For example, Dee asked about flooring options that are durable and easy to clean. We stopped by to chat with the folks at Shaw to ask about durable, easy-to-clean flooring options. We learned that it's often a matter of personal preference. For example, ceramic tile is very durable and easy to clean. However, the grout can sometimes be an issue, and there's always a risk that anything dropped on the floor might break. Hardwood flooring is one alternative to consider, but the top recommendation was that of laminate flooring. Laminate is durable and easy to clean; however, some homeowners might have issues with it not looking exactly like hardwood -- as well as the noise it produces when people walk across it.

James asked about new roofing products, especially for flat roofs. So, we talked to the people at GAF, who told us that there's really no such thing as a "flat" roof. (Or, if there is, it's because of a bad design.) GAF has a peel-and-stick roofing product that can be used in place of shingles. Brian has a low-slope roof, and he was quite impressed with the new product.

Mike said that he'd like to learn more about building information modeling (BIM). We talked to the folks at Cadsoft, who are leaders in BIM. We learned that Cadsoft has been using BIM for quite some time. They've got a system in place that allows multiple users with a wide variety of different types of software to share information about a home design. For example, the architects could design the house and send files to the builder, who could then take the files to a lumberyard -- which would then be able to use those files to provide all the lumber necessary to build the home. And all this could be done without everyone needing to buy new software. We're planning to produce a video on this subject to give you more details.

Knowing the current issues surrounding the recent mandate for installing fire sprinklers on new homes, we decided to talk to the people at Rapid Response, a fire sprinkler company. I have to confess, I learned quite a bit. For example, I had been under the impression that once one sprinkler went off, they all went off. Turns out, that only happens in the movies. Also, the cost isn't quite as prohibitive as you might imagine. As installers get better and better, the price goes down -- sometimes to as little as $1 per square foot of home. And some insurance companies offer discounts as much as 20% for homes with sprinklers, so it's possible that the cost of the sprinklers could be covered by insurance savings in as little as 5 years. Again, we're planning on putting a video together on this subject to give you more information.

Another video we're planning to produce deals with an amazing new product called SawStop. And let me tell you, this thing is flat-out COOL! Basically, what it does is to completely shut down the saw blade if it comes in contact with your skin. The technology is based on the same principle that makes touch-lamps work -- namely that the human body has an inherent electrical charge -- and if the blade comes in contact with skin, it instantly detects that voltage and stops the blade's rotation with a brake. The SawStop folks demonstrate the saw with a hot dog, and it gives you a really good idea of how well it would work in saving your finger from a nasty cut.

If you have any suggestions on other topics you'd like us to cover, please send them our way!