Content about Building

The European DIY-Retail Association (EDRA) added seven new members in 2011, bringing the latest tally to 92 home center companies. 

In its end-of-year message, EDRA General Secretary John W. Herbert, described the day-to-day routine of the group, now in its second year as an independent association. "We are heavily involved at our Cologne office dealing with the increasing number of network inquiries from our members, which include company and store visits, statistics, best practices and trends."

A running shoe company that wants to build a “deep green” store -- but needs a major exemption to zoning regulations to do it -- has created a controversy in Seattle. According to an article in the Seattle Times, developer Skanska USA has signed Brooks Sports as the anchor tenant in a mixed-used building it wants to build. But the five-story retail building, which is already allowed an extra 10 ft.

Organizers of the Internationale Eisenwarenmesse -- or, International Hardware Fair -- are seeing growing industry demand in worldwide hand-held power tools.

According to Koelnmesse, the 2010 growth rates in Europe matched the ones in Asia with 8%. Europe is currently the world’s largest market for handheld power tools (EUR 3.2 billion) followed by North America (EUR 1.9 billion) and the Asia Pacific region (EUR 1.5 billion).

Gaithersburg, Md.-based pro dealer TW Perry is promoting understanding of green building and environmentally friendly materials with a back-to-basics educational program.

The six-unit TW Perry has received chain-of-custody certification by both the Forest Stewardship Council and the Sustainable Forestry Initiative, and it recently hosted its third annual Green Building Workshop. According to CEO Michael Cassidy, as the company's green education programs grow, they will focus on product application.

A recent survey conducted among female U.K. homeowners found that 61% would rather hire a professional for a repair job than give it to their husband or significant other. The on-line survey was conducted by myhammer.com.uk.

At the top of the list of the jobs women felt their partners could not complete to a good standard were fitting [remodeling] a kitchen (57%); tiling a bathroom (47%); laying flooring (43%); and replacing an electrical socket (34%). Only 35% entrusted their partners with wallpapering. 

iLevel by Weyerhaeuser distribution centers serving California, Colorado, Oregon and Utah are now offering the Rosboro X-Beam, the only full framing-width stock glulam in an architectural appearance.  Rosboro X-Beam includes 3.5-in. and 5.5-in. beams, columns and I-joist compatible depths.

iLevel, a full-service distributor of structural framing materials for homes, multi-family and light construction, now serves customers through 27 distribution centers in the United States.

The Earth Advantage Institute announced its annual selection of top ten green building trends, which range from “affordable green” to lifecycle analysis of materials.

“Despite market conditions, we have seen the market share for high performance homes increase from 18.5% to 23 % in the Portland Metro area alone,” said Sean Penrith, executive director, Earth Advantage Institute. “This is a sure sign that the rate of appeal for these homes is increasing.”