1. Tropi-cool stop leak
Henry
This 100% silicone spray sealer is the industry’s first permanent silicone aerosol spray sealer, according to the maker. The product creates a permanent leak-proof seal that is backed by a lifetime limited warranty. It can withstand rain within 15 minutes after application and provides a strong bond to virtually any surface—skylights, flashing, roofs, windowsills, foundations, metal, concrete, and glass.
2. ROCKWOOL MULTIFIX
Rockwool
This stone wool roofing insulation and coverboard in one reduces the number of layers required for low-slope roof assemblies. The insulation board features a built-in coverboard and a mineral-coated fiberglass facer that is compatible with multiple attachment methods. It can improve overall roof performance by regulating the temperature of the thermal insulation, particularly in cold temperatures, says the maker.
3. AIR-SHIELD LSR
W.R. Meadows
This single-component liquid synthetic rubber air, vapor, and liquid moisture barrier is easy to apply and cures to form a tough, seamless, elastomeric membrane. The highly flexible membrane offers strong adhesion to span great lengths, ensuring a continuous barrier. It adheres to most common surfaces, various wall systems, and is suitable for both new construction and restoration. Nontoxic with low-VOC content.
4. Autoceil
Autoceil
This insulation and finishing system for metal building roofs and walls features an automated installation process that provides a tensioned ceiling support system for uncompressed, full-thickness insulation. The method provides OSHA-compliant fall protection and eliminates bottom-side banding, strapping, and fasteners throughout the entire ceiling, for faster, easier installation. Designed for spans up to 200 feet.
5. DensDeck Prime
Georgia-pacific
Roof board has been enhanced with EONIC Technology, which provides improved water resistance and increased vertical pull strength. Manufacturing specifications include a surface water absorption rate of one gram and a total water absorption rate of 5%—among the most stringent in the industry. Independent testing showed ½-inch gypsum fiber board absorbed 132% more water than ½-inch DensDeck Prime with EONIC.
6. Nature Crafted Collection
DaVinci Roofscapes
This collection of composite shake shingles includes three colors—Aged Cedar, Mossy Cedar, and Black Oak—designed to reflect different progressive aging processes found on real shake shingles. The products have a lifetime limited warranty and will not split, crack, curl, or fade. They also resist fire, impacts, high winds, mold, algae, fungus, and insects. Available in wavy or straight grains throughout the tile.
7. Kemperol Reflect 2K-FR
Kemper System
This liquid-applied cool roof system features a new bright-white formulation that has been tested to perform with an initial Solar Reflectance Index of 110. The fully-reinforced membrane is solvent-free, odor-free, and low VOC. The system cures to a bright-white finish. No topcoat is necessary, which reduces labor costs and installation time. Listed by the Cool Roof Rating Council.
8. Secure Bond Technology
Firestone Building products
Firestone’s UltraPly TPO SA and RubberGard EPDM SA are available with the company’s new Secure Bond Technology, a self-adhering membrane with a factory-applied, pressure-sensitive adhesive. The system improves installation speed over traditional TPO fully adhered systems and widens the weather window, with the ability to install down to 20 F, according to the maker.
9. JM EPDM R Fit
Johns Manville
This reinforced EPDM membrane sheet with “tape-to-tape technology” has been field tested at speeds up to four times faster installation than other membranes, says the maker. The initial bond between tape-to-tape membrane sheets has been measured to be up to 20% stronger compared to field-fabricated seams. The water-tight seam is never exposed on the rooftop, so the risk of contamination during installation is minimal.
10. Engineered shingles, Shakes
Ply Gem
Designed from hand-selected, genuine slate and milled cedar, this line of engineered slate shingles and cedar shakes utilizes digitally-scanned molds to reprint the fine details of natural shingles. Solid-core composition that includes recycled resins creates a durable roofing material that has performed well under rigorous testing conditions. Withstands hailstones, UV rays, extreme temperatures, and winds up to 190 mph.
