WASHINGTON, DC — Residential construction continued its year-long shift toward the suburbs and lower-cost markets, a trend that’s especially pronounced within the multifamily sector, according to the latest Home Building Geography Index (HBGI) released by the National Association of Home Builders.

According to the HBGI, released last month, multifamily residential construction posted a 14.3% gain in small metro core and suburban areas during the second quarter of 2021, while large metro areas experienced a 0.5% decline for multifamily building activity.

“The trend of construction shifting from high-density metro areas to more affordable regions, which accelerated at the beginning of the pandemic early last year, appears to be continuing,” said NAHB Chairman Chuck Fowke. “Lower land and labor costs, and lower regulatory burdens in suburban and exurban markets make it more appealing to build in these communities. And workers are increasingly flocking to these areas, due to expanded teleworking practices and lower housing costs.”

“There was a marked increase in new apartment construction outside large metro areas, as people have greater flexibility to live and work in more affordable markets,” observed Robert Dietz, chief economist for the Washington, DC-based NAHB. “Similarly for the single-family sector, the HBGI data revealed that construction growth occurred more proportionally in these more affordable areas as well, while declining in terms of market share in the most expensive counties.”

Dietz added, however, that overall single-family starts have slowed in recent months, “largely because of rising prices and limited availability of a broad range of key building materials.”

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DUBLIN — The global green building materials market is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of more than 12% over the next four years, due largely to “a growing awareness about environmental sustainability” that is driving demand, a leading market research firm said this month.

According to Dublin, Ireland-based Research and Markets, the global green building materials market is expected to increase from $238.9 billion in 2021 to $383.9 billion in 2025.

The green building materials market consists of sales of eco-friendly, durable structural, exterior and interior products that use less water, are easier to maintain than traditional building materials, and improve the sustainability and efficiency of a building because of a lower carbon footprint. The products are used in framing, insulation, roofing, exterior siding and interior finishing for both residential and non-residential structures.

“The introduction to environment-friendly products is gaining significant popularity in the green building materials market,” Research and Markets officials said. “Major participants in the green building materials industry are concentrating on launching new product lines that minimize the global warming potential (GWP) without compromising product quality.”

North America was the largest region in the green building materials market in 2021. Asia Pacific is expected to be the fastest region in the forecast period, researchers said.

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STOCKHOLM — ASSA ABLOY, the Stockholm-based manufacturer of access solutions, has signed a definitive agreement to acquire the Hardware and Home Improvement (HHI) division of Spectrum Brands, a major supplier of security, plumbing and hardware products to the North American residential construction market, the companies announced.

HHI, headquartered in Lake Forest, CA, manufactures a product line that includes locksets, faucets and builders’ hardware, supplied through home improvement centers, wholesale distributors, home builders, online retail channels and home-automation providers. Brands include Kwikset, Baldwin Hardware, Weiser, Pfister and National Hardware.

“HHI is an excellent addition to the ASSA ABLOY Group and constitutes an important strategic step in developing our residential business in North America,” said Nico Delvaux, president and CEO of ASSA ABLOY. “This acquisition advances our strategy to strengthen our position by adding complementary products to the core business and it will further accelerate the transformation from mechanical to digital solutions.”

The transaction is expected to close during the fourth quarter of 2021, corporate officials said, adding that HHI will become part of the ASSA ABLOY’s Opening Solutions Americas Division.

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RESTON, VA — Major domestic kitchen cabinet and vanity manufacturers continued to post sales gains through the first eight months of 2021, according to the latest in a series of monthly surveys by the Kitchen Cabinet Manufacturers Association.

The KCMA’s latest “Trend of Business Survey” reflected a year-to-date sales increase of 16.9% through August, compared to the same eight-month period in 2020. Custom cabinet sales through the first eight months were reported up 20.4% over the same period last year, while semi-custom sales rose 14.9% and sales of stock cabinets gained 17.6%, the Reston, VA-based KCMA said. August sales were up 8.0% compared to the same month the prior year, the association added.

Survey participants include stock, semi-custom and custom companies whose combined sales represent approximately 75% of the U.S. kitchen cabinet and bath vanity market, according to the KCMA.

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WASHINGTON, DC — In what officials are calling a major step in combating global climate change, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has issued a final rule establishing a program to cap and phase down domestic production and consumption of climate-damaging hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), highly potent greenhouse gases commonly used in refrigerators and air conditioners.

