ABC Predicts Stable Nonresidential Construction Sector for Remainder of Year
Associated Builders and Contractors Chief Economist Anirban Basu predicts the nonresidential construction sector will remain stable for the second half of 2018, yet warns of a potential economic downturn in 2020, according to a mid-year economic outlook published in Construction Executive magazine. While the strong U.S. economy contributed to a positive forecast, a […]
Are Things Getting Better?
When we were coming up with story ideas for 2018, we thought it would be a good idea to look at economic and business conditions in various regions of the United States and Canada. I was especially looking forward to hearing a lot of good news. And that’s how this series started. The first article […]
Diary of a Drywaller: Chapter 8
Mayan Seaside, Belize, July 2, 2018. Looking back, and considering what management has come to mean, if I were asked to define it in one sentence, I would define it as such: “Figure out what will go wrong unless someone intervenes, and see to it that it is prevented.” As you well know, […]
USG Structural Panel Concrete Roof Deck Earns Approval from Factory Mutual (FM)
USG Corporation, Chicago, has received Factory Mutual Approval for its USG Structural Panel Concrete Roof Deck. Factory Mutual (FM) Global is widely accepted as the leading organization that sets the industry standard with a rigorous testing process for select commercial building products. An approval from FM assures contractors and building owners that the […]
Color My World
In several past columns, I’ve suggested that broadening scope is a good strategy for capturing more volume on the backlog without increasing the number of projects. After all, there are numerous construction services that are complementary to commercial metal framing and drywall. They include, for instance, insulation, paint, plaster and acoustical ceilings, just to name […]
BackerBead® from ClarkDietrich Passes ASTM E-331 Testing
ClarkDietrich, West Chester, Ohio, announces that its BackerBead® vinyl accessory product has passed testing under ASTM E-331, Standard Test Method for Water Penetration of Exterior Windows, Skylights, Doors, and Curtain Walls by Uniform Static Air Pressure Difference. This test method determines the resistance to water penetration for exterior windows, curtain walls, skylights and doors when […]
Keep Blocks of Time for Yourself
If you’re feeling burned out, you may be trying to do too much. Specifically, you may be scheduling too much in your day. Over-scheduling leads to a perceived time-crunch and the delay in starting other work. But, there’s more. How you plot your personal and professional appointments will also have a bigger bearing […]
Joint Ridging in Drywall
Q: What can you tell me about ridges that may occur after I install and finish gypsum wallboard? A: That is a phenomenon called “joint ridging,” and these ridges generally appear along the joints between adjacent gypsum panels. Ironically, the problem tends to occur along the long dimension of the gypsum panel where […]
Milwaukee Tool Begins $32 Million Headquarters Expansion
Milwaukee Tool will begin construction on another major expansion of its Global Headquarters Campus in Brookfield, Wisc. With a total investment of $32MM, the new advanced manufacturing and R&D facility is expected to create 350 new jobs. This newest expansion will house the company’s advanced manufacturing, engineering and global research and development center, […]