Walls & Ceilings April 2011

Feast your ears on this… Turn to page 13 for more info

April 2011

Volume 74, Issue 4

The Voice of the Industry Since 1938™ WC03114CERTCEIL-CC.indd 1

C O N V E N T I O N

C O M P A N I O N

I S S U E

2/17/11

FOUR? SCORE. National Gypsum introduces e2XP Tile Backer, the final piece of the puzzle for extended exposure fiberglass-faced gypsum panels. Designed for use as a substrate for interior tile applications in high moisture areas, e2XP Tile Backer is the perfect fit for interior residential and commercial applications. To learn more about our complete family of e2XP products, including Sheathing, Shaftliner, Interior Extreme and Tile Backer, visit purplechoice.info.

Technical Info: 1-800-NATIONAL or visit nationalgypsum.com

R

FOR

RUST

MOISTURE LABOR

The Contractor ’s Choice. GRAY or TAN foundation sill screeds and casing beads, for stone veneer applications, look

Foundation Sill Screeds

great and eliminate painting. Get a rustproof job that saves Termination Beads

STONE VENEER

COLOR TRIMS

time and money – with moldedin, permanent, non-chipping color that looks good too!

The rustproof alternative to metal laths, Ultra-Lath® is easy on hands and easy to install.

ULTRA-LATH® Plastic Lath

RUSTPROOF PLASTIC LATH Improve moisture End cap fits window/door drip edge

management and job quality with our patented low profile end caps. For 1" • 1-1/2" • 2" foam systems.

LOW PROFILE END CAPS For more than 40 years, Plastic Components’ PVC trims have delivered proven remedies for rustproofing your installation, lowering installed costs and controlling moisture.

Our matching reveals and intersections control moisture in stucco-clad structures – and deliver a great-looking result.

We are also the only trim manufacturer whose products are Listed by Warnock-Hersey for superior quality and proven compliance with ASTM standards.

No field assembly and no worries.

PREFABRICATED INTERSECTIONS us in Visit 18

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8 0 0 . 3 2 7 . 7 0 7 7 • F a x 3 0 5 . 8 8 7 . 2 4 5 2 • w w w. p l a s t i c o m p o n e n t s . c o m © 2010 Plastic Components, Inc

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Up Front

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Finish Line by Robert Thomas

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Smart Business by Jim Olsztynski

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Straight Green by Chris Dixon

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Industry Voices by Robert Wilson

departments

April 2011

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Trade News

16

Product Focus

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Toolbox

71

Classified Marketplace

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Advertiser Directory

Volume 74, Issue 4

on the cover

The Voice of the Industry Since 1938™

Omaha, Neb.-based Fe Fi Faux Studios Inc. designs and installs faux finishes and a variety of interior plasters for homes and businesses.

C O N V E N T I O N

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| Walls & Ceilings | April 2011

features

by Mark Fowler

18 Training Day A Texas train station repaired and refurbished with an eye towards the past.

22 Ambitious Artisans Three women in the plastering field get real, talk faux.

28 Soundproofing’s Speedy Evolution The science of reducing sound is only 90 years-old and now there are a wealth of options for making the world quieter.

32 Energy Savings Makes Cents Insulation is an investment that pays off in more ways than one and more than just once.

36 Annual Convention Companion Directory

ON THE WEB www.wconline.com Breaking News W&C Blogs Web-only Features Special Sections W&C Architect

W&C Digital Edition Media Kit Facebook White Papers/ Case Studies

INSTALLATION

SY STEMS Between us, ideas become reality™

armstrong.com/drywall4wc 1 877 ARMSTRONG

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FRONT

All Wet Can cement stucco and EIFS work in wet climates? The answer is yes and we can prove it. A recent study from the NAHB Research Center reported that brick veneer was the most dry of all claddings they tested. They really need to know all the facts. First, EIFS was omitted from the test, which in my mind was a good thing. Not because EIFS is bad but the test they performed was bogus. Second, the test was sponsored (paid for) by the Brick Industry Association and the EIFS and brick industries have been fighting each other for years. The test was performed on eight wall assemblies with wood framing and various “selected” claddings over them. As reported, each wall was exposed to the weather for a year. Here is the kicker: Each wall was constructed so a portion of the water-resistant paper was “compromised” and water was poured behind the cladding. I could have predicted the results before they even started the test. The brick veneer, the only cladding with a 1-inch clear cavity, won. The water flowed down the back side of the brick, never touching the building paper on the sheathing. If you think this proves that brick is

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| Walls & Ceilings | April 2011

better, you can put the same airspace on any cladding (we call it rainscreen). Now, if they would have tested brick veneer with a 1-inch airspace against similar wall assemblies that would be fair. The test was, in my opinion and from what I’ve read, 100 percent rigged and pointless. I will not trash brick as a cladding. It is a good cladding and a historic material but let’s be fair and honest about testing. Good construction means dry walls and bad construction means trouble, regardless whether it is brick, EIFS, wood siding or stucco cladding. A clear airspace certainly affords for some poor construction practices, but it does add cost. How about building it right from the start? Using qualified contractors, good details and traditional systems will keep walls dry at a reasonable cost. If you are into reports and must have one to back up your design choice, how about the ASTM STP

1269 on the life-cycling cost of EIFS and other claddings? EIFS, brick and stucco were all compared using good design and construction practices. The winner was stucco with EIFS coming in a very close second place for life-cycle costing of cladding for a commercial building. Of course, they all have to be assembled within industry and code standards. So, I guess if you plan to build it correctly, use EIFS or stucco. If you plan to construct the wall incorrectly, we encourage you to stay away from stucco and EIFS. But stucco in a wet climate? I was asked to visit a five-story condominium with cement stucco cladding installed over two layers of Grade D paper. The building sat on a hill in Seattle. The midrise stucco building with no overhangs was exposed to the Pacific Northwest’s famously nasty, wet weather for more than 10 years. An earthquake rattled the building and while the stucco developed a few hairline cracks, which were no issue, so did the window frames and they started leaking into the cavity of the wall. It was decided that the windows had to be replaced and that removal of all the stucco was basically the same cost as patching around all the windows. When I arrived back at the site, the stucco had been removed. T he 10 -year- old wood-based sheathing under the stucco looked like new. The lesson learned was good design, with good f lashings and a good contractor to install them, works. The architect who designed and detailed this cladding used basic flashings but required all penetrations to be walked and thoroughly inspected prior to plastering. He also set qualifications for the plastering contractors who bid the work in his specifications. He knew that a low price was just not worth it in the long run. W&C If you read this article, please circle number 388.

PLATINUM EXTERIOR SHEATHING

Platinum Protection for serious professionals

Jeanne McGrath, President Holmes Drywall Supply, Inc. One of the Midwest’s largest drywall distributors

“ We are very serious about meeting the needs of today’s construction professional, and for our customers nothing but the best will do.” – Jeanne McGrath Introducing Weather Defense Platinum™, Lafarge’s newest exterior gypsum sheathing offering superior mold and mildew resistance backed by a 12-month exposure warranty. Weather Defense Platinum is easier to handle and cut than traditional fiberglass-faced boards and has the industry’s highest percentage of recycled content (over 90%) for higher LEED® credit contributions.* Get covered with Platinum Performance. *For specific LEED credit information visit certguide.lafarge-na.com

www.lafargenorthamerica.com s 1-800-237-5505 Please Circle #106 On Reader Action Card

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EDITORIAL ADVISORY BOARD Bob Drury — Executive Director, NWCB Michael Kwart — Executive Director, ICAA Michael Gardner — Executive Director, Gypsum Association Steve Pedracine — Executive Director, Minnesota Lath & Plaster Bureau Jon Mooney — President, Acoustics by J.W. Mooney Elizabeth Steiner — Executive Director, ICFA

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LIST RENTAL Postal contact — Rob Liska: (800) 223-2194 x726, [email protected] Email contact — Shawn Kingston: (800) 409-4443-828, [email protected] WALLS & CEILINGS (ISSN 0043-0161) is published 12 times annually, monthly, by BNP Media II, L.L.C., 2401 W. Big Beaver Rd., Suite 700, Troy, MI 48084-3333. Telephone: (248) 362-3700, Fax: (248) 362-0317. No charge for subscriptions to qualified individuals. Annual rate for subscriptions to nonqualified individuals in the U.S.A.: $115.00 USD. Annual rate for subscriptions to nonqualified individuals in Canada: $149.00 USD (includes GST & postage); all other countries: $165.00 (int’l mail) payable in U.S. funds. Printed in the U.S.A. Copyright 2011, by BNP Media II, L.L.C. All rights reserved. The contents of this publication may not be reproduced in whole or in part without the consent of the publisher. The publisher is not responsible for product claims and representations. Periodicals Postage Paid at Troy, MI and at additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: WALLS & CEILINGS, P.O. Box 2147, Skokie, IL 60076. Canada Post: Publications Mail Agreement #40612608. GST account: 131263923. Send returns (Canada) to Pitney Bowes, P.O. Box 25542, London, ON, N6C 6B2. Change of address: Send old address label along with new address to WALLS & CEILINGS, P.O. Box 2147, Skokie, IL 60076. For single copies or back issues: contact Ann Kalb at (248) 244-6499 or [email protected].

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“Everyone should use MEGA LATH !” ™

The University Gateway Project, a 1,600-bed dormitory at USC, incorporates some 18,000 yards of Structa Wire’s Mega Lath product.

“We substituted Mega Lath for 3.4# metal lath and are glad we did. With Mega Lath, 3-coat stucco production is faster, stress cracking is greatly reduced, and end lap cracking is eliminated entirely. Everyone should use Mega Lath!” - Gary Paoli, President Premier Wall Constructors, Inc.

Structa Wire congratulates our customer, Premier Wall Constructors, on winning the prestigious Walter F. Pruter award for its multi-family residential project at the University of Southern California. These annual awards recognize quality craftsmanship, materials, and design in the construction industry.

Please Circle #296 On Reader Action Card

When our customers win, we win! 1.800.887.4708 | www.structawire.com

TRADENEWS CALENDAR APRIL 14-16 NWCB ANNUAL CONVENTION AND TRADE SHOW Fairmont Empress Hotel Victoria, British Columbia www.nwcb.org

MAY 12-14 AIA New Orleans www.aia.org

BORAL TO DISTRIBUTE BASF’S FINESTONE Boral USA has announced a distribution agreement with BASF Wall Systems for the distribution of its Finestone Architectural Wall Systems. The agreement provides Boral exclusive distribution rights for the Finestone brand in 11 southeastern states and a portion of Florida. Boral’s expansion into the stucco segment and alignment with this leading brand is a key development in expanding the company’s cladding strategy and balancing the product portfolio across both residential and commercial segments.

JUNE 22-24 PCBC Moscone Center San Francisco www.pcbc.com 22-25 TLPCA/SCWCPA Hyatt Regency Hill Country Resort & Spa San Antonio www.tlpca.org

JULY 15-16 FWCCA SOUTHEASTERN CONVENTION & TRADE SHOW OMNI Hotel at Chamption’s Gate Orlando, Fla. www.fwcca.org

SEPTEMBER 13-16 CONSTRUCT/TFM 2011 McCormick Place Chicago www.constructshow.com 22-24 ICAA ANNUAL CONVENTION & TRADE SHOW Contemporary Resort Orlando, Fla. www.insulate.org For additions or corrections to our Calendar, please call (248) 244-6404.

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| Walls & Ceilings | April 2011

CLARKWESTERN AND DIETRICH FORM JOINT VENTURE Marubeni-Itochu Steel America Inc. and Worthington Industries Inc. announced that they have reached an agreement in principle to combine ClarkWestern Building Systems and Dietrich Metal Framing in a newly-formed joint venture. In the transaction, MISA will acquire a 75 percent interest of the joint venture and Worthington will acquire a 25 percent interest. As part of the exchange, Worthington will also acquire the assets of the non-automotive service center business of MISA Metals Inc. consisting of three steel processing facilities located in Ohio and Tennessee. Both parties anticipate the deal will be signed by the end of the month. “We are making two businesses stronger by combining them in a joint venture,” said John McCon n el l , c h a i r m a n a nd C E O of Worthington Industries. “The economic downturn has been particularly difficult for the construction industry and by creating the joint venture, we best position them to be profi table now, and for success when the market begins to recover. We are also pleased that a large number of our current employees will have an opportunity to work for the joint venture.”

“The joint venture will provide our customers access to a broad product line, high-performing equipment and excellent customer service,” said Bill Courtney, president of ClarkWestern Building Systems. “Our combined technical expertise has the potential to benefit our customers through improved efficiency, innovative products and strong leadership. We are excited about the opportunities we can offer by having a broad distribution capability supported by our combined well-respected workforce.” The exchange of assets is being structured as a cashless transaction with the exception of working capital adjustments and other transition payments.

ABP REPORTS STRONG 2010 PROFITS National distributor Allied Building Products recorded a 147 percent gain in operating profit last year to $51.1 million even though sales increased only 6 percent, its parent company CRH reported. The distibutor’s earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization increased 54 percent to $82.8 million during 2010 from the previous year. Exterior products accounted for 85 percent, while interior products, including wallboard, accounted for 15 percent. EBITDA as percent of sales grew to 4.8 percent for the year from 3.3 percent, while operating profit as percent of sales more than doubled to 3 percent from 1.3 percent. “Since 2008, Allied has closed or merged 27 locations, many in smaller markets, and added three locations,” CRH said. “This process has provided an opportunity to evaluate Allied’s market footprint and to position the business for future opportunities. In addition, the business has concentrated on purchasing and transportation initiatives, rationalization of administrative and geographic oversight functions, thereby increasing efficiency, con-

WHAT AMERICA’S MADE OF™ .

We helped a timeless classic stay timeless. When the historic Miami Woman’s Club needed renovation, QUIKRETE® products helped restore the building to its original textured stucco facade. Over 50 bags of QUIKRETE® Fast Set Repair Mortar were used for structural repair. And over 1,700 bags of QUIKRETE Base Coat Stucco were used to match the original Mediterranean exterior. It’s further proof that no matter what you’re building, QUIKRETE® has everything you need to keep pouring. And with over 90 manufacturing plants, we can speed hundreds of high-performance products right to your jobsite. QUIKRETE even offers technical support. For a free construction product guide, visit QUIKRETE.COM or call 1-800-282-5828. Please Circle #349 On Reader Action Card

TRADENEWS trol and profitability. This aggressive operating approach has substantially benefited 2010 operating results.” The distributor also launched a new product initiative called TriBuilt Materials during 2010. The program is designed to differentiate Allied in the market at the same time building a brand identity.

GWBM ACQUIRES GRABBER DISTRIBUTION BUSINESS Great Western Building Materials announced that it has acquired

Grabber Construction Products’ distribution business in San Francisco. The transaction became effective Jan. 1, 2011. GW BM will continue to carry Grabber’s available products including drywall, steel framing, insulation, Grabber screws and tools. New products will include full lines of acoustical ceilings, FRP, lath and stucco and Sto acrylic fi nish products. Tinting will be provided at the San Francisco branch for all Sto products. GWBM will now provide

in-house stocking crews to accommodate contractors’ needs for all commercial and residential projects. Grabber will continue to offer its full line of fasteners and other products through GWBM.

MURCO CELEBRATES 40 YEARS Murco Wall Products, a supplier based in Irving, Texas, announces its 40th anniversary. The company was founded by Bud Murphy in 1971. The company began in Murphy’s garage and continues to be a family-run business. In honor of four decades of service, the company will be celebrating this achievement throughout the year with special events. Check the company’s Web site at www.murcowall.com for more information.

DRYVIT’S COLORANT TECHNOLOGY NOW AVAILABLE Dryvit Systems Inc. announced that its proprietary StratoTone high performance colorant technology is now available as an option for any project. The technology has been utilized on a limited basis for several years by numerous national accounts, helping meet their needs for bright, vivid colors with high fade resistance that matches their branded color standards. The colorants can be used in all company manufactured pigmented, textured fi nishes, as well as in Dryvit’s Demandit, Weathercoat, Weatherlastic Smooth and Revyvit coatings. In addition to its resistance to UV degradation, the pigments are VOC and APEO free, meeting the most stringent environmental and regulatory requirements. “StratoTone colorants offer the highest level of performance, which is what our customers have come to expect from Dryvit for more than 40 years,” said Tony Stall, vice president of marketing and sustainability at Dryvit Systems. “… architects can now specify virtually any color, on any project and get a warranty against fading.”

