These new building trends may make future construction projects greener, cheaper and faster to complete.

Construction has thrived on innovation and technological breakthroughs for millennia. Now is no different. Firms that embrace today’s cutting-edge technology and techniques can shorten project timelines, cut construction costs and promote a cleaner, more sustainable industry.

Designing buildings with water protection in mind is critical to protecting buildings from future damage, difficult/costly repairs, and potential litigation. Foundations are by necessity in the ground. So is water. Foundation waterproofing is intended to keep them separate, by providing a layer of protection between a below-grade structure and the moisture present in the surrounding soil and fill. Waterproofing is especially important when the foundation lies below the water table or in a flood zone. Read on to learn about different approaches and materials used to waterproof foundation walls and slabs and specific detailing needed to provide a watertight enclosure. And, check out Part 2 of this series for specific guidance and examples to achieve a watertight enclosure.

RESNET Offers New Video and Infographic Directed at Builders

RESNET has created new resources to explain why builders should have their homes HERS rated.

The manufacturer claims the new grout is less corrosive on the environment, yet still superior to standard grout.

Here's the release. We followed up with some questions (below) - Editor

A new free ebook covers the important systems and products that are designed to manage the building envelope, insulation, and indoor air quality. Here's some of the most advanced of these building science concepts being used in new homes today.

Because most Americans spend two-thirds of their lives inside their homes, it’s important to continue making those buildings and the systems inside them as energy efficient—and healthy to live in—as possible. This ebook provides a roadmap to getting this done, including information on:

Wendell Falls offers homeowners a chance to soak up some sun.

Demonstrating that near-net-zero homes can be affordable for more North Carolinians, a new development just east of Raleigh combines solar panels, a home battery and sustainably built homes that are 23 percent more energy efficient than the average local home.

At Wendell Falls (www.wendellfalls.com), a 3,348-home master-planned community, low-E windows, advanced framing, high-efficiency lighting and appliances, WaterSense-certified faucets and toilets, tankless water heaters and third-party blower door, duct and exhaust flow testing combine to deliver an average low Residential Energy Services Network Home Energy Rating System (HERS) score of 63. However, what really sets this 1,267-acre project apart is the opportunity to incorporate rooftop solar panels and a Tesla home battery, delivering greater grid independence at an affordable price point.

Contractors can now continuously monitor their tankless water heater installations with the upgraded mobile Noritz PROCard app. Features include a live map displaying each installation’s location and error code alerts, prompting the installer to schedule a visit with the affected homeowner.

This first in a four-part blog series on how to construct buildings to manage moisture addresses finding the elusive “sweet spot” for building wrap permeability.

Water is an elusive foe for builders. It can find its way into a building envelope in a variety of ways. According to Bijan Mansouri, Technical Manager, TYPAR Construction Products, a key area of concern is flashing. “Bad flashing installation at punched openings such as windows and doors as well as balcony and deck interfaces are the places where water typically finds its way into a home.”

One of the most challenging situations to manage moisture is in areas with annual rainfall of 20 inches or more and a reservoir cladding like fiber cement, brick, or stone is specified and where air conditioning is often used¾which is most of the United States. When these types of claddings get wet and then are warmed, the vapor pressure of the stored water increases, driving it both inward and outward from the cladding material. Where that moisture ends up, and how quickly, is a function of how permeable the adjacent materials are within the assembly.

Understanding the difference between weather resistance and water resistance is key to durability and performance.

The definition is clear: A weather-resistant barrier is generally classified as a material that prevents both water and air infiltration into the building interior, while a water-resistant barrier functions only as a water (liquid and vapor) barrier. Less clear for some building pros is which to pick for a particular job.

The International Code Council Evaluation Service (ICC-ES) evaluates the following five key pe