easy installation. It’s
up to five times as efficient as a standard gas water heater, the company says, and EcoNet WiFi
controls provide convenient remote operation and monitoring via smartphone, including adjusting
water temperature and tracking energy use. rheem.com
SILVER: INVERTER HEAT PUMP WATER HEATER / LG ELECTRONICS USA
Designed for eco-conscious homeowners, the LG Inverter Heat Pump Water Heater is an all-electric
water heater that combines heat pump technology with LG’s advanced smart control systems
to deliver energy savings of up to 70% compared with conventional electric water heaters, the
company says. lg.com/us
BRONZE: SANISWIFT PRO / SFA SANIFLO
The IAPMO-listed and CSA-certified Saniswift Pro drain pump is used to pump gray water
away from a variety of fixtures, including laundry sinks and showers, and is designed for quick
installation in hard-to-reach spaces under sinks. The unit pumps effluent upward to 14 feet or 140
feet horizontally (with gravity fall) and is engineered to extend the overall life cycle of the pump
while also eliminating unwanted odors. saniflo.com/us
34
PROBUILDER
JULY/AUGUST 2023
probuilder.com
STRUCTURAL
GOLD
UL V343 2-HOUR WALL ASSEMBLY / PROWOOD FR
The UL V343 2-hour Wall Assembly from ProWood
FR—a UFP Retail Solutions brand—uses wood treated
with a fire-retardant chemical that protects the wood by
changing its chemistry so that when the chemical heats up, it
emits water and carbon dioxide, creating a char layer that slows
burn, flame spread, and smoke development. The UL 263-listed
assembly has a Class A Flame Spread Index of 25 or less, the
best possible rating awarded to fire-retardant building products.
prowoodlumber.com
SILVER: CONCRETE ANCHOR FLANGE / NILL BUILDING SOLUTIONS
The Flush Mount Concrete Anchor Flange (NB3C) is suited
to all concrete applications, the company says, providing
superior strength and 100% waterproofing protection.
nillbuildingsolutions.com
BRONZE: TRUSSBRACE ROOF TRUSS SUPPORT / FASTENMASTER
FastenMaster’s TrussBrace Roof Truss Support’s innovative
design provides both lateral and diagonal restraint in one brace,
allowing framers to set, space, and brace wooden roof trusses in
one easy step. fastenmaster.com
SURFACES
GOLD
TEKSTUR PANELS / ECO SUPPLY
Tekstur panels offer a sustainable option
for adding a protective, decorative
element to interior or exterior spaces. The panels
offer a Class A fire rating and are resistant to
water and impact damage, the company says.
Antimicrobial and stain resistant, the panels are
well suited to high-traffic environments where
cleanliness is a priority. ecosupplycenter.com
SILVER: SILESTONE EVITA BATHROOM SINK COLLECTION /
COSENTINO USA
Available in three sizes, Evita sinks’ seamless,
integrated design provides visual unity with the
surrounding countertop. cosentino.com
BRONZE: DEKTON ONIRIKA / COSENTINO USA
The new collection of ultra-compact surfaces is designed by award-winning
interior designer Nina Magon and combines the beauty of natural stone with
Dekton’s durability and performance technology. cosentino.com
36
PROBUILDER
JULY/AUGUST 2023
probuilder.com
Are You Making Money
from Residential Cabling Jobs?
TM
An ICC Elite Installer was awarded
a contract to install cabling at 71
multi-family homes in Utah.
An ICC Elite Installer was awarded a
contract to install cabling at a senior
living center in Wyoming.
An ICC Elite Installer was awarded a
contract to install 1,682 data drops
at a 19-story apartment in New York.
With the residential construction industry experiencing a slowdown, many homebuilders and installers are
turning to ICC for their cabling needs. Our Residential Wiring Enclosures outperform leading brands while
costing 40% less.* By choosing ICC, homebuilders can stay within their budgets and installers can increase
their profit margins - a win-win situation for all! If you’re tired of struggling to make a profit with the big
brands, it’s time to give ICC a try. Visit icc.com/success to learn more.
UL® 94V-0 safety rated
14" Enclosure (Voice/Data/Video)
Includes modules and a cover
Modules are packaged separately
ICC only sells through distribution partners; hundreds of distributors nationwide would love your business.
Find them on icc.com/distributor or contact us at cs@icc.com.