DRYWALL NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR FT. BRAGG DEATHS Conclusions from a broad investigation by the U.S. Consumer Product

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Please Circle #319 On Reader Action Card | Walls & Ceilings | April 2011

Product: Ecophon® Master™ Solo S Free Hanging Units Project: Sly Fox Brewhouse & Eatery, Phoenixville, PA Contractor: Benner & White Construction, Inc., Harleysville, PA

Feast your ears on this… M E E T EC O PH O N ® M A S T E R ™ S O LO S - A free-hanging, high density fiberglass panel with superior sound absorption on all sides for enhanced acoustical control. - Ideal for schools, offices, restaurants, or any other space where the look of an open ceiling is desired but acoustics are a concern. - Great for use in pre-existing or new spaces where traditional grid and tile systems are not feasible or desired. - Simple components make for an easy installation in any environment. - Simple integration of lighting components.

“The Ecophon® Master™ Solo S system was easy to assemble and install, which simplified this process. It’s a good system and it worked out really well for us.” –Tyrone Deschler, ceilings superintendent for Benner & White Construction, Inc.

“With Ecophon® Master™ Solo S, we were able to solve our acoustical problem while not interfering with the big, open look that we wanted in our ceilings. The new ceiling looks dynamite.” –Pete Giannopoulos, owner of Sly Fox Brewhouse & Eatery

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TRADENEWS SPACKLE BY DAVE COVERLY

Safety Commission presented to Ft. Bragg military officials and families found no evidence either of hazardous drywall or environmental factors linked to the deaths of three infants. This investigation confirms the results of previous analysis of Ft. Bragg homes by others which also found no link to drywall. Studies conducted by the nationally recognized fi rm Environmental Health and Engineering Inc. under contract with CPSC looked at the drywall to see if it met the criteria established by CPSC and other federal agencies for identifying “problem” drywall. EH&E also studied the indoor environment and the heating, ventilating and air-conditioning system to determine if possible environmental factors may have contributed to the infant deaths. The EH&E report presents data from samples taken from two homes at Ft. Bragg where three infants died. All chemical and physical testing and evaluation established that the drywall in the two homes studied did not contain the factors that identify problem drywall other than the time period of construction. EH&E’s environmental testing included nearly 400 different tests conducted for fungi, metals, pesticides, organic compounds, aldehydes and volatile organic compounds in the water, air and dust. From all this testing, only the levels of two pesticides, permetherin and cypermetherin, were found to be in the high-normal range. All other pesticides were either not detectable or in the low range. For additional fi ndings from the Interagency Drywall Task Force’s investigation, visit www.drywallresponse.gov.

DOW SUPPORTS HABITAT FOR HUMANITY’S REVITALIZATION INITIATIVE Dow Building Solutions is donating insulation and air sealing products in support of Habitat for Humanity’s Neigh-

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Please Circle #320 On Reader Action Card | Walls & Ceilings | April 2011

borhood Revitalization Initiative. The manufacturer will provide select products from its building envelope product portfolio, including Styrofoam Brand Extruded Polystyrene (XPS) Foam Insulation, Great Stuff Window & Door Insulating Foam Sealant and Work Wipes, and other products, as needed, for a Jonesboro, Ga., home construction project of Southern Crescent Habitat for Humanity. Launched by Habitat for Humanity International in 2009, the Neighborhood Revitalization program is designed to help Habitat U.S. affi liates support homeowners in distressed neighborhoods suffering from high foreclosure rates, abandonment and home maintenance issues. Southern Crescent Habitat is partnering with 70 low-income homeowners to complete exterior improvements and maintenance work, weatherization and energy efficiency upgrades on their homes. “This marks the 30th year that Dow has supported Habitat for Humanity initiatives, and we are especially glad

PEOPLE Tara Murray has been appointed marketing manager of Benjamin Obdyke Inc. Terex Aerial Work Platforms has announced that Tom Saxelby has been appointed to vice president of sales, North America.

Rainville

Jeff Rainville has been named director of sales and marketing for Polygon. The American Concrete Institute announced Kevin Mlutkowski, LEED AP as its director of sustainability.

to participate in this initiative for revitalizing and retrofitting some of America’s most distressed neighborhoods,” said Scott Young, global director of energy efficiency and sustainability for Dow Building Solutions. “The Jonesboro Neighborhood Revitalization program aligns with many of Dow’s 2015 Sustainability Goals, including energy efficiency, community success and local protection of human health and the environment.”

Mlutkowski

“Dow Building Solutions has been a longtime partner and supporter of Habitat for Humanity, and we are very pleased to be working together again on a project which will provide much needed help for this community,” said Larry Gluth, senior vice president of U.S. and Canada for Habitat for Humanity International. “Weatherization helps create affordable housing that’s energy efficient and can help low-income homeowners save.” W&C

ProÅts Right at Your Feet Hacker Industries, Inc., the leading supplier of gypsum concrete floor underlayments and acoustical control mats, is looking to expand its Licensed Applicator network. Broaden your product offering to both existing and potential customers with FIRM-FILL® Brand products. We offer the following and more. Technical Assistance Architect Support Onsite Training

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(800) (800) 642-3455 642-3455 • • (949) (949) 729-3101 729-3101 www.hackerindustries.com www.hackerindustries.com

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Gypsum Concretes

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Please Circle #321 On Reader Action Card April 2011 | Walls & Ceilings |

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product

FOCUS

on

Fasteners and Nailers Fuel and nail pack PASLODE The Fuel + Nail Combo Pack with a twist-on adapter, allows users of older-generation Paslode cordless framing nailers to take advantage of the convenient combo pack concept. Now the company’s cordless framing nailers can achieve optimized performance with the PowerBoost Black Tip Coated Nails (3 inch and 3¼ inch), which are only available in the combo packs. The coating is proprietary and allows cordless framing nailers to drive the nail flush into the hardest engineered lumber, such as LVL. The coating also translates into better performance at higher altitudes in parts of the U.S. where, typically, combustion-type framing nailers have had drivability issues due to the lack of oxygen. These nails allow remodelers and builders in high altitude markets to benefit from the freedom of cordless framing nailers without the hassle of hoses and compressors. The new nails feature paper tape collation which reduces scrap and eliminates flying debris. Plus, they are full head nails that offer maximum holding power, helping professional contractors comply with building codes where a round head nail is specified. If you read this article, please circle number 270.

Lithium ion system DEWALT The company’s 12-volt MAX* Lithium Ion system includes a 1/4-inch Screwdriver (DCF610S2), 3/8-inch Drill/Driver (DCD710S2), 1/4-inch Impact Driver (DCF815S2), 3/8-inch Impact Wrench (DCF813S2), LED Work Light (DCL510), Inspection Camera (DCT410S1), Infrared Thermometer (DCT414S1) and two combo kits (DCK210S2 and DCK211S2). The platform combines compact, lightweight design with industry leading features contractors need. The system can handle a variety of drilling, fastening and measurement applications and complements the company’s 18-volt platform. (*Maximum initial battery pack voltage, measured without a workload, is 12 volts. Measured under a workload, nominal voltage is 10.8 volts)

Manual staple and nail gun ARROW FASTENER COMPANY LLC The T50 R.E.D. professional manual staple gun and 1-inch brad nail gun is the first in the company’s new R.E.D. product line, which is an acronym for “Reliable. Ergonomic. Durable.” The tool is the only manual tacker capable of firing a 1-inch brad nail. It features U.S. patented drive technology that enables the user to set a staple or nail on virtually any surface. The staple gun features a high and low power setting that allows you to adjust when working with hard surfaces like melamine or softer surfaces like an upholstery project in pine. It also offers up to 40 percent more power than select competitive products on the market, which makes it more versatile on the job site. If you read this article, please circle number 273.

If you read this article, please circle number 271.

Screws for light gauge steel

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High pressure compressor, nailers

GRABBER CONSTRUCTION PRODUCTS

MAKITA The company has released its new high pressure pneumatics technology through new products. The technology increases air pressure created in the compressor and delivered to pneumatic nailers. The launch of the high pressure pneumatics consists of the 2.5-horsepower High Pressure Air Compressor (AC310H), the 2½-inch High Pressure Siding Coil Nailer (AN610H), and the 3½-inch High Pressure Framing Coil Nailer (AN911H). With a high pressure 1.6-gallon tank, the AC310H provides the same capacity as a conventional 5-gallon tank at 120 PSI, but with less noise and a more compact size for easier transport. The AN610H nailer can operate at 140-320 PSI, and with its high pressure capacity and superior power to weight ratio is up to 30 percent more compact than a conventional nailer. The AN911H has the power to consistently drive larger nails into dense materials like OSB, LVL and glue lam, giving framing contractors one nailer to handle all of their framing needs.

The company’s Spectrum screw was specifically designed to produce exceptionally high pull-out values in light gauge steel without sacrificing fastener drilling speed in these new materials. Spectrum’s 7 gauge shank diameter, buttress threads and reduced drill point all combine to offer superior drilling performance. Additionally, the fastener is ideal for attaching high density sheathing products to the new materials being used in the market today. For all 16 through 20 gauge applications, the screw is specially designed to work with the next generation of steel framing.

If you read this article, please circle number 272.

If you read this article, please circle number 274.

| Walls & Ceilings | April 2011

Sustainability – it’s serious business. CertainTeed Gypsum is committed to preservation of natural resources, recycling, waste management, and reclamation in our operations. We are part of Saint-Gobain, the world’s largest gypsum wallboard manufacturer. Our innovative, sustainable building materials can contribute to the built environment’s indoor environmental quality, acoustics management, fire resistance, and materials recycled content. To see how sustainability suits you, visit: www.CertainTeed.com/Sustainable

800-233-8990 • www.certainteed.com ROOFING • SIDING • TRIM • WINDOWS • DECKING • RAILING • FENCE INSULATION • GYPSUM • CEILINGS • FOUNDATIONS • PIPE

Please Circle #153 On Reader Action Card

TRAIN(ING) DAY P

rofessio f i by b Matt M Henson H (which ( hi h specializes in ornamental, flat plaster and decorative finish restoration on historic buildings) worked with Woodpartners of Houston to repair water damage to the Texas and Pacific Train Station in Fort Worth, Texas. The companies put their expertise into erasing the damage done by a leaky water pipe and recreating the “damage” of eighty years of exposure to the Texas wind and weather. The train station was built in 1930 by a Dallas construction firm and is a good example of the Art Deco st yle of architecture. T he main lobby was built on a grand scale (it’s got a 36-foot tall ceiling) to be a welcome and inspiring sight for travelers heading across the country.

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| Walls & Ceilings | April 2011

Th days The d when h A Americans i traveled l d exclusively l i l b by railil might be gone but some expert repair work by a first-rate plaster company has brought an historical jewel of the southwest back to life. By Alex Lundberg Travel by rail has waned over the years but the building is still in use—and still in use as a working train station. It was during a period when some rooms above the train station proper were being renovated that a leak developed in some water pipes. Eventually there was damage to the grand space below. That was when the building’s owners called upon Matt Henson. He and his company, Professio by Matt Henson, had worked in the train station a decade earlier when the building was renovated in the

late-1990s. Henson and his people knew the building’s owners and, more specifically, knew the building well enough to undertake the restoration of the old jewel. T he company k new the place well enough to be awarded a CSI Award for excellence in Craf tsmanship in 2002 for the renovation of t he plaster i n t he T& P lobby back then. Professio also re c eived awa rd s f rom H istor ic Fort Worth Inc. in 1999 and Texas Architects magazine in 2001 for the same project.

PIPE DOWN Now that a bad pipe called them back into the Fort Worth train station, Henson’s company had their work cut out for them. There were three different venues comprising 6,380 square feet total in two rooms for the plaster repairs needed to correct the water damage; on the walls, ceilings and tiles. Portions of the ceilings, with their “zigzagmoderne” relief, were cracked and effloresced. All of the loose paint and plaster was removed to reveal sound original substrate that could be worked with. The chalking plaster was removed, cleaned and reconsolidated with a mixture of alkaloid resins. The project was completed using USG molding plaster and USG finishing plaster.

Care was taken to preserve as much of the original finish as possible but parts of it had to be removed to reveal usable substrate in the areas near the damage to the ceiling. The areas that were cut away were consolidated, but in some places the crews had to recreate elements that were lost entirely. “The challenge was to do minimal damage and not remove materials where we could help it. Our quest was to fix things in place where possible and pull out and replace where we couldn’t,” Henson says. “If something was damaged we would add consolidated glue to the broken or dissolved surfaces.” He says they also had to keep a scrupulous record of what they had done and where. For historical purposes, he says special markings were

put on the building’s plans to show where they had done work and what was done. Eventually, someone is going to do some kind of work at the train station again and when they do, they’ll have a record.

CAST MOLDS Part of the building’s sugar cane tiles had been lost and construction crews used remaining good tiles to cast molds to make new ones as replacements. Some of the work they did on the site was done to prevent future work at the site. “We had to order a lot of masonite to protect the marble floor,” he says. Paint was its own problem in the restoration. Once all of the substrates were consolidated and the right moisture and pH levels were

April 2011 | Walls & Ceilings |

19

reached, the project moved on to the paint process. Sherwin Williams prov ided c ustom-m i xed , ha ndmatched paints for the train station. One might think that colors haven’t changed much in 80 years, red is still red, but paint is a much different product today than it was then and time and weather took their own toll on the existing color scheme. Por-

tions of the ceilings and walls had aged at different rates and there were subtle differences in the colors that had to be dealt with on the spot. The walls had a delicate color shift in the paint and that was most evident in the sheen. Eggshell, flat and satin sheens used today are more tightly controlled than they used to be and the paint crews were forced to

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| Walls & Ceilings | April 2011

experiment with different sheens to get the uniformity they needed. Henson says the most challenging matches were the glazed portions of the ceiling. Aluminum areas for the ceiling were bright and shiny, leading Henson and company to use an oil-based aluminum powder paint to match existing colors and textures. A dark blue latex glaze was then brushed on and wiped from all of the high-relief areas. The paint crews matched the gold colors by mixing acrylic and mica paints with a latex glaze that was lightly wiped from the higher elements. Even the newly-cast sugar cane tiles were painted with a soft brown glaze and wiped to match. The last step in the process was applying accent colors on the ceiling. People may not flock to the T&P Train Station to travel by rail today but residents and those passing through will certainly appreciate a solid and restored historic building. W&C If you read this article, please circle number 390.

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Ambitious

Artisa G

one are the days of a strictly m a le - dom i nated work force in construction. According to the National Association of Women in Construction, women account for 9.6 percent of the construction sector. Walls & Ceilings was recently made aware of three special talents in the U.S. from information shared by Specialized Building Products. The decorative finish line supplier suggested we profile some women involved in the plastering trade. Since this isn’t a subject the magazine has covered—at least in a while—we figure it’s time to feature a few in the field.

GEORGIA REACH Georgia Morrow Long is owner of Plasters by Georgia Inc., a subcontractor that does both commercial and high-end residential surface design and applications. The Laguna Beach, Calif.-based company works on any surface or materiall

Walls & Ceilings profiles three key female artisans in their pursuit of all things faux finishing in the plastering trade. By John Wyatt

within a building, such as walls, ceilings, floors, domes, fireplaces, cabinets, wood, glass and more. “My background as an artist allows me to see the interaction of colors and textures and my knowledge of plasters and application techniques allow me to turn the vision into a reality,” says Long. She got into the trades back in the early 1990s when she moved into a large house in Atlanta that needed a great deal of work. Long took a few workshops on plaster and as she put it, “fell in love” with working with the material. When she finished her home rehab projects, friends and neighbors began asking her to work on their places and soon word-of-mouth put

Georgia Morrow Long Sandra K. Lassley

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| Walls & Ceilings | April 2011

her in high demand. It was through this work that Long developed a business plan, formed a corporation, got licensed and joined the trades. “I discovered that plaster and decorative finishes combined my two favorite art disciplines—sculpture and fine art painting,” says Long. “The art is in the overall feel, the ‘gestalt’ that is created in the space. The art is also in the fine details when you look closely.” When asked what “gestalt” means, Long says, “When you first look around a room your eye should move continuously and not be drawn to any one spot. The room should give you a warm, subtle feeling and one of harmony. If it doesn’t, something is out of place with the colors, the textures, the placements or the perspectives. It’s like hitting an off-key note.” After 20 years, Long still continues to develop her skills by taking workshops to keep up on current trends and new products. She studied plaster techniques in France and Italy and taught Marmorino plaster application in Verona, Italy. She has participated in historical restorations—most recently in a 16th century church in France. All this hard work hasn’t been met without reservation, though. Long has had her share of skepticism from the old-timers. She does admit that the majority of those she works with are professional and respectful. “I give everyone respect and expect to be treated in a respectful manner,” she says. “I play fairly and I expect

ans everyone else to do the same. I am not afraid to stand up for myself if someone tries to blame me for something that is not my fault. The best insurance to avoid this nonsense is to have a close and credible relationship with your customer.” Not only does Long do her best to build good relationships, she also delivers a high level of quality to overcome any critics. In the case of Venetian plaster, she says any ‘ol plasterer can attempt to do it. Long says she treats this application like art. “Anyone can slap plaster on a wall but the trick is in making it look good,” she says. “The color and texture have to be just right in order to pull in all the other colors and textures in the room into a harmonious union. The plaster should be the backdrop, the palette, not the focal point in a room.” Many of the referrals Plasters by Georgia gets come from contractors who have worked with the company because they know what they can expect, Long says, adding that it also helps to have a loyal and protective crew that has a low tolerance for shenanigans.

