ASK THE EXPERT
Check out Laurie Hill, Technical Vice President of Rmax in the upcoming issue of Green Building & Design’s, “Ask The Expert” as she talks about the difference between polyiso roof and wall insulation.
We've made a splash...gb&d Summer ’20 feature!
Rmax has been featured in the gb&d Summer ‘20 magazine!
Find out how polyisocyanurate (polyiso) can be used as an air and water barrier, as well as why it’s fast becoming a preferred material for sustainable building and design.
Polyiso Benefits and Attributes
SIKA SUPPLY CHAIN AND COVID-19 ANNOUNCEMENT
RE: SIKA HEALTH, SAFETY AND BUSINESS CONTINUITY (COVID-19)
April 24, 2020
Dear Valued Customer: The health and safety of our employees, customers, and of their families are of the upmost importance to Sika. Since the development of COVID-19 in the United States, Sika Corporation has taken several measures for the continued good well-being and that our business remains operational to supply and service our customers in these unprecedented times.
All employees not working in a production or supply related function continue to work from home. Our production and shipping operations are working safely and diligently to keep our customers and critical infrastructure projects supplied with our products nationwide. This has been accomplished through the dedication and resilience of our people.
All Sika facilities, at a minimum, continue to follow the health and safety guidelines of the CDC as well as all state and local government officials. Practicing social distancing, wearing appropriate PPE, enhanced cleaning and sanitizing, on-site temperature monitoring and clear health guidelines for employees are part of Sika’s safety program.
Sika continues to manufacture products that support essential service industries that are part of our Nation’s and State’s critical infrastructure. For example, Sika products are essential to continued critical infrastructure viability in the construction, maintenance and repair of facilities in medical and healthcare, telecommunications, food and agriculture, transportation, logistics, energy, water/wastewater and public works industries. In addition to our dedicated employees manufacturing and supplying these products, Sika’s sales and service team remain fully engaged in supporting you as our valued customer. We also continue to provide webinars, virtual continuing education seminars and specification support in areas where face-to-face interaction is not yet possible.
Please rest assured that Sika is an established company and has been in business for 110 years. While COVID-19 has presented unique challenges, we remain committed to protecting the health and safety of our employees and continuing to earn your trust.
We wish you and your families continued good health
Sincerely,
Richard Montani
President and Chief Executive Officer
David White
SVP, Quality & Risk Management
Energy Savings Go Through the Roof!
Posted By PIMA
When it’s time to replace a roof, most owners choose roofing materials based on performance qualities like longevity and weather resistance. But a well-designed roof can also shine in another performance area: energy efficiency.
Energy efficiency is important to many owners with concerns ranging from climate impacts like building carbon footprints to the costs and reliability of energy resources. Since approximately 25 percent of heat loss in an uninsulated building occurs through the roof, choosing materials that add insulative power can add significant energy savings. For commercial and low-slope roof applications, adding layers of rigid foam insulation to the roofing system can deliver exceptional R-value without a lot of bulk.
An article last month from the Energy News Network details initiatives in Warren, Minnesota and Arnsberg, Germany to use thermal imaging in evaluating building heat loss to help owners determine the best energy efficiency opportunities.
The program was conceived after municipal leaders from Warren and Arnsberg met through the Climate-Smart Municipalities program sponsored by the University of Minnesota’s Institute on the Environment which paired five cities in Minnesota with similar cities in Germany. Arnsberg had been using remote-piloted aircraft to collect thermal images of building heat loss. Leaders in Warren decided to try using drones to get more detailed information.
Piggybacking off each other’s ideas, the two cities are innovating the practical applications of these thermal images in directing energy efficiency efforts to the places that will have the greatest impact. Their research provides further evidence that reroofing with energy-efficient materials can decrease building heat loss and lead to reduced energy consumption.
Tags: building envelope buildings continuous insulation Efficiency energy efficiency insulation Polyiso
PIMA Technical Bulletin #304: Energy Efficiency with Polyiso Continuous Insulation (CI)
Posted by PIMA
Technical Bulletin #304 discusses how to use Polyiso CI (with foil or coated glass facer) to provide a continuous layer of insulation on the exterior of homes with wood or steel framing to minimize thermal bridges. Architectural images depict insulation covering the entire opaque wall surface that demonstrate significant increases in the overall thermal performance and energy efficiency of a home using Polyiso CI.
Thermal images highlight the temperature distribution and heat flux through wood and steel frame wall sections both with and without Polyiso CI and demonstrate an improved overall effective R-value. The technical bulletin also discusses Polyiso CI’s features and benefits related to attic, roof, foundation, and slab applications. A “Key Facts” summary provides a convenient reference of the important information contained in this document. A link to PIMA Technical Bulletin #304 is found here.