Everywhere
icc.com
cs@icc.com
*Compared to the big brands. © 2023, ICC
Texas
Maryland
Ohio
California
Utah
Nebraska
800.847.5629 888.792.7463 800.422.6191 800.309.2322 801.484.5238 800.238.0787
Premise Cables . Workstation Outlets . Patch Panels . RCM . Fiber Optics . Residential Enclosures
SUSTAINABLE BUILDING
GOLD
BORA-CARE WITH MOLD-CARE / NISUS
Developed in the aftermath of a challenging Atlantic hurricane season and the
widespread flooding that came with it, Bora-Care with Mold-Care combines
two powerful active ingredients that serve as either a remedial or a preventative onsite wood application treatment against mold and fungal growth, as well as other wood
destroying organisms. The Bora-Care formula inhibits future growth of mold and decay
fungi while the Mold-Care component works to kill existing fungi. nisuscorp.com
SILVER: POWER MODULES / SAVANT
Savant Power Modules can pair with any 20-, 30-, or 60-amp circuit breaker and, using
Savant’s mobile app, can provide utility-grade energy monitoring and circuit-level
control to deliver smarter power to homeowners and intelligent energy choices based on
efficiency, time-of-use pricing, weather conditions, and other factors. savant.com
BRONZE: ACRE / MODERN MILL
ACRE by Modern Mill is a wood alternative made from upcycled rice hulls that offers
the genuine look and feel of wood with the convenience of traditional composites, the
company says. Suitable for siding, decking, and other applications. modern-mill.com
WEATHERIZATION
GOLD
SEAL / TREX
Ask any contractor where a deck is most likely
to fail and they’ll probably point to the ledger
board. Trex Seal aims to take ledger flashing to a new level
by combining the best performance features of metal and
tape flashing in one easy-to-use product. Reinforced with
an aluminum liner, the 11-inch-wide tape covers the entire
ledger board surface and creates a seamless seal over any
gaps between the ledger and deck substructure for optimal
protection against moisture and water penetration. trex.com
SILVER: OX-IS / OX ENGINEERED PRODUCTS
By combining multiple components into one product,
OX-IS Structural Insulated Sheathing eliminates the need
for builders to make multiple trips around a structure
to install each individual layer, saving time and labor.
oxengineeredproducts.com
BRONZE: CASCADE SHINGLES / PABCO ROOFING PRODUCTS
The distinctive design of Cascade shingles features a unique diamond shape ideal for
gables, steep pitches, dormers, and other architectural elements found in the roof
designs of historic-style homes. pabcoroofing.com
38
PROBUILDER
JULY/AUGUST 2023
probuilder.com
Take Performance Through The Roof
*RLQJ8S"
The&RGH&RPSOLDQW&KRLFH
NEW
Made in the USA
3DWHQWHG(IæFLHQF\ 3URWHFWLRQ
'U\HU-DFNFRP
SPONSORED CONTENT
TRANSCEND TRENDS. TRANSFORM SPACES.
Scale, depth, and bold finishes have a
profound impact on how a space feels
and is ultimately lived in. Like you,
Marvin innovates, designs, and crafts
with that in mind.
The new Elevate Bi-Fold door is a
perfect case in point. It impresses
and inspires with its large, expansive
views and seamless transitions to
outdoor spaces. More specifically,
this new scenic door from Marvin
effortlessly glides and stacks open,
minimizing the physical and visual
disruption to the outdoors. When
closed, its narrow sightlines and
warm wood interior ensure the vistas
are always in focus. Fitting openings
up to 22’ wide by 8’ high and made
with a proprietary, durable Ultrex® fiberglass exterior, the Elevate Bi-Fold
door has over 28 possible configura-
40
PROBUILDER
JULY/AUGUST 2023
tions and nearly limitless applications
spanning both new construction and
replacement projects.
Since its introduction in early 2023,
the Elevate Bi-Fold door—which is
virtually maintenance free—is quickly
proving to be a high-performing go-to
that connects homeowners to Midwestern forests as easily as it does coastal
views on either side of the country.
Part of its early success is that the
thoughtful design of the Elevate Bi-Fold
door extends beyond performance to
every last aesthetic detail, including
a nuanced palette of finish options.
Noting a growing desire for a warmer
alternative to Ebony, Marvin introduced
a Gunmetal hue for those craving that
bold, yet timeless, aesthetic.
