Whole-house weatherization increases home energy-efficiency by identifying and resolving the home’s energy problems. Whole-house weatherization consists of four phases. These energy-reducing steps include a home energy audit, a selection of energy-savings measures, installation of energy-savings products, and post-installation test.

Here is a summary of the four whole-house weatherization phases:

1. Home energy audit

A home energy audit is like an energy report card for your home. You find out how much energy your home uses and learn the sources of its energy loss. You can perform a DIY home energy audit by using a year’s worth of utility bills to get an estimate of energy consumption. Or you can hire a home energy auditor who detects all sources of energy-loss in your home to estimate its overall energy efficiency.

2. Selection of energy-savings measures

After reviewing the results of your home energy audit, you can then decide what energy-savings measures you should take. In addition to changing your family’s energy consumption habits, common energy-saving measures include replacing appliances with energy-efficient ones, adding insulation, and sealing ducts and air leaks.

3. Installation of energy-savings products

The only way to combat energy-loss and save on energy costs is to implement the energy-savings measures that complement your home’s energy-efficiency needs. Whether you’re applying spray-in foam insulation or replacing old appliances, call on a qualified professional to get the job done right. Poorly installed products will not perform properly, which can end up wasting more energy and more money over time.

4. Post-installation test

Many professional home energy auditors will perform a post-installation test to verify the energy-efficiency measures you’ve applied to your home perform properly. When done properly, this can result in great tax deductions in both federal and state tax returns!

Considering whole-house weatherization for your home? Knez Building Materials Co. can get you started with their full line of insulation products.

Drywall paper is a dense durable paper that typically lines both sides of drywall panels, plasterboard, and wallboard. Drywall paper protects the gypsum-based plaster within its lining. Once the gypsum mineral has been mixed with water, during production, it is poured into standing sheets of drywall paper, where it is kiln-dried and then processed into panels.

The density of the drywall paper prevents the gypsum material from crumbling during shipment and installation, and the durability of the drywall paper keeps the gypsum from breaking when moved or nailed into place.

Drywall paper can also provide an additional layer of protection against moisture, mold, and fire.

Standard types of drywall paper offer minimal protection, which is to protect the gypsum-based plaster within the lining. However, basic drywall paper may not offer full protection against moisture, humidity, and fire. Be sure to use the right type of drywall panels for your drywall application.

Drywall panels intended for bathrooms, shower halls, locker rooms, and even humid climates require drywall paper that protects against moisture, water damage, and high humidity. Drywall panels with end-uses in electrical shafts, mechanical units, and stairwells and elevators require drywall panels and paper that is labeled fire resistant.

Drywall paper should be repaired if damaged. Scuffing, minor dents, and nail holes from misplacement can be mended with an application of a joint compound. The drywall panel is then sanded and, if necessary, repainted. Any trauma to drywall that drives through and breaks down the plaster, however, is extensive and may need full panel replacement, especially if the panels provide protection against water and fire.

Got more questions about drywall? Contact the Knez experts and visit the Knez Building Materials Co. blog to learn more about drywall products and our drywall recycling services. 

• Water Based Adhesives

Water based adhesives release lower levels of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) into the air compared to oil based adhesives. There is little or no risk of chemical or fire explosions, so insurance costs may be reduced when water based adhesives are used for large builds.

Water based adhesives tolerate wide temperature ranges, but their bonding properties may break down over time. Water based adhesives should be applied in stable temperature and climate conditions because most are not freeze-stable.

Precautions should be noted when using water based adhesive in industrial applications. All pumps, fluid channels, and tips should be stainless steel. A high volume low pressure (HVLP) spray gun is also recommended to reduce misting.

• Oil Based Adhesives

Oil based adhesives contain organic solvents. These organic solvents are flammable and emit toxins into the air. Large-scale oil based adhesive applications are regulated due to environmental and safety concerns. Increased costs associated with additional safety measures and the use of explosion-proof equipment can be expected for large builds and long-term projects.

