Building Product Topics, Designed to Inform and Inspire

Expert insights, practical tips, and the latest building industry product updates

Posted by John Peavey, PE on October 8, 2025

Vacuum-Insulated Panels: 3 Steps to Increase Adoption in the US Construction Market

Vacuum insulated technology is not new; in fact, vacuum-insulated panels (VIPs) have been around for decades. The thermal resistance values (R-Values, which range from 35 to 50 per inch) far exceed conventional insulation products with the same thickness. Yet despite their superior insulation performance, VIPs have not been widely used within the U.S. construction market. Perennial concerns about the cost, fragility and long-term durability of VIPs continue to be the focus of research – but at this symposium some promising solutions were presented and discussed.

Posted by John Peavey, PE on August 25, 2025

How Product Manufacturers Can Design for Aging in Place

As the U.S. population ages—by the year 2040, it is estimated that over 80 million adults will be age 65 and older—there will be a growing need for more long-term care solutions. Many seniors express a strong preference to stay in their homes, and with appropriate support, such as home modifications, accessible transportation, in-home healthcare, and social engagement within a familiar community, creating an opportunity for product developers and manufacturers to create solutions supporting aging in place.

Posted by John Peavey, PE on July 15, 2025

How Cross-Functional Teams Are Critical to Drive Innovation

Building Science is a complicated, interdisciplinary term, but it's essential to understand. For the design professional, it often means answering the question, “How do these building components work together as a system?” For the contractor or builder, it poses the question, “How do I actually build this and make sure it works, when the drawing is not clear to me?” For the product manufacturer, it means contemplating testing beyond the building code requirements to understand “What is the mode of failure of my product and how long will my product perform under these conditions?” A building owner may wonder, “What maintenance must I do to make sure my building product performs as expected?”

Posted by Ed Hudson, MBA on March 6, 2025

Innovation in Building Products: What Do Builders Want?

With home builders' top concern being the decreasing affordability of new homes, Home Innovation fielded a survey to uncover the best supplier-offered solutions to address the affordability crisis by reducing both labor and materials costs.

Posted by on January 7, 2025

NGBS: The Standard for Sustainable Building Certification

Sustainability in construction has become fundamental in addressing environmental challenges. The National Green Building Standard stands as a beacon in this shift, offering an ANSI-approved rating system for green buildings. With over 600,000 green-certified homes, NGBS certification is trusted by many federal, state, and local agencies.

Posted by Ed Hudson, MBA on August 29, 2024

New Trends Revealed in HVAC, Plumbing, and Electrical Systems

2024 Builder Practices Survey highlights changes in MEP systems in new homes

Posted by Michelle Foster on July 17, 2024

Building Environmental Performance Standards (BEPS) - What You Need to Know

The construction industry is undergoing a significant transformation towards sustainability and energy efficiency. With a growing focus on reducing carbon footprints, conserving resources, and creating healthier living environments, Building Environmental Performance Standards (BEPS) have emerged as important guidelines, and in some jurisdictions, mandates, for builders and developers. Let's delve into what BEPS are, why they matter, and how they are shaping the future of construction.

Posted by Cindy Wasser, MBA on June 27, 2024

NGBS Chapter 10: A Deep Dive

As an above code certification, the ICC 700-2020 National Green Building Standard (NGBS) dedicates an entire section to the operation, maintenance, and building owner education for all forms of residential construction. The section contains mandatory items for all projects, as well as additional requirements for higher levels of certification. These requirements serve to optimize buildings, educate occupants, reduce utilities and maintenance, and increase resale values.