PATH Articles

Browse the latest stories written by PATH.

'Lean' Factory Home Building Boosts Market Share, Nation's Building News (Click on Building Systems), March 17, 2008.
Since 2005, Building Systems Councils member and Partnership for Advancing Technology in Housing (PATH) partner Shelter Systems has been using just-in-time manufacturing associated with Japanese car companies to streamline its production processes for engineered wood products and roof and floor trusses.

Building to Weather the Storm, Ecological Home Ideas, Spring 2008.
The Wiles searched for a builder to provide storm-resistance for their new home. Upon finding Tarpon Coast, they coordinate with president Mike Romig to chose several features that also improved the home's energy efficiency.

How to Economy-Proof Your Business, Professional Remodeler, February 2008.
It's time to examine your business from the inside out -- and the outside in. Ask for customer feedback, get professional business counseling -- heck, stand in the front yard and take a look at the building! Just find out how the rest of the world sees you. Then find a way to differentiate yourself from the competition.

What Homebuilders Can Get from "PATH's Residential Structural Design Guide", Professional Builder,
February 2008.
To build stronger houses without vastly increasing material costs, builders and designers must learn to emphasize efficient structural design. That probably explains why "The Residential Structural Design Guide" is the most frequently downloaded publication from the Partnership for Advancing Technology in Housing's Web site.

Quality, Not Speed, Important to Modular Home Buyers, Nations Building News (Click on Building Systems), January 21, 2008.
Prospective home buyers of modular or panelized housing value quality over speed of construction or customization so systems-built home builders should emphasize quality when marketing to their prospects, according to a survey-based report issued by HUD and PATH.

5 Common Construction Mistakes, Professional Builder, January 2008.
The trim is on, the site cleaned up. The tools are packed away. Few feelings are more rewarding than stepping back and looking at a job well-done. But is that job really done well? Your crew may have fumbled some building basics without even knowing it.

The Real Deal: Remodeler Grows Business by Packaging, Professional Remodeler, January 2008.
Travel agents do it. So do software firms, telecommunications companies and restaurants. Package deals are found in most industries with standardized products. So why not remodelers?

SIPs the Way of the Future, SIPs User for 20 Years Says, Nations Building News (Click on Building Systems), December 17, 2007.
PATH partner and NAHB Building Systems Councils member Shirey Contracting, based in Issaquah, Wash., has been using SIPs since 1988. Recently, PATH talked to Donna Shirey, president of Shirey Contracting, about the company's 20 years of experience using SIPs.

PATH Concept Home Demonstrates Flexible Floorplan Construction, Professional Builder, December 2007.
For the past two years, the Partnership for Advancing Technology in Housing has researched and designed its first PATH Concept Home in Omaha, Neb. The home shows builders how to incorporate flexibility into residential construction.

Top 10 Technologies for Remodelers, Professional Remodeler, December 2007.
The Partnership for Advancing Technology in Housing's list of Top 10 Remodeling Technologies for 2007 offers something to improve almost every area of the home: the building envelope, lighting, HVAC, plumbing, floors and beyond.

Green & Mainstream, Ecological Home Ideas, Fall 2007.
A few environmentally sensitive homebuyers today will tell you they had always imagined owning an earthship or geodesic dome, but the average homebuyer - even the eco-friendly one - is looking for a more traditional design. Fortunately, the new house on the block knows it's the green on the inside that counts.

Permeable Paving a Good Option for Green Homebuilding, Professional Builder, November 2007.
One of the fastest growing approaches to green site development and green building is permeable paving. There are a variety of options: block, stone, brick, permeable asphalt, permeable concrete and structural grids. All operate on the same principle: to allow rainwater to seep through a paved surface, which naturally cleanses pollutants and recharges aquifers instead of having the stormwater run onto other properties and into storm drains.

Green Remodeling: The Finishing Touches, Professional Remodeler, November 2007.
Some clients want their remodel built to green standards through and through. They want the result to be energy- and resource-efficient and built with locally available, sustainably harvested renewable resources that are non-toxic.

