Welcome to the Targeted ED+C eNews, sponsored by Bio-Based Insulation:
High-Performance Building Envelopes
A building's envelope - including wall systems, roof components, windows and insulation - can be specified to optimize performance. Effectively integrating these components can result in a more efficient and sustainable building. The following delves into the complexities associated with exterior design, especially those that deal with blending aesthetic form with sustainable function.
BioBased® 1701 is a closed cell, spray foam insulation from BioBased®
Insulation, the leader in sustainable spray foams. This water-blown, soy-based insulation with a density of 1.7 lbs is the first polyurethane foam insulation to obtain GreenGuard and Green Guard for Children and Schools certifications. BioBased® 1701 is a sustainable choice because it helps improve the environment, both indoors and out.
BioBased® Insulation introduced quality, third-party-tested, soy-based spray foam insulation products to the market in 2003. Our products are performance-tested and cost competitive with traditional spray foam insulations. Because it provides an air seal, BioBased® Insulation makes your structure more durable, comfortable, energy efficient and healthier. Since it is soy-based and water-blown, BioBased® Insulation also is a more environmentally responsible insulation choice.
Visit www.biobased.net or call 1-800-803-5189 for more information.
ASHRAE Increases Minimum Required Roof and Wall Insulation Levels Atlanta - For the first time in more than 19 years, the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) announced an increase to the minimum required prescriptive R-value (resistance to heat flow) for roof and wall insulation levels in Standard 90.1 - the national model energy code for commercial buildings. The above-deck roof insulation requirements will increase by 33 percent from R-15 to R-20 in every climate zone in the U.S. Similar increases were approved for walls.
"ASHRAE is to be commended for establishing a new benchmark for building energy efficiency," said Jared Blum, President of PIMA. "According to the Department of Energy commercial buildings and homes account for 40 percent of the energy consumed in the United States. The increased values establish a new national standard minimum against which all codes can be compared and pave the way for buildings with improved efficiency and decreased carbon footprint."
The increased roof and wall insulation values apply to all commercial and high-rise residential buildings covered by Standard 90.1. These changes now become a part of the newest edition of the Standard - 90.1-2007. Visit www.ASHRAE.org for more information.
Three Major Trends Pushing Green Building to the Forefront of Industry Raleigh, N.C. - According to FMI's 2008 U.S. Construction Overview, construction industry stakeholders are increasingly recognizing green building capabilities as being a necessary part of a firm's best practices and no longer a niche sector. Three major trends are pushing green building to the forefront of the construction industry's consciousness: 1) an unprecedented level of government initiatives; 2) heightened residential demand for green construction; and 3) improvements in sustainable materials.
"Green building will continue to grow. It is not a question of whether your firm should invest in understanding the green sustainable trend and how to produce sustainable projects, it's how much should you invest and how fast," said Rick Dutmer, consulting group manager for FMI. "Developing a strategy now to assess the capabilities of your firm, and create actions to take advantage of the sustainable opportunities is fundamental." Visit
www.fminet.com for more information.
Georgia Theater Constructed with ICF Technology Eatonville, Ga. - The new Spotlight Theater located near Eatonville, Georgia is a 30,000-square-foot, eight screen movie theater designed and constructed with Commercial Block insulated concrete forms (ICFs) and installed by National Wall Systems, Inc. ICF's are insulated forms of poured concrete walls that stay in place as a permanent part of the wall assembly. The forms are made of high-density foam insulation and are pre-formed to be interlocking. They are connected with 24-gage metal connectors spaced at 8 inches on center. The left-in-place forms not only provide continuous insulation but a sound barrier, which makes a comfortable and quiet experience for moviegoers. Dave Hanson of
National Wall Systems, said the project was completed in eight weeks, and took a crew of 11 installers, which laid a total of 13,000 ICF blocks. The exterior walls were 44 feet high and the interior walls varied from 36 to 39 feet. Visit www.nationalwall.com for more information.
Environmental Benefits of Wall and Roof Panels Give Builders Greener Options Glenview, Ill. - Insulated Metal Panels (IMP) lead in energy conservation, recyclables, and sustainability, according to the Metal Construction Association (MCA), an organization dedicated to expanding the use of metal in construction.
According to Scott Kriner, Technical Director for the Metal Construction Association, "Today's architects and building designers continue to look for ways to reduce the carbon footprint of new commercial structures. The use of IMPs for the building envelope will make a significant contribution to reducing greenhouse gas emissions related to lower energy consumption, less solid waste stream, and efficient water usage."
