CB November 2004

NAHB's critical issues survey was conducted every quarter until the fourth quarter of 1999 and every six months during 2000, 2001, and the first half of 2002. For the last two years, this research has been conducted annually covered July 2002 to June 2003 and July 2003 to June 2004. Officers from local and state home building associations are asked to rank75 issues of a scale of one to five, wh...

Mann's Architectural Medicine Cabinets are made using real wood panels and solid wood moldings that are hand cut into leaves, flowers and fluted columns. Standard cabinets are available in both wall mount and recessed styles with mirrors measuring 19 ½× 17 inches. Larger sizes include the Tall Boy cabinet, with a mirror measuring 25 × 17 inches and the Twin Sink Vanity cabinet, w...

A sense of place matters just as much to luxury home buyers as the details of the floorplan and the quality of the finishes. To deliver on this desire, custom builders can borrow a page from their production builder counterparts. Here Terry Smith of architecture firm Bloodgood Sharp Buster gives a quick tutorial in creating a community theme.

Thin-section cementitious polymeric flooring has a wear-resistant finish for both interior and exterior surfaces. Floric Polytech MT-200 Microtopping can be applied by trowel, squeegee or roller, or can be sprayed. It is approximately 3/32 inches thick. The flooring can be applied over a wide range of surfaces, including concrete, brick, metal and masonry, making it ideal for renovations.

Architect Matt Schlueb, principal of Schlueb Architecture, recently designed his own home in Pittsburgh, Pa., with virtually no right angles. Villa Vuoto features 2,600 square feet of living space, three levels, and simple and compounded curves, sloping walls and circular rooms. Designed to provide a stimulating environment for the architect's young son, the project was a prototype for explorin...

Hansgrohe makes it simple to solve the showering desires of both short and tall bathers with its height-adjustable shower panel from Pharo. The Pharo Lift combines the luxury of a showerpanel with the versatility of a wallbar. With 8 inches of vertical adjustment space, users simply slide the showerpanel to their preferred height.

Stone Natural Quartz Surfacing is the newest addition to the Formica family. With 12 neutral colors, ranging from Breccia Crème to Blue Crystalle (pictured), it is stain resistant and suitable for horizontal and vertical applications. Made from natural quartz and high-performance polymers, Formica Stone is nonporous and does not require sealing, buffing or reconditioning.

KraftMaid adds 26 new designs to its glass cabinetry, with inserts including classic, etched, textured, layered and camed designs. Whether it's maximum visibility, frosted or even patterned designs, the inserts can personalize any kitchen cabinet. Circle 134 on inquiry card.

MasterBath creates custom bath cabinetry with unique design details including moldings, decorative fillers and toe kicks for hutches, linen cabinets, storage and medicine cabinets and mirrors. Three detailed door styles are available in nine finishes. Specify curved doors, dressing tables and cabinet ends as well.

Kohler introduces BubbleMassage air jet technology to its Experience and ProFlex whirlpool bath collections for additional massage control. Eight new models provide a variety of shapes, designs and sizes. A variable-speed blower allows consumers to enjoy a light, bubbling experience or a powerful massage, with several levels of intensity in between.