The landmark program, announced today, will phase down the U.S. production and consumption of HFCs by 85% over the next 15 years, as mandated by the American Innovation and Manufacturing (AIM) Act, enacted in December 2020 as part of an effort designed to slow global warming, EPA officials said. HFCs are potent greenhouse gases commonly used in refrigeration and air conditioning equipment, as well as foams and other applications.

The bipartisan AIM Act, backed by a coalition of industry and environmental groups, not only phases down HFCs, but also ushers in the use of more climate friendly and energy-efficient alternatives aimed at saving consumers money while protecting the environment, according to the EPA.

“Today, EPA is taking a significant step forward to tackle the climate crisis,” said EPA Administrator Michael Regan. “Cutting these climate ‘super pollutants’ protects our environment, strengthens our economy, and demonstrates that America is back when it comes to leading the world in addressing climate change and curbing global warming in the years ahead.”

“American companies are at the forefront of developing HFC alternatives and the technologies that use them, and the AIM Act provides these companies additional opportunities to continue to innovate,” Regan added.

EPA estimates that the cumulative net benefit of its action will amount to more than $272 billion from 2022 through 2050, and that the rule will yield cumulative compliance savings for industry. In 2036 alone, the year the final reduction step is made, the rule is expected to prevent emissions of the equivalent of 171 million metric tons of carbon dioxide (CO2) – roughly equal to the annual greenhouse gas emissions from one out of every seven passenger vehicles registered in the U.S., the EPA said. The total emission reductions of the rule from 2022 to 2050 are projected to amount to the equivalent of 4.6 billion metric tons of CO2 – nearly equal to three years of U.S. power sector emissions at 2019 levels.

EPA officials said the agency will work with the U.S. Dept. of Homeland Security to prevent the illegal import and trade of HFCs through an interagency task force led by personnel from U.S. Customs and Border Protection, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Homeland Security Investigations and EPA.

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WASHINGTON, DC — Builder confidence inched up this month on lower lumber prices and strong housing demand, even as the housing sector continues to grapple with building material supply chain issues and labor challenges, the National Association of Home Builders reported.

According to the latest in a series of monthly NAHB/Wells Fargo Housing Market Indexes, released yesterday, builder sentiment in the market for newly built single-family homes edged up one point, to 76, in September, ending a three-month decline, the NAHB said.

“Builder sentiment has been gradually cooling since the HMI hit an all-time high reading of 90 last November,” said NAHB Chairman Chuck Fowke. “The September data show stability as some building material cost challenges ease, particularly for softwood lumber. “However, delivery times remain extended, and the chronic construction labor shortage is expected to persist as the overall labor market recovers.”

“The single-family building market has moved off the unsustainably hot pace of construction of last fall and has reached a still hot but more stable level of activity,” added Robert Dietz, chief economist for the Washington, DC-based NAHB. “While building material challenges persist, the rate of cost growth has eased for some products, but the job openings rate in construction is trending higher.”

The NAHB said it expects housing affordability will be a key demand-side challenge in the coming quarters, given the rapid rate of growth for home prices and construction costs over the last year.

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Orlando, Fla., February. 8-10, 2022

HACKETTSTOWN, NJ — The National Kitchen & Bath Association (NKBA) has opened registration for the 2022 Kitchen & Bath Industry Show (KBIS): Where the Future is Defined. The annual event, owned by the NKBA and produced by Emerald Expositions, is the largest North American trade expo and networking opportunity for kitchen and bath industry professionals.

Building on the success of a nine-year partnership with the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) International Builders’ Show (IBS) to create Design & Construction Week® (DCW), KBIS and IBS will co-locate at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, FL, from Feb. 8 -10, 2022. The two shows are expected to feature over 800,000 net square feet of exhibit space and showcase more than 1,000 design and construction brands.

Sign up for KBIS here; NKBA members register for free during the month of September.

The NKBA and Emerald Expositions are committed to creating an event experience where customers, partners and employees can safely and effectively conduct business in person, the agencies not. As a result, the CDC COVID-19 health and safety measures and protocols will be followed. A detailed list of precautionary measures being implemented for KBIS 2022 can be found in the KBIS Health & Safety Plan here.

In addition, the host site of KBIS 2022, the OCCC was one of the first facilities in the country to receive the Global Biorisk Advisory Council (GBAC) Star accreditation on outbreak prevention, response and recovery. Since receiving this distinction, the OCCC has instituted the industry’s highest standards for cleaning and disinfecting, it was noted.

The KBIS 2022 expo will include over 380,500 NSF and feature an expected 450 exhibitors, including legacy brands like GE Appliances, Kohler and SKS. Additionally, more than 40 new exhibitors such as Lefroy Brooks and CopperSmith will occupy nearly 20,000 NSF. More than 85 global brands from Germany, Italy, Turkey, Spain, Taiwan, China, Mexico and Poland will also be present.

