A suspended ceiling can provide manyábenefits for your building, especially when done correctly. You can add a suspended ceiling to the front of a warehouse to createáoffice space, without having to put too much labor and money into the project. A suspended ceiling helps muffle excess noise, allowsáeasy passage of communication and computer networking needs and is simple to repair andámodify because of standardized tile sizes. But one area where your suspended ceiling may need help to reach peak energy efficiency is how you seal the places other components pass through, such as lights, intercoms, HVAC vents, wiring, plumbing and other infiltration areas.

To determine the best way to deal with these problems, we received expert advice on improvingáa suspended ceiling for peak performance from someone who knows serious insulation. LloydáMcIntireáis a recently retired insulation contractor in Tower, Minnesota - the town that broke the record for the coldest spot in the contiguous United States at -60║F in January 1996. As the only insulator in one of the coldest parts of our country, he was happy to share a little ofáhis 42+ years of experience with us.

The first step is to determine what's already in your suspended ceiling. "You have to start by doing an inspection and verifying what you already have in place. (A client) had a situation where he'd added insulation that blocked ventilation and allowed air leaks, causing hot spots and ice dams. A friend had told him he needed to add insulation, so he'd put sheet foam on top of the fiberglass. When he shoved the sheet foam on top, he displaced the existing fiberglass. That would have been messy, but still done the job, but to fit the boards into the space, the foam was cut 1/8-1/4" narrower than the space, so all the heat loss was going around the (unsealed) cracks in the sheet foam." Because the fiberglass had also been displaced, air was going directly through the looseágrid and tile spaces in the suspendedáceiling, through the holes where the fiberglass batting had been displaced and around the cracks at the edges of the sheet foam. Mr.áMcIntireáwas called in to "fix" the problem by removing all the insulation and putting in insulation that had been properly fit to the space andáeliminatedáthe problematic air infiltration gaps around the space. By the time the ceiling was fixed along with adding appropriate insulation to the ductwork and exposed concrete block walls that were losing heat to high winds, the client's heating expenses were lowered by 45-50%.

The next step is to add insulation and seal around any areas of infiltration. "Spray foam is much better than fiberglass (in this situation)ábecause moisture in an unventilated area can cause problems with mold and mildew in the fiberglass. Spray foam fills any spaces, so it seals pipes, wiring, anything that goes through that area," Mr.áMcIntireámentions. "Sheet foam is another option if you need to seal wall spaces (above the suspended ceiling) against infiltrating air, as long as the gaps (between boards) are sealed."á

He also notes that it's vital to ensure that insulation is replaced around new items added to a ceiling, such as a new run of wiring, new ductwork or similar areas of potential infiltration. "If you're really going to look at atticá insulationáand áso on, you should really be caulking and have a vapor barrieráneed to look at moving the insulation to seal around any air bypasses to the inside or outside of the area above the suspended ceiling. This includesálights, wire penetration up to the attic, plumbing, thatáneed to be sealed with caulking or weatherstripping."áThis is also true when you have a dead space above your suspended ceiling where the temperature is not being controlled.

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When it comes to acoustical or suspended ceiling materials, Armstrong and USG are often the first manufacturers to come to mind. But what can you do when a client wants something different or that exceeds the typical specs set out by these companies? Though many contractors are aware of CertainTeed's huge presence in insulation products, very few are as aware of the company's suspended and acoustical ceiling systems. Their products often exceed the specs set by other industry leaders, making it a high-quality option from a known industry leader. Here's a quick look at their cross reference guide, designed to help contractors find the perfect materials for their project.

With the prevalence of Armstrong and USG products in the acoustical and suspended ceiling market, it doesn't take long for an experienced contractor to figure out which product they should use to meet a project's requirements. CertainTeed is still a relatively new entry into the market, and for this reason, many contractors bypass their products because they're not sure which specific product they should use in place of particular Armstrong or USG products.

When they realized this issue in the market, CertainTeed took the time to make it easier for contractors to find the right product for the job. Their Acoustical Ceilings and Suspension Systems Cross Reference Guide was designed so that you could simply look up the competitor's product in the guide and follow across to the similar CertainTeed ceiling product, making the conversion process very simple. The guide also includes indexes of both competitors' products, as the cross reference lists the products in order by the CertainTeed product, so the index makes it very easy to find the competitors' model.

