Foam plastics such as expanded polystyrene can greatly enhance the energyefficiency of traditional masonry Long known for its structural, acoustical, and fire-resistant benefits, masonry-based construction has endured the test of...
Sam Rashkin on ENERGY STAR’s new rules for SIP homes A recently announced change to the EPA’s ENERGY STAR program states that homes constructed with structural insulated panels (SIPs) on all exterior walls and roofing may...
It can be hard to figure out whether a building product is sustainable when you do not have access to any scientific measurements of the energy and natural resources necessary for its creation. This has been one of the big issues...
Photos by Nic Lehoux Last December, the government mandated a new energy policy that ups the ante on requirements for federal buildings. Now the design and construction community are working together to determine what compliance...
The international publicity of ETFE roofing material in some of Beijing’s 2008 Olympic structures is awakening the potential for alternatives It’s transparent, it’s self-cleaning, and best of all, it’s incredibly...
Architects explore the aesthetic side of acrylic building materials While plastic building products are often cited for their energy efficiency, durability, and cost effectiveness, their ability to produce eye-catching designs is...
Demand for energy conservation has been a catalyst for code change in many parts of the country. Concerns for the environment have led to calls for the use of more sustainable roofing systems—from original application to...
Questions Answered Vinyl roofing systems possess sustainability characteristics that should not be ignored For this issue, Green Building Solutions asked Walter Scarborough, vice president and director of specifications for HKS...
When a tornado ripped through their Greensburg, Kansas, home on May 4, 2007, probably the last thing on Scott and Jill Eller’s minds was the thought of rebuilding. Most likely, their only thought was whether or not they would...
What is a green building? Host/Student Kyle Eby steps us through energy efficiency, sustainability, and Life Cycle Assessment attributes of the design and execution of this innovative home concept built for the Midwest....
1 As spray foam formulations vary from manufacturer to manufacturer, specifiers should consult the suppliers’ spray foam specification sheets to understand the exact properties. Spray polyurethane foam (SPF) has become popular...
Using concrete and plastic insulation for safety and energy efficiency in residential design With each passing year, weather extremes seem to become more a part of our daily lives. Natural catastrophes have recently captured...
When it comes to choosing roof insulation, architects/engineers (A/Es) have myriad options for specifying their building projects. However, with a growing concern and increased emphasis on energy-efficient products and practices,...
In windows, vinyl can offer the same performance and design flexibility specifiers rely on from traditional materials, with the added benefits of excellent insulating value, low maintenance requirements, and resistance to impact,...
The role of materials in construction is changing. No longer is the process limited to making commonly available materials fit ever- more challenging designs and performance requirements. Instead, we are seeing a new wave of...
Building owners have used spray polyurethane foam (SPF) as a roofing, insulation, and sealing product for many years. What they may not have known then, but is being increasingly proven through research and performance studies on...
In 1965, the first expanded polystyrene (EPS) block molding plant was established in Grand Rapids, Michigan. It manufactured blocks measuring from 0.6 m to 4.9 m (2 ft to 16 ft) in thickness, but nowadays EPS blocks can be cut...
Globally, society is not yet on a path to avoid the worst impacts of climate change and time is running out. The building and construction industry accounts for nearly 40 percent of the world’s carbon emissions, and the...
On June 29, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo announced that the state’s shopping malls will be required to use air-conditioning systems capable of filtering-out the COVID-19 virus. To meet this requirement, HVAC systems will...
HDPE Plastic Pipe Goes Under Ground with Fewer Trenches Time to make water main repairs at Arlington National Cemetery, and officials chose HDPE plastic pipe. The pipe laying project replaced 44,500 feet of 60 year old...
