Walls & Ceilings May 2011

Feast your ears on this… Turn to page 13 for more info

May 2011

Volume 74, Issue 5

The Voice of the Industry Since 1938™ WC03114CERTCEIL-CC.indd 1

HIGH PERFORMANCE BUILDING ENVELOPE ISSUE

2/17/11

FOUR? SCORE. National Gypsum introduces e2XP Tile Backer, the final piece of the puzzle for extended exposure fiberglass-faced gypsum panels. T le Ti e Bac acke kerr ke

Designed for use as a substrate for interior tile applications in high moisture areas, e2XP Tile Backer is the perfect fit for interior residential and commercial applications. To learn more about our complete family of e2XP products, including Sheathing, Shaftliner, Interior Extreme and Tile Backer, visit purplechoice.info.

Technical Info: 1-800-NATIONAL or visit nationalgypsum.com

/͛ŵŵŽƌĞĐŽŵƉůĞdžƚŚĂŶ/ƐĞĞŵ͘

dzWZΠDĞƚƌŽtƌĂƉ͘ΡůĞǀĂƚĞĚƉĞƌĨŽƌŵĂŶĐĞĨŽƌĐŽŵŵĞƌĐŝĂůĂŶĚŵƵůƟͲĨĂŵŝůLJĂƉƉůŝĐĂƟŽŶƐ͘ /͛ŵŵŽƐƚǁĞůůŬŶŽǁŶĨŽƌŵLJǁŽƌŬĂƐĂďĂƌƌŝĞƌĂŐĂŝŶƐƚǁĂƚĞƌĂŶĚĂŝƌŝŶƚƌƵƐŝŽŶ͘Ƶƚ/͛ŵĂůƐŽĞŶŐŝŶĞĞƌĞĚƚŽĂůůŽǁŵŽŝƐƚƵƌĞ ǀĂƉŽƌƚŽĞƐĐĂƉĞĨƌŽŵƚŚĞŝŶƐŝĚĞƚŽƚŚĞŽƵƚƐŝĚĞ͕ƐƚĂǀŝŶŐŽīŵŽůĚĂŶĚŵŝůĚĞǁǁŚŝůĞŵĂŝŶƚĂŝŶŝŶŐĞdžĐĞůůĞŶƚŝŶĚŽŽƌĂŝƌƋƵĂůŝƚLJ͘ /ĂůƐŽŚĞůƉŬĞĞƉƵƟůŝƚLJďŝůůƐĚŽǁŶ͕ĐĂŶďĞƵƐĞĚǁŝƚŚĂŶLJƚLJƉĞŽĨĞdžƚĞƌŝŽƌĐůĂĚĚŝŶŐ͕ĂŶĚŚŽůĚƵƉĨŽƌĚĞĐĂĚĞƐ͘ŵ/ũƵƐƚĂŵĞƌĞ ďĂƌƌŝĞƌ͍&ĂƌĨƌŽŵŝƚ͘dŽůĞĂƌŶŵŽƌĞ͕ĨŽůůŽǁƵƐŽŶƚǁŝƩĞƌ͘ĐŽŵͬƚLJƉĂƌŽƌǀŝƐŝƚƚLJƉĂƌ͘ĐŽŵ͘

ƵŝůĚŝŶŐtƌĂƉƐ&ůĂƐŚŝŶŐƐŽŶƐƚƌƵĐƟŽŶdĂƉĞ

ZŽŽĨhŶĚĞƌůĂLJŵĞŶƚ>ĂŶĚƐĐĂƉĞWƌŽĚƵĐƚƐ'ĞŽƚĞdžƟůĞƐ

Please Circle #328 On Reader Action Card

18

28

may columns 06

Up Front by Mark Fowler

44

Finish Line by Robert Thomas

46

Straight Green by Chris Dixon

49

Trowel Talk by William E. Rogers

departments 10

Trade News

16

Product Focus

55

Toolbox

56

Classified Marketplace

57

Advertiser Directory

Volume 74, Issue 5

The Voice of the Industry Since 1938™

T University of Pennsylvania’s The English House was one of three recent projects by Runyan & AAssociates Architects where w window replacement supports campus sustainability efforts. Photo by Matt Wargo©

HIGH PERFORMANCE BUILDING ENVELOPE ISSUE

4

18 Looking Toward the Future Architects put new windows into old buildings at the University of Pennsylvania.

24 Air Cavities as Continuous Insulation Open spaces are used as a form of continuous insulation to meet new energy codes.

28 Waterproofing/Rainscreen Special Section: Building Envelope Transitions Owners, designers and contractors can work together to weatherproof buildings.

32 Breathe Deep Structural insulated panels give builders alternatives and owners good savings on utilities costs.

36 For the Birds A new product works to keep Woody and the other woodpeckers out of your cladding system.

40 A Concrete Solution

on the cover May 2011

features

VO L U M E 7 4 N U M B E R 5

| Walls & Ceilings | May 2011

A good plasterer or faux finisher is 90 percent ready to do wonders with vertical concrete.

52 New Product Buzz Guide

ON THE WEB www.wconline.com Breaking News W&C Blogs Web-only Features Special Sections W&C Architect

W&C Digital Edition Media Kit Facebook White Papers/ Case Studies

Readers can download the mobile app to snap the mobile tag at http://gettag.mobi

INSTALLATION

SY ST EMS Between us, ideas become reality™

armstrong.com/axiom5wc

1 877 ARMSTRONG

Please Circle #103 On Reader Action Card

up

FRONT BY MARK FOWLER

Sometimes, Just

Walk Away I was a plastering contractor during the last horrible recession of the late-’70s. Work was so scarce that we even bid for one of the more notorious developers in our area. Even knowing this particular developer was infamous for burning subcontractors, r u n n i ng a projec t site w it h no regard for proper sequence and avoiding retention payment, we felt we had to bid his work. We bid the work high, believing if we got the job for that price it would be worth it. To our surprise, the purchasing agent called and said that they would like to give us four projects that we bid. After reviewing the bids with a fine-tooth comb, I knew we could keep our guys going and hopefully turn a decent profit— even without the retention paid—if the job would be run reasonably right. That turned out to be the missing “if.”

THE BIG “IF” The contracts came in, and to no surprise, they were 100 percent one-sided in the developer’s favor. It was what I referred to as a “hammer and nail” contract, and you can guess who the nail was. I must have had a dozen meetings over the contract language. I heard all the phrases we know too well, such as, “No one ever complains about that clause” or “Our lawyer says that has to be in there.” We have all heard it before. I eventually got the contracts to a place I believed was fair, so we signed and got started on two of the projects. The first project was run by a rookie, g reen superintendent who was short on knowledge and long on a r roga nc e. We foug ht daily on just about ever y thing. I remember thinking, “What we

6

| Walls & Ceilings | May 2011

do to keep our guys working is not really worth it.” The second larger project was about ready for the scratch coat of cement. When I arrived the day before we were scheduled to start pumping, I had to inform Grizzly Adams (not his name, just how he looked) that the project was not ready.

CAN’T START No windows were in. There was no water in the buildings. There were trenches everywhere and those were just the start of the problems. Grizzly felt confident as he pulled his standard hammer and nail contract from his desk and read it to me. I went to my truck and brought back the “real” contract that said windows had to in place; we were to have water at every building and there would be no working around trenches. His face went red and he threw my briefcase out of his trailer into the parking lot. As I was walking away he screamed at me, “You will never finish this job!” He was right; I did not finish the job. The lawyers argued for weeks and we got paid for most of what we did minus legal fees. As news of the incident spread through their company, the other green superintendent was feeling good when he told me, “You are the worst plastering contractor I have ever worked with.”

REALLY? I a s ke d , “ H ow m a ny pl a s t e r ing contractors have you worked

w it h?“ He ad m it ted t here h ad b been only three. I replied “Well, I have worked with hundreds of g general contractors and you are w without a doubt the worst I have e ever worked with.” A few months later, I read in the n newspaper this same developer had t trouble selling some premium homes in the local beach community. He came up with creative financing to potential buyers. Basically, he played middle man to the bank. The problem was this slime ball never sent any of the homebuyers’ money to the bank. He filed bankruptcy and the home purchasers were all evicted, lost their down payments and any monthly payments made to him. The story made the evening news as he was charged with a host of crimes.

LEARN AND GROW A few years later I was asked to bid a stucco job on a very large apartment complex that was being converted to condominiums. As I walked the massive project, I saw notices were attached to several of the front doors. They were all being evicted. W hen I got back to my office I wanted to research this developer. I was not terribly shocked to find out it was my old friend Grizzly Adams. When I called the main office, he was there. To my surprise, he was actually thinking I would provide a bid on this project. I know I am not the only one who experiences this stuff; I just get to write about it. The point of this story is to underscore that a contract is important but if the character of the person you are contracting with is rotten to the core, the work is simply not worth it— even if you think you have a good, ironclad contrac t. I f the person is scum, just do yourself a favor and walk away.

.

© 2011 SPEC MIX, INC.

Please Circle #342 On Reader Action Card

PA1000 © 2009 SPEC MIX INC.

®

The Voice of the Industry Since 1938™

2401 W. Big Beaver Rd., Suite 700, Troy, MI 48084 (248) 362-3700 Fax: (248) 362-0317 www.wconline.com

Publisher — Amy Tuttle: (517) 589-8617, (800) 533-5653, [email protected]

EDITORIAL Editorial Director — Mark Fowler: [email protected] Editor — John Wyatt: (248) 244-6404, [email protected] Associate and Web Editor — Alex Lundberg: (248) 244-6471, [email protected] Art Director — James P. Hohner Jr.: [email protected] Contributing Editors: Peter Battisti, Chris Dixon, Robert Thomas, Jim Olszytnski, Michael Gardner, William Rogers and Kevin Bush

ADVERTISING & SALES Production Manager — Lynette Barwin: (248) 244-1282, [email protected] Eastern, Midwest, Canada and Web Site Adv. Sales — Amy Tuttle: (517) 589-8617, (800) 533-5653, [email protected] West and South Advertising Sales/Classified Advertising — Paula Graham: Sales Strategies, (727) 550-3903, (888) 887-2852, [email protected] AEC Bookstore Manager — Stephanie Weingartz: (248) 244-1275, [email protected] Reprints — Jill DeVries: (248) 244-1726, [email protected] Single-copy Sales — Ann Kalb: (248) 244-6499, [email protected]

Please Circle #261 On Reader Action Card

EDITORIAL ADVISORY BOARD Bob Drury — Executive Director, NWCB Michael Kwart — Executive Director, ICAA Michael Gardner — Executive Director, Gypsum Association Steve Pedracine — Executive Director, Minnesota Lath & Plaster Bureau Jon Mooney — President, Acoustics by J.W. Mooney Elizabeth Steiner — Executive Director, ICFA

AUDIENCE DEVELOPMENT Audience Development Coordinator — Christina Roth Corporate Fulfillment Manager — Megan Neel Corporate Audience Audit Manager — Catherine M. Ronan For subscription information or service, please contact Customer Service at: Tel. (847) 763-9534 or Fax (847) 763-9538 or e-mail [email protected]

LIST RENTAL Postal contact — Kevin Collopy: (800) 223-2194 x684, [email protected] Email contact — Shawn Kingston: (800) 409-4443 x828, [email protected] WALLS & CEILINGS (ISSN 0043-0161) is published 12 times annually, monthly, by BNP Media II, L.L.C., 2401 W. Big Beaver Rd., Suite 700, Troy, MI 48084-3333. Telephone: (248) 362-3700, Fax: (248) 362-0317. No charge for subscriptions to qualified individuals. Annual rate for subscriptions to nonqualified individuals in the U.S.A.: $115.00 USD. Annual rate for subscriptions to nonqualified individuals in Canada: $149.00 USD (includes GST & postage); all other countries: $165.00 (int’l mail) payable in U.S. funds. Printed in the U.S.A. Copyright 2011, by BNP Media II, L.L.C. All rights reserved. The contents of this publication may not be reproduced in whole or in part without the consent of the publisher. The publisher is not responsible for product claims and representations. Periodicals Postage Paid at Troy, MI and at additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: WALLS & CEILINGS, P.O. Box 2147, Skokie, IL 60076. Canada Post: Publications Mail Agreement #40612608. GST account: 131263923. Send returns (Canada) to Pitney Bowes, P.O. Box 25542, London, ON, N6C 6B2. Change of address: Send old address label along with new address to WALLS & CEILINGS, P.O. Box 2147, Skokie, IL 60076. For single copies or back issues: contact Ann Kalb at (248) 244-6499 or [email protected].

Walls & Ceilings is the official publication to CLAPCA, FWCCA and NWCB.

8

Please Circle #185 On Reader Action Card | Walls & Ceilings | May 2011

Metal Trim

Roll And Brake Formed Metal Plaster Stops, Expansion Joints And Control Joints Galvanized • Copper • Zinc • Stainless Steel • Aluminum Decorative accessories for plaster, drywall, moisture protection, ventilation and other applications. Radius curves, corners and custom fabrication.

Call 1-87-Stockton For More Information! Please Circle #251 On Reader Action Card

©2011 Stockton Products. All rights reserved worldwide.

Galva nized

Zinc

Copp er

Complete line of extruded aluminum trims for stucco and drywall. Custom shapes, curving and special fabrication available.

Stain less S teel

Extruded Aluminum

Standard & Custom Reveal Moldings For Stucco & Drywall Clear Anodized • Alodine/Chem-Film • Kynar Paint • Color Anodized

Alum inum

"Trims And Moldings For Every Application, Inside And Out"

• Extruded Aluminum Plaster And Drywall Moldings • Metal Vent And Reveal Moldings • Casing Beads And Plaster Stops • Moisture Protection Trims • Custom Fabrication • Curving And Custom Trim Designs Available Through Factory Authorized Dealers Only. Call For The Dealer Nearest You.

TRADENEWS CALENDAR MAY 12-14 AIA New Orleans www.aia.org

JUNE 22-24 PCBC Moscone Center San Francisco www.pcbc.com 22-25 TLPCA/SCWCPA Hyatt Regency Hill Country Resort & Spa San Antonio www.tlpca.org

JULY 15-16 FWCCA SOUTHEASTERN CONVENTION & TRADE SHOW OMNI Hotel at Chamption’s Gate Orlando, Fla. www.fwcca.org

SEPTEMBER 13-16 CONSTRUCT/TFM 2011 McCormick Place Chicago www.constructshow.com 22-24 ICAA ANNUAL CONVENTION & TRADE SHOW Contemporary Resort Orlando, Fla. www.insulate.org

OCTOBER 4-7 USGBC’S GREENBUILD 2011 Toronto, Ontario www.greenbuildexpo.org For additions or corrections to our Calendar, please call (248) 244-6404.