HAVE FUN, WILL TRAVEL President and head designer of Fe Fi Faux Studios Inc. Sandra K. Lassley has been involved in the business of plastering for 21 years. Based in Omaha, Neb., the company designs and installs faux finishes and a variety of interior plasters for homes and businesses. Like Morrow, Lassley has had extensive training both in the U.S. and Italy. Her work has been featured in several trade and design magazines. The company has completed proj-

Plasters by Georgia Inc. is a subcontractor that does both commercial and high-end residential surface design and applications.

tight time frame,” she says. “The outside of the bar was plaster with a copper leaf wave through the center. The entire thing was studded with thousands of upholstery nails.” In regards to being a female contractor, Lassley also reports similar to Morrow that it hasn’t been much of an issue but still there are skeptics. “Years ago, the guys told me they used to place bets on whether I would be carrying in my own stuff, such as ladders, etc. for the job. By the time the week was over and watching us work, they had very positive comments before we left the job.”

CHICAGO CARROLL

Fe Fi Faux Studios designs and installs faux finishes and a variety of interior plasters for homes and businesses.

ects in the west, southwest, south, plains and midwest. In addition, this artisan continues her education by attending several teaching studios including Miller Wagenaar Studios in Chicago, The Faux Institute in Denver and Kelly S. Kings Institute of Decorative Finishes in Nebraska. Lassley has at tended trade classes through an industry group called International Decorative Artisans League in San Francisco; Charleston, S.C.; Memphis, Tenn., as well as others in Pennsylvania and Atlantic Cit y. She has enjoyed working on a home that was featured in the TV show “Extreme Home Makeover.” Last fall she worked on the walls of the 50 0 -yea r- old C ast le C ag l ia noa where she attended a class near Umbria in the Italian countryside. She does work extensively with Vella Venetian plaster products. Lassley was more or less born into the trades and was introduced to finishing at an early age. “My father moved to Omaha from South Dakota to open his paint and decorating business when I was a baby,” says Lassley. “I was raised around the painting trade. When

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| Walls & Ceilings | April 2011

I got interested in faux marble in the mid-80s, I told my father about it and showed him some photos of techniques I’d seen. He predicted this as the wave of the future.” She got into plastering and decorative finishes after reading an article about a southwest-style living room that had a decorative wall finish. She tried it on her own walls and home and says the results were inspiring. From that point she says she was “hooked” and began to educate herself on faux finishing. Lassley says that turning a space someone has dreamed of into exactly what they were looking for is the most rewarding aspect to her job. But there are challenges she says. Taste is subjective, so it’s important to communicate well and use samples whenever discussing a project with a customer. When asked about any special projects that the company found especially challenging but yet found the ultimate outcome rewarding, Lassley recalls a specific one. “A giant bar that we copper leafed, but accidentally sealed with the wrong sealer, which had to be redone before a party with a very

Kathy Carroll of The Chicago Institute of Fine Finishes and Faux By Kathy has been a part of the faux finishing industry for more than 20 years. During this time, she has been a working artisan, mentor to students and an instructor. When asked how she has become so successful in her field, Kathy says that she credits her success largely to her “genuine concern for the individual artisan’s success.” Her roots in decorative plaster date back to March 1988 when she opened her first business Gotcha Covered Inc. with her husband. The business started out as hanging wallpaper and straight painting. As the business grew, Carroll began making job estimates, which opened up new opportunities for her and the business. While meeting with customers, she was often asked interior decoration questions which she really didn’t know the answers to. Rather than send her clients to someone else for their interior decorating needs, Carroll enrolled in an interior design program at her local community college. Taking the interior decorating classes changed Gotcha Covered in that Carroll could now begin applying the education she learned. Soon, the company became a full-service design studio complete with five interior designers. During her time at the community college, Carroll honed her skills in faux finishing and expanded her knowledge base, but she was about to make another leap in her career. She was introduced to a muralist that was interviewing for a position at Gotcha Covered and was intrigued by the

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Fe Fi Faux Studios has worked on projects throughout the country and has been featured on the TV show “Extreme Home Makeover.”

portfolio. This interest led to the use of water-based colors as opposed to the oil-based paints Carroll was familiar with. She im mediately sought out training with water-based products and has not looked back. In 1998, Carroll decided to close the interior design portion of her business. Upon completing her training in the water-based products, she opened a manufacturer-sponsored faux finishing school in addition to her contracting business. After three years of running the school, she sold her contracting business to focus more on the teaching aspect of her career. Carroll sold her contracting business to an employee who is still successfully running the business today.

In 2002, Carroll opened her own school under the name the Chicago Institute of Fine Finishes. After opening her new studio, Kathy’s business continued to grow, adding to it her Vella line of products, her e-commerce site fauxbykathy.com, gofaux.com, an informational site for the industry, and learnfauxnow.com, Carroll’s e-Learning system that allows students to learn faux finishing techniques. Fauxbykathy.com serves as a hub where visitors to the site can purchase materials through her e-store, find information about classes and keep up to date on new products, techniques and industry news. To this end, her Web site is updated with new information every month.

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| Walls & Ceilings | April 2011

Carroll is always looking for ways to expand services for those that want to learn about the trade. One way that she has done this is through her “Learn Faux Now” online courses. Her new offering, “Quick Inspirations,” will follow the same concept of allowing online instructional services. It offers artists the opportunity to order completed samples and recipes of the featured finish, allowing them to update their portfolio without having to attend a class or make the samples themselves. Through her “Artisan of the Month feature” on her Web site, Carroll spotlights an artist in the industry by showing the finisher’s work and including their biography. W&C If you read this article, please circle number 391.

.

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PA1000 © 2009 SPEC MIX INC.

SOUNDPROOFING’S SPEEDY EVOLUTION

M

any argue that sound, reverberation and echo control began in ancient Greece. It was there, they say, that construction projects such as the Theater of Epidaurus achieved acoustics that allowed 14,000 spectators to hear sounds as minute as coins dropping on the performance space. These claims suggest humans have been enhancing sound for thousands of years but in 1922 an American physicist named Floyd Rowe Watson claimed that blocking sound is a far newer endeavor. “Before 1915 little was known definitely about [soundproofing] and cut-and-try methods were used when

A vinyl sound barrier behind a resilient isolation clip connected to the proper bushing.

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| Walls & Ceilings | April 2011

Blocking sound is an achievement that is in continuous development. By Eric Peters soundproofing was desired,” Watson wrote in “Sound Proof Partitions,” a book published in 1922. “These cases were usually isolated and few published accounts are available, so that little progress was made.”

THE CURRENT EVOLUTION Watson began to study and record the effects of various plasters, metals and outing flannel on sound, and by the ’50s and ’60s, materials and techniques as diverse as wooden studs, lead, furring strips, plaster,

A resilient isolation clip.

rag-filled cinderblocks and concrete were being used. “Another old approach to blocking noise was the ‘room within a room,’” says David Ingersoll, national sales manager at Acoustical Solutions Inc. “Entire walls were being built with space between them and the original walls.” While this method worked relatively well, it was far from ideal. “You would lose so much space and paying for labor, new studs and other materials, it just wasn’t

A mass-loaded vinyl sound barrier

 Resilient channels, isolations clips and mass-loaded vinyl sound barriers in the floors and walls as well as a mass-loaded vinyl sound barrier in the ceiling.

cost-effective in many situations,” Ingersoll says. One of the next steps in blocking sound transfer arrived when, Ingersoll says, soundproofing condensed into a single wall and was achieved either through a “mass game” or resilient channels. He explains the mass game was when people added as much massloaded vinyl as possible to the studs or joists, as well as layer upon layer of drywall to the outside of walls. Mass stops sound transfer, so the mass game did work but there comes a time when adding additional vinyl or layers of drywall is no longer an option. The answer to running out of places to add mass came in the form of resilient channels. Resilient channels decouple wall and ceiling surfaces from studs via metal bushings that create space. The small metal strips decrease the amount of surface area at the points of connection through which sound waves are able to travel, and because sound travels faster through solids, this was a very effective soundproofing tool. “The first resilient channels still weren’t perfect though,” Ingersoll says. “There was still metal directly attached to wood or metal studs, so some sound would still travel right through.”

Wall and floor/ceiling  acoustical treatment (resilient channels, mass-loaded vinyl and floor underlayment).

SMALL BUT STRONG As the rapid evolution in soundproofing continued, a small clip made the next big splash. Designed to attach to the metal bushings that create resilient channels, these clips employ small neoprene pads at the point of contact/transfer between the studs and bushings. The neoprene pads absorb the vibrations that once traveled through the walls. “Now that we had isolated the drywall from the studs and added mass inside the wall our attention turned to sealing joints and penetrations,” Ingersoll explains. “Corners, outlets, cable chases, we began to make sure every single crack was properly sealed with acoustical caulk or putty.” These small openings and joints are important because of what is known as the one percent rule. This rule states that a 1-percent opening will allow up to 50 percent of sound to pass through.

Fire-stop putty that is used to create acoustical seals around wires, electrical box outlets, etc.

Quiet Glue Pro is applied between two pieces of drywall to block noise.

The most recent step in the soundproofing evolution was the introduction of products like Green Glue and QuietGlue. These products were the first sound-damping compounds to be applied between sheets of drywall. Ideal for the retrofitting and enhancing sound mitigation capabilities of existing walls, these products are spread on the back of a piece of drywall that is then placed on the existing drywall. They work by distributing into various directions the sound that hits the first layer of drywall until that sound energy becomes heat energy and dissipates.

ish Columbia Institute of Technology believes “the acoustic industry needs to move from its traditional place inside a building to dealing with the exterior environment, and its impact through the building envelope with the user-occupied zones, be that either interior spaces, or exterior social zones such as balconies, terraces and patios.” Additionally, he says, “I am very interested in seeing psychological/sociological testing on whether there is a certain spectrum of sounds that are pleasant, and should be maintained for masking purposes, while frequencies of sound such as truck rumbling, or mechanical hissing could be isolated to create a more pleasant soundscape.” “I’ve noticed two trends emerging in soundproofing,” Ingersoll says.

MOVING FORWARD Wesley Wollin, an architect and building acoustics instructor at Brit-

April 2011 | Walls & Ceilings |

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SOUNDPROOFING “The first is that people are becoming far more interested in reducing foot fall and noise between floors, especially in multifamily dwellings.” He adds that using floor underlayment and adding mass to floors/ ceilings has been around for years, but only now does he see an influx in the amount of people and businesses interested in making it a part of their construction projects. “My guess is that it has to do with the fact that fewer rooms have wallto-wall carpeting now. Many people are moving back to hard wood and tile floors,” says Ingersoll. A far more obvious and prevalent trend, he says, is the movement toward environmentally friendly ways of blocking sound. “We’ve added as much mass and decoupling as we can, so the next step is about making it as environmentally friendly as possible. People either want to obtain LEED certification or just feel good about what they have in their homes and buildings.” Cellulose, which can be made from many different recycled products including paper and textiles, is an example of one of these new green products. It is similar to massloaded vinyl acoustically, but far more environmentally friendly. Where has this evolution taken us? As new soundproofing products and techniques appear, they don’t discredit those that have been used previously. For example, the “roomwithin-a-room” technique is still used in many recording studios. Instead of discrediting, these new products and techniques add to the potential effectiveness and ability to create more complete acoustical treatments. “It’s amazing how things have changed in just 10 years,” Ingersoll says. “Before, people just hoped to have a better sound blocking wall or ceiling, but now there are so many options, and people can choose different levels of treatment—good, better or best.” W&C Eric Peters is the communication specialist for Acoustical Solutions Inc., a soundproofing and noise control company based in Richmond, Va. He can be reached at [email protected].

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ENERGY SAVINGS I

f you could sell or offer your customers a sure fire investment of $1,700 in a seven-year CD and guarantee your customers a 10 percent return on the principle annually, would they buy? What if the accrued interest would be given to them annually tax free so they could nearly double their money in seven years? Would they invest? What if this investment instrument would be backed by a local company dedicated to reducing energy consumption in their community? This investment would even reduce their personal carbon footprint. Would they invest? If the energy efficiency provided by this investment was compared to auto mileage, meaning that a car previously getting 30 mpg would increase to 6,000 mpg,* would they invest? Did you know that there are specific government programs and tax incentives, both federal and local, that support this type of invest-

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| Walls & Ceilings | April 2011

Selling a responsible technology that pays dividends to your customer. By Dean Siebert ment?** Did you realize that your customers would sleep better at night and live more comfortably having made this investment? Do these claims seem outlandish, and too good to be true? It is not too good to be true and it is ultimately very simple. In fact, many of us are already in the business of selling this investment. The investment that you are asking customers to make is not in some secured investment found in a far-off country. It is very local—your customer’s home or building. Simply, it is insulation. Insulation will use less energy, save money, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and reduce your customer’s carbon footprint. More importantly, your customer will be more comfortable now. Insulating a home or building is one of the quickest and most cost

effective ways to reduce energy consumption. Doing this delivers a positive and immediate impact on the environment and makes us less dependent on foreign oil. Insulating a home’s walls and refinishing a basement delivers immediate dividends that include—but are not restricted to— comfort and long-term value added to a home. With the continuous insulation, your customers will pay less for their heating or cooling. The building or home will be more comfortable and your customers will have extra cash in their pockets. The U.S. Dept. of Energy reports that heating and cooling accounts for 50 to 70 percent of the energy used in the average home or building, and inadequate insulation and air leakage is a major causes of energy waste.***.

S MAKES CENTS ANNUAL ENERGY SAVINGS

The energy cost savings of basement wall insulation vary depending on the local climate, type of heating system, fuel cost and occupant lifestyle. Typical annual cost savings by R value in a few U.S. cities are provided in Table 1 for a 1,500-square-foot home with a conditioned basement heated by natural gas ($0.72/therm). This report shows that R-20 does not double the performance of the wall but can cost twice as much! Generally the second R-10 you add only delivers a little more than 1 percent of a return on your investment and a tenth of the performance. The chart below is simple and does not include the additional returns that are received as energy prices continue to climb. Look at an energy increase as adding to the principle of the initial investment. Savings always goes up in

value over time. The seven year payback calculation is based on the average length someone stays in a home before selling and moving. Essentially, when you sell the building you recoup most of your original investment and the principle investment can be withdrawn when the building is sold. But the value that was invested stays with the building. So insulation becomes a wealth building instrument for the local community because the investment stays in place. Understanding R value and performance is very important when you are promoting this type of an investment to a building owner. R value is a measure of a material’s resistance to heat transfer. A higher R value indicates better thermal resistance. Yet if we are honest with ourselves we all know that bigger is not always better. Even investing into R value is subject to a basic economic

principle known as the law of diminishing returns. In a government study on thermal performance, an unexpected result was exposed about the return on investment that insulation delivers in a basement (see Table 1). Additionally, more insulation changes the dynamics of the wall, movement of moisture and vapor transition through your wall system. How does slowing the drying affect dew point calculations? Where does that moisture go if it can’t move to the dry side? What does water do when it is trapped? Here is an analogy: You buy two loaves of bread. The one purchased at the grocery store is wrapped in a plastic bag and sealed tight; the other loaf of bread is fresh from the bakery and is in a paper bag. Suppose “you pass GO and collect $200.00,” and now you can eat out every night for the next two weeks. Lucky you, but you

Table 1. Annual Savings with Basement Wall Insulation †Such as 2 to 3 inches of foam insulation. ††Such as with most insulated concrete forms. U.S. Cities

R-10†

R-20††

Buffalo, N.Y.