In addition to the Elevate Bi-Fold
door, this new colorway can be
probuilder.com
found across all Marvin Elevate® and
Essential™ offerings. It’s just one of
the many reasons it’s easy to mix and
match with Marvin to create projects
that are aesthetically cohesive and
uncompromising in their quality—all
while being mindful of non-negotiable
budgets and timelines.
Steeped in a century’s-deep legacy
of crafting high quality windows and
doors, these latest developments from
Marvin demonstrate how stunning
design and enduring quality don’t have
to be mutually exclusive. In fact, with
Marvin, they never have been—and
never will be.
To find something exactly right for
your project, reach out to your local
Marvin dealer and ask about significantly reduced lead times on Marvin
Elevate and Essential collections.
We know how important timelines are to you, so we’re happy to
announce that Marvin Elevate® and Essential™ collections
now have significantly lower lead times. With shipping
complete and delivered as promised at more than 90% across
all products and options, we want you to be confident that
you can get the same high-quality, high-performance Ultrex ®
fiberglass windows and doors that you’re used to, exactly when
you need them. Choose Marvin, and we will deliver.
SPONSORED CONTENT
BUILD IN DURABILITY
Ask your pest control company to apply a whole house BoraCare® treatment to your home. A one-time, whole-house
application of Bora-Care, applied during the dried-in phase of
construction, will provide long-term residual protection from
wood destroying organisms for the life of the structure.
Termites cause over $5 billion in damage every year and
that damage is not covered by insurance. Bora-Care protects
against subterranean, drywood and even voracious Formosan
termites. Wood-boring beetles rank just behind termites in
the amount of damage they do annually. Wood can
be infested with beetles, and you may never know
because hidden larvae cause most of the damage.
Bora-Care also helps prevent beetle infestation.
Spray foam insulation is rising in popularity.
With this popularity a new problem of
unintended termite damage is forming. Spray
foam hides termite, mold and wood decay
damage. It can also hinder a termite
inspection. Wooden beams covered
in spray foam are inaccessible to
inspection, which can invalidate a
termite warranty. Treating with
Bora-Care prior to spray foam
application solves this problem.
A 30-year damage repair
warranty is also available for the
pest company so they can make
sure that that your homes are
built for durability.
Use Bora-Care with Mold-Care®
to add mold protection.
NISUSCORP.COM/PRODUCT/BORA-CARE-WITH-MOLD-CARE
NISUSCORP.COM/PRODUCT/BORA-CARE
42
PROBUILDER
JULY/AUGUST 2023
probuilder.com
DESIGN
URBAN OASIS
THIS LIGHT-FILLED MODERN
FARMHOUSE FITS PERFECTLY
ON ITS TINY TREE-FILLED LOT
BY MICHELE LERNER
Designing a 2,700-square-foot spec home
for a narrow, 7,300-square-foot infill lot
with several large trees to preserve required a creative approach.
“The goal was to make it feel like a private
oasis, even though it’s in a busy neighborhood,” says Traci Kelley, owner of the Kelley
Design Group, in Cedar Creek, Texas. “[So]
we turned the house 90 degrees, which is
unusual on such a small lot but gave it a
nice façade.” The house sold as soon as it
was completed.
The two-story home in Austin, Texas,
which Kelley describes as a transitional
modern farmhouse, features sharp rooflines and a bright white, board-and-batten
exterior with black-trimmed windows and
doors. An adjacent carport creates a connection to the house from the contrasting,
dark-hued garage, which has natural wood
PROJECT SPECS: URBAN OASIS
LOCATION: Austin, Texas
DESIGNER: Kelley Design Group, Cedar Creek, Texas
BUILDER: CKN Capital Group, Austin
INTERIOR DESIGNER: Etch Design Group, Austin
LOT SIZE: 0.1681 acres
BUILT SIZE: 2,700 square feet
BEDROOMS: 3 BATHROOMS: 3.5
PHOTOS: Cate Black Photography
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PROBUILDER
JULY/AUGUST 2023
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Designer Traci Kelley of Kelley Design
Group, in Austin, Texas, sited the house
to preserve tall trees for privacy and
included glass walls and a glass-enclosed
balcony for extra interior light.
