If you have a builder in your life, you know that receiving a new set of power tools from a solid brand would be the ultimate gift this holiday season. There are some essential power tools that no construction kit is complete without. Luckily, BECK has your needs covered with a wide selection of rugged tools for any construction niche one might have. Let's dive into the details.

Prior to the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic there was a slight increase in the amount of new residential construction activity in low density markets. Many urban dwellers seemed to be interested in building new homes in rural areas and smaller-city suburbs to enjoy the lower cost of living and solitude. The COVID-19 pandemic, however, has fueled the fire. According to the latest Home Building Geography Index (HBGI) published by the National Association of Home Builders, homeowners are flocking to low density areas to increase the distance between themselves and their neighbors.

Depending on where you are located, the snowy season is almost here. During the winter months most construction companies experience a reduction in available work. To combat the slow season, construction companies can look for new ways to help customers during the cooler months with products designed to alleviate issues associated with snow and cold weather. One great product to offer your customers is a snow fence. A snow fence serves as a barrier and prevents snow from drifting into undesirable areas. Snow fences can provide benefits to both businesses and homeowners.

Keep Out Winter’s Cold

Attic insulation helps to keep a home warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer. Most homeowners don’t want to pay to have their HVAC system work overtime to heat and cool the great outdoors, making attic insulation necessary. Some types of insulation are better than others depending on the geographic area and climate, but insulation in general will result in a noticeable difference in any home's interior climate. Insulation works by trapping pockets of air to slow down the movement of heat escaping the house in the winter or entering in the summer. An “R-value” is assigned to all insulation to rate how well it slows the heat transfer. The higher the number, the better.

Insulating a home properly is the number one way to reduce energy loss. The attic is the key to trapping warm air in a home during the winter months. Warm air rises, so without effective insulation, it will quite simply rise right out of a home. Fiberglass insulation is one of the most versatile and effective materials used to insulate attics, but insulation needs to be correctly installed to realize its full potential. A pneumatic stapler and a handy crew can mean the difference between a passable insulation job and one that will hold for years. Here are a few basic tips that can help maximize the effectiveness of insulation while minimizing the time it takes to install.

Choosing the right staple gun for your project can be daunting, more so, if you’re unfamiliar with the breadth of styles available. Knowing the ins and outs of stapling options can ensure you’re working as effectively and efficiently as possible. The following tips will help you decide on the type of staple gun that suits your project.

You rely on your tools. You show up every day ready to work, and your tools should be ready too. That doesn’t mean you need the highest priced tools - high price is not always synonymous with high quality in the construction industry. Sometimes the less bells and whistles the better. Your tools should be made to last, here are 7 reasons why you should invest in high quality construction tools:

1. Your tools are the lifeblood of your business. It’s simple. You need your tools to do your job. Without them, you’re out of a job.
2. Construction jobs are tough on your tools. Building is demanding work. Every day your tools need to stand up to repetitive, high-impact tasks. Structures need to be built soundly, which means your fasteners and materials need to be applied with force and direction.

Fencing is a great way to add privacy and curb appeal to any size residential property. Choosing a material for the fence is one of the most important decisions a homeowner will need to make, and you can help guide them after learning more about the best materials for their residential fence project.

Wood 

Wood fences are the most popular type of fence and have been around the longest. The type of style and range of colors are unlimited, and wood is a renewable resource if it has been sustainably harvested. The initial cost of a wood fence is much less than vinyl or composite, and if well-constructed, a wood fence will last for many years. Wood fences do require more maintenance than other types of fences. They need to be rinsed off on a regular basis and will need to be repainted or stained every 3-4 years. The upkeep cost of a wood fence will likely make it equal to or more expensive than the other types of fences.  

Any job site is going to have a cluster of tools, mostly a mixture of electric and pneumatic depending on the contractor’s needs or inventory. As tools have progressed, the buying decisions have become more difficult. Especially when it comes to the question of - air powered or motor-driven?

Contractor Supply Magazine's Tom Hammel covered a hot list of growing trends in pneumatic tools for 2014, which continue to drive product development into 2015:

• As demand grows, shortages in skilled labor are increasing demand for tools that maximize productivity and efficiency to get more from smaller crews.

• Ease of use is more valuable than ever. Tools need to be designed for different experience and skill levels as new workers enter the labor pool.

• Reliable and consistent performance is a must, as crew chiefs have become frustrated with poor performance from poor quality tools coming in from Asia. Now that the market is rebounding, they are showing a willingness to invest in better quality.

• Low tool maintenance requirements, so tools can stay in production longer.

• Designs that reduce job site fatigue (low vibration, compact, light weight), for workers who work long hours due to small crew sizes.