$350

$390

Denver

$310

$360

Minneapolis

$400

$450

Seattle

$280

$320

St. Louis

$250

$290

Washington, DC

$250

$280

http://www.energysavers.gov/your_home/ insulation_airsealing/index.cfm/mytopic=11470

The Numbers: For simplicity the savings are averaged from Table 1 INITIAL INVESTMENT

ANNUAL TAX FREE RETURN

7 YEAR RETURN

INVESTMENT PERFORMANCE

R-10 INVESTMENT

$1,700

$307

$2,149

126%*

R-20 INVESTMENT

$3,400

$348

$2,438

72%*

*Results may vary as energy prices fluctuate.

April 2011 | Walls & Ceilings |

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ENERGY SAVINGS MAKES CENTS

have forgotten all about the bread. Upon your return to the mundane life of eating at home again, what do you discover? Which loaf of bread is dry and rock hard, and which one is a science project that has the Center for Disease Control camped outside your home? This is what could happen in your walls when you trap moisture inside a cool and dark place. What happened to the bread in the paper bag? Well the bread is rock hard, petrified, if you will. The paper bag allowed the moisture to escape eliminating an essential requirement for mold to grow moisture. So, R value is not the only factor to consider. Perhaps as important to thermal performance and moisture control is the impact of air leakage, the unwanted air infiltrating through the wall. Studies show that conventional framing with fiberglass insulation has .5 air changes per hour. This means that 50 percent of your home’s air volume is being exchanged every hour, and this air must constantly be

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| Walls & Ceilings | April 2011

heated or cooled. Additionally, uncontrolled air leaks through unwanted places transport moisture, mold, fiberglass dust, and other allergens.*** Continuous insulation panels, having an interlocking thermal barrier, will reduce air flow and air leaks keeping indoor temperatures constant, controlled, comfortable and clean. These benefits are like compounded interest on your customer’s initial investment: efficient home heating and cooling, reduced energy consumption, and improved environment. I n su l at i ng you r ba s ement or any of your walls with continuous insulation panels is fast, easy and cost effective. Continuous insulation systems are a wise investment for your home, for your pocket book and for the environment.

MULTI-STEP, MULTI-PART APPROACH/ PRE-ASSEMBLED APPROACH Insulated basements can help reduce energy costs. It is estimated that up

to 30 percent of a home’s energy can be lost through the basement’s wall and rim joist. Basement walls are controversial and difficult to insulate and seal. Moisture control should be carefully considered, and the advantages and disadvantages of each approach should be weighed against the economic costs. If you plan on marketing your services, or are considering an energy efficient basement upgrade, first you have to tackle any moisture issues that may already exist. Throwing insulation on a basement wall, and hoping for the best can lead to trouble. Moisture seeping in from outside of the house will get into the insulation, and, in the case of fiber-based insulation, it will dampen and reduce its efficiency. Trapped moisture can also cause mold and mildew to grow and this mold and mildew is dangerous to your health. The first thing to do is get control of humidity problems in your basement. It’s pointless having an energy efficient basement that’s mak-

REFERENCES *EPS insulation returns up to 200 times the amount of energy required to produce it. http://www.epsmolders.org/PDF_ FILES/EPS%20LCA%20brochure.pdf **Programs in your state, visit www.dsireusa.org Database of State Incentives for Renewable & Efficiency (DSIRE).

ing you sick. There are great resources on the web available for tackling this difficult job. http://www.buildingscience.com/documents/digests/bsd103-understanding-basements/files/ bsd-103_understanding-basements.pdf More Savings: • Requires less insulation (1,475 square feet of wall insulation for a 32-foot-by-60-foot basement with 8-foot walls, compared with 1,920 square feet including the ceiling) • C ont i nuous i nsu lat ion eas ily achieves continuous thermal and air leakage boundaries and includes wire chases for power management. • Requires little, if any, increase in the size of the heating and cooling equipment. The heat loss and air leakage through the basement ceiling is similar to that through the exterior walls of the basement. • For more information on ways to save energy and reduce your home’s heating and cooling costs, visit www.r21walls. com. W&C

***The United States Department of Energy (USDOE) states that heating and cooling accounts for 50 to 70% http:// www.ornl.gov/sci/roofs+walls/insulation/ ins_01.html If you read this article, please circle number 393.

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2011

CONVENTION COMPANION GUIDE This year’s Walls & Ceilings Convention Companion features an expanding roster of trade shows serving our industry. As usual, each of these shows will present its own unique display of exhibitions, seminars, workshops and award ceremonies. Whether you are looking for the latest in products, technology, construction code updates or education and training, each event offers plenty of value, networking opportunities and even some entertainment.

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AWCI ...................................... 37

Construct/TFM ....................... 51

CISCA ..................................... 40

ICAA ....................................... 52

EIMA ...................................... 42

Greenbuild ............................... 53

INTEX Expo ............................. 44

METALCON .............................. 54

NWCB ..................................... 46

Remodeling Show .................... 55

AIA ......................................... 48

STAFDA ................................... 56

PCBC ...................................... 49

World of Concrete .................... 57

Regional Shows ....................... 50

International Builders’ Show ..... 58

| Walls & Ceilings | April 2011

2011 CONVENTION COMPANION

AWCI Convention April 3-7, Paris Hotel, Las Vegas

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he annual convention of the Association of the Wall and Ceiling Industry will be held at the Paris Hotel, in Las Vegas starting Monday, April 4 and running through Friday, April 8. In addition to industry committee meetings Sunday, April 3 through Tuesday, April 5, expert speakers will offer the following education sessions, which will be held Wednesday, April 6 through Thursday, April 7.

EDUCATION SESSIONS • “What You Need to Know About ConsensusDOCS”: Don Gregory, presents a session that will address how ConsensusDOCS apportions the risks commonly encountered on projects, the diverse support for ConsensusDOCS, and provide a comparison to other standard-form contracts. • “After the Great Recession”: After a long, desolate economic winter, the surviving design and construction firms are hungry for backlog and the result is fierce competition for the scant projects currently on the bidding market. According to Jason M. Baumgarten, forecasters see the sun on the horizon signaling new opportunities as the market moves from recession to recovery. • “Getting Paid for Lost Labor Productivity”: Terry Kastner will present this session on how labor productivity in the construction industry is the largest single variable affecting a contractor’s costs. With the recent publication of “Impacts to Labor Productivity in Steel Framing and the Installation and Finishing of Gypsum Wallboard,” wall and ceiling contractors now have a tool for resolving productivity disputes between the owner, architect and general contractor. • “EPA’s Renovation, Repair and Painting Rule: Will It Affect Your Work?” Is your tear-out work compliant with the EPA’s new renovation, repair and painting rule? Santiago Concepcion’s session will provide the information necessary to determine if the regulation affects

your business. • “Strategies to Successfully Meet the New Energy Codes Using ThreeCoat Stucco over Thick Continuous Insulation”: Jeff Hansbro’s session will help contractors build to the 2012 International Energy Conservation Code. It will cover the approvals and prescriptive requirements for the International Building Code and ASHRAE 90.1 - Continuous Insulation. Installation challenges will also be addressed regarding the structural and thermal performance of walls with continuous insulation and those with non-continuous insulation. • “Maintain Your Surety Credit and Preserve Your Protections Provided by Surety Bonds in 2011”: In this session, leaders of the National Association of Surety Bond Producers will examine the issues related to surety bonding. The presenters will also report on the status of the surety market and on contractors’ ability to obtain and to maintain surety credit. This session will cover the outlook for the surety industry, fundamentals of bonding, bond verification and top surety bonding issues. • “Opportunities to Install Air/ Vapor/Water Barriers Behind EIFS, Stucco and Other Exterior Wall Claddings”: Bill Egan will present this session that investigates the growth of the market for air/vapor/ water barriers, define each type, review their functions, describe the typical product types used for these applications and highlight the key points related to installation behind a variety of exterior wall claddings. • “Sound Control: NRC and STC Ratings—Grow Your Business”: Noral D. Stewart, Ph.D. will discuss the principles of sound control in buildings, adding value to projects and growing your business. This session will touch on the basics of room absorptive treatments and wall design for good performance, performance ratings, factors other than wall design that can influence sound isolation and situations

where you have to look beyond the ratings to choose appropriate materials and designs. • “What’s the Scoop with All These New Generation Gypsum Panel Products and Systems?”: Michael Gardner will help attendees gain a better understanding of the proliferation of new types of gypsum panels. This session will discuss the background behind the development of new products and systems, explore the different types of panels and provide guidance on where the panels and systems are intended to be used.

SPECIAL EVENTS The Presidents’ Joint Welcome Reception will be on April 5. Join AWCI President Brent Allen and First Lady Cassie Allen along with CISCA President Bill Shannon in networking with colleagues and catching up with old friends—a great way to kick off the annual convention and INTEX Expo. Hors d’oeuvres and cocktails will be served. Sports jacket is appropriate. This year’s AWCI Opening Session and Awards Presentation Brunch is held April 6. The program includes the opening address presented by AWCI President Brent Allen and presentations of the AWCI excellence in construction quality and safety awards and the Pinnacle Award. Chef Jeff Henderson, New York Times bestselling author and America’s most inspirational culinary star, will motivate you with his triumphant story of change and the power of potential. Business casual attire is appropriate. AWCI Celebration Night Dinner and Foundation Auction will be held on April 6. This year’s theme, “Rat Pack Party” will be another opportunity to meet and mingle over cocktails, hors d’oeuvres and dinner before a tribute to Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and Sammy Davis Jr., followed by dancing. There will also be a silent auction and raffle drawings. For information, call (703) 5381600 or visit www.awci.org. If you read this article, please circle number 360.

April 2011 | Walls & Ceilings |

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2011 CONVENTION COMPANION

CISCA Convention April 4-7, Paris Hotel, Las Vegas TUESDAY, APRIL 5 9:00—10:30 a.m. Ethics in Construction: A Business Case for Acting with Integrity 10:45 a.m.—12:15 p.m. Keeping Loyalty Alive in Tough Times 1:30—3:00 p.m. Taking the Mystery out of Working Effectively with Architects 5:00—6:30 p.m. Emerging Leaders Reception 6:30—7:30 p.m. CISCA/AWCI Joint President’s Reception 9:30 p.m. Viva Elvis by Cirque du Soleil WEDNESDAY, APRIL 6 8:00—9:00 a.m. Annual Distributor’s Meeting 9:00 a.m.—noon CISCA Awards & Keynote Breakfast

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ttendees at the annual Ceilings & Interior Systems Construction Association convention will have the opportunity to network in a social environment in Las Vegas this year. CISCA is an association dedicated to serving the specialty acoustical ceilings and interior systems industry. Members are specialty contractors, distributors, manufacturers and independent manufacturer reps. CISCA promotes and supports the industry by providing a network of opportunities with industry leaders through education and a forum to allow the industry to interact, evolve and prosper. The presentation of the Construction Excellence Awards is always a highlight of the convention. These awards recognize CISCA members who produced the year’s finest examples of interior commercial construction.

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS MONDAY, APRIL 4 6:00—7:30 p.m. CISCA Welcome Reception 9:30 p.m. The Beatles LOVE by Cirque du Soleil—The Mirage Resort

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2:30—3:30 p.m. Industry Marketing Advisory Committee Meeting 3:30—4:30 p.m. Glass Fiber Custom Panel Committee 5:00—6:00 p.m. Volunteer Appreciation Reception 6:30—10:00 p.m. CISCA President’s Reception & Dinner THURSDAY, APRIL 7 9:00—10:00 a.m. 2011 Economic Forecast For the sixth year, CISCA is joining with AWCI to present the INTEX Expo, the largest trade show offered to the ceiling and wall industry. For additional information on the CISCA convention, visit www.cisca.org or call (630) 584-1919. If you read this article, please circle number 361.

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2011 CONVENTION COMPANION

EIMA (EIFS Industry Members Association) Annual Meeting

April 4-6, Paris Hotel, Las Vegas

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he EIMA Annual Meeting will be held in conjunction with the AWCI and CISCA Conventions, and INTEX Expo. Conferences for this year’s show will be held at the Paris Hotel in Las Vegas. To reserve your room, go to www.awci.org and follow the links. All of the EIMA meetings will be held April 4 through 6. Registration will be through AWCI and will include both meetings. Please contact EIMA if you plan to only attend the EIMA part of the meeting.

2:00—4:00 p.m. Technical and Research Committee

11:15—noon Membership Committee 4:30—5:30 p.m. Advocacy and Industry Relations Committee 5:30—7:30 p.m. “Good Fortune” Gala and Cocktail Reception TUESDAY, APRIL 5 7:30—8:15 a.m. Contractor and Distributor Members Breakfast

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

8:15—9:30 a.m. Communications and Education Committee

MONDAY, APRIL 4 10:30—11:30 a.m. AWCI’s EIFS and Related Products Committee

9:45—11:15 a.m. General Session: The EIFS Solution—Energy Effi-

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| Walls & Ceilings | April 2011

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Noon—6:30 p.m. “Strike it Rich” Golf Tournament WEDNESDAY, APRIL 6 7:30—9:30 a.m. Board of Directors Meeting (invitation only) For more information on EIMA and its annual event, call (800) 294-3462 or go to the AWCI Web site at www. awci.org for complete AWCI/EIMA meeting information. If you read this article, please circle number 362.

Together, we’re forging a new future in steel framing.

To: All ClarkWestern and Dietrich customers From: Bill Courtney, CEO I am pleased to make an exciting announcement to our customers and the industry at large: ClarkWestern Building Systems and Dietrich Metal Framing have joined to become ClarkDietrich™ Building Systems. As ClarkDietrich, we are now truly able to answer the challenges of any project, regardless of size or complexity. With a complete lineup of innovative products, plus technical support services and smart tools for design and specification, we’re forging a new future for steel framing. Even as we create this future for ourselves and the industry, we remain committed to a foundation of success built upon clear shared values: Doing the right thing—This means doing things right. To truly pursue excellence, we’ll treat everyone as we would like to be treated. Creativity—To bring innovation to the market, we place high internal value on problemsolving, ingenuity and the sharing of ideas. Positive energy and teamwork—Great things come from companies where everyone knows their work matters and a team spirit thrives. Balance—We maintain a workplace that respects the vital importance of family life, community involvement and personal enrichment. In the end, these are more than the values we share. They’re the reasons you can expect ClarkDietrich to distinguish itself as a company united under one vision. Together, we are stronger for our customers. Sincerely,

Bill Courtney CEO, ClarkDietrich 800-543-7140

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2011 CONVENTION COMPANION

INTEX Expo April 6-7, Paris Hotel, Las Vegas

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t the Paris Hotel in Las Vegas, April 6-7, the Association of the Wall and Ceiling Industry and the Ceilings & Interior Systems Construction Association will again host the INTEX Expo. This is the largest trade show serving the wall and ceiling industr y. At tendees will see a great deal of new product launches and company news released at the show. A p p r ox i m a t e l y 1 2 0 e x h i b i tors will be on hand to offer new technologies, products and tools to enhance your productivity and strategies to give you the competitive edge in your market. Meet with the manufacturers face-to-face to discuss their new product lines and company events.

The grand opening of the INTEX Expo is at 12:30 p.m. on Wednesday, April 6. The show is open again the next day as well, from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Both days will be held at the Paris Ballroom. This annual event is held in conjunction with CISCA and AWCI’s respective programs, events and seminars. Visit www.intexconstructionexpo. com for a complete list of exhibitors and more information. Visit Walls & Ceilings’ Booth #426 to meet staff and for exciting information.

WHAT TO EXPECT IN LAS VEGAS Expect nice weather in Las Vegas in early April. Average temperatures for this month are highs of

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69 degrees and lows of 47 degrees Fahrenheit. Numerous shows and events take place daily in the city so be sure to check local newspapers and Web sites for complete listings. L a s Ve g a s i s a n e x c e l l e n t place for dining at all price levels. The Paris Hotel and Bally’s have upscale and budget dining, as well as numerous bars. Be sure to explore the host hotels, as well as walk up and down the Strip to see what interests you. For more travel, entertainment and other information, visit www. vegas.com. If you read this article, please circle number 363.

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2011 CONVENTION COMPANION

Northwest Wall and Ceiling Industries Annual Convention & Trade Show April 14-16, Fairmont Empress, Victoria, British Columbia •

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•

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he 2011 Northwest Wall and Ceiling Industries Annual Convention and Trade Show will be held April 14-16 at the Victoria Conference Centre of the Fairmont Empress in Victoria, British Columbia. The exhibit hall hosts meal functions and special drawings for prizes during exhibit hours. There are no competing events during exhibit hours. For more information on this event, visit www.nwcb.org.

