How to Reduce Attic Temperatures Using Radiant Barriers
Radiant barriers have become somewhat shrouded in urban myth. They were not, for example, invented by NASA, but rather by the far less exciting German businessmen Schmidt and Dykerhoff in 1925.
Builder Insights / Podcast
Category / Framers
Minimize Buckling of Wood Structural Panels: Tips from the APA
While swelling or buckling of sheathing panels doesn’t affect their performance or strength, it can cause blemishes in the building’s appearance that will lead to callbacks.
Guide to Choosing Colors for a Reno
You are a seasoned pro, so it’s easy to know which colors go with building materials and finishes, but it can be difficult for homeowners to visualize the final product once their reno is done. Your work may be impeccable, but if they don’t love the finished product, you’ll be stuck with unhappy customers. While …
Modernizing your Construction Marketing
The construction industry is seeing unprecedented change in a sector that is traditionally resistant to new ideas. One way the industry is changing is the use of offsite building and technology to improve productivity thanks to the construction labor shortage. Technology is also changing the way builders market themselves, especially since millennials and Gen Z …
How to Help your Job Stay on Budget
The construction industry is notorious for going over budget and not delivering on time. While there are many legitimate reasons for that, it doesn’t make for happy customers. Here’s how to stay on budget without eating into your own profit margins. Keeping records of your running costs is the best way to ensure that you …
On-site Wood Panel Storage Guidelines
The APA Engineered Wood Association provides comprehensive guidelines for the storage of wood panels on site. Correct on-site storage will allow plywood and OSB wood panels to acclimatize to conditions on the building and prevent a plethora of framing problems down the line. The APA outlines several guidelines on the correct storage of panels to minimize the conditions that can lead to buckling and ridging; after all you’re protecting your investment.
WiFi Connectivity in New Builds on the Rise
If you are wondering how to build homes with greater appeal to buyers, installing tech is the way to go. A recent survey found 35% of construction companies building single-family homes provided the infrastructure required for a “smart home”. One way to do this is with the installation of a home WiFi network. According to …
Top 8 Reasons to Use TallWall / Windstorm on Wood-Frame Buildings
By Tom Murphy Construction is experiencing higher demands on budgets, product capabilities, deadlines and skilled labor. If you are an engineer, builder, or general contractor/framer you need a simple and different approach to attain the perfect height panel for your dimensions. The premise here is that the 4×8 panel may no longer meet the speed …
What’s the True Energy Efficiency of Your Walls?
When you are designing building envelopes, knowing the real energy efficiency of your walls is essential to success. The walls are a large surface area of the house and are often the least energy efficient. There are ways to improve the energy efficiency of your walls without significant changes to the way you build. One …
Wood Panel Grade Stamps Explained
Ever wondered what all that information on your OSB sheathing panel means? That information is vital to construction professionals and helps them to understand how to store and use the material. Here’s a rundown of what the grade stamp on Norbord products represents.
