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Stone is Green!
In many areas, indigenous stone is available from the local region, such as limestone, marble, granite, and sandstone. It mat be cut in quarries or removed from the surface of the ground (flag and fieldstone). Ideally, stone from the building site can be utilized. Depending on the stone type, it can be used for structural block, facing block, pavers, and crushed stone.
The use of locally available and indigenous earth materials has several advantages in terms of sustainability. They are:
- Reduction of energy costs related to transportation.
- Reduction of material costs due to reduced transportation costs, especially for well-established industries.
- Support of local businesses and resource bases.
Both brick and stone materials are aesthetically pleasing, durable, and low maintenance. Exterior walls weather well, eliminating the need for constant refinishing and sealing. Interior use of brick and stone can also provide excellent thermal mass, or be used to provide radiant heat. Some stone and brick makes an ideal flooring or exterior paving material, cool in summer and possessing good thermal properties for passive solar heating.
Stone Kitchen Countertops - Thinking Green
Whether you are a contractor, design professional, a builder, or a layman, it is important to understand how construction trends are changing. The 
construction industry is constantly changing, and contractors who want to succeed need to stay ahead of market trends. Economic concerns throughout the new year will, of course, continue to raise a number of new variables, but there are some notable trends that contractors should keep an eye on. More than just a trend is building green. Green has become a way-of-life with builders which means more than just converting portions of the building process to converting our entire process and methodology of building a home. Visionary builders seek green products and green building techniques. Reclaimable, sustainable and being environmentally responsible.
Natural stone kitchen countertops are a beautiful choice for any sexy kitchen and will add great value to your home. They are durable, long lasting and available in many styles to bring luxury and luscious appeal to your kitchen. There are several natural stones used in kitchen countertop construction and each one has unique characteristics.
Cleaning Stone Surfaces
Housing the Boomers
As the first wave of baby boomers hits 60, the real estate industry stands ready to cash in by building a multitude of “active-adult communities.”
These developments, geared toward older adults, typically feature large residences with premium features, such as stainless steel appliances, high ceilings and granite countertops. Also, as the name implies, many active-adult communities offer a wide variety of activities for residents — everything from Pilates and cooking classes to whitewater rafting and skydiving. How popular are these developments? Of boomers 
ages 51 to 60 recently surveyed by the National Association of Realtors, 47 percent said they “definitely or likely would consider moving to an active-adult community.”
If your construction company’s services are suited to one of these projects, start doing your market research now. That blockbuster job could literally be right around the corner.
Going Green
The environment matters. According to a recent study, almost half (48 percent) of public property owners (such as state agencies or commissions) in the United States have implemented construction projects with energy-efficient designs in the past year. And of those owners:
34 percent have gone green exclusively in new facilities,
24 percent have used green designs to renovate existing facilities, and
42 percent have implemented energy-saving designs in both new and existing facilities.
One interesting note: Owners in the education sector were more than twice as likely to go with green designs as those in other industries. Green building has also gained ground among private owners. More than a half billion square feet of U.S. commercial space has been certified as “green” by the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) rating system, according to the U.S. Green Building Council.
So no matter what types of projects you typically take on, expect environmentally sound building to be an increasingly important skill set.
Heating Green - Reclaimed Fuel and Clean Air
Solar Heating - Sticking with Residential
More than two-thirds of builders (contractors who work on above-ground projects) and one-third of nonbuilders (contractors who use equipment for
underground construction or site development) said that solar home and apartment construction will continue to be their best opportunity for the immediate future, according to the 2008 Construction Industry Forecast conducted by international project financiers CIT. In fact, according to the CIT forecast, the number of builders favoring residential construction over any other opportunity has grown from 53 percent to 68 percent in six years. Then again, for the first time since 2002, 20 percent or more of both builders and nonbuilders see commercial construction as their best bet – a positive indicator for this lagging sector.
Staying Ahead of the Curve
Your construction company’s best opportunities will depend, of course, on a variety of local factors as well as national ones. In any case, by staying ahead of the curve in all respects, you can help ensure you’ll stay ahead of your competition. Constuction TV reports the latest each week in trends, products and forecasts for the industry.
Running Lean and Green on the Road
Mack Trucks - High Fuel Economy
Cougar Industries
Cougar Industries
AFTEC - Advanced Forming Technology
Work Truck Give-Away
Bott Work Truck Segment
Stertil-Koni Segment
Fiber Floor from Tarquet