Green building is beginning to sell itself. Prices continue to drop for green materials. Demand from homeowners is increasing day by day. But that doesn’t necessarily make sustainable building an easy sell for everyone. Whether a myth or not, the notion that sustainable building is far more expensive than conventional construction practices can be an obstacle for green contractors looking to expand their business.

The bright side to that dilemma is that designers and manufacturers are constantly working to bring down costs—to make green an easier sell and a lighter load for the average client’s pocketbook. Out of that ilk comes K-tect Sustainable Building Systems, an all-around green building gem judging by the bullet list of benefits on the website. (more…)

The Art of Aging-In-Place

Certified-aging-in-place (CAPS) contracting could be a key to remodeling success in the years to come. As the US population grows older, more homeowners are looking to age in place, which often entails transforming their home into a practical place to live as health issues and mobility begin to play a role in their daily lives.

Such steps include wider, wheelchair-accessible pocket doors, better lighting, reduction of tripping hazards, elevator installation, shower grab bars and tub cuts. Renovations such as these can mean the difference between a later life lived at home or one in a nursing home. That, for many of us, is a powerful incentive, accentuated by the fact that the average home itself is aging and in need of repairs anyway.

The Certified Aging-in-Place Specialist (CAPS) designation can be achieved through a three-day training course offered by the National Association of Home Builders, in conjunction with AARP. Some 3,000 home remodeling and repair contractors have been certified thus far. That’s a relatively small number compared to the fast-growing number of senior citizens in America. (more…)