Walls & Ceilings

2023 – The Year of Women – Women in Construction

Wed, 24 May 2023 17:30:00 -0400

Just some surprising statistics to prepare the scene: in 2020, the Bureau of Labor stated approximately only 10 percent of the overall construction industry was women. By the end of 2022, after two long pandemic years, that number was only slightly higher at 11 percent.

Analog Analysis

Tue, 25 Aug 2015 00:00:00 -0400

Digital tools are vital, but sometimes in order to really understand a phenomena we have to get a bit closer.

Examining the Jevons Paradox through Residential Energy Consumption

Thu, 13 Aug 2015 00:00:00 -0400

Is there any such thing as a "perfect" energy code?

Understanding the Profile Angle

Mon, 06 Jul 2015 00:00:00 -0400

If you’ve ever designed an overhang to protect a window, you have been confronted with the question of how far should it extend

When the ‘Prevailing’ Wind Direction is Anything But

Mon, 01 Jun 2015 00:00:00 -0400

Design teams would be wise to provide natural ventilation strategies that can function with a variety of wind directions in order to provide effective passive cooling for the greatest amount of time.

Comparing Solar Heat Gain Coefficients (SHGC) and Shading Coefficients (SC)

Mon, 18 May 2015 00:00:00 -0400

I was recently discussing glazing properties with a mechanical engineer for an energy model of a corporate headquarters we are working on.

Basics of Bulk Water Management through Rainscreens

Wed, 22 Apr 2015 00:00:00 -0400

The building envelope must face a number of damage functions: bulk and capillary water, air-born water, vapor, radiation (ultraviolet degradation), pests, and people.

Is There a Place for ‘Design Freedom’ in Performance-Driven Design?

Fri, 13 Mar 2015 00:00:00 -0400

Increasingly, I see design professionals leveraging energy modeling in the design process. This is a very good thing.

Gauging the Seasonal Efficiency of Air-Source Heat Pumps

Mon, 23 Feb 2015 00:00:00 -0500

Recently, I was working on an energy model for a high-performance housing prototype.

The 2030 Challenge Ratchets Up

Fri, 06 Feb 2015 00:00:00 -0500

In the new year, project teams committed to the 2030 Challenge are being asked to kick their performance goals up a notch.

How Fire Safety Can Improve Sustainability

Wed, 04 Feb 2015 00:00:00 -0500

The fire safety and sustainability impact each other in the built environment in ways many don't consider.

Perforated Metals Give Punch to Sustainability

Wed, 28 Jan 2015 00:00:00 -0500

Sustainability in building design and construction is a critical process for LEED professionals and perforated materials can help them achieve their goals

The Truth About Spray-Foam

Mon, 26 Jan 2015 00:00:00 -0500

Spray-foam has a reputation of providing superior insulating qualities compared to fiberglass batt, mineral wool, cellulose, and other insulation alternatives.

LEED APs Need to Be Part of Early Design Decisions

Wed, 21 Jan 2015 00:00:00 -0500

LEED professionals continue to do a great job of helping projects meet LEED certification targets, but we should be trying to make them even better from the start.

LEED is Only Relevant if it Leads

Fri, 16 Jan 2015 00:00:00 -0500

USGBC may have made a terrible mistake.

Forecast: Wood Building Materials, Construction Price Growth by 2017

Wed, 14 Jan 2015 00:00:00 -0500

As construction and manufacturing growth continues, buyers throughout the economy will be affected as prices for key products and services rise.

Residential Energy Retrofits Equal Big Energy Savings

Wed, 07 Jan 2015 00:00:00 -0500

It's possible to save up to 50 percent in energy savings with deep energy retrofits in the home.

Green Proving Ground Proves Its Ground

Wed, 31 Dec 2014 00:00:00 -0500

The Green Proving Ground program is paving the way for promising technologies into the sustainable built environment.

University Funds Campus Improvements with Energy Savings

Wed, 24 Dec 2014 00:00:00 -0500

Johnson Controls to deliver $58 million in operational and energy efficiency savings.

Ten U.S. Programs Setting Inspiring Example of Sustainability

Wed, 17 Dec 2014 00:00:00 -0500

Recyclebank names 10 clean-tech pioneer that celebrate U.S. ingenuity with list of motivating environmental initiatives.

Navigating High-Performance Buildings

Wed, 10 Dec 2014 00:00:00 -0500

Legrand research offers guidelines For navigating the complicated high-performance buildings landscape.

FWCCA Ramps Up for Largest Executive Meeting

Tue, 09 Dec 2014 00:00:00 -0500

The Florida Wall & Ceiling Contractors Association will hold its Executive Conference January 28 through 30 at the Omni Champion’s Gate.

The Smart Home: The Next Green Building Revolution

Wed, 03 Dec 2014 00:00:00 -0500

A smart home lets the homeowner reduce consumption by only using energy where and when it's most needed, saving money and the planet without affecting comfort.

The Hardest Part of My Transition

Tue, 24 Jun 2014 00:00:00 -0400

By far, the hardest thing for me is convincing contractors there is a different way to go about doing something.

A Day in the Life

Wed, 11 Jun 2014 00:00:00 -0400

A sales rep with Quikrete shares his experiences.

Something to Consider: Florida Fashioned

Mon, 15 Jul 2013 00:00:00 -0400

At a recent roundtable, several Floridians brainstormed on topics which consisted of overall business, challenges in this day and age, expansion and more.

How to store Business Cards on your Phone

Mon, 15 Apr 2013 01:00:00 -0400

Apps to download to increase productivity.

Something to Consider: Fun in the Sun

Mon, 11 Mar 2013 00:00:00 -0400

On behalf of the magazine’s staff, I am looking forward to seeing all of our industry friends down in San Antonio next week.

Something to Consider: Down by the River

Tue, 05 Feb 2013 01:00:00 -0500

Almost a year ago, I wrote a similar blog calling out that the year is in full swing and the great trade show circus is among us.

Trowel Talk: The Phoenix Project

Tue, 18 Dec 2012 12:00:00 -0500

As our nation mourns the loss of innocent life in Newtown and Sandy Hook, Conn., we know there will be a painful national debate on how to keep such tragedies from occurring.