Aging-in-Place Remodeling Grows

The survey revealed that nearly 90 percent of the kitchen designers surveyed reported that their clients either “always” or “usually” rely on their professional recommendations when it comes to addressing ventilation needs. In addition, 86 percent of the designers questioned said their clients are “less knowledgeable” about ventilation compared to other kitchen appliances.

The survey found that 47 percent of the kitchen designers polled rate performance and odor removal as the most important factor to consider when selecting ventilation, while only 13 percent perceive that their clients feel the same way. More than half (52 percent) of the surveyed designers feel their clients rate design as their top purchasing decision.

The majority (46 percent) of the surveyed designers said they are using wall hoods most often in their kitchen projects, followed by custom inserts (28 percent), chimney hoods (18 percent), downdrafts (4 percent) and island hoods (3 percent).

Incentives

Pennsylvania to Fund Sustainability

Pennsylvania’s $25 million High Performance Building program will provide grants and loans to families and businesses constructing or renovating buildings that meet standards that measure a building’s overall sustainability.

Funds are available to anyone building or renovating a primary residence and to businesses with 100 or fewer full-time employees.

Loans up to $100,000 are available for residential projects and up to $2 million for small businesses. Grants are not to exceed $500,000, or 10 percent, of total eligible costs, whichever is less. Applicants may apply for a grant or a loan, but not both.

Kitchen Cabinets

St. Charles Expands Network

St. Charles Cabinetry has signed on 21 dealers in 15 states across the United States as the steel-cabinet manufacturer attempts to build a nationwide dealer network, the company announced. Key dealer locations include Southern California, Florida, Chicago and the Southwest part of the United States, said Jim Gregory, general manager of St. Charles Cabinetry, a division of Viking Range Corp. of Greenwood, Miss.

The St. Charles line of frameless, full-overlay cabinetry is available in brushed stainless steel and 23 colors of powder-coated, cold-rolled steel. Made of high recycled content, the line is manufactured at Viking’s production facilities in Mississippi.

Green Products

NAHB Seal of Approval

The NAHB Research Center recently introduced the “Green Approved” product seal of approval, a program by which manufacturers can provide third-party evidence that their green products meet the criteria for recognition in homes certified to the American National Standards Institute’s National Green Building Standard.

These reports — available from a link on the new standard scoring tool at www.nahbgreen.org — are designed to facilitate the selection and specification of products as well as the approval of possible points by verifiers who have been accredited by the NAHB Research Center.

NKBA

Alliance with ServiceMagic

ServiceMagic.com and the National Kitchen and Bath Association (NKBA) announced that the two organizations have formed a strategic alliance that allows NKBA members to reach more consumers by gaining access to ServiceMagic.com’s targeted lead platform. They choose specific projects and zip codes to connect with homeowners in need of their services.

NKBA members will receive volume discounts and a waiver of ServiceMagic.com’s standard enrollment fee, which is used to cover the costs of the 10-point screening. With more than 5 million consumer requests expected in 2009, ServiceMagic also offers the NKBA expanded consumer reach and awareness.