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Improving Energy Efficiency
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Innovative uses of green building materials are helping boost buildings' energy efficiency.
Itch-Free Zone
An alternative to fiberglass, polyester-based batt insulation promises full performance as well as DIY ease.
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Material Witness
MM discusses with ENERGY STAR’s national director Sam Rashkin the new blower door test exemption for SIP homes, its ramifications for the building industry, and other exemptions that may be considered by EPA in the future.
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Making a Good Thing Better
Masonry construction has long had a well-established reputation for high thermal storage, reduced heat flow, and other energy-efficient properties. Adding plastics insulation to the building system can raise associated R-values even higher—easing adherence to strict energy codes and ultimately lowering clients’ energy bills
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Spray Can
What are the material characteristics of SPF? What does SPF bring to roofing systems? to interior insulation systems? Do SPF blowing agents contribute to global warming? What is the difference between 1/2-lb and 2-lb SPF? Mason Knowles reviews the research behind SPF’s sustainability claims.
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Plastic Pipes & Energy
Plastic piping products can offer advantages in efficiency and design. However, they can also potentially help the nation reduce its energy consumption.
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Pushing the Energy Envelope With ICFs
Although insulating concrete forms (ICFs) were developed as below-grade foundation walls, their energy-saving possibilities quickly moved them above the surface.
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Energy Efficiency, Sustainable Design, and XPS
Extruded polystyrene’s (XPS’s) closed-cell structure and lack of voids not only imparts durability and strength, but also helps the foam resist moisture penetration.
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SIPS and Residential Applications
Zero-energy homes (ZEH) produce as much energy as they consume. They often take advantage of foam plastic insulation building assemblies, such as structural insulated panels (SIPs).
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Plastic Polyurethane Foam
Air leakage can lead to increased energy costs, envelope damage, and indoor air quality issues. Aerosol expanding polyurethane can be used as an effective sealant, along with myriad other advantages.
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Performance Across The Board
Extruded polystyrene (XPS) foam insulating sheathing can be energy-efficient, easy to install, and lightweight. Using it as a standalone material in a building’s walls can help create a continuous thermal and moisture protection layer.
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Polyiso Insulation
Polyisocyanurate (polyiso) insulation is an excellent choice for a variety of renovation applications because of its excellent energy conserving qualities. Read more
Plastics Takes Improvement To The Wall
A unique study looks at ‘real-world’ wall system performance, comparing traditional construction configurations to those containing plastic and foam insulation materials.
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SPF Roofing
Spray polyurethane foam in roofing and insulation applications is a highly durable, sustainable component of a building’s design. Re-roofing with SPF typically does not require tear-off, while SPF indoors creates a tight building envelope.
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EPS Scores Big for Wall Project
When Wisconsin’s legendary Lambeau Field needed to grow, expanded polystyrene (EPS) was the insulation of choice for the inside of the exterior walls.
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Providing Remodeling Solutions with SPF
Temperature, humidity, and water damage can be serious challenges when remodeling—spray polyurethane foam (SPF) can allow for some creative solutions.
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The Cool Roof Phenomenon
By lowering building temperature, cool roofs can help mitigate urban heat island (UHI) effect, and contribute to pollution control.
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Roof Renovation With XPS
Extruded polystyrene (XPS) insulation often retains its strength and R-value during re-roofing projects, saving time, money, and energy.
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Energy Efficiency and the Impact on the Atmosphere
There are several ways the design team can help a building lower its energy consumption, allowing it to become less harmful to the environment and more economical for the owner. As with other aspects of sustainable design, plastics can play a role when employed as insulation materials.
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ICF SIP 101
In the past, specifiers viewed structural insulated panels (SIPs) and insulating concrete forms (ICFs) as competing assembly systems. However, an increasing number of projects are employing both at once, combining their best attributes to gain superior performance.
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Understanding R Values
R-values may be a familiar concept, but their usefulness in predicting energy performance is sometimes unclear. An overview of how these thermal resistance measures work, and a look at ASTM International’s various testing methods, can sort out any confusion.
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The Value and Versatility of Vinyl Windows
Vinyl windows can be an energy efficient, durable option for architects/engineers who want the performance of traditional materials with added performance benefits.
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Learning the Difference Between 1/2-lb and 2-lb Spray Polyurethane Foam
The popularity of spray polyurethane foam (SPF) is rising. While both 1/2-lb and 2-lb types are similarly useful in insulation applications, their differences are important for specifiers to know.
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Solutions for Natural Disasters: Using Concrete and Plastic Insulation for Safety and Energy Efficiency in Residential Design
Wild fires, tornadoes, and hurricanes cause billions of dollars in damage. The use of concrete and plastic insulation in exterior walls can help strengthen a home against these potential disasters, providing durability without compromising aesthetics
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Finding the Quality Mark in Polyiso
A new Polyisocyanurate Insulation Manufacturers Association (PIMA) initiative is changing the wayspecifiers select roof insulation. By quantifying long-term thermal resistance (LTTR) values, the plastic’s benefits are made clear.
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Frost-Protected Shallow Foundations
Frost heave and settlement can cause severe structural damage to a building. One solution is frost-protected shallow foundations (FPSF), which raise frost depth by directing the building’s heat loss toward the foundation.
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Warming Up to PEX Pipe Radiant Heating
Radiant systems have been used to deliver heat since the time of the Romans. With the development of cross-linked polyethylene (PEX), this comfortable, efficient, and effective source of heat has become extremely reliable, durable, safe, and readily available
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The Expanding Role of EPS in Construction
From humble beginnings, expanded polystyrene has grown into one of the most versatile insulating materials in construction today, used in everything from insulation in walls, roofs,and foundations, to structural insulated panels (SIPs), insulated concrete forms (ICFs), and exterior insulation and finish systems (EIFS).
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Balancing Performance & Sustainability
Piping, siding, window frames, roofing, insulation, wallcoverings, etc. all demonstrate plastic’s prominence in the building market, yet many professionals still do not recognize the material as a component of sustainable design.
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Sustainability Characteristics of SPF Roofing & Insulation Systems
Spray polyurethane foam in roofing and insulation applications is a highly durable, sustainable component of a building’s design. Re-roofing with SPF typically does not require tear-off, while SPF indoors creates a tight building envelope.
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