“We are very much looking forward to getting the industry back together at the start of the new year,” said Suzie Williford, NKBA exec. v.p. & CSO. “KBIS is not only a place for old friends and colleagues to have the chance to catch up, but also a chance for new faces to become part of this talented and inclusive community.”

“We’ve had such a great turnout in Orlando in past years and are excited to host this much-anticipated event in person again,” said Jason McGraw, CAE, CTS, group v.p., KBIS and CEDIA Expo, Emerald. “KBIS 2022 is slated to be one of the most impactful events of the industry, filled with the latest innovative products and programming. We strongly recommend attendees register early to take advantage of discounted registration and hotel rates.”

 September: registration is free for NKBA members, $50 for non-members;

Oct. 1- Dec. 10: Early Bird Rates — $50 for NKBA members, $100 for non-members;

Dec. 11-Feb. 7: Advance Rates — $100 for NKBA members, $175 for non-members;

Feb. 8-10: Onsite Rates — $150 for NKBA members, $225 for non-members.

Expo and 3-day VFTI pass (access to all sessions plus on-demand program): $350 for NKBA members, $525 for non-members.

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Kitchen Transformation by Kitchen Solvers of La Crosse

Project Location:  Rushford, MN 

Remodel type: Cabinet Refacing 

Type of door style: Shaker 

Remodel style: Transitional 

Color: Pearl for Perimeter Cabinets and Stone Gray for Kitchen Island 

Countertop: Quartz 

Countertop color: Cirrus 

Backsplash: 3” x 6” light gray Glossy Tile 

For more information about this project, please visit Kitchen Solvers of La Crosse’s Blog.  

Find a location near you.  

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Have you been considering a remodel, but aren’t sure you want the entire commitment a full kitchen renovation brings? If yes, this article is most definitely for you. The kitchen is the hub of any house. It’s the place in your home where you prep your meals, your kids do their homework, your guests congregate, and where your morning coffee is enjoyed. A place with so many different meanings deserves to look and perform up to its utmost potential. That’s why remodels at all levels are so popular. Recently, homeowners have been asking for smaller scale remodels to just tweak previous remodels from past years. Here are four great small kitchen remodeling ideas.

Cabinet Refacing

If you’re happy with the design and layout of your kitchen but are unhappy with the current look your cabinets bring, refacing is the route for you. Kitchen cabinet refacing allows you to have the look you’ve always dreamed of without the additional expense and hassle of a large remodel. The process of a reface is quite simple. It just consists of replacing all the existing doors and drawer fronts with a door style, wood species and finish that you choose. We then apply a matching refacing material to all exposed end panels and face frames of your existing cabinets. Kitchen cabinet refacing installation takes just days to complete.

Go Darker

For years, kitchens have always been about being white, bright, and pristine. White cabinetry was anywhere and everywhere. And although it will always remain a classic, there’s a new trend which is becoming ever so popular in kitchens all around the globe. In recent years, we’re now seeing a strong transition into dark countertops and cabinetry. This new style works to create more depth and contrast within the room. Comparatively, it also holds up much better against the daily wear and tear than white cabinetry.

Open Shelving

Open shelving is great to implement in your kitchen. It’s cost effective and has a quick installation process. Not only does it make for easily accessible dishes and appliances, but it’s also a great opportunity to showcase your character and personality within your home. Some homeowners choose to use this surface space as a way to showcase their artwork i.e. paintings, vases, pots, or pictures.

Full Scheme Backsplash

Recently, there’s been more of a vertical appearance with backsplashes. It’s no longer just the space between the countertop and cabinetry. Entire slabs are going up to create more of a sleek look. Utilizing an entire wall for a backsplash presents a two-in-one opportunity. One, you get your much needed backsplash for your kitchen. And two, you now have a statement wall within the room. This statement wall works to truly bring your kitchen to life.

Kitchen Solvers

At Kitchen Solvers, we want to ensure that you, the homeowner, protect and preserve your beautiful kitchen. The most important factor in how to make a kitchen remodel easy is getting help from professionals. At Kitchen Solvers, our expert design team can help you create the ultimate kitchen that fits your budget and offers some of the best features and styles available. Once the plan is established, we’ll take care of the rest. Get in touch with our team today to get started designing the kitchen of your dreams.

And be sure to read our helpful articles: How to Make a Kitchen Remodel Easy and Confused about Cabinet? A Guide to a Cabinet Reface or Replace!

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