With energy costs on nearly everyone’s mind, 69 percent of Americans that install a new technology fireplace, stove or insert do so to be more energy efficient, according to the 2008 Hearth Consumer Survey by the Hearth, Patio & Barbecue Association. And, beginning January 2009, homeowners also can take advantage of a $300 tax credit to purchase a new pellet or 75 percent efficient wood stove.
Builder confidence in the market for newly built single-family homes plunged in November as worsening problems in the financial markets, job market weakness and overwhelming uncertainty about the economy continued to negatively impact consumer behavior, according to the National Association of Home Builders/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index (HMI), released this week. The HMI sank five points to 9, the lowest level recorded since the series was created in January of 1985.
Contractor Steve Roth recently transformed a dilapidated Ohio home that had been in foreclosure into a neighborhood showpiece. One of the ways he accomplished this task was by adding acrylic block windows to the bathroom and kitchen of the 1900s farmhouse-style house to provide the new residents with privacy and style.
The residential remodeling market continued its slump during the third quarter of 2008, according to the National Association of Home Builders’ (NAHB) Remodeling Market Index (RMI). The current market conditions indicator declined to 33.5, from 41.8 in the last quarter. Future expectations of remodeling work also slid to 27.7 (from 38.0 in the second quarter). Both these indices rest at historic lows since the start of the RMI in 2001.
Woodcraft Hosting Fifth Annual Veterans Day Turn for Troops
For a fifth year, Woodcraft stores nationwide will conduct the Turn for Troops handmade pen turn-a-thon program during Veterans Day Weekend this Saturday, with the goal of making and then sending thousands of handcrafted pens to American service personnel actively deployed overseas. The public is encouraged to participate and can identify a store near them by visiting www.woodcraft.com.
Side-by-side it’s hard to tell the difference between real wood mouldings and urethane woodgrain mouldings. However, long term the determination is easy: urethane products resist warping, rotting and insect infestations, so they hold up longer and better than real wood mouldings.
Homefront with Don Zeman will be giving away a new home improvement product each week during the live broadcast as part of Woodcraft's Hobby of the Month series Click here to learn how you can win!
Contractor Steve Roth recently transformed a dilapidated Ohio home that had been in foreclosure into a neighborhood showpiece. One of the ways he accomplished this task was by adding acrylic block windows to the bathroom and kitchen of the 1900s farmhouse-style house to provide the new residents with privacy and style.