SIPs Code Change Lowers Hurdles on the Job Site, Nation's Building News (click on Building Systems) , October 8, 2007
Coinciding with the code change, the Partnership for Advancing Technology in Housing (PATH), the Structural Insulated Panel Association (SIPA), APA -- The Engineered Wood Association and industry partners have developed step-by-step guidelines to eliminate the guesswork of SIP construction.

PATH Project Reveals New Cultural Designs Studies Advanced Technologies
Omaha Builder, October 2007
Pages Ruiz built 16 detached houses and four townhomes in Lincoln that are not only affordable and green, but also match the tastes of first-time homebuyers from around the world.

For a Healthy Home and Planet: Flooring
Omaha Builder (excerpt from HerHome), October 2007
Flooring is a vital design element. It sets the tone for the overall feel of each room, unites or defines spaces, and can contribute to the environmental quality of your home. With all this potential underfoot, don't let your finished floors be an afterthought.

How Homebuilders Can Boost Indoor Air Quality, Professional Builder, October 2007.
New home. Fresh start. Clean living - right? Not necessarily, if you heed the Environmental Protection Agency's warning that the air inside homes can be more polluted than the air outside - even in the largest and most industrialized cities.

The Ins and Outs of Insulation
Professional Remodeler, October 2007
Your clients may not see insulation, but they sure feel it. In this age of energy efficiency, more customers are demanding better insulated homes.Heating and cooling costs comprise more than 50 percent of the energy consumed in a single-family home. Adding the recommended levels of insulation will save energy, reduce utility costs and improve comfort.

Getting Paid to Upgrade?
Her Home, Summer/Fall 2007
Tax Credits are available for many kinds of upgrades. The maximum amount federal credits for all improvements combined is $500 per house, with an additional credit up to $2,000 for solar water heating and solar electric (photovoltaic) panels.

Your Guide to Indoor Air Quality
Virginia Builder, September/October 2007
The Partnership for Advancing Technology in Housing recently released Tech Set 9 on IAQ to help builders navigate the waters.

Pumping Up Business with Geothermal
Ohio Builder, September/ October 2007
Homeowners who install geothermal heat pump systems before Dec. 31 are eligible for a federal tax credit up to $300. That figure can increase up to $500 when coupled with other energy-efficiency improvements. For the builder, the benefit is even greater.

PATH Provides Tool to Evaluate Installation of Panel Systems, (Click on Building Systems at the bottom) Nation's Building News, September 17, 2007
Builders who currently use, or are considering using, panelized wall systems can now quickly evaluate the ease of assembly between different systems through "Panelized Wall Systems: Making the Connections," a report by the Partnership for Advancing Technology in Housing that establishes performance standard criteria to aid in the use and development of panelized systems.

Down (the drain) with Water-Hogging Bathrooms
Builder Architect, September 2007 (September 2007: Charlotte, NC/Southern Piedmont Edition , August 2007: Central Pennsylvania Edition, Twin Cities Edition, Greater Sacramento Edition )
"Green building" means energy efficiency to many people, but designing water savings into the bathroom can be equally sustainable practice--espcially in arid regions.

Code Change Lowers Hurdles for SIPs, Green Building
Professional Builder, September 2007
The Partnership for Advancing Technology in Housing; the Structural Insulated Panel Association; APA - The Engineered Wood Association; and SIP industry partners developed the prescriptive approach, which requires no guesswork by the builder. The approach explains what SIPs are and exactly how they're used: "spans, connections, what kind of screws, the nitty gritty details defined," says Dana Bres, a research engineer with PATH.

Find Your Shade of Green
Professional Remodeler, September 2007
In a market as competitive as housing, popular green trends can be quickly redefined to serve all sorts of interests. Without a standard definition, it's hard to know exactly what constitutes green. Can a remodeler who installs energy-efficient windows, for example, call himself green?

The PATH Concept Home Omaha
Omaha Builder, August 2007
Thanks to the flexibility built into the interior walls, rooms in the Concept Home can shrink or grow to match the client's needs. So a "starter home" can expand to become a dream home-or accommodate reduced mobility and other special needs.

