Cool Urban Heat Islands

Cool Urban Heat Islands

Urban heat islands (UHI) are metropolitan area that is significantly warmer than its surrounding rural areas due to human activities. On a hot, sunny summer day, the sun can heat dry, exposed urban surfaces, such as roofs and pavement, to temperatures 50–90°F (27–50°C) hotter than the air while shaded or moist surfaces—often in more rural surroundings—remain…

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Fiber Cement Siding Gains Market

Fiber Cement Siding Gains Market

Fibre Cement Siding is gaining popularity in the United States, according to the Census Bureau’s Survey of Construction (SOC). The SOC collects data on principal and secondary exterior wall materials. The principal type covers more than half the exterior. The secondary type, if present, covers the remaining part, not including trim, shutters and woodwork around openings….

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Edgewater NJ Complex Fire

Edgewater NJ Complex Fire

You probably heard of the fire in Edgewater NJ in January that rapidly demolished an apartment complex there, displacing hundreds of residents. The building’s wood-frame truss construction allowed the fire to spread quickly, and it completely overwhelmed the sprinkler system. There is a trend in the US toward weakening building codes to allow for the…

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Concrete: 2nd Only To Water

Concrete: 2nd Only To Water

Concrete is one of the most widely used materials on the planet—some say second only to water. Versatility is the key to it’s widespread use. From sidewalks to skyscrapers, concrete is at the core of our buildings, homes, roads, since the days of the Roman Empire. Here’s just a sample of some of the concrete products use and…

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