WASHINGTON, May 6, 2010 – The level of remodeling activity nationally reached a bottom in the first quarter of this year, according to the latest release of the Residential Remodeling Index (RRI) by Hanley Wood. The seasonally adjusted first quarter national composite of the RRI declined less than 0.2% from the last quarter of 2009. The RRI forecasts a 1% increase in the second quarter of 2010, the first quarter-over-quarter improvement in two years.

While the second quarter 2010 forecast still represents a 2% decline year-over-year, Hanley Wood forecasts continued acceleration of remodeling activity through the end of 2010 and into the beginning of 2011. That growth would rival the growth experienced in 2005 and early 2006.

“Our new forecast for remodeling represents a substantial change from our view at the beginning of the year,” said Jonathan Smoke, Hanley Wood’s Senior Vice President of Market Intelligence Products & Innovation and the architect of the RRI. “At the beginning of the year, we didn’t see conditions improving until 2011. But in the first quarter we’ve seen an uptick in activity in many markets and as a result, it appears the industry has seen the bottom of this downturn.”

“Not all markets are rebounding,” says Smoke, noting that while several MSA’s are above the RRI’s baseline 100 level, some still measure below 50, indicating that they have less than half the volume of projects compared with 2007. “Remodelers in Washington, DC, the MSA with the highest RRI score in the first quarter, are in a much better position than those in Akron, OH, which had one of the lowest scores,” Smoke said.

The RRI confirms anecdotal evidence of increasing remodeling activity. “We are hearing good news in several markets, particularly around products and projects that can capture tax credits and stimulus funded incentives,” said Rick Strachan, Hanley Wood’s Executive Director Residential Remodeling.

About the Residential Remodeling Index
The RRI is a quarterly measure of the level of remodeling activity in 366 metropolitan statistical areas (MSA) in the U.S., with the national composite reflecting the national level of activity. “Activity” includes home improvement and replacement projects, but does not include maintenance or projects of less than $500. The seasonally adjusted index shows the relative level of activity in the geography specified (MSA or national composite) compared to 2007 (the baseline year). A number above 100 indicates a level of remodeling activity higher than the level of activity at the beginning of 2007, which was the peak of remodeling activity in the prior decade. The index is produced through a statistical model that leverages detailed data on remodeling activity, including household level remodeling permits, and consumer reported remodeling and replacement projects. Quarterly historical results for the national composite and for each of the 366 Metropolitan Statistical Areas in the U.S. are available back to 2004

The term “technology” refers to the application of knowledge for practical purposes.

The field of “green technology” encompasses a continuously evolving group of methods and materials, from techniques for generating energy to non-toxic cleaning products.

The present expectation is that this field will bring innovation and changes in daily life of similar magnitude to the “information technology” explosion over the last two decades. In these early stages, it is impossible to predict what “green technology” may eventually encompass.

The goals that inform developments in this rapidly growing field include:

Sustainability – meeting the needs of society in ways that can continue indefinitely into the future without damaging or depleting natural resources. In short, meeting present needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.

“Cradle to cradle” design - ending the “cradle to grave” cycle of manufactured products, by creating products that can be fully reclaimed or re-used.

Source reduction – reducing waste and pollution by changing patterns of production and consumption.

Innovation - developing alternatives to technologies – whether fossil fuel or chemical intensive agriculture – that have been demonstrated to damage health and the environment.

Viability – creating a center of economic activity around technologies and products that benefit the environment, speeding their implementation and creating new careers that truly protect the planet.

Examples of green technology subject areas

Energy
Perhaps the most urgent issue for green technology, this includes the development of alternative fuels, new means of generating energy and energy efficiency.

Green building
Green building encompasses everything from the choice of building materials to where a building is located.

Environmentally preferred purchasing
This government innovation involves the search for products whose contents and methods of production have the smallest possible impact on the environment, and mandates that these be the preferred products for government purchasing.

Green chemistry
The invention, design and application of chemical products and processes to reduce or to eliminate the use and generation of hazardous substances.

Green nanotechnology
Nanotechnology involves the manipulation of materials at the scale of the nanometer, one billionth of a meter. Some scientists believe that mastery of this subject is forthcoming that will transform the way that everything in the world is manufactured. “Green nanotechnology” is the application of green chemistry and green engineering principles to this field.

http://safepathproducts.com

Distributors Come on Board!

SafePath™ Products launched its Distributor program last month and already has over 68 Distributors committed to this national sales program. “Distributor training is central to this program and will continue throughout”, said Mr. Vander Heiden, CEO of SafePath Products.

For many years SafePath Products™ has sold direct to its customers and as result of growing success and the overwhelming need for code access products, SafePath has established a national distributor program that provides trained distributors with marketing materials and product samples to service various markets in each distributor’s region.

SafePath™ also has national manufacturer representatives that service these distributors in several states, and is building for full coverage by end of summer. “It is critical that our Reps provide the necessary support and information to our distributors” said Mr. Vander Heiden. Current states represented by Manufacturer Reps include Southern California, Arizona, Hawaii, Texas, Tennessee, West Virginia, Virginia, Kentucky, Ohio and Indiana.

As SafePath™ continues to expand so does the awareness for accessible code products; since 2007 there has been a substantial growth in access code laws and their requirements. This is demonstrated in recent amendments of the California Building Code and the International Building Code both demanding greater accessibility at door thresholds than in previous code editions, especially the in multi-family housing arena.

