
When we think of project management, how can we apply some green thinking to our projects? Here are five ways to bring some green ingenuity to your every day project management.
Find full project details of the 18 award winners recognized at the 60th Annual Northwest Wall and Ceiling Bureau Convention.
Granite Ridge Retirement Residence in Gravenhurst, Ont. is a "beta-type test" for the EIFS Council of Canada's new Quality Assurance Program (QAP).
Call it trendy or accept the reality: construction projects are going farther with less ... and making better time.
Advancements in job estimating software continue to come into the marketplace at a rapid-fire pace. Here's a look at offerings from six software firms.
Construction professionals across the nation remain "cautiously optimistic" about 2009, even as they gaze into a rather murky crystal ball.
THE CELL PHONE AND FAX MACHINE WERE ONCE BIG NEWS FOR CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY PROFESSIONALS. NOW, LAPTOPS, PALM PILOTS AND BLACKBERRIES ARE SLOWLY INFILTRATING THE SECTOR, BUT WAIT ... THERE'S MORE.
Contractors restoring historic buildings or just sensitively renovating commonplace ones have been ignored by a green movement focused on rewarding builders and developers of new buildings for enviro-friendly work.
New products that aim to make life easier for contractors.
Insulators and drywallers in Ontario can take to stilts without repercussions, thanks to a new safety study.
Tin ceilings add timeless beauty to residential, commercial, and retail applications.
Green initiatives are bringing geothermal heat systems, solar panels, and extra attention to building envelopes and interior walls to schools across the country.
Vancouver Community College's new six-story building was shortened by four months because, well, they were on time.
Everything you need to know as you join the Northwest Wall & Ceiling Bureau in the Canadian Rockies for what promises to be an exciting and informative event for members of the wall and ceiling industry.
Building owners looking for aesthetic creativity without compromising acoustic value or fire rating need look no further than the timely revival of fabric ceiling systems.
Building materials low in volatile organic chemicals are taking over the market in response to stricter regulations.
The go-ahead to use LABs over wood wasn't only good for the EIFS industry; it also cleared the way for the products to be used in place of other barrier systems.
In an effort to preserve its status at a stately landmark, the Fairmont Royal Hotel is undergoing a multi-phase restoration project.
Interior finishing is going a little greener with materials, mouldings, and architectural details made of renewable materials like bamboo, sorghum, and wheat board.
Innovations in tool technology improve productivity and worker safety, while saving time and costs for contractors.
Renovations and upgrades in everything from social housing to private residences can mean important opportunities for contractors.
Outstanding Project of the Year Award Winners presented at the 2009 Annual Conference in Banff, AB
Award winning projects from the 2008 Northwest Wall & Ceiling Bureau
Mouldings and decorative trims offer a cost-effective refresher in any interior or exterior space. Glass reinforced gypsum and cement, PVC and EPS foam are just a few materials making these classic systems easy to install, limitless in custom possibilities and adaptable to any style
The evolution of building materials has allowed the industry to meet human construction needs from twig huts to skyscrapers in a relatively short period of time, all things considered. For a while there, we were so awe struck by the efficiency, ease of installation, cost savings and ready supply new materials afforded the industry we forgot about the planet.
"Bridging the Generations" April 24 - 26, 2008, La Costa Resort & Spa City Carlsbad , California. Understanding the Generations - Recruiting and Retaining Top Talent While Maximizing your ROI
EIFS manufacturers have taken big steps to develop sophisticated drainage systems that pass muster with exacting regulatory bodies. Here's a look at some recent innovations from five manufacturers.
Building Codes across Canada are mandating significant energy-efficiency requirements for residential and commercial buildings. Hardly a new concept is the importance insulation plays in both increasing energy efficiency and in contributing to healthy indoor environments for buildings' inhabitants. Ontario and BC are leading the way to a more efficient Canada with building code changes made in 2006 and 2008, respectively, which call for higher levels of insulation in walls, ceilings and basements.
Should we replace the windows? Its a question many contractors are asked at the start of a building renovation. Windows are often the main aesthetic feature of a building and clients justifiably wonder if replacing them would add value to the property and save energy and operating costs at the same time.
Located 45 minutes from Kamloops, BC, the newest addition to the Delta Hotel Sun Peaks Resort could easily be mistaken for a quaint mountain village in Austria. The Sun Peak Resort Residences' striking exterior takes the eye along a complex facade of build-outs, intricate detailing, changing roof lines and meticulous stucco work in various shades of 14 different colours.
ISSUE: Does an owner owe a duty, either in contract law or tort law, to subcontractors in the tender process?