10

| Walls & Ceilings | May 2011

QSI CONTRIBUTES TO RE-BUILDING IN HAITI Quality Systems Inc. has announced that the Perma•Crete product line is being used in Haiti by its Ayiti distributor to resurface the exteriors of thousands of small new houses being built in this country by various relief agencies to provide shelter and living quarters for the homeless people of Haiti who have endured squalid conditions since the devastating earthquake a year ago destroyed more than 300,000 residences and commercial buildings. “The new Perma•Crete surfaces in custom Haitian colors created by QSI, over the plywood and block structures originally intended as temporary housing, have now created permanent residences for the Haitian people and allowed them to truly begin the difficult task of stabilizing their devastated and economically-deprived Caribbean country,” said George Henderson, president and CEO of QSI. “The bare surfaces of the structures were initially coated with [a] waterproof membrane before being completely resurfaced with two applications of Perma•Crete’s roadway matrix products, which included an embedded fiberglass mesh to greatly strengthen and protect the buildings from future earthquake and hurricane disasters giving them an expected usable life of over 10 years. “This will be a continuing project for years to come in one of the most difficult humanitarian assistance projects undertaken, and we’re grateful for the opportunity to contribute a viable solution towards the critical housing needs of the Haitian people,” Henderson said.

GBCI ENDORSES NCCER’S SUSTAINABLE CONSTRUCTION SUPERVISOR The National Center for Construction Education and Research announced the endorsement of its Sustainable Construction Supervisor Training and Certification Pro-

gram by the Green Building Certification Institute. “The GBCI is pleased to endorse NCCER’s Sustainable Construction Supervisor Training and Certification Program,” said Beth Holst, vice president of credentialing for GBCI. “The demand for sustainable buildings is quickly transforming our built landscape. There are currently over 29,000 projects registered with GBCI that are seeking LEED certification. These projects need construction professionals on the job who are armed with an in-depth understanding of green construction practices. The Sustainable Construction Supervisor program recognizes the vital role of construction professionals in the implementation of green building practices and design, and it delivers relevant training to the individuals who work on LEED and other green projects.” This program includes a training module that was developed for sustainable construction management for supervisors and a related certification exam. To further the importance of this program, the module has also been approved by the U.S. Green Building Council for 20 general and LEED specific (BD+C, ID+C, and O+M) continuing education hours for credential maintenance. “GBCI is proud to stand behind NCCER’s leadership in the realm of green construction education as they raise the bar for the construction industry,” Holst said.

RADIUS TRACK INTRODUCES FREE ONLINE CALCULATOR Radius Track Corp. has introduced a free new online tool to quickly calculate radius and arc lengths at the click of a button. “When you need an exact radius, arch length or even cord length measurement, you need accurate results. Complicated math equations are tiresome when you’re in the field and need a fast answer,” said Chuck Mears, AIA, CEO of Radius Track.

WHAT AMERICA’S MADE OF™ .

We helped a timeless classic stay timeless. When the historic Miami Woman’s Club needed renovation, QUIKRETE® products helped restore the building to its original textured stucco facade. Over 50 bags of QUIKRETE® Fast Set Repair Mortar were used for structural repair. And over 1,700 bags of QUIKRETE Base Coat Stucco were used to match the original Mediterranean exterior. It’s further proof that no matter what you’re building, QUIKRETE® has everything you need to keep pouring. And with over 90 manufacturing plants, we can speed hundreds of high-performance products right to your jobsite. QUIKRETE even offers technical support. For a free construction product guide, visit QUIKRETE.COM or call 1-800-282-5828. Please Circle #349 On Reader Action Card

TRADENEWS To use, simply enter any two of the following measurements: arc radius, cord height or cord length, and the tool calculates the rest. The output measurements can also be easily printed and taken to the job site.

ON CENTER SOFTWARE ACADEMIC PROGRAM OFFERS COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIP On Center Software announced its 2011 Academic Program Scholarship is now open to applicants. The scholarship will be awarded to a univer-

sity student currently enrolled in a construction-engineering program at an accredited U.S. school. A $1,000 scholarship will be awarded to one student during both the fall and spring semesters of each academic year. To apply for the upcoming fall semester, students must complete a case study using the company’s Quick Bid and/or On-Screen Takeoff programs, and submit it before May 31, 2011. Free trial software licenses are available for students who wish to partici-

The leader in high-performance drywall corner solutions.

NO-COAT Structural Laminate Drywall Corner System

NO-COAT wins the corner bead smackdown!

.

BNP MEDIA CONTRACTOR SERIES SLIDE SHOW Walls & Ceilings’ publisher BNP Media has created a site specifically for contractors’ success stories, called “Moving On,” which was launched last fall. A new slide show has been created to showcase what submissions have been received to date. Please visit www.bnpmedia. com/movingon. The magazine is still asking companies to submit their stories by uploading them online. Visit the site and click “enter story.” Answer six short questions. Then upload a photo of you or your management team. Once it’s entered, we’ll confirm receipt.

DOW DEVELOPS POLYMERIC FLAME RETARDANT TECHNOLOGY Metal Bead NO-COAT

.

Metal corner bead fails when it really counts. Why? Because the issue is not how strong it is, it’s how well it stands up to impacts. Metal bead dents and twists. Plastic bead cracks. NO-COAT is resilient. Its paper-plastic-paper composite holds up to severe impacts and won’t dent, crack or rust. But don’t take our word for it, go to www.no-coat.com to see for Distributed by yourself and get a free sample. www.grabberman.com

12

pate, because it is On Center Software’s goal to provide the next generation of construction professionals with the tools they need to succeed in the industry. The winner of the On Center Software Academic Program Scholarship will have his/her case study published on www.oncenter.com and it will be showcased within universities across the U.S. For a complete list of rules and requirements, please contact the company’s Academic Program representatives at [email protected].

Please Circle #112 On Reader Action Card | Walls & Ceilings | May 2011

Dow Global Technologies LLC, a subsidiary of The Dow Chemical Co., announced the invention and development of a new, high molecular weight brominated polymeric flame retardant. The Polymeric FR is a flame retardant for use in both extruded polystyrene and expanded polystyrene foam insulation applications globally. The development of the technology is the result of the company’s continuing search for more sustainable products and in this case for a flame retardant that can replace hexabromocyclododecane. DGTL also announced the first license agreement with Chemtura Corp. This first license agreement makes it possible for Great Lakes Solutions, a Chemtura business, to produce and sell the newly developed Polymeric FR for use in XPS and EPS foam. DGTL is currently engaged in

Product: Ecophon® Master™ Solo S Free Hanging Units Project: Sly Fox Brewhouse & Eatery, Phoenixville, PA Contractor: Benner & White Construction, Inc., Harleysville, PA

Feast your ears on this… M E E T EC O PH O N ® M A S T E R ™ S O LO S - A free-hanging, high density fiberglass panel with superior sound absorption on all sides for enhanced acoustical control. - Ideal for schools, offices, restaurants, or any other space where the look of an open ceiling is desired but acoustics are a concern. - Great for use in pre-existing or new spaces where traditional grid and tile systems are not feasible or desired. - Simple components make for an easy installation in any environment. - Simple integration of lighting components.

“The Ecophon® Master™ Solo S system was easy to assemble and install, which simplified this process. It’s a good system and it worked out really well for us.” –Tyrone Deschler, ceilings superintendent for Benner & White Construction, Inc.

“With Ecophon® Master™ Solo S, we were able to solve our acoustical problem while not interfering with the big, open look that we wanted in our ceilings. The new ceiling looks dynamite.” –Pete Giannopoulos, owner of Sly Fox Brewhouse & Eatery

oååˆÔÏψoššåËVËWjÁÍ?‰™Íjja±W”ËVˆÍͬ]ÊÊM~±WjÁÍ?‰™Íjja±W” -##!ËVË. !ËVË0- ËVË8! #8.ËVË !ËVË-
!ËVË !

!.2
0#!ËVË:+.2 ËVËCEILINGSËVË#2!
0#!.ËVË++

Please Circle #308 On Reader Action Card

TRADENEWS advanced licensing discussions with several other interested companies and expects to finalize these agreements by the end of the year. DGTL expects this will enable global supply security, foster market competition and help facilitate a smooth industry conversion to the new technology as EPS and XPS manufacturers adopt Polymeric FR, thereby becoming the new global standard. To enable formulation optimizations and market qualifications, it is

expected that Polymeric FR licensees will have interim quantities available throughout 2011. This will be followed, likely in 2012, by large plant construction by the licensees, making significantly larger commercial volumes available by 20132015 that are in line with the current HBCD market demand. This should allow the global polystyrene foam insulation industry to make a smooth transition, as national regulations are implemented.

Further updates and statements will be shared by DGTL and DGTL licensees in the future.

SMDI ROLLS OUT NEW SITE The Steel Market Development Institute has launched a new Web site, www.smdisteel.org. The site provides information about the North American steel industry’s market applications, research and reports on new product advancements and the industry’s commitment to sustainability. Highlights of the site include: • Updates on advanced high-strength steel research in the automotive market, including new technologies being utilized in automotive applications, such as body structures, wheels, bumpers and fuel tanks. • Easy access to research, design aids and training opportunities in the construction market. • Fast facts on the benefits of steel packaging and access to research on the nutritional benefits of canned food in the container market. • Expanded focus on the environmental and sustainable advantages of steel, which go beyond steel being the most recycled material on the planet. A feature on the site is the global navigation bar at the top of the page that enables visitors to move across the steel network of Web sites. The site also features a media center, events area, online store and a place to access protected content reserved for SMDI investors. W&C

SPACKLE BY DAVE COVERLY

14

Please Circle #129 On Reader Action Card | Walls & Ceilings | May 2011

Please Circle #321 On Reader Action Card

product

FOCUS

on

Trims and Moldings Moldings for indirect lighting applications ARCHITECTURAL PRODUCTS BY OUTWATER LLC The company’s architectural molding and millwork offers economically priced, 100 percent recycled green cornice and crown moldings that have been specifically designed for use with indirect lighting. Manufactured to accept a variety of cove molding light fixtures without causing scalloped or uneven light dispersion and illumination, the moldings can also be used as a traditional cornice or crown molding without lighting if desired. If you read this article, please circle number 350.

Ornamental trim moldings JAMES HARDIE The HardieTrim Crown Molding is a highly durable and dimensionally stable trim accessory that can be used as window ornamentals and to enhance the design of the roof line. The moldings are available in two profile sizes: 3¼ and 5¼ inch. The products are manufactured as part of the HardieZone System that provides exterior products with specific performance attributes relative to the climate where the product is being used. The moldings perform well in all climates, which allow the product to maintain long-term aesthetics compared to wood. Also, unlike PVC trims, the moldings are dimensionally stable while PVC expands and contracts with change in temperatures. The products come with a 15-year limited, transferable product warranty. These can be used in various applications such as a decorative trim transition from frieze board to soffit, window headers or as a gable trim accent.

Bullnose cornerbead TRIM-TEX The company’s Mud Lock Technology is revealed with the new Mud Set Bead Product Line. These cornerbeads feature patented Mud Lock Technology with 350 percent more bonding surface at a lower cost. The beads will not dent or blister and absorb extreme impact. The engineered hole pattern allows excess mud to flow through and quickly selflevel the bead, saving time and money. All beads are rust proof and do not promote mold growth. The Mud Set Bullnose Cornerbead matches all 3/4inch R. Bullnose Archways, accessories and tools. Mud Lock Technology assures no cracks or call backs and is compatible with most hoppers and roller tools. If you read this article, please circle number 353.

If you read this article, please circle number 351.

Flexible trims and moldings ZAGO The company is expanding its product offering and introducing a new line of decorative flexible trims and mouldings to meet the needs of today’s residential, design and building marketplace. These products provide the look of carved wood without cracking, rotting or chipping and can be used indoors or outdoors in place of, or as an accessory to, wood. The Trim EZ Pro Series trims and moldings are custom made and easily bent or shaped for any curved or rounded decorative need, such as base molding on rounded walls, curves on crown moldings or casing on arched doorways and openings and custom window treatments. They are low maintenance and can be painted or stained to create any desired finish and compliment any room. Made from a high quality polymer composite, the finished products are free of VOC emissions and no trees are lost in the process. If you read this article, please circle number 352.

16

| Walls & Ceilings | May 2011

Paper-faced flexible corner trim PHILLIPS MFG. RollPRO paper-faced flexible corner trim is an easy to use product for drywall finishing. This product features a paperfaced corrosion-resistant flexible vinyl that flexes to any corner angle for quick, professionally finished inside and outside corners. The product is perfect for irregular drywall intersections and provides a smooth consistent finish with superior mud and paint adhesion. This product features proprietary high strength paper with durable fibers promoting high wet and tear strength. RollPRO is available in 3¼ inch width and comes in 100-foot rolls. If you read this article, please circle number 354.

Add some speed at the tile backer position. When your team hits the showers—or the kitchen— Diamondback™ Tile Backer will add speed to your game. Diamondback’s unique textured pattern and coating help grip tiles to prevent slippage during installation X Lighter weight than traditional cement or glass-mat gypsum backer boards X No need to install additional vapor barrier X Scores and snaps like regular gypsum board X

800-233-8990 • www.certainteed.com ROOFING • SIDING • TRIM • DECKING • RAILING • FENCE • FOUNDATIONS GYPSUM • CEILINGS • INSULATION • PIPE

Please Circle #153 On Reader Action Card

future look ing toward the

T

he University of Pennsylvania’s advocacy of sustainable design extends from LEED ratings targets for all new building projects to collaborative efforts between the Division of Facilities and Real Estate Services, the campus community and the City of Philadelphia. Campuswide environmental planning for the built environment has included the reuse of materials and installation of green roofs. The strategic examination of university buildings and implementation of improvements for long-term energy and operational efficiency have also been performed. Three window replacement projects reflect energy savings measures and green building principles that the University of Pennsylvania has been actively pursuing. As part of

18

| Walls & Ceilings | May 2011

Runyan & Associates Architects design long-term energy efficiency into three University of Pennsylvania windowreplacement projects. By Amanda Gibney Weko

the Kings Court-English College House complex, English House was built in 1960 as a nursing student dormitory. Its mid-century “International Style” design was by architects Schmidt, Garden, and Erikson. The 1941 Cret Chemistry Building is the oldest surviving wing of the original chemistry complex. The Sigma Chi Fraternity House, built in 1884 as a residence for James W. Paul, Jr. and Frances Katherine Drexel, exemplifies late 19th century residential architecture. The three projects represent different architectural eras, window details and challenges; how-

ever, all three share an architectural approach to window replacement in an historic campus context.

THE INS AND OUTS Runyan & Associates Architects of Philadelphia led design for all three. “We looked at each project from the inside-out, as well as the outside-in,” says principal, C. Stanley Runyan, AIA. The Runyan team included Jean McCoubrey, AIA, LEED AP and Matthew Yoder, who managed the projects internally along with the university’s project managers and under the guidance of its Design Review Committee.

May 2011 | Walls & Ceilings |

19

look ing towa r d the

future

The best example of Runyan’s approach was in the renovation of English House, where half-century old aluminum windows with single-pane glass contributed to excessive heat loss in winter and heat gain in summer. The slider system was hard to operate and large, clear openings presented both a security threat and fall hazard. To complicate the replacement, original fin-tube radiators were attached to the window wall system. In order to replace the windows, the heating system also required an update, which presented an opportunity to offer individual thermostats in each room and improved energy efficiency. Exterior concrete restoration was a related project component. Runyan called in Bruce E. Brooks & Associates for MEP engineering on

20

| Walls & Ceilings | May 2011

English House, who consulted on both the new heating system and window glazing selection. Mechanical engineer Joe Matje, PE, LEED AP, developed a computer model using Carrier’s Hourly Analysis Program to analyze three different types of glazing, rating them good, better, and best based on lifecycle and first-time costs. PPG’s Solarban 60, a low-E solar control glass with 22 kBTU/square-foot per year, was chosen for combined performance and price benefit. “We did a mock-up of the glass and the new fin tube,” Matje says. It was useful both to see how the new systems would look in the dorm rooms and to elicit comments from the university and the design team. In addition to the new fin-tube system, individual energy metering was installed on the campus steam loop.

