May 28, 2008
April Construction Advances 9%
The value of new construction starts in April climbed 9% to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $553.5 billion, according to McGraw-Hill Construction, a division of The McGraw-Hill Companies. Much of the increase came as the result of a strong...
May 24, 2008
March Construction Slides 8%
New construction starts retreated 8 percent in March to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $518.5 billion, according to McGraw-Hill Construction, a division of The McGraw-Hill Companies. Nonresidential building in March fell back after the elevated...
May 21, 2008
AIA Studies Three Green Building Rating Systems
The American Institute of Architects has released a study of three green building rating systems (Green Globes, SBTool 07 and LEED NC 2.2) and assesses their effectiveness in supporting the goals of the AIA sustainability position statement. In late...
May 20, 2008
Wallboard Shipment Volume Announced for 1Q 2008
According to statistics compiled by the Gypsum Association, Washington, D.C., the United States gypsum board industry shipped a total of 6.785 billion square feet of material during the first calendar quarter (January–March) of 2008.
During the same...
May 19, 2008
ICC Issues Alert About Phony Building Re-Inspection Letters
The International Code Council has issued warnings about phony building re-inspection letters.
On the heels of the destruction caused by Hurricane Katrina in the Gulf Coast region, government and code officials warned homeowners about a likely wave...
May 17, 2008
Consumer Confidence Drops to 28 Year Low
U.S. consumer confidence tumbled to a 28-year low this month as rising prices strained household finances, while another drop in single-family housing starts underscored problems still plaguing the economy. Friday's data showed consumers' short-term...
May 16, 2008
April Housing Starts & Permits May Be Start of a Bottom
Home construction turned up unexpectedly in April and showed surprising vigor, making the biggest increase in two years. However, the increase was driven by a surge in multi-family housing, while single-family starts dropped.
Economists surveyed by...
May 16, 2008
US of House of Reps Creates Caucus to Discuss "Green Schools"
A new caucus in the U.S. House of Representatives has formed to raise awareness of and promote the benefits of green schools and their ability to foster learning, protect students’ and teachers’ health, save school districts’ money, and reduce their...
May 15, 2008
CONTINUED INCREASES IN STEEL EFFECTING COMMERCIAL MKT
Fast-Rising Steel Prices Set Back Big Projects Relentless increases in the price of steel are halting or slowing major construction projects world-wide and investments in shipbuilding and oil-and-gas exploration, setting the stage for a potential...
May 14, 2008
Highlights of Opening Session Are On AWCI's Website
If you were unable to attend the AWCI Opening Session and Awards Presentation Brunch held during AWCI’s Annual Convention, or if you were there and just want to relive the great moments, visit AWCI’s Web site, www.awci.org , to view video highlights of...
May 13, 2008
World Drywall Demand to Reach 9.75 Billion Square Meters in 2012
Global demand for drywall will grow 4.5 percent annually through 2012 to 9.75 billion square meters, according to an industry report.
Where will growth be strongest? In the Asia/Pacific region, according to The Freedonia Group. The dominant North...
May 12, 2008
CECO Steel Increase Announced
May 11, 2008
FMI Reports on '08 and 1st Quarter Construction Prospects
FMI’s U.S. Markets Construction Overview 2008 predicts a “fairly strong” year for the construction industry as well as ongoing “rebound through 2011;” however, the organization tempered its forecasts when it released its First Quarter 2008 Outlook.
...
May 9, 2008
US Growth for Electronic Security Systems in Expected to Increase 7.8% Per Year
The US electronic security products and systems market is expected to increase 7.8 percent per year to $15.6 billion in 2012. Growth for electronic security systems continues to be driven by a high perceived risk of crime, despite a long-term trend of...
May 6, 2008
A/E Billing Rates Increased Only Slightly in Past Year
Billing rates among architecture and engineering firms increased only slightly over the past year, a new report shows. According to ZweigWhite's newly released 2008 Fee & Billing Survey of Architecture, Engineering, Planning & Environmental...
May 4, 2008
New Residential Recovery Possible In Spring 2010
While new home starts have finally gotten to a point that is less than new home sales, the current 9 1/2 month supply of homes on the market (note: 6 month supply is considered balance)combined with the increasing amount of foreclosures, new home sale...
May 3, 2008
Wallboard Demand Down 13% in 1ST QTR '08
Gypsum wallboard demand of 6.785 billion square feet in the United States during the January-March 2008 quarter compiled by The Gypsum Association represents a decline of 13%-14% vs. the same time period 2007. With continued declines in new residential...
May 2, 2008
Architecture Billings Index Drops to its Lowest Level Ever
Inquiries for new projects also drop to historic low For Immediate Release Washington, D.C., April 23, 2008 — Emblematic of the various struggling sectors in the overall economy, the Architecture Billings Index (ABI) dropped two points in March and...
May 1, 2008
Trend Toward Smaller Homes Expected to Continue
While the building materials industry has enjoyed a long run of increasing starts and larger driving demand, astute companies have also noticed and building smaller unit sizes in the future when doing demand forecasting.
While there is still some...