Builder Insights / Blog

Norbord and HBI Open First Trades Training Program in Houston

Houston Mayor Supports New Program in Acres Homes Community Norbord Inc. and HBI joined Mayor Sylvester Turner to officially open the first construction trades training program in Houston, Texas. The Norbord-funded program aims to address labor shortages in the industry and help with rebuilding efforts after Hurricane Harvey. Norbord made a $1 million donation to …

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What New Homeowners Should Spend Money On

Whether you are the proud owner of a new house or a seasoned contractor advising new clients, knowing what to tackle first can really help you get settled in. Here’s how to decide what you can do yourself as a homeowner, and what you should leave to the pros. Angie Hicks from Angie’s List explains: …

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Engineered Wood and EPA Formaldehyde Regulations

The question comes up quite often about formaldehyde and OSB so I will try to bring some clarity to the subject with some background information and what products are affected. The US Formaldehyde Standards for Composite Wood Products Act was signed in 2010. It was based on the Air Toxic Control Measure that was developed …

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How to Cure these 8 Common Household Noises

Every house creaks, squeaks and bangs, but some of these noises are enough to drive homeowners crazy. Whether it’s your own house that’s getting on your nerves or your clients are complaining, there are often easy fixes to common home noises. Creaking Doors: Perhaps most common are doors that bang, creak or rattle. Banging doors …

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How to Integrate Smart Home Design into your Next Build

Smart home design is a must for prospective homebuyers these days and construction professionals are having to incorporate them into new home designs. That means HVAC, lighting appliances, security and entertainment all need to be integrated into the smart control design. It’s tough to keep ahead of the smart-home technology curve as new devices are …

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Prevent Buckling with Proper Spacing

The APA (the Engineered Woo Association) recommends that construction professionals leave a 1/8-inch gap between each panel edge and end joint. As ambient moisture changes, your OSB or plywood panels will expand and contract. When you butt the panels together tightly, there is no room for expansion and this can cause buckling in the panels. …

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