Author: ThermalBuck

September 9, 2016

Building Codes – Get Into the Zone

Building codes provide the minimum requirements for what all builders have to do (in order to follow the law, that is) when constructing and maintaining buildings.The variances between building codes in different states or even different regions within states has everything to do with one main consideration – the climate.

Climate has a significant impact on building codes, energy codes in particular.

What makes perfect sense for good moisture management in one climate varies wildly from that of another region. It can even be quite different within one state. California is the most varied state – Marine, Hot-Dry, Mixed-Dry, and Cold. Builders really have to understand the particular climate they’re working with in order to follow good building science principles.

ICC Climate Zone Map

Surprisingly, prior to 2004 there was no universal climate zone map for the U.S. for use with building codes. At that time, ASHRAE (American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers) used 38 different climate groupings, while the IECC used 33 different zones based on county boundaries. That’s a lot of climate chaos.

Recognizing the need for an easier way to define climate, researchers at the U.S. Department of Energy’s Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (in conjunction with Building America) prepared a simplified map, and the 2004 IECC Supplement was the first model energy code to adopt this new climate zone map (map from ICC shown above).

Temperature & Humidity

Temperature and humidity are the two primary factors that influence the 8 climate zones in the U.S. Each of the eight zones are further divided into five climate “categories”:

8 Subarctic (Alaska only)
7 Very Cold
6 Cold
5 Cold
4 Mixed Humid or Mixed Dry
3 Hot-Humid or Hot-Dry (some Marine)
2 Hot-Humid or Marine
1 Hot-Humid

If you’re a true building science guru, you’ll want to better understand something called “degree days”, or accumulated temperature calculations. The Energy Vanguard Blog has an excellent piece by building science expert Allison Bailes III, that dives deeper into temperature and moisture divisions.

Climate-Based Resources for Builders

Considering that several states are in multiple climate zones, the DOE Building Best Practices Series issued the “Guide to Determining Climate Regions by County”, a helpful resource for builders listing every county within that state, and which climate category to follow in each county.

There are multiple climate-based Best Practices guides available for builders through the DOE Building America Program, which focus on real-world case studies that demonstrate solutions to improve whole-house energy performance for new and existing homes in the five major climate regions.

For a direct link to these climate-based case guides for all climates, visit energy.gov.

The DOE Building Technologies Program works to improve the energy efficiency of buildings in the U.S. through educating builders on better building practices, and technological advancements in materials and techniques. Energy-Star and Zero-Energy Ready are just a a few of their recognizable efforts in place and on track to meet significant goals by 2020.

August 26, 2016

Code is Not a Four-Letter Word…

One thing you realize pretty quickly while researching building codes, is that there is a lot more information out there, than there is time to read it.

ICC – International Code Council

The starting point for all building code information is the ICC, International Code Council, whose mission is: to provide the highest quality codes, standards, products and services for all concerned with the safety and performance of the built environment.

The ICC develops the most comprehensive guide to building safety and fire codes used across the U.S. Each individual state operates uniquely in their legislative process to adopt codes, and code adoption isn’t necessarily statewide. Local governments can make their own decisions, and states can pick and choose what sections they want to adopt, change, or remove completely. Wondering how it works in your state? Start with this code adoption process by state link.

International Code Adoption by State

The next logical step is to find out which codes they adopted through their process. Start with the International Codes-Adoption by State chart (updated May 2016), which lists each of the states and U.S. territories, and which codes they have adopted. Energy code, residential code, mechanical code – you name it. If it’s related to building, it’s regulated, and it’s on this list.

Once you know which version of the code the state has accepted, the nitty-gritty research begins. Detailed publications for each state are available for purchase through the ICC. They also have a great feature called “toolkits“, which offers federal, state, and local overviews. A link called “Who to Call?” lists each state’s Chapters, Board Liaisons, and Government Relations Representative.

Which Codes Matter?

Of course the short answer is – all of them. But it really depends on what answers you’re looking for. Read more

June 23, 2016

ThermalBuck Outperforms Wood Bucks 2:1 – Thermal Transfer Testing

Improving the energy-efficiency of new and existing construction has long been a focus of the building industry. When it comes to insulation, exterior is the choice of many architects and builders, because it eliminates the thermal bridging through the studs.