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•

GOLF & TOURS The 2011 Convention Golf Tournament will be played at the Olympic View Golf Club in Victoria, starting with a tee time of 8:30 a.m. April 14. The course offers a balance of tree-lined holes, rolling terrain and changing elevations. The scramble golf event begins with a buffet style breakfast at the Olympic View Golf Course at 7:00 a.m. The Butchart Gardens tour and lunch starts at 9 a.m. on April 14. This tour includes coach transportation from the Empress Hotel, time to visit the gardens and have a buffet lunch before returning to the hotel. The Whale-Watching Adventure is an ideal family outing scheduled at 9:00 a.m. on Thursday, April 14 and at 12:30 p.m. April 16. The watch is a search for Orca whales, sea lions and porpoises inhabiting the waters around Vancouver Island.

CONVENTION EDUCATION SESSIONS • “Turning Contacts into Contracts: The Four Secrets of Creating Priceless Business Relationships”: Anna Liotta

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| Walls & Ceilings | April 2011

•

will teach the four steps taken by effective networkers to build profitable relationships for business and life. “Opportunities are Ripe for Leaders Who are Ready— Leveraging the Lessons of Today to Optimize the Successes of Tomorrow”: Liotta also presents this session with insights on how the current economic state is part of natural progression and what tomorrow’s possibilities are. The presentation covers evolving social moods and generational trends that have implications for strategic planning, sales, marketing and the management of the workplace. “The Perfect Interior Wall”: The NWCB’s Terry Kastner will head up a panel of experts discussing the possibility of the perfect interior wall or ceiling. The session will focus on the new generation of interior panels and what has proven to be the best way to finish them. “Ramping Up the EIFS Industry”: Buck Buchanan, Jim Young and Brian Dunn discuss the future of EIFS and how to utilize opportunities in the new energy code. This session will discuss how to promote EIFS and best use the trends and changes in building design and construction. “Creating Added Value to your Customers through UpSelling”: Jake Gress teaches how to look at a business with the eyes of a customer. Attendees will learn how to see the difference between what a customer asks for and what he needs and how to satisfy those needs. “Maximizing the Benefits of BIM”: Building information modeling is the process of generating and managing building data. This program, presented by Dan J. Gramer, is about improving and leveraging a business with the technology of BIM. “Charting New Business: New World Materials for Old World Elegance”: This program features acrylic wall fi nishes and shows how using these products are an opportunity for contractors to expand their business. Raymond Christman will discuss both the technical aspects and a marketing business model.

EXHIBIT HOURS THURSDAY, APRIL 14 6:00 p.m.—8:00 p.m. President’s Welcoming Party (reception) Grand Opening of the Trade Show FRIDAY, APRIL 15 8:00 a.m.—10:00 a.m. Exhibit Breakfast SATURDAY, APRIL 16 8:00 a.m.—10:00 a.m. Exhibit Breakfast If you read this article, please circle number 364.

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2011 CONVENTION COMPANION

AIA National Convention and Design Exposition May 11-14, Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, New Orleans

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he American Institute of Architects 2011 National Convention and Design Exposition will be held May 11-14 at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center in New Orleans. Convention activities, education and networking events will begin on Wed. May 11 and continue through Sat. May 14. There are more than 20 0 planned program offerings including preconvention workshops, theme presentations, continuing education learning units and expo education—all specifically designed to be convenient, plentiful and well rounded. The diversity of offerings from business planning to marketing and business development, from zero net energy design to building codes, allows you to enhance your knowledge of design, practice management and career development. Extending the learning opportunities beyond the convention center, AIA New Orleans will host a variety of educational tours that explore the soulful flavor of the city’s architecture—from historic and modern to recently restored.

In just four days and in a single location, you can earn all of the CEUs you need for 2011.

DESIGN EXPOSITION The Design Exposition is scheduled May 12-14. AIA Expo 2011 introduces you to more than 800 exhibitors so you can discover new products, technologies and services— professional resources that you can implement in your practice or project. You’ll have the opportunity to see and touch products, to get detailed information and to ask questions of the manufacturer representatives. The show will also house special display areas, educational opportunities, pavilions and association offerings. The education experience also extends beyond the parameters of the convention hall. You can choose from more than 70 educational tours that allow you to earn learning units while visiting New Orleans’ landmarks. A wide variety of special events offer plenty of opportunities to network, relax with colleagues and take time out

from the business of the convention. Whether you come for the education, the experience or the opportunity to connect with colleagues, your participation in the AIA National Convention will be a memorable highlight of your professional year. Since 1857, the AIA has represented the professional interests of architects. As AIA members, more than 76,000 licensed architects, emerging professionals and allied partners in design express their commitment to excellence and livability in our nation’s buildings and communities. Members adhere to a code of ethics and professional conduct that assures the client, the public and colleagues of AIA-member architect’s dedication to the highest standards in professional practice. For the most up-to-date convention information and to register online, visit www.aiaconvention.com. For more information about the American Institute of Architects, please call AIA Information Central at (800) 242-3837. If you read this article, please circle number 365.

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2011 CONVENTION COMPANION

PCBC Conference & Trade Show June 22-24, Moscone Center, San Francisco

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nline registration is now underway for the 52nd PCBC homebuilder conference and trade show, which will take place June 22-24 at San Francisco’s Moscone Center. For more than five decades, PCBC The Show has connected the homebuilding industry with the ideas, inspiration and innovation to grow a nd t h r ive. From development through design and construction, this year PCBC has retooled itself to be an essential resource for build-

ers, architects, trade contractors and other industry leaders. PCBC features products—and the companies that create them—covering an extensive range of residential building materials from new home technologies to the explosion in green products. “PCBC has a well-deserved reputation for innovation and providing new perspectives, but this year in particular we wanted to really home in on the big questions the leaders of our industry are struggling with,” says Linda

Baysari, the senior vice president for conventions and meetings for the show. “To that end, we will have some of the industry’s brightest thinkers on hand to give builders and developers strategic insights to help them navigate their companies through these challenging times.” Two years ago, show coordinators renamed the show “PCBC—Advancing the Art + Science of Community Building,” to reflect the show’s growing emphasis on the building community. In addition, conference programs were retooled and streamlined into the new PCBC Executive Conference, which is a two-day idea marketplace where the best and brightest in the business meet. The Annual Golden Nuggets Award presentation will take place June 23. PCBC The Show is sponsored by the California Building Industry Association. As the organization’s learning laboratory, PCBC encourages new and informed perspective, an open minded attitude and unwavering curiosity. We are people creating better communities. For more information, visit www. pcbc.com or call (800) 956-7469. If you read this article, please circle number 366.

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April 2011 | Walls & Ceilings |

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2011 CONVENTION COMPANION

Regional Shows

TLPCA/SCWCPA ANNUAL CONVENTION The 59th Annual Texas Lathing and Plastering Contractors Association (now renamed the South Central Wall, Ceiling and Plaster Association) will be held June 22-25. This year’s show will be located at the Hyatt Regency Hill Country Resort & Spa in San Antonio. As of press time, no further information was available. Please call (817) 461-0676 or visit www.tlpca. org for more updated information.

FWCCA ANNUAL CONVENTION This year the Annual Southeastern Florida Wall & Ceiling Contrac-

tors Association Convention and Trade Show will take place at the OMNI Hotel at Champion’s Gate outside Orlando, Fla. The Champion’s Gate facility is best known for its quality golf courses and natural habitat that is home to hundreds of Florida wildlife species. The twoday Trade Show runs from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Friday, July 15 and from 11:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on Saturday, July 16. In conjunction with this year’s show, there will be the Annual Golf Tournament on July 15 on the nationally renowned International Course. The FWCCA is currently inviting industry manufacturers and ser vice providers to par ticipate in its annual educational forum. Manufacturers are encouraged to present a one- or two-hour program on either July 15 or 16 to demonstrate new products, technological updates, standard reviews, etc., with the Florida members. For information on this educational opportunity, contact the FWCCA Executive Vice President Janice Ficarrotto at (407) 260-1313 for details and booking information. The show is open to all contractors and industry affiliates at no charge. However, there is a full

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| Walls & Ceilings | April 2011

convention registration fee for any individual wishing to take advantage of the entire three-day event, which includes educational classes, social networking sessions, President ’s Recept ion , lu nch i n t he exhibit hall and a fun Saturday night closing theme party. Golf is also open to all who wish to participate and registration forms for all events will appear on the FWCCA Web site. Visit www.fwcca.org for more information.

CLAPCA CONVENTION This year the Carolina Lathing & Plastering Contractors Association will hold two committee meetings. The fi rst will be held on April 29, in Charlotte. The second meeting is scheduled Sept 22-23, details and location to be determined. For continuing agenda plans and meeting details, check www.clapca.org. If you read this article, please circle number 367.

2011 CONVENTION COMPANION

CONSTRUCT 2011/TFM September 13-16, McCormick Place, Chicago trends in the New Product Showcase and sustainable solutions in the Green Pavilion.

EDUCATION PROGRAMS

C

ONSTRUCT, in conjunction w it h t he 55t h C SI A n nua l Convention, is for the industrial, commercial and institutional building team and the networking hub for thousands of professionals who design, specify, build and procure for successful project management. The show hosts the latest in industry technology, the newest products and most up-to-date solutions partnered with AIA/CES and CSI CEN accredited educational programming. The event will be held in Chicago’s Lakeside Center at McCormick Place. Educational programs are offered September 13-16 and the Exhibit Hall will be open September 14-16. Projecting another increase in attendance after a 9 percent growth in verified at tendance in 2010, the organizers of CONST RUC T expect to draw thousands of decision-makers that source, specify and purchase billions of dollars per

year in commercial building products and services. Dedicated to the building team, from conception, design and procurement through construction and operation, the 2011 event is a cost effective strategy for combining education with real world, practical product and service solutions for business success. For those that design, build, specify, engineer, renovate or operate in the built environment, the show provides the ideal environment for face-to-face, one-on-one time with exper ts. Par ticipants can convene in one central place to attend the CSI Annual Convention, earn learning credits, share industry knowledge, continue current vendor relationships and fi nd new business partnerships. Attendees will have the opport u n it y to ex plore hu nd red s of exhibits on the show f loor that supply practical, problem-solving solutions as well as fi nd the latest

The expert-led education program features in-depth, practical sessions designed specifically for the commercial building professional to attain and maintain certification. The show is a provider for CSI CEN, AIA/CES LU’s to meet various states’ requirements. The comprehensive program provides solid solutions and the latest industry knowledge for success the issues challenges and opportunities industry professionals face today and in the future. Courses are offered in lecture, interactive or demonstrative formats. Fulfi ll annual education needs with more than 13 hours of education in the classroom, courses in the Education Pavilion on the show floor and the accredited Technical Tours. Three tours are planned to educate and inform; the Underwriters Laboratory, Frank Lloyd Wright’s Robie House or Aqua Towers. The education hours do not compete with exhibit hall hours. Networking opportunities include the welcome reception, the CSI Gala and a boat trip down the river to tour the skyline of Chicago. The event includes a student design competition, keynote speaker Jeanne Gang, Gang A rchitects, special guest speaker Cameron Sinclair, Architecture for Humanity and a full CSI program. This four-day event was designed for you, the architect, specifier, engineer, and all construction team professionals in the built environment. Online registration opens in June and discounted education packages and free exhibit hall admission is available through August 11. For more information, please visit www.CONSTRUCTshow.com. If you read this article, please circle number 368.

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2011 CONVENTION COMPANION

ICAA Annual Convention and Trade Show September 22-24, Contemporary Resort, Orlando, Fla.

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he 2011 Annual ICAA Convention and Trade Show will be held at the Contemporary Resort in Orlando from Thursday, September 22 through 24. The ICAA Convention and Trade Show is the only national meeting for insulators. Suppliers and contractors from across the country convene to network, evaluate new technology and products, review federal leg islation a nd ex plore industry trends and opportunities. “T he IC A A Convention g ives insulation contractors the opportunity to catch up on the state of the industry and meet one-on-one

with the manufacturers and suppliers who inf luence their businesses,” says ICAA President Daniel Austin (of Austin Co., Pineville, N.C.). Exhibitors at the ICA A Trade Show represent lead i ng i nsu lation manufacturers and suppliers as well as those businesses that complement insulation contracting such as closet shelving, firestopping, health and safety equipment, infrared imaging systems and computer software. Again this year, a championship golf course will host the ICAA Annual Golf Tournament.

T his is ICA A’s 33rd Convention and Trade Show, and Executive Director Michael Kwart says, “ICAA is a leader in the insulation industry. The annual ICAA Convention and Trade Show focuses on the skills and resources that impact insulation contractors. Attendance at the convention is a chance to get a handle on the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead and a great business strategy.” For more information, call (703) 739-0356 or visit www.insulate.org. If you read this article, please circle number 369.

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| Walls & Ceilings | April 2011

2011 CONVENTION COMPANION

Greenbuild 2011 October 4-7, Toronto, Canada Greenbuild provides green building professionals with an outstanding line-up of continuing education courses. Each year, a select group of highly qualified individuals evaluate courses submitted for review and choose a collection featuring sessions on all aspects of sustainable design, construction and operations practices for buildings and communities. The courses presented at Greenbuild offer a fresh perspective on the ever-evolving business of sustainability. Greenbuild is the ideal forum to pursue or maintain continuing education credentials, from the LEED Green Associate to the LEED AP specialty credentials. A major feature of Greenbuild is the extensive exhibit floor, comprised of the latest in innovative products and services. This year will be no different, featuring more than 1,800 exhibit booths with experts on hand to answer questions and talk face-to-face about what they have to offer.

GREEN BUILDING COMMUNITY

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he 10th A nnual Greenbuild I nternational Conference & Expo will help redefine the future when it moves to Toronto November 4-7. The industry’s largest gathering of representatives from all sectors of the international green building industry will convene for the first time in Toronto for several days of extensive educational programming, workshops, a vast exhibition floor and ample networking events. Following last year’s event in Chicago, Greenbuild 2011 will build on the excitement, inspiration and

optimism generated from its tenyear run. Returning this year are some of the programs that made Greenbuild 2010 so exceptional. In 2009, USGBC hosted the first ever green jobs fair at Greenbuild. This year, the job fair will be returning as local businesses will hold interviews and job seminars for Greenbuild attendees. The thirdAnnual Residential Summit will be bring together leaders in the residential green building industry for two days of informational sessions, networking and sharing of best practices.

There is no better place to explore the role of the green building movement in Canada than Toronto. Attendees will have the opportunity to explore the city’s LEED certified buildings on the many green building tours offered in conjunction with Greenbuild. As anticipation for Greenbuild swells, we look forward to meeting in Toronto and taking on current challenges and determining solutions. If the movement continues to focus on greening schools; building healthier, more efficient workplaces; creating opportunities for the green jobs market to flourish; there will be no end to what can be accomplished. For more information on this show, please visit the U.S. Green Building Council’s Web site at www. greenbuildexpo.org. If you read this article, please circle number 370.

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2011 CONVENTION COMPANION

METALCON International Conference and Exhibition October 11-13, Georgia World Congress Center, Atlanta

The 21st annual METALCON International is the one conference and exhibition that metal construction professionals look forward to each year. It’s their place to meet, to learn, to network and establish valuable relationships. Themed “Constant Evolution,” the 2011 show marks 21 years of both the industry and the event. The show has a blend of product exhibits, a comprehensive education conference and several different live-action demos highlighting the latest field techniques and trends. This combination offers insight and ideas from a host of industry experts that helps build better structures around the world by strengthening field talent and growing businesses. The show has earned its reputation as “The One Event for Metal Construction Products, Technologies and Solutions” and remains the only annual conference and exhibition dedicated to the use of metal in construction. The 21st METALCON International takes place Tuesday, October 11 through Thursday, October 13, 2011 at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta.

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| Walls & Ceilings | April 2011

METALCON is sponsored by The Metal Construction Association and supported by more than 100 related industry organizations and publications. Show times and details are posted at www.metalcon.com. This annual one-of-a-kind show draws nearly 8,000 designers, builders, developers, contractors, fabricators and suppliers from more than 50 countries. Experts from 300 companies exhibit the latest products and technology and share their knowledge with attendees.

