Flashing must not be taken for granted, as one can only get away with so much before leaking walls destroy a reputation and a completed project.

Concrete emits carbon dioxide (CO₂) during production, installation, and maintenance. Installing with modern internal curing technologies will reduce concrete’s overall (CO₂) emissions by making it stronger and reducing construction timelines.

The carbon footprint of the design and construction industry reaches far beyond the boundaries of a single building or site. Due to various processes, ranging from the extraction of raw materials to manufacturing and installation of the construction materials, the impact of a single project includes both embodied carbon within the built environment and operational carbon generated throughout the life cycle of the structure. Embodied carbon is defined as the carbon dioxide (CO2) emitted during the full life cycle of a product from extraction (cradle) to the use and disposal phases (grave).

Autodesk BIM 360 Docs, a comprehensive, cloud-based service for the construction industry that provides a virtual workspace to create, access, maintain, mark up, and share 2-D and 3-D project documents, plans, and building information models.

The Metal Construction Association (MCA) has published a new, free technical resource to assist designers and installers in selecting the proper type of fastener: Fastener Compatibility with Profiled Metal Roof and Wall Panels.

The Institution of Engineering and Technology has published Code of Practice for Low and Extra Low Voltage Direct Current Power Distribution in Buildings to ensure the safe, effective and competent application of cabling/wiring installations.

Buildings in arctic and subarctic climates face not only challenges related to cold, but also remoteness, limited utilities, permafrost, and extreme temperature shifts. Designers must meet these challenges while keeping occupants comfortable and minimizing impact on the environment. The newly published Cold-Climate Buildings Design Guide from the American Society of Heating, Refrigeration, and Air-conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) provides information on the issues commonly faced by designers in these climates.

Growing interest in wood-frame construction as an economical and environmentally responsible type of construction, along with the growth in the urban population, prompted the regulatory authorities of many provinces to allow taller wood-frame buildings in the last few years. Now, FPInnovations has published the Mid-rise Wood-Frame Construction Handbook to help facilitate the design and construction of such five- and six-storey buildings across Canada.

The Asphalt Roofing Manufacturers Association (ARMA) has released educational videos providing a look at the various components making up low- and steep-slope assemblies. “Asphalt Roofing 101–A System Above the Rest” educates the homeowner and commercial property owner in two separate segments. Roofing components such as ice and water barriers, underlayment, shingle-starters, asphalt shingles, hip and ridge shingles, and ventilation are examined. The videos showcase images and information illustrating each component and how they work together…

Model-based software, Tekla Structural Designer, is now available for architects, engineers, and construction professionals to effectively analyze and design 3-D multi-material buildings. Fully automated design features, as well as high-quality documentation and building information modelling (BIM), allows creation of various project aspects from steel framing to concrete slab design in a single design model. The program provides the ability to compare alternate design schemes, manage changes, and collaborate with other team members…