With more and more buyers wanting new or totally renovated homes, Realtors may find that they need more education about home construction and its terms.

If you don't know a Georgian from an Italianate, then you might need a little continuing education. To that end, House About It, GibbsSmith, by Sheri Koones could be an important book for Realtors, as it may contain information to questions they may be asked by clients from building styles, to types of construction (stick, modular, panalized, etc.) and what the terms mean.

"There are many options listed in the book," explains author Koones, "with advantages, disadvantages, and contact information with web sites and/or telephone numbers. There are new products and innovations listed in most chapters."

For example, it couldn't hurt a Realtor to know the latest in roofing materials. "A particularly interesting new roofing material is -- stone coated steel," says Koones. "It can look like terra-cotta, wood shake, slate or shingles, but it is weather and mildew resistant, light weight, maintenance-free, and can be installed over other roofing materials."

"A siding material which is just emerging is wood composite paneling," she continues. "It's been used in Europe for about 10 years, but is relatively new in this country. It has the beauty and warmth of wood, but it is stable, durable, resistant to mildew, fungus, and termites, and varying climatic conditions."

With so much remodeling being done, one of the target areas is often windows, making them bigger and/or more energy-efficient.

"There are more window options today than ever before," says Koones. "There are a variety of window styles available, such as the tilt-turn window, which can swing in or tilt from the top, and the in-swing casement which adds a very European look to a home. In addition there are many new options in glass. Today, we have more energy-efficiency options such as gas fillers and Low-E (low emissivity) coatings, but also, options on the horizon that will control the amount of light coming through the windows either in a passive or active way. Thermotropic glass, as an example, goes from clear at room temperature to opaque when the sun warms the glass. In the opaque state it will limit the amount of light and heat that comes through the window. Self-cleaning glass is now available in a limited way, cutting down on exterior maintenance."

Not so glamorous is the ubiquitous garage door, but that's the very reason buyers and Realtors need to know the options. "Very little has been written about garage doors," says Koones, "however, today there are many new options in garage doors -- stainless steel and copper doors, barn-door styles, and security options in openers with "rolling codes," back-up systems, and vacation switches."

The age of buyers is also influencing home design, with more homes not only being built with universal design elements such as wider doorways, but with elevators. "With the increase in baby boomers, there are many more homes today being built with elevators," insists Koones. "One of the newest innovations in elevators is the Pneumatic elevator which was just recently patented. It works on pneumatic pressure, generated by a vacuum pump. This elevator comes in parts and can be taken apart and moved to a new home."

Also included, is what is being done with new and old products in surfacing -- which chronicles the revival of good 'ol linoleum. Why? It lasts, it can be modernized with new patterns and looks, and it's affordable.

The book is smartly divided into chapters that go from the big picture to the details, or from overall architectural and construction styles and types, to exterior components such as roofs, siding, windows and doors, to interior components including flooring, lighting, interior doors, fireplaces, staircases, mechanics, and trim. Topping off the options are chapters on environmental safety and health concerns.

Koones suggests the book as a closing gift for buyers, but it is just as useful for Realtors who assist buyers with older homes in need of remodeling, or newer homes constructed with the latest materials and techniques.