Unlike water based adhesives, oil based adhesives can dry more quickly. There is no water to evaporate. Oil based adhesives do not freeze during application in colder climates. Rather, they harden but can be reheated and reused again. Oil based adhesives also resist moisture.

• Choosing the right adhesive

Choosing the right adhesive has more to do with the properties of the job than the properties of the adhesive. Consider these things when choosing which adhesive to use:

• Application process and method (e.g. climate conditions, surface prep time, etc.)
• Strength and stress requirements (e.g. structural, temporary, joint design, etc.)
• Environmental resistances (e.g. moisture, sunlight, temperature, etc.)
• Application size and dimension needed
• Color and cost
• Manufacturer’s guidelines

Go to Knez Building Materials Co. for more information about building materials and drywall recycling services.

The University of North Texas (UNT) 31,000-seat Apogee Stadium in Denton features sustainable designing in four areas. Perhaps the most notable area is water and energy consumption. Apogee Stadium is equipped with low-flow sinks, toilets, and showers, reducing water consumption by more than 50 percent.

A web-based system monitors energy production and three wind turbines produce close to 500,000 kilowatt hours every year, which will prevent 323 metric tons of CO2 from being released into the air annually. Energy costs are expected to be reduced by as much as 25 percent.

Another design feature of UNT’s LEED Platinum Apogee Stadium is its indoor facility. Occupants get plenty of natural daylight and facility staff practice green maintenance and operations. Paints, sealants, and flooring with low volatile organic compounds (VOCs) were also used to improve air quality for stadium occupants.

Other Apogee Stadium LEED Platinum features, such as native landscaping, preferred carpool parking, and paved walkways, enhance its surroundings. To boot, 75 percent of construction waste was recycled and 47 percent of new materials came from local manufacturers.

In addition to its LEED Platinum sustainable design features, Apogee Stadium has luxury suites, the Spirit Store, and a variety of amenities for sports-goers, visitors, and local organizations to use for community events and competitions.

UNT has three other LEED Certified buildings, including its main Denton campus, the Health and Science Center in Fort Worth, and UNT Dallas. According to UNT Chancellor Lee Jackson, “As a university system, we are committed to building campuses that minimize the use of natural resources and don’t harm the environment.” Jackson wants to see all future UNT buildings meet green building standards.

Check out UNT’s Apogee Stadium time lapse video here:

Roxul Mineral Wool Insulation is made of mineral wool that is both chlorofluorocarbon (CFC) free and hydrochlorofluorocarbon (HCFC) free. Roxul mineral wool is composed of two parts: basalt (volcanic rock) and a minimum of 40 percent recycled steel and copper by-product called slag.

The recycled slag and volcanic rock are melted down into a mix. The mix is then spun together to make fibers. The fibers are then bound with raw wool to make mineral wool. The mineral wool is cured and cut into insulation.

Roxul Mineral Wool Insulation has several superior properties, making it a high-grade insulation product with no volatile components. Because Roxul Insulation is made from natural materials and wool, it repels water, resists rot, absorbs sound, and resists burning and smoking from fire – its melting point is beyond 2100 degrees Fahrenheit.

Roxul Insulation is also easy to handle and custom cut, making it easier to get a perfect fit in any type of space. It’s this ideal fit that makes insulation an effective energy saver year round.

Roxul Mineral Wool Insulation is different from fiberglass insulation. One of the most notable differences is how each type of insulation performs during a controlled fire demonstration. Roxul Insulation remained intact whereas the fiberglass insulation disintegrated. Watch the fire demonstration here.

Another notable difference between Roxul Mineral Wool Insulation and standard insulation is structural makeup. Roxul Insulation has a denser structure compared to other types of insulation. The denser structure reduces the flow of air and the transmission of sound.

For more information on insulation and building materials, check out the Knez website or contact the Knez experts today.

Spray Foam Insulation by Knez Inc.

The California Energy Commission (CEC) recently passed legislation to recognize open cell spray foam as an energy efficient insulation for homes and low-rise residential complexes in California. Builders and home owners who use open cell spray foam insulation can now qualify for California energy tax credits and utility rebates. Knez Building Materials Co. highlights the latest on the open cell spray foam from California.

