What we're reading, following & covering

Building professionals encourage sustainable materials use

Aug. 24, 2017 | RIBAJ

Over 80 percent of building professionals worldwide believe that sustainable construction methods should be used on projects despite the increase to costs, the latest research has revealed. read more >>>

Builder confidence springs back with four-point August jump

Aug. 15, 2017 | NAHB

Builder confidence in the market for newly-built single-family homes rose four points in August to a level of 68 on the National Association of Home Builders/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index. read more >>>

Is wood the future of skyscrapers in America

Aug. 24, 2017 | NBC News

America’s next generation of skyscrapers could be made from wood. High-rise buildings built with panels made of cross-laminated timber — modular sheets made from cheap, sustainable softwood that are glued or pinned together in layers — are gaining ground among designers. read more >>>

What role do contractors play in green construction

Aug. 24, 2017 | ConstructionDIVE

Through sustainable practices in the field and open communication with owners, contractors can have a big impact on a project's environmental goals. read more >>>

Reexamination of restrained versus unrestrained fire assemblies

Aug. 25, 2017 | FPEeXTRA

The vast majority of structural fire protection designs are conducted using standard fire resistance design. Often, architects task fire protection engineers or structural engineers to judge whether a "restrained" or "unrestrained" classification is appropriate for an application. read more >>>

Vote delayed on NYC safety bill

Aug. 24, 2017 | The Real Deal New York

The move intends to give stakeholders more time to reach an agreement on key elements, including a controversial apprenticeship mandate. read more >>>

Opinion: AB 1701 will make home builders pay twice

Aug. 25, 2017 | The Mercury News

A bill going through the California legislature creates a new legal scheme in which an innocent party would be responsible for the actions of subcontractors who have been paid for their work, but then fail to pay their employees. read more >>>

Brexit uncertainty to weigh on UK construction outlook

Aug. 16, 2017 | Construction Intelligence Center

The impact of Brexit is likely to be relatively modest for the construction industry in the short term. However, the unstable political scenario following the June 2017 general election is expected to hamper the effective implementation of the government's infrastructure plan. read more >>>

Top 10 sources of softwood lumber imports

Aug. 3, 2017 | NAHB Eye on Housing

While Canada is historically our largest foreign source of framing lumber, the U.S. imports softwood from more 50 countries. Financial incentives are growing for foreign companies to export their lumber to the U.S. read more >>>

Roofing renovation: 3 energy efficient strategies

Aug. 10, 2017 | Facility Executive

Roofing projects are an opportunity to bring this building envelope item up to current building codes, including energy performance aspects. read more >>>

Millennials go 'surban'

Aug. 24, 2017 | The Washington Post

As young families expand, real estate agents are helping them find the sweet spot between city living and suburban space. read more >>>

Elam appointed RESNET Quality Assurance & Accreditation Director

Aug. 23, 2017 | RESNET

RESNET's rating quality assurance efforts have been beefed up with the appointment of Laurel Elam as the RESNET Director of Quality Assurance and Accreditation. She will enhance RESNET quality assurance oversight. read more >>>