ASCOT, England, January 30/PRNewswire/ -- The Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) has launched a new publication, and its first international magazine, to serve the needs of a rapidly growing Institute membership worldwide. iCON (International Construction Review) will provide CIOB members and subscribers access to technical and industry intelligence from the global marketplace, and enable construction companies to develop their businesses internationally.

Consolidated Cellars, LLC is pleased to introduce it’s patent-pending wine cellar insulation system, CELLARTHERM. Design with architects and design professionals in mind, Cellartherm is proven to end vapor migration, control light exposure and temperature swings, arrest mold growth and reduce vibration with dampeners developed specifically for wine storage. To ensure the best system possible, Cellartherm is only installed on-site by factory-trained professionals.

CLEVELAND, Jan. 27 /PRNewswire/ -- With many homeowners reeling over their January heating bills, it's no wonder there has been an overwhelming attraction to the many energy-related displays at the 25th Anniversary Home Improvement Show, presented by Professional Remodelers of Ohio, currently underway at the IX Center. "We experienced a 200% increase in sales from August to December and there's no let up here at the show," said Daniel Hoag, owner of The Siding and Insulation Company of Cleveland. Hoag says adding insulation to a home is the least expensive home improvement project and you get the quickest return on your investment. "If you don't own it, you're still paying for it," he points out. Many of the window manufacturers are also reporting a surge in sales and overall interest this year. "We offer several different windows depending on what people wish to spend and this year they are clearly going for what's on the top shelf," said Sven Kramer, General Manager of Stanek Windows of Cleveland. Stanek offers a window with Heat Mirror technology, which is a coated film product, suspended inside an insulating glass unit. This revolutionary glass technology reflects heat back to its source. In the winter, it reflects heat back into the home and during the summer months, the opposite occurs to keep the house cooler. According to Housing and Urban Development (HUD) studies, up to 70% of energy loss goes out windows with 90% of the window heat loss occurring through the glass. One of Stanek's customers, Thomas Hawkins of Church of Christ in Cleveland, reports that in one month alone, the church realized a savings of $1,800 on its gas bill. "And that was before the most recent jump in gas bills, so their investment in our windows will be paid back in less than five years," said Kramer. The 25th Anniversary Home Improvement Show, which has been helping homeowners since 1982, starts Thursday, January 26th and runs through Sunday, January 29th at the IX Center. Tickets are $10.50 for adults, with discount coupons offering $2.50 off admission when ordering online at http://redirect.aecdaily.com/s18122/www.homeimprovementshow.org/. Contact: Ed "Flash" Ferenc 216-789-2597 djbflash@aol.com Source: Professional Remodelers of Ohio CONTACT: Ed "Flash" Ferenc of Professional Remodelers of Ohio, +1-216-789-2597, or djbflash@aol.com Web site: http://redirect.aecdaily.com/s18122/www.homeimprovementshow.org/

Experts Unite to Help Construction Industry Combat the Growing Problem of Equipment Theft SAN DIEGO, Jan. 27 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- LoJack Corporation (NASDAQ:LOJN) , the global leader in tracking and recovering valuable mobile assets, and the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB), a non-profit organization known for its expertise in vehicle theft issues and prevention methods, today kicked off an education program on construction equipment theft protection by presenting an informative, interactive seminar here. Timed to coincide with the CONDEX show in San Diego, the seminar is designed to help owners of construction equipment learn the facts about theft and how to protect their equipment and business from this growing issue.

ATLANTA--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 26, 2006--Spectrum Brands (NYSE: SPC) today announced that it has completed the sale of its fertilizer technology and Canadian professional products business to Agrium, Inc., in line with Spectrum Brands' strategy to focus exclusively on consumer products. Net proceeds from the sale of approximately $83 million will be utilized to reduce Spectrum Brands' outstanding debt balance.

World Class Tucson Tie Plant to Expand Manufacturing Capacity PITTSBURGH, Jan. 24 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Pittsburgh-based L.B. Foster Company (NASDAQ:FSTR) and its wholly owned subsidiary CXT(R) Incorporated, herein "L.B. Foster," announced today that it has received the permitting necessary to begin construction of a world class concrete rail tie manufacturing facility in Tucson, Arizona. The Tucson plant will add further capacity to L.B. Foster's existing facilities in Grand Island, Nebraska and Spokane, Washington. L.B. Foster will again install innovative Grimbergen long-line concrete tie manufacturing equipment and intends to commission the facility during the summer of 2006. The company's CXT prestressed concrete ties are used for new construction and rehabilitation of heavy haul mainline, high-speed commuter, light rail and industrial track. "When fully commissioned, our exciting new facility will provide the capacity required to meet the growing demand for concrete ties throughout North America," said Stan Hasselbusch, President and CEO. "This new L.B. Foster plant is another key initiative toward achieving profitable long-term growth for our company." CXT(R) is a registered trademark of L.B. Foster Company. Contact information: Jake Fuellhart (412) 928-5645 jfuellhart@lbfosterco.com Source: L. B. Foster Company