However, continuous insulation presents its own unique challenges with installing windows and flashing the rough openings. The mounting point is no longer flush with the sheathing, it must be extended out to meet the exterior insulation depth. Rough openings are always a weak spot for potential water infiltration – and extending the mounting point for windows compounds the problem.

Until ThermalBuck hit the market, there really wasn’t a good way to insulate and create a thermal break around the mounting points of windows & doors. The traditional method to bump out windows was to build a wood window buck. Wood does extend the mounting point, but it doesn’t hold up well to moisture, and it has a low insulating value. With an r-value range of 4.4 per inch, ThermalBuck is a better insulator than wood. But how much? We performed some third-party testing to find out.

Thermal Transfer Performance: ThermalBuck vs. Wood Buck

Using thermal imaging, we recorded the performance of ThermalBuck against a traditional wood buck in a controlled environment. In the two mock-ups below, three temperature sensors were placed on both the ThermalBuck installation (l) and the wood buck installation (r). The temperature condition on the exterior of the structure was -6.67 ºF, and the indoor of the structure 72.76 ºF.

Performance -Thermal Image wood buck vs. ThermalBuck thermalbuck vs. wood window buck

These photos show two window installations side by side. (l) ThermalBuck (r) traditional wood buck.

54% More Heat Transfer with Wood vs. ThermalBuck

On the exterior of the structure (point A) the wood buck looses 7.88 ºF, or 14.55 ºF total degrees from the outside temperature. ThermalBuck only loses .11 ºF , or 6.78 total degrees from the outside temperature. The wood window buck allows twice as much energy to escape, while the window installation with ThermalBuck is effectively limiting thermal bridging.

thermalbuck vs wood buck thermal transfer testing drawings

thermalbuck insulating value data charts with Rockwool photo vertical

ThermalBuck High-Performance window buck creates a significant thermal break at the mounting points of windows & doors. Using ThermalBuck as part of your continuous insulation solution is an effective way to limit the amount of thermal bridging that occurs through your building envelope.

To learn more about thermal bridging, see what the experts have to say at greenbuildingadvisor.com

Editor’s Note: This article was updated in July 2018. The testing results and thermal images were not changed.

April 25, 2016

Two Premier Building Publications Take Notice of ThermalBuck

It’s a great day when the largest residential construction magazine finds your product, and writes about it.

ThermalBuck had that good fortune on April 1st when Scott Gibson, former editor at Fine Homebuilding, wrote “An Alternative to Wood Bucks “, which was also featured as “Green Building News” at greenbuildingadvisor.com on April 4th.

Scott covered the basics of using bucks, and compared the benefits and features of ThermalBuck with the drawbacks of using wood, which had really been the only material choice until now. He also reviewed the product components, dimensions, and purchasing information. The piece finished with a mention of ThermalBuck receiving recognition at Greenbuild 2015 as one of the “Top Ten Greenest of the Green.”

Fine Homebuilding has been a sought-after resource for over 30 years for individuals focused on residential homebuilding, remodeling, and design. It’s content includes in-depth best practices, along with industry trends, tool and material reviews, and interviews with key figures in the building industry. Nearly 20,000 paid subscribers look to finehomebuilding.com for information, and circulation for the print edition tops 160,000.

Green Building Advisor is for the reader more focused on building science expertise. Designing, building and remodeling high-performance, energy-efficient homes is a niche that continues to explode, and this digital-only publication provides easy access to the latest advancements. With a highly active social media platform, and a number of blogs with dedicated followers such as “Musings of an Energy Nerd” , Green Building Advisor is an excellent resource, packed-full of accurate, reliable information.

Both sites offer unique conversational interaction with subscribers, allowing comments and Q&A’s at the end of each piece. What a great way for ThermalBuck to answer readers questions and concerns on the spot, and it also provided us with some excellent feedback to consider as our product develops and evolves.

Fine Homebuilding and Green Building Advisor are both publications of Taunton Press. Their editors are former builders, remodelers, and designers, offering real experience and in-depth knowledge on a full complement of information. For subscription information for Fine Homebuilding, click here. For a free trial membership to GBA, click here.