Upon selection of the glazing and awning-style, top-hinged aluminum Wausau Windows (3250-H Heritage Series), the Runyan team proposed a slightly modified mullion spacing. The original mullion pattern could not be replicated, but the university wanted the new configuration to maintain the horizontality of the original scheme and the translucency of the lower fixed window panels. Twelve iterations of mullion configurations were presented and reviewed. McCoubrey explained that functionality and interior sightlines were studied carefully. The final design maintains the three-part bay configuration of the original, but adds vertical mullions for a more complex visual aesthetic. Since the building does not include central air-conditioning, the university extended its typical window-opening limit from 4 to 8 inches to ensure adequate ventilation in compliance with building code requirements. Superintendent and construction project manager for INTECH Construction Paul DeFeo managed the English House project. He cited accurate field measurements and proper cleaning and preparation prior to window installation as keys to success. The team surveyed dorm rooms during spring break before the summer construction schedule. The window system, which sits directly on the concrete floor slab and extends to the slab above, arrived in sections that slid into a track. “I was impressed how the system went together,” says DeFeo, adding that the installers, GMI, performed well.

CRACKS CORRECTED Exterior envelope repairs to spalling and cracking concrete were corrected with input from exterior consultant, Edwards & Company, and using Conproco repair mortars and coatings from Capricorn Industrial Sales. “The goal of concrete restoration was to maintain color and texture of the natural concrete while protecting it from further deterioration,” says McCoubrey. Window replacement at English House was completed in the summer of 2009. The new, energy-effi-

STEEL FRAMING INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION

Please Circle #154 On Reader Action Card

look ing towa r d the

future

cient window and heating systems reduce solar gain, increase thermal comfort, and provide a refreshed look to the building. When combined with a green roof added a few years earlier, the dormitory demonstrates how environmentally-friendly design can be economic as well.

Runyan took a similar approach to the Paul P. Cret Wing of the Chemistry Building, where new energyefficient aluminum windows were specified to replace original steel casements. Completed in 2005, the project addressed both energy consumption and interior environmen-

tal control issues through window replacement. “Within the laboratories, it is even more important to have weather-tight windows to provide for controlled environmental conditions,” says Stan Runyan. EFCO Corp. Model 590 aluminum windows with a fluoropolymer finish were specified because their profiles closely match steel sash profiles. Unkefer Brothers Builders of Philadelphia was the project’s contractor. In 2010, the Penn chapter of the Sigma Chi Fraternity approved a complete window restoration and replacement project for its 1884 chapter house. Runyan & Associates Architects designed a multi-phased restoration for the entire exterior envelope. Sigma Chi’s former DrexelPaul Mansion is listed on Philadelphia’s Register of Historic Places and required submissions and reviews with the University of Pennsylvania’s Design Review Committee, its Cultural Resources Subcommittee and the City of Philadelphia’s Historic Preservation Commission staff.

STICK WITH US WELD-CRETE® CONCRETE BONDING AGENT AND PLASTER-WELD® PLASTER BONDING AGENT.

Contractors want it, because it works. And it works because we’ve put a half a century of experience and industry knowledge into our bonding agents. Start bonding with quality Larsen products today. Plus, Weld-Crete® and Plaster-Weld’s® low VOC content significantly reduces airborne pollutants that affect health and the environment.

Originators of leading chemical bonding agents… worldwide since 1952

800.633.6668 www.larsenproducts.com

Please Circle #182 On Reader Action Card 22

| Walls & Ceilings | May 2011

Oversized original single-pane wood windows were restored by Chestnut Hill Windows of Philadelphia, Pa. Employing a unique process of sash removal, routing and insertion of insulated glazing, the firm was able to maintain 75 percent of the original wood, refurbish all hardware and replicate the historically-correct exterior muntin patterns and paint colors—all in accord with historic commission guidelines. Contractors Murphy-Quigley Company of Bala Cynwyd, Pa. handled those windows that required complete replacement. Prefinished Kolbe & Kolbe Magnum and Heritage Series wood windows were selected and approved by the Historic Commission. The windows included K-Kron factory finish with custom wood casings. A n ac c elerated su m mer construction schedule for restoring or replacing 70-plus windows was complicated by the fact that nearly every window has a different shape and size. In addition, ornate leadedglass windows were restored and amended with custom storm sashes. The project exemplifies a successful use of contemporary standards for energy and functionality while maintaining respectful deference to the house’s historic exterior and interior common areas. The university will monitor energy savings as a result of the updates to inform future reinvestment.

“These three projects support the goals and objectives outlined in our Climate Action Plan, which strives to reduce the university’s carbon footprint and enhance its overall sustainability,” says Penn’s University Architect David Hollenberg, AIA. “The Runyan team was diligent in honoring the design of our buildings while bringing them up to date operationally.” Regardless of building age— whether 19th century, early 20th century or mid-century—window replacements and associated improvements can impact both energy efficiency and building longevity. W&C Amanda Gibney Weko is a writer and communication consultant to Philadelphia’s design community. She regularly contributes to AIA Philadelphia’s journal Contex t, and has written for several construction and trade magazines.

Please Circle #244 On Reader Action Card

If you read this article, please circle number 358.

Air Cavities AS CONTINUOUS INSULATION W

it h cha ng i ng energ y code requirements, as represented in ASHR AE 90.1 or California’s Title 24, designers, engineers and contractors are facing practical challenges trying to meet these higher standards. One approach that is prescribed is the use of continuous insulation on the outside of building framing. While this approach does increase the insulating value of walls and reduces losses through thermal bridging, especially with steel framing, there is another option. The incorporation of an air cavity or the concept of a double skin is not unique as air is known to be a good thermal insulation material and the concept has been utilized since the earliest of times. The

24

| Walls & Ceilings | May 2011

The use of air gaps or cavities as a form of continuous insulation and an alternative to rigid foam exterior insulation strive to meet new energy code demands. By William Spilchen P.E.

Persian civilization utilized passive cooling systems as early as 3000 BC and became more sophisticated with the development of windcatchers. I n more recent times, double skin façade buildings were built in the U.S. and Europe in the 1970s during the first energy crisis to improve building energy performance. The double skin façade is a system consisting of two glass skins placed apart in such a way that air flows in the intermediate cavity.

The ventilation of the cavity can be natural or fan supported. The origin and the destination of the air can differ depending on climatic conditions, building orientation and HVAC strategy.

FREE AIR One of the key advantages of the air gap concept is that air is free. Further benefits are that the air cavity can be controlled—closed for heating cycles and open for cooling cycles. Air gaps

3/8"

3/8"

Air gap R = 2.5 for heating R = 6 for cooling

3 ½"

Air gap R = 2.5 for heating R = 6 for cooling

5 ½"

Stucco ¾"

Stucco ¾"

Kraft paper

Kraft paper

Aluminum foil

Aluminum foil

Self forming cavity lath

Self forming cavity lath 24"

Outside air film

16"

Outside air film

Weather resistant barrier (WRB) and air barrier

Weather resistant barrier (WRB) and air barrier

DensGlass® sheathing

DensGlass® sheathing

F/G batt

F/G batt

Steel studs

Steel studs

½" Drywall

½" Drywall

Inside air film

Inside air film

are generally created by applying the cladding over spacers or furring strips. Various designs and concepts have evolved or been developed over the last few years. One example, a vented roof and wall system was developed and patented in 2009 by Cool Building Systems in San Antonio. Its system basically focused on roofs and walls of metal buildings but utilizes and controls the air cavity concept. Other companies are also developing new solutions utilizing air cavities to meet the changing energy targets. Structa Wire Corp. has recently developed a new stucco lath that is a one step, self-forming cavity lath for creating air gaps with stucco plaster. The lath is a 1-inchby-1½-inch welded-wire lath with integrated furring spacers that automatically create a 3/8-inch cavity. A barrier kraft paper is placed within the lath at the 3/8 inch point to prevent stucco plaster from entering the cavity. A reflective foil is adhered on the cavity side of the barrier. Prototypes of this new lath have been created and photographs of front and back of this new lath are shown in the photos on the next page. The new lath is proposed to be fabricated in sheets 28 inches wide by 98 inches long. The backing kraft

and reflective foil will project past the wire portion at the top and along one end so that wire to wire and paper to paper overlaps can be properly achieved. The holes and slits in the backing paper are optimized to achieve dense packing and efficient warehousing and shipping, but prevent the entry of plaster into the cavity space. Further, the aluminum reflective foil is coated on both sides to ensure that there is no reaction between the aluminum and the stucco plaster. The wire crimps or spacers dramatically reduce the thermal bridging losses, which are especially critical with steel framing. Furthermore, with the combination of the air gap and the reflective insulation, it is expected that R will be improved by approximately 2 to 3 for heating or up to 6 to 8 for cooling. Depending on geographical location, the weighted average could be an R of 6, which would be typical for an example of Zone 3 in California. A cross section of such a proposed wall system with steel framing is shown in the figures above and on page 27. The one inch of EPS would not be required for 2012 standards but would be an option for 2015 expected increased standards. Of course another option to achieve

the higher standards would be to utilize 2x6 framing with R 19 batts in the wall cavity. Economic analysis would be required to determine which option would be most cost effective at that time.

CONTROL THE AIR FLOW One of the key advantages of the air cavit y is the abilit y to control the movement of air within. One version of the system would have the bottom of the air space open with a continuous opening, but with an insect screen to keep insects out. However, at the top, the cavity could also have a continuous opening, or preferably would have a series of motorized dampers that could open and close. These dampers then could be tied into the HVAC system in such a way that they would be closed during the heating cycles and open during the cooling cycle. In many locations in the U.S., the energy utilized for air conditioning greatly exceeds that for heating. Therefore, it is anticipated that the air cavity system would be even more advantageous in high air conditioning regions. A vast number of control options exist in how to control the dampers and could be programmed to anticipate rising temperatures and could dif-

May 2011 | Walls & Ceilings |

25

Air Cavities AS CONTINUOUS INSULATION

Backface of Self-Forming Cavity Lath with Reflective Foil Insulation and Wire crimps for forming the thermal cavity.

26

Front side of Self-forming Cavity Lath with kraft backing and furred lathing.

Please Circle #184 On Reader Action Card | Walls & Ceilings | May 2011

ferentiate between various elevations of the structure. T he ref lective foil insulation would have an emissivity rating of 0.05 and a reflectivity rating of 0.95. During the heating cycle, heat would be radiated from the sheathing to the foil but would be reflected back to the sheathing without warming up the foil and stucco from radiant heat transfer. With a stagnant air space, heat transfer then could only occur by conduction transfer through the air (which is a good insulator) and would result in very low heat transfer. Conversely, during the air conditioning cycle, the stucco would be heated, but with the low emissivity of the foil the heat would not be radiated to the sheathing. Further, the vents would be open and the air within the cavity would no longer be stagnant, but rather would be escaping the cavity as the air was heating up. Therefore, the cavity would act as a heat exchanger and exhaust the heat of the hot stucco without transferring to the sheathing which in turn would be transmitted to the living space. It is estimated that the air exchanges can approach 300 to 400 times per hour depending on air flow resistance at the top and bottom of the cavity and thermal differential. This would be significant in reducing heat transfer from the stucco to the interior of the building. A further advantage of such a system is that the cavity will perform a significant secondary function and allow moisture drainage and drying. This will become more critical as greater levels of insulation are being installed. As buildings are constructed to be more airtight, a reverse vapor drive becomes more of an issue, especially with air conditioned buildings. This concept and design has been submitted to various engineering groups, trade associations and contractors for peer review and feedback. The response has been unanimous in commending the concept as a brilliant approach to resolving a number of challenges. “KHS&S is mainly involved in steel framing construction and thermal bridging losses are a sig-

nificant loss estimated at ing equipment in place by the Steel Framing 2"x 4"x16" Steel Framing 2"x6"x24" 40 percent,” says Jim Stafend of 2011 for availability Thermal Performance R Value Thermal Performance R Value ford of KHS&S West. “We in 2012, in time to meet the Interior air film 0.68 Interior air film 0.68 understand that experiments changing code requirements. Drywall 0.45 Drywall 0.45 have been conducted utilizIn summary, air cavities 3 ½" batt insulation 13 5 ½" batt insulation 19 ing various thermal spacers are a time proven approach ½" DensGlass® sheathing 0.56 ½" DensGlass® sheathing 0.56 attached or fabricated on to improving the energy effi3/8" Air Cavity 3/8" Air Cavity the face of steel studs before ciency of buildings and can R = 2-3 for heating R = 2-3 for heating R = 6-8 air conditioning R = 6-8 air conditioning the DensGlass is installed. be further utilized to effec6 6 Weighted average Weighted average tively and efficiently meet the This process is difficult and for Zone 3 California for Zone 3 California requirements of new energy b enef it s a re l i m ited. We 20% of time: R 2.5 20% of time: R 2.5 80% of time: R 7.0 80% of time: R 7.0 codes and construction going have examined the Structa Stucco ¾" 0.4 Stucco ¾" 0.4 into the 21st century. A n Wire concept and are very Exterior air film 0.17 Exterior air film 0.17 update on the research will be excited about the simplicTOTAL 21.26 TOTAL 27.26 issued in due course. W&C ity and effectiveness of the Less bridging loss <5> Less bridging loss <5> system and feel that it will Net R Value 16.26 Net R Value 22.26 address the changing energy William Spilchen is a Mechanical Net U Value 0.061 Net U Value 0.045 requirements in an efficient P.E. with more than 40 year expeand practical method. This rience in the construction and becoming a reality, and with some air gap system will at the same time construction materials industry. During research, you might have something provide an effective drainage and this period, he has been involved with the even bigger than you know.” drying cavity and this is huge.” design, construction and inspection of Structa Wire is presently perform“Can you imagine? Every day as various building systems throughout North ing hot box testing on assemblies the sun shines on your walls that America. Presently, he is a consultant to with 2x4 and 2x6 wall assemblies energy is used to heat or cool the Structa Wire Corp. He can be reached at with wood and steel framing to veriinterior?” says Bruce Bell, executive [email protected]. fy thermal performance. The compadirector of the Sacramento Bureau ny expects to have the manufacturfor Plaster Lath. “The Smart Grid is If you read this article, please circle number 359.

The gloves are off. The EDGE™ EQ Drywall Steel Framing System from Super Stud lets you take the gloves off. With its patent pending rolled edge to protect your hands, no other product in the industry rivals

by

The EDGE. Formed from the highest quality, mill prime 40KSI steel, it is UL® classified for use in one-, two-, three- and four-hour wall assemblies, and meets or exceeds the criteria of ASTM C645 and C754. So if you’re ready to take the gloves off, let Super Stud give you The EDGE.

www.edgesteelframing.com

1-800-477-7883

For licensing opportunities at select locations across the US, call or visit our website. Please Circle #120 On Reader Action Card May 2011 | Walls & Ceilings |

27

WATERPROOFING/RAINSCREEN SPECIAL SECTION

BUILDING ENVELOPE

TRANSITIO W

hen a bu ild i ng leaks, t he desig n , work ma nsh ip a nd material of the building envelope are all suspect. The exterior walls, roofing, windows, doors, balcony decks and below-grade waterproofing are all potential culprits. Oftentimes, however, a leak cannot be attributed to just one building envelope component. The way in which the building envelope systems come together is critical to the overall waterproofing performance. As such, the building envelope integrations, from straightforward to complex, must be addressed efficiently and effectively.