11. Flintlastic SA
Certainteed
Enhancements to this self-adhering SBS modified bitumen roofing material mean that the long-standing system is now able to withstand installation in near-freezing temperatures. Both the Flintlastic SA Cap and Flintlastic SA Cap FR (fire rated) cap sheets can be installed in temperatures below 40 F with the use of a hot-air welder. This enables roofers to work quickly through the winter months without fear of plunging temperatures.
12. COLPHENE LM BARR
Soprema
The world’s first spray-grade silyl terminated polyether (STPE) waterproofing membrane, this product is designed for use in positive-side waterproofing, foundation waterproofing, and above-grade, horizontal waterproofing applications. The single-component, liquid-applied, moisture-curing elastomeric product can be applied in both vertical and horizontal applications with minimal prep work.
Related Stories
| Aug 11, 2010
Architecture Billings Index drops to lowest level since June
Another stall in the recovery for the construction industry as the Architecture Billings Index (ABI) dropped to its lowest level since June. The American Institute of Architects (AIA) reported the August ABI rating was 41.7, down slightly from 43.1 in July. This score indicates a decline in demand for design services (any score above 50 indicates an increase in billings).
| Aug 11, 2010
Construction employment declined in 333 of 352 metro areas in June
Construction employment declined in all but 19 communities nationwide this June as compared to June-2008, according to a new analysis of metropolitan-area employment data released today by the Associated General Contractors of America. The analysis shows that few places in America have been spared the widespread downturn in construction employment over the past year.
| Aug 11, 2010
Jacobs, Hensel Phelps among the nation's 50 largest design-build contractors
A ranking of the Top 50 Design-Build Contractors based on Building Design+Construction's 2009 Giants 300 survey. For more Giants 300 rankings, visit http://www.BDCnetwork.com/Giants
| Aug 11, 2010
Construction unemployment rises to 17.1% as another 64,000 construction workers are laid off in September
The national unemployment rate for the construction industry rose to 17.1 percent as another 64,000 construction workers lost their jobs in September, according to an analysis of new employment data released today. With 80 percent of layoffs occurring in nonresidential construction, Ken Simonson, chief economist for the Associated General Contractors of America, said the decline in nonresidential construction has eclipsed housing’s problems.
| Aug 11, 2010
Billings at U.S. architecture firms exceeds $40 billion annually
In the three-year period leading up to the current recession, gross billings at U.S. architecture firms increased nearly $16 billion from 2005 and totaled $44.3 billion in 2008. This equates to 54 percent growth over the three-year period with annual growth of about 16 percent. These findings are from the American Institute of Architects (AIA) Business of Architecture: AIA Survey Report on Firm Characteristics.
| Aug 11, 2010
CHPS debuts high-performance building products database
The Collaborative for High Performance Schools (CHPS) made a new tool available to product manufacturers to help customers identify building products that contribute to sustainable, healthy, built environments. The tool is an online, searchable database where manufacturers can list products that have met certain environmental or health standards ranging from recycled content to materials that contribute to improved indoor air quality.
| Aug 11, 2010
ICC launches green construction code initiative for commercial buildings
The International Code Council has launched its International Green Construction Code (IGCC) initiative, which will aim to reduce energy usage and the carbon footprint of commercial buildings.Entitled “IGCC: Safe and Sustainable By the Book,” the initiative is committed to develop a model code focused on new and existing commercial buildings. It will focus on building design and performance.
| Aug 11, 2010
VA San Diego Healthcare System Building 1 Seismic Correction
San Diego, Calif.
Three decades after its original construction in the early 1970s, the Veterans Affairs San Diego Healthcare System Building 1 fell far short of current seismic codes. This not only put the building and its occupants—patients, doctors, nurses, visitors, and administrative staff—at risk in the event of a major earthquake, it violated a California state mandate requiring all hospitals to either retrofit or rebuild.
| Aug 11, 2010
Green Building Initiative launches two certification programs for green building professionals
The Green Building Initiative® (GBI), one of the nation’s leading green building organizations and exclusive provider of the Green Globes green building certification in the United States, today announced the availability of two new personnel certification programs for green building practitioners: Green Globes Professional (GGP) and Green Globes Assessor (GGA).
