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Answering the Challenge With Green Building Solutions
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Read about real-world, green building solutions to tough challenges.
Building for the Future
On May 4, 2007, a Category 5 hurricane tore through Greensburg, Kan., nearly wiping the rural town off the map. But since then, Greensburg has been rebuilding with a vengeance, aiming to become one of the greenest cities in the United States. And one family is finding peace of mind in SIPs and geodesic dome design.
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SPF Beyond Energy Insulation
Not only can spray polyurethane foam (SPF) help enhance a building’s energy efficiency, but it can also potentially improve structural integrity—making it a viable choice for high-wind regions
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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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Cellular Polycarbonate Glazing
Not many materials can be delicate enough to let in the sun, but suitably durable to potentially withstand hurricane debris. Cellular polycarbonate can be an excellent choice.
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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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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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HDPE
Leaky piping wastes water and can lead to contamination. Virtually leak-free, high-density polyethylene pipe (HDPE) can provide an answer, thanks to its fused joints. The material also makes retrofit easy—its unique attributes make it a prime candidate for ‘trenchless technology.’
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Shelter From the Storm
Spray polyurethane foam (SPF) performed well through the hurricanes of 2004, leaving many Florida homeowners with roofs unscathed or only lightly damaged. Where failure did occur, analysis can show how proper specifications might provide better future solutions.
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Spray-On Protection
The same chemical that protects truck beds from dents and scratches can increase the structural strength of built structures. Les Shaver details the military’s use so far of spray-on polyurea.
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Material Milestone
With its Plasticity exhibit, London’s Science Museum is celebrating the diversity of plastics since Baekeland’s breakthrough a century ago. MM takes a brief tour of the exhibit and considers the history of plastics, from its past applications, to its current development, to the possibilities that lie in its distant future.
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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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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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