Understanding the Modern Building Envelope The building envelope is the physical barrier between the conditioned interior of a home and the outdoor environment. It includes the roof, walls, windows, doors, and foundation, working together to control heat flow, air leakage, and moisture intrusion. For builders, selecting the right combination of structural framing, insulation, and housewrap […]
Professional builders know that the kitchen and bath are two of the most scrutinized spaces in any new home. Buyers expect surfaces that resist stains and scratches, fixtures that perform reliably, and designs that feel current without dating quickly. The 2019 Top 100 Products list in the Kitchen and Bath category showcases exactly the kind
When Professional Builder magazine releases its annual Top 100 Products list, the windows and doors category always draws attention from builders seeking a competitive edge. The 2019 edition featured products from manufacturers including Bilco, Endura Products, Jamsill, LaCantina Doors, LiftMaster, Pella, Renewal by Andersen, Solar Innovations, Western Window Systems, and Windsor Windows and Doors. From
Selecting the right mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) products is one of the most consequential decisions a home builder makes. These systems determine how a home performs day after day—how efficiently it heats and cools water, how reliably it delivers power and data, and how well it resists the wear of moisture, heat, and time.
The Foundation of Product Selection: Code Compliance and Climate Zones For professional builders, the process of choosing building products begins long before any purchase order is written. Every material that goes into a home must comply with local, state, and national building codes that dictate performance standards for structural integrity, energy efficiency, fire resistance, and
The New American Home 2019, built for the International Builders’ Show in Las Vegas, was more than a showpiece. It was a real-world proving ground for the building products and materials that professional home builders were beginning to specify on production and custom projects across the United States. From the foundation to the roofline, every
Residential lighting has undergone a remarkable transformation in recent years. Fixtures are shrinking, controls are getting smarter, and the quality of light in homes has never been better. For builders and remodelers, understanding lighting product innovations is essential to delivering homes that meet modern buyer expectations. The shift from traditional incandescent bulbs to light-emitting diode
10 Sustainable Building Products From Greenbuild 2018 That Reshaped Residential Construction Greenbuild, the largest annual conference and expo for sustainable construction, set up shop in Chicago in 2018 with a theme of Human x Nature. This theme represented how the green building movement embraces all of humanity by making sustainable buildings accessible to everyone while
1| 2| The passage of major tax reform legislation reshaped the financial landscape for home builders across the United States. For professionals working in the building materials sector, understanding how tax policy affects material costs, investment decisions, and project profitability has become essential knowledge. Whether you are a production builder managing hundreds of annual closings
As the demand for environmentally responsible construction grows, builders are increasingly turning to site development strategies that reduce environmental impact without sacrificing performance. One of the most effective approaches gaining traction is permeable paving. Unlike traditional impervious surfaces that channel stormwater into drainage systems, permeable paving allows rainwater to filter through the paved surface, naturally
