Acoustic ceiling tiles are panels that are attached directly to a ceiling or placed into a supportive drop ceiling grid assembly. These types of ceilings are commonly found in commercial office spaces and less commonly in residential construction. They are easy to install, cost effective, and offer thermal and acoustical properties. The panels come in a wide range of colors, textures, shapes, and patterns.

Acoustic ceiling tiles do absorb sound better than other types of materials, such as thin sheetrock, concrete, plywood, or other wood products. However, there are other acoustical treatments that can offer more sound absorption if you need better acoustics in your space.

Let's take a look at how acoustic ceiling tiles work, why they absorb sound, as well as other types of acoustical treatments that are available.

 

Why Concrete is Reinforced with Steel: The Complete Guide

Reinforced concrete is one of the most ubiquitous building materials in the world. On its own, however, concrete is actually much more brittle than you might expect, and hardly useful in any but a very few limited applications. When reinforced with steel, however, concrete can be used for slabs, walls, beams, columns, foundations, frames and more.

Concrete is only strong against forces of compression and has low tensile strength and ductility. Reinforcement materials are needed to withstand shear and tensile forces on the concrete. Steel is used because it bonds well with concrete and expands and contracts due to temperature at similar rates.

When you dig deeper into the science of how steel and concrete behave individually, you’ll quickly see that their properties complement each other in ways that make them uniquely suited to be used together. Their combined properties are beneficial in ways that make reinforced concrete the wonder material responsible for impressive structures, like the Hoover Dam.

 

What to do when Contractors go Over Budget: Ultimate Guide

Dealing in real estate involves vision, hard work, and patience. If you have the ability to look at a project, figure out how much it will cost to make improvements, and wait for your vision to become a reality, you stand a chance to make big gains in real estate. The problem lies when all of those projected gains get erased by contractors who go over budget.

When contractors go over budget, it is best to have a direct and clear line of communication with the project manager. While it may feel difficult to remain civil when you feel like you are out thousands of dollars, clearly stating your area of concern increases the likelihood of getting some satisfaction.

Going over budget for contracted projects is a messy scenario. Both parties are likely to be justified in their positions, and equitable solutions may not be attained easily, if at all. Therefore, throughout the course of a project, open and honest communication is paramount in ensuring that everything is going as scheduled and no unexpected charges arise.

 

Ever Wonder Why Concrete Gets Hot? Here’s Why

Have you ever walked barefoot on concrete under a scorching summer sun? It can get quite hot. That’s because a great amount of energy is created by the ground as the sunlight shines onto it. When our bare skin comes into contact with the concrete, we immediately feel it.

The ingredients of concrete generate a thermal mass that absorbs sunlight and heat that falls upon it. This generates energy, which is given back off into the air in the cool of the night. This happens either with direct sunlight or other forms of heat absorbed by the concrete. Concrete is utilized around the world to pave much of the ground we tread on. What is the reasoning behind the temperature changes it goes through depending on the weather above it? It all has to do with the ingredients of the concrete itself.

 

Why is Concrete and Concrete Work so Expensive?

 

Concrete is one of the most versatile and widely used materials around the world, especially in the construction industry. It is not only durable, but its flexibility when mixed early on makes it the ideal choice for building projects, both big and small. Most people would assume that due to its high demand and use, concrete should be relatively inexpensive; however, the opposite is often the case.

Why is concrete and concrete work so expensive? There are many factors that affect the cost of concrete and concrete jobs, including the type and amount of concrete used, the extent of concrete work needed, and project duration.

Though these are the main factors that affect the final price of concrete and concrete work, there are other specifics to consider, such as the ingredients used for concrete, and labor costs that are involved in concrete placement.

 

Admixtures Used in Concrete

What are Admixtures and Why are They Added to Concrete?

 

Ingredients added to concrete, other than Portland cement, aggregates, or water, are referred to as admixtures. While not required, they are sometimes used selectively to improve the concrete mix.

Admixtures are used in concrete to alter its properties in various ways. Some common uses include improving workability, increasing or decreasing cure time, and increasing concrete strength. Admixtures can also be used for aesthetic reasons, such as to change the color of the cement.

Whenever possible, concrete workability, water tightness, and strength should be achieved by selecting suitable types of aggregate, Portland cement, and maintaining a good water-cement ratio.

When this is not possible or special circumstances exist, such as freezing weather, hot temperatures, increase wear, or prolonged exposure to deicing salts or other chemicals, admixtures can be helpful.

 

Innovative Building Materials

Living Buildings: Innovative Building Materials

 

From pollution absorption to self-healing abilities, a number of innovative building materials that function as self-regulating, living systems are being developed today. Comprised in part from bacteria and other natural biological processes, the materials have the ability to cool, heat, and even repair themselves.

No longer simply inert objects, these engineered materials when combined to form completed structures are transforming buildings into living systems that have the ability to adapt to their surroundings automatically on their own.

Traditional mechanical and plumbing systems such as drainage and venting are being reimagined through the creation of living, breathing building systems that are powered by natural biological processes. The end result could be a significant reduction in emissions and a reduction in the carbon footprint of buildings.

 

How Virtual Reality Could Impact the Building Industry

 

Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR) have the potential to play a significant role in the building industry in the coming years. While their use has been slow to be implemented, in part due to cost, the technology provides advantages that could greatly impact the fields of design and construction.

The design professions, Architects, in particular, have been quicker to implement the use of virtual reality mostly because it provides an excellent platform to display their visions to clients. In recent times, Architects have relied on technologies such as 3D modeling and digital true-to-life renderings to showcase their designs.

While these methods can show a great deal, in particular with the ability of 3D modeling to simulate walkthroughs and pan and move around the virtual models, there is one component missing in these presentations that virtual reality can provide. The ability for the user to move and experience the space in any way they choose. In other words, an environment where the user dictates movement through space, not the designer.

 

Density Contributes to Healthier Living

 

An international study on the design of cities and how they correlate with physical activity and health found that there are four factors that contribute to improved physical activity among adults. Based on an evaluation of various cities, the study found the design of urban environments has the potential to contribute substantially to physical activity.

By engaging the public sector in an effort to promote physical activity, local governments along with the community and the private development have the opportunity to create a more healthy environment for residents. The four factors were developed by monitoring and studying physical activity throughout 14 countries worldwide in a cross-sectional study.

 

Placemaking and the Future of Cities

 

Improving streets as public spaces, creating squares and parks as multi-use destinations and building local economies through markets top the list of 10 recommendations in a study titled "Placemaking and the Future of Cities" by Project for Public Spaces, Inc.

The study's aim is to harness the power of public space for the common good. The report points out that by recognizing and developing the positive potential of their public spaces, cities can enhance safety and security, create economic opportunities, improve public health, create diverse public environments, and build democracy.