28

| Walls & Ceilings | May 2011

Design and construction come together with the building envelope’s transition. By Craig W. Allender, P.E. and Jonathan Hill, P.E.

Recent building trends, most notably “integrated project delivery,” blur the lines between design and construction responsibilities. As a result, they introduce new opportunities for owners, designers, and contractors to eliminate gaps between the conceptual design and actual construction of the building envelope. The benefit of coordinated effort is seen through the ultimate performance of the building, but

getting there is not always a streamlined process. There are several contributing factors, many of which are project specific, that play a key role in determining how to approach these problem transitions. Identifying lead parties and the appropriate timing for addressing wall system integrations can have a significant impact on the potential risk of failure and cost of installation or remediation. While the methods

Above: Carefully consider where wall systems transition to horizontal waterproofing systems, especially at parapets. Left: Building envelope transitions may occur regularly on projects but each transition needs to be addressed individually.

ONS for detailing transitions are evolving, the necessity for effective field implementation remains. Successful design and coordination of even the simplest transition detail is overshadowed if the components are not installed correctly.

DESIGN FACTORS IMPACTING BUILDING ENVELOPE TRANSITIONS Building envelopes must be watertight and still meet the architectural design intent, as well as the owner’s performance and operational expectations. Achieving all of these requirements can be incredibly dif-

ficult where cladding components meet or integrate with adjacent roofing and waterproofing systems. The phrase “reinventing the wheel” is used often in the construction industry, especially when looking at ways to prevent water and air intrusion. This is never more evident than at cladding transitions. The parameters impacting transitions, however, vary from building to building, requiring full assessment of each new condition and development of new project specific details for the individual transition. This includes understanding the specific materials or components involved as well as understanding other factors that impact the transition such as system anchorage, structural movement and installation sequencing. Common conditions like below-grade waterproofing transitioning to wall cladding systems at grade; balcony decks extending out from the exterior wall; barrier wall systems, such as precast panels, transitioning to rain screen cladding systems; and general wall claddings intersecting plaza deck waterproofing or roofing systems, particularly at parapets, all present challenges at transition detailing. These are just a few of the system transitions that need to be consid-

ered, and while they may occur on nearly every project, they can vary greatly from one building to another. Within each system, details must address transitions in framing elements, substrates, membranes, claddings, sealants and flashings. In addition to considering the individual materials, it is important to consider the factors that impact how the systems come together. Building movements from loading, specifically the influence of gravity loads (live and dead load deflection), lateral loads (seismic and wind loads) and thermal movement must be taken into consideration. Each system will respond to the various movements differently. The method by which a cladding system is anchored to a floor slab will also dictate its response to movement. Some wall cladding systems, including glass and aluminum curtain walls or precast concrete wall panels, can rack or slide in response to movement. The design and construction teams must coordinate these issues early in the design process.

PROJECT TEAM MEMBERS’ ROLES IN ADDRESSING BUILDING ENVELOPE TRANSITIONS A rchitects, consultants, general contractors, installers and manufacturers can all play a crucial role

May 2011 | Walls & Ceilings |

29

WATERPROOFING/RAINSCREEN SPECIAL SECTION

Transition of building envelope systems depicted in axonometric detail.

in addressing waterproofing system integrations. Modern project delivery methods allow project team members to work together earlier in the process to locate and address typical and atypical problem areas. The project design team, which includes the architect and various consultants, establishes the initial understanding of the intricacies of the building geometry and the required performance criteria. Oftentimes while working in two dimensions, system transitions are located on plans and elevations and detailed with a simple note drawing attention to the issue or with a full axonometric detail showing how the systems integrate. The construction team, including the general contractor, material installer and material manufacturer, will tend to have a more specific understanding of the construction approach. The general contractor, who is typically responsible for coordinating trades and delineating scopes of work, has the opportunity to review subcontractor shop drawings and bring attention to system transitions and integrations. The installers, who often prepare material shop drawings, can annotate on their drawings where transitions occur and clarify any requirements related to sequencing or tolerances for the adjacent systems. Manufacturers and waterproofing consultants have the most intimate understanding of the materials being used and can review construction documents and shop drawings to locate potential issues where specific materials will come in contact with adjacent systems. Evaluating constructability, material compatibility and performance limitations is important to preparing a long-term and watertight transition detail.

STAGE OF DESIGN AND/OR CONSTRUCTION AT WHICH BUILDING ENVELOPE TRANSITIONS ARE ADDRESSED

Addressing building envelope systems early is typically a risk-reducing and cost-saving approach, but close attention should be paid to changes that occur during construction.

30

| Walls & Ceilings | May 2011

W h i le t here a re of ten va r iou s options for addressing material and system transitions, the common model of “early is better” may not necessarily ring true in all situations. In the design phase of a conventional design-bid-build project, where the earlier a material transi-

tion is addressed the less cost will likely be associated with its implementation, opportunities for addressing system integrations initially lie with the design team. The design team has the opportunity to locate system integrations on plans and elevations. However, some of the more complex wall systems, such as curtain walls, rain screens, and precast concrete, and the more complex roofing/waterproofing systems, such as vegetative roofs and plaza decks, may not be sufficiently defined in the design phase to accurately address the transition. In a case of transitioning between a schematic curtain wall system and a schematic metal wall panel system, efforts may be wasted attempting to fully detail the transition prior to selection of specific systems and materials. In a conventional delivery process, many specific building envelope systems are selected after bidding and pricing and the cost associated with addressing a transition begins to increase. The shop drawing phase is generally the most effective opportunity early in the construction process to address transitions. Since specific materials and systems are known, the installers are able to provide constructability input and the manufacturers are able to provide compatibility input. Adjacent trade shop drawings can be reviewed and coordinated to determine where and how integrations will occur. This allows the project team to develop accurate integration details that best reflect expected as-built conditions. As construction begins and materials are installed on the building, the cost to redesign or modify details continues to increase. The opportunities to address integrations will continue to diminish as more materials are installed and the schedule is pushed forward.

IMPLEMENTATION OF BUILDING ENVELOPE TRANSITIONS A thorough design with active coordination and foresight by the design and construction teams can still lead to issues at even the simplest transition if the components, particularly waterproofing and flashing elements, are not properly installed. Since these transitions include various materials and installers, the performance of the integrations comes down to field execution and communication between trades. While design and construction technologies will continue to simplify coordination, if the materials are not installed effectively the building envelope may not meet the design and performance requirements of the project. The industry will continue to strive to have better performing buildings with more complex designs. In order to build these projects successfully, the design and construction teams must address cladding transitions through an effective and collaborative effort. W&C Craig W. Allender, P.E., is a senior staff II in the Building Technology group of national engineering firm Simpson Gumpertz & Heger Inc. He can be contacted at [email protected]. Jonathan Hill, P.E., is a senior staff I in the Building Technology group of SGH. He can be reached at [email protected].

DRIWALL RAINSCREEN D K KEENE BUILDING PRODUCTS Driwall Rainscreen is a drainage mat D ffor exterior wall systems. The entanggled net product eliminates incidental moisture problems in most exterior m vveneer applications such as stucco manufactured stone, plank siding and m vvinyl. The full-wall product rolls over the weather-resistant barrier to separate it from the exterior veneer. The airspace that it creates increases airflow through the wall cavity, allowing the wall to breathe and stay dry. For more information, visit www.keenebuilding.com. If you read this article, please circle number 280.

R RAINSCREEN AND VVENILATION MATS S STUC-O-FLEX IINTERNATIONAL INC. WaterWay Rainscreen & Ventilation W mats offer advanced technology for m pprotection and performance. Our uunique filter-fabric guards against moisture penetration like housewrap m bbut offers a vapor permeability rating of 240—that’s five times higher than normal weather resistive barriers. This combination of extreme water resistance and maximum ventilation safeguards your walls against compromise. Create space between your building and the elements. For more information, visit www.stucoflex.com. If you read this article, please circle number 281.

T TOUGH WEATHERRESISTANT BARRIER R F FIBERWEB TTypar MetroWrap provides higher perfformance for commercial and multiffamily applications. This tough weatheer-resistant barrier helps prevent wind aand water infiltration, which increases tthe efficiency of HVAC systems and ccreates a comfortable, well-balanced iindoor environment. Plus it’s enginneered to allow moisture vapor to eescape from the inside to the outside, sstaving off mold and mildew while maintaining excellent indoor air qualm ity. For more information, please visit www.typar.com. If you read this article, please circle number 282.

If you read this article, please circle number 360.

May 2011 | Walls & Ceilings |

31

Breathe Deep A

s building materials and methods become better at sealing air leaks, the question arises, “How tight is too tight?” In terms of energy efficiency, one cannot build too tightly. Reducing air leakage is critical to lowering heating and cooling energy consumption. Every cubic foot of conditioned air that escapes the building envelope represents lost therms or watts—and dollars—that the HVAC system consumes. But of course, fresh air is needed for occupant health and comfort. Managing airflow becomes a carefully controlled balance. Think of a hot air balloon sailing thousands of feet above the ground: keeping the heated air inside is vital to avoid crashing, yet well-placed, operable vents allow the balloonist to safely descend when desired.

32

| Walls & Ceilings | May 2011

Managing fresh air and moisture in structural insulated panel buildings. buildings By Joe Pasma Pasma, P.E. PE

In buildings constructed with structural insulated panels or other high-performance wall and roof systems, mechanical ventilation is typically necessary since the number of unaided air changes per hour is so low. And similar to other construction methods, moisture management is needed for long-term durability.

THE INS AND OUTS OF AIR Air leakage rates in today’s buildings are often dramatically lower than in older buildings. For example, SIP structures are approximately 15 times more airtight than stick framing, according to U.S. Department of Energy blower door tests. They found that for spaces built with SIPs,

the leakage rate was 8 cubic feet per minute at 50 pascals compared to 121 cubic feet per minute at 50 pascals for wood framing with fiberglass batt insulation. The low leakage rates, along with more continuous insulation and less thermal bridging, mean that SIPs can help reduce energy consumption costs up to 60 percent. With such airtight structures, mechanical ventilation can help provide adequate fresh air, as well as remove indoor air pollutants such as formaldehyde, radon and tobacco smoke. Ventilation systems can also get rid of excess humidity from cooking, bathing and other sources, including the breathing and sweating of the occupants.

 Buildings using structural insulated panels typically require mechanical ventilation due to the tight building envelope SIPs create. Photo courtesy of Premier SIPs by Insulfoam

In essence, the goal in building for energy efficiency is to tighten the building envelope as much as possible and then use mechanical systems to control air inflow and outflow. Accomplishing this requires a systems approach to the overall building design and construction. Unfortunately, there are no easy rules of thumb and consultation with a qualified heating and ventilation engineer is necessary. T he specific t ype and size of me cha n ic a l vent i lat ion sys tem required for a given building depends on the climate zone, type of occupancy and a range of other factors. Potential systems include: • Heat recovery ventilators: Also known as air-to-air heat exchangers, these units pull air from highhumidity spaces such as bathrooms and kitchens. The warm, moist air passes through a core where it pre-heats incoming cool, fresh air from outdoors. HRVs are most commonly used in northern climates where cold, relatively dry outside air prevails. • Energy recovery ventilators: ERVs perform the same heat exchange function as HRVs as well as dehumidifying the air. They are typically used in southern climates where removal of high humidity from outdoor air is required. The specific target for indoor relative humidity varies by region, but generally the range is 30 to 50 percent. • E x haust- on ly systems: T he relatively simple units used in these systems move air from the inside out and come in a variety of configurations from single rooms to whole buildings. They typically rely on air infiltration through the building envelope to replace the vented air, so may cause negative indoor air pressure in a tightly sealed structure. Because of this they are not used with SIP construction.

Application of an approved mastic between SIP panels and other parts of the structure helps block air and vapor penetration. Photo courtesy of Premier SIPs by Insulfoam

ter can typically remove particle pollutants such as smoke, but not gaseous pollutants such as radon. Neither type of system conditions the air for heat or humidity. Beyond mechanical ventilation systems, it is also common in tight structures to use sealed combustion furnaces and water heaters. These heating appliances draw air directly from the outdoors for use in the combustion chamber, which helps manage the overall internal pressure balance of the structure and the total amount of fresh air required in the building (i.e., the appliance does not contribute to the need to bring more outdoor air into living spaces).

WATER GO AWAY Other potential air management systems include ventilating windows and air cleaners among others. The former can help exhaust stale air and bring in fresh air, while the lat-

As with other construction methods, the exterior building envelope in SIPs structures must be protected from water accumulation. Both the International Building Code

and International Residential Code require buildings to have flashing, a water-resistant barrier and a means of draining to the exterior any water that enters the wall assembly. Consistent with codes, SIPs used as exterior walls typically include a water-resistive barrier. Potential options include No. 15 asphalt felt, synthetic weather barriers/building wraps or liquid-applied membranes. It is important to check with the SIP manufacturer and to consult local codes for specific requirements. For roofs, synthetic, breathable underlayments provide an alternative to traditional No. 15 and No. 30 felts. Such underlayments typically have perm ratings much greater than one, which allows water vapor to pass up and out through the membrane yet keep bulk water away from the roof assembly. This can be especially beneficial when the OSB skins of SIP roof panels have been exposed to precipitation during construction.

May 2011 | Walls & Ceilings |

33

Breathe Deep

Installation of a breathable roof underlayment may be necessary on SIP roof panels exposed to precipitation during construction. Photo courtesy of BNIM Architects

While methods to protect SIPs from water are similar to those used with other building envelope assemblies, a specific consideration with SIP installation is proper sealing between panels. All panel joints must be sealed against air and vapor transmission by using a mastic specified by the SIP manufacturer. A vapor retarder may also be required with the specific details varying for commercial and residential buildings. In many commercial projects, the mechanical ventilation system usually obviates the need for SIP tape or other vapor retarders. However, for buildings with pools, spas or other high-humidity conditions, SIP tape may be required. SIP tape has perm ratings less than one, and works in conjunction with the OSB skin of the SIP panels to provide a vapor retarder. Typically, 6-inch-wide SIP tape is used at all wall and roof panel joints and wall panel corners, and 12 inches wide SIP tape is used where roof and wall panels join. In cases where

The road to sustainable building.

Albeit a long and arduous journey, the road to sustainable building is becoming easier to trek. With an overwhelming number of products to choose from, how can you be sure you have the right one? Choose Eco-ficient™ insulated metal panels from MBCI. Eco-ficient™ panels improve the thermal performance of a building envelope, provide continuous insulation and qualify as continuous air barriers. Eco-ficient™ panels can also lead to potential energy savings due to their high R-values. And, because of their superior thermal performance, less energy is needed for climate control allowing for lower greenhouse gas emissions. Learn about all of the benefits of Eco-ficient™ panels at www.mbci.com/WCEco.

