Building Industry News

ZigBee Smart Energy Product Tester Kit

Rechageable Lamp from SANYO Becomes a Flashlight by Picking It Up SANYO is pleased to announce the release of a rechargeable interior light, “eneloop lamp,” as a new addition to the “eneloop universe products.” Full Story

Microsoft Hohm Allowing Homeowners to Save Energy and Money Microsoft has announced Microsoft Hohm, a new online application that enables consumers to better understand their energy usage, get recommendations and start saving money Full Story

HIPS Fireproof Coatings Increase Fire Protection for Buildings Tough new fire-resistant coating materials called HIPS (‘hybrid inorganic polymer system’) are being developed by CSIRO researchers in Melbourne Full Story

Simple Roof Addition Makes Homes More Environmentally Friendly

New Type of Toilet Turns Human Waste Into Fuel For Cooking A new project under development in London is turning human waste into an environmentally friendly fuel for cooking Full Story

Building Integrated Solar Power Report Released

Solar Innovations Introduces Two New Stacking Glass Wall Systems

Wallpaper for Windows Brings the Look of Stained Glass to Windows and Sliding Doors Many homes have at least one sliding glass door and until now, 'decorating sliders' really meant hiding them behind closed curtains or blinds. Now you can affordably decorate sliding glass doors with the look of etched or stained glass Full Story

Leica Geosystems Release Three New Construction Lasers for Construction Applications Leica Geosystems extends its wide range of rugged construction lasers with the new Leica Rugby 260SG, 270SG and 280DG series of mid-range general construction lasers that can be used for flat, single or dual grade, and even interior applications (Rugby 280DG) Full Story

H+H UK Thin-Joint System With Solid Walled Aircrete Used to Build Modern Apartments in Bristol The H+H UK Thin-joint system with solid walled aircrete provides the skin and internal walls for Circle Construction’s 3-storey development of 24 modern apartments in Knowle, Bristol Full Story

Tallest Building on Chinese Mainland Gets Elevator to Lift Vehicles to the 94th Floor

Building Code Changes Means Demand for Cooler COLORBOND Steel For Roofing Nationwide changes to the minimum star energy efficiency rating requirements for residential homes and commercial properties in Australia means demand for energy efficient building materials is set to soar. COLORBOND steel with Thermatech technology reflects more of the sun’s energy on hot days, creating a cooler roof and a more comfortable home Full Story

Web Based Building Energy Management Solution Showcased by Millennial Net

Outwater Introduces Environmentally Friendly Natural Rolled Cork Wall Coverings Outwater introduces its new line of natural Rolled Cork, ideal for Bulletin Board or Wall Facing Applications. Sold either in full rolls or by the linear foot, Outwater's Rolled Cork is not just an environmentally friendly, green commodity, as it is readily and repeatedly harvested from the bark of Cork Oak Trees, it is an inherently resilient and easy to use product Full Story

Luxury Hotel Interior Design Secret Revealed New news for homes built from 1810 to 2010 from Pattern Cut, Inc.: Why custom wood AC vents, grilles, and register covers are this summer's hottest--and perhaps most valuable--design solution Full Story

Patent for Polishing Wooden Floors With Diamond Particles Revoked by European Authorities

Shopping Center Uses LED Lights to Create Unique Experience LED luminaires from OSRAM’s innovative new range have been used to create a unique shopping experience at The Trafford Centre in Manchester Full Story

Energy Neutral Building Used by Hydro to Showcase Their Energy Efficient Building Technologies Hydro, Europe's leading aluminium company and a global supplier of advanced building systems, opened an energy-neutral building in Ulm in southern Germany on Tuesday, showcasing its latest technologies for more energy-efficient buildings Full Story

Rubbermaid Products to Use Bioplastics

LEED Gold Certification for Environmentally-Friendly KFC and Taco Bell Restaurant Yum! Brands, the world’s largest restaurant company and parent of Taco Bell, Pizza Hut, KFC, has constructed the Company’s first building under the United States Green Building Council’s LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) program. Their KFC-Taco Bell restaurant in Northampton, Massachusetts has been awarded LEED Gold certification Full Story

