With energy prices at record highs and moisture concerns becoming a more pressing issue for consumers, builders will turn to plastics for the answers, according to representatives from Dow Building and Construction (B&C), exhibiting this week at the 2005 International Builders’ Show (IBS). Dow is showcasing its full line of building envelope insulation solutions based on its flagship STYROFOAM*-brand insulation, a product The Dow Chemical Company invented 60 years ago that launched a new and better way to insulate homes from energy loss.
“On a global basis, nearly 26 percent of all plastics manufactured are used in building and construction applications and we fully expect that number to trend upward,” says Scott Young, Dow Building & Construction North American residential market manager. “The only larger application area for plastics is in packaging. Dow B&C is perfectly positioned to support this growth. In effect, our 60-year heritage is also the future of our industry.”
As pressures mount for increased energy efficiency and tighter building envelopes that resist moisture penetration, the building and construction industry will choose application-specific engineered materials to meet these demands.
“The Dow Chemical Company is a material science company, and we are committed to developing new solutions based on our extensive knowledge of science and technology that will enable the construction of more energy efficient and moisture resistant homes,” said Young. “Our broad line of building insulation solutions, based on STYROFOAM-brand insulation, enables builders to provide their customers with application-specific solutions.”
In addition, Dow’s innovative line of concrete systems products offer builders and home buyers superior insulating properties with the added benefits of increased structural integrity that offer better protection and damage resistance from tornadoes, hurricanes and forest fires.
STYROFOAM extruded polystyrene insulation, THERMAX* polyisocyanurate insulation, STYROFOAM WEATHERMATE* housewraps, integrated concrete systems and tapes provide builders with application-specific solutions for the entire home, from foundations, to walls, to roofs and more.
Dow B&C’s full line of building products work in tandem or individually to address specific issues. STYROFOAM* Residential Sheathing is an extruded polystyrene foam board with plastic film on both sides. It is lightweight and easy to handle while also extremely durable. The use of STYROFOAM Residential Sheathing on exterior walls boosts the performance of the entire insulation system. It is inherently resistant to moisture, which can wreak havoc on other building materials such as cavity insulation, drywall, wood framing and plywood. STYROFOAM Residential Sheathing defends against wind-driven moisture penetrating a wall system and moderates the temperature in a wall cavity, reducing the potential for moisture accumulation.
THERMAX* Sheathing is non-structural, polyisocyanurate, rigid board insulation consisting of a glass fiber-reinforced foam core laminated between pinhole-free aluminum foil facers. THERMAX Sheathing finish boards provide dimensional stability, enabling them to stand up to the elements. THERMAX Sheathing can be installed exposed to the interior without a thermal barrier. It is also great for basements, crawlspaces and roofs as it is easy to install and durable, saving time and money for builders.
STYROFOAM* T-MASS* Residential Poured-In-Place System incorporates STYROFOAM extruded polystyrene insulation and polyisocyanurate rigid board insulation with pre-fabricated “buttons,” composite connectors and traditional concrete forms, to create poured-in-place walls that are cast on-site. The Poured-In-Place Insulation Systems improve the energy efficiency of poured foundations by sandwiching the insulation between the concrete. This reduces the need for interior and exterior finishes that are typically required when foam insulation is exposed.
STYROFOAM* WEATHERMATE* Plus is a non-woven, non-perforated, polyolefin-based housewrap that is tough and tear-resistant. It offers an effective option for builders who prefer to use non-insulating sheathing along with housewrap. STYROFOAM WEATHERMATE Plus housewrap, when installed over sheathing in residential wall construction, reduces costly air and moisture filtration by covering cracks and gaps between sheets of wood panel sheathing. It has microsize pores that allow water vapor to escape from behind the housewrap.
To learn more about the full line of application-specific solutions from Dow visit www.insulateyourhome.com, call 866.583.BLUE (2583) or stop by Dow’s booth at IBS, #W2543.
Dow is a leader in science and technology, providing innovative chemical, plastic and agriculturalproducts and services to many essential consumer markets. With annual sales of $33 billion, Dow serves customers in more than 180 countries and a wide range of markets that are vital to human progress, including food, transportation, health and medicine, personal and home care, and building and construction, among others. Committed to the principles of sustainable development, Dow and its approximately 46,000 employees seek to balance economic, environmental and social responsibilities. References to "Dow" or the "Company" mean The Dow Chemical Company and its consolidated subsidiaries unless otherwise expressly noted. Dow Building & Construction is a business unit of The Dow Chemical Company.
®™* Trademark of The Dow Chemical Company ("Dow") or an affiliated company of Dow
For Editorial Information:
Jan McKinnon
The Dow Chemical Company
(519) 339-5028