Houston, TX (Corporate) 877-713-6224 | Adel, GA 888-446-6224 | Atlanta, GA 877-512-6224 | Atwater, CA 800-829-9324 Dallas, TX 800-653-6224 | Indianapolis, IN 800-735-6224 | Jackson, MS 800-622-4136 | Lubbock, TX 800-758-6224 Memphis, TN 800-206-6224 | Oklahoma City, OK 800-597-6224 | Omaha, NE 800-458-6224 | Phoenix, AZ 888-533-6224 www.mbci.com/WCEco

Richmond, VA 800-729-6224 | Rome, NY 800-559-6224 | Salt Lake City, UT 800-874-2404 | San Antonio, TX 800-598-6224

Please Circle #183 On Reader Action Card 34

| Walls & Ceilings | May 2011

roof panels meet over supporting beams—such as at a ridge beam— 18-inch-wide SIP tape is required. For residential SIP installations, SIP tape is usually required in all instances. In certain climates and based on local building codes, an additional vapor retarder may be necessary. Such barriers include polyethylene sheeting or similar performance materials.

ALL TOGETHER NOW Optimum building performance requires that architects, engineers and contractors take a systematic approach to the whole building. Increasingly, the walls, roof, H VAC , windows and other elements must work together to maximize energy efficiency and comfort. In projects using structural insulated panels, attention to mechanical ventilation, and moisture and vapor management can help ensure a quality building that performs for many decades. W&C Joe Pasma, P.E., is the technical manager for Premier SIPs by Insulfoam. The company manufactures high - per formance, energy-efficient structural insulated panels. A licensed structural engineer, Pasma has worked with SIPs for almost two decades. He can be reached at (800) 275-7086. If you read this article, please circle number 361.

SIP tape at all panel joints works in conjunction with the SIPs’ OSB skins to provide a vapor retarder. Photo courtesy of Premier SIPs by Insulfoam

Please Circle #323 On Reader Action Card May 2011 | Walls & Ceilings |

35

For the Birds

W

ell it’s about that time of year when those pesky little ironbeaked commanders of the air start wreaking havoc around the neighborhood—in many cases, using your building as their own personal rendezvous point for potential mates. Woodpeckers may be a fascinating visitor to some backyards and birdfeeders but unfortunately we all know how destructive they can be. In fact, for many building owners, a woodpecker is the most damaging wildlife problem they can face, causing thousands of dollars in property damage every year.

PROBLEM Woodpeckers can’t tell the difference between your exterior cladding and dead trees in the forest so it’s not uncommon for them to cause significant damage to siding, fascia boards, EIFS and especially those beautiful architectural elements created with foam. Most people attribute this damage to woodpeckers looking for food but

36

| Walls & Ceilings | May 2011

A safe deterrent coating keeps those pesky critters from drilling into your building and your wallet. By Dan Johnson

that is rarely the case. Actually, there are three reasons these birds peck on your walls: 1. They’re looking for food. 2. They’re making a nest. 3. They’re establishing and defining their territory. It’s usually the third reason that creates the most damage. Woodpeckers are very territorial. In order to let other woodpeckers know this is their territory, they fly around the perimeter of their domain, usually in the morning and initiate a series of raps on hollow trees or any other cladding that creates the right sound. For those of us in the industry, we know that EPS apparently has just the right tone. This behavior is called “drumming” and consists of two or three long brrrrrrrrrrrps.

The woodpecker will typically drum in one spot for a minute or so, every day. It does not take long before a large, irregular hole appears at the drumming site. If the site is EIFS or EPS, it not only becomes a real eyesore but it can also create problems with system integrity and water penetration. When a woodpecker is looking for grubs, it acts differently and makes a small cone shape or a long gallery of holes. If you ever see a woodpecker searching for insects, it will constantly turn its head as if looking for something on the surface. It is actually listening for grubs feeding in the wall. Then it only makes a hole large enough for its long, thin tongue to catch the bugs. The holes woodpeckers create searching for food are usually less than 1 inch in diameter. A woodpecker will

Please Circle #144 On Reader Action Card

For the Birds

A Seattle Retrofit project. Image on the left is a typical hole created in an EIFS cornice from a woodpecker. The image on the right is an effort to fill a hole with expanding foam.

occasionally attempt to excavate a round nesting hole in the wall but it’s rare and if the wood or surface is solid, they usually give up after a day or two. However, woodpeckers seem to love foam insulation for a nesting site. And what’s worse, even if they peck a small hole and leave, other birds will take advantage of the destroyed lamina and the next thing you know, babies are living in the walls.

GOVERNMENT AND REMEDIES Attempts to discourage the onslaught of woodpeckers are almost humorous: plastic owls, rubber snakes, metal window screen, Mylar strips, unsightly bird netting and even trapping and releasing woodpeckers doesn’t do much good. Unless you release the birds several miles away, they’ll just fly back to their own territory within a day or two. As far as the government is concerned, woodpeckers are classified as migratory, nongame birds and are protected by the Federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act. You can only exercise lethal control or nest destruction with a special permit issued by the Law Enforcement Division of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, upon recommendation of USDA-APHISWildlife Services personnel. So, a new product was invented to keep woodpeckers away without harming the birds. The product BeakGuard is a patent-pending concept incorporating a blend of ingredients that offer safe and effective protection from woodpeckers. These compounds immediately communicate a warning signal to

38

| Walls & Ceilings | May 2011

the birds, prompting them to find a more desirable location. In fact, humans and animals are very sensitive to these compounds. For example, taste-testing has determined that people can detect the ingredients in water at 50 parts per billion. The product is a breathable elastomeric acrylic finish formulated to apply like standard latex paint. Performance on the other hand far exceeds your typical latex product. The deterrent offers outstanding coating durability, extended service life, provides maximum dirt pick-up resistance and weatherability in a vapor permeable, flexible membrane with exceptional color retention. Although specifically formulated for EIFS and existing acrylic finishes, the product is easily applied to virtually any exterior surface including wood, fiber-cement, stucco, aluminum or vinyl.

ENVIRONMENTALLY SAFE BeakGuard will not harm woodpeckers or any other bird species. The ingredients are found in many consumer products on the market today—even nail biting and thumb sucking deterrents for children incorporate this technology. The National Safety Council and American Medical Association recommend similar agents be used, along with other safety measures, in products defined as mild to moderately toxic. After two years of field testing in the most prolific woodpecker areas of the country including Montana, Colorado, South Dakota and Washington, the success rate exceeds 90 percent in deterring further building damage.

All tests were conducted on building structures experiencing ongoing woodpecker damage: A remodeled office building outside of Seattle with large EIFS cornices was assaulted by woodpeckers every season. In some years, the drumming resulted in more than ten holes around the building. To make matters worse, many of those holes became nesting sites for smaller birds that hatched young inside the walls adding to the damage. Every year the owner paid to have these holes filled with spray foam, sanded, basecoated with mesh and refinished in an attempt to blend the damaged areas with adjacent walls. Year after year. Two years ago, out of frustration, the owner coated every linear foot of cornice and all other architecture elements on the façade with BeakGuard. Since that day, not a single woodpecker has damaged the building. Not only did BeakGuard enhance the property by creating a bright new look, it appears the problem has been resolved and the birds are off to other locations. A not her cl ient compla i ned a woodpecker was drumming directly outside his bedroom window at 6:00 a.m. sharp every day. Not only a problem because it woke his wife and children every morning—this bird was attacking a fascia board at the apex of the roofline about 27 feet off the ground. Not an area you want to frequent too often. After renting the extension ladder, BeakGuard was applied directly over the small holes caused by this bird. Not having the highest level of con-

COLOR

TRIMS FOR

R

STONE VENEER

FOR

New from Plastic Components! GRAY or TAN foundation sill screeds and casing beads for stone veneer applications.

Woodpeckers going to town on cedar shakes at a residence in Wisconsin.

Dan Johnson is technical sales manager with Stuc-O-Flex International. He can be reached at [email protected]. For more information on BeakGuard, contact the company.

• Look great with a rustproof job that saves time and money All Trims Listed to meet or exceed ASTM standards

LISTED

©2009 Plastic Components, Inc.

or until I ran outside and scared it away) on my bird blocks,” he says. “It didn’t make large holes—it just destroyed the paint and pitted them almost all the way down to the blocks. I painted this stuff on and the woodpecker still comes back to hang out often but I haven’t heard it pecking since the day I put it on. It sure made some strange noises the first day it came back—it tried to peck that day but not more than once or twice, and it hasn’t since. After repairing the woodpecker damage to their home, another customer was willing to apply the product on two sides of the house only, (of course we promised to coat the other two the following year). As spring arrived, the birds returned as usual and needless to say, the drumming started again. But as the homeowner says, “It’s the most bizarre thing I’ve seen: those darn birds are destroying two sides of my house and won’t touch the others, unbelievable.” Is BeakGuard the absolute answer to all woodpecker damage in America? Probably not. But if you want to enhance the appearance and extend the service life of your building while drastically reducing the risk of woodpecker damage in an environmentally friendly way, this may be a viable solution. W&C

Foundation Sill Screeds

GRAY or TAN

Termination Beads

MOISTURE LABOR

fidence in this miracle product, the client set his alarm for 5:45 a.m. In the dim morning light, he just shook his head as that darn bird landed in the same exact spot as yesterday. The bird cocked his head back and forth a few times, pecked once and flew away. The woodpeckers still frequent his backyard but not a single bird has pecked in the area coated with the deterrent. Montana-based stucco and EIFS contractor Montana Flexteriors has dealt with the woodpecker issue for years. The 17-year-old business, based out of Great Falls, Mont., began applying the deterrent to an EIFS finish recently and reports good luck. “If woodpeckers have been hitting a house, they’ll stick around and go at it for a long time,” says Rod Stevens, president and owner. “This product acts as a very good deterrent bond. We’ve done houses that were only finished a day and the woodpeckers would come. They would usually stick around only a 5 foot radius but they can make a mess in a short time frame.” Stevens says the product has worked very well for his company. The only problem, he says, is if you happen to taste the product. “The only way to get the taste out of your mouth is Hershey’s chocolate,” Stevens says. Jim Krock, office manager of Stuc-O-Flex has experience with woodpeckers chipping away at his own house in Washington. “Every morning about sunrise this woodpecker would peck for a while (at least five minutes or so,

RUST

• Eliminate painting

Since 1969

w w w. p l a s t i c o m p o n e n t s . c o m If you read this article, please circle number 356.

800.327.7077

Please Circle #159 On Reader Action Card May 2011 | Walls & Ceilings |

39

A

Concrete Solution

V

ertical decorative concrete is well on its way to becoming a major design trend in the marketplace. All one needs to do is look at its potential for creativity and innovation to see the viability of this craft. In recent years, the styles that seem to have risen to the top have been the classic “dry stack” look of plaster with exposed stone. Dry stack stone is almost a lost art form. Trained masons would gather stone together and place each piece in such a way that there would be no need for mortar. It took a tremendous amount of time and knowledge to create a sound and stable wall. Hand carving details like this in vertical decorative concrete can be done in a day where a mason might take a week. Walls, wine cellars, pillars and fire places are some of the most popular places to apply vertical decorative concrete. Coming in a close second is the plaster with exposed stone look. For decades, faux finishers/plasterers have used joint compounds and similar materials to achieve this look. Vertical decorative concrete answers this call with stunning realism. There are several manufacturers in the industry that offer a light weight, carvable, stampable, vertical concrete mix that can be easily placed on walls or other vertical surfaces. There are new concrete stains and paints that replace the traditional method of acid staining. The tools of the trade are common enough, such as a 3-inch rounded pool trowel,

You can do a lot with concrete if you’re already good with a trowel. By Nathan Giffin point trowel, tuck-pointing trowels, margin trowel, hawk and various brushes and pads. The texturizing tools are more rare. There aren’t many companies that make them but there are good items to be found online at www. Specco.com (mixes and colors), www.WaltTools.com (mixes, colors and tools) and www.SmithPaints. com (colors).

GET WORKING The procedure for creating vertical decorative concrete structures is relatively simple. Once a substrate is prepared with a bonding agent, a brown or scratch coat is applied. The next

step is the carving coat—this phase is where the fun begins. Application, design, texture, carving and sculpting all take place in a few hours. This material is the finished top coat. It stays malleable all day long and various techniques can be executed throughout the day at different drying times. From sof t as but ter to strong enough to support a couple hundred psi, the variety of projects that can be sculpted is very wide. When a designer can have complete freedom in a medium it’s always a good thing. Size, color and shape are all variables when you’re working in handcarved, vertical decorative concrete. It used to be that someone working in decorative concrete had to have an intimate knowledge of concrete itself. Today, we find that you don’t need prior knowledge of concrete to get started. A short list of individuals working in concrete now may include painters, tile installers, marble and other floor tradesmen, faux finishers, plumbers, carpenters and plasterers.

BETTER THAN REAL Vertical decorative concrete is a viable alternative to many vertical products in the marketplace and, in the hands of the skilled installer, there

May 2011 | Walls & Ceilings |

41

it’s been a personal goal of mine to spread those tips and tricks of this “mysterious” craft. Of course, practice is the key to becoming a skilled sculptor.

ALREADY AN EXPERT?

is much that can be accomplished. If you were to dream up an environment that had pillars, archways and corridors of stone throughout an area, you might think it would be hard to realize. It doesn’t take very long to create that dream space using concrete. Just recently, there was a public wine room created (note pictures) where real stone was placed in the same area as vertical decorative concrete. The real stone took second place to the VDC—not because it didn’t look good, but because it was not as exciting. Is this really hard to learn?

42

| Walls & Ceilings | May 2011

I tell people all the time, any stone work is just three things: lines, texture and color. These are the three things that comprise all the projects I have ever worked on. Once you have acquired the knowledge to execute the principles of stone facing, then lines, texture and color are all that remain. Training is critical if you are to acquire the necessary skills to sculpt realistic stone work or other vertical decorative finishes. Not u nlike other trades, craftsmen do not like to share their secrets with anyone for fear of training their competition. That’s an unfortunate fact but

In a nutshell, if you are a plasterer or faux finisher, you already have 90 percent of the skills mastered. A hawk and trowel is foreign to most and it takes years to master those tools. Faux finishers and plasterers make excellent stone sculptors as they have a solid grasp of color, as well as the experience of troweling vertical surfaces. If you have examined the photos in this article and realized that all that you’ve seen has come right out of a bag, mixed in a bucket, applied with a trowel, textured, carved, faux finished and are interested in learning more, feel free to touch base. W&C Nathan Giffin continues to educate contractors, builders, manufacturers and architects on stone facing. He is owner of VerticalArtisans.com, an information and training Web site featuring more than 140 videos on the topic of hand carved vertical concrete. If you read this article, please circle number 357.

Please Circle #160 On Reader Action Card

the

FINISH LINE BY ROBERT THOMAS

Keep it Dry In EIFS, water resistive barriers are a layer between the EIFS substrate and the EIFS insulation. They are most commonly used in EIFS with drainage wall assemblies. They are an additional layer within the wall cladding system and present some unique issues that are worth knowing about. Here are some of the issues.

