Countervailing Duties Findings Released by Commerce Dept.

The preliminary report is in response to what the department calls “significant” subsidies from Asian countries on hardwood and decorative plywood. The new report from the U.S. Department of Commerce found that strong support from governments in China, Indonesia and Vietnam on their exports to the U.S. is creating an unfair advantage in the American […]

‘Tepid Growth’ in Housing Market as 2025 Numbers Finalize

We’re still not seeing major gains but the November 2025 numbers from an important Index are encouraging. Home prices across the country increased 1.4 percent in November according to the latest Case-Shiller US National Home Price NSA Index, considered one of the most prestigious rating services in the business. “November’s results confirm that the housing […]

Building Trade Seeing New Leaders for the New Year

Home builders Lennar and KB Home have new CEOs in 2026, as does key retailer Floor & Decor. The changing of the guard at the corner office of large companies in the home building and woodworking trade is an ongoing event but as the new year starts, two of the biggest builders in the country […]

2025 Was a ‘Pivotal’ Year for Mass Timber Construction

The final numbers aren’t in yet but this past year will see growth at around 20 percent in buildings using the technology. A new analysis of the mass timber field from Ricardo Brites, director of engineering and virtual design and construction at Mercer Mass Timber, finds that there were over 2,500 mass timber projects that […]

Watch Out Home Depot & Lowe’s: Here Comes Vevor

Does the home improvement retail business need another player? A new retailer from China is about to find out. The American DIY/home improvement big box business has been dominated by Home Depot and Lowe’s for decades after they squeezed out most of the country’s regional and local chains. However, a Chinese retailing company is now […]

Want to Start a Business? Try Florida First

A new study ranks the state as the best place for entrepreneurs to get started creating a company. According to the study from personal finance company WalletHub, Florida leads several Sunbelt and Western states that rank high for business start-ups. WalletHub compared the 50 states across 25 key indicators of startup success to find the […]

Storage, Built-ins and Prep Spaces Lead Kitchen Designs

It’s the most functional room in the house, so a new survey outlining consumer preferences for the kitchen makes perfect sense. More than three-quarters of homeowners told the U.S. Houzz Kitchen Trends Study that the most important thing they want in their kitchens is specialty built-in features. It’s a big change from years gone by […]

Counting Down to the International Mass Timber Conference

It’s just over two months until the three-day event in Portland, OR that will highlight the world of mass timber building and design. This year celebrates ten years for the conference, which will be held at the Portland Convention Center from March 30 through April 2 and includes speakers, workshops, tours, case studies, social events […]

Here Are the Best ROI Home Improvement Projects

Homeowners are focused on which home jobs will give them the best bang for the buck: the trade should be doing the same thing. Home improvement projects run the gamut from quick fixes to full-blown remodels but a new survey from Ace Handyman Services found that certain ones give homeowners the best return on their […]

Is 2026 the Year of ‘The Great Housing Reset?’

As we start the new year, hopes are high for a rebound in the housing market. The reality could be different. Redfin, the online real estate service, is calling 2026 “The Great Housing Reset,” describing it as the start of a “new era” for home building and homeowners alike. CNN, in pulling together a cross-section […]