Tags: building envelope buildings continuous insulation insulation Polyiso
PIMA Technical Bulletin #303: Moisture Control with Polyiso Continuous Insulation (CI)
Posted by PIMA
Technical Bulletin #303 contains important information about the use of Polyiso CI (with foil or coated glass facer) when used as a continuous layer of insulation on the exterior of a home (wood or steel framed construction). This technical bulletin notes that providing insulation over the entire opaque wall surface significantly increases the overall thermal performance and energy efficiency of a home and highlights how it protects from the ravages of moisture.
Included in this technical bulletin are a number of illustrations comparing Polyiso CI with other systems in connection with the transfer of moisture. A “Key Facts” summary provides a convenient reference of the important information contained in this document.
A link to PIMA Technical Bulletin #303 is provided here.
PIMA Technical Bulletin #302: Wall Bracing with Polyiso Continuous Insulation (CI)
Posted by PIMA
Technical Bulletin #302 presents several applications related to the proper use of the Polyiso CI, and highlights the importance of wall bracing to resist lateral loading conditions and meet residential building code requirements. Structural bracing requirements are described for both wood and steel framed residential construction in the document.
Included in this technical bulletin are illustrations related to the use of wall bracing with Polyiso CI that serve as helpful “how to” descriptions for installation of the product. Also included is a summary of “Key Facts” that reference important information contained in the document. A link to PIMA Technical Bulletin #302 is provided here.
Tags: buildings continuous insulation energy codes energy efficiency Polyiso
PIMA Technical Bulletin #301: Polyiso Continuous Insulation (CI) Performance in Residential Wall Applications
Posted by PIMA
Technical Bulletin #301 looks at the use of Polyiso CI (with foil or coated glass facer) to provide a continuous layer of insulation on the exterior of residential housing (when used with wood or steel framed construction) to minimize thermal bridges and increase the overall thermal performance and energy efficiency of a home. This document covers various applications of Polyiso CI including: thermal insulation; thermal bridge reduction; water resistive barrier: air barrier; water vapor control; and fire performance.
Included in this technical bulletin are a number of illustrations comparing Polyiso CI with other insulation systems. A “Key Facts” summary and “Definitions” section provide addition and important information. A link to PIMA Technical Bulletin #301 is provided here.
Tags: building envelope continuous insulation Efficiency energy codes insulation Polyiso
Canada to Address Building Code Gap for Existing Buildings
Posted By PIMA
The Canadian Commission on Building and Fire Codes has issued recommendations to address “the absence of clear code requirements for existing buildings.” The report outlines an approach to constructing a regulatory framework for today’s building stock to address five objectives, including improved energy efficiency. Canada has invited interested stakeholders to provide input on the report through a brief online survey by August 30, 2019. PIMA plans to submit comments that highlight the United States’ experience with the existing building provisions of the IECC and respond to the report’s concerns of building fire safety. To view the online survey, click here.
Energy Conservation Lives!
Posted By PIMA
A recent Trump Administration document “encourages communities to adopt and enforce up-to-date building codes.” This important policy recommendation, contained in the Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA)’s National Mitigation Investment Strategy (NMIS), is expected to further catalyze code adoption and pave the way toward enforcement of these critical building standards.
The NMIS Recommendation 3.1 further states:
“Building codes regulate the design, construction, and occupancy of buildings and structures by providing minimum requirements to safeguard public safety, health and general welfare. Architects, engineers, builders, and regulators should use the latest building codes for the most up-to-date requirements for structural integrity, mechanical integrity, fire prevention and energy conservation. Using up-to-date building codes helps communities survive, remain resilient, and continue to provide essential services after a disaster occurs.”
This recommendation, combined with increased code adoption at the local level will be a powerful market signal. Further information and an explanation of the document is available here.
Durham’s Liberty Warehouse – Iconic and Insulated
Liberty Warehouse will be Durham, North Carolina’s next iconic building and an anchor of the Central Park neighborhood. The project will use the Rmax ECOMAXci Wall Solution to provide Polyiso Continuous Insulation (CI) in the walls along with specialty windows to enhance this unique re-development effort.
Originally built in the 1940’s as one of the last of the large tobacco auction warehouses, this space will now include 246 luxury rental apartments and 24,693 square-feet of retail space. The ECOMAXci Wall Solution is an NFPA 285 approved assembly, providing continuous insulation to eliminate thermal bridging through the steel studs, and an integrated air, water and vapor barrier to improve performance, lower costs, and reduce environmental impact.