ORLANDO — The Partnership for Advancing Technology in Housing (PATH) announced ten technologies that may improve the quality of homes and homebuilding. The organization made the predictions during the 2007 International Builder’s Show.

Since 2004, PATH has updated its list to reflect innovations within the housing industry and keep pace with technological evolutions. The latest Top 10 intends to alert builders and homeowners to innovations which are ready for adoption.

As part of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), PATHs goal is to look at the future of homebuilding and find ways to build homes faster, safer and more efficiently. Given the impact of the brutal hurricanes over the last 18 months, the technologies in its 2007 list reflect a greater emphasis on protection from the elements.

PATHs Top 10 Technolgies for 2007 are:

1) Mold-Resistant Gypsum
2) Solar Water Heating
3) Recycled Concrete Aggreate
4) Substitutes and Admixtures
5) Horizontal Axis Washer/Dryer
6) Hydrophillic, Impact-Resistant Windows
7) Super-Sized (Vertical) Insulated Concrete Forms
8) Induction Cooktops
9) GPS for Land Development
10) Permeable Pavers and Pavement

Darlene F. Williams, assistant secretary  of HUD’s Office of Policy Development and Research, said, “The updated 2007 Top 10 Technologies hold the most promise for improving the quality of our homes. These technologies are ready now and they can perform in the houses that we build tomorrow.”

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