Hilti

Hilti is well known for its high quality. It manufactures both direct fasteners as well as anchor fasteners, but tends to be more multi-purpose or general that some fastener brands. If you need extreme data and documentation, Hilti supplies some of the best in the business, with over 600 pages of information on their fasteners alone.

ITW

When it comes to fastening sheathing, foam board, roofing or hanging items on drywall, ITW provides an excellent assortment of plastic-based fasteners to prevent wind shear damage to large, thin, lightweight materials. Much like Star Sales, they don't provide a lot of technical information, but if you need these types of fasteners to get the job done, you probably already know a great deal about them and how they're used.

Scorpion

Scorpion is another company that provides fasteners for a few specific needs, specifically drywall, decking and acoustical products. With a range of products developed over the past 40 years, they offer an exceptional selection of fasteners for virtually any fastening task within the industries they serve. They feature an assortment of Phillips, square and star drive heads, which can make them much easier to drive without stripping.

Ramset

When you need to get a job done quickly, Ramset provides exceptional options with its powder and gas tool options. Recent additions to their line include insulation, concrete and hollow block fasteners, while their other fasteners include angle clips, ceiling clips, collated fasteners and their line of single shot fasteners to help keep the job siteámoving along efficiently. The powder-actuated fasteners work well for high-strength material when you need to drive a great number of fasteners in a day.

Star Sales

With over 85 years in the industry, Star Sales provides a great selection of general construction fasteners at a good price point. They don't provide the kind of information Hilti does, but does a good job of generally meeting construction needs with good quality fasteners for decking, drywall and wood, as well as producing fasteners that meet the requirements of other specialty manufacturers or tool companies, such as DeWalt and Ramset.

Grabber

Framing, sheathing, drywall and acoustical fasteners are the specialties that Grabber has built its name around. They've also spent a great deal of time developing fasteners to deal with specific problems in each of those industries, including their Scavanger drywall screw that spreads out the fastener's pressure further to prevent paper burrs, Vector point screws for faster fastening of metal framing, their Lox Drive system that prevents stripping and similar developments.

GEMCO

Gemco is another specialty fastening company, providing insulation fastening products that are designed specifically for that purpose. They provide a wide range of options for different types of foam board, blanket or batt insulation and fastening surfaces. From washer head nails and adhesives to weld pins and washers for sheet foam and lacing anchors and quilting pins for fiberglass and other soft blanket or batt insulation, Gemco has a product to meet virtually any need.

As you can see, there is actually a significant difference between these brands and how the fasteners will perform on the job. If you need more information about a particular brand of fasteners, please download our fasteners product guide below.

//

Finishing is an important part of the overall look and feel of your new or remodeled door. Choosing the appropriate trim and hardware can add a unique and personal feel to the job.Your choices are a reflection of your experience and your professional understanding of how the options contribute to the finished product. Many door manufacturers try to do it all, but it is important to have various sources with different specialties to consult.

Huttig

Huttig is one company that provides many varying options for doors and the associated finishing. Indoor, outdoor, and patio doors all have separate purposes and designs. It is vital to determine the type of door needed for a specific job and the purposes behind the distinctive designs. For garages, PDQ Doors provides specialized products that meet the needs of your new garage door. From wood to steel, different materials serve distinct functions.

Wholesale Doors Inc.

For commercial applications, Wholesale Doors Inc. has a range of products including bathroom stalls, pre-hung doors, partitions, and temporary doors. BCS Sales provides hardware and security options for these applications and others that prioritize security. Their doors are famous for their durability, and they can withstand the abuse many industrial and commercial doors receive.

BROSCO

BROSCO has countless options for inside the home. The available doors and moldings provide many original looks. Your choices in wood, molding, and trim allow for the freedom to create a truly delightful and unique home entry way. The heavier woods offer greater protection and energy efficiency.

Cendrex

Cendrex produces doors for security compartments and access ways. These doors are simpler in design, prioritizing security and material strength over fashion.Many are rated to withstand fire. They are often used for wall safes or for crawl spaces. Remember to verify with the manufacturer that the door is applicable to your environment. Steel doors, for example, have a brief life in coastal regions with a sea breeze. Salt corrodes them faster than other options. This problem isn't applicable to other climates.

Knowing what you need is only half of the battle. The other half is finding it. These companies provide dependable services to contractors. These companies are not only for contractors: Smart and enterprising individuals with a knack for do-it-yourself construction also take advantage of these resources.

hbspt.cta.load(385819, '47779724-425b-45c5-972b-6c75a4fcadb7', {});

Photo credit: woodleywonderworks / Foter / Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic (CC BY 2.0)

Photo credit: kerinin / Foter / Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 2.0 Generic (CC BY-SA 2.0)

You can call it sulphate of lime, or even use the technical term of calcium sulphate dihydroxide.á Either way, you?re talking about gypsum. Gypsum is a mineral compound that's increasingly being used as a component in interior drywall boards, and with very good reason. Interior gypsum panels have a number of ideal uses, and they consistently outscore traditional drywall boards in all of them.