GREEN THEMES T he beaut y, sustai nabilit y a nd favorable environmental aspects of metal are demonstrated in several ways. Green Island, a special area of exhibits, features metal-related products that meet green building standards for recycled content, recyclability, durability and energy efficiency. Solar Bay is a pavilion focusing on the perfect combination of metal and solar. It combines product exhibits with educational forums and Solar Bay Live where world-renowned experts use full-

scale mock-ups of a variety of solar technologies on metal roofs and walls to present live-action demos of tips and trade secrets about metal and solar technology. Green building ideas and techniques are also part of METALCON’s comprehensive conference program. The conference offers continuing education credits and covers every other aspect of building with metal from the basics to the latest materials, tools, techniques, building codes, applications, cold-formed steel framing, alternative energy, business management and marketing. The complete conference schedule is available at, www. metalcon.com, where special pricing for early registration is also listed. The education continues in daily live-action demonstrations presented by members of the Metal Construction Association. These industry experts bring to life the latest product applications, field techniques and trends that construction professionals are looking for to hone their skills and expand their businesses. Visitors can also enjoy a quick view of what’s new in the industry in New Product Harbor, a tabletop area featuring a selection of the latest product introductions. More show news can be captured in the daily electronic news feed that sends updates from the show. Since the annual event began in 1991, it has been known as the ideal venue to introduce and to discover new products and ideas for the use of metal in construction. The 2011 event proves it and continues the tradition of helping construction professionals from all over the world expand their businesses and help the environment through the use of metal. For information about exhibiting or attending visit www.metalcon.com or call (800) 537-7765 or (617) 965-0055. If you read this article, please circle number 371.

2011 CONVENTION COMPANION

The Remodeling Show October 12-15, Lakeside Center, McCormick Place, Chicago

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he Remodeling Show is the only national remodeler-centric event bringing together the entire remodeling industry face-to-face annually. Launched in 1991 by the NA H B and then partnered with since 2001, this event has expanded to represent all facets of the remodel i ng com mu n it y— k itchen a nd bath; home improvement; agingin-place; sustainable remodeling as well as all the tools and services that go into executing these types of projects. Knowing the emphasis on education, from the show floor to the classroom, attendees schedule their projects around the Remodeling Show. The Remodeling Show co-locates again this October with DeckExpo

at the Lakeside Center, McCormick Place in Chicago. Conferences run October 12-15 and trade show October 13-15. The event features include: Tool Alley (new and improved this year Product Showcase featuring New, Cool and Green Products, Installation Clinics and numerous manufacturer-run Presenting Exhibits. The Remodeling Show will also feature its exclusive Kitchen & Bath Showcase placed adjacent to the Plumbing + Hydronics Expo. The 2010 events had 318 total exhibitors, 35 percent of which were new attendees. T h e R e m o d e l i n g S how p ro vides more than 12 hours of class instruction over a four-day period

in multiple tracks to make sure you stay profitable. Most instructors are remodelers and building professionals and know what it takes to keep small, medium and large remodeling fi rms healthy. The class schedule is in its planning phase so be sure to check back in May for more details or follow developing news on Twitter @Remodeling_Show for the most up-to-date information and announcements. Reg ist rat ion for bot h event s is scheduled to open in May. For more information on attending, visit www.DeckExpo.com or www. RemodelingShow.com. If you read this article, please circle number 372.

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2011 CONVENTION COMPANION

STAFDA Annual Convention and Trade Show November 13-15, Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center, San Antonio

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TAFDA’s 35th Annual Convention & Trade Show will be held in San Antonio. With more than 700 booths expected this year, the STAFDA Trade Show has become the place to find intriguing new products and outstanding deals. Show hours will be Monday, noon to 6:00 p.m., and Tuesday, 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Distributors will see more than 35 different product categories from hundreds of vendors under one roof. Distributors should come prepared to place orders, take advantage of generous terms and show specials, and sign up for prize drawings (available only to attending distributors). They also have the chance to see new products, meet with supplier executives, and source new lines.

In addition to selling opportunities, associates can maximize show participation by increasing product awareness, strengthen customer relationships, locate new reps or OEMs and get feedback on policies, products, service and competition. The show allows rep agents the chance to meet with their principals and distributor customers while scouting for new lines. Registration materials will be mailed to members on Ju ne 24 with online registration begins on June 27.

LAST YEAR’S EVENT There were 4,215 STAFDA members who attended last year’s show in Phoenix. There were 765 booths at the trade show and the event offered

exceptional educational sessions, enjoyable social events and General Session keynoter, Gov. Sarah Palin. STAFDA received media coverage on Fox News, Hannity, Wall Street Journ al, C N N News, A nderson Coopers 360, the Drudge Report, and others. If you’re a technology provider, we hope you’ll participate in STA F DA’s Tech & Consultants’ Fair. It’s one of the most inexpensive ways to receive solid, qualifi ed leads. Please feel free to contact the STAFDA offi ce with any questions at (800) 352-2981 or e-mail [email protected]. Note: The STAFDA Convention & Trade Show is open to members only. If you read this article, please circle number 373.

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2011 CONVENTION COMPANION

World of Concrete 2012 January, 24-27, 2012, Las Vegas Convention Center, Las Vegas al Artistry in Decorative Concrete, where leading artisans demonstrated the latest decorative concrete techniques, including stamped concrete patterns, chemical stain work, decorative fi nishes and much more.

FOR MASONS

W

orld of Concrete is an annual international event dedicated to the commercial concrete and masonry construction industries. Featuring indoor and outdoor exhibits with the industry’s leading suppliers showcasing products and technologies, demonstrations and competitions and education programs. This year’s World of Concrete 2011 returned to the Las Vegas Convention Center in January and launched a wide array of new products and equipment, presented an education and certification program and provided crucial networking opportunities for exhibitors and attendees. This well-known industry show continued to build upon its reputation as the only annual international commercial construction trade show for the concrete and masonry industry with 48,554 professional registrants in attendance. The event also showcased more than 1,200 indoor/outdoor exhibitors in more than a halfmillion square feet of exhibit space.

FOR INTERNATIONAL VISITORS For the six th consecutive year, World of Concrete participated in the 2011 International Buyer Program. World of Concrete Management and the U.S. Commercial Service worked closely in the global promotion of the show to bring

international buyers and exhibitors together to expand business both domestically and overseas. As part of the program, more than a dozen delegations from all over the globe attended World of Concrete to network with other international visitors as well as connect with U.S. exhibitors interested in exporting goods and services.

FOR CONCRETE PROFESSIONALS For concrete professionals, there were several exciting events to attend. One event was the Concrete Construction Challenge, which included entertaining and inspiring challenges combining precision, speed and focus. The Concrete & Polishing Luncheon & Forum provided concrete polishing industry professionals the chance to gather and discuss the importance of concrete polishing specifications. The sixth annual Women in Concrete Luncheon & Forum, brought together women working in the concrete construction industry to network and learn about topics that affect career and business specific to women in the industry.

The popular Spec Mix Bricklayer 500 competition featured teams competing to lay a double wythe, 26-foot wall in just 60 minutes. This is the premier bricklaying event in the world and winners from regional competitions gathered at WOC to face-off in this action-packed arena-style event. MCA A (Masonry Contractors Association of America) held its Annual Convention at WOC. MCAA had several educational sessions along with two exciting events; the International Masonry Skills Challenge and the Fastest Trowel on the Block Competition. Making its debut at WOC 2011 was the SI A Scaffolding Safet y Challenge, which guided attendees through scaffolding displays that had common mistakes that are routinely seen on jobsites and cited by OSHA inspectors.

EDUCATION PROGRAM

CONCRETE SURFACES & DECORATIVE PAVILION

The 2011 WOC Education Program boasted tracks with more than 50% brand-new topics including sessions in concrete fundamentals, concrete production, concrete repair, decorative concrete, residential, green building, safety and risk management, technical updates and more. Additionally, WOC provided Certifi cation and continuing education hours to get attendees the training they needed at the show. Be sure to save the date for next year’s show, again at the Las Vegas Convention Center, held on January 24-27; Seminars January 23-27. For more information, visit www. worldofconcrete.com.

The Concrete Surfaces & Decorative Pavilion featured the 9th Annu-

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2011 CONVENTION COMPANION

International Builders’ Show 2012 February 8-11, Orange County Convention Center, Orlando, Fla.

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pproximately 40,000 builders, remodelers and other members of the home building industry crowded the aisles of the National Association of Home Builders’ International Builders’ Show at the Orange County Convention Center this January. The nice weather provided this year’s IBS with another successful show that included many manufacturers displaying their latest products. Members lined up at the Partnership Pavilion, a NAHB initiative on the show floor designed to match builders with fi nancing sources. The program was launched to help serve an industry still stymied by a lack of available credit for new housing devel-

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| Walls & Ceilings | April 2011

opments—as well as tighter restrictions on home buyer mortgages. Builders and remodelers also attended educational presentations on design trends, energy retrofitting, marketing, low-income housing tax credits and more than 175 other topics. Walls & Ceilings magazine was at this year’s show. Specific to the wall and ceiling industry, there were several trends the magazine saw. Among those, the green building boom has hit our industry. Whether it was cement, paint, wall systems, ICFs, etc., everyone claimed either a smaller carbon footprint or a more sustainable building product or technology. Several years ago, there were only a few ICF or SIP manufacturers in

attendance. This year’s show had a very large range of representation and as a growing industry, ICF and SIP systems seem to expand their message. The next International Builders’ Show takes place February 8-11, returning again to the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Fla. Featuring more than 175 education sessions, 1,100 exhibitors and 500,000 square feet of exhibit space, the International Builders’ Show is the must-attend event for building-industry professionals next year. Registration will open in August. For more information on this show, visit www.buildersshow.com. If you read this article, please circle number 375.

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FINISH LINE BY ROBERT THOMAS

Sealants

existing defective sealant—the finish at the bond-to area can be made stronger and more resistant to water by first brush-applying a clear, hard coating. This seals the finish and can provide a better bond.

WHERE TO BOND TO

Because EIFS are a jointless t ype of wall clad ding that can be installed over a huge wall area without joints at all, it’s clear that the only way for water to get behind the EIFS is somewhere at the edge of the EIFS. This penetration is most often at windows, openings and f lashings. T he proper location, design and sealant type is very important with EIFS. Below are tips about using wet-applied sealants with EIFS.

the weather away from the sealant which helps it last longer. But if you do recess the sealant bead, the new sealant goes over the old sealant. The outside face of the original sealant needs to be far enough into the joint to allow for both a new backer rod and sealant bead.

RELIANCE ON SEALANTS ALONE Only a cheapskate fool relies on sealants by themselves to keep water out. There needs to be some backup protection. This extra protection can be in the form of flashings or joint designs, or both.

FLOOR LINE JOINTS On wood frame buildings using EIFS, a horizontal joint is supposed to be installed at each floor line. This is to accommodate dimensional changes in the lumber that can telegraph through the EIFS and cause cracks. Sometimes these joints are omitted. One way around having an expansion-type sealant joint is to have an overlapping band that doesn’t use sealant at all (shown in the drawing).

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MOISTURE VS. FINISH HARDNESS EIFS finishes are water-based and harden by drying. When subjected to standing water for extended periods of time, the finish softens slightly. If a sealant is bonded to the finish, the sealant can pull the finish off the basecoat. This is one reason why sealant beads are bonded to the basecoat which is a reinforced, structural material. If sealant must be attached to the finish—for instance, when replacing

One of the laws of EIFS is to bond the sealant to the basecoat, not to the finish. The basecoat is strong, while the finish is essentially only a paint. The finish softens when it gets wet, allowing the sealant—when the joint expands—to pull the finish off the basecoat. To make sure the sealant adheres to the basecoat, mask the bond-to area away from the finish area.

SEALANT CHEMISTRIES Sealants are applied in a semi-liquid, paste-like state that hardens as they dry. This drying can occur in several ways, including evaporation of water, chemical reaction of airborne water and chemical reaction of materials within the sealant itself. It’s important to u ndersta nd how a seala nt works in the curing process. For instance, a sealant that requires a i rbor ne moist u re to c u re w i l l take longer in Arizona than one which cures by evaporation.

SOLVENTS VS. EPS Some sealants use hydrocarbons as the solvent that keeps the sealant liquid. Some solvents will “eat” EPS foam. Sealant and EIFS producers are aware of this and sealants that do no affect foam are ones that are approved for use with EIFS.

RECESSED SEALANT JOINTS

WRAPPING

One of the easiest ways to get around the task of removing failed sealant from an EIFS joint is to leave the old sealant in place—provided there is some place to put the new sealant. This must be decided when the building is first designed as it can significantly affect the wall’s appearance. The idea is to recess the sealant bead deep in the joint. This makes for a much more visually pronounced joint, but it also keeps

The edge of the EIFS, where it stops and gets sealant, must have the basecoat wrapped around the edge. You cannot bond the sealant to raw foam. The sealant will yank the raw foam apart, let water in and result in paperwork from lawyers.

| Walls & Ceilings | April 2011

SINGLE VS. MULTI-PART I like single-part, ready-to-use sealants. To me, they eliminate yet one more possible area of problems,

like mixing foul-ups. There are one-, two- and three-part sealants. The multi-part sealants have the advantage of changing their color by using a tinted second component. Keep in mind, for large projects even one-part sealants can be provided if the amount of sealant is large enough.

COLORS

small joints where the sealant is acting like a filler, rather then experiencing a lot of movement, it’s not a big deal. With full expansion joints, such as between EIFS prefabricated panels, a sealant that remains soft and stretchy over a wide temperature range is needed. Sealants that have this quality are often called “low modulus” and silicone sealants have that property.

WIDTH-TO-DEPTH RATIOS The ratio of the width of the joint to the depth of the sealant bead is important. The proper ratio should be a depth that is one-third of the width. Contrary to popular belief, less sealant works better, as it makes the thinner bead more stretchy. A backer rod helps control the depth and shape of the bead and thus improves performance while saving money.

An interesting sealant fact: Some architects think a clear sealant will mask the joint. Wrong. It shows up just as much as a colored sealant that is matched to the adjacent wall element. It gets worse: clear sealants allow sunlight in which degrades them.

PAINTING Some sealants—especially inexpensive ones—are marketed as being “paintable.” Acrylic sealants are a prime example and EIFS coatings are usually acrylic-based, so the paint will stick. However, some sealant materials, notably silicones, are hydrophobic (they repel water) and adhesion suffers. I’ve seen designers try to mask the location of sealant joints by applying the EIFS finish over the sealant. This doesn’t work. The joint will still be visible. There is a bigger problem: the sealant is softer and stretchier than the finish, and thus the EIFS finish will develop micro cracks and simply fall off.

MODULUS The “modulus” of sealant is a technical term for how soft and stretchy it is. This matters with EIFS as a soft, stretchy sealant puts less stress on the sealant-to-basecoat bond area. Some sealants get hard as a rock, exacerbating this problem. Premium sealants, especially silicones, remain soft and stretchy over a wide temperature range.

HARDNESS VS. TEMPERATURE Sealants generally get harder as they get colder, some much more than others. The increased hardness can make the joint movement enough to tear the sealant off the EIFS. For Please Circle #334 On Reader Action Card April 2011 | Walls & Ceilings |

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the

FINISH LINE TESTING EIFS producers and sealant manufacturers jointly test each other’s products to see which sealants work best. They both publish lists of sealants that they feel work well with different brands of EIFS. It’s important to use these approved sealants, as their use can affect the warranty and performance of the wall system.

PRIMERS VS. SIDE-OF-JOINT To get good adhesion to EIFS, some sealants require a primer. This is brush-applied to the bond-to area before the sealant is put on. Sealant manufacturers and EIFS producers make primers they know will work with their products. Keep in mind that often sealants have one material on one side of the joint and another material on the other side. Thus two different primers may be needed.

BACKER RODS Be careful what material you choose for a backer rod. You want a closed cell material, not a sponge-like open material. Open cell backer rods can hold moisture and affect the bond of the sealant to the EIFS.

TOOLING

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Tooling refers to seating the wet sealant firmly against the EIFS as the sealant is being installed. After the sealant is applied, pressure is applied to the exposed face. Often this is done with a spoon, spatula or even a finger. This forces the wet sealant into direct contact with the EIFS and greatly strengthens the adhesive. It also makes for a much better-looking joint.

ALTERNATIVES TO SEALANTS To avoid the hassle and expense of removing and replacing old sealant, preformed silicone strips can be bonded to the surface of the EIFS. They come in various widths and colors and are made of soft silicone. They do alter the appearance of the joint to look like a batten. The thin coatings used in typical North American EIFS are not well suited to using embedded trim as a seal. Trim can be used as trim, but it’s hard to get the “trim” fully seated in the EIFS to the point that it can actually move and do its job. An exception to that rule is large example joints, such as seismic joints between major sections of large buildings. The movement capacity needed is so great that a gigantic and hard to install sealant joint would be needed. A separate mechanical joint, usually made of metal and/or rubber, is normally used in those cases.

