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2006 Media Releases & Alerts
NAHB Research Center's Popular ToolBase Services Website Redesigned to Help
Builders Find Technical Information Faster
Leading Online Construction Industry Resource Renovated to Provide Quick and
Easy Information to Builders
July 19, 2006, Upper Marlboro, Md - The NAHB Research Center,
the home building industry's leading source of objective information and
research on housing construction, today announced that its ToolBase Services
website, ToolBase.org, has been fully redesigned with the user's experience in
mind. The technical information supersite, was recently relaunched to help
building professionals navigate comprehensive information on materials,
innovative technologies, business management, and housing systems more easily.
By broadening the information available as well as providing more intuitive,
customized navigation and a streamlined format, the new easy-to-use site will
better meet the changing needs of building professionals and savvy consumers.
Provided by the NAHB Research Center with support from the Partnership for
Advancing Technology in Housing (PATH) Program, ToolBase.org is an essential
resource for accelerating the awareness of beneficial new technologies and
updating building professionals on industry issues and research.
Created to simplify the process of technology selection and implementation, the
ToolBase.org website has expanded over the years, becoming the building
industry's leading online resource for practical, objective information on
building technologies and the findings of the PATH program. However, to keep
pace with advances in product development, evolving industry issues, and the
latest Web technology the time had come for an upgrade. The redesign process
was initiated in late 2005, with initial modifications to the site's design
determined in cooperation with a panel of building professionals who reexamined
the kind of information needed by builders and evaluated the overall usability.
The enhanced site features repackaged information, color-coded Web pages and
graphics, and easy-to-find tools to help users quickly locate what they need.
The site also features search engine optimization that improves navigation and
increases the site's compatibility with popular external search engines.
Whether users enter the site on the home page or at any of the popular
technology pages, the new design will yield relevant information and helpful
cross-references with one easy search. Information is also cross-referenced to
help users find other similar areas of interest.
Overall, these updates have resulted in a more user-friendly resource with
dramatically improved search capabilities, more detailed field evaluations, and
enhanced multimedia support.
The Research Center continues to refine the selection of online tools available
through ToolBase Services as builders and consumers' information needs evolve.
Some of the site's more specialized resources include:
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The PATH Technology Inventory. An online listing of over 150
advanced technologies and practices, the PATH Technology Inventory provides a
repository of reliable, non-commercial technical information for building
professionals and consumers; and helps practical residential construction
innovations gain market awareness and graduate to the mainstream. Leading the
overall ToolBase.org site redesign with its own relaunch in early 2006, the
Inventory was also revamped to improve its utility, design, and navigation.
Among the Technology Inventory's new features are downloadable Computer
Assisted Design (CAD) drawings for over 40 technologies that builders and
architects can add directly to plans. And, new online videos further explain
product benefits and demonstrate installation. The Inventory is continuously
infused with up-and-coming technologies - wind power generators, combined heat
and power unites, attic hatch sealing and insulation, synthetic roof
underlayment, and advanced lighting controls, to name a few recent additions -
that potentially improve the affordability, durability, quality, and
environmental performance of housing. Visit the PATH Technology Inventory at
www.toolbase.org/techinv. Or, to submit a technology for possible
inclusion, visit
visit www.toolbase.org/techinventory/submit.aspx.
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Field Evaluations
A cooperative effort between builders, remodelers, manufacturers, PATH and the
NAHB Research Center, field evaluations place new technologies into residential
construction projects across the country so they can be evaluated in real-world
conditions. The ToolBase website contains the findings of the nearly 40 field
evaluations that have been completed, covering all types of building systems
from electrical and HVAC to foundations.
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PATH TechSets
A new resource to help builders implement innovations in manageable,
systems-based packages, Tech Sets take the guesswork out of choosing
cost-effective technologies that can improve home quality and deliver distinct
market advantage.
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ToolBase TechNotes. These technical write-ups featured on
ToolBase.org offer fundamental narratives on common issues builders want to
know more about. Some recently introduced TechNotes focus on topics of interest
such as copper pinhole leaks; termite protection; the benefits of structural
insulated panels (SIPS); alternative materials, and residential building
diagnostic tools that can help builders improve the quality of their new homes.
Each fact sheet includes a subject synopsis provided by NAHB Research Center
experts and additional resources for more detailed information.
Interest among manufacturers and industry groups looking to reach the
residential construction community with their products has increased
significantly. While the site is non-commercial and does not contain
advertising, multilevel sponsorships are available that include enhanced links
to the technical information builders, remodelers, trade contractors, and
consumers want- specification sheets, CAD details, and installation videos-
connecting them with manufacturers' literature and product information.
ToolBase.org is administered by the NAHB Research Center, with funding from the
Partnership for Advancing Technology in Housing (PATH) program and other
private sponsors. PATH and NAHB Research Center technical experts are actively
seeking information on innovative technologies from researchers, trade
associations, and manufacturers for inclusion on ToolBase.org and in the
Technology Inventory. Builders and remodelers that have implemented any of the
Inventory's featured products or practices in the field are also encouraged to
contribute testimonial information to the site. For more information and to
browse the NAHB Research Center's new ToolBase Services website, visit
http://www.ToolBase.org/.
07/06
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