ORIGINS OF WRBS The use of a “back up” material to protect substrates (the wall structure) from water damage has been used since at least the 1980s. Usually, the WRBs’ materials were variations of the EIFS attachment adhesive or basecoat adhesive, applied as a separate layer on top of the substrate. Sometimes EIFS reinforcing mesh was added as well. This type of early WRB-like back up system was not the full EIFS with drainage system we know today. The use of WRBs became widespread in the 1990s when problems surfaced on EIFS-clad buildings, particularly residences in the southeast. Substrates and framing were damaged by water intrusion and the lack of a drainage capability in traditional barrier type E I FS was blamed. T he building code people and EIFS producers got together and developed requirement s for W R B s for use when EIFS is applied over moisture sensitive walls such as walls using wood or gypsum sheathing, and wood studs. Moisture insensitive substrates, such as masonry, concrete and brick, did not require new regulations. Thus, for practical purposes, this new construction requirement applied mostly to wood frame homes and some l ig ht c om m e rc i a l wo o d f r a m e structures. The code now requires W R Bs and a drainage media of some type on these buildings.

44

| Walls & Ceilings | May 2011

WHEN ARE WRBS REQUIRED OR SPECIFIED? Although they are generally only required by code on supporting walls using water sensitive materials, some EIFS contractors chose to use them anyway on commercial structures too. This EIFS with drainage takes additional materials and steps to install. Thus, such types of EIFS cost more. EIFS contractors I’ve chatted with indicate there is a 15 to 20 percent increase in the total cost.

TYPES OF WRBS WRBs come in two basic forms. The first is a paper, sheet or film material, such as building paper or house wrap. This type of WRB is attached to the substrate with mechanical anchors such as staples. The sheet, film or paper is overlapped shingle style. The second is a trowel-applied or spray-applied coating. This is applied to the substrate as a liquid and bonds to the substrate. The coating is applied continuously and goes over the sheathing board joints.

WRBS AS PART OF AN EIFS OR AS SEPARATE MATERIALS? Most EIFS producers make liquid W R B materials. None make the sheet, paper or film type. A number of other building product manufacturers make liquid-applied WBRs. This type of WRB can be used with EIFS, as well as with other wall claddings such as stucco, panels and siding. E I F S producers wou ld prefer that their insulation attachment adhesive and their WRB materials

be used in conjunction with their EIFS. This results in making an EIFS cladding system that is assembled with compatible materials for proven performance. Given that the EIFS contractor can obtain these non-EIFS W RBs separately from the EIFS components, it’s hard to know how much of the EIFS market uses WRBs.

DRAINAGE MEDIA The term “drainage media” means the way by which the drainage cavity is created between the outside of the WRB and the backside of the EPS foam insulation. This media usually takes the form of vertical slots in the back of the foam, thick vertical stripes of attachment adhesive or some type of spacer such as plastic mesh or lath. It’s also possible to have a WRB that is itself the drainage media. For example, paper-like materials that are corrugated can be placed over the substrate with the corrugations running vertically. The paper provides the channels for the water to drain out. These types of WRBs require the use of mechanical anchors to at tach the E I FS foam insulation.

HOLES THROUGH WRBS One might ask, “What good is the WRB if it has holes in it?”—when the EIFS is mechanically attached using screws and washers. Full-scale tests of such assemblies show that the many small fastener screw holes have little tendency to leak. Thus, in reality, the holes don’t matter.

BONDING TO WRBS The nonstructural nature of WRBs made of paper, films or sheets, makes bonding the EIFS foam insulation to them impossible. With liquid-applied WRBs, the EIFS foam insulation can be adhesively bonded to the WRB.

CRACKING IN WRBS Paper, sheet and film WRBs don’t tend to crack per se but can be split if provisions are not made to allow for movement. For instance, this can

occur at expansion joints and floor lines in wood frame buildings. This issue is more pronounced for liquid-applied WRBs. This is because the WRB is continuously adhered to the substrate and must be able to bridge the sheathing joints. Wood based sheathing can shrink and expand due to changes in moisture content as well as open and close if the wall racks out of square due to wind or earthquakes. To ensure this does not happen, a fullscale mockup of a stud-and-sheathing wall is made and is bolted down to solid materials such as a floor slab. Force is then applied to the frame in the plane of the wall, forcing the assembly to go out of square. The WRB is then examined to see if it is strong and flexible enough to resist such forces.

TESTING OF WRBS In order to qualify a WRB as being suitable, a number of tests are run. Foremost is the WRBs ability to shed, not absorb, water. Also important is the ability of liquid-applied EIFS foam attachment adhesives to stick to the WRB. In addition, the ability of the WRB to pass water vapor is important, so that moisture coming from indoors does not back up in the wall and cause condensation. With paper, sheet and film WRBs, this latter characteristic is not so critical as the WRBs have overlaps where the pieces come together, thereby allowing water vapor to move past the WRB, somewhat like what occurs with clapboard siding.

WHO INSTALLS WRBS? T his is an interesting question. With liquid-applied W R Bs, the obvious installer is the EIFS contractor, as it is often trowel-applied. With paper, sheet and film WRBs, sometimes framers want to install the WRB. My thinking is that the WRB is part of the EIFS and not part of the framing. Thus, the EIFS contractor should install it. But this opinion of mine will not stop an occasional disagreement about who does what work.

It’s also possible to have a WRB that is itself the drainage media. PREFABRICATED EIFS PANELS

WHAT’S NEXT?

Once in a while a designer or owner wants a WRB (EIFS with drainage) when using prefabricated EIFS panels. This is usually on taller commercial buildings. Installing the WRB over the sheathing is easy enough but what do you do where the panels meet? In other words, how do you maintain the continuity of the WRB so it can remain effective—at the EIFS panel caulking joints? This is especially critical because—if leaks do occur—I’ll bet they’ll be at the edge of the WRB at the panel joints. It’s hard to envision how you can work these adjacent wall elements (the panels) together. Think about how to build this—it’s a fussy mess.

A follow-up article to this one is in the works for a forthcoming issue. In it, I will show drawings of how com mon — a nd someti mes complex—edge conditions of WRBs are detailed. This includes areas such as openings, the bottom of walls, and expansion joints. W&C Robert Thomas is a nationally recognized EIFS consultant, based in Jacksonville, Fla. He was the manager of technical services for a major EIFS producer, is the author of several books about EIFS and chairs the ASTM committee on EIFS. If you read this article, please circle number 362.

Profitable Upgrades

- Why It pays to Stay

Many contractors and remodelers believe the NH\ WR D SUR¿WDEOH EXVLQHVV LV WR JHW LQ DQG JHWRXWDVIDVWDV\RXFDQ:KLOH,DPDWUXH EHOLHYHULQFRPSOHWLQJDSURMHFWTXLFNO\DQG HI¿FLHQWO\ , ZDQW WR H[SORUH VWUDWHJLHV WR VWD\RQWKHMREDQH[WUDGD\RUWZRWRDFKLHYH KLJKHUSUR¿WV/HW¶VIDFHLW\RX¶UHQRWPDNLQJ PRQH\ ORDGLQJ DQG XQORDGLQJ HTXLSPHQW RU EHLQJ VWXFN LQ WUDI¿F EXUQLQJ H[SHQVLYH JDVROLQH 7KH NH\ LV WR VHOO \RXU FXVWRPHUV RQFRVWHIIHFWLYHEHDXWLIXOXSJUDGHVWKDWWKH\ PD\QRWEHDZDUHRI

Read the full story and more at trim-tex.com

Now Available The Trim-Tex 2011 Catalog, with new products, updated photo gallery and additional features. www.trim-tex.com

| 1-800-874-2333 Please Circle #118 On Reader Action Card May 2011 | Walls & Ceilings |

45

straight

GREEN BY CHRIS DIXON

Thermal Performance of

Steel Stud Framing: Better Than Wood

Thermal performance of exterior steel stud framed walls has always lagged behind that of wood. This critical difference often overshadows steel’s many benefits such as its dimensional consistency, high recycled content, high recyclability, strength, and mold, rot and termite resistance. Much thinking, technical papers, and tests have been devoted to solving the energy efficiency problem associated with steel stud framing. Steady work on the problem has resulted in some exciting and innovative product offerings that make steel studs equal to and in some cases superior to wood in terms of thermal efficiency. There are many ways to improve the thermal performance of steel studs. The simplest and least expensive is to reduce the surface area of the flange in contact with the exterior wall sheathing by adding a spacer—plywood, fiberglass and foam are common. Less steel at this location results in less thermal transfer across the wall assembly. Another way to reduce the contact area is to use a proprietary steel stud product like Thermachannel which is made with an indentation at the flange face resulting in a very small contact area.

Accel-E Insulated Steel Stud Panel System

46

| Walls & Ceilings | May 2011

A third method involves removing steel from the web of the stud. One such product on the market is TriChord which promises that “thermal problems associated with metal framing have been eliminated with TriChord’s patented steel stud.” These three options, however, may not offer enough thermal improvement to satisfy ever more stringent energy code requirements. Careful building envelope calculations and energy modeling may be required to prove compliance with energy codes.

PROVING THERMAL EFFICIENCY Oakridge National Laboratory has been investigating, evaluating and testing the thermal performance of steel stud wall assemblies for many years. In one of its most comprehensive studies, “Improving Energy Performance of Steel Stud Walls,” 40 different steel stud wall assemblies were built and tested in an apparatus called a Guarded Hot Box (in accordance with

ORNL Stud Snuggler

ASTM C 1363) to determine which combinations of framing, sheathing and insulation was the best for thermal performance. At the end of this undertaking, the authors determined: • It is possible to construct steel stud walls which perform as well or even better than wood framed walls. • Traditional insulating sheathing is a simple and effective way of reducing heat losses caused by steel components in steel stud walls. • Reduction of the contact area between steel studs and wall fi nish layers (wood or steel furring) is only effective if accompanied by the additional insulating sheathing. • Usage of expanded channel steel studs (stud depth area reduced 40 to 65 percent) is one of the most effective ways of improving thermal performance of steel stud walls. • Walls containing combined steel studs (two rows of small steel studs using foam or wood as a connector) can be more effective than similar wood stud walls. However such designs may be very expensive. • Walls with foam-covered steel studs perform as well as wood stud walls. The usage of the foam-covered studs can be the simplest (also cheaper than foam sheathing) way of dramatically improving the thermal performance of steel stud walls. The last bullet point is a reference to an ORNL-invented product called the Stud Snuggler; a 1-inch thick expanded polystyrene foam jacket that tightly encapsulates the stud on three sides.

K-tect System

Tests using this novel product show a dramatic improvement in whole wall, steel stud R values. ORNL is convinced that this product could be a very cost effective solution to the thermal performance problem. Until such a product is commercially available, however, the jury is still out on that prediction. For a recent test of this idea check out the 2009 ORNL paper “Steady-State Thermal Performance Evaluation of Steel-Framed Wall Assembly with Local Foam Insulation.” The paper proves through Guarded Hot Box tests that using this product results in a steady state, whole wall R value for a 2-inch-by-4-inch steel stud wall of R-19. Although the Stud Snuggler isn’t something one can buy and use, a company called LiteDeck makes products that are very similar. The concept behind LiteDeck is the same as ORNL’s invention; steel studs are enveloped completely with expanded polystyrene and formed into panels that are used in floors, roofing and tilt-up concrete construction. Litedeck products are designed to be used integrally with castin-place concrete and not an equivalent replacement for standard steel stud framed wall assemblies.

to add a continuous layer of rigid foam insulation within the assembly—exterior, interior or somewhere in the middle. This method is fast becoming de rigueur in the construction industry due largely to prescriptive energy code requirements. As simple as it seems, adding a layer of rigid foam can present significant challenges to designers. One and a half to 2 inches of continuous foam outboard of the exterior sheathing requires thought and expertise in solving detailing issues at openings, support of the exterior cladding and fl ashing and weather proof i ng. Not a l l solutions are ideal. I n addition to these complexities, labor and mate-

CONTINUOUS RIGID INSULATION —THE SIMPLE ANSWER Perhaps the least sophisticated and most straightforward way to therm a l ly i mprove a ste el st ud wa l l assembly is

Please Circle #245 On Reader Action Card

straight

GREEN rial costs can also be significant and sometimes prohibitively so.

STEEL STUD ASSEMBLIES OF THE FUTURE: THE FUTURE IS NOW What if there were products that combined several of the above methods to improve the thermal efficiency of steel stud assemblies? What if those products were factory fabricated, fully engineered and less costly to produce and install? New products that do just that are available now. K-Tect, Thermasteel, Rigidwall and Accel-e are four manufacturers that produce foam encapsulated metal stud framing assemblies with R values that are equal to, and in many cases exceed, that of wood framed construction. Rigidwall and Accel-e produce panels that expose a portion of the metal stud to the interior to create a small cavity used to run wiring and plumbing. K-Tect and Thermasteel make panels in which the foam is flush with the steel, requiring raceways for conduit and plumbing to be cut into the foam (and then replaced or filled with spray foam insulation).

48

Please Circle #186 On Reader Action Card | Walls & Ceilings | May 2011

According to K-Tect President Ken Miller, using his company’s panels results in a 50 percent reduction in labor over field “stick built” stud framing assemblies. In one example, his system cost $130,000 less than a wood, stick-framed equivalent in a $2.3 million office building. Thermasteel reports similar savings and gives one example in which a first-time installation crew of “five men installed 234 linear feet of 9-foot insulated wall panels in seven hours.” The prefabricated panels require no special detailing for cladding, openings, flashing or weatherproofing. The panels are engineered to withstand all required live and dead loads and can be load-bearing. K-tect provides on-site factory personnel to assist and train contractors during erection of the system and K-tect provides hot knives used in cutting raceways in the foam, as well as spray foam insulation to fill holes and joints between the panels and adjacent construction. R values for the panels range from a minimum of R-11 (5½-inch panel by

Accel-e) to as much as R-22 (5½-inch panel by Thermasteel) when tested in accordance with ASTM C 1363.

CONCLUSION It has taken a long time to get there, but steel framed assemblies can now take their place alongside wood framing as a thermally efficient equivalent and do so without breaking the budget. Many options are available to designers and contractors, depending on energy code requirements, as viable, cost effective alternatives to traditionally framed steel stud assemblies. Look for these products and systems to become more commonplace as the economy continues to improve and energy codes continue to get tighter. W&C Chris Dixon is a registered architect, Certified Construction Specifier, and LEED AP. He serves on GBI’s Green Globes Technical Committee and is a former USGBC Materials and Resources Technical Advisory Group member. If you read this article, please circle number 364.

Please Circle #181 On Reader Action Card

TROWEL talk BY WILLIAM E. ROGERS, ACP

The Black (“Green”) Olive Photos by William E. Rogers

Dimitris Spiliadis’ great-grandfather once owned a hotel in Constantinople, which was lost when the Turks invaded the magnificent and historic city (now known as Istanbul). When his father, Stelios, immigrated to the United States, he brought with him his great-grandfather’s entrepreneurial spirit, his grandmother’s Greek recipes and a desire to build a life of service and hospitality. In 1996, he opened the Black Olive Restaurant in Baltimore’s famous Fell’s Point.

The family-owned business made a name for itself by serving authentic Greek cuisine made from the freshest organic products available. As their clientele and restaurant business grew, expanding from a small 35-seat establishment to bust-

L-R: Miguel Sanches, OPCMIA; Stelios Spiliadis, Owner; Stephen Stovall, Business Agent Local 891; Dimitris Spiliadis, Owner; Carlos Jimenez, Business Agent Local 891; and Terry Van Allen, OPCMIA.