LONGEVITY There are sealants on the market that are guaranteed, by their producers, to last 20 years or more. Given that many commercial buildings in the U.S. are not designed to last for more than a generation before being replaced, this sort of life expectancy is good.

REPLACING SEALANTS In previous articles in W&C, I have moaned about the hassles of replacing EIFS sealant joints. The longer-

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lasting sealants are especially good with EIFS due to the thin nature of EIFS coatings. I have seen EIFS on 30-year-old jobs where the sealant is still functioning well, saving the owner a small fortune in maintenance costs for a very small upcharge for a premium sealant when the EIFS is first installed. In contrast, I’ve seen sealant joints on EIFS jobs that have failed in the first few years as a result of trying to get away with using low-grade residential caulking on commercial projects.

Robert Thomas is a nationally recognized EIFS consultant, based in Jacksonville, Fla. He was the manager of technical services for a major EIFS producer, is the author of several books about EIFS and chairs the ASTM committee on EIFS. If you read this article, please circle number 394.

MY CHOICES My line of thinking—in terms of being a designer—tends toward simplicity. This is the worn-out “less is more” concept. For sealants, I like one-part products. There’s less of a chance of things going wrong due to some sealant installer that can’t read the mixing instructions for multipart sealants. The following brands of sealants are commonly used with EIFS: Dow Corning, Tremco, Sika, Pecora and GE. It’s a good idea to get to know your local rep, as some of these companies provide excellent customer service including tech support and on-site visits. There are many lesser known brands, some of which are simply private labeled versions of major brands. W&C

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smart

BUSINESS BY JIM OLSZTYNSKI

Sex & Work Two things inspired this article. One take on it by my good friend Al Levi, Plumbing & Mechanical magazine (a tion to Walls & Ceilings). Levi discusses his prohibition against his sons dating the hired help in their family business. You can read his article at h t t p : / / w w w. p m m a g . c o m /A r t i c l e s / B l o g _ A l / B N P_ G U I D _ 9 - 5 2006_A_10000000000000972760. As for the second reason to write about this subject, I don’t often find an excuse to work the word “sex” into a headline. Readership is about to get a boost, book it! No more joking. This is a serious subject. You’re all aware of the sensitivities over sexual harassment, wh ich have spaw ned a n ent i re industry of lawsuits and training classes. I’m completely in agreement with laws to protect vulnerable people (mostly women) from being exploited by persons in positions of authority Yet, sometimes there seems to be a fine line distinguishing sexual harassment from innocent flirting and courtship.

WHERE IS THE LINE DRAWN? Countless lawyers and consultants earn handsome livings trying to interpret where that line gets drawn and I’ll not intrude on their turf. What I’m more concerned about is achieving balance with company policies that abide by all the legalities pertaining to sexual harassment while respecting the privacy of coworkers who succumb to the birds and the bees. How do you accommodate the latter while still guarding against potential charges of sexual harassment? Especially problematic is when a relationship involves a supervisor and subordinate, and even

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was reading a who writes for sister publicafather’s absolute

more so when one is the company owner. Given all the damage potential, some companies have reacted w it h no -way, no - how p ol ic ie s against employees dating. Arguing against that is the inability of human nature to resist Cupid’s arrow, plus a rather convincing (to me) libertarian point of view that it’s none of anyone’s business if two consenting adults fall for each other. Most of the business world seems to agree. A Society for Human Resource Management Workplace Romance Survey found that 72 percent of companies do not even have a formal, written romance policy, while only 13 percent do. The other 14 percent replied that they have “an unwritten, but well understood, norm in their workplace,” whatever that means. My interpretation: be discreet. When you think about it, a workplace offers one of the best environments for interpersonal chemical bonds to form—far better than bars, the Internet or most other places people go looking for mates. Working with another person hour after hour, day after day offers plenty of opportunity to really get to know someone. P roh ibit i ng rom a nc e under such circumstances is like trying to stop the wind from blowing. According to a Glamour magazine survey, 41 percent of employed Americans between the ages of 25 and 40 have admitted to engaging in an office romance. Employers of course have a right to expect that relationships between employees not intrude on the conduct of business. Yet it’s not altogether clear that job performance

suffers when co-workers get entangled. Some studies have reported a higher level of productivity in dating couples at work, probably due to enhanced harmony and teamwork. When problems arise, they tend to stem from other co-workers.

OFFICE ROMANCE Sometimes a couple may not make much effort to hide the hots for each other. Flirtatious behavior can make other co-workers uncomfortable and lead to resentment, gossip and rumors that become a bigger problem than the relationship sparking them. Even when a couple tries to disguise their relationship, other employees often sense something is going on. Workplace affairs have a way of becoming common knowledge, especially in small companies. Jealousies may come into play, and if one party to a relationship supervises the other, a perception of favoritism is inevitable. The situation gets much more complicated if one or both parties are already married or in a committed relationship. Then you have to worry not only about the impact on job performance and morale, but fallout from broken marriages/relationships. In extreme cases it can become a security concern worrying about potential havoc from disgruntled spouses or lovers. A nother tricky situation may a r i s e i f a work pl ac e rom a nc e involves gay or lesbian couples. This can be quite a shock to the sensibilities of old school construction veterans in an industry like yours. But whether or not you subscribe to modern social mores, from a business perspective you need to apply the same policies to heterosexual and homosexual affairs or you could find yourself caught up in a discrimination lawsuit. The most problematic scenario for a workplace romance is when one of the parties is the boss. Company owners may be vulnerable to charges of sexual harassment even when a relationship is completely consensual. Everything’s fine as long as a cou-

ple remains lovey-dovey, but when a relationship turns sour the one with the upper hand could end up explaining things to a judge or jury. Some judges have taken an extremely loose view of the concept of coercion when one party holds so much power over another’s livelihood, no matter how willing the “victim” may have been. So how do you deal with all these complexities?

COMPANY REGULATIONS ON DATING Most companies don’t prohibit employee dating altogether but provide guidelines. These might include prohibiting outward signs of affection, maintaining a professional demeanor and avoiding discussion of the relationship with co-workers and customers. In other words, don’t ask, don’t tell. Even when companies are okay with workplace romances in general, many draw the line when it involves supervisors and subordinates. A typical policy is that if a relationship develops it’s up to the supervisor to report it so the employer can switch one of their jobs and reduce interaction between the two as much as possible. Of course, this is much easier to accomplish in a large company with multiple departments than in small businesses employing just a handful of people. On the other hand, a small business might be better able to accommodate lovebirds working together simply because there aren’t many other co-workers around that get impacted. No matter how gingerly you treat this issue, minefields pop up. The largest powder kegs can be found at the beginning and end of relationships. That’s when real or contrived episodes of sexual harassment are likely to rear their head. Sexual harassment is simple to define and recognize at its extreme. Any decent person is disgusted at the thought of someone in a position of authority demanding or even hinting at sexual favors as a condition of employment or advancement. Most of us also can readily detect a hostile working environment where a sexually charged atmosphere would make women (mostly) feel uncomfortable or threatened. Numerous court rulings have made it clear that employers have a responsibility not to tolerate these conditions and most have got the message. However, more subtle cases abound that are not so easy to address. A co-worker might ask another employee out on a date and be rejected. In most cases, out of politeness, the rejection won’t be expressed as “absolutely not” but rather, “Sorry I’m completely tied up this week.” How many times does a suitor need to hear this before it crosses the boundary between courtship and harassment? How do you decide who’s right when there are no supporting witnesses in he said/she said accusations? At the other end, most relationships do not last forever and breakups are not always friendly. Aggrieved lovers have been known to seek revenge in the courts even if they were fully complicit in an affair. Behavior and comments that may have resulted in giggles between people in a relationship takes on different meaning after they hit

the skids. Even without litigation, busted relationships can lead to a decidedly tense workplace. Now let’s end this essay on the upbeat. In the SHRM survey cited earlier, 55 percent of the HR professionals responding said that marriage is the most likely outcome of the office romances they have experienced. That sounds about right. In my four-decades long working career, I’ve witnessed quite a few office romances and can recall more happy endings than disruptive dalliances. Even those dicey relationships between bosses and subordinates sometimes work out for the best, as was the case with the apparently happy marriage between Bill Gates and former Microsoft employee Melinda. Sensible people usually find a way to make things work out for the best. Work on hiring sensible people and you’ll have less to worry about when they become infatuated with one another. W&C Jim Olsztynski is editorial director of Plumbing & Mechanical and editor of Supply House Times magazines. He can be reached at (847) 405-4006 or [email protected]. If you read this article, please circle number 395.

Please Circle #337 On Reader Action Card April 2011 | Walls & Ceilings |

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straight

GREEN BY CHRIS DIXON

LEED and the

Lanham Act In my February 2009 article “The Uncertain Future of Green Building,” I made reference to an article by Joe Lstiburek titled “Prioritizing Green—It’s the Energy, Stupid,” in which he shot gaping holes in the analysis made in a USGBC-commissioned report “Energy Performance of LEED for New Construction Buildings” by the New Buildings Institute. The report concludes that, on average, LEED buildings perform 25 to 30 percent better than the national average. Before Lstiburek published his paper pointing out problems with the NBI report, Mr. Henry Gifford, a self-described energy efficiency expert, was pointing out the same problems with the report on his web site and during public speaking gigs. Gifford is particularly unhappy about the fact that, in the opinion of green real estate law blogger and attorney Stephen del Percio, “He, like many other designers, has pursued efficiency in buildings for decades. And now, many designers with years of experience are being told that if they don’t have a LEEDAP designation or the capability to navigate the notorious LEED bureaucracy, they shouldn’t bother responding to requests for proposals ...” Gifford’s unhappiness with LEED erupted in October, 2010 with a $100 million class action antitrust lawsuit filed against the USGBC. The lawsuit focused on Sherman Act monopolization through fraud, unfair competition, deceptive trade practices, false advertising, wire fraud and unjust enrichment. None of the green building law blogger attorneys believed that the law suit could meet the rigorous requirements to be certified as class action. Some speculated the lawsuit was brought more for shock value (to get USGBC’s attention) and for some sort of settlement. None of that ever materialized.

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In February, 2011, Gifford’s legal team amended the complaint from a class action suit to a false advertising claim under the Lanham Act.

THE LANHAM ACT The Lanham Act was passed in 1946 under President Harry Truman to protect trademarks. It prohibits activities such as trademark infringement and trademark dilution and permits business competitors to sue one another for false advertising. Courts have formulated the following elements for a claim under the Lanham Act: The defendant must have made a false or misleading statement of fact in advertising, that statement must have actually deceived or had the capacity to deceive a substantial segment of the audience, the deception must have been material, in that it was likely to influence the purchasing decision, the defendant must have caused its goods to enter interstate commerce and the plaintiff must have been or is likely to be injured as a result. Gifford’s lawsuit is seeking both injunctive relief and monetary damages. To obtain monetary damages, a Lanham Act plaintiff must demonstrate actual consumer reliance on the false advertisement and a resulting economic impact on its own business. Gi f ford’s a mended compla i nt focuses on the USGBC ’s claims that LEED-certifi ed buildings are “designed and built using strategies aimed at improving performance

across all the metrics that matter most: energy savings …” The NBI report makes the claim that LEED-certified buildings use substantially less energy than nonLEED-certified buildings, a claim t h at t he U S G B C h as rep e ated many times on its web site and in printed literature, according to the complaint. In addition to Gifford’s and Lstiburek’s dissections of the NBI report, I found another analysis done by Dr. John H. Scofield of Oberlin College titled “A Re-Examination of the NBI LEED Building Energy Consumption Study.” Scofield fi nds several critical flaws in the NBI analysis and fi nds that “the average energy consumption by LEED-certified buildings is actually higher than the corresponding average for the U.S. commercial building stock.” He also concludes that “LEED certifi cation is not yielding any significant reduction in GHG emission by commercial buildings.” It’s not difficult to understand why many people feel that the USGBC claim that LEED-certified buildings are more energy efficient than nonLEED-certified buildings is false. Has this deceived, or had the capacity to deceive, a substantial segment of the audience? I would say “Yes.” Here are a few examples (from dozens and dozens). • A U.S. Conference of Mayors resolution for the support for the greening of school districts finding that: “Greening existing schools using tools like the LEED green building rating system can optimize building performance, resolve operational inefficiencies, and dramatically reduce utility costs.” • King County Washington Green Building Ordinance 16147 requiring that all buildings achieve LEED certification and states, “The achievement of LEED performance targets reduces operating costs, enhances asset value, optimizes building performance and creates healthier and more productive workplaces for King County employees and visitors.” • Missoula County Green Building

Policy requiring that all new construction and major renovation projects apply LEED criteria and register for LEED certification and states, “The LEED rating system calls for buildings to be constructed in ways that have been proven to reduce the consumption of energy and other natural resources, enhance recycling and re-use of building materials, minimize disposal of construction and demolition debris, and improve building performance, cost effi ciency, and building longevity…” Did claims about energy efficiency influence the purchasing decision? Were the plaintiffs injured? Did they suffer economically as a direct result of the alleged false advertising? No one can say for sure, but in the opinion of one attorney blog post I read, the law suit may very well survive a motion to dismiss (something that the USGBC will most certainly ask for) at which point it will enter the discovery phase. If this happens, plaintiffs may gain access to all sorts of potentially damning information that could help them with their claims against the defendant. Nora Hart, Gifford’s attorney, confirms that this is the reason the complaint was amended in a recent blog posting: “The amended complaint refl ects an expedited path … to discovery. There were many choices to be made, in terms of the range of potential plaintiffs, and the cognizable claims. Fostering public awareness and demanding accountability of USGBC is our goal, whether through a consumer class action, or an anti-competitive/deceptive trade action or both. Plaintiff Andrew Ask gives a succinct explanation of our goal: ‘to let the market for green buildings develop based on actual measured results, not predictions, and not hand-picked data samples.’”

CONCLUSION There is a lot of speculation flying around cyberspace about what might happen as a result of this lawsuit.

“LEED certification is not yielding any significant reduction in GHG emission by commercial buildings.” Some think the suit has no merit and will be thrown out. Some think there will be a settlement. Some think the law suit could make it to discovery whatever the outcome, I can’t help wonder what other lawsuits may be coming on the heels of this one. Gifford and the other plaintiffs are suing over false advertising related to energy use reduction and verification, but what about other claims made about the LEED-certified buildings? Claims have been made about reduced absenteeism, increased productivity, increased test

scores and superior indoor air quality. If Gifford and his fellow plaintiffs cannot convince the court that they have been (or likely will be) injured, there are certainly others who could. W&C Chris Dixon is a registered architect, Certified Construction Specifier, and LEED AP. He serves on GBI’s Green Globes Technical Committee and is a former USGBC Materials and Resources Technical Advisory Group member. If you read this article, please circle number 396.

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industry

VOICES COMPILED BY ROBERT WILSON

Revising C926 At present there are a myriad of changes being proposed for the ASTM Standards that govern stucco in the Florida Building Code. There are two basic types of changes that are undertaken, editorial and content, and by far the most common are editorial. This involves things like making a term used in one section consistent with the term used in another section or in a referenced standard. Sometimes this is a daunting task as definitions must be checked in all the appropriate standards and then checked against definitions for the same term in the general committee. Mostly this type of change has little effect on the application of plaster. It is the content changes that can come back to bite you. Rest assured that for the most part the members of the task group that recommend these changes are trying either to clarify the language currently in the standard, update current practices to accommodate new products or methods or to assign responsibility to the best suited party. It would seem on the surface that this should be a fairly easy task to complete. However, it can take many years to actually change a content section. ASTMs are regarded as the premier standardization format in the world. They are recognized and used by many countries, though written and adapted by members throughout the U.S and Canada. Therein lies the rub.

WORK TOGETHER Content changes must be approved by everyone in both countries. Since plastering is done differently in different locations, finding common ground can be difficult. Consider the desert climate of the southwest U.S vs. the wet climate of the southeast. For example, do they really need two layers of water-resistant barrier over frame construction in an area where it rains once per century whether they need it or not? So, it takes time.

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Here are some of the items currently being considered: ASTM C926 1. Add defi nitions for “barrier wall” and “drainage wall” to help differentiate between requirements for direct applied stucco (over block, concrete, etc.) and stucco applied to a metal plaster base. 2. Add a definition for “nominal thickness.” This one is an obvious problem to any stucco contractor. The proposed definition is, “a thickness to which a variation is to be expected and anticipated due to the nature of the application process and the allowable variation of the plane tolerance of the base.” There are, however, two sides to this argument. On the one hand, leaving the term open, as in this definition, can be viewed as protecting the sub from the problem of substrate abnormalities or as giving the sub a way to skimp on the coverage. On the other hand, defining an acceptable depth tolerance factor could help as well. The problem lies in what is an acceptable factor for plus and minus. Some have suggested percentages, but how do you measure 10 percent plus-orminus while applying a finish coat of 1/8 of an inch? How about a factor of less than an 1/8 inch to more than 1/4 inch? How do you allow less than a 1/8-inch to a 1/8 inch finish? It becomes too convoluted to attach specific tolerance to specific coats. My personal opinion is that any specific requirement is just feed for the legal profession. After all a nominal 2x4 isn’t; it’s 1½ inch by 3½ inch and I don’t hear lawyers griping about that.