FPSFs Can Become a Homebuilder’s Best Friend
Professional Builder, August 2007.
When home builders refer to comfort, they often mean a good HVAC system or a well-sealed building envelope - a foundation system likely doesn't come to mind. But a good foundation system is integral to a comfortable end product, and frost-protected shallow foundations can get you there.

Shedding Light on Your Remodel
Professional Remodeler, August 2007.
Picture your clients in a home improvement store trying to buy light bulbs. Many people - remodelers and homeowners alike - feel guilty reaching for the incandescents - in different shapes, sizes, outputs and color - which sit next to shelves of CFLs. CFLs are more efficient, but which do people likely choose?

The Great Indoors
Sustainable Home, August 1, 2007
Healthy indoor air in a home can make a real difference in the quality and comfort of living. The simplest ways to ensure clean indoor air are to keep pollutants out of your home, control moisture and ensure proper ventilation. Good building practices are the best way to start.

That's a Wrap! House Details Builders Often Miss
Builder/Architect (Baltimore and Twin Cities Editions), July 2007
Think of housewrap as the hull of a boat. If it has holes, the boat is going to leak. Lots of little holes (like those we see in most construction) cause big problems. If housewrap is torn or isn't properly sealed, builders and homeowners could be facing mold, mildew, rotting window jams, drafts and high energy bills down the road.

Lean Factories Cut Costs, Boost Production, Automated Builder, July 2007
The Factory Building Symposium on Lean Production attracted some of the biggest names in the industry. These companies have been working with HUD's Partnership for Advancing Technology in Housing (PATH) and the Manufactured Housing Research Alliance (MHRA) to incorporate lean production methods into their home building factories.

Raleigh Developer Builds Sustainable Home in a Traditional Style
North Carolina Builder, July 2007
Green may not be mainstream yet, but it's coming. At least, if Cherokee Investment Partners has anything to say about it. But how green is it?

Improve IAQ While You Remodel
Professional Remodeler, July 2007.
Of the countless approaches one can take toward a successful green remodeling project, those related to indoor air quality (IAQ) are among the most prominent. Yet the issue itself is one of the least visible. The air we breathe is a hot topic, but one usually examined in terms of improving our clients' lives once the remodel is done. But we can concentrate on how to improve IAQ during the remodeling project, too.

Building a Storm-Resistant Home
Professional Builder, July 2007
How do you make your home buyers feel safe? For some customers, it might mean a good neighborhood or fire-retardant materials and smoke detectors. However, safety means something much different if you build in a region prone to hurricanes or tornadoes.

CSST: the good, the bad and the ugly
PHC News, June/July 2007
Surely there has to be an easier way to install gas piping in this age of PVC and PEX piping -- for everything from drainage to fire suppression.

Products and Technologies that will Speed Up the Remodeling Process
Professional Remodeler, June 2007
Speed your next remodel with six proven technologies from the PATH Concept Home that result in faster installation of plumbing, floors, switches and egress systems. Some of these technologies will also enhance the beauty and environmental performance of your project and may cost less to install.

Home Schooled on Home Performance
Professional Remodeler, May 2007
When John Cordone purchased his 1,100-square-foot, 1930s-era home in Rochester, N.Y., he had to wear a hat indoors to stay warm in the winter. Now Cordone's hat hangs on the rack when he's home, and his monthly energy bills have dropped so much he's doing radio spots for GreenHomes America, the contractor that made it possible.

PATH Report: Geothermal Heat Pumps Can Translate into Savings
Professional Builder, May 2007
Money drives nearly every decision in home construction, including location, design, labor and materials. Money is also a reason builders should consider geothermal heat pumps (GHPs). Just ask David Ritchie, owner of Chisholm Creek Development and Builders in Enid, Okla. He used GHPs to outfox the competition and win a bid for a retirement community of 16 duplexes and 13 single-family homes.