Gypsum is a naturally occurring, inexpensive ore that's been mined for thousands of years. It's first recorded use was 7000 BC in Turkey and Syria and the Egyptians used gypsum plaster inside the pyramids.
You've done this job a million times. After a while it just becomes routine. Until one day you take one step just a little too close to the edge, fasten a harness just a little too quickly or get distracted for just a second. And a second is all it takes.
CGCs Dust Control Drywall Compound creates less airborne dust which reduces worker discomfort and the nuisance of clean-up time.
Wall & ceiling manufacturers are busy coming up with new products to make life easier for contractors and building occupants.
In the past decade, advancements in steel framing technology have led to turnkey panelization solutions for builders.
Take a look at new high performance insulation products that are testing the marketplace with positive results.
Sound absorptive ceiling canopies and a lay-in ceiling tile system that can be fine-tuned to match the acoustic requirements of a room are among the products making a case for themselves in the Canadian market.
Smooth, enticing curves in walls, partitions and ceilings offer flexibility and drama to interior spaces.
Today's elevated work equipment may not be revolutionary by the standards of that made a decade ago, but the latest models of scissor lifts, knuckle booms, scaffolding and even ladders offer safety features that weren't standard fare back then.
NWCB 2007 Annual Convention. Everything you need to know about the convention program and schedule.
Expanded polystyrene (EPS) insulation has 35 years of proven performance and is applicable in almost any situation where R-value is important. From roofing insulation to sound barrier walls, EPS has made a name for itself, but when it comes to green building, going a step further.
The "Three R's" recycling mantra - Reduce, Reuse, Recycle - isn't just for new agers and tree huggers any more. The wide acceptance of LEED certification and an ever-growing list of government policies aimed at reducing greenhouse gases are transforming environmental stewardship into an inherent component of responsible and profitable building practice.
The Trowel looked at several projects across North America to discover what it was about the products used that made each one a sound success in a particular application.
Across the board, experts recognize the strength of growing trends in green building for the year to come.
The government and media buried some good news when announcing the proposal to change the taxation of income trusts. Accompanying the proposals to tax income trusts was a new provision for income splitting for pensioners, which creates the ability to implement a new tax saving strategy.
For Power Drywall (2005) Ltd., the 14-month wall and ceiling project dished out plenty of headaches and scheduling ups and downs. But it was nice to be part of a showpiece building, says Tony Makinen, senior estimator for the company.
Light has always been known as the paintbrush of the architect. It enables us to sculpt and form the spaces in which we live and work, helping us to create a comfortable and supportive environment. A well lit, well ventilated building can have a positive impact on both our physical and psychological well-being, leading to higher rates of productivity, increased job satisfaction and organizational commitment, and a significant reduction in levels of stress.
It's smooth sailing ahead for the Canadian construction industry in 2008, with BC, Alberta and the industrial-commercial institutional (ICI) sector leading the way.
The Vancouver International Airport's latest edition-known rather unceremoniously as Gate 38-has successfully combined both a sense of the past and the future.
The move towards choosing greener building products has been in gear for nearly four decades, but as green building becomes the baseline for new and retrofit projects, the industry has no choice but to respond.
This is the highest anticipated event hosted by the NWCB and takes place April 8-10 in Tuscon, Arizona.
The new condominium development, Legacy on Mara Lake, adds a strong touch of luxury to the Sicamous area of Shuswap in BC.
Depending on the success of the installation and the type of materials chosen, insulated buildings easily help projects achieve credits in LEED
The majority of repair costs used to come from non-structural components that failed during a seismic event.
Sunco Drywall is completing the interior finishing work for an expansion project that will significantly enhance the level of care for the community.
The new SkyTrain stations in Vancouver wrapped up in August using a metal torsion spring ceiling application from Intalite that provides functionality and style
Construction professionals look at green building and its lasting future in the market.
The plaster craft is down and taking a beating that it might not survive.
There is a lot more to consider than simply where to put the finishing touches.
One of the universal truths of saving for your future is to start early and stay on track. Starting early helps to ease financial stress by having a plan in place and lets you use the most powerful tool in investing - compounding.
Recent changes in the law may affect the way you do business. The first involves the disclosure during the course of litigation of what insurance you carry (resulting from changes to the Supreme Court Rules). The second deals with changes to the Homeowner Protection Act (effective November 19, 2007).
It is not every day that a 58-storey office tower goes up in Calgary, never mind one that presents such unusual design and construction challenges as The Bow Tower.
The key to getting to where you're going is having a good map to help you get there. Sailors, mountain climbers and explorers all rely on detailed maps to keep them on course, out of danger and on the quickest path to their destination. When it comes to developing and maintaining a great website, a project road map can make the difference between success and failure.
