Tax Credit

The Department of Housing and Urban Development announced last week an additional program that enables homebuyers to add the tax credit to their down payments on FHA mortgages at closing, which should also help to enhance affordability and give a push to home sales. However, first-time buyers must finalize their purchase by Nov. 30 to get the credit. Now is the time to capitalize on this by adding the extra glitz to your offerings at minimal cost with Arch-Tek products

How to Be a Winner in the Home Building Industry

With the number of homes being sold dropping to historic lows, homebuilders across the U.S. are looking for ways to be more competitive in the shrinking home sales market. While the latest architectural innovation in home design is the use of curved surfaces to provide a touch of elegance, warmth and grandeur, the biggest obstacle to the addition of these features has been the cost. While cost has not been an obstacle in the high-end homes where these features are predominant, the translation of this architectural touch has always been of limited utilization in the mid-priced and lower priced, "starter homes"... until now! Enter good, old-fashioned American innovation. New wood-bending and design techniques pioneered and exhibited by the likes of Arch-Tek is revolutionizing architectural designs for low and middle priced homes.
Their designs for archways and ceilings are truly amazing. Perfect geometric designs every time at amazingly low prices! Now Groin Vaults, coved or domed ceilings can add that special touch to the modestly priced starter home and significantly distinguish these designs from the competition’s boxy and boring floor plans. Coved ceilings, are especially easy on the pocket book but definitely will make a room stand out from the rest. A dining room for example, that is 14' x 12' would only cost $220 to cove. Your typical 6' x 6' groin vault would only cost $394.95 and would look great in any dining room, entry, hallway, or master bedroom. A typical dome in the master bath, 6' wide with a light ring would cost a mere $399.95. These in expensive features bring a wow factor to any home and make buyers more likely to purchase.
The competitive advantage this adds for builders concentrating on the lower end of the pricing scale is especially significant in today’s challenging market conditions. With the NHBA reporting that housing starts are tracking at just over 500,000 projected for the next year, it’s clear that those builders that add the most value to their designs will be the ones that grow their market share. In fact, this will be even more amplified by the new $8,000 tax credit for first time home buyers in the newly passed stimulus bill. This credit will more than likely skew a greater proportion of these 500,000 new housing starts to smaller, less expensive homes. Those builders that add value, such as represented by the Arch-Tek product line, will be the winners in this tough home building environment.

How to Frame a Groin Vault

When I picture the look on a builders face when he hears his framer complaining about building a groin vault, I smile to myself. The look of exhaustion and frustration is usually written all over their faces. However, if you can kick your old school ways and try something new, I will turn those frowns upside down and show you an easier way to frame a groin vault. It is a new solution to a complicated old problem.

Framing a Groin Vault is actually quite simple. The first step is to measure the groin vault. If your room is rectangular, measure the long side and the short side. If it is a square, the measurements should be the same (Hopefully :) ). Once you have measured your sides the next step is to determine your rise. The rise is often controlled by your ceiling height. For example, if you have a 12’ high ceiling and 8’ doorways then you want to pick a rise that keeps you high enough above the doorways but still curved enough to give you a strong groin vault. Once you have these measurements simply visit us at http://www.arch-tek.com/ or call 972-602-4405 and give us your measurements.
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Now that you know how to measure for a groin vault, it is just as easy to install. The product arrives to the jobsite with easy to understand instructions and a groin plan. Simply place each groin vault strut in its proper place. The process reminds me of when I was a boy and painted by number. The whole process on average takes about 30-60 minutes depending on the size. If you don't believe me, watch the install video on the "Video Bar". Now, since you opted to use Arch-Tek the added bonus is that it is perfectly built and drywalling will be a breeze.
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What about the cost? In the pictures above we supplied the groin vault framing kit with extensions for under $550, and it only took two framers an hour to install. Now, if you were to frame it traditionally, the lumber would run you nearly $300 and the labor to build it would run you nearly $400. You do the math... quick, easy, and affordable!

One of the best uses I have seen for groin vaults, is when they are placed down a hallway. The look is amazing, and you really get the most bang out of your buck.

Tune in next time when I show you "How To" frame a dome ceiling!

Always Ready For a Challenge

Recently due to the competitive market, our Customers have been pushing for some challenging designs to set there homes apart from there competition. A Groin Vault often known as a Cross Vault, is two barrel ceilings intersecting. This is a simple task for Arch-Tek, but our customer wanted to step it up a notch. He asked if we can create an Octagonal Groin Vault which would be four barrel ceilings intersecting, in which, I quickly replied, "Of course!" Being in sales I could not let the opportunity pass to achieve such a task. Well after thinking out how to construct a feature, we quickly began manufacturing. Four days later I met my builder at the job site and watched the Octagonal Groin vault go up in 30 minutes. The builder was both happy and amazed that such a complicated ceiling treatment could go up so quickly.