Cozy, High Quality Bathrooms Make a Splash
Her Home, Spring 2007
When properly planned, a well built bathroom can provide comfort, convenience, and aesthetics, and contribute to resale value of your home.

The PATH Top 10
Builder/Architect, April 2007
At this year International Builders Show, the Partnership for Advancing Technology in Housing (PATH) released its list of Top Ten Technologies to help builders do just that--find better ways to build.

PATH Report: Homebuilding Technology to Watch for in 2007
Professional Builder, April 2007
You don't have to wait for houses that grow from seedlings and recycle themselves -- the Partnership for Advancing Technology in Housing (PATH) has released its list of Top 10 Technologies for 2007.

PATH Report: Certified Aging-in-Place Specialists (CAPS) have a Lock on the Market
Professional Remodeler, April 2007
Chances are you've been making most of your money from baby boomers the past decade or two. If you want to continue to tap America's largest population segment, you may need to find new ways to meet the needs of this aging clientele.

Built Right
Green Builder Magazine, April 2007
Instead of building each panel onsite, all the wall panels and trusses are constructed in a few days under controlled conditions in a production facility and then delivered via tractor-trailer with an attached crane.

Preparing for the Next Flood
Texas Builder, March/April 2007
PATH offers tips to minimize flood damage in new and remodeled homes. These recommendations, based on finding from oak Ridge National Laboratory field tests, require only minor adjustments to your building or remodeling schedule.

Vertical ICFs
Virginia Builder, March 2007
After 14 years in the construction industry, Deborah and Dale Arrington were sick of dealing with the challenges of traditional stick-frame building. Fed up with the labor it required and wood's tendency to twist and warp, they resolved to find a new material for constructing outer walls.

PATH Report: Building Manufacturers Launch New Mold-Resistant Products
Professional Builder, March 2007
Approximately 55 percent of homeowners express concern about mold, according to a 2005 survey by CertainTeed. For builders, mold can translate into costly and time-consuming callbacks for remediation, particularly if mold is found in the drywall.

PEX Piping will Save you Time, Money
PHC News, March 2007
Faster and easier installation. Lower material costs. Higher water quality. Fewer callbacks. More satisfied clients. These benefits have persuaded many plumbers and builders to switch to PEX for water distribution piping.

Concept Home Omaha Considers a Sustainable Future
Hampton Roads, Spring 2007
As the debate on global warming solutions continues across America, one thing is certain-we in the housing industry need to consider the future of the environment and how we impact it in our everyday work -- it is our legacy.

PATH Report: Tax Credit Helps Builders
Professional Builder, February 2007
During this housing slowdown, every little way to cut costs and improve marketability helps. The federal tax credit not only puts money in your pocket but helps you build energy-efficient homes.

Plumbing's Next Generation
Professional Remodeler, February 2007
Plumbing can be a major hassle for professional remodelers. Pipes take up space and limit where walls can go and which walls can come down. It also can take days for a plumber to reroute conventional piping. Some of these systems leave little room for plumbing upgrades or make it difficult for homeowners to reach shutoff valves. So, what better options do you have? How about home-run plumbing?

A Different Way to Build Foundations
Building Women, Winter 2007
Simpler to install than traditional foundations, FPSFs need just a little concrete and some polystyrene lining. Properly applied rigid polystyrene foam insulation protects the foundation from frost heave, eliminating the need to excavate below the frost line.

Force of Nature: When Disaster Strikes, Be Ready
HerHome, Winter 2007
This article is a simple primer on hurricane resistance for the everyday homeowner. Hand this article to your builder, and together, you can discuss what works best for your home.

PATH Report: Wind Power Generators for the Home
Professional Builder, January 2007
Wind power is the world's fastest-growing energy technology. Could it be too futuristic or too expensive for your clients? Because energy prices are volatile and concerns about energy dependence exist, it might not be.

Mold-Free Remodels
Professional Remodeler, January 2007
A new publication from the Partnership for Advancing Technology in Housing, "Moisture-Resistant Homes," offers the following guidance to curb causes of mold.

Content updated on 3/18/2008