Steel curtain walls form the backbone of countless modern building facades, yet their design, performance characteristics, and installation requirements are often misunderstood by building professionals. While aluminum dominates the curtain wall market in commercial construction, steel curtain wall systems offer distinct advantages in thermal movement control, structural span capacity, and fire resistance that make them […]
Air barrier tie-ins are the most performance-critical connections in any building envelope. While the field area of an air barrier membrane may cover thousands of square feet, the perimeter tie-ins at foundation walls, window openings, roof intersections, and penetrations are where continuity is most often compromised. The question every specifier and contractor should ask is
The Coverings 2026 tile trends report has identified texture as the defining characteristic of contemporary ceramic and porcelain tile design. Released on National Tile Day, February 23, 2026, the report outlines ten distinct trends that reflect a broader shift toward tactile surfaces, material honesty, and advanced manufacturing technologies. For building professionals involved in specifying finishes,
Adaptive reuse projects are transforming the way building professionals approach construction in dense urban environments. Rather than demolishing aging structures and starting from a cleared site, adaptive reuse retains the embodied carbon, historical character, and structural fabric of existing buildings while upgrading their performance to meet modern standards. The Princeton Temple adaptive reuse conversion from
Curtain wall systems define the visual identity and environmental performance of modern buildings. These non-structural cladding assemblies carry their own weight from floor to floor while protecting interiors from wind, rain, and thermal extremes. From low-rise commercial projects to supertall towers, the choice between unitized, stick-built, and hybrid systems affects construction schedules, thermal performance, and
Fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) is emerging as a transformative material in curtain wall system design, offering building professionals a compelling alternative to traditional aluminum, steel, and glass facade assemblies. As architects and specifiers seek lighter, corrosion-resistant, and thermally efficient envelope solutions, FRP curtain wall systems are gaining traction across commercial, institutional, and high-rise residential projects. This
Steel curtain wall systems are experiencing a significant resurgence in modern building construction, offering architects and specifiers a compelling alternative to traditional aluminum-framed assemblies. As the demand for taller, lighter, and more energy-efficient building envelopes grows, steel curtain walls provide superior structural performance, narrower sightlines, and enhanced fire resistance compared to conventional framing materials. This
In modern building envelope design, the air barrier is only as strong as its weakest connection. While much attention goes to selecting the right air barrier membrane or fluid-applied system, the real test of performance happens at the transitions where the air barrier meets windows, doors, roof decks, foundation walls, and penetrating elements. These transition
The Coverings 2026 tile trends report has identified texture as the defining characteristic of contemporary ceramic and porcelain tile design. Released on National Tile Day, February 23, 2026, the report outlines ten distinct trends that reflect a broader shift toward tactile surfaces, material honesty, and advanced manufacturing technologies. For building professionals involved in specifying finishes,
Extreme weather events, rising global temperatures, and stricter energy codes are forcing building professionals to rethink how building envelopes perform under real-world climate stress. The question is no longer whether your building meets minimum code requirements — it is whether the envelope is truly climate-ready. A climate-ready building envelope goes beyond basic energy compliance to
