In light of the federal government’s goal of improving the energy efficiency of new and existing buildings, model energy codes are becoming more stringent. The effort to increase energy efficiency has been further emphasized by initiatives set forth by the 2009 American Recovery and Reinvestment Act’s State Energy Program.
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Recent storms of force and impact far greater than previously imagined possible have been devastating. The latest estimate in the wake of last year’s Hurricane Sandy, which breached barrier islands and swept inland into the Mid-Atlantic States, is closing in on $70 billion.
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From a single-family home to a 40-story office building, all structures are made up of a complex array of systems competing for limited space. Nowhere is this more pronounced than in floor assemblies where HVAC ducts, recessed light fixtures, and plumbing are interwoven with joists and beams.
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Recent code changes, more stringent sustainability requirements, and a challenging economy are some of the factors increasing demand for high-performance structures that integrate and optimize several attributes on a lifecycle basis. This definition carries with it several shifts from ‘business as usual.’
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What is invisible to the eye is often still prevalent to the other senses. Indoor aquatic facilities, despite being open and vast, often harbor poor indoor air quality (IAQ), which can result in occupational asthmatic-related issues, throat, nasal, and eye irritation, and other health-related symptoms.
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With a history spanning more than a half-century in non-combustible commercial construction, cold-formed steel (CFS) is a popular material choice for framing non-structural interior walls, load-bearing interior and exterior walls, curtain walls, and floor joists.
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Exterior decks and balconies, and interior showers and bathrooms, have historically been problematic areas for the installation of ceramic, glass, and stone tiles. Typically, problems are due to installer error, not using appropriate materials, or not providing clear enough specifications.
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Over the past several decades, the confluence of value engineering and sustainable design has enabled construction of better, more efficient buildings. Both trends play crucial roles in realizing the quality, durability, and longevity of the built environment.
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Whether it is a shower or an exterior deck or balcony, the waterproof membrane surface must be sloped to drain or away from the building. Shower pans or receptors are supposed to have a pre-sloped mortar bed installed over the base substrate before installing the waterproof membrane.
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In 2009, amid great fanfare and drama, the latest innovation in porcelain tile technology was formally announced and touted at the Cersaie exposition in Bologna, Italy. Multiple manufacturers had developed and launched new commercial tile lines that were bigger in size and thinner than anything else.
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