Community: Green products and materials

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1 Answer
PBDE free fire stop material

Can anyone recommend a PBDE free fire stop foam to seal areas around electrical cables and plumbing runs to meet building code requirements? I am assuming there must be one since the PBDE's are banned in California. I haven't been able to find one.

Asked By Arlene DiMarino | Mar 21 11
9 Answers
Should I use Closed Cell foam on the underside of my hardwood floor?

Renovating an old house.
I am going with closed cell on the attic roof (rafters are only 2x4 so open cell not an option).
The same guy thinks I should use closed cell (just 1") under the floor of my house. Of course others say I should use open cell.

My hardwood floor is White Oak from the 20's....
I live in Austin, TX, so some humidity.
There is nothing under it except the crawl space (about 2.5 feet).
So the 1" of closed cell would spray right up onto the hardwood directly from the underside.....

Asked By Ryan Gullahorn | Mar 23 11
15 Answers
3M All Weather Flashing Tape 8067

The literature from 3M says "High tack adhesive sticks and stays stuck to most common building materials".
There are also test results for adhesion to poly, housewrap, OSB and anodized aluminum...

Anybody know how well this tape adheres to concrete?

Asked By Lucas Durand - 7A | Mar 17 11
8 Answers
ESL Lights

Anyone have experience with ESL light bulbs? Just heard about them and they look interesting, but just like any new technology, they often don't turn out to be as wonderful as they are touted to be. http://www.jetsongreen.com/2011/01/vu1-esl-versus-cfl-led-bulbs.html

Asked By Carl Seville | Jan 21 11
1 Answer
Helyodine Gobi Collectors and Superstor SE Tank the best choices?

Anyone have any perspective on the relative quality/performance of Helyodine Gobi 410 Collectors and a Superstor 80 Gallon SE Tank with stainless steel Solarflex piping for a solar thermal system for a 4BR house in Massachusetts?

Just wondering if anyone knows of any better options for the collectors and tank or can confirm that these are about the best options available?

Also, how well we should expect this combination of components to perform over time? (including how long should it last...)

Thanks very much for any advice and perspective!

Asked By Karen Miller | Mar 20 11
2 Answers
An Illbruck vapor-permeable window flashing tape for the sill?

Stumbled upon a window flashing illustration that shows a flashing tape being used on the OUTSIDE of a window flange at the sill (see image.) The tape has a butyl layer strip for the window flange, and possibly a adhesive backing on the lower portion (not clear), like it creates a vapor permeable pocket/flap.
[I guess you could craft something similar with narrow flashing tape and permeable housewrap.]

Anyone seen, used, or have any info or comments on this?
I haven't had much luck Googling for specifics on that exact product.

Asked By bob coleman | Mar 16 11
1 Answer
Driveway material 29 SRI or better

We are building a LEED Platinum home and needing to figure out what driveway material to pick... 29 SRI or better. It's a shingle style home close to Boston and trying to balance looks and cost. Thank you for suggestions!

Asked By Karen Miller | Mar 16 11
1 Answer
Insulated Vinyl

A question, given that the IECC recommends R7.5 for exterior foam (in my area) is it asking for trouble to use the insulated vinyl products? It seems like they are mostly EPS, Mastic's site claims it has a PERM rating of 5.0. But to my (limited) knowledge, no one claims more than R4. To be clear, I'm not planning on using it, so please no vinyl is evil diatribe. Just curious if this stuff is a disaster waiting to happen.

Asked By Aaron Vander Meulen | Mar 15 11
4 Answers
Zip walls and Perm rating

I have noticed over the last few months that there seems to be some disagreement about the permeability of the Zip wall system. There are some that say the Zip sheathing is not a vapor permeable product. I have frequently read that the zip system will not allow drying to the exterior of a wall assembly. I have even read on some forums and blogs that the Zip system should not be used with double wall construction and cellulose. However, I have contacted Huber several times and have been told that the OSB component in the Zip system is 2-3 perms and the WRB facing is 12-16 perms.

Asked By Joseph Garten | Mar 7 11
0 Answers
Spray Foam Polymers ThermoSeal spray foam, anyone heard of or used it?

I am thinking about getting a few areas of my house spray foamed with closed-cell foam, one of my local contractors uses Spray Foam Polymers ThermoSeal spray foam. I have never heard of them and can not find much information other then what they have on there website. It seems to be a small company and I can not find any information from people who have used their foam products.

Has anyone used there products in their house and were they happy with the results?

Thanks!

Asked By Sam Skaff | Mar 9 11
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