High-Performance Building Envelopes: Strong as Steel
Builders are learning to build better with steel studs as the Steel Framing Alliance provides education and training as well as technical and code support. The switch to steel is for numerous reasons, such as uniform product quality and lighter weight for easier handling and framing. Owners and builders also see steel as durable for longer life and better security.

These and other practical considerations typically drive the business decision to make the switch to steel. However, builders should learn more about steel's superior environmental benefits. For starters, North American steel always has an average minimum of 25 percent recycled content. Those needing authoritative post-consumer and pre-consumer statistics for USGBC LEED-NC v2.2, may download "Steel Takes LEED With Recycled Content" at www.recycle-steel.org.

The high strength to weight ratio of steel allows members to be lighter weight, which results in easier handling and framing. Not only does steel have recycled content when new, it is also 100 percent recyclable at the end of its life. Click to read on.

'Green' Prototype Store Helps Retail Chain Earn Wisconsin Suburb's Zoning Approval  
Blain's Farm & Fleet recently opened a 114,500-sq-ft store in Verona, Wis. last year where the enviro-friendly design helped to earn approval from city officials who had initially resisted any "big box" store being built in the Madison residential suburb.  

The new facility is the 34th retail location for the privately-owned chain that operates in Wisconsin, Iowa and Illinois. Based in Janesville, Wis., Blain's Farm & Fleet offers high-quality automotive parts and services, fencing and other livestock supplies, tools and hardware, outdoor sporting goods, lawn and garden, clothing and patio/recreation items.

The project implemented a number of ideas that store development executives had considered in recent years as the chain expanded ... Click to read on.

MBCI announces insulated panel product line
MBCI released the Eco-ficient insulated panel product line. MBCI currently has five wall panel offerings available, including the Classic, Grand, Royal, Summit and Vintage profiles. These five profiles offer the customer a variety of design choices. In addition, panel thicknesses are available in 2 in, 2.5 in, 3 in or 4 in. Insulated roof panels will be available later this year.           

Eco-ficient panels provide a number of green building benefits. They yield high R-values, which increases a building's energy performance and reduces its energy consumption. The use of Eco-ficient panels maximizes the interior air quality of a building when used with efficient heating and cooling systems. These panels contribute almost three times the R-value of traditional fiberglass insulation per inch. As with all MBCI panels, the interior and exterior panel skins of Eco-ficient are comprised of recycled content and are also recyclable. Eco-ficient panels offer continuous insulation, now a criterion in a number of climate zones as required by the new energy codes, eliminating thermal short circuits.

New ICC ES report Published on Dow Building Solutions STYROFOAM SIS
ICC ES recently published code report ESR-2436 for STYROFOAM SIS, which describes the product's use as insulated structural wall sheathing for conventional, light-frame wood construction as braced wall panels, and as structural sheathing for continuously sheathed braced walls, both when used in accordance with specified sections in the report. The report also confirms STYROFOAM SIS panels may be used to resist transverse wind loads and are an alternative to the water-resistive barrier specified in IBC Section 1403.2 and IRC Section R703.2. In attic areas, the ICC ES report states, STYROFOAM SIS may be installed on the exterior face of the exterior wall framing without an ignition barrier on the interior side of the wall framing.  

STYROFOAM SIS Brand Structural Insulated Sheathing is a first-of-its-kind residential wall system that combines the structural and water-resistive properties of wood sheathing and housewrap with the added benefit of insulation. Now available nationwide, the 3-in-1 solution enables architects and builders to easily integrate energy-efficient design into usual building practices. STYROFOAM SIS is up to 80 percent post-consumer content (by weight) and is ENERGY STAR-qualified.  

Carlisle SynTec Introduces Energy-Efficient SIP Curb for DryLight System
InsulCurb is a unique SIP (structural insulated panel) component curb system that provides increased energy efficiency and minimal labor demands when installed with Carlisle's DryLight skylights. InsulCurb consists of a 3.5-inch layer of expanded polystyrene (EPS) insulation laminated to an outside layer of oriented strand board (OSB) and inner wall of Masonite with a white melamine facer. Featuring an R-value of 14.5, InsulCurb helps reduce energy costs by minimizing air leakage through the skylights. By comparison, traditional metal curbs feature an R-value of 5 or lower. Requiring no interior finishing or painting, InsulCurb helps reduce installation time and labor costs. The knock-down design facilitates rooftop delivery and the on-site assembly is simplified by having all fasteners and hardware provided by Carlisle. Additional benefits of InsulCurb include:

• Manufactured from recycled material and rapidly renewable OSB;
• Statistical Process Control (SPC) manufacturing assures highest level of quality control 25% lighter than metal curbs;
• No danger of roof membrane puncture from metal flange; and 
• Knocked down packaging that reduces freight damage potential.