Entrance to the Inn at The Black Olive.

ing at the seams at 90 seats, the family, which included Dimitiris’ mother, Pauline, dreamed of recapturing the family heritage and one day building and operating a hotel. Not just any hotel—they wanted to create a “boutique” hotel, infusing their dream with the concepts that had been so successful in their restaurant, organic food and healthy living, and bring these principles into the total lodging experience. This meant building a structure and operating a hotel business based upon health-conscious and environmentally friendly concepts. Desiring to build in an environmentally friendly way, Dimitris set about educating himself on various green building concepts and ultimately turned to Green Tech Contracting located in White Marsh, Md., to guide their project from inception to completion. Green Tech had extensive experience in LEED certified construction and brought a wealth of expertise to the design and construction of the 22,000-square-foot establishment in Fell’s Point. Some of the green technologies included in the construction included: • Geo-thermal HVAC • Green roof • Counterweight elevators • A ir- entrained concrete and masonry • Lime plaster Green technology can be more expensive but as Demitris points out, “It is a short term cost versus a long term savings. The amount extra we

Interior of the new Black Olive restaurant located on the top floor of the hotel.

May 2011 | Walls & Ceilings |

49

TROWEL talk

Lime plaster sealed with Tadelakt is used throughout the wet areas.

Local artists were commissioned to create artwork which complemented the natural colors of the lime plaster.

spend on a geo-thermal HVAC system will be recouped in about five years. We will reap savings of four to five times the extra cost over a 25 year period.” T he green roofing system, designed by industry expert Ed Snodgrass, incorporates an organic garden that the kitchen staff will tend and bring a “little joy” to the food they serve in their new roof top restaurant. Snodgrass is the author of the book, “Green Roofs,” and is working with both Hewlett Packard and Apple on the design of green roofs for their corporate facilities. The counter weighted elevator eliminates the need for hazardous hydraulic fluid and mechanical building on the roof. The air entrained concrete and masonry walls provide superior structural characteristics while improving the R value and reducing sound transmission between the luxury spa suites. Last, but certainly not least, the use of colorful lime plaster from Eco-Stucco can be found throughout the entire building.

man. It lost prominence in the United States in the late 1960s to Portland cement (stucco) on the exterior and gypsum plaster on the interior. As the 1980s rolled through, EIFS became a popular exterior plaster application and drywall garnered more and more of the interior market. However, as my own grandmother use to say, “what was once considered old is new again.” Lime plaster certainly seems to be making a comeback, which begs the question, why? First, lime plaster is made from calcium carbonate, which is abundant throughout most of the world. It can be mined as a rock from the ground or it can even be harvested from oyster shells. Secondly, lime when properly prepared (slaked and aged) is a very pliable and userfriendly plaster material, often used as a component in interior gypsum and exterior stucco finishes to improve workability. Once slaked, the product converts from calcium carbonate to calcium hydroxide or hydraulic lime. As we become more and more concerned with creating a tight building envelope for the purpose

THE OLD NEW The use of lime is one of the oldest forms of plaster creation known to

50

| Walls & Ceilings | May 2011

of energ y efficient heating and cooling, we sometimes forget the health benefits of fresh air. Air that is trapped inside a modern building tends to accumulate “stuff” from the occupants, furnishings and even the materials used in the construction of the building. The glue found in the rugs and cabinets, the acrylics used in some light fixtures, the toxic cleaning products we used to scrub the tile and toilets and of course the volatile organic compounds found in paint and varnishes. Lime plaster can be colored using natural minerals. The finished product can appear as natural stone or marble and is quite colorful and beautiful without any of those nasty VOCs. Lime plaster even absorbs CO² from the atmosphere and has natural analgesic properties, thereby resisting mold. The owners of the Inn at the Black Olive made use of all these wonderful properties of lime plaster. The colors they selected, while stunning and varied, are all colors found naturally so no synthetic pigments were required. Even the bathrooms and showers were plastered using lime, then sealed with a thousand-year-

old natural sealant from Morocco known as Tadelakt: A soap like substance made from an olive oil base that seals the lime plaster while still permitting it to breathe. The use of plaster in these “wet” areas eliminated the problem of cleaning tile grouts to prevent mold building up. This speaks to the heart of the project, creating a natural, healthy environment where food is organic and your environment contributes to the guests overall well being. When faced with the challenge of installing lime plaster, not many contractors in the Baltimore area had much experience using the product. The owners and general contractor turned to Plasterers Local 891 in nearby Washington and entered into a partnership where skilled plasterers would be employed to perform the work. It was no surprise that the owners turned to a labor union to meet the demands of their project. As Dimetris says, “We believe i n fa i r t rade , not on ly for t he food we use in our restaurant or the materials we use to build our building, but also for the labor we use from our community. By partnering with the Plasterers Union, we were able to use highly skilled labor and we knew these workers would be paid fairly and receive benefits. It’s all about doing what is right; what’s right for our bodies, for our environment and for our community.”

ONLINE RESOURCES: • The Inn at the Black Olive www.theblackolive.com/Inn/index.html • Green Tech Construction www.greentechcont.com • Eco-Stucco www.ecostucco.com/ • Plasterers Local 891 www.opcmia.org/ • Green Roofs by, Ed Snodgrass http://www.greenroofs.com/

Natural pigments used in the coloring of the lime plaster created a beautiful array of colors.

METAL-LITE presents… “The Answer to Your Fire-Blocking, Draft-Stopping, & Bridging Needs All Rolled Into One.” Phone (800) 236-0302 | Fax (931) 277-5805 | Website www.metal-lite.net

The Problem

The Answer…

 HIGH PRODUCT COST!  HIGH LABOR COST!  LABOR INTENSIVE!  NO FIRE BLOCKING!  NO DRAFT-STOPPING!

METAL-LITE’S ®

Serves as: William E. Rogers is the executive director of the Plasterers and Cement Masons Job Corps Training Program, a national training opportunity for America’s disadvantaged youth. OPCMIA’s Facebook page can be found at www.facebook.com/OPCMIAJobCorps.

BRIDGING COLD-ROLLED CHANNEL WITH CLIP ANGLE

Disadvantages: 1. Requires stud punch-out. 2. Centerline bridging is not effective for torsional resistance utilizing studs greater than 6” in depth.

If you read this article, please circle number 365.

 BRIDGING! Only 4 screws, apply in straight line  FIRE-BLOCKING! Fire-Blocking & Bridging in one  DRAFT-STOP! 99% Coverage area between studs  FIRE PROOF! Manufactured with 100% prime steel

Meets All IBC Code Requirements for Bridging & Fire Block Please Circle #240 On Reader Action Card May 2011 | Walls & Ceilings |

wc02112metallite$.indd 1

51

1/19/11 3:05 PM

NEW PRODUCT BUZZ GUIDE e2XP TILE BACKER N NATIONAL GYPSUM National Gypsum has introduced N Gold Bond brand e 2XP Tile Backer, G a fiberglass-faced gypsum panel for iinterior tile applications in both wet aand non-wet areas. e2XP Tile Backer is i comprised of an acrylic-coated fiberglass front facer, which provides a water barrier for superior moisture resistance capabilities. This makes it ideal for use in interior residential and commercial applications such as shower and tub enclosures, walls and ceilings, countertops, backsplashes, locker rooms and more. For more information, visit http://purplechoice.info.

T TRASH AND MATERIAL DISPOSAL UNIT D A ADAPA TThese easy dumping carts are ddesigned for quick, efficient handling oof trash. They maneuver with ease tthrough narrow aisles and doorways, aand cut trash handling time to a minimum. Available in three sizes to m fit your jobs needs. Visit www.adapausa.com for more information and see our complete line of products. If you read this article, please circle number 284.

If you read this article, please circle number 283.

F FRAMING FOR DEEP CURVED SOFFITS AND ARCHES S F FLEX-ABILITY CONCEPTS TThe company has introduced 16 ggauge Flex-C Angle. The Flex-C Angle pprovides a quick and easy way for ccontractors to frame high quality, deep ccurved soffits and arches using metal oor wood studs. The new 16 gauge FlexC Angle is also ideal for use in heavy ggauge exterior soffits and fascias. For more information, visit www.flexc.com. m If you read this article, please circle number 285.

A ECONOMICAL AND ULTRA AN DURABLE COATING FOR D BEAUTIFYING PAINTED CMU! B T TOTAL WALL TTuff II is a ready-to-use, all acrylic ssynthetic plaster that will transform aany painted masonry into a fresh nnatural stucco look. Tuff II is durable, ccrack resistant and mold and mildew resistant with proven performance on thousands of projects in all climates over a 12-year history. The product is being used by the United States Military to transform their painted masonry structures into durable attractive stucco clad structures. Join the growing list of success stories today! Please contact Total Wall for a free sample! For more information, visit www.totalwall.com. If you read this article, please circle number 286.

R RUSTFREE ULTRA-LATH NOW COMES PAPER-BACKED! C P PLASTIC COMPONENTS, INC. PPlastic Components’ Ultra-Lath plastic llath is better and easier to use than metal and it’s rustproof. The product is m eeasy to handle and now comes backed with asphalt-impregnated paper for w ssuperior moisture control. The Selfffurred, Ultra-Lath PB improves the keyiing of stucco/plaster. Combining paper aand lath applications into one process saves time and eliminates upside down lath installations. • It has no effect on cellphones or wireless transmissions • 27-inch-by-96-inch sheets For more information, visit www.plasticomponents.com. If you read this article, please circle number 287.

52

| Walls & Ceilings | May 2011

M MORE COVERAGE. ALL DAY. EEVERY DAY. S SPEC MIX SPEC MIX Fiber Base Coat produces more S wet stucco when compared to traditional w field-mixed product every time. SPEC MIX Fiber Base Coat Stucco is specially M fformulated with 100-percent dry sand and cementitious materials that yields as much as 30 percent more stucco than the same amount of bagged products and damp, loose sand shoveled into a mixer. Believe it—we prove it every time. SPEC MIX FBC is available in 80-pound bags and 3,000-pound bulk bags that when used in conjunction with our advanced silo delivery systems gives you the advantage on every job. For more information, visit www.specmix.com. If you read this article, please circle number 288.

NEW PRODUCT BUZZ GUIDE T TAPING TOOLS AND SPRAY EQUIPMENT A A AL’S TAPING TOOLS & SPRAY EQUIPMENT • Automatic Taping Tools • Spray Equipment • Stilts • Sanding Equipment FFamily-owned and operated since 1985. Please visit the Web site 1 www.drywalltools.com for specials on full-sets of taping tools and other drywall products!

VVINYL CASING BEAD A AMICO TThe company is pleased to be the eexclusive producer of the new E-Z Bead Vinyl Casing Bead. The patB eented E-Z bead helps avoid leak iissues with its built-in flexible strip ffor uniform spacing around window aand door frames or any other point where stucco meets a dissimilar material (soffits, fascia board, etc.). The product saves time and money. For more information, visit www.amico-vinyl.com. If you read this article, please circle number 290.

If you read this article, please circle number 289.

BUILDING PERIMETER SYSTEM B A ARMSTRONG CEILINGS TThe Axiom Building Perimeter System ffrom Armstrong is a pre-engineered ssolution to the transition between tthe ceiling plane and the interior of a bbuilding’s perimeter. The system provvides an integrated approach to the iinclusion of drapery pockets, window sshades, air diffusers and changes in cceiling elevation at the perimeter. Comppatible with both Armstrong acoustical aand drywall grid systems, all elements iinterlock to form the finished perimeter. For more information, visit www.armstrong.com/axiom.

R RESIDENTIAL CODE-MANDATED FIREBLOCKING IN A D CAN C D DEMAND PRODUCTS INC. EExpanding one-component polyuretthane spray foam passes ICC-ES eevaluation as Type V residential firebblocking: • One can equals 30 tubes of caulk • R value of 4-5 per inch, cured • Orange color-coded foam • UL classified R-13919 • Meets ASTM E-84 Class 1 • Free gun per case For more information, ask your distributor or manufacturer rep. Visit the company at www.demandproducts.com.

If you read this article, please circle number 291. If you read this article, please circle number 292.

T TONGUE AND GROOVE WALL AND CEILING PANELS A E EXTRUTECH PLASTICS INC. TThe company is an ISO 9001-2008 Certified manufacturer of bright white C ttongue and groove wall and ceiling ppanels that are perfect for incidenttal food contact applications. Panels install quickly with no exposed fasteners, providing a smooth, easy to clean surface. With suspended ceiling panels and corrosionproof doors also available, Extrutech Plastics can cover all your wall and ceiling needs. For more information, visit www.epiplastics04.com.

F FLEXIBLE CEMENT FINISHING SYSTEM FOR EIFS S T TESS BY FORMULATED SOLUTIONS LLC TTESS Thinset Exterior Surfacing System iis a thinset cement alternative to synthetic sstucco finishes. With zero VOCs and a nonttoxic 10-year antimicrobial, TESS is greener, more durable, colorfast, breathable and m water-repellent. It applies and floats easier w tthan acrylic, with less waste, in four standard ttextures and 48 great colors. When cured, TTESS can be bent 180 degrees without ccracking, peeling or flaking. Packaged as dry powder in 44-pound paper bags; 52 pounds when mixed with water (5-gallon pail).

If you read this article, please circle number 293.

For detailed information, visit www.tessfinishes.com. If you read this article, please circle number 294.

May 2011 | Walls & Ceilings |

53

NEW PRODUCT BUZZ GUIDE 4,000 CAPACITY SELF-DUMPING HOPPER 4 J JESCRAFT TThe self-dumping Hopper model# DH-20BR fits on fforklifts and telescopic handlers, which makes materrial removal from the job site easy and efficient. It is secured to the forklift blades, raised from its loading position on the ground and dumps into a larger debris box. Once unlatched, the Hopper automatically rolls forward to dump, returning to its upright locked position when empty. A key feature is the front release bumper, which by coming into contact against the receiving debris container, automatically releases the spring loaded latch and dumps the debris. Additional features include a safety chain: a 50-inch long release pull cable allowing the operator to manually dump loads from the seated position. Optional caster sets can also be ordered making it perfect for indoor use as well. Its capacity is 4,000 pounds or 2 cubic yards with other sizes also available. Visit www.jescraft.com for information.

WEATHER DEFENSE PLATINUM W L LAFARGE NORTH AMERICA INC. LLafarge Weather Defense Platinum is a moisture- and mold-resistant exterioor wall sheathing designed to be coveered by an exterior-finish cladding. It iis lightweight, scores, cuts and fastens eeasily, and provides irritation-resistant handling. It also provides protection in most applications, under normal weather conditions, from exposure to the elements for up to 12 months. For more information, please contact your area sales manager or the Lafarge Customer Value Department. Visit www.lafarge-na.com for further information. If you read this article, please circle number 296.

If you read this article, please circle number 295.

M MORE THAN CONSTRUCTION SOFTWARE S O CENTER SOFTWARE ON TThe company offers more than biddding, estimating and project-trackiing software. We are a fully in-house ooperation, putting everything from development to technical support and hi-tech training facilities under one roof. We offer training and software support packages that are all aimed at a singular goal—to win our clients bids and grow their profits. For more information, visit www.oncenter.com.