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JULY/AUGUST 2023
PROBUILDER
45
PHOTO CREDIT
DESIGN
46
PROBUILDER
JULY/AUGUST 2023
probuilder.com
The three-bedroom, 3.5-bath home has
doors to soften its look and limit visibility
an open floor plan for entertaining, with
into it from the street.
tall windows in the great room that frame
Inside, white walls and glass combine
views of the swimming pool and mature
with the natural warmth of wood used
trees outside. Patios—
for the floors, ceiling
both covered and unbeams, and banister.
covered—and balconies
The fireplace, a focal
“THE GOAL WAS TO
provide indoor-outdoor
point in the great room,
MAKE IT FEEL LIKE A
living with some prohas a paneled surround
PRIVATE OASIS EVEN
tection from the sun.
that leads the eye up to
THOUGH IT’S IN A BUSY
“The kitchen opens
the beams overhead.
to
the living and din“Austin has a lot of
NEIGHBORHOOD.”
ing areas, but it still
young
professionals,
—TRACI KELLEY
has a cozy feel and a
but I try to think of flexslight visual separaible multigenerational
tion from those rooms
use wherever possible
and the foyer,” Kelley points out.
when I design a home,” Kelley says. As such,
The great room has windows at both
she put the primary bedroom on the main
ends to make it easy to see the pool from
level to accommodate older buyers seeking
the kitchen without creating a “fishbowl”
one-level living or younger parents who
effect, and a powder room is located on the
want privacy from their kids upstairs.
Left: The home’s interior is light
and airy thanks to tall, thinmullioned windows topped with
clerestories. Above: The primary
bathroom and closet (far left) is
set off from the rest of the house
and clad in the same dark siding as
the garage, bookending the main
structure.
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JULY/AUGUST 2023
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47
DESIGN
Above: The casual kitchen features light
woods and muted colors that support the
home’s comfortable feel. Right: A long,
narrow floor plan helped to preserve
the site’s mature trees. A second-level,
uncovered balcony adds a wow factor.
LOWER FLOOR
pool side of the kitchen so people don’t have
to walk across the kitchen with wet feet.
The family entrance and drop zone are
accessed from the back of the carport (see
lower floor plan, right), and employ a bold,
hexagonal-patterned floor tile to create an
attractive transition into the main house.
Upstairs, the bedrooms offer both light
and privacy, and the flex room leads to a
covered balcony with access to an uncovered balcony, both overlooking the pool. PB
Michele Lerner is an award-winning real estate
journalist in the Washington, D.C., area.
48
PROBUILDER
JULY/AUGUST 2023
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JULY/AUGUST 2023
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52
PROBUILDER
JULY/AUGUST 2023
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C O MPO S I TE R A IL IN G
C LA S S I C R A I L I N G
T- R A I L R A I L I NG
HOUSE REVIEW:
ACCESSORY
DWELLING UNITS
By Larry W. Garnett, FAIBD,
House Review Lead Designer
A
ccessory dwelling units (ADUs)
are prominent in the news media as many communities debate
their role in the housing landscape. Small
in scale but usually containing a kitchen
and bathroom along with a bedroom and
a separate living space, ADUs are often
detached tiny homes on the same property as a single-family dwelling or placed
within the floor plan of a larger home.
While being discussed as an innovative solution for more affordable housing, ADUs have actually been around for
some time in the form of above-garage
apartments, among other approaches.
Think “Fonzie” living above the Cunningham’s garage in Happy Days, or
Braverman’s daughter in Parenthood living in similar quarters.
Despite opposition from some homeowners (literal NIMBYism), more municipalities are welcoming ADUs, from
pool houses to luxurious carriage houses, as opportunities for independent living and aging in place, not to mention
providing homeowners with added longterm or vacation rental income.
20 CERROS MANOR
Dahlin Architecture | Planning | Interiors
marketing@dahlingroup.com
925.251.7200
dahlingroup.com
DIMENSIONS
Width: 23 feet
Depth: 27 feet
Living area: approx. 620 sf
54
PROBUILDER
JULY/AUGUST 2023
A new community in an older
neighborhood, Cerros Manor targets
families working in California’s Silicon
Valley with an attached ADU for an aging
parent, in-law, or adult child—an option not
available in the surrounding housing stock.
