Builder Insights / Blog

Air-Sealing for Effective Building Envelopes

An effective building envelope is a combination of insulating building materials and a reduction in air leakage. This reduction can be achieved by using taller wall sheathing panels and through effectively sealing air leaks. When determining which air leaks construction professionals should focus on, Dave Wolf from Owens Corning Science and Technology has conducted a study to see which leaks require the least effort and sealant and provide the highest returns in building envelope efficiency.

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OSHA’s Top Ten Citations

Safety is the most important thing on every jobsite. It may take a little more time and cost more money to keep your jobsite safe, but it is worth the investment. Your workers are your most valuable asset and you must protect them no matter the cost. OSHA has comprehensive guides for every aspect of the construction industry.

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Premium New Flooring Assembly from the APA

Looking for innovative flooring techniques? Check out the APA’s newest video which shows a premium I-joist floor assembly that uses 7/8 Performance Category OSB glued and nailed to 14-inch-deep I-joists that are spaced at 24 inches on center. This new flooring assembly results in a stiff floor with a quality feel.

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Six Common Mistakes Construction Managers Make on Quotes

Inaccurate quotes cause headaches for you and for your clients. The ability to create accurate quotes is essential to providing good service. While past experience will help you to avoid common mistakes, it’s important to remember that no two jobs are the same. This means you must create custom estimates for each new client. Here are some tips to help you streamline and develop your process.

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Practical Solutions for Noisy Ductwork

Is the peace and quiet of your home compromised by rattling ductwork? As your furnace heats the ducts, you may be subjected to popping, banging and a plethora of annoying sounds. There are no easy solutions, but there are measures you can take to mitigate the noise pollution from your ducts.

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Installing Hardwood Flooring over OSB Panels

Hardwood can make for a durable and beautiful floor, but small mistakes in the subflooring or installation can wreak havoc and buckling, squeaky, uneven floors can all result from poor installation. While this is not a definitive guide to hardwood installation over OSB panels, there are some important points to ponder.

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Improve your Profit Margins and Cut Costs

In an increasingly competitive market, most contractors are working to the slimmest profit margins. One way to improve your profit margins is to reduce the cost of each build. When you run a tight ship, your processes are streamlined and you offer a better, faster service with an organized, experienced crew. Many of the costs associated with a build are beyond your control; materials, land and labor all come at a price which the market dictates so your focus should be on the direct construction costs.

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