Standard Gypsum Panels

Gypsum panels come in a variety of different types to suit individual needs. Standard panels are typically the least expensive choice, and their features are found in all gypsum panels across the board. Features include:

• Resistance to mold, moisture and mildew
• Resistance to fire and heat
• Durable yet easy to cut without elaborate, heavy-duty tools
• Easy to install and finish
• GREENGUARD Indoor Air Quality Certified: Many gypsum panels carry GREENGUARD certification, which means they meet the strict chemical emissions limits required for indoor use. This can contribute to a healthier, safer air quality in the home or business.

Gypsum boards? resistance to moisture makes them particularly well-suited for bathrooms, kitchen sink areas and damp environments. Their ability to resist fire and heat help them serve as a buffer between a room?s interior and the structure?s wooden framework behind the walls. If you're used to working with traditional drywall, you'll find gypsum panels just as easy to cut, install and finish. You'll also be helping to maintain a healthier interior without the risk of the panels emitting high levels of harmful chemicals.

Specialized Gypsum Panels

Sometimes your clients may have specialized needs for specific areas of the home or business, which is where other types of gypsum panels come in. In addition to enjoying all the benefits of the standard panels, specialized panels come with an array of additional features.

Sound Control

Rooms which are either particularly noisy or need to be kept quiet can benefit from gypsum boards designed to control sound. Such boards can reduce the amount of noise that filters in and out of the room.

Residential uses can include bedrooms or nurseries to keep sound out. They also work well in game rooms or family rooms to keep noise from penetrating to other areas of the home. Using a sound control board on specific walls, such as one between a bedroom and the family room?s wall-mounted TV set, is another ideal option. Commercial applications for sound control boards can include yoga and meditation studios, broadcasting and recording studios, classrooms and areas used for band or choir practice.

Resistance to Heavy Abuse and Impact

Two more types of panels include those designed to withstand heavy abuse and others that stand up to high impacts. While the two types are similar, heavy impact boards have an additional layer of durability over panels designed for heavy abuse.

Heavy abuse panels feature a high-density gypsum core encased in abrasion-resistant paper. This gives them to power to stand up to scraping, scuffing, abrasions and slight indentations that may otherwise mar the standard board. Residential uses can include hallways, game rooms or children?s play areas. Commercial uses run the gamut from schools to hospitals, day-care centers to office corridors.

Heavy impact boards are for areas likely to be subjected to impact from hard objects. Even more durable than the high-abuse boards, heavy impact panels are designed to resist impact and penetration through the drywall. The garage is an ideal place for heavy impact boards, especially in areas where tools or gardening implements are stored. They also work well in weight rooms, kickboxing studios or other areas where potential impacts from hard objects may otherwise make a hole in standard drywall.

Outfitting a home or business with several different types of interior gypsum panels can ensure specific needs are met while keeping projects economical. Even the standard gypsum panels give you an edge over traditional drywall, helping to ensure high quality, performance and customer satisfaction rates.

hbspt.cta.load(385819, '386fe6e9-fbc5-4d08-9d6a-9ef5ea78e836', {});

Sources:

http://www.wisegeek.org/what-is-gypsum.htm

http://nationalgypsum.com/resources/faqs/xp.htm#a3

For homeowners who want to give their home's exterior a "magical makeover", opting for an alternative or upgraded siding can often provide just the boost needed to make the home look and feel new. In today's marketplace, there are several options to choose from, and each option offers its own unique characteristics and needs. Here, we will delve into some popular exterior siding options.

Wood

Due to its beauty and undeniable natural charm, wood siding has been a popular siding choice for many years. Wood is available in such a vast number of grades, finishes and species that no two wood exterior renovations will look exactly alike. Less expensive grades of wood work well if the homeowner intends to use an opaque stain or regular paint for finishing. By contrast, semi transparent stains are developed to highlight the wood's grain; therefore, a more expensive grade of wood is desirable in this scenario.

Wood is considered a highly sustainable raw material, and is often used in green building projects. It can also last for multiple generations with, of course, proper maintenance. The general rule of thumb: Semi transparent stains should be reapplied once every three years, while a new coat of paint should be applied in five year increments.

Engineered Wood

Created with exterior resins and wood fibers, engineered wood is built to give the appearance of natural wood siding along with exceptional durability. Available in a number of styles and textures, engineered wood is usually available in both factory finishes and in ready to paint shingles.