Proponents for IMPs cite the following benefits: the panels reduce jobsite waste, can be used for the entirety of an exterior wall or roof system, and they can be used for multi-component solutions. Additionally, they are reportedly effective in any climate, have high recyclable content, contribute to better HVAC performance, and may contribute to which Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) credits. Visit
www.metalconstruction.org for more information.
Sustainable Total Wall System Midland, Mich. - Dow Building Solutions is introducing a new total wall system for commercial steel stud wall assemblies. Dow's total wall system provides an all-in-one continuous insulation value, air-barrier protection and a flashing system. The company reports that as a result, the total wall system offers ease of design and installation because there are fewer products and they all work in tandem, therefore reducing the construction time needed to install the system - which is both cost and labor saving. The total wall system includes, THERMAX Exterior Insulated Sheathing, STYROFOAM Spray Polyurethane Foam (SPF) for walls, and WEATHERMATE Flashings. Visit
www.dowbuildingsolutions.com/architect.
Energy Reducing SIPs Fife, Wash. - Premier Building Systems' Structural Insulated Panels (SIPs) consist of a layer of expanded polystyrene insulation (EPS) sandwiched between two layers of oriented strand board (OSB), Premier's SIPs feature a 55 percent higher whole-wall efficiency than traditional two-by-six, R-19 construction. The OSB used in Premier's SIPs is made from fast growing species that are specifically harvested for OSB production. The rapidly renewable OSB creates a durable product that is manufactured with minimal impact on the environment, the company reports. When manufacturing the OSB, virtually the entire tree is used to limit waste. Premier offers its products with FSC (Forestry
Stewardship Council) certified OSB upon request. Both the OSB and EPS used in the production of Premier's SIP panels contain recycled content and are 100 percent recyclable. Visit www.pbssips.com for more information.
Cement-Bonded Wood Fiber ICF Hamilton, Ont. - The Durisol Wall Form System is the only reinforced insulated concrete form that does not use foam or polystyrene, the company reports, and is made from Durisol - a proprietary cement-bonded wood fiber material. Durisol wood concrete insulated forms are ideal for below- and above-grade building construction for many commercial, residential, industrial and agricultural building designs. Durisol ICF forms can be an integral part of certified LEED and green building.
www.durisolbuild.com.
New Energy-Efficient, Impact-Resistant Storefront Monett, Mo. - EFCO's Series 526 Thermal Impact Storefront is designed to accommodate 1-5/16-inch insulating glass units for enhanced U values, and incorporates the use of a polyurethane thermal barrier that enhances the frame's CRF values, the company reports. Dry-glazed interior and exterior gaskets eliminates the usage of any structural silicone sealants, and provides enhanced thermal performance by ensuring a high-quality weather seal. Series 526 also utilizes screw-spline frame construction for decreased shop fabrication labor, allowing ladders to be built prior to installation, reducing field labor cost. In addition, the Series 526 meets large- and small-missile impact standards
and can be used with a variety of EFCO entrance packages. Visit
High-Performance Wall System Moon Township, Pa. - The accel-E Steel Thermal Efficient Panel (S.T.E.P.) wall system combines the strength and performance of cold-formed steel framing with the superior insulation properties of expanded polystyrene (EPS) using the exclusive Plastbau manufacturing process. All steel used in the accel-E S.T.E.P. system is galvanized to industry standards to prevent rust. According to the company, this technology virtually eliminates the transfer of temperature from one side of the framing component to the other side. The result is a thermally efficient, high-performance building technology that is strong, lightweight, energy efficient and economical.
www.accbt.com.
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The August 2008 print issue of ED+C will feature a Product Focus section featuring Carpeting; Decking, Landscaping and Outdoor Furnishings; and Ventilation Systems and Fans. The ED+C 2008 Editorial Calendar is available online - send your case studies, projects, stories, products and comments to Derrick Teal, associate editor, ED+C, at
teald@bnpmedia.com.
BioBased® 1701 is a closed cell, spray foam insulation from BioBased®
Insulation, the leader in sustainable spray foams. This water-blown, soy-based insulation with a density of 1.7 lbs is the first polyurethane foam insulation to obtain GreenGuard and Green Guard for Children and Schools certifications. BioBased® 1701 is a sustainable choice because it helps improve the environment, both indoors and out. ![EDC0508_BENewsCaseStudy[1]](http://image.bnpmedia-email.com/lib/ff091670776406/i/1/9794da61-d.jpg "EDC0508_BENewsCaseStudy[1]")
Cement-Bonded Wood Fiber ICF
