Construction

27 articles

A roll of painter's tape being carefully applied to a wall, symbolizing the strong demand in the construction and renovation materials market.
Materials

Global market trends show resilient painter's tape and paint demand

Even as global demand for painter's tape, brushes, and wood stain drives the market towards a projected $250 billion by 2030, manufacturers battle profit margin erosion from raw material costs that ha

Kyle Brenner·May 14, 2026
Striking nursing home workers from CUPE Local 1623 picket line halting construction of the new Northside Community Guest Home in Sydney Mines.
Trades

Cape Breton nursing home workers strike halts construction

Construction on the new $115 million, 144-bed Northside Community Guest Home in Sydney Mines has ground to a halt.

Rick Donovan·May 14, 2026
New York City residential building with a 'STRIKE' banner, surrounded by striking building workers holding picket signs.
Trades

NYC Building Worker Strike Threatens Buildings, Projects

More than 3,300 residential buildings in New York City face immediate disruption as 34,000 building workers threaten to strike over wages and healthcare.

Rick Donovan·May 14, 2026
Professional tradesperson using a powerful cordless impact driver on a construction site, demonstrating top-tier performance and precision.
Tools & Equipment

Top 5 Best Cordless Impact Drivers for Pros in 2026

The Kobalt XTR Max 24V impact driver not only outperformed every other impact driver in speed tests but also maxed out the torque wrench for both fastening and loosening large nuts, establishing a new

Kyle Brenner·May 14, 2026
A homeowner admiring a durable metal roof on a modern house, representing a long-term and valuable investment for 2026.
Materials

What Are the Best Roofing Materials for Homeowners in 2026?

While an asphalt shingle roof typically lasts 15-25 years, a metal roof can protect your home for over 100 years, offering a generational investment rather than a recurring expense.

Kyle Brenner·May 14, 2026
Northeast Iowa Community College carpentry and electrician students proudly stand in front of a newly completed 2,000-square-foot single-family home in Calmar.
Projects

NICC carpentry and electrician students finish Calmar project home

A 2,000-square-foot, single-family residence in Calmar now stands as a testament to the practical skills gained by students from Northeast Iowa Community College's carpentry and electrician programs,

Scott Ramirez·May 13, 2026
Split image showing a modern green building with signs of wear and a team of professionals analyzing data, highlighting the gap between green building design and actual performance.
Industry

Green Building Performance Lags Despite Data, But Post-Occupancy Insights Promise Change

A hospital deconstruction project in Boulder successfully recovered 93% of its materials, totaling 30 million pounds, marking a significant departure from traditional demolition practices.

Rick Donovan·May 13, 2026
Construction workers reviewing blueprints at a residential building site in California, emphasizing adherence to new safety regulations and fire sprinkler mandates.
Safety

Residential Construction Regulations Explained

In California, every new residential dwelling unit must now include fire sprinklers, a significant cost and design consideration that was not universally required just a few years ago.

Ben Foster·May 13, 2026
A detailed arrangement of various screws, nails, bolts, and anchors on a workbench, symbolizing the importance of choosing the right fastener for any job.
Materials

How to Choose the Best Screws, Nails, Bolts, and Anchors

A single bolt failure can halt an entire industrial operation, costing thousands of dollars per hour in lost productivity and repair expenses.

Kyle Brenner·May 13, 2026
Carpenter using a tablet to monitor workshop security, featuring a weather-resistant camera and fingerprint smart lock, ensuring tool and equipment safety.
Projects

Top 5 Innovative Smart Home Devices for Trades Professionals

A carpenter on a remote job site can instantly verify workshop security, protecting thousands in tools with a weather-resistant camera and fingerprint smart lock, all managed from a phone.

Scott Ramirez·May 11, 2026
A modern, eco-friendly building design with sustainable materials, surrounded by lush greenery and bathed in natural sunlight.
Materials

What are sustainable building materials and their environmental benefits?

The construction phase alone can be responsible for up to half of a building’s total life-cycle emissions, a significant environmental burden often overlooked.

Kyle Brenner·May 11, 2026
A tradesperson's pickup truck bed showcasing innovative storage solutions with organized tools and secure locking drawers.
Tools & Equipment

9 Innovative Tool Storage Solutions for Tradespeople

One innovative truck bed system allows tradespeople to secure 2000 pounds of payload on top, while simultaneously offering two locking drawers each capable of holding 200 pounds of tools.

Kyle Brenner·May 10, 2026
A modern skyscraper with visible cracks and water damage around sealant joints, illustrating the severe consequences of sealant failure in construction.
Materials

The True Cost of Sealant Failures in Construction

A single compromised sealant joint, representing a fraction of a project's budget, can lead to millions in repair costs, energy waste, and even structural collapse.

Kyle Brenner·May 10, 2026
Split image: tradesperson on a job site and a smart home security system interface on a phone, representing remote control and enhanced security.
Projects

5 Top Smart Home Security Devices for Tradespeople 2026

A plumber, managing three job sites simultaneously, can grant a subcontractor temporary access to a secure property with a single tap on their phone.