WESTLAKE VILLAGE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 23, 2006--Chatsworth Products, Inc. (CPI), a leading manufacturer of systems designed to organize, store and secure IT infrastructure equipment adds the TeraFrame(TM) Cabinet System to its product offering. CPI's new TeraFrame Cabinet System (http://redirect.aecdaily.com/s18122/www.chatsworth.com/main.asp?id=288) is infinitely configurable and can be personalized to meet specific data center needs arriving ready to install in five days(a). Available in three different widths (600, 700 and 800 mm), 12 heights and 17 depths, choose from 612 standard sizes to configure a customized solution.

Patent-pending technology now minimizes a frequent contributor to construction delay - inclement weather HARTSVILLE, S.C., Jan. 20 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Sonoco (NYSE:SON) , the market and technology leader in the design and manufacture of concrete column forms, today announced the launch throughout North America of its new water-resistant Sonotube(R) concrete form with RainGuard(TM) technology.

HOUSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 19, 2006--Researched by Industrialinfo.com (Industrial Information Resources, Incorporated; Houston, Texas). Each fiscal year, light and commuter rail companies invest billions of dollars in massive expansions of their rail systems. For the most part, these expansions are geared to easing congestion and helping alleviate environmental concerns brought about by our nation's heavily over-traveled roads. On the flip side of those capital investments, these same light and commuter rail companies also spend hundreds of millions of dollars annually on the necessary infrastructure projects that keep these same rail systems operating.

ST. LOUIS, Mo., Jan. 18 /PRNewswire/ -- Wood floors are one of the few flooring options that become more beautiful with age. Like all natural products that experience change over time, wood floors will experience subtle color changes as they age. This is a natural process called patina that will add to the beauty and character of the floor.

PERKASIE, Pa., Jan. 18 /PRNewswire/ -- Orbit Manufacturing, a leading provider of high-quality electric radiant heating solutions for residential and commercial applications, now offers a radiant heating system for residential snow and ice melting for driveways, walkways, handicapped ramps, and patios. Orbit's Snow and Ice Melting System is ideal for melting snow and ice on almost any ground surface, including concrete, brick, asphalt, and pavers.

MINNEAPOLIS, Jan. 16 /PRNewswire/ -- The days are getting longer and temperatures have begun to moderate, but before the baseball gloves and swimsuits come out homeowners must still endure a period of freezing and thawing that can be hazardous to their roofs. Winter warm spells are a critical time for roofs, as freezing and thawing temperatures melt snow behind ice dams trapping water that can cause potential damage to a home, says John Valiton, a roofing expert and CEO of Ice Dam Removal Systems (IDRS). And each year there are news stories recounting injuries to homeowners who fall from roofs while trying to clear ice and snow.

Partnership Brings Video Telephony Into New Community Developments RENO, Nev., Jan. 13 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- MidNet, Inc. (BULLETIN BOARD: MIDX) creator, owner, and operator of The Middle Network(TM), announced today that it has begun the integration planning of its video telephony platform for housing projects being launched by Negucci Incorporated.

Communal restrooms are serious architectural mistakes, they violate ADA and damage the lives of millions of Americans. The American's With Disabilities Act (ADA) Section 302. PROHIBITION OF DISCRIMINATION BY PUBLIC ACCOMMODATIONS: "(a) General Rule.--No individual shall be discriminated against on the basis of disability in the full and equal enjoyment of the goods, services, facilities, privileges, advantages, or accommodations of any place of public accommodation by any person who owns, leases (or leases to), or operates a place of public accommodation."

Money-Saving Efficiencies and Flexible Living Spaces Top the List in Lowe's Builders Survey ORLANDO, Fla., Jan. 12 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- The home building market is expected to have lots of energy in 2006. A new survey of home builders (1), released by Lowe's at the 2006 International Builders' Show, demonstrates one of the biggest trends in home building is a strong focus on energy-efficient materials and products. In fact, nine out of ten builders surveyed say they are incorporating energy-saving products into new homes at all price levels.