However, CertainTeed recognizes that not all products will convert exactly, so they've based their cross reference guide based on aesthetic appearance and technical specifications. In many situations, the CertainTeed product that you find in the cross reference will be superior in terms of appearance, performance or technical specifications. When multiple competitor products match the same general specification or CertainTeed product, all the competitor's models will be listed for comparison.

One thing you'll definitely notice as you're going through the cross reference guide is the sheer number of additional product lines and options that are available from CertainTeed, especially when compared to Armstrong and USG lines. At a quick estimate, there are nearly three times as many options available in the CertainTeed lines than are available from their competitors. This provides you and your clients with a much wider range of options, allowing the best possible solution to be selected for your project rather than the one that comes the closest.

CertainTeed offers a wide range of acoustical and suspended ceiling options for your project, and the cross reference guide makes it easy to find the exact material that will work best for your situation while offering a wide range of additional selections to meet your project's needs. If you are interested in CertainTeed acoustical products for your next job be sure to download the CertainTeed Ceiling Tiles and Suspension Systems Product Guide using the blue button below or by clicking here.

Although drywall manufacturers are not known for constant innovation, they do occasionally come out with something that makes builders stand up and take notice. The growing concern with mold and its potential health hazards in recent years has led drywall companies to come up with a solution to the problem in housing construction ? mold resistant drywall. For areas of the home where moisture might be an issue, this type of specialty drywall could be just what you need tostop mold before it starts.

Mold in the Home

Mold is always around, even when we can't see it. The spores are everywhere and there is no hope of eliminating all of them. Luckily most of the time this isn't an issue. The problems only begin when enough moisture starts to accumulate in the home, creating an ideal environment for the mold.

The big stories in the news have been about the dreaded ?black mold? or ?toxic mold.? In truth a number of different molds can be black and while some of them produce toxins, it has yet to be proven that they cause major health problems. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has a page all about mold in the home, where they explain it's dangers ? typically hay fever like symptoms in people that happen to be allergic ? and how to get rid of it.

But, while the fears surrounding mold may possibly be overblown, you can still bet that no one wants the stuff in their home if they can help it. Mold growth can cause allergic reactions in certain people and the presence of mold can definitely make it more difficult to sell a house. Whether the owner has an allergy or not, they will still want to remove the mold ? a process that could require a mold remediation company if it's bad enough. This is why specialty building materials like mold resistant drywall can come in real handy.

How Mold Resistant Drywall Works

Drywall hasn?t' changed much over the years because it works great as it is for most applications. A layer of gypsum sandwiched between two layers of paper, it is a must-have material for building a home. The only problem is that it doesn't do well with moisture. Mold spores can start feeding off of the paper and even the inner gypsum layer, meaning you have to tear out the drywall and replace it if the infestation gets too bad.

Mold resistant drywall is made in two different ways:

• Laminated ? This type of specialty drywall is designed to stop the problem where it starts, at the surface. Still using a gypsum core, manufacturers use a fiberglass mat on front and back that will repel water from the inner gypsum. The gypsum used in these boards is also water resistant, unlike that used in regular drywall.

• Uniform Composition ? These drywall boards dispense with mats altogether, instead opting for a uniform water-resistant material throughout. They can be painted or tiled as needed.

Advantages to Mold Resistant Drywall

The advantages to choosing this type of specialty drywall are fairly obvious. When you have an area of a home that is likely to be exposed to moisture, using mold resistant drywall can help prevent the growth of mold. This could be applicable in several parts of a home, including:

• Bathroom

• Kitchen

• Basement

• Garage

• Utility room

The cost of mold-resistant drywall will be higher than the traditional stuff. However, when you consider the fact that the material could hold up much longer in moist environments its cost may be justified. The humid New England climate is great for growing mold, especially in those areas of the house that area already prone to moisture accumulation.

Get Expert Advice

There are a number of different companies now producing mold resistant drywall. If you want to learn about all of your options and get expert advice on what works best for your specific project, call or come by Wallboard Supply Co. and talk with one of our specialty drywall professionals. Providing drywall delivery to Boston and throughout New England, we know our products inside and out and would be happy to answer all of your questions.