Engineered wood is easy to work with and is marketed as a cheaper alternative to the real thing. However, when it was initially introduced in the market, moisture problems created a number of complaints among early adopters. These early challenges have now been corrected.

Stucco

The beauty and durability of stucco siding has long made it a favorite building material among contractors and homeowners alike. The beautiful, organic colors and finish associated with stucco generally does not need to be repainted. Further, stucco is both fire and pest resistant.

Stucco requires a great deal of prep work and should only be attempted by well trained and highly skilled contractors. Well maintained stucco siding can last for a lifetime.

Synthetic Stone

Made from a unique mixture of sand, cement and aggregate, synthetic stone can be formed to look like a number of natural stone sidings including limestone and granite. Synthetic stone is used most often as an accent material, rather than as siding covering the entire exterior.

Synthetic stone is lightweight and marketed as a less expensive alternative to genuine stone sidings. However, critics assert that synthetic stone does not mimic the original well.

Fiber Cement

Made to look like real wood, fiber cement has quickly earned a stellar reputation for stability and very low maintenance. Fiber cement is manufactured using clay, sand, wood pulp and cement. Interestingly enough, it can also be crafted to look like stucco, brick masonry, shingles and wooden clapboard.

One of the most remarkable features of fiber cement is its ability to resist the expanding and contracting commonly associated with real wood. Those changes in either temperature or humidity does not cause the material to move, and exterior paints tend to adhere to fiber cement very well.

Drawbacks of using fiber cement include its weight (it is a rather heavy material) and the fact that special tools are needed to install it. Only contractors specially trained to install fiber cement should attempt to use this material for your next remodeling project.

The typical manufacturer's warranty for fiber cement is a 30 year warranty, and the material is both termite proof and fire resistant.

á hbspt.cta.load(385819, '093b06c4-986f-46fb-bdd0-d169cc93ba17', {});

According to OSHA, the construction industry is one of the most accident prone, with most accidents involvingáslipping and falling, especially from heights. One in ten construction workers is injured on the job every year and a 45-year veteran has a one in 200 chance of dying on the job, with 72% of fatal falls happen from a roof or scaffolding.áYet despite these grim statistics, the most commonly-cited OSHA violation isáfall protection. How do you protect workers on a roof? Here are some great tips to put into practice on your crew:

• Start by performing a safety inspection of the site. Take a good look at all possible safety hazards, including hard surfaces on the ground, electrical lines and rotten roof decking.

• Provide fall protection equipment for your people. Safety harnesses can be a great help to prevent injuries from falls. Roofing brackets can also help prevent falls by providing better traction, especially on steeper roofs.á

• Don't work in dangerous conditions. If it's been wet or freezing conditions, you'll should put off work until conditions improve. Dealing with these type of conditions on the level ground is difficult enough without adding a pitch and possibility of a fall from height into the equation. If you're working on a metal roof, make sure to sweep or blow off wood chips or sawdust to help maintain traction and stay on lumber or asphalt-shingled areas to take advantage of better traction. Keep your work area cleaned up and neat, so debris won't cause tripping.

• Move dangerous or hard items around the roof's perimeter. By moving these items away from the area around the roof's edge, there's less chance of someone falling on them, damaging the item and preventing additional injury if a fall does happen. You'll also want to keep tools and roofing materials away from the edges.

• Practice ladder safety on your job sites. Make sure your ladder is set up on a level, hard surface such as a board or concrete paver stone. Use ladder brackets to help prevent your ladder from slipping and falling over. Use an extension ladder that can reach at least three feet past the edge of the roof so you have something to hold onto while moving from the ladder to the roof or vice-versa. When possible, use a fiberglass ladder instead of an aluminum one, especially if you are anywhere near power lines.

• Make sure your people watch for electrical lines. Though this isn't specifically a fall issue in and of itself, it can add to the problem. Receiving a solid electrical shock can knock a person unconscious, causing the person to fall off the roof and receiveáfurther injury in addition to the injuries from the electrical shock.

• Use lifts to encourage safe materials handling. Don't allow your crew to haul roofing materials or tools up to the roof using ladders. Rent or buy a lift to get the materials where they're needed without endangering your crew. If you don't have a lift available, try putting items into a box or bucket that can be hauled up onto the roof using a rope.

• Don't skimp on your footwear. Good traction is vital to maintaining safe conditions on your roofing project. Soft-soled boots or treads designed to provide better traction are your best bet, especially those designed for construction work. Keep the treads cleaned to help allow better traction.

hbspt.cta.load(385819, 'c152f9ac-61dd-4ac7-98b4-6bc90c161922', {});

Sources:

https://www.osha.gov/oshstats/commonstats.html

http://blog.capterra.com/13-shocking-construction-injury-statistics/

http://www.gaf.com/Roofing/Residential/DIY/Learn_Roofing_Safety