The Construction Safety Association of BC (CASABC) is pleased to announce training partnerships with two leading fall protection training providers. As of June 2008, both Fall Protection Group Inc. (FPG) and Hazmasters will provide a one-day end user course which reference both WorkSafeBC standards and Canadian Standard Association fall protection equipment standards. In addition, FPG will provide a three day train-the-trainer program in fall protection.
If publicly-funded project promises and the magic of federal stimulus come through, the only way for the construction industry to go in 2010 will be up.
Major exterior insulation finish systems (EIFS) manufacturers are developing EIFS products that look like brick.
Maintaining a dry building envelope is crucial for any successful sustainable design project.
Alberta's Bow Habitat Station's new visitor centre's renovations are set to be completed in 2008, with lots of fishy inspiration.
Try to imagine a building that is as healthy for plants inside as well as outside. A building where beauty and inspiration are considered sustainable development goals, because they make us appreciate our buildings, encouraging us to actively search for ways to improve and preserve their worth.
Fibre cement is becoming a highly sought after exterior finishing material for both residential and commercial projects.
With demand for modular structures growing, creators of design and assembly options are scrambling to keep up.
At 100 Yorkville, a new eight and 17-storey condo complex, a different approach was taken to an existing heritage building.
Energy efficiency in existing buildings is our greatest opportunity for a sustainable future.
901 Fernie is destined to keep its place as one of Fernie, B.C.'s most notable landmarks.
Curved spaces in commercial interiors can often present a variety of design limitations, especially when it comes to the ceiling.
The British Columbia Wall and Ceiling Association is taking another step forward in creating a legacy for itself and for the industry in BC.
The Centre for Interactive Research into Sustainability is a 61,000-square-foot, five-level research centre designed to test replicable building technologies that represent the most progressive in sustainability.
EIFS in North America: popular, if not infamous
When it comes to business on the web, the old "set it and forget it" mantra is no longer viable. As more and more customers turn to the web for answers, a solid and effective site management plan must be in place for every business.
Structural damping (dB Ply) has been used to calm down the floor, wall and ceiling assemblies of ferries, RVs, trains, planes, liners, yachts and even desktops for over 40 years.
The third annual Canada Green Building Council's National Conference is coming to Vancouver from June 8 to 10 and will focus on Performance Matters: The next generation of buildings and communities.
Stairfaces resurface existing stair risers with custom cut and stained hardwood panels, similar to cabinet faces.
Try the New Hilti Coring Systems and HILTI DS TS20-E Electric Wall Saw
LaHabra recently announced the launch of LaHabra Wall Sanded One-Coat and BasiC926 Sanded Scratch & Brown stuccos to their family of products.
Vaughan & Bushnell is introducing several specialty tools to handle any job. From the same maker of the Original Superbar, Vaughan now offers the Hooker (patent pending).
CHICAGO - June 6, 2008 - ICC Evaluation Services (ICC-ES) has recently issued an evaluation report (ESR-2282) on the 1496 Seismic Perimeter Clip from Chicago Metallic Corporation.
New Line of Natural Aggregate Finishes that Feature Rich Colour and Texture
At CGC, we don't think there is a big solution to the environmental challenges we face. Rather, we think that there are many solutions that, together, will help us achieve environmental sustainability.
Triad has developed the new Sub-Component Manufacturing System for light-commercial/residential steel framing.
Global Fastening Systems new TyRex brand of collated screw systems will be launched in Canada by Canadian Industrial Distributors with the introduction of the first in the new line, the TyRex DCF5000.
To better service our valued customers, Winroc BC, a division of Superior Plus LP, has expanded its distribution network to include 14 branches across the province.
Up to four times faster than any other water-based spray on the market, the new Hilti CP 672 Fast Cure Speed Spray is a sprayable, fire-rated mastic for construction joints that is ideal for use where movement is required.
PacificWest Systems Supply Ltd. (PacWest) would like to announce that it has been proudly serving the wall and ceiling industry for the past 25 years.
At CertainTeed, we are committed to providing building professionals with the finest and most complete line of gypsum-based interior solutions possible ProRoc Brand finishing products and ProRoc Brand gypsum board
New Optima Capz system can be installed directly to a deck to maximize ceiling height, onto drywall, or suspended with wires.
The new Hilti WSR 36-A is the cordless reciprocating saw that professionals can depend on for cutting through the same tough applications that are typically performed with a corded saw, without the hassle ...
Every issue of The Trowel focuses on innovative construction projects encompassing interior finishes including drywall and plaster, acoustic ceilings, demountable systems, steel studs, and exterior cladding including EIFS and stucco. We also feature industry information, new product developments, and contractor profiles.