A
probuilder.com
Access to ADU via dedicated, private
entry rather than through the main house
B
C
D
Partial wall helps create defined living
and sleeping areas
A kitchenette and full bath enable the
attached ADU to function independently
from the main house
Walk-in closet is a luxury differentiator
in a small footprint
C
B
D
C
A
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JULY/AUGUST 2023
PROBUILDER
55
HOUSE REVIEW:
JEN
DESIGNER
Todd Hallett, AIA
TK Design & Associates
thallett@tkhomedesign.com
248.446.1960
tkhomedesign.com
DIMENSIONS
Width: 47 feet, 4 inches
Depth: 54 feet, 8 inches
Living area: 1,494 sf
ADU
C
With the advent of the tiny home in recent
years, ADUs have become an increasingly
popular living solution.
An ADU provides a great option for a
living environment that’s separate and
private, with the benefit of being within
close proximity to the main home.
This ADU also happens to serve as an
incredible poolside villa.
A
B
C
D
E
56
The plan brings the outside in using
a massive accordion door from the
primary living space
A full kitchen opens to the living
space with a view of the pool and the
spectacular double-sided fireplace
A full bath is accessible from the outside
for pool users as well as from inside for
the ADU residents
A large double-sided fireplace makes the
space extra cozy
A cathedral ceiling runs the length of
the living room, adding ample volume to
the space
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B
A
D
E
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HOUSE REVIEW:
ADU
ARCHITECT
Jeff Addison, Kevin L. Crook Architect
jaddison@klcarch.com
949.660.1587
klcarch.com
DIMENSIONS
Width: 33 feet
Depth: 26 feet
Living area: 750 sf
A
B
E
D
C
It’s true that ADUs within
conventional neighborhoods
create the ability to double
the designated zoning density,
but how does this affect
concerns such as livability,
privacy, and parking?
This 50-by-100-foot lot
includes a primary residence
and an ADU without sacrificing
either’s livability or privacy. The
ADU has its own uncovered tandem parking
area, minimizing the impact of street
parking. Access to the ADU is along the side
58
PROBUILDER
JULY/AUGUST 2023
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of the primary home via a generous porch,
providing a private entrance.
At about 750 square feet, the ADU offers
a kitchen, dining, and living spaces plus two
bedrooms, a shared bath, a stacked washer/
dryer space, and a private 300-square-foot
outdoor area; the unit’s blank wall defines
the primary home’s 340-square-foot yard.
A
B
C
D
E
ADU
ADU yard area
ADU parking
Primary home
Primary home yard area
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HOUSE REVIEW:
ALLEY LOAD PLAN 2
DESIGNER
Seth Hart
DTJ Design
shart@dtjdesign.com
303.443.7533
dtjdesign.com
DIMENSIONS
Width: 29 feet
Depth: 24 feet
Living area: 696 sf
A
C
B
This alley-loaded product was developed
with an optional ADU/Carriage Unit over the
garage for added flexibility, passive income,
and attainable housing availability.
The access to the unit off the alley
maintains privacy from the primary
residence. While there is no garage space
provided for the ADU, the lot depth allowed
for a dedicated parking space off the alley.
At just under 700 square feet, this plan
provides one bedroom, a stacked washer
and dryer, compact kitchen, and even has a
small balcony.
As an option to the floor plan, all exterior
walls of the ADU stack directly over
first floor walls to simplify construction,
coordination, and cost.
A
B
C
D
60
Covered entry off alley
Interior stair accessing ADU helps with
maintenance and weather protection
Small balcony for outdoor living
All windows visible from main home are
small with high sills to maintain privacy
PROBUILDER
JULY/AUGUST 2023
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D
FIRST FLOOR
SECOND FLOOR
AD INDEX:
COMPANY
ADVERTISING SALES:
PAGE #
ABC Supply Co. Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Nisus Corp. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42-43, 65
Bosch & Siemens Home Appliances . . . . 7
OX Engineered Products. . . . . . . . . 50-51
Calculated Ind. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65
PGT Industries* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
ChamClad . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
Protective Products . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65
Chief Architect Software . . . . . . . . . . .IFC
ProVia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
Clopay . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-5
Salsbury Ind. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57
Cornerstone Building Brands Inc.. . . . 27
Schneider Electric . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20-21
Country Wood Flooring . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
Skilled Labor Fund . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62
Dryer Jack . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
SoftPlan Systems Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49
Dryer Wall Vent . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57
Trex Co. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52-53
Elias Woodwork . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49
Uline . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64
Hörmann . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64
Unilock Group of Companies . . . . . . . . 25
ICC - Intl. Connectors . . . . . . . . . . . . 37, 65
Ventiques . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
Jamsill Guard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64
ViewRail Stair Supplies . . . . . . . . . . . . . BC
Marvin Windows & Doors . . . . . . . . 40-41
Wellborn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15
MiTek . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
West Fraser . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .31
NAHB - National Association
Westlake Royal Building Products . . . . 13
of Home Builders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59, IBC
Woodford . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
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Q+A:
Soil Connect Is Moving Dirt
and Building Relationships
BY LAYNE DEAKINS, ASSOCIATE EDITOR
S
PRO BUILDER: When did you first notice
the need for a better system for moving dirt?