Open cell spray foam insulation is now part of the CEC’s 2008 Building Energy Efficiency Standards and its Alternative Quality Insulation Installation Procedures. Members of the Spray Polyurethane Foam Alliance (SPFA) California Task Group worked with CEC staff to help pass this new energy efficiency legislation on open cell spray foam in the state. Closed cell spray foam insulation continues to be recognized as an energy compliant form of insulation in the state.

“Open cell spray foam insulation, which has a lower R-value than closed cell foam, is ideal for vaulted ceilings, under floors, and sound barrier projects,” says John Knez, III. “Both open cell and closed cell spray foam insulations enhance a home’s energy efficiency by preventing air infiltration…It makes a lot of sense from a building perspective.”

California builders and home owners can apply for the energy credit after a Home Energy Rating System rater verifies the open cell spray insulation foam meets the Alternative Quality Insulation Installation Procedures inspection criteria, part of the CEC’s 2008 Building Energy Efficiency Standards.

The open cell spray foam insulation can be applied to ceilings, floors, wood framed walls, metal framed walls, and roofs. For more information, read the official “Alternative Quality Insulation Installation Procedures for Spray Polyurethane Foam (SPF) Insulation: Medium-Density Closed Cell and Low-Density Open Cell SPF” document available on the CEC website.

Check out this video from FOAM WEEK NEWS UPDATE for highlights on the CEC’s recognition of open cell spray foam.

 Open Cell Spray Foam Insulation

Knez Building Materials Co., Portland OR

• What’s your project?

Are you building new or adding onto an existing building? Are you renovating an outdated space or getting rid of it altogether? Building codes and regulations differ depending on what you’re planning to construct, change, or knock down. Pinpoint your project and then hunt down the appropriate materials and guidelines based on where the project is – our next question.

• Where’s the project?

Building codes and regulations vary by location. Generally speaking, there are three code divisions: federal, state, and county. Codes and regulations for all three divisions must be met in order to “be up to code.” For instance, it’s common for counties to have sign-size restrictions for new buildings. Additionally, fire codes are usually set at the state level by the state’s fire marshal and ADA design standards are a federal requirement.

Go to your state and county’s governmental website and search for building codes to learn more about permit procedures, inspection requirements, and any fees associated with your project. Homeowners may also find it easier to contact their local housing department.

• Who’s building your project?

It’s easy to get caught up in code. So, don’t forget about occupational and safety requirements. The Occupational Safety & Health Administration provides safety measures on everything from asphalt fume to welding, cutting, and brazing.

Hiring licensed contractors and certified specialists may also be required. Be careful not to confuse a professional license with a business license. A professional licensed electrician, for example, has passed exams whereas an electrician with a business license has business know-how and insurance (but perhaps hasn’t passed his exams – so be sure to ask).

• Are you building green?

Green building and LEED are fast becoming a building standard. The place to start is with the U.S. Green Building Council, or USGBC, which oversees LEED certification and its rating systems for residential and commercial constructions and communities. The U.S. Department of Energy is another resource where you can learn more about the Building Energy Codes Program which helps states adopt energy codes for energy-efficient building.

Visit the Knez Building Materials Co. blog to read more about environmental and building green, including how to recycle building materials.

Affordable Program, and an upswing in the housing market, the industry is getting back on its feet. Here are the highlights from the latest Bloomberg article on construction spending and the U.S. Census Bureau of the Department of Commerce.

Construction spending has been increasing since the start of the last quarter of 2011. According to the Commerce Department, “Builders broke ground on more homes than at any time in the previous 19 months and construction permits climbed to a one-year high.” Based on mid-December figures, building permits increased 5.7 percent and housing starts hit an annual rate of 685,000 in November (compared with October).

November 2011 turned out to be a very good month for the construction industry. The U.S. Census Bureau News, released early January 2012, reported that construction spending in November had increased 1.2 percent above October’s figures, putting construction spending at $807.1 billion (compared to $797.4 billion in October).

