Americans Do-lt-Themselves for Love & Money

Nine out of l0 Americans do-itthemselves to control spending for handymen and other outside help, according to a new national study by Ace Hardware.

The most commonly tackled projects include fixing a running toilet (597o), repairing a leaky faucet (57Vo), installing a light fixture, and maintaining heating and air conditioning equipment (both 51%).

"These numbers indicate a growing level of confidence among homeowners at all levels of experience," said Lou Manfredini, Ace's "Helpful Hardware Man."

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When unsure how to proceed, more than two-thirds will actively research or seek help rather than "figure it out as they go." Friends, family and the local hardware store tied as the preferred sources of information and advice.

A majority of respondents add desirable features to their homes (89Vo\ and want to enhance the value of their homes (83%\. Another JTVo said their goal is home protection.

Money isn't the only reason we do it ourselves: 687o of the homeowners said they would perform projects even if they didn't save money. The majority said that the resulting feelings of pride, accomplishment and self-fulfillment were worth the effort.

The study found that Americans have an average of eight projects on their to-do lists, up from five when the same question was asked in 20O2. At the top of most people's lists are painting, remodeling and gardening.

More than 80Vo do their own interior painting. A desire to change the look and feel of the rooms in their homes was cited by 5l%o of respondents, with l47o citing a desire to keep up with decorating trends.

"One beauty of painting is the ease and cost effectiveness to dramatically change a room that has become tired and dull." said Manfredini.

The bedroom was cited by 22Vo as the most recently painted room in the house, followed by the living room (l4Ea), kitchen (l3Vo), and bathroom (l2Vo). The bedroom also came out on top when respondents were asked which room was most likely to be painted next.

secretary/ treasurer Ed Gavotto

SAN DIEGO presented a secondplace cash prize to architecture student Karl Anloine Hanis, who won Mesa College's 39th annual student design competition, co-sponsored by The San Diego Lumberman, A.l.A., and the local Hoo-Hoo club. Students designed structures featuring wood construction inside and out. Hanis'winning design was a building that housed an outdoor theater, conference rooms and public viewing area overlooking the Pacific Ocean for the Toney Pines National Park.

New Heights For Windows & Doors

U.S. window and door demand is projected to increase 3.J7o annually over the next five years-a deceleration from the last five years due to a sharp drop in single family housing completions, according to a new study by Freedonia Group.

The housing slowdown should be offset by a strong rebound in nonresidential construction. The differing fortunes between these two markets will have a significant impact on window and door materials. For example, demand for wood doors, used primarily in residential buildings, will grow 1.87o a year. Metal doors, largely purchased for nonresidential construction, will advance 4.2Vo a year.

Plastic windows and doors will continue to make inroads as a replacement for both wood and metal products, with demand increasing nearly 8Vo annually. Plastic materials have primarily rivaled wood products in the residential market, due to their advantages of high energy efficiency, low maintenance and relatively low cost. Plastic does not have the durability to heavily compete against metal in nonresidential. Nonetheless, plastic's share of total value demand has risen from 97o in 1994 to 2l7o in 2004 and is forecast to exceed 25Vo by 2009. Its share is even higher when measured in units due to the products' lower cost.

The residential market was responsible for three-quarters of window and door demand in 2004. This is not only due to the size of the residential construction industry, but also because this market tends to place a higher value on aesthetics and energy efficiency, which leads to the use of higher cost products.

Furthermore, several trends in housing characteristics continue to support growth in window and door demand per residential structure, including increases in the average home size and the growing popularity of patios and decks.

The large stock of existing homes also provides a base for improvement and repair purchases. In fact, while the new residential market for windows and doors will be essentially flat through 2009, the improvement and repair market will grow nearly 6Vo ayear.

Demand for windows and doors in nonresidential building is expected to rise 7.9Vo annually through 2009, comprising nearly 3OVo of total window and door demand.

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JtC LIVE residential construction show came to Southern California May 3-6 at the Anaheim Convention Center. (1)Terry Garrett, Michael Bland (2) Daniel Andrade, Kevin Maloney. (3) Greg Smith, Craig Young, Tom Zimmerman. (4) Ken Piwowar, Phil Brune, Bob Lowe. (5) Paul Mackie, Jim Mace. (6) Len Kasperski, Lisa Martin. (7) Ernie Hurtado. Eric Rau, Dave

Temple, Pete Ganahl. (8) Joe Albert, Jim Miller. (9) Mark Angelini. (10) Andy Jones, Steve Thurgood, Dan Mills, Lynn Goode. (11) Mike Pidlisecky, Chris Logan, Patrick Rozier. (12) Todd Cornelison, Bruce Huewe, Chris Killgore (13) Mike Caputo, John Taylor (14) Geoff Marshall, Duane Engard, Haven Brown. (15) Michael & Theresa Morse. Gavin Tavlor.

AMERICAN lnstitute of Timber Con struction elected new officers at its 53rd annual meeting in Henderson, Nv. (1) New president Mike Giles, Anthony Forest Products, with his wife, Shannon, and Kathy & Ed Jones. (2j Mike & Nancy Baker, AITC past president Craig V-an Cott, Unadiila Laminated Products. (3) Ann Lane, Mike & Victoria Foster. (4) Ellie Filler, Martha Whittle. (5) Julie & Jefl Linville, Trygve & Jitt Rhude. (6) Michelle Hooper, Jesse Neese, Scott & Lucv St-randlein. (7) Elaiire Vlc!ry, MaJy & Bob Powell. (8) Fran Prentice, Obrthea King, Anne Tillett. (9) Mark Seech, Dick Cormier. (10) Mayo Prentice, Lane & Margie Holland. (11) Mike & Barbara Parks, Tommy Hewitt, Mike Giles, Susan