EcoHome: New Products

Concrete Slab Insulation System From CertainTeed

Wed, 1 Sep 2010 12:38:05 EST

CertainTeed. EnergyEdge insulates concrete slab edges, which the company says can account for 8% to 24% of a homes energy loss. The R-10 system consists of PVC rails, snap-on braces, and expanded polystyrene insulation. A retrofit product also is available. 800.233.8990. www.certainteed.com.

Preassembled Interlocking ICFs From Owens Corning

Wed, 4 Aug 2010 10:22:00 EST

Owens Corning. The Fold-Form system of preassembled interlocking blocks enable walls from 4 to 16 inches thick. Universal Corner Kits and hardware/accessory packages allow for faster and complete installations and a wide variety of shapes, including curved walls, brick ledges, and offsets. The system offers resistance to 250-mph winds, achieves up to an STC-52 sound resistance rating, and offers 67% less air infiltration than a typical wood-framed building, says the firm. 800.438.7465. www.foldform.com.

Cellulose Insulation From Greenfiber

Tue, 6 Jul 2010 05:43:44 EST

Greenfiber. Premium Grade Retrofit cellulose blown-in wall and attic insulation features an all-borate, fire-resistant formula. The new formulation also provides a higher level of dust suppressant, the firm says, and is easy to install over any existing insulation. It provides an installed R-value of 13 at 4.1 inches, 19 at 6.1 inches, and 30 at 9.4 inches. The product is SCS-certified for 85% recycled content and carries Energy Star certification. 800.228.0024. www.greenfiber.com.

Recycled-Content Spray-Foam Insulation From Gaco Western

Tue, 29 Jun 2010 05:09:48 EST

Gaco Western. HFC-blown WallFoam 184 BIO spray-foam insulation is derived from naturally renewable oils, post-consumer recycled plastics, and pre-consumer recycled materials. The Class I fire-rated foam offers an average R-value of 6.2 per inch, the firm says, and can reduce a home’s carbon footprint by up to 13% a year, the company claims. 877.699.4226. www.gaco.com.

Water-Blown Insulation From Icynene

Tue, 8 Jun 2010 10:16:58 EST

Icynene. MD-R-200 medium-density spray-foam insulation uses 100% water-blown technology. The insulation provides an R-value of 5.2 per inch and offers a low vapor permeance for use in areas with higher levels of humidity; according to the company, it also is ideal for projects requiring the enhanced structural strength of a more rigid foam. 800.758.7325. www.icynene.com.

Recycled-Content Concrete Mix From Quickcrete

Tue, 18 May 2010 04:42:46 EST

Quikrete. Green Concrete Mix comprises 50% recycled material, including recycled aggregates, fly ash, and/or slag cements, diverting 0.25 cubic feet of waste from landfills per 60-pound bag of material, according to the firm. The material achieves a compressive strength of 3,500 psi in 28 days, meeting ASTM C 387 performance requirements. It is suitable for general concrete work. 800.282.5828. www.quikrete.com.

Certified Sustainable Wood Flooring From Terra Legno

Tue, 11 May 2010 12:50:43 EST

Terra Legno. The Fumato Soppalco line of FSC- and SFI-certified engineered wood flooring includes Aztec silver (shown), Mayan gold, and Inca bronze. The flooring has a micro-bevel edge, is 9/16 inch thick, and comes in three widths and random and fixed lengths. 800.393.7424. www.terralegno.com.

Soil Management System From DeepRoot Partners

Wed, 5 May 2010 11:06:26 EST

DeepRoot Partners. The Silva Cell modular system holds soil for tree growth and stormwater management while supporting paved surfaces. The system holds 10 cubic feet of soil per unit, protecting tree roots from compaction and providing room for stormwater infiltration and surrounding utilities. The 48-by-24-by-16-inch fiberglass and polypropylene cells have galvanized steel supports and can be stacked up to three cells high and laterally as wide as necessary before the decking is attached. 800.458.7668. www.deeproot.com.

Water-Resistive Sheathing from Georgia-Pacific

Tue, 30 Mar 2010 05:39:12 EST

Georgia-Pacific. Nautilus combines OSB structural sheathing and a water-resistive barrier in one panel, reducing installation time; the panels install like traditional sheathing and seal with Nautilus seam tape. The panels include nailing guides that are visible through the integrated building wrap. The Blue Ribbon OSB is SFI-certified. 800.284.5347. www.builditbetter.com.

Structural Insulated Sheathing from Dow

Thu, 8 Apr 2010 12:17:39 EST

Dow. SIS Structural Insulated Sheathing combines a moisture-resistant blue foil outside face, a polyisocyanurate foam core, and structural sheathing. Builders can use ½-inch (R-3) panels to sheathe entire exteriors or 1-inch-thick (R-5.5) panels as shear panels on corners to match up with 1-inch foam sheathing on the rest of the exterior. Joints between panels are sealed with Weathermate tape. SIS panels contain 80% post-consumer recycled content and are Energy Star–rated. 866.583.2583. www.dow.com.