CLIFF FETNER: I began working in the
building industry with a family business
in metro New York [City], and after several years, I started my own venture developing properties in Brooklyn. I broke
ground on a project in 2018 and ended up
with a pile of dirt I couldn’t get rid of. I
realized not only that it was a common
problem among builders and developers,
but it also presented an opportunity for a
new resource for people in the industry.
PB: How does Soil Connect work?
CF: Our platform works like Airbnb, in a
sense. You can sign up for free, and once
you’re a registered user, you have access to
active sites in your local marketplace with
pinned locations, all looking to receive or
get rid of dirt or other aggregates.
We have 22 different types of dirt, from
compost and mulch to recycled concrete,
and we match people looking to get rid
of those aggregates with other users who
need them. Once users match, they can
communicate through the app.
PB: Apart from just moving dirt, what
other resources does Soil Connect provide
to users?
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PROBUILDER
JULY/AUGUST 2023
CF: One of the most significant things we
do is create closer connections by putting
everyone in the dirt ecosystem in one place
at one time. Home builders hang out with
home builders, and Soil Connect brings
them together. A user can look at their
map through our app and see where other builders or developers are located and
what projects they’re working on.
But it’s not just home builders. We’re
currently approaching 1,000 users, and
that also includes general contractors, developers, dump truck drivers, landscapers,
pool contractors, farmers, and ranchers.
Now people who may otherwise never
meet are being put in the same sphere to
connect with one another. That kind of efficiency and connectivity has never existed
before in this industry.
PB: Can you speak to the environmental
impact of recycling dirt and aggregates?
CF: Not only are we recycling dirt, but
we’re recycling concrete, which has one of
the most substantial carbon footprints in
the industry. On infill sites, for example,
contractors are crushing concrete, putting
it on our platform, and recycling it by selling it to others who can use it. The same
can be said for other materials. We’re making it easier for builders to recycle.
probuilder.com
CLIFF FETNER
Founder and CEO
Soil Connect
In addition, instead of being forced to
drive dozens of miles to dump those aggregates, people using our platform can
find someone closer who actually needs
them. In that sense, Soil Connect is saving
money, time, gas, and, in turn, is helping
the environment.
PB: What’s next for Soil Connect?
CF: I see an ability to create even more
connections in the industry through AI
[artificial intelligence]. I want to become
a one-stop shop for any and all dirt needs,
and above all, I want to make things simple for our users. That means employing
a live tracking geofence to keep an eye on
trucks for a fast, easy way to track the entire process of relocating aggregates.
We’re also using e-ticketing to help
users finalize transactions and get paid
faster. That can take some time to integrate among drivers who aren’t familiar
with that kind of technology, so we’re also
working to train and onboard those users
to get them set up with that system. PB
For the complete interview with Cliff Fetner,
see probuilder.com/interview-cliff-fetner. Soil
Connect won its category of the first annual
“Pitchfest” at the 2023 Innovation Summit
hosted by the Housing Innovation Alliance.
PHOTO: COURTESY SOIL CONNECT
oil Connect is one of those practical businesses that just makes so much sense, you
wonder why it wasn’t started sooner. Created by third-generation builder and developer Cliff Fetner, Soil Connect simplifies the process of recycling and relocating
excavated dirt and other aggregates commonly wasted in the land development and building process. The start-up’s online aspect is as simple (and brilliant) as its business model:
search, click, and request to send or receive materials to or from a jobsite with live tracking
and updates—a platform that earned Fetner first place in the Design+Build category at
the 2023 Housing Innovation Summit’s Pitchfest competition. Soil Connect also enables a
network for home builders, developers, trade workers, and even those outside of the industry to connect, communicate, and find resources that extend far beyond just moving soil.
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