The monthly newsletter for architects, contractors, and owners involved with commercial construction.

Welcome to the June 2010 issue of Commercial Building Products' E-News industry newsletter. This newsletter is designed to keep you abreast of the business side of our industry. You are receiving this newsletter because you are a Commercial Building Products subscriber. See the instructions at the end of this issue if you no longer want to receive this newsletter. If you like what it has to offer, please share it with co-workers so they might also subscribe. We encourage your feedback.—Gary L. Parr, Editorial Director, gparr@cbpmagazine.com
BRAND PREFERENCE SURVEY

Take survey, enter iPad drawing: Drawing is June 30

Tells us what brands you prefer for your commercial-construction projects and enter a drawing to win a 16GB iPad. Please take a few moments to complete our Brand Preference Survey, provide us with your contact information and, on June 30, we'll randomly choose one survey participant to win a 16GB iPad. Click on the link below to answer the survey, and thanks for your time.

CBP Brand Preference Survey

 

LEDs: Do you like them? Will you use them?

Commercial Building Products' editors would like to know what role LED lighting will play in current and future projects. Please help us out by taking an 8-question survey. Click here to tell us what you think. When you are finished with this survey, please take a few more minutes to answer our Brand Preference Survey. When you've finished with that you'll have a chance to win an iPad.
MANUFACTURER NEWS

Concrete cracks cancelled

The Building Systems business of BASF's Construction Chemicals division, Cleveland, has introduced ZERO-C Concrete Repair Technology, a line of cementitious repair mortars that do not crack when tested in accordance with ASTM C1581. Known as the Ring Test, ASTM C1581 is the newest and most reliable scientific test for measuring crack resistance in concrete repair materials.
   According to BASF, ZERO-C is the industry's first product to exceed both ASTM (American Society for Testing and Materials International, West Conshohocken, PA) and ICRI (International Concrete Repair Institute, Des Plaines, IL) requirements for "low-cracking-potential products" showing no cracking at 60 days when tested according to The Ring Test.
   In addition to crack resistance, ZERO-C's mix-and-match material design brings simplicity to the job site. A single base mortar can be modified by using different liquids to change the material consistency as project demands change, reducing the number of materials that have to be stored on the job site. Additionally, the weatherproof, recyclable mortar bags, with handles, eliminate solid waste and make bags easy to carry. The durable liquid pouches are tough enough to prevent damage, yet they are made with 50% less plastic than jugs. The pouches fold flat when empty to create less waste and reduce disposal costs on site.
   "I am very proud of the scientists and construction professionals at BASF who have dedicated their professional energy to creating a scientific breakthrough to not only meet, but exceed the demands of the industry," stated Doug MacRae, vice president and business director for building systems.

Gypsum board converts, retains VOCs

CertainTeed Gypsum, Valley Forge, PA, has introduced AirRenew gypsum board. Building on a proven platform of protection against mold and moisture, AirRenew wallboard also permanently reduces indoor levels of volatile organic compounds (VOCs).
   AirRenew actively helps clean the air by capturing VOCs—formaldehyde and other aldehydes—and converting them into inert compounds that safely remain within the board. For superior moisture and mold protection—which further improves indoor air quality—AirRenew also features M2Tech technology, which is specially engineered to provide enhanced protection against moisture and mold. M2Tech achieves the best possible scores for mold resistance based on the stringent performance criteria of ASTM G 21 and D 3273.
   "Traditionally, increasing ventilation has been the most common remedy for improving indoor air quality; now AirRenew offers a new, cutting-edge solution," explained John Donaldson, president of CertainTeed Gypsum. "AirRenew can help ensure healthy indoor air in a very effective, yet unobtrusive manner, easily providing peace of mind for generations."
   According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, sources of VOCs inside a building include pressed-wood products that are made using adhesives, such as sub-flooring, shelving, cabinets, and furniture. Other factors, such as ventilation rate, temperature, and humidity, can also affect indoor air quality.
   "Replacing carpeting, cabinets, shelving, or furniture in a renovation project often introduces new sources of VOCs into indoor environments well after initial construction," added Donaldson. "AirRenew is a good choice for buildings with stringent air quality requirements, such as hospitals, schools, and office buildings, because it will help improve the interior environment for its occupants."
AirRenew will soon be available for sale across the U.S. and Canada.