OSB Flooring Panels from iLevel by Weyerhaeuser

Tue, 30 Mar 2010 05:41:57 EST

iLevel by Weyerhaeuser. According to the manufacturer, the proprietary glues and resins used in Edge Gold OSB flooring panels make it more water-resistant and durable when exposed to jobsite conditions and weather. The panels come stamped with a fastener location guide for easier, accurate, and warranty-compliant nailing, and bears the SFI-certified Fiber Sourcing label. 888.453.8358. www.ilevel.com.

Recycled Structural Board from Homasote

Tue, 30 Mar 2010 05:40:03 EST

Homasote. 440 SoundBarrier is a nearly 100% recycled nailable structural board made from cellulose fiber, with an insulating value of R-1.2 per 1/2 inch. Originally intended as a soundproofing product, the firm says it withstands jobsite weather and mistreatment better than standard, impregnated fiberboard, and offers shear strength sufficient for many exterior wall-bracing applications. 800.257.9491. www.homasote.com.

Radiant Barrier Sheathing from Ainsworth

Wed, 28 Apr 2010 02:02:30 EST

Ainsworth. Thermastrand radiant barrier roof sheathing features an aluminum foil overlaid on micro-perforated OSB panels. The foil blocks up to 97% of the sun’s radiant energy, and the perforations control humidity buildup in the attic, the company says. According to the firm, the panels are twice as permeable as commodity OSB. The panels are Energy Star–certified and also carry certifications from SFI and/or the Canadian Standards Association. 604.661.3200. www.ainsworthengineered.com.

LongLength OSB from LP

Wed, 28 Apr 2010 01:40:49 EST

LongLength OSB allows for easier sheathing of homes with higher ceilings, requires fewer total panels, and results in fewer seams, the firm says. Installed vertically, the extended-length panels tie the top plate to the floor joists and eliminate the need to install fillers or blocking material. Several lengths and thicknesses are available. The sheathing is SFI-certified. 888.820.0325. www.lpcorp.com.

ZIP System from Huber Engineered Woods

Tue, 30 Mar 2010 05:41:02 EST

Huber Engineered Woods. ZIP System roof and wall sheathing feature built-in protective barriers. Along with ZIP SystemTape to seal the seams, the all-in-one panels eliminate the need for housewrap or felt, the company says, making the installation faster and easier than traditional materials. A stiffer, full-depth ½-inch roof sheathing board, the ZIP System roof sheathing panel requires no H clips as long as rafters are spaced at 24 inches or less. 800.933.9220. www.zipsystem.com.

Certified Plywood from Timber Products

Tue, 30 Mar 2010 05:45:26 EST

Timber Products. The company’s softwood plywood comes in 8-, 9-, and 10-foot lengths; 4- and 5-foot widths; and thicknesses from 5/16 inch to 2 inches. It is available in several grades for sheathing, concrete forms, and underlayment. The panels are SFI-certified and are available with FSC certification. 800.547.9520. www.timberproducts.com.

Coming Soon: National Gypsum's Phase-Changing Drywall

Tue, 2 Mar 2010 04:53:48 EST

ThermalCore panels moderate interior temperature fluctuations and act as a thermal mass.

HVI-certified Heat Recovery Ventilator From Goodman

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 09:31:29 EST

The HVI-certified HRV series offers up to 92% heat recovery, according to the manufacturer, with cfm rates from 123 to 247 to accommodate various residential conditions and requirements. The units feature a 22/24-gauge galvanized steel cabinet that is fully insulated with 1-inch high-density polystyrene foam to help prevent condensation; other features include washable, electrostatic panel-type air filters and factory-balanced EBM motors with permanently lubricated sealed motor bearings. The aluminum core is configured for efficient cross-flow ventilation and to withstand extreme temperatures. An optional dehumidistat and air-quality sensor are available. 877.254.4729.

VHR 1404 Heat-Recovery Ventilator From Fantech

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 09:23:48 EST

The HVI-certified VHR 1404 heat-recovery ventilator is rated to recover and exchange 62% of exhaust air heat. The unit is equipped with two factory-balanced EBM motors with permanently lubricated sealed bearings for durability and low maintenance. An aluminum heat-recovery core is configured for efficient cross-flow ventilation; washable electrostatic panel-type air filters enable easy care. A preset defrost sequence automatically activates to protect the unit in extreme cold temperatures while maintaining fresh air intake and heat exchange. 800.747.1762.

EKO 1.5 Heat Recovery Ventilator From Venmar Ventilation

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 09:16:30 EST

The HVI-certified EKO 1.5 heat-recovery ventilator recovers and exchanges up to 80% of heated or cooled air. Two high-performance ECM motors consume 13.5 watts each at low speed and operate at 2.53 cfm per watt, making the units among the most energy efficient available. Four speed settings adjust to changing needs, especially when automatically controlled by a programmable touchpad (included). A defrosting system mitigates ice buildup on the recovery module. The unit’s compact size enables more installation options. 800.567.3855.