3. Add definition of “solid substrate.” This is for clarification purposes to differentiate between concrete, masonry, brick, stone, precast, etc., and sheathing, wood, gypsum or any other. This term may get changed to “solid base” but either way, the rest of the standard will change to reflect the new definition. 4. Add to G eneral I nformation: A1.6.2 The plane tolerance of the substrate shall be not more than 1/4 inch in 10 feet (3.1 mm/m). To clarify that substrates out-of plane by more than this are subject to rejection by the sub as unfit for plastering. 5. Add to A2.3 Relief from Stresses: A2.3.1 For information on the requirements for control joints and perimeter relief, where a metal plaster base is employed, see the Installation Section of Specifi cation C 1063. Solid plaster bases are exempt from these criteria, except as stated in Section 5.2.2. To clarify that control joints are not necessary in direct applied stucco. 6. Re-write Section 5.2.3. and add Section 5.2.4 5.2 Surfaces of solid bases to receive plaster, such as masonry, stone, cast-in-place or precast concrete shall be straight and true within 1/4-inch in 10 feet (2.1 mm/m) and shall be free of form oil or other elements, which would interfere with bonding. Conditions where the surfaces are out of tolerance shall be corrected prior to the application of the plaster. Form ties or other obstructions shall be removed or trimmed back even with the surface of the solid base. 7. Separates bond issues due to substrate abnormalities from thickness issues due to out-of-plane substrates. Thickness issues frequently relate to out of tolerance shells as it is not uncommon to encounter concrete construction that does not comply with ACI 117. Hence the approach to remedy should be contained in the standard. The solution should be addressed by several parties including the

EDUCATION AND INTIATIVE SERVE REGIONAL ASSOCIATION MEMBERS By Janice Ficarrotto The Florida Wall & Ceiling Contractors Association is seeking new ideas to gain new member support from throughout the industry. Education has always been—and continues to be—the main focus of the organization’s primary efforts. With the Chinese drywall issue affecting our state from coast to coast, many of our members have concentrated their efforts on remediation work over the past two years. During the 2010 membership year, the association implemented a series of new programs held in conjunction with a regional meeting and table show in various areas of the state. With ample time provided for associate members to network with contractors, FWCCA was able to bring a series of educational programs to contractors and employees on a wide array of topics both educational and technical. By reaching out to contractors around the state, we were able to create a forum through which we can provide educational opportunities to members at no charge. In today’s competitive marketplace we were able to find a way to bring programs to members at the local level rather than burden them with traveling throughout Florida to attend programs of importance. The new alliance between associate members and the organization proved to be extremely beneficial to all participating and thus the program has been extended into the 2011 year. One of the newest projects currently being undertaken by the organization is a new educational program entitled “Project Manager’s Bootcamp.” This is a program wherein various aspects of project management are covered and delivery will be conducted by both contractor and associate members alike. While this program is now in the drafting stage, it is a program that will be delivered to the membership of FWCCA at no cost. If a company is a current paid member of the association, they are entitled to send employees to the program at no additional expense. While Florida is experiencing the effects of this economic slump, we do believe that we are beginning to see some movement in construction here in our state. While federallyfunded public work drove much of the job opportunities in 2010, according to Construction Executive Report, we expect an upsurge in private owner residential, healthcare and power construction in 2011. A recent 2011 outlook report expects overall construction starts to advance 8 percent this year, with single family housing to rise by 27 percent, new construction of multifamily housing to rise by 24 percent and commercial buildings to rise by 16 percent after falling 17 percent last year. We believe the bottom line is the non-residential construction recession is largely over but 2011 will be associated with grudgingly slow progress. Janice Ficarrotto is the executive vice president at the FWCCA. She can be reached at (407) 260-1313.

designers, contractors and owners and not dictated by the sub.

the current standards are available for a small fee at www.astm.org. W&C

These are just some of the proposals being considered at present. There are at least as many in C1063 as well. Bear in mind that this language is merely proposed at this point. It is likely that each item will change somewhat in its final format, if they pass at all. Some of these changes can have far-reaching consequences. Knowing the content of the standards can help keep you out of court and save time and money on call-backs. Copies of

Robert Wilson reports on ASTM C926, as he sits on ASTM C11. He has been in the cement and plastering industry for 35 years. Wilson is a board member for the FWCCA and chairman of the Florida Concrete Product Association, working on its stucco task force. He is an area sales manager in central florida for Cemex USA and can be reached at [email protected]. If you read this article, please circle number 397. Please Circle #338 On Reader Action Card April 2011 | Walls & Ceilings |

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the

TOOLBOX Non-VOC plaster binder AMERICAN CLAY ENTERPRISES INC. The PlasterPlus binder is added to the company’s earthen plasters, resulting in a hard, yet repairable, non-VOC finish for the cost of a high-quality paint job. The product is sold dry in 27-pound lots through select commercial distributors and is intended for commercial projects— such as healthcare, hospitality, universities and “big build” residential. The polymer binder is mold resistant, extremely easy-to-apply and still can contribute up to eight LEED points to any project. No wonder the fi eld response has been positive thus far. Walls coated with PlasterPlus can be wetted and reworked after application (without adding additional binder) to achieve desired results and yet is hard and durable.

Oscillating multi-tool BOSCH POWER TOOLS AND ACCESSORIES

The Genon contract wallcovering designs present designers and specifiers with a variety of choices for creating contemporary interior environments. Streamline, Crosslines and Archideco draw from geometric inspirations and comparable palettes. These new patterns also utilize the company’s exclusive Recore Recycled Wall technology. The products look, perform and hang exactly like traditional vinyl wallcoverings, contain 30 percent recycled content and are independently certified by Scientific Certification Systems to contain a minimum of 20 percent post-consumer content. These wallcovering patterns can be custom colored or weighted to meet the needs of almost any interior project. Genon wallcoverings are distributed nationally in the United States by MDC Wallcoverings and in Canada by Levey Industries.

The MX25E Oscillating Multi-Tool is designed to ease flush-cutting, plunge cutting, sanding, grinding, grout removal, scraping and other applications. Its compact size makes it small enough for working in corners and other tight spaces. The tool is rated at 2.5 amps and provides ample power for heavy-duty uses and working with tough materials. A variable-speed dial allows the speed to be matched to the application and material. A ball-joint cord swivel helps better position the tool and provides extra protection to the cord for increased durability over the life of the product. The product uses a 12-point accessory contact system created to provide a secure accessory connection and to maximize oscillatingaction work efficiency. A durable accessory holder makes it easy to change and position the accessories using a hex wrench. It also includes an OSCAD1 Adapter for use with many competitors' accessories.

If you read this article, please circle number 282.

If you read this article, please circle number 283.

If you read this article, please circle number 281.

Green commercial wallcoverings OMNOVA SOLUTIONS

Catalogs for EIFS, ICFs, drywall and more WIND-LOCK The company’s latest two catalogs are now available for 2011. The first has the traditional EIFS, ICF, stucco and weatherization products and the new drywall tool line will be in a separate catalog (pictured). According to the company, updates to the drywall product line will be communicated electronically and via its Web site. The traditional catalog has a new look this year. “Your Guide to Gettin’ It Done” was designed to be a helpful resource with some reminders and information about key products. The same catalog was mailed to the company’s customer list in early March. Both catalogs can be viewed online. If you read this article, please circle number 284.

Asphalt saturated kraft strips ALABAMA METAL INDUSTRIES CORP. The Tilath Starter Strips are Grade D asphalt saturated kraft strips applied over the foundation weep screed when installing off-set, paper backed lath. The strips are printed with incremental 1-inch marks and larger marks at 12 and 16 inches. These incremental marks assist the installer in fastening the lath to the wall framing. Because of their weather resistant barrier properties, they can also be used as flashing around doors, windows, behind stucco accessories and anywhere WRB strips are needed. The strips are 6 inches wide, come in 225-foot-long rolls and are pre-wound at the manufacturing facility, making them easy for one person to handle. The company packages 12 rolls per carton and stocks the strips in AMICO distribution centers in North America. If you read this article, please circle number 285.

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ADVERTISERS’ index

ADVERTISER

This index is provided as an additional service. The publisher does not assume any liability for errors or omissions.

RAC#

PG#

WEB ADDRESS

PHONE

Adapa, Inc.

209

50

www.adapausa.com

(800) 255-2302

Aerosmith, Inc.

332

56

www.aerosmithfastening.com

(800) 528-8183

Al’s Taping Tools & Spray Equipment

366

71

www.drywalltools.com

(800) 458-7895

Allied Building Products Corp.

400

74

www.alliedbuilding.com

(800)-4-ALLIED

AMICO

331

55

www.amico-vinyl.com

(800) 366-2642

Armstrong World Industries

103

5

www.armstrong.com/contractorsonly

(877) ARMSTRONG

CertainTeed Ceilings

308

cover, 13

www.certainteed.com

(800) 233-8990

CertainTeed Gypsum

153

17

www.certainteed.com

(800) 233-8990

ClarkDietrich Building Systems

154

43

www.clarkdietrich.com

(800) 543-7140

Demand Products

324

30

www.demandproducts.com

(800) 325-7540

Dept. of Homeland Security-E-Verify

337

65

www.dhs.gov/e-verify

Dura-Tape

335

62

www.duratape.com

(908) 687-8273

Energex Wall Systems

326

38

www.energexwallsystems.com

(888) 343-7462

Fascan International, Inc.

358

8

www.fascan.com

(800) 632-5933

Flex-Ability Concepts

319

12

www.flexabilityconcepts.com

(866) 443-3539

Full Circle International

318

59

www.fullcircleinternational.com

(866) 675-2401

Hacker Industries

321

15

www.hackerindustries.com

(949) 729-3101

Hamilton Drywall Products

329

49

www.hamiltonnw.com

(800) 871-4998

Hunter Douglas Contract

202

21

www.hunterdouglascontract.com

(800) 727-8953

Hy-Flex Corp.

323

26

www.hyflexcorp.com

(866) 849-6246

Jescraft

338

69

www.jescraft.com

(201) 488-4545

Johnson Level & Tool

322

20

www.johnsonlevel.com

(262) 478-8046

Lafarge North America/Gypsum

106

7

www.lafarge-na.com

(800) 237-5505

La Polla Industries, Inc.

317

44

www.lapolla.com

888-4-LAPOLLA

Larsen Products Corp.

330

52

www.larsenproducts.com

(301) 776-4595

Marino\Ware Industries

107

47

www.MarinoWare.com

(800) 627-4661

Metal-Lite

146

67

www.metal-lite.net

(866) 313-3584

MP Products

320

14

www.mpproducts.com

(201) 888-8535

Murco Wall Products

228

45

www.murcowall.com

(800) 446-7124

IFC

www.nationalgypsum.com

(800) NATIONAL

www.oncenter.com/WallsAndCeilings

(866) 627-6246

71

www.outsourcesestimator.com

(804) 684-5613

National Gypsum On Center Software

326, 341

Outsource Estimating

72

35, 63

Parex USA, Inc.

181

25

www.parexusa.com

(714) 738-2266

PDquipment

355

71

www.pdquipment.com

(888) 383-7274

Perfect Wall Inc.

146

71

www.perfectwall.net

(866) 313-3584

Peters & Sons

333

56

www.ldpeters.com

(800) 221-9933

Phillips Manufacturing

334

61

www.phillipsmfg.com

(800) 822-5055

Plastic Components, Inc.

159

3

www.plasticomponents.com

(800) 327-7077

| Walls & Ceilings | April 2011

RAC#

PG#

WEB ADDRESS

PHONE

The Quikrete Companies

ADVERTISER

349

11

www.quikrete.com

(800) 282-5828

Snap-Tex International

344

71

www.snaptex.com

(800) 762-7876

Source of Supply, Inc.

340

73

www.sosfoams.com

(239) 573-3637

SPEC MIX, Inc.

342

27

www.specmix.com

(888) SPECMIX

Specialized Building Products

343

41

www.specializedbuildingproducts.com

(714) 279-1042

Stockton Products

325

30

www.stocktonproducts.com

(877) 862-5866

Strucsoft Solutions

327

42

www.strucsoftsolutions.com

(514) 731-0008

Structa Wire Corp.

296

9

www.structawire.com

(530) 269-1200

Structus Building Technologies

112

BC

www.hydrotrimcorner.com

(888) 662-6281

Stud Chopper Tools, LLC

339

73

www.studchopper.com

(985) 641-2753

Super Stud Building Products, Inc.

120

39

www.edgesteelframing.com

(800) 477-7883

Total Wall, Inc.

198

IBC

www.totalwall.com

(888) 702-9915

Trim-Tex, Inc.

118

31

www.trim-tex.com

(800) 874-2333

Western Pacific Distributing

328

48

www.westpacmaterials.com

(714) 974-6837

Wind-Lock Interiors

336

62

www.wind-lock.com

(800) 872-5625

Please Circle #340 On Reader Action Card

Please Circle #339 On Reader Action Card April 2011 | Walls & Ceilings |

73

Sponsored by Allied Building Products Corporation

Contractor Profile SPACETONE ACOUSTICS, INC. S

pacetone Acoustics, A i Inc. I got its i start in 1979 in Robert Libby’s small garage. Over the next three decades, the Pleasanton, Calif.-based company has grown to become one of the largest commercial ceiling contractors in Northern California, doing work for high-profile general contractors such as Webcor Builders, DPR Construction, Inc., McCarthy Building Companies and Rudolph and Sletten, Inc. Spacetone specializes in all applications of acoustical ceiling systems, metal ceilings, wood ceilings, sound control and acoustical wall treatments. The company has successfully served contractors and owners throughout Northern California, establishing professional relationships and building a reliable reputation with its customers. The company has done commercial, public, industrial and institutional work over the course of its 31 years in business. The staff includes four experienced estimators/project managers, a superintendent, office staff and approximately 50 field workers. Spacetone’s General Manager Bret Chandler spoke with Walls & Ceilings recently about what it takes to be a prime ceiling contractor. Bret has been working in the trades since 1984, when he began as an installer. In 1998 he was hired by Spacetone as an estimator and was eventually promoted to General Manager.

Spacetone Acoustics has thrived for more than three decades by servicing Northern California and beyond in quality ceiling applications, both large and small. By John Wyatt Many different manufacturers’ products are used by the company for its various jobs, Bret says. The bulk of products used for these projects are Armstrong-made acoustical and grid systems. The company also utilizes such specialty ceiling manufacturers as Armstrong AS, Hunter Douglas, and Ceilings Plus. He also credits a business partnership with the distributor Acoustical Material Services, a division of Allied Building Products Corp. Bret says that despite a poor economy, Spacetone has been very fortunate. The company has continued to maintain a high volume of work. In fact, there is work on the books in the distant future with two large hospital projects scheduled to start in 2012.

A HOMEGROWN COMPANY “The company has grown tremendously since Robert Libby founded Spacetone Acoustics out of his garage in 1979,” says Bret. “Since then, I’d say we’ve at least quadrupled in size.” The company’s operations stretch as far north as the Oregon border, as far east as the Nevada border, and as far south as Fresno, California.

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| Walls & Ceilings | April 2011

Spacetone Acoustics utilized this Armstrong wood ceiling system for the Lab 126 project in Cupertino, Calif.

He credits the company’s longevity in part due to the working relationships Spacetone has with several different general contractors and builders. “I would say working with general contractors, hand-in-hand, is the most interesting and important aspect to this job,” Bret says. “Excellent customer service is our number one priority. We achieve this by dedicated project management and staying in contact with both our employees and the General Contractor. Our goal is to do an excellent job for you so that you want to contract Spacetone again and again.” This year, Spacetone Acoustics was named winner of CISCA’s Annual Silver Award for the installation of almost 20,000 square feet of a wood ceiling system for the University of California, San Francisco, Mission Bay—Cardiovascular Research Facility. In addition to the wood ceiling products installed, Armstrong products were used as well. The company will be honored this month at CISCA’s Annual Convention in Las Vegas. W&C If you read this article, please circle number 400.

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