B FRAMING SOFTWARE BIM FFOR REVIT S STRUCSOFT SOLUTIONS TThe company’s MWF Professional is a light gauge metal framing solution tthat automates stud design, shop floor drawing production and manuffacturing in the Revit BIM environment. This template-driven applicam ttion recognizes Revit walls, doors, windows and openings. The software w automatically generates stud arrangements, shop drawings, Cut List and CNC output. An integrated engineering option is available.

If you read this article, please circle number 297.

For more information, visit www.strucsoftsolutions.com. If you read this article, please circle number 298.

MAXIMIZE YOUR OUTSIDE 90S M S STRUCTUS BUILDING TTECHNOLOGIES N NO-COAT outperforms metal, plastic, aand paper faced metal bead in labor aand material savings, durability and llong term performance. Use ULTRATTRIM on your outside 90s for easy iinstallations and straight, crisp corners tthat will not dent or crack. Visit our Web videos to hear how NO-COAT is W giving contractors the competitive edge at www.no-coat.com.

F FIBERGLASS REINFORCED STUCCO S Q QUIKRETE TThe company’s One Coat Fiberglass Reinforced Stucco is a dry, blended R ccement plaster engineered to the hhighest standards for professional pplasterers, contractors and architects. TThe one-hour fire rated formula can bbe pumped and spray applied or ttrowel applied over OSB and EPS foam, plywood and EPS foam wall systems. For more details, visit www.QUIKRETE.com.

If you read this article, please circle number 299. If you read this article, please circle number 300.

54

| Walls & Ceilings | May 2011

the

TOOLBOX Hand-held diagnostic and inspection tool RIDGID The micro CA-100 view-only inspection camera is part of the Hand-Held Diagnostic and Inspection product line. The camera allows for more detailed visual digital inspections in hard-to-reach areas. The new larger 3½-inch display atop its comfortable, pistol-grip ergonomic design with one-hand controls makes it easy to detect and diagnose problems. An image rotation function eliminates any awkward hand positions and allows for the image to be positioned for the best readability in any tight situation. The product comes standard with four adjustable LEDs in a rugged, waterproof 3/4-inch, 17-millimeter anodized aluminum camera head on a flexible, waterproof 3-foot cable. The cable can be expanded to a maximum of 30 feet with available extensions. The camera’s viewing picture quality is focused and clear. If you read this article, please circle number 343.

Wall drainage and ventilation mat KEENE BUILDING PRODUCTS The Cav-Air-Ator protects against moisture issues in masonry applications by providing an unobstructed air space for drainage and ventilation. The product is a full-wall drainage and ventilation mat for full brick or stone masonry walls. It prevents mortar from entering the cavity, clinging to wall ties or blocking weep holes. The design allows it to be light and flexible so that the wall ties that it rests on top of can support it. The Cav-Air-Ator is made up of an extruded polymer matrix of entangled monofilaments that form block-shaped channels. In masonry walls, it leaves 96.5 percent of the cavity unobstructed and free to breathe. A lightweight, filtered fabric is laminated on one side of the product to prevent mortar from entering the cavity while still allowing enough finger room to lay the brick. The high airflow and lack of mortar intrusion allows efficient liquid moisture drainage and uniform airflow in all directions.

Window and door foam sealant POWERS FASTENERS TriggerFoam Pro Window and Door Foam is a professional grade, low-pressure, gun applied polyurethane foam sealant. This foam does not distort window and door frames when expanded. The product adheres to wood, metal, masonry and concrete. It seals gaps and joints, insulates, stops air infiltration and saves time and money and is ideal for use around pipes, wires and ductwork. The foam is dispensed though a standard foam gun that allows the user to control the flow rate and the diameter of the bead. The easily adjustable applicator can dispense foam beads as small as 1/8 inch, allowing for precise placement of the foam. The precision value helps prevent pressure loss and prolongs shelf life. Voids should be filled approximately 30 to 40 percent to allow for the final expansion of the foam. The product is safe to use, containing no CFCs no PCBs and no urea formaldehyde as they are being dispensed, and has a neutral odor. The stop-and-go application product remains liquid in the applicator until dispensed. If you read this article, please circle number 346.

If you read this article, please circle number 344.

Liquid-applied heat barrier HENRY CO. LiquidFoil Attic Barrier is a liquid-applied, lowemissivity radiant heat barrier that can reduce energy demand and improve home comfort yearround. The product is an efficient radiant heat reflector that keeps approximately 80 percent of radiant heat out of the attic. The barrier installs in one day and is two to three times faster to install than insulation and sheet-applied barriers and less expensive. Unlike many competing liquid radiant heat barriers, it does not require mixing Part A with Part B at specified rates and does not use aluminum powder (Part B) that can become airborne, creating a breathing hazard and coating surfaces with unwanted shiny dust. The barrier also allows vapor to escape, which prevents condensation and moisture accumulation. In addition to blocking radiant heat, it also keeps warm air from escaping in cold weather. It can be applied to drywall, masonry, concrete, ceiling tile, plaster and previously painted surfaces. If you read this article, please circle number 345.

55

| Walls & Ceilings | May 2011

Below-grade waterproofing product PAREX USA INC. The WeatherSeal BG is a below-grade waterproofing product for use on horizontal and vertical surfaces. The product fills a void in the WeatherTech product line which was exclusively focused on above grade applications. With the addition of this product, the company is able to offer a complete waterproofing and moisture protection solution for nearly any exterior construction application. If you read this article, please circle number 347.

classified To place a classified ad in Walls & Ceilings, Contact Paula at 727-550-3903 • 888-887-2852 • Fax: 336-998-6741 • Email: [email protected]

MARKETPLACE EMPLOYMENT

SOFTWARE

SPRAY EQUIPMENT

20 x 50

WINDSCREEN UNDER $200

Northwest Wall & Ceiling Bureau, Executive Director Salary: DOQ plus excellent benefits The Executive Director will act as the face of the organization and be known as a credible, knowledgeable leader to his or her peers. The ED will understand industry challenges and work toward solving industry issues. He/She will uphold and expand on the already established, excellent reputation of the organization.

Tarps And Windscreens New and Used Scaffold New Equipment Used Equipment Hoses and Nozzles

Please send a cover letter and resume electronically to Waldron & Company: [email protected].

888-383-7274 PDQUIPMENT.COM

For more information about NWCB visit their website at http://www.nwcb.org/

14 years experience Please Circle #355 On Reader Action Card TOOLS ESTIMATING

OUTSOURCE ESTIMATING INC Former Chief Estimator, Princeton BA

Al’s Taping Tools and Spray Equipment

(800) 458-7895 | www.drywalltools.com

Known For Thorough Estimates Since 1982 Quickbid & On-Screen Takeoff Estimating & Software Training Gary Mazzilli www.outsourceestimator.com PH: 804-684-5613

Please Circle #366 On Reader Action Card

SUBSCRIBE online at

WC12102OUTS.indd 1

11/17/10 11:59 AM

CLEAR SEAS RESEARCH. Making the Complex Clear.

www.wconline.com Walls & Ceilings is a FREE magazine serving wall and ceiling contractors, interior contractors, architects, manufacturers, suppliers and distributors since 1938.

Start your FREE subscription to today!

Find out how we can customize a research solution to help your bottom line. BETH SUROWIEC | 248.786.1619 [email protected] www.clearseasresearch.com

Don’t forget to sign up to W&C’s free eNewsletter.

www.wconline.com wc-subscribe-halfH.indd 1

56

| Walls & Ceilings | May 2011

8/14/08 2:08:19 PM

2010 Ad Conceptv6.indd 2

As a CASRO member, we subscribe to the Code of Standards and Ethics for Survey Research established by the Council of American Survey Research Organizations.

4/20/10 8:56:08 AM

ADVERTISERS’ index

ADVERTISER

This index is provided as an additional service. The publisher does not assume any liability for errors or omissions.

RAC#

Allied Building Products

PG#

WEB ADDRESS

PHONE

58

www.alliedbuilding.com

(800) 4-ALLIED

www.drywalltools.com

(800) 458-7895

Al’s Taping Tools & Spray Equipment

366

56

Armstrong World Industries

103

5

www.armstrong.com/contractorsonly

(877) ARMSTRONG

CertainTeed Ceilings

308

13

www.certainteed.com

(800) 233-8990

CertainTeed Gypsum

153

17

www.certainteed.com

(800) 233-8990

ClarkDietrich Building Systems

154

21

www.clarkdietrich.com

(800) 543-7140

Fiberweb

328

3

www.typar.com/metrowrap

(800) 281-2780

Flex-Ability Concepts

129

14

www.flexabilityconcepts.com

(866) 443-3539

Florida Wall & Ceiling Contractors Assoc.

144

37

www.fwcca.org

(407) 260-1313

Hy-Flex Corp.

323

35

www.hyflexcorp.com

(866) 849-6246

Lafarge North America/Gypsum

106

BC

www.lafarge-na.com

(800) 237-5505

Larsen Products Corp.

182

22

www.larsenproducts.com

(301) 776-4595

MBCI

183

34

www.mbci.com

(877) 713-6224

Metal-Lite

240

51

www.metal-lite.net

(866) 313-3584

IFC

www.nationalgypsum.com

(800) NATIONAL

www.oncenter.com/WallsAndCeilings

(866) 627-6246

56

www.outsourcesestimator.com

(804) 684-5613

National Gypsum On Center Software

244, 245

Outsource Estimating

23, 47

PDquipment

355

56

www.pdquipment.com

(888) 383-7274

Perfect Wall Inc.

240

56

www.perfectwall.net

(866) 313-3584

Peters & Sons

181

48

www.ldpeters.com

(800) 221-9933

Phillips Manufacturing

184

26

www.phillipsmfg.com

(800) 822-5055

Plastic Components, Inc.

159

39

www.plasticomponents.com

(800) 327-7077

SPEC MIX, Inc.

342

7

www.specmix.com

(888) SPECMIX

Stockton Products

251

9

www.stocktonproducts.com

(877) 862-5866

Strait-Flex International

261

8

www.straitflex.com

(888) 747-0220

Structus Building Technologies

112

12

www.hydrotrimcorner.com

(888) 662-6281

Stuc-O-Flex International

160

43

www.stucoflex.com

(800) 305-1045

Stud Chopper Tools, LLC

186

48

www.studchopper.com

(985) 641-2753

Super Stud Building Products, Inc.

120

27

www.edgesteelframing.com

(800) 477-7883

Syntheon, Inc.

321

15

www.accel-e.com

(888) 922-2353

The Quikrete Companies

349

11

www.quikrete.com

(800) 282-5828

Total Wall, Inc.

198

IBC

www.totalwall.com

(888) 702-9915

Trim-Tex, Inc.

118

45

www.trim-tex.com

(800) 874-2333

Wind-Lock Interiors

185

8

www.wind-lock.com

(800) 872-5625

May 2011 | Walls & Ceilings |

57

Sponsored by Allied Building Products Corporation

CONTRACTOR PROFILE WALL SYSTEMS INC. OF SOUTHWEST FLORIDA

T

he year was 1986 and Ronald Reagan was half-way -through his second term of president of the United States. The Cold War was folding and the country was in a state of economic stability. This year marks the founding of Wall Systems Inc. of Southwest Florida. This Sunshine State contracting firm, based in Naples, has grown in the last 25 years to become one of Florida’s most prominent wall and ceiling contractors. As a leading drywall contractor, the company pledges that it only uses domestic manufacturers (primarily USG and National Gypsum stock). Wall Systems also does metal framing, EIFS/stucco and commercial plastering (interior and exterior). Wall Systems is bondable with an A rated carrier. In addition, the company is the only UL Qualified Firestop Contractor in the state and one of the first fourteen contractors to be certified by Factory Mutual under the FM 4991 standard. “Really I think our niche service would be in firestopping and the reason I say that is because we are certified installers by Factory Mutual and UL. And that is relatively rare,” says Russell Budd, owner and president of Wall Systems. “It is a tedious and expensive process to go through the accreditation to become a certified contractor. In our market area, we are the only contractor that has both the FM and UL accreditation.” Another of the company’s top priorities is safety. “Accidents on the job site affect the workplace in multiple ways, so we take safety seriously,” the company’s Web site reads. In addition to maintaining a Drug Free work zone, all employees are thoroughly trained in the latest OSHA standards. Wall Systems employs an independent Loss Control Specialist to regularly inspect job site conditions. The company’s Gary Jarrell has been in Risk Management since 1990 and is a Registered Safety Officer through the International Board of Environmental Health and Safety. Another facet to Wall Systems is that it can offer Service Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business services through a partnership with its sister company WS Contracting LLC.

SLIPPED IN THE TRADES, NEVER LEFT Budd’s career began in the trades after he graduated from the University of Florida with a degree in building construction.

58

| Walls & Ceilings | May 2011

“I went to work for a drywall contractor fresh out of school as an estimator,” Budd says. “Frankly, I thought it was a job I’d do until something came else along. “I’m still waiting,” he jokes. That decision has lead him to a very successful career within the wall and ceiling trade that takes him all over southern Florida. Currently, Wall Systems has a staff of 70, which Budd says was “three-times” more before the recession hit. Budd reports that this year, business will see an upward climb from 2010, with contracts taking the company well through the year. Presently, Wall Systems has two high-profile projects with VA hospitals—one in Miami and one in Cape Coral. He anticipates next year being even better. The company’s distributor is Allied Building Products Corp. The construction materials supplier has been working with Wall Systems for almost a decade now, when Allied Building acquired Osprey Building Materials. Budd says Allied’s service “has been excellent.” Allied supplies products to both Wall System’s interior and exterior business line. Budd is actively involved in trade and civic associations, currently serving as a Vice-Chair of the Leadership Collier Foundation Board of Directors. He is a past chair of the Greater Naples Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, a past president of the Florida Wall & Ceiling Contractors Association, and a former board member of the Florida Home Builders Association. He is a past president of the Collier Building Industry Association, where he was selected as the 1994 “Builder of the Year,” and in 2010 he was one of the inaugural inductees into the CBIA’s Collier Housing Hall of Fame for his contributions in advancing the construction industry. As a man from Gator country who beats the bushes, you would be excused to think Budd would have the nickname “Crocodile Hunter.” Well, that’s not the case. Budd doesn’t claim the legacy of Steve Erwin nor does he wrestle crocs in the Outback. As a hobby—in addition to his devotion to Florida football—he hunts turkey. And that’s all over North America. Wall Systems Inc. of Southwest Florida should then have very special Thanksgivings. W&C

Please Circle #198 On Reader Action Card

PLATINUM EXTERIOR SHEATHING

Platinum Protection for serious professionals

Jeanne McGrath, President Holmes Drywall Supply, Inc. One of the Midwest’s largest drywall distributors

“ We are very serious about meeting the needs of today’s construction professional, and for our customers nothing but the best will do.” – Jeanne McGrath Introducing Weather Defense Platinum™, Lafarge’s newest exterior gypsum sheathing offering superior mold and mildew resistance backed by a 12-month exposure warranty. Weather Defense Platinum is easier to handle and cut than traditional fiberglass-faced boards and has the industry’s highest percentage of recycled content (over 90%) for higher LEED® credit contributions.* Get covered with Platinum Performance. *For specific LEED credit information visit certguide.lafarge-na.com

www.lafargenorthamerica.com s 1-800-237-5505 Please Circle #106 On Reader Action Card