So you're thinking outside the box. You've heard about a new building technology
that's going to save you money or headaches, or be more environmentally
friendly than what you've always used. You're excited by the possibilities of
this new technology, but you'd rather let someone else drive it around the
block first. You've come to the right place.
PATH Field Evaluations pair advanced building technologies with leading-edge
builders who are willing to do the testing for you, because they're excited
about better ways to build, too.
PATH and The NAHB Research Center, in partnership with builders, remodelers and
manufacturers, promote the use of new housing technologies through Field
Evaluations. Although some PATH technologies are not new, the information
available to the industry may be vague, nonexistent, or incomplete. Information
gathered by the Field Evaluations helps to fill the voids in information.
This comprehensive information on Technologies is necessary to determine their
potential for advancing the goals of the PATH program.
How to Access and Read a Field Evaluation Report
PATH Field Evaluations work something like this: PATH staff scan the web,
newsletters, conventions, and anything else they can get their hands on to
identify technologies worthy of inclusion in the
PATH Technology Inventory.
Products or methods that make the list embody at least one of the PATH goals:
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Quality & Durability
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Energy Efficiency
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Environmental Performance
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Affordability
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Safety & Disaster Resistance
Once a technology has gone through a beta phase, has entered production, and
still seems to be a good idea, it can be short-listed for a PATH Field
Evaluation.
How Do I Find a Field Evaluation?
Use the "Search by Building System" or "Browse by Evaluated Technology"
features, or see a complete list of all Field Evaluations.
The Search Results provide a snapshot of the Field Evaluations that match your
search criteria. Select the Title that interests you to get more detailed
information.
Each Field Evaluation provides data and photos to help you understand the
evaluation criteria, observations, and final results. An interim or
final report summarizes the findings in great detail.
Enjoy the wealth of information provided!
Some of building technologies may seem intimidating up-front, so let us provide
you with information on how they actually performed in the field - at no cost
to you!