KONE Inc. and Power Efficiency Corporation Team Up On Digital EcoStart System For Making Elevators More Energy Efficient The KONE EcoStart is a unique motor efficiency controller that incorporates Power Efficiency’s proprietary E-Save Technology to improve the efficiency of electric motors in escalators. The EcoStart is a complete motor control device that soft starts a motor, bringing it from rest to full speed, and then protects the motor from adverse conditions, such as voltage and amperage spikes Full Story

'Twin Towers II' and the Twin Towers Alliance Make Joint Statement

Rockwool Improved Firestopping Insulation Range

Earthrox Stone Veneer Product Line Expanded by Stonecleft This week Stonecleft LLC launches additions to its flagship Earthrox Stone Veneer product line. The exiting new additions to the Earthrox product line consist of six elegant loose stone veneers in the Fieldstone and Ledgestone Stone styles, all of which come with "L" shape corner pieces as well Full Story

Never Clog Drain from PermaFLOW Gets Seal of Approval from 'Handyman Club' PF WaterWorks, the GREEN Drain management company, is proud to announce that its flagship product PermaFLOW - Never Clog Drain has earned the "Member Tested and Recommended" Seal of Approval from the largest do-it-yourself club in the United States, The Handyman Club of America Full Story

Cargo Containers Recycled Into Environmentally Friendly Buildings Cargo Containers represent new, sustainable use for abundant existing resource. DA STARK Interiors new location is "Greenest Building in Seattle" Full Story

Energy Efficient Cooling with EcoSmart Roller Shades The stylish choice of EcoSmart for windows is also the wise one, keeping a home relaxing and cool all summer long Full Story

Outwater Plastics Introduces The Industry's First and Only Highly Flexible Metal-Like Laminate Sheets Not your "run of the mill" laminate! Roll-A-Lam, the industry's easiest to handle, easiest to ship and easiest to use metal-like laminate ever has been updated with additional finishes for added aesthetic versatility Full Story

Online Sustainability Conference to Feature Prefabricated Roofing Systems Duro-Last Roofing, the world's largest manufacturer of prefabricated roofing systems, today announced it will be exhibiting at the Virtual Energy Forum, the world's largest online conference dedicated to renewable energy, sustainability and energy-efficient practices in business Full Story

Protect Floors, The Ground and Stadium Surfaces with FastDeck Portable Flooring

Hybrid LED Solar Street Lights Launched by Visible Light Solar Technologies

DuPont Corian and Zodiaq Surfaces Showcased in New York DuPont and key value chain partners have opened two studios to showcase the latest innovations and applications for DuPont Corian and Zodiaq surfaces Full Story

Saflex SilentGlass OK For Hurricane Protection After Passing Weathering and Flammability Tests

Architecture Awards Won by University of Sydney Buildings The University of Sydney's newest building and landscape projects collected four awards and a commendation in the 2009 NSW Architecture Awards Full Story

Instantly Cured Floor Coating Replaces Traditional Epoxy, MMA or Urethane Flooring Coatings UVolve by DSM, is a cost-effective alternative to traditional epoxy, MMA, or urethane floors. After application, the surface is instantly cured with a proprietary ultra-violet light machine, allowing a return to normal operations in just hours instead of days Full Story

Free Rockwool Building Insulation for Over 3000 Homes in Wales

Advanced Aluminium Building Systems Showcased at Wicona Test Center Wicona Test Center building showcases advanced aluminium building systems and energy efficient buildings Full Story

Chinese-Made Drywall to be Subject of Multidistrict Litigation in New Orleans

Parking Lots Transformed by Eco Friendly Advertising CARSPAZE USA, Inc. is rolling out an innovative, eco friendly, advertising medium that transforms parking lots into large scale, drive-in brand environments Full Story

