Top building products for March 2024

Automation is the future you can’t avoid, though you may try. Even within the metal building industry—which is made up of skilled tradesmen—automation has revolutionized, and will continue revolutionizing, how we work.

From a crowd-funded smart shovel to a why-didn’t-someone-do-this-sooner scheme for managing traffic in public restrooms, these ideas are noteworthy for creative problem-solving. Here are some of the most intriguing innovations the BD+C community has brought to our attention this year.

BD+C editors present a roundup of the latest technologies and applications in exterior wall systems, from a tapered metal wall installation in Oklahoma to a textured precast concrete solution in North Carolina. 

The Furniture Row retail center in Charlotte, N.C., incorporates four specialty stores in a distinctive, efficient structure. 

Beyond its long-standing role as a preferred material for a building’s structure and roof, metal is making its mark on interior spaces as well. 

This AIA/CES-approved presentation provides information regarding proper design to prevent possible infiltration from the roof system into the building. It also works as a guide when designing a roof to allow for proper water runoff.

Given their durability and ease of use, metal roofs have been a common feature on rural houses for decades. Now they’re becoming an increasingly popular choice on urban dwellings as well. 

While the durability of metal as a construction material is widely recognized, some of its other advantages are less commonly acknowledged and appreciated.