“With the doubling of the aging population in less than 20 years in this country we will continue to see the demand and increase in code compliance for accessible door entrances in the multi-family housing industry” stated Mr. Vander Heiden.  In the near future look for disability access code products to be offered in your neighborhood hardware store.

http://www.safepathproducts.com

SafePath™ Products specialize in the manufacturing of innovative products made from 100% recycled materials for transition modification. A leader in the “green” movement, SafePath™ Products introduced the first recycled rubber ramp for Americans with Disabilities Act (1990) code compliance in 1997. Since that time, SafePath™ Products has designed and produced a variety of sustainable building products.

Threshold ramps are essential ramps for both domestic and commercial use. A threshold ramps purpose is to create a ‘bridge over a threshold’ for a wheelchair or scooter to roll over. A common threshold would be a door frame or door step to get from outside a building to inside. Threshold wheelchair and scooter ramps come in a range of sizes and can be made from a number of different materials including aluminium and fibreglass. A threshold wheelchair and scooter ramp can be a simple bridge up to a step so the wheelchair or scooter can bridge the distance from the ground to the step. Another choice of wheelchair and scooter threshold ramp is a ramp which runs over a door hinge so the wheelchair or scooter can run smoothly over the hinge into another room. Finally the most flexible kind of Threshold wheelchair and scooter ramp is a channel ramp. These can comprise of both folding and telescopic features making it an easily stored ramp and a ramp that can extend to fit specific building requirements.
Safepath Products is your Green Alternative. Please take a moment and visit http://safepathproducts.com

California Public Schools Save Millions Using Green Building Products for ADA Approved Door Threshold Modifications From SafePath(TM) Products.

For almost two decades publicly accessed facilities have undergone major modifications and modernization resulting in billions of dollars spent on new construction to comply with the guidelines that make up the many facets of ADA law. Already stretched school budgets are breathing a sigh of relief with SafePath(TM) Products’ EntryLevel(TM) Landings, EZ Edge(TM) Transitions, and RampEnd(TM) Landing door and ramp transitions made of 100% recycled materials for a “green,” safe and totally compliant school environment with no construction costs.

Until now, modifying ramps and doorways with a threshold higher than 1/2″ for accessibility involved concrete construction. For the past 12 years, Van Duerr Industries, Inc. (dba SafePath(TM) Products) has produced the industries first and only patented, 100% recycled, molded transition and barrier removal products for door thresholds, entrances, curbs, flooring, modest steps and almost every vertical rise known to the architectural and door hardware industry. For schools jumping to go “green” SafePath(TM) Products come in hundreds of heights and configurations and provide unparalleled safety, affordability and total compliance with ADA standards.

In less than a classroom session, any of the SafePath(TM) Products can be installed and ready for use without disrupting school activities. Covering a minimum area as required by code, rubber pads are installed easily and fastened silently using the recommended adhesive proven to withstand harsh climates.

ade from 100% recycled tires, all SafePath(TM) Products are proven and tested for long term use in the harshest of environments. Designed for exterior or interior use these transition “pads” use a patented colorization process, a special two-part urethane coating process that chemically bonds and embeds surface color, guaranteed not to discolor or fade, even in heavy traffic areas such as gymnasiums and cafeterias.

For more information:

For the past 12 years, Van Duerr Industries, Inc., dba SafePath(TM) Products, has successfully produced and marketed affordable Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliance products for the world marketplace. The first to patent 100% recycled rubber transition ramps for the architectural and door hardware industry, SafePath(TM) Products is dedicated to a safer and cleaner planet offering transition modifications for residential and commercial application. For more information visit www.safepathproducts.com, phone 800-497-2003, or email info@safepathproducts.

SafePath™ offers the largest selection of rubber transition ramps. Our EZ Edge™ & Elegant Transitions™ (coated in our StoneCap™ Coating) can be easily installed on most surfaces including concrete, asphalt, wood, tile and marble. Simply choose the model closest to the height of the transition and the necessary width of access, and our full service design team will customize a transition ramp to your specifications.

Installation is quick and easy, significantly reducing labor costs. EZ Edge™ Transitions come with a 10-Year Guarantee ensuring durable and maintenance free use for years to come!

EZEdge™ Transitions were the first patented SafePath™ product, and have been solving transition problems ever since. They are most often used for door threshold, entry way, or any path of travel transitions. Also, they can be used for roll-in showers, gymnasium flooring, expandable bridge nosing, and many other applications requiring vertical modification from 1/2″ to 4″.

We are extremely excited about our latest technological breakthrough in the colorization process of recycled tire material!!

Our Elegant Transitions now come in several different attractive colors for interior, exterior, residential or commercial use.

This new and improved product is called StoneCap™ Coating.

The combination of one of the planets hardest minerals – Quartz Crystal – coated with ceramic material, creates beautiful colors that resist bleeding or fading when exposed to harsh sunlight or the constant wear and tear of heavy foot traffic.

This innovative process grants you the benefit of threshold barrier removal while still allowing for an attractive presentation.  StoneCap™ Coating is also slip resistant, and prevents slip, trip and fall litigation!

Many of our customers have already updated their homes, businesses and schools with SafePath’s newest advancement in technology! You can too!

StoneCap™ Coating is available in six standard colors, but custom colors will be available upon request! Please call one of our Sales Associates, and they will be more than happy to help you get acquainted with StoneCap™ Coating!

Click here for a downloadable Color Chart!