Web based products offer the consumer reliable, easy-to-use home construction cost estimating GROSSE POINTE, Mich., Jan. 12 /PRNewswire/ -- Home-Cost.com (http://redirect.aecdaily.com/s18122/www.home-cost.com?pr1 ), a provider of home construction cost estimating products has announced the launch and immediate availability of their online estimating services. Resi-Cost(TM) Full Function and Resi-Cost Lite are new on-line applications that allow users to construct a customized, detailed cost estimate for home construction projects via the web, through a secure web portal

Industry-wide educational effort will ensure builders and homeowners have the most accurate information on mold and moisture control ORLANDO, Fla., Jan. 12 /PRNewswire/ -- The Responsible Solutions to Mold Coalition (RSMC) was launched today at the National Association of Home Builders' International Builders' Show in Orlando, Fla. RSMC is an industry-wide coalition formed to communicate accurate information to both the construction industry and homeowners about how to control moisture and thereby control mold in commercial and residential construction.

Sustainable building is finalist in international competition Skidmore, Owings & Merrill has designed a 69-story corporate headquarters that can produce more energy than it consumes and promises to set new standards for sustainable architecture, the Chicago- based firm announced today.

CLEVELAND--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 11, 2006--For the second consecutive year, The Sherwin-Williams Company (NYSE:SHW) was named to FORTUNE Magazine's list of "100 Best Companies to Work for." In 2006, the Cleveland-based paint company climbed to number 61, up from the 99th spot in 2005, the first year the company made the list.

Next Generation Glass Technology Delivers Performance, Comfort and Convenience BAYPORT, Minn., Jan. 11 /PRNewswire/ -- Andersen Windows, Inc. introduces High Performance(TM) Low-E4(TM) glass, the next generation of energy-efficient, low-maintenance glass. Low-E4 features an innovative exterior coating that, when activated by sunlight, helps reduce dirt build-up and water spots, and promotes faster drying. Low-E4 glass is exclusive to Andersen(R) windows and doors, and will be a standard feature on Andersen 400 Series products.

DETROIT--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 11, 2006--Coated glass technology has taken a revolutionary step forward with the introduction of ClimaGuard SPF from Guardian Industries Corp. Designed specifically for use in residential windows, ClimaGuard SPF blocks 99.9% of ultraviolet (UV) radiation without any visible change in day lighting. Growing awareness of the risks associated with exposure to ultraviolet radiation has led the public to widespread use of sunscreen, sunglasses and protective clothing. Household furnishings have a good reason to fear the sun as well. UV radiation is largely responsible for the fading and deterioration of furniture, carpets, hardwood floors and other interior furnishings. This damage is irreversible. Until now, homeowners have been forced to accept undesirable tradeoffs if they wanted to protect their home furnishings from the damaging effects of the sun.

Proprietary Energy Solutions Calculator Software Offers Builders a Competitive Edge ORLANDO, Fla., Jan. 11 /PRNewswire/ -- Leading building materials manufacturer Owens Corning introduced the Owens Corning Builder Energy Solutions Calculator at the International Builders Show today. The new software not only provides the ability to better understand how to most economically improve the energy efficiency of their projects, but also provides a sophisticated analytic tool to help builders meet tax credit compliance standards for the Energy Policy Act of 2005.

DENVER, Jan. 11 /PRNewswire/ -- Builders and contractors are constantly seeking ways to build better homes and improve the overall building envelope. They're demanding building products that provide superior performance and value, while also offering more-efficient installation and greater energy-efficiency performance. Johns Manville's (JM) Engineered Products Group, a global leader in the nonwoven industry, is responding to builders' needs by introducing two new products -- Gorilla Wrap(TM), a translucent, non-perforated housewrap and DuraBase(TM), an asphalt and nonwoven polyester roofing underlayment. JM is rolling out Gorilla Wrap and DuraBase at the National Association of Home Builders 2006 International Builders' Show, January 11-14, 2006, in Orlando, Fla.

Builders who install fire sprinklers as standard are seen as innovative and caring QUINCY, Mass., Jan. 11 /PRNewswire/ -- In a new national poll commissioned by the nonprofit Home Fire Sprinkler Coalition (HFSC) and conducted by Harris Interactive(R), 45 percent of U.S. homeowners said a sprinklered home is more desirable than an unsprinklered home, most often because of the added safety provided by the sprinklers (51%).

ORLANDO, Fla., Jan. 11 /PRNewswire/ -- The hottest trend in home design may be that homeowners no longer feel locked into any particular style. Self expression is the rage and Owens Corning is right in step with a host of new choices to its line of Cultured Stone(R) and Cultured Brick(R) veneer products -- a new stone texture, a new architectural trim collection and five new colors in the Cultured Brick(R) line of used brick veneer.