Additionally, there were significant gains in both private construction and public construction. Residential construction and highway construction had the largest growth from October to November at 2.0 and 1.9 percents, respectively. Educational building rose slightly from $71.5 billion to $71.9 billion, or 0.5 percent; however, there was no increase in spending in nonresidential construction – this sector’s spending stayed the same at $278 billion from October to November.

In the Bloomberg article, CEO John Lundgren of Stanley Black & Decker Inc. said, “To get any better we need some help from commercial construction [but] it’s not going to get any worse from a macro perspective.”

Though the construction industry is on the mend from a four-year economic low, figures from December 2011 will not be available until February 2012. Stay tuned for more construction spending trends on the Knez Building Materials Co. Blog!

LEED certification is a multi-step process comprised of a series of prerequisites and rating systems. Understanding how to build for LEED certification can be a complex process. Knez Building Materials Co. would like to start you off with the basics to LEED certification, which involves 1) selecting the right rating system; 2) meeting prerequisites; 3) registering with LEED; and, 4) undergoing LEED rating and certification.

LEED stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design. The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) developed LEED in 2000 to put into place and promote green design, green construction, and green maintenance. LEED measures sustainability and efficiency in several categories, such as water efficiency, materials, and resources, and in areas of education and regional priorities. LEED, however, does not measure all buildings or communal spaces in the same way – that’s where the rating systems come in.

There are LEED rating systems for new construction, existing buildings and current homes, just to name a few. To learn more about the different rating systems, read “LEED Rating System Selection Guidance,” which defines each rating system and outlines how to choose the right one. From here, you can find out if it meets the Minimum Program Requirements (MPRs) needed to register with LEED.

After registration, a third-party vendor certified by the Green Building Certification Institute rates your project or property on the LEED 100-point scale. There are four possible certification levels – Certified, Silver, Gold, and Platinum – based on the number of points earned during the rating process.

And that’s LEED certification in a nutshell, friends. We recommend visiting the USGBC website to learn more about LEED certification and find the latest updates in the LEED certification process, starting with LEED 2012.

Knez Building Materials Co. is proud to contribute to the green building movement by recycling drywall and by also educating consumers about environmental and green building through the Knez Building Materials Co. blog.

Photo Courtesy of USGBC LEED

Alpha One Spray Foam and Coatings, a Louisiana-based roof restoration specialist, renovated a 23,000 square-foot pedestrian deck for Northwestern State University of Louisiana’s Sylvan Friedman Student Union in Natchitoches, Louisiana. Alpha One partnered with Roofing Solutions to complete the 20-day polyurea / urethane deck-coating project in 2011.

The Northwestern State University Build deck-coating project consisted of several phases. First, the Alpha One Spray Foam and Coatings team removed the surface layer of Epoxy Pressed Gravel from the student union’s pedestrian deck. Following removal of the 1-inch surface layer, the team checked the 23,000 square-foot surface. In an article for SprayFoam.com, Alpha One Owner Steven Loga said team members checked the surface’s integrity with hammers in hand. Commenting on the project, Loga explained, “If the epoxy decking was secure, a ‘thud’ sound would be heard. If the original epoxy gravel had separated, hollow sounds would be made.”

The Alpha One team then hammered out all of the hollow spots on the NSU student union pedestrian deck and applied structural cement to the newly-made cavities. After curing, cracks were checked and chipped and rods were placed in the expansion joints. The team applied three VersaFlex products to fill the joints, prime the area, and reinforce the seams.

Alpha One team members applied Neogard Tan Urethane Coating to base coat the surface deck, completing the polyurea / urethane deck-coating restoration project 10 days ahead of schedule.

Watch the Alpha One Spray Foam and Coatings’ NSU project highlights on Foam Week TV:

Knez Building Materials Co. specializes in insulation contracting and insulation products, building supplies, and drywall recycling. With six Knez locations in Oregon and Washington, call on the Knez experts to handle your building and home restoration projects. Check back often to read about the NSU build and other industry news on our Knez Building Materials blog.