April 7, 2016

ThermalBuck to Exhibit at the Architecture and Design Event of The Year

The American Institute of Architects (AIA) is hosting their annual convention in the historic city of Philadelphia, May 19th -21st.

Billed as the architecture and design event of the year, attendees from all over the world will gather to attend workshops, seminars and events, and collaborate with experienced and emerging professionals in their field.

Some of the unusual and highly coveted experiences such as the tour of “Historic Boathouse Row” sold out early. But plenty of great workshops are tours still have spots available. First on our list is “The New Building Envelope”, featuring presenters Douglas Noble and Karen Kensek of the University of Southern California School of Architecture, and co-founders of the Facade Tectonics Institute. Also part of the presentation panel for this session are Mic Patterson and Jeffrey Vaglio, of Enclos, one of the largest specialty contractors in the US.

ThermalBuck joins nearly 800 exhibitors displaying the latest in products and technology. Please be our guest on the expo floor at AIA 2016, and view our wall displays in person to see exactly how ThermalBuck outperforms traditional wood bucks to build a better building envelope.

April 1, 2016

Window & Door Magazine Introduces ThermalBuck to the Fenestration Industry

ThermalBuck is proud to be introduced as a new product to the fenestration industry in “The Manufacturing Issue” of Window & Door Magazine, March/April 2016. Other products of note from companies such as Crystal Pacific Window & Door Systems, Therma-Tru, Solar Innovations, and Weather Shield Windows & Doors were also introduced to the market.

Of the 11 issues of W&D published annually, this particular issue has quickly become known as one of the “trademark” issues. A newer addition to the editorial calendar of Window & Door, it has gained recognition for providing the industry with an excellent annual overview of issues that affect manufacturers at large, and key components to maintaining and elevating their position in the industry. “The Manufacturing Issue” is an excellent resource and educational tool for all facets of fenestration.

The highlight of the issue is the list of the Top 100 Manufacturers. The top manufacturer in the category “More Than $1 Billion” was Andersen Corporation, followed up by Formosa Plastics Group and Jeld-Wen in the second and third spot. Top three in the next category, $500 Million to $1 Billion, are Fortune Brands Home & Security, Marvin Windows and Doors, and Masco Corporation.

While the issue is comprehensive, the team of Window & Door also offers an extended report available for purchase that includes bios and contact information, as well as detailed cross-references by product. For more information about purchasing this detailed report, visit windowanddoorcom.

Window & Door Magazine has maintained it’s status for years as the leading publication for the fenestration industry. A respected resource serving manufacturers, dealers, and distributors alike, it offers news coverage, market and design trends, expert articles on technology and legal issues, and product updates. For information about obtaining a digital or print subscription, or to sign up for their weekly newsletter with a circulation of over 30,000, get started right here.

March 25, 2016

“Making Connections” in the Building Envelope Community

When you fill one resort with 1,500 leading professionals in the Building Envelope Consultant industry, the air is full of energy with the constant spark of new ideas and collaboration. The 31st annual Roofing Consultants International Convention & Trade Show (RCI, Inc) was a record year for RCI, hitting all-time high numbers for both attendees and exhibitors.

Maybe it was the beautiful weather, the gorgeous location, or the amount of innovation in the industry, but the buzz from all of that energy kept going day and night from the trade floor show setup on Friday, March 10th, through the annual banquet on Monday night.

Platinum sponsors Soprema, Carlisle, and Firestone Building Products were just a few of the companies showcasing their extensive product lines. The exhibit hall featured over 150 manufacturers and services, while concurrent sessions covered topics like moisture management, improving roof reliability, and below-grade waterproofing. Smart planning on RCI’s part ensured that exhibit time didn’t interfere with educational sessions – we didn’t miss a thing. Read more

March 10, 2016

Building Science Tradition Carries On in Happy Valley

The welcoming staff of the Pennsylvania Housing Research Center (PHRC) organized an excellent line up of presenters and exhibitors for the 24^th Annual Housing and Land Development Conference, held on March 2-3, 2016 at the Penn Stater Conference Center Hotel in State College, PA as part of the 2016 Industry Education Week. ThermalBuck™ was proud to be one of the sponsors of Housing Day, and enjoyed the chance to catch a few of the outstanding presentations throughout the conference.

