News on new home products and services that can make your home a better place to live.

Serious Materials Acquires Alpen Windows; Leading cleantech company integrates 27 years of green... Serious Materialsannounced today that it has acquired Alpen Windows. Alpen was named a 2007 Top 10 Green Building Product by Building Green, and is recognized as the leader in high-performance, energy-efficient windows and glass. Alpen products are installed in the San Jose Convention Center, Boulder Municipal Library, McDonald's PlayPlaces, and thousands of other commercial and residential projects. Read More   Water-wise gizmos with design appeal; 19% The shopping enthusiast may welcome water rationing. After all, it provides a new excuse for strolling the aisles in search of appliances, trinkets and gizmos for the home. The following are water-wise. We don't vouch for their cost-effectiveness or efficiency otherwise, only their lack of thirst. And some are even pretty. -- According to Consumer Reports, the Asko model D3531XLHD dishwasher is the most water-wise at 3 gallons per load the company says that model and all other Asko models... Read More