SUNNYVALE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 11, 2006--Quiet Solution, LLC, provider of award-winning soundproofing products and solutions, today announced the availability of the lowest-cost, high-performance soundproof drywall panel, QuietRock 525. With simple score, snap and hang, QuietRock 525 installs and finishes like standard drywall and requires no special tools or equipment.

Eon Introduces Fencing that Captures the Natural Beauty of Premium Wood TORONTO, Jan. 10 /PRNewswire/ -- In the search for the ultimate low maintenance dream backyard, consumers are looking for a beautiful and easy-to-install fencing solution. Now thanks to CPI Plastics Group Ltd. (CPI), maker of Eon(R), homeowners in the U.S. and Canada can have exactly what they are looking for in fencing products: easy-to-install wood-like fencing that does not require the labor-intensive annual painting, staining and upkeep required of natural wood.

Designer Rebecca Cole Explores Trends in Countertops, Appliances, Flooring and Paint WILMINGTON, Del., Jan. 9 /PRNewswire/ -- Earth, Lava Stone, Brass Pearl and Sandscapes(TM) are among the newest textured aesthetics being offered by some of the top names in countertops, flooring, appliances and paint. Today's textures are derived from both organic and inorganic origins to create the added dimension homeowners are choosing for their homes.

The National Park Service has started construction on the Twin Creeks Science and Education Center, a first-of-its-kind National Park Service research facility that will support the All Taxa Biodiversity Inventory (ATBI). The ATBI is an initiative to document all life forms in this half a million-acre national park and help scientists make critical decisions about protecting and preserving the park’s ecosystem.

The Ohio Board of Examiners of Architects and the Ohio Board of Landscape Architect Examiners have revised the Seal rules for architects and landscape architects. Electronic seals and signatures are now permitted.

BEIT SHEMESH, Israel--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 9, 2006--Solel Solar Systems Ltd. will construct an advanced solar system for a school with 500 pupils located in Beit Shemesh, Israel. The system, which will be operated entirely by solar green and clean energy, will air-condition the entire school, including all classrooms and neighboring halls and rooms. The system will operate throughout the entire year, constantly cooling in summer and heating in winter.

WASHINGTON, Jan. 5 /PRNewswire/ -- The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) has unveiled a series of major process improvements to its LEED(R) (Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design) green building rating system, including a significantly streamlined documentation and certification process that's now 100% online. A direct result of market surveys and extensive dialogue with the organizations and individuals who use LEED, USGBC anticipates the changes to the LEED process will reduce the time and cost of LEED certification.

DUBLIN, Ireland--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 5, 2006--Research and Markets (http://redirect.aecdaily.com/s18122/www.researchandmarkets.com/reports/c30276) has announced the addition of Flammability Testing of Materials Used in Construction, Transport and Mining to their offering. Engineers need to be able to test the flammability of the materials they use in buildings and other structures. However, the range of test procedures and regulations in this important area is often confusing. "Flammability testing of materials used in construction, transport and mining" provides an authoritative guide to current best practice in ensuring safe design.

BALTIMORE--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 4, 2006--Avatech Solutions, Inc. (OTCBB:AVSO.OB), the recognized leader in design and engineering technology for the manufacturing, building design, and engineering markets, today announced the availability of Avatech Earth Connector, a unique AutoCAD plug-in which allows architects, building designers, and engineers to place 2D and 3D structures developed in AutoCAD-based products directly into Google Earth's 3D world. Google Earth has done more to advance the public's awareness of GIS - Geographic Information Systems - than anything since MapQuest and is delivered via an easy access desktop service. Avatech Earth Connector joins the world's most popular design-creation tool with the most popular Geographic Information Systems (GIS) tool on the planet.

The European Council for an Energy Efficient Economy (ECEEE) has recognized The Weidt Group for "most innovative method or result" for its energy conservation work on The Science Museum of Minnesota's Science House. Given at Europe's main energy efficiency event, the Summer Study, The Weidt Group's presentation illustrated the design strategies and solutions that resulted in the Science House's ability to produce more energy than it uses on an annual basis.

COLUMBUS, Ohio--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 30, 2005--Reynolds Family Homes (http://redirect.aecdaily.com/s18122/www.reynoldsfamilyhomes.com) announced two tentative new styles to their home collection, which currently consists of two styles being built by TK Constructors, Inc. (http://redirect.aecdaily.com/s18122/www.tkconstructors.com). In a naming scheme to directly relate to what it believes its primary consumers will be, Reynolds Family Homes gave them names to appeal to its young urban consumer base.