Theresa Weston, Ph.D, a member of the DuPont™ Building Knowledge Center, presented “Choosing an Insulation Strategy“, a highly-informative discussion about what factors really count when planning an insulation strategy, and how to compare and contrast the products available with the specific needs of each project. Example wall systems were reviewed, as well as the criteria for an effective R-value. Cost components and criteria are major factors, but not just immediate investments of materials and labor. Long-term costs are a significant factor, in both regards to performance, and reliability.

Our next session was entitled “Energy and Heat Recovery Ventilators (ERV/HRV): Design + Installation Best Practices for Balanced Ventilation Systems in Houses and Apartment Buildings.” Mechanical ventilation in a structure has traditionally been limited to kitchen and bath exhaust fans, to help with spot control of both moisture and odors. With the continual advancements in building techniques and materials focused on tighter building envelopes, and the updates in the 2012 IECC, the demand for whole-house ventilation has become much more significant.

Presenter John Semmelhack of Think-Little, focused on two specific whole-house mechanical ventilation systems, ERV’s and HRV’s. John’s in-depth presentation showed us how to navigate the challenges of understanding exactly how ERV’s and HRV’s work, what the difference is, and how to decide which ventilation system would be the right fit for a structure. Once a decision is made, the costs and functions of each different product available on the market can be significant. John’s extensive knowledge of the variables of these systems was extremely helpful, and also reinforced the benefits of utilizing experienced consultants for specific aspects of a project. One of the most beneficial pieces of information was a comparison of product certification labels attributed to each system, through both the Home Ventilating Institute (HVI) and the Air-Conditioning, Heating & Refrigeration Institute (AHRI). While both of these well-respected organizations certify products, knowing how to analyze the specific data on the labels is crucial to achieving the performance outcome that is desired.

Nothing is quite as costly as a lack of experience when making decisions, and these two presenters truly showed the value of gathering input and research, the importance of due diligence in understanding how to evaluate products and systems, and the need to make project-specific decisions for the best possible outcome.

The PHRC is truly an excellent resource for builders, architects, engineers, contractors, manufacturers, anyone involved in the building industry in Pennsylvania. If you haven’t yet been to one of their conferences, or participated in one of their webinars, we recommend you becoming a member, and including them as a valuable resource for building science advancements in the future.

For another great resource on “Whole-House Mechanical Ventilation Code, Safety and Performance Considerations” for low-rise residential buildings, please visit homeinnovation.com.

February 29, 2016

RCI 31st International Convention & Trade Show March 10-15th

Roofing Consultants International, Inc. will host their 31st Annual International Convention & Trade Show on March 10th through the 15th in Orlando, Florida at the Rosen Shingle Creek Resort.

Building Envelope Consultants from around the world will meet at this best-in-class educational event, and share in an excellent line-up of presenters and educational sessions devoted to excellence in the field. A record number of exhibitors will display the latest in products and technology, and ThermalBuck™ will join them for the first time at this event.

Come see us in Orlando, and view our wall displays to see exactly how ThermalBuck™ outperforms traditional wood bucks to build a better building envelope.

February 28, 2016

PHRC 24th Annual PA Housing & Land Development Conference March 2nd-3rd, 2016

The Pennsylvania Housing and Research Center presents the 24^th Annual Housing and Land Development Conference will be held on March 2-3, 2016 at the Penn Stater Conference Center Hotel in State College, PA as part of the 2016 Industry Education Week.

Builders, remodelers, code officials, design professionals and home performance contractors will gather to expand their knowledge with the latest updates in the residential construction industry. Topics include: Insulation in High Performance Housing, Emerging HVAC Technologies, and Water Resistant Barriers. The full schedule of events for Housing Day is available here.

ThermalBuck™ is proud to be one of the sponsors of this professional development event, and will display our wall section to show exactly how ThermalBuck™ outperforms traditional wood bucks to build a better building envelope.