Nominees Announced for The 2009 Hanley Award for Vision and Leadership in Sustainable Housing

Thousands of Texas Homes Contain Toxic Chinese Drywall The Chinese Drywall Complaint Center is warning homeowners in Texas about toxic Chinese drywall, in 1000's of new homes built since 2004, in the metro areas of Houston, Dallas, Austin, San Antonio, and other Texas cities Full Story

Absestos Litigation Could Be Repeated With Nanotechnology

Concrete Structures Made With Nanotechnology Could Last 16000 Years MIT civil engineers have for the first time identified what causes concrete to gradually deform, decreasing its durability and shortening the lifespan of infrastructures such as bridges and nuclear waste containment vessels Full Story

UK and France to Develop Ratings Tool for Environmental Assessment Certification

Water Shortages to Result in Boost For Construction Industry

Construction Hit Hard By Recession With Output Falls The Worst on Record

Solar Power Tile System Installed on Ice Cream Parlour SRS Energy, a leading developer of sustainable solar roofing products, has installed the Sole Power Tile system, the first building-integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) roofing product designed for curved roofing systems, at Zwahlen's Ice Cream & Chocolate Co Full Story

SKIL Smart Design Router Tables Increase Precision, Save Time and Space SKIL has unveiled a groundbreaking selection of router tables to complement the most versatile tool in a woodworker's repertoire, the router. From do-it-yourself projects to advanced woodworking, routers are a staple when it comes to adding those finishing touches that bring visions to life Full Story

DuPont Introduces Renewable Sorona Fibre for Use in Commercial Carpet DuPont today announced that Sorona renewably sourced fiber is now available for the commercial carpet industry. Carpet made with DuPont Sorona fiber offers customers uncompromised performance plus the added benefit of an environmentally sustainable offering. Full Story

Cement Degradation in Buildings Compared to Osteoporosis in People

Bus Stop Lit By Solar Power There won’t be anymore waiting in the dark at this campus bus shelter. New flexible solar cell technology developed by a group of engineering researchers at McMaster University has been installed to power lighting for night-time transit users Full Story

iCrete Introduces Self Consolidating Concrete Mixes

Toxic Chinese Drywall Problem Getting Worse By The Week The Chinese Drywall Complaint Center is now saying that, "there is a lot more toxic Chinese drywall in Texas, Alabama, Florida, Mississippi, Louisiana & the rest of US, than we ever thought possible, and we are ramping up our investigations to get these people some help." Full Story

Innovative New Escalator Design Allows Disabled to Use Escalators Without Assistance People with impaired mobility who move around in wheelchairs, people who are transporting bulky loads and all other users will be able to travel upwards and downwards without assistance using an innovative escalator Full Story

Lend Lease to Make Solar Power a Consideration Across It's Entire Property Portfolio Building on its leadership position in the delivery of sustainable property solutions, Lend Lease has announced a supply agreement with First Solar, Inc, one of the world’s leading solar technology providers Full Story

Awards Given For the Most Sustainable Buildings in Wales BREEAM Awards Wales 2009 winners announced at the Greener Homes and Buildings Show in Builth Wells Full Story

First Birthday Celebrations for Green Building Guide

Special Coating Protects Wooden Floors From Early Collapse in a Fire An intumescent coating known as No-Burn Plus intumescent paint can dramatically expand the time available for residents to reach safety and firefighters to perform required tasks in a home that has caught on fire Full Story

Environmental Sustainability Recognition for Otis Elevator Company

Building and Living Technologies of the Future Outlined in "Technology Guide" The Technology Guide comprehensibly explains current and future technology and is illustrated with numerous photographs, drawings and diagrams. It is aimed at everyone in society, politics, industry or research who is interested in technology - not just specialists, but anyone curious to find out where we are headed Full Story

