Celebrity homes often provide hints about growing building trends and when the home belongs to a star who earned his fame in the kitchen, those hints are particularly useful. Tyler Florence’s move from his cottage in Mill Valley to the Villa Madera estate in Corte Madera is a perfect example.
Celebrity Chef Tyler Florence Upgrades From One Bay Area Home to Another Read More »
The deadly Washington landslide that struck the community of Oso, 55 miles northeast of Seattle, in March 2014 has renewed longstanding concerns about the consequences of logging in the area. While the slide occurred in weather conditions of heavy rain which typically destabilizes hillsides, the area has also seen substantial clear-cut logging. State and federal
Are Unstable Slopes and Logging Repercussions Responsible for the Washington Landslide? Read More »
In this era of high-tech research and development no sector stands still, including the construction materials industry. New methods to reduce the labor intensity of construction while promoting values like energy conservation, environmental suitability and superior performance are emerging in laboratories and may one day arrive at the worksite. Though 2x4s and masonry won’t disappear
Construction Materials of the Future: What to Know About These New Options Read More »
Because construction sites can be inherently dangerous places, construction safety tips should be regularly emphasized to both workers and contractors alike. Injuries can cost a project in many ways. First and foremost, the affected worker suffers pain and possible disability, as well as lost income. The builder assumes the potential cost of higher insurance rates
Construction Safety Tips for Those in the Home Building Industry Read More »
Recent upswings in the construction employment numbers nationwide point to continued improvement in the health of the construction industry. In March, 2014, the construction industry added some 19,000 jobs, according to statistics reported in the Engineering News-Record. Many of these jobs were in specialty trades.
Construction Employment on the Rise Across the Nation Compared to Same Time Last Year Read More »
Rising steel prices throughout the United States and around the world shows that demand for new construction and renovation continues to climb, according to construction industry sources.
Steel Prices Rise: Indicating a Healthy Surge in Construction Demand Read More »
Large-scale construction projects can sometimes have unexpected consequences. In San Francisco, construction of a subway system in North Beach has caused a substantial upsurge in the number of rats seen on the streets and in residents’ homes.
Rats: The Unexpected Consequence of San Francisco Subway Construction Read More »
Environmental concerns continue to be a factor affecting modern construction processes and technology. In the roofing industry, interest in photovoltaic roofing (PV) as a green option is growing among both residential customers and commercial clients. These solar panels allow customers to produce a substantial amount of their own electrical power from solar energy while providing
How the Roofing Industry Is Going Green With Photovoltaic Technology Read More »
Like many other segments of the construction industry, crane companies have been hit hard by the recent decline in building. While prospects for these companies are looking up, work isn’t always found in the traditional large building projects. The crane’s versatility and wide variety of uses has been keeping crane companies busy in some unexpected
Crane Companies Are Looking to New Avenues of Business to Weather Economic Downturn Read More »
As new home construction is predicted to grow by 14 percent into 2016, drywall and plaster costs are expected to follow suit and rise by 7.5 percent per year. The continued recovery of residential construction is apparent in industry metrics like building permit data. In fact, drywall and plaster costs aren’t the only building materials to
Why Are Costs on the Rise for Drywall, Plaster and Other Building Material? Read More »