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Photo credit: anneh632 / Foter / Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 2.0 Generic (CC BY-SA 2.0)

Sources:áhttp://www.cdc.gov/mold/stachy.htm

Getting energy efficient windows is becoming increasingly vital for many home owners out there. This is because many owners are noticing that their energy bills are starting to slowly go up over time. If they want to put a stop to this, then they will need to think about the different energy efficient window options that are available to them. It may be helpful for owners to review some of the energy saving benefits that they can get by installing these types of windows.

Going Green

Many people want to become green home owners these days. Not only will it reap economic benefits, but you can also feel proud thatáyou have taken steps to protect the environment. Energy efficient windows have been proven to help people reduce their energy consumption, which reduces the strain they put on these reserves.

You will need to get the most advanced techniques used when you want to install these windows. Think about having only the highest rated windows installed for your home while you are renovating. This will help you get the windows that will be best suited for retaining energy within your home.

B.F. Rich Windows

If you want to find a reliable source for these energy efficient windows, then there are a few brands that you should check out. Try to buy through B. F. Rich Windows, since they offer great prices on the models that they sell. You can trust their products, since they apply a resin that will provide a heat block for your windows. You might also be interested in the selection that is offered through Silver Line Windows. This company has been offering high quality windows that are proven to help reduce the energy costs that you may be facing. Some features of B.F. Rich Windows are:

• Lifetime Warranty
• Highest Quality
• Energy Star Qualified
• Many Color Options

Silver Line Windows

Silver Line is a line of windows by Andersen Company. With the Silver Line, Andersen really wanted to show its commitment to value and energy efficiency. Andersen Company really feels that their Silver Line speaks about their commitment to customer needs and satisfaction.áSome features of Silver Line Windows are;

• Easy Operation
• Company Reliability and Reputation
• Highest Value
• Energy Star Qualified
• Life Time Warranty
• Different Glass and Hardware Options

In Conclusion

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Photo credit: bcmom / Foter / Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic (CC BY 2.0)

Versaroc boards are used in various construction applications. Versaroc is a strong building material that resists fire and moisture making it perfect for walls, floors, ceilings and roofs. Lightweight portability and custom fabrication make Versaroc the ideal choice for modular additions to schools, hospitals, libraries, hotels, hospitals, and many other building types. Versaroc composite strength provides a defense against weather erosion, insect infestation and other structural afflictions. Versaroc boards can also be used for making cabinets, bookcases and other interior home-design projects. As a building material, these cement bonded particle boards are highly versatile in function and application.

Versaroc Advantages:

• Composite Nature Allows for Structural Strength and Flexibility
• Fire Resistant (UL Listed) and Resists Moisture
• Durable Against Weather Erosion
• Protects Against Insects and Other Pest Infestation
• Can be Custom-Fabricated to fit Design Needs
• Easy to Install with standard equipment and tools of carpentry.

Versaroc Uses:

• Ideal for Walls given its Sturdy yet Pliant Nature&nbsp
• Great for Floors due to its Easy Installation and Custom Fabrication to
• Design Specifications
• Perfect for Roofs because of its ability to Protect against Fire, Moisture and Infestation
• Makes for a Excellent Outer Casing for Structural Insulated Panel Systems
• A Solid Choice for Furniture and Interior Design Purposes.

Versaroc is the cement bonded particle board manufactured by U.S. Architectural Products. For over 25 years, U.S. Architectural Products has provided durable and lasting materials in the construction industry and Versaroc lives up to that standard as the flagship brand for cement bonded particle boards.á

Versaroc Composite Make and Design

Cement bonded particle boards are made of Portland cement infused with softwood fibers. The particle board is cut then resin is used to glue the particles together and stabilized the board. The Versaroc boards can be shipped out according to design specifications and can easily bond to building materials. Versaroc is made of non-toxic materials rendering it asbestos-free and safe for the environment.á

Versaroc is Versatileá

Versaroc cement bonded particle boards appear physical similar to plywood making them easy to handle, but the composite cement nature gives Versaroc boards strength to bear loads and resistance to impact and abuse. The Versaroc boards are light weight and flexible making the boards easy to transport and easy to install.

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