Student Design Competition to Help Student Learn About Building in Aluminum

Schlage Expands Innovative Wireless Door Lock and Link Home-Management System with Trane Thermostat that can be Controlled from a Computer or Cell Phone Schlage®, the most trusted brand in door locks, today announced availability of the Trane Remote Energy Management Thermostat, which enables owners of the Schlage LiNK keypad lock/home-management system to remotely monitor and control home cooling and heating from any computer and most Web-enabled mobile phones Full Story

New Lighting Standards for Buildings and Construction Projects Could Lead to a Reduction in Greenhouse Gases

UTC's Energy Efficient Products and Commitment to Environmental Improvements Honored by National Building Museum

Metabo Expands Choice Cuts Line of Grinding Wheels

Ancient, Environmentally Friendly Building Technique Revived by New Research

Impact Tests Passed by Skylights from Solar Innovations Solar Innovations, a custom manufacturer of residential and commercial conservatories, greenhouses, sunrooms, folding, tilting, and sliding glass doors, walls, windows, and screens announces the completion of Florida Impact Testing on two skylight options Full Story

Now is the Perfect Time For Repairing Concrete With Innovative New Techniques Concrete repair has long been a viable alternative to tearing out and replacing old, cracked concrete surfaces. As the country gears up for a summer of entertaining, now's the perfect time to repair and revitalize those worn surfaces with today's innovative techniques Full Story

Chinese Drywall Complaint Center Expands Their Investigation into Toxic Chinese Drywall The Chinese Drywall Complaint Center is dramatically expanding their investigation of toxic Chinese drywall in Texas Full Story

Green Builder Online Curriculum Now Being Offered at US Colleges

Experts Join Together to Discuss How to Deal With Climate Change in Rotterdam, Jakarta, and New York Policy makers and environmental, planning, and engineering experts from around the world convene to compare and assess the mitigation and adaptation policies of three major world coastal cities, each with a Dutch heritage: Rotterdam, Jakarta, and New York City Full Story

Solar Photovoltaic Project to be Built by Blach in San Jose

SABIC Lexan Polycarbonate Multiwall Sheeting Helping With The Contruction of Sustainable Buildings SABIC Innovative Plastics’ growing portfolio of Lexan polycarbonate (PC) multiwall sheet products are contributing to the green building movement and are strengthening sustainable building designs by increasing energy conservation, improving working/living environments and promoting recycling Full Story

PPG Has Introduced New Sustainable Design for Buildings Courses PPG Industries introduced three new American Institute of Architects’ Continuing Education Services (AIA/CES) courses, including two that fulfill the AIA’s new sustainable design (SD) requirement Full Story

Solar LED Controller Introduced by Dilitronics

American Exteriors, Manufacturer of Vinyl Window Replacements Gets Green Seal Certification

Green Floor Covering Gets Award for Universal Fibers

Thermo-Chromic Window Films That Regulate Room Temperature Developed By University of Nottingham

Bathroom Faucets and Fixtures Now Available in Velvet Aged Bronze Finish Price Pfister, a leading manufacturer of kitchen and bath fixtures and accessories, today introduced Velvet Aged Bronze, an entirely new faucet and fixture finish never before seen in the industry Full Story

Sustainable School Building Made In America Using Bamboo Bamboo Living, the global leader in sustainable bamboo building helped build the first American school building made of sustainable bamboo Full Story

Energy Efficient Retrofits For Buildings to Come From "Green Bootcamp" Living Cities offers city and state officials an unprecedented opportunity to learn new strategies and share best practices on creating green jobs and reducing greenhouse gas emissions through city-wide retrofitting Full Story

Green Building to Focus on Water Efficiency Over the next five years, water efficiency and conservation will become critical factors in green design, construction and product selection Full Story

Green Building Innovations Shown Off at INSITE09

Ceiling Insulation Installation Gets Easier for Australians Environment Minister Peter Garrett has announced a new streamlined process and new guidelines to make it even easier for 2.9 million Australians to install ceiling insulation in their home Full Story