Content about Construction

Too many contractors taking on too much low-bid work just to stay alive may soon result in a market shake-out, according to a report by FMI, a leading provider of management consulting and investment banking to the engineering and construction industry.

FMI’s third-quarter nonresidential construction report index has dropped 5 points, putting it back at second-quarter 2010 levels. On the rise is the number of contractors participating in self-funded projects as a financing partner with owner/developers, the report said.

Norfolk, Neb.-based MP Global Products, a manufacturer of fiber acoustic underlayments, introduced VersaStick premium "green" pressure sensitive flooring adhesive.

The no-VOC product works with luxury vinyl tile/plank and multi-ply engineered plank hardwood flooring over approved substrates.

Eagle Materials, producer of basic building products including cement and gypsum wallboard, reported sales of $154.0 million in the quarter ended June 30, up 29% from the same quarter last year.

The sales increase was driven primarily by increased wallboard average net sales prices and increased sales volumes for all of the company’s diversified businesses.

Net earnings for the quarter were $13.98 million, up from $807,000 in the prior-year quarter.

LEED v4, the proposed update to the nation’s most prevalent green building program, has been under intense pressure to change its current wood certification rating system, which only recognizes one set of standards, those of the Forest Stewardship Council. But the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), which oversees the LEED program and its current revision process, is now under fire for another part of the LEED update that has nothing to do with wood.

Lowe’s will begin carrying a line of outdoor sheds made of structural insulated panels (SIPS) at its 1,700 retail locations, as well as through its website. But unlike traditional SIPS – rigid foam insulation between two panels of oriented strand board (OSB) – the new product will be made with sheets of magnesium oxide, often referred to as MgO.

BlueLinx has announced that its onCENTER Engineered Lumber products are now included in the product library of MiTek's Sapphire Structure software.

With version 7.3.5 Service Pack 1, released June 28, 2012, users of Sapphire Structure can now specify onCENTER BLI Joists, onCENTER LVL and onCENTER Rim Board, and the MiTek Single Member Design Engine will analyze each member using material properties provided by BlueLinx.

Addressing the problem of time-consuming cleanup of drywall finishing projects, CertainTeed Gypsum is rolling out new products in the western United States.

Dust Away Reduced Airborne Dust Drywall Compound and Dust Away Renovation Mud feature innovative technology that reduces the amount of airborne dust generated through sanding by more than 70% compared with standard drywall compound.

The products were originally launched in the Canadian market in 2009.

The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) told a Congressional committee on July 11 that proposed mortgage lending reforms under the Dodd-Frank Act must protect consumers’ access to credit to allow them to enter the housing market. 

In downtown Philadelphia, Nexus EnergyHomes is bringing to market the first net-zero capable townhomes in the city while advancing the green building trend.   

The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) said its LEED for Homes program crossed the 20,000-home milestone.

More than 20,000 homes across the United States have earned certification through the national voluntary certification system that provides guidance and verification that homes are designed and built to be energy- and resource-efficient and healthy for occupants.

Gaco Western, a maker of spray foam insulation, announced GacoGreen 052/052N earned credentials as code-compliant in a multiple categories.

An evaluation report (ESR# 2478) from ICC Evaluation Service (ICC-ES), provided evidence that the half pound open cell spray-applied polyurethane foam meets the following code requirements: