San Diego Company Creates First Green Roof:
One San Diego company has come up with a unique experiment, creating the county's first green roof.
The plan takes a regular flat roof-top and turns it into a garden of sorts. The plants grow on top of multiple layers of lining, which serves to protect both them and the building below.
Jim Mumford was the man with the idea and says that "planting a roof" is all the rage in Europe.
Others point out that it's a great way to cut energy costs while helping the environment at the same time.
The roof costs approximately $30,000.
Friday, March 9, 2007
Tuesday, March 6, 2007
Dow Polyurethanes to Acquire Hyperlast UK and Autothane
Dow Polyurethanes, a business unit of The Dow Chemical Company, today announced that it plans to acquire Hyperlast Limited, a leading United Kingdom polyurethanes elastomers systems business, and Autothane†Limited, a leading manufacturer of advanced automotive suspension components, pending regulatory approval.
"The decision to further expand our Polyurethane (PU) Systems' capabilities in Europe supports Dow's strategy to grow our differentiated, customer-intimate Performance businesses, which can sustain value throughout the business cycle," said Pat Dawson, vice president for Dow Polyurethanes. "From a Polyurethanes business perspective, our acquisition of Hyperlast UK and Autothane is further proof of our continued commitment to preferentially invest in and grow our PU System business by delivering tailor-made solutions to our customers through expanding our technology offerings."
Hyperlast UK and Autothane Limited, subsidiaries of British Vita, specialize in the development of innovative polyurethane elastomers for the marine, engineering resins, oil and gas pipelines, and automotive industries.
Dow PU Systems is a leading global polyurethanes solutions provider, with 26 facilities located across Europe, Asia, Middle East, North and Latin America, where it develops high-performance, differentiated polyurethanes system solutions for customers in a broad range of industries. Dow is also a leading producer of PO/PG, MDI, TDI and polyols, the raw materials used in the production of polyurethane systems, coatings, adhesives, sealants, and elastomers, as well as rigid and flexible foam.
"By combining Dow’s raw material integration, expansive geographic network and more than 50 years of experience in polyurethane chemistry with Hyperlast's and Autothane's expertise in spray and cast elastomers, we further strengthen and accelerate our ability to provide innovative systems solutions to our customers globally," said Juan Antonio Merino, global general manager for Dow Polyurethane Systems.
No further details related to the transaction were disclosed.
"The decision to further expand our Polyurethane (PU) Systems' capabilities in Europe supports Dow's strategy to grow our differentiated, customer-intimate Performance businesses, which can sustain value throughout the business cycle," said Pat Dawson, vice president for Dow Polyurethanes. "From a Polyurethanes business perspective, our acquisition of Hyperlast UK and Autothane is further proof of our continued commitment to preferentially invest in and grow our PU System business by delivering tailor-made solutions to our customers through expanding our technology offerings."
Hyperlast UK and Autothane Limited, subsidiaries of British Vita, specialize in the development of innovative polyurethane elastomers for the marine, engineering resins, oil and gas pipelines, and automotive industries.
Dow PU Systems is a leading global polyurethanes solutions provider, with 26 facilities located across Europe, Asia, Middle East, North and Latin America, where it develops high-performance, differentiated polyurethanes system solutions for customers in a broad range of industries. Dow is also a leading producer of PO/PG, MDI, TDI and polyols, the raw materials used in the production of polyurethane systems, coatings, adhesives, sealants, and elastomers, as well as rigid and flexible foam.
"By combining Dow’s raw material integration, expansive geographic network and more than 50 years of experience in polyurethane chemistry with Hyperlast's and Autothane's expertise in spray and cast elastomers, we further strengthen and accelerate our ability to provide innovative systems solutions to our customers globally," said Juan Antonio Merino, global general manager for Dow Polyurethane Systems.
No further details related to the transaction were disclosed.
Monday, March 5, 2007
Oregon State Issues Warning About Mulch Made From Roofing Shingles
Oregon has issued a consumer alert to the public stressing that landscaping mulch made from asphalt roofing shingles may be toxic, and recommending how to dispose of the material.
The state Department of Environmental Quality began distributing the fact sheet after The Register-Guard last week published articles on the problems posed by asphalt mulch.
Since late 2000, manufacturing facilites in Springfield and Portland have made and sold the mulch from waste-petroleum-based shingles. Customers have included the state Department of Transporation in Portland and the St. Vincent de Paul Society of Lane County.
In 2004, the DEQ determined that the mulch contains toxins such as arsenic and polyaromatic hydrocarbons in concentrations higher than those considered safe for soils at residential and commercial settings. The agency directed Darold Smith, owner of the Springfield manufacturing site, to stop selling the mulch to homeowners and nonindustrial firms.
Smith says that has in effect shut him down. He still has thousands of tons of the mulch at his 28th Street yard. He says he now gives it away. He disputes DEQ claims that the mulch can be harmful.
No one knows just how much of the material has been used, or where, said Bob Barrows, a DEQ analyst. The material was most likely used in Lane and Marion counties and the Portland metro area, he said.
The DEQ is distributing its consumer alert to the media and to a range of state and local agencies, he said.
In the alert, the DEQ says the mulch is not "immediately hazardous" to people.
"But people should avoid repeated exposure by getting it in their mouths or breathing the dust," the alert says.
The agency advises homeowners and commerical property owners to avoid using the mulch and to remove it if it is in an area with frequent human activity. The ground-up asphalt is pretty easy to identify, so property owners don't need to test it, the DEQ says.
People who remove the material should wear gloves, long-sleeved clothing, long pants and closed-toe-shoes, and moisten the material first to minimize dust, the agency says. They should put it in plastic bags and dispose of it with regular garbage that ends up at a landfill, the agency says. The agency advises against simply covering up the asphalt mulch with regular wood mulch.
The state Department of Environmental Quality began distributing the fact sheet after The Register-Guard last week published articles on the problems posed by asphalt mulch.
Since late 2000, manufacturing facilites in Springfield and Portland have made and sold the mulch from waste-petroleum-based shingles. Customers have included the state Department of Transporation in Portland and the St. Vincent de Paul Society of Lane County.
In 2004, the DEQ determined that the mulch contains toxins such as arsenic and polyaromatic hydrocarbons in concentrations higher than those considered safe for soils at residential and commercial settings. The agency directed Darold Smith, owner of the Springfield manufacturing site, to stop selling the mulch to homeowners and nonindustrial firms.
Smith says that has in effect shut him down. He still has thousands of tons of the mulch at his 28th Street yard. He says he now gives it away. He disputes DEQ claims that the mulch can be harmful.
No one knows just how much of the material has been used, or where, said Bob Barrows, a DEQ analyst. The material was most likely used in Lane and Marion counties and the Portland metro area, he said.
The DEQ is distributing its consumer alert to the media and to a range of state and local agencies, he said.
In the alert, the DEQ says the mulch is not "immediately hazardous" to people.
"But people should avoid repeated exposure by getting it in their mouths or breathing the dust," the alert says.
The agency advises homeowners and commerical property owners to avoid using the mulch and to remove it if it is in an area with frequent human activity. The ground-up asphalt is pretty easy to identify, so property owners don't need to test it, the DEQ says.
People who remove the material should wear gloves, long-sleeved clothing, long pants and closed-toe-shoes, and moisten the material first to minimize dust, the agency says. They should put it in plastic bags and dispose of it with regular garbage that ends up at a landfill, the agency says. The agency advises against simply covering up the asphalt mulch with regular wood mulch.
Friday, March 2, 2007
Steel Deck Products in Contact with Pressure Treated Lumber
The Steel Deck Institute (SDI) has issued a position statement regarding the corrosion of steel deck products in direct contact to pressure treated lumber.
The change in pressure treatment chemicals has lead to a dramatic increase in corrosion-related damage to metal products - including metal decks and fasteners. Lumber treated with the treatment products ACQ (Alkaline Copper Quat) and CA-A (Copper-azole) has been shown to be highly corrosive when in direct contact with sheet steel.
SDI hired Touchstone Research Laboratory Ltd. to test a variety of sheet products (G60 and G90 galvanized, shop applied white primer, and shop applied high-heat gray primer) with a barrier of either 30lb. felt paper or "water and ice shied."
SDI found that only the "water and ice shield" product offered a substantial improvement over direct metal to wood contact!
The corrosion affected all of the sheet steel products (G60, G90, shop painted, etc.,) therefore the barrier method appears to be the only option when pressure treated wood must be used in contact with metal decks/flashing, etc.
The change in pressure treatment chemicals has lead to a dramatic increase in corrosion-related damage to metal products - including metal decks and fasteners. Lumber treated with the treatment products ACQ (Alkaline Copper Quat) and CA-A (Copper-azole) has been shown to be highly corrosive when in direct contact with sheet steel.
SDI hired Touchstone Research Laboratory Ltd. to test a variety of sheet products (G60 and G90 galvanized, shop applied white primer, and shop applied high-heat gray primer) with a barrier of either 30lb. felt paper or "water and ice shied."
SDI found that only the "water and ice shield" product offered a substantial improvement over direct metal to wood contact!
The corrosion affected all of the sheet steel products (G60, G90, shop painted, etc.,) therefore the barrier method appears to be the only option when pressure treated wood must be used in contact with metal decks/flashing, etc.
Thursday, March 1, 2007
Sarnafil Inc. Announces Name Change
Sarnafil Inc. has become "Sika Sarnafil."
Sanafil was purchased by Sika AG of Baar Switzerland in 2005.
"The new name is reflective of the business strategy for Sarnafil to take advantage of the resources that Sika brings to bear without changing the corporate culture and commitment to high quality products that you have come to expect from us," said Brian Whelan, president and CEO of Sika Sarnafil, Inc.
Sika is a globally integrated manufacturer active in sealing, bonding, damping and reinforcing in the construction, industry, and automotive markets. The company's product lines include high-grade concrete admixtures, specialty mortars, sealants and adhesives, structural strengthening systems, industrial flooring and roofing/waterproofing membranes. Sika has subsidiaries in 70 countries worldwide and 10,000 employees. Annual sales are approximately $2.5 billion.
Tuesday, February 27, 2007
Do you have enough Insulation?
First, check the insulation in your attic, ceilings, exterior and basement walls, floors, and crawl spaces to see if it meets the levels recommended for your area. Insulation is measured in R-values—the higher the R-value, the better your walls and roof will resist the transfer of heat. DOE recommends ranges of R-values based on local heating and cooling costs and climate conditions in different areas of the nation. The calculator (see link below) will provide the DOE recommendations for your area. State and local codes in some parts of the country may require lower R-values than the DOE recommendations, which are based on cost effectiveness.
Although insulation can be made from a variety of materials, it usually comes in four types; each type has different characteristics.
Rolls and batts—or blankets—are flexible products made from mineral fibers, such as fiberglass and rock wool. They are available in widths suited to standard spacings of wall studs and attic or floor joists: 2x4 walls can hold R-13 or R-15 batts; 2x6 walls can have R-19 or R-21 products.
Loose-fill insulation—usually made of fiberglass, rock wool, or cellulose—comes in shreds, granules, or nodules. These small particles should be blown into spaces using special pneumatic equipment. The blown-in material conforms readily to building cavities and attics. Therefore, loose-fill insulation is well suited for places where it is difficult to install other types of insulation.
Rigid foam insulation—foam insulation typically is more expensive than fiber insulation. But it's very effective in buildings with space limitations and where higher R-values are needed. Foam insulation R-values range from R-4 to R-6.5 per inch of thickness (2.54 cm), which is up to 2 times greater than most other insulating materials of the same thickness.
Foam-in-place insulation—can be blown into walls and reduces air leakage.
Insulation Tips
-Consider factors such as your climate, building design, and budget when selecting insulation R-values for your home.
-Use higher density insulation, such as rigid foam boards, in cathedral ceilings and on exterior walls.
-Ventilation plays a large role in providing moisture control and reducing summer cooling bills. Attic vents can be installed along the entire ceiling cavity to help ensure proper airflow from the soffit to the attic to make a home more comfortable and energy efficient. Check with a qualified contractor.
-Recessed light fixtures can be a major source of heat loss, but you need to be careful how close you place insulation next to a fixture unless it is marked IC—designed for direct insulation contact. Check your local building codes for recommendations. See Lighting for more about recessed cans.
-As specified on the product packaging, follow the product instructions on installation and wear the proper protective gear when installing insulation.
Long-Term Savings Tip: One of the most cost-effective ways to make your home more comfortable year-round is to add insulation to your attic.
Adding insulation to the attic is relatively easy and very cost effective. To find out if you have enough attic insulation, measure the thickness of the insulation. If it is less than R-22 (7 inches of fiber glass or rock wool or 6 inches of cellulose), you could probably benefit by adding more. Most U.S. homes should have between R-22 and R-49 insulation in the attic.
If your attic has enough insulation and your home still feels drafty and cold in the winter or too warm in the summer, chances are you need to add insulation to the exterior walls as well. This is a more expensive measure that usually requires a contractor, but it may be worth the cost if you live in a very hot or cold climate.
You may also need to add insulation to your crawl space. Either the walls or the floor above the crawl space should be insulated.
New Construction
For new construction or home additions, R-11 to R-28 insulation is recommended for exterior walls depending on location. To meet this recommendation, most homes and additions constructed with 2 in. x 4 in. walls require a combination of wall cavity insulation, such as batts and insulating sheathing or rigid foam boards. If you live in an area with an insulation recommendation that is greater than R-20, you may want to consider building with 2 in. x 6 in. framing instead of 2 in. x 4 in. framing to allow room for thicker wall cavity insulation—R-19 to R-21.
Today, new products are on the market that provide both insulation and structural support and should be considered for new home construction or additions. Structural insulated panels, known as SIPS, and masonry products like insulating concrete forms are among these. Some home builders are even using an old technique borrowed from the pioneers, building walls using straw bales. Check the Consumer's Guide for more information on structural insulation. Radiant barriers (in hot climates), reflective insulation, and foundation insulation should all be considered for new home construction. Check with your contractor for more information about these options.
Announcing Roof Contractor and Design
Roof Contractor and Design will provide useful information relating to the roofing and waterproofing of the "built environment."
Resources, information, articles, and links to other web resources will always be provided at no cost to the user. The goal of Roof Contractor and Design will be to provide a wide variety of information about a specific topic-range - without bias.
If you are an Architect, Engineer, Facility Manager, Property Manager or own facilities of your own - you will eventually have the need for the information available her at Roof Contractor and Design.
Topics covered will include:
Resources, information, articles, and links to other web resources will always be provided at no cost to the user. The goal of Roof Contractor and Design will be to provide a wide variety of information about a specific topic-range - without bias.
If you are an Architect, Engineer, Facility Manager, Property Manager or own facilities of your own - you will eventually have the need for the information available her at Roof Contractor and Design.
Topics covered will include:
- Metal Roofing
- Tile Roofing
- Shingle Roofing
- Roof Coatings
- Roof Design
- Roof Repair
- Basement Waterproofing
- Concrete Waterproofing
- Split-slab Waterproofing
- Deck Waterproofing
- Wall Coatings
- and much more
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
