by Lou Manfredini This post originally appeared on the Contractor’s Tool Box blog on HousingZone.com Some trends are timeless – or at least, as timeless as anything can be in a rapidly changing world. I’ve been looking at a lot of research on the housing market, from both before and after the downturn, picking out [...]

We’re big fans of building green around here. We know lots of you are too, so here’s a little inspiration to start off your week. Home Design Find recently profiled the Cold Spring Green Condos in Massachusetts. What makes these condos green? Let’s count the ways: Geothermal energy! Instead of using electricity to heat and cool, [...]

Green is everywhere these days. It’s easy enough to drop the word into your website, brochures and other marketing materials, but how can you really make your customers understand? A recent survey from the Mature Market Institute discovered that among homeowners over 55, energy efficiency ranked among the top five desired home features. It may [...]

You may have heard the phrase “Silver Tsunami” in the news lately. It refers to the Baby Boomers aging and the resulting costs that will come along with that. What does that have to do with the building industry? Well, smart builders and remodelers will be paying attention to the idea of universal design. As [...]

We recently took the opportunity to interview Matt Risinger, president of Risinger Homes, an Austin, Texas-based green building company that specializes in architect-driven new custom homes and remodeling. He also writes a green building blog. You might remember Matt from this remodeling project we featured. Builder Blog: Tell us a bit about your company and [...]

This post by home improvement expert and Today Show contributor Lou Manfredini was originally published at The Contractor’s Toolbox, Lou’s blog on HousingZone.com. Demographic and economic trends are slowly remaking the American housing model of the past 60 years. The post-WWII rush to suburban and then exurban growth is shifting – but like an ocean [...]

“Smart grid” technology, which uses digital technology to monitor and control electricity flow into homes and businesses, is not as far off as you might think. A recent article in Professional Remodeler called smart grid technology — “including the development of custom and web-based display panels that show real-time home energy use, and even real-time [...]

As we roamed the show floor at the 2010 International Builders Show, talking with builders, reporting on the new products and key trends we found in Las Vegas, one thing was clear: The worst of the worst is likely behind us, and builders and suppliers are eagerly taking an “optimistic but realistic” approach to 2010. [...]