Scott Ramirez·May 10, 2026
Close-up of a carpenter's hands expertly cutting a mortise and tenon joint with hand tools in a well-lit woodworking shop.
How-To

11 Best Woodworking Joints for DIY and Pro Carpenters

In controlled tests, the mortise and tenon joint withstood an average of 172 pounds of breaking force, significantly outperforming simpler alternatives, according to Woodgears .

Scott Ramirez·May 10, 2026
A modern skyscraper under construction, featuring integrated composite structural elements, symbolizing the future of building materials in the construction industry.
Materials

What Are Composite Materials and Why Do They Matter in Construction?

The U.S. composites market was estimated at a substantial USD 15.58 billion in 2023. This valuation confirms a quiet but powerful shift in material science. Advanced materials are increasingly relied

Kyle Brenner·May 10, 2026
Comparison of a modern heat pump installation outselling a traditional gas furnace, illustrating a significant shift in HVAC construction and technology.
Industry

Heat pump installations outsell gas furnaces, reshaping HVAC construction

Since 2021, heat pump installations have consistently outsold gas furnaces, marking a profound shift in how America heats and cools its buildings.

Kyle Brenner·May 10, 2026
Close-up of a carpenter's hands examining different types of common lumber, showcasing wood grain and texture for a project.
Materials

What Are the Best Common Lumber Types for Your Projects?

A deck built with untreated pine might look great initially, but it could rot within five years, costing homeowners thousands in premature replacement.

Kyle Brenner·May 10, 2026
A detailed arrangement of diverse construction fasteners, including screws, bolts, and nuts, displayed on architectural blueprints with a building framework in the background.
How-To

Choosing Construction Fasteners for Your Project in 2026

Silicon bronze fasteners are specifically chosen for naval minesweepers due to their non-magnetic properties, preventing accidental detonation.

Scott Ramirez·May 9, 2026
Young students proudly sign commitment papers for skilled trades careers at a National Signing Day event, celebrating their future in vocational fields.
Trades

Young people flock to skilled trades careers, boosting student engagement initiatives

Last year, enrollment in vocational-focused community colleges surged by 16%, reaching its highest level since 2018, signaling a powerful shift in student career aspirations.

Rick Donovan·May 8, 2026
Futuristic construction site showcasing innovative DRI steel beams, symbolizing sustainable building practices and advanced technology in the construction industry.
Materials

Innovative DRI Steel for Greener Construction

A 20 percent rise in key construction materials can eliminate at least half of a typical construction job's expected profit, even as new policies demand greener alternatives.

Kyle Brenner·May 8, 2026
Skilled tradespeople using advanced power tools and equipment on a modern construction site in 2026, emphasizing efficiency and innovation.
Tools & Equipment

Top Power Tools and Accessories for Tradespeople in 2026

The DeWalt 20V MAX XR ½-Inch Hammer Drill/Driver Kit boasts 38,250 BPM, establishing a benchmark for raw power in demanding applications.

Kyle Brenner·May 7, 2026
Diverse skilled trades workers on a construction site, looking at an unfinished skyscraper, symbolizing the challenge of filling millions of jobs.
Trades

Skilled Trades Training Initiatives Undermined by Retention

Some 2.1 million skilled trade jobs are expected to go unfilled by 2030, potentially resulting in $1 trillion in annual economic losses, according to Facilities Dive . This severe and growing deficit

Rick Donovan·May 7, 2026
Diverse skilled trades workers constructing a modern data center, with subtle tech company branding visible, highlighting the collaboration between the tech industry and union labor.
Industry

Skilled Trades Surge as Tech Giants Expand Apprenticeships Amid Labor Shortage

In some North American markets, building data centers for tech giants now accounts for up to 50% of total work hours for union construction members, according to the Construction Owners Club .

Rick Donovan·May 6, 2026
Futuristic construction site at dawn with advanced concrete pouring technology, highlighting innovation in modern building projects.
Materials

What Are Advanced Concrete Admixtures and Why Do They Matter?

Valued at USD 22.78 billion in 2024, the global market for concrete admixtures is projected to nearly double to USD 42.90 billion by 2032, according to Fortune Business Insights . This surge reflects

Kyle Brenner·May 4, 2026
Futuristic construction site showcasing advanced composite materials being assembled with drones and robotic technology under a sunset.
Materials

What Are Advanced Composite Materials and Why Do They Matter in Construction?

The construction composite market is projected to grow from USD 8.

Kyle Brenner·May 3, 2026
A futuristic, eco-friendly building constructed with sustainable materials, surrounded by lush greenery and bathed in natural sunlight.
Materials

Top 5 Sustainable Building Materials for Greener Construction

Ferrock, a revolutionary building material, is composed of 95% recycled industrial byproducts.

Kyle Brenner·May 3, 2026