The diversity of wood is a continuing appeal as a design feature in construction. For form, durability, and function, there are few products available that provide the flexibility of lumber and wood products. Modern polymers, plastics, and even concrete and steel offer relative strengths and … [ more ]
Underemployment, Continued…
This is something of a continuation of the previous post. The latest United States unemployment numbers came out last week, and the news is mixed. An editorial in the Weekend Wall Street Journal provides a brief analysis of the figures’ current relevance.Some good news, some bad. There are … [ more ]
Ignoring Underemployment in America
Occasionally, it appears the United States is not committed to a full economic recovery. Perhaps there are elements within our nation’s makeup that preclude its occasion. There are a number of systemic barriers which prevent the US from taking advantage of its entire workforce. The … [ more ]
A Day Without Gribbles…
It’s a little more challenging than I’d expected to find decent and widely available and accepted standards for measuring the effectiveness of wood products. It is relatively easy to find specific information on a subject, such as how individual species perform against each other in controlled … [ more ]
Rain Screen Siding System FAQs
Some Rain Screen Siding System Basics: The Pressure-equalized rain screen system is the best insurance policy available to designers, builders, and homeowners facing elemental extremes. This cladding design has been tested to the extent that Scandanavian buildings dating back over 500 years are … [ more ]
A Real Dilemma for the Dollar
There was an interesting article written by John Lyons in the weekend Wall Street Jornal about inflation in Brazil. It's worth a look for those with interest in the coming domestic pricing for products such as ipe. As the dollar continues its global and local slide, the opposite is true … [ more ]