Industry News

Posted on January 30, 2012 in Economic.

Real GDP grew at a 2.8 percent annualized rate during the fourth quarter, but the underlying data show the economy has less momentum going into 2012.

Posted on January 30, 2012 in Economic and Housing & Construction.

Following three straight monthly gains, new home sales fell 2.2 percent, much of the drop was concentrated in the South.

Posted on January 30, 2012 in Economic.

Monetary policy will retain its easing stance with the federal funds rate expected to stay low through 2014.

Posted on January 30, 2012 in Building Codes and Housing & Construction.

Beginning next month, anyone buying a newly built home in Bloomington will be forced to decide whether to put in a residential sprinkler system.

Posted on January 30, 2012 in Economic and Housing & Construction.

On a year-over-year basis, the December 2011 five-plus starts rate for multi-family units was actually up 69 percent. 

Posted on January 30, 2012 in Business and Housing & Construction.

Standard & Poor's Ratings Services has lowered its rating on the unsecured notes of Building FirstSource to 'CC' from 'CCC-'.

Posted on January 30, 2012 in Raw Materials.

A condensed recap of the market conditions for the major North American softwood lumber and panel products as reported in Crow's Weekly Market Report. 

Posted on January 30, 2012 in Business and Housing & Construction.

Based on feedback, this article looks at what ProBuild's new CEO, Robert Marchbank, ought to do first.

Posted on January 30, 2012 in Housing & Construction and Legislative.

After Obama's comments at the State of Union, builders are urging policymakers to take additional actions to mend the housing market and boost the economy.

Posted on January 30, 2012 in Building Codes, Engineering & Testing, Housing & Construction, Industry Announcements, Legislative and Raw Materials.

While there may be widely varying opinions in the marketplace, the building code is quite clear on the controlling authorities with respect to lumber design value implementation.

Posted on January 29, 2012 in Building Codes, Business, Engineering & Testing, Housing & Construction, Industry Announcements, Legislative and Raw Materials.

This article answers the question: "What are the substitutes for truss designs that have used the existing 2x4 SP No. 2, when the new design values go into effect on June 1,2012?"

Posted on January 23, 2012 in Business, Engineering & Testing, Green Building, Housing & Construction, Industry Announcements and Raw Materials.

ReWall Corporation is using polyethylene-coated cartons and cups, typically bound for landfills, to fabricate construction materials without water, glue or chemicals.

Posted on January 23, 2012 in Industry Announcements.

Vote now in this months photo contest here:

http://sbcmag.info/photo-contest/2012/01.

Posted on January 23, 2012 in Housing & Construction and Legislative.

The GAO  reported that the Appraisal Subcommittee, which oversees the appraiser regulatory programs established by the states, needs to improve its monitoring procedures.