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ALPEN High-Performance 725 series fiberglass window installation with ThermalBuck™

ALPEN Window Installation at NAPHC2016 to Feature ThermalBuck

Alpen High-Performance Products will feature a window installation with ThermalBuck at the 11th Annual North American Passive House Conference Sept 21-25th in Philadelphia, PA.

Known for manufacturing super-insulating, thermally efficient residential and commercial fiberglass windows & doors (as well as architectural glass), this Colorado-based window manufacturer has over 30 years of experience in glazing technology, and an excellent reputation for craftsmanship and performance.

In 2013, Alpen HPP was the very first manufacturer to receive certification under the Passive House Institute -US (PHIUS) Certified Product Performance Data Program.  This certification uniformly and independently verifies product performance for use in the passive building industry.

Alpen HPP has since been joined by 10 other major window manufacturers in receiving this certification, including Intus, Marvin, and Zola.

Continuous insulation throughout the building envelope without any thermal bridging is one of the key building-science principles of a passive building.  Testing an installation of their 725 Series window with ThermalBuck, is just one of the ways Alpen is committed to finding the best ways to solve their customer’s challenges, and continually provide exceptional service.

The PHIUS is a non-profit organization committed to making high-performance passive building the mainstream market standard. It’s membership-based branch, the Passive House Alliance US (PHAUS) was formed in 2010, and now supports over 800 members across the US.  For more information on the key building-science principles of a passive building, please visit phius.org.  

ALPEN HPP

 

 

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.

 

ThermalBuck installation vs. wood buck installation - thermal break           

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.

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.

AIA Annual Convention in Philadelphia

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.  

Window&Door March:April 2016.cover of issue featuring ThermalBuck

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.

 

 

Rosen Shingle Creek Resort Orlando, Florida, RCI Convention 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.

IMG_0751Platinum 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

PHRC conference March 2016 John at booth explaining ThermalBuck benefits and features to attendees and presenters

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 24th 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.

HiResPHRCLogoThe 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.

RCI 31st International Convention and Trade Show March 10-15th in Orlando, FL

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.  

 

Pennsylvania Housing Research Center Conference - Housing Track

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

 

The Pennsylvania Housing and Research Center presents the 24th 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.  

Greenbuild 2015 Expo close up of ThermalBuck wall section detail

ThermalBuck named “Greenest of the Green at Greenbuild”

Greenbuild International Conference & Expo is the world’s largest conference dedicated to green building.  This premier industry event brings together professionals from all aspects of the building community to learn about the newest ground-breaking green building products, services and technologies.

2015’s event was held November 16th through the 20th in Washington D.C., hometown of the USGBC headquarters.   The expo floor was packed with hundreds of new products focused on improving the energy efficiency and environmental impact in the green building community.

Over 500 exhibitors joined nearly 20,000 attendees from across the world, to showcase products and services that impact the green building community. New products and innovations are what every company wants to showcase, and with this innovative group, the competition for recognition is strong.

The editors of “Environmental Building News” walked the floor looking for products that were worthy of that attention. EBN is a feature on Building Green, which is recognized as the leading source for environmentally responsible design & construction.

ThermalBuck selected by BuildingGreen as one of the “Greenest of the Green Energy Saving Products” of the 2015 Greenbuild Expo
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