Formica takes its laminate material outside

Formica Corp., Cincinnati, recently introduced VIVIX, a solid-phenolic, exterior-grade laminate material. VIVIX is a rigid, homogenous, flat panel manufactured for vertical application with a rainscreen attachment system. The panels, manufactured to ISO standards and used with the attachment system, meet all relevant U.S. and Canadian building codes, in accordance with the International Code Council (ICC), Washington.
   Formica partnered with W. J. Higgins and Associates, Wausau, WI, a preeminent source for rainscreen technology, and Larson Engineering, White Bear Lake, MN, an international expert in building engineering and load calculations, to design the VIVIX attachment system. The panels will be available in a variety of designs, including woodgrain patterns, and will have integrated, decorative surfaces on both sides.
   VIVIX panels are manufactured in Formica’s facility in St. Jean, Quebec, Canada, and may contribute toward LEED credits, such as optimized energy performance, sustainable materials, and resources and moisture regulation. VIVIX contains 3% pre-consumer, recycled-wood-fiber content, in accordance with ISO Standard 14021. In addition, VIVIX exterior solid phenolic façade panels are not imported from overseas and will have a reduced transportation emission carbon footprint.
   VIVIX panels will be available in October 2010.

DuPont offers BIM Design Studio for its Tyvek products

DuPont Building Innovations, Wilmington, DE, invites architects, engineers, and general contractors to visualize the future of building and construction with the DuPont Building Information Modeling (BIM) Design Studio, an integrated decision-making and planning resource that applies three-dimensional modeling for wall systems using DuPont Tyvek commercial products. The tool was developed in conjunction with McGraw-Hill Construction.
   Available at www.architectsdesignstudio.com/ADS/dupont, the BIM Design Studio functions as a connection between DuPont Tyvek products and data such as structural characteristics, cost estimates, and installation timing.
   Unique to the BIM Design Studio is the ability for users to perform dew point and condensation analyses through simulations that indicate the presence of condensation within the internal wall cavity for a project’s wall assembly. Additionally, users can create energy-modeling analyses, a comparison feature that measures energy savings through heating and cooling costs.
   “Building Information Modeling is a cutting-edge construction technology at the forefront of building innovation, and users are finding that increased efficiency and cost savings are being realized with the use of this tool,” said Kerry Shea, commercial marketing manager, DuPont Building Innovations. “The growing popularity of this technology also has created increased demand for integrated project delivery, and the DuPont BIM Design Studio now offers construction teams the streamlined processes and planning they crave with DuPont Tyvek products.”
   The BIM Design Studio allows architects and project teams using AutoDesk Revit (Autodesk Inc., San Rafael, CA) and compatible applications to create wall assemblies "to spec" with Tyvek products. Users can then export these objects for existing Revit projects and generate data in CSI MasterSpec format. For a more robust experience, construction teams can install the Revit Plug-In and import their own projects into the BIM Design Studio. Frequently updated to maintain accuracy, the tool is also extremely fast, creating models at a rate of one every 15 seconds.
VISIT OUR BLOGS

FF&EFF&E Specifier: A publication for furnishings and fixtures specifiers

If you specify interior furnishings, fixtures, and/or equipment, you're sure to find our latest blog, FF&E Specifier, to be a valuable resource. Created to provide product and product-application information for the design community, FF&E Specifier will keep you up to date on the products that will make your interiors stand out from the crowd. Here's a sampling of products to whet your whistle:

Also, follow our FF&E tweets at twitter.com/ffespec.

Commercial Building Products Editor's Blog keeps you up to date

Don't forget the Commercial Building Products Editor's Blog, a regularly updated resource that will keep you informed about what's going on in the commercial-construction market. Some of our most recent posts include:

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