Grout lines are forecasted to decrease in popularity. A release from the National Kitchen and Bath Association reported 89% of homeowners want to minimize or remove grout lines in their homes. Interior designers agree, noting the absence of grout allows for less maintenance therefore less chemicals in the home. “Less grout means less maintenance, which feels right for how people live today,” said Julie Beuerlein, founder of JKB Home Design. Designers also recommend minimizing lines by using full slab porcelain or quartz or large format tiles. “People’s lives seem to…
Read MoreAuthor: Sofia Feeney
Remodel of the Week: Aptitude Design & Build
Aptitude Design & Build took on a never-renovated 1985 house in St. Charles, Miss. The project’s priorities were functionality, low maintenance and long-term livability. The project scope included two phases of renovations. The first in the kitchen, half bath and throughout the lower level. Matt Mierek grew Aptitude Design & Build from a side construction jobs with constant demand for his expertise. He began to take the business as his full time venture with the ethos of, “What would I do if this were my house?” The company quickly scaled…
Read MoreRemodelers expect influx with existing home sales rising
Existing home sales rose in February with lower mortgage rates and increased buyer confidence. According to the National Association of Realtors (NAR), existing home sales in February increased 1.7% to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 4.09 million. Inventory levels indicate a healthy supply. The price for all existing homes increased a modest 0.3% from the year before, with a $398,000 median sales price. “This marks the 32nd consecutive month of year-over-year increases,” said Fan-Yu Kuo, senior economist at NAHB. “Recent gains for home inventory will put downward pressure on resale…
Read MoreConstruction industry accounts for a quarter of recent added jobs
Construction added 33,000 jobs in January, accounting for nearly a quarter of the 130,000 jobs added in the month. This is according to the U.S. Labor Department’s Jobs Report. The recently released ADP national employment report, construction payrolls increased by 19,000 jobs in February. This is out of the total 63,000 jobs added in February, the most since July 2025. While ADP report is not always predictive of the BLS report, it shows a strong construction sector. “Construction continues to be a powerful engine of economic growth. Strong hiring reflects sustained…
Read MoreBuilding material price growth declines for first time in a year
Residential building material price growth rate drops for the first time since April 2025. According to the National Association of Homebuilders’ analysis of the Producer Price Index release from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, building material prices are increasing, but at a lower rate than the year before. The Producer Price Index final demand increased 0.5% in January, a continuation of the 0.4% increase in December. Specifically in the industry, metal products are experiencing the largest price growth while lumber and wood material products are stabilizing. “The goods component has a…
Read MoreRemodels are more popular than relocating
Current homeowners are choosing to remodel according to their needs instead of relocating. According to the Harvard Joint Center for Housing Studies, only about 1 in 10 households changed homes in 2024. This is across varying markets from young homeowners to retired households. Many first-time homebuyers choosing to remodel their starter homes instead of leaving their pandemic-era sub-3% mortgage rates. “The reality today is that many households appear to be “locked in” to their homes,” wrote Riordan Frost, Senior Research Analyst at Harvard Joint Center for Housing Studies. As for…
Read MoreLP Scores Two Finalist Spots in Best of IBS Awards
LP Building Solutions (LP), a leading manufacturer of high-performance building products, announced today that LP® SmartSide® ExpertFinish® Naturals Collection™ siding and LP BurnGuard™ FRT OSB panels have been recognized by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) as a finalist for the Best of IBS™ Awards. Held annually at the NAHB International Builders’ Show® (IBS), the world’s largest light construction event, the Best of IBS Awards honor the most innovative and impactful products in the residential construction industry. Finalists are selected based on innovation, functionality, design and appeal to builders and consumers. LP SmartSide ExpertFinish Naturals…
Read MoreNAHB Chairman responds to Supreme Court tariff ruling
On Feb. 20, 2026, the Supreme Court ruled that the President’s attempts to use emergency powers under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) was not within his right. “IEEPA does not authorize the President to impose tariffs,” written by the supporting justices in the opinion decision. The National Association of Homebuilders (NAHB) throughout these tariff decisions advocated for the exception of building materials in these trade agreements. They cited affordability and supply chain concerns. The association estimated in 2024, an estimated 7% of all goods used in new residential…
Read MoreNARI announces their Remodel of the Year Awards
The National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI) announced their Remodel of the Year Awards. These awards are distributed across 44 categories among 7 regions with 159 winners. NARI was formed in 1982 with the merge of the the National Remodelers Association and the National Home Improvement Council. The categories range from best residential kitchen, bath, basement, interiors, whole home and more. The winners for the entire house over $1,000,000 category were Alloway Construction & Restoration, Inc. (Region 1 Northeast), Alair Homes Arlington (Region 2 Southeast), Gordon James (Region 3…
Read MoreRemodeling activity is expected to be selective
U.S. homeowners are still investing in renovations, yet are more deliberate with their spending. This mirrors the same activity seen on the new home front, buyers will wait out until they find the right home, contractor or design team. “A downshift in remodeling growth, even as total spending reaches a high level, points to a slow-growth, normalization phase rather than a downturn in the housing market.” Hannah Jones, senior economic research analyst at Realtor.com, said. Large projects will likely not be a priority for many homeowners with affordability concerns. While…
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