Walls & Ceilings articles from January 2007

Walls & Ceilings archives from January 2007

Time for a change.(up FRONT)
January 1, 2007... Someone once told me "things always change." Truer words were never spoken. As the Democratic Party prepares to take control of the House and Senate, some people are celebrating while others are filled with fret and concern. Change can be...

A note from the editor.(up FRONT)(Editorial)
January 1, 2007... Hello readers, I just wanted to pass along a short note introducing myself. I'm Mark Rutkowski, and I am the new editor of Walls & Ceilings. I've come to the magazine after 14 years with Heritage Newspapers, a chain of weekly papers just...

Calendar.(TRADENEWS)(Calendar)
January 1, 2007... JANUARY 22-26 WORLD OF CONCRETE 2007 Las Vegas www.worldofconcrete.com FEBRUARY 7-10 2007 INTERNATIONAL BUILDERS' SHOW Orange County Convention Center Orlando, Fla. www.buildersshow.com 11-14 PACE 2007...

Gypsum Association adds new member.(INDUSTRY WIRE)
January 1, 2007... Michael Gardner, executive director of the Gypsum Association and contributing editor for Walls & Ceilings, announced that Federal Gypsum Co. of Point Tupper, Nova Scotia, has joined the association as an associate member. Action was taken...

Dryvit obtains ISO-14001 certification for Oklahoma facility.(TRADENEWS)
January 1, 2007... Dryvit Systems Inc. has announced that its Sand Springs, Okla., manufacturing plant has received ISO14001:2004 certification. This is the first step in the company's plan to achieve ISO certification for each of its five North American...

Dietrich's parent creates Integrated Building Systems.(TRADENEWS)
January 1, 2007... Worthington Industries Inc. has consolidated a part of its metal framing business that serves the military and single-family residential construction markets under the newly created Worthington Integrated Building Systems. Previously, the...

Remodeling Market strengthens in third quarter.(TRADENEWS)
January 1, 2007... Remodeling activity picked up in the third quarter of 2006, according to the National Association of Home Builders' Remodeling Market Index. The current market conditions index increased from 45.6 to 47.8 on a seasonally adjusted basis and...

ICFA holds successful Fall Meeting and Expo.(TRADENEWS)
January 1, 2007... The Insulating Concrete Form Association recently wrapped up its final twice-a-year meeting in Milwaukee. With more than 300 individuals attending the show, it was one of the association's largest meetings. Attendees were impressed with...

New Jersey awards BASF.(TRADENEWS)
January 1, 2007... In November, BASF Corp. was awarded the New Jersey 2006 Governor's Environmental Excellence Award. The award is in recognition of the company's demonstration home located in Paterson, N.J., and its subsequent educational program promoting...

Quest wins TIPTA award at Construct Canada 2006.(TRADENEWS)
January 1, 2007... Quest Solutions has been awarded the second place ribbon in the Temple W. Harris Innovative Product & Technology Award, which is given annually to select Construct Canada exhibitors that have demonstrated the development and/or use of...

ACI announces new publications.(TRADENEWS)
January 1, 2007... The American Concrete Institute announces the availability of six new publications: * 117-06: Specifications for Tolerances for Concrete Construction and Materials and Commentary * 234R-06: Guide for the Use of Silica Fume in Concrete...

Honeywell Fire Systems.(PEOPLE)
January 1, 2007... Honeywell Fire Systems has named Beth Welch as the new media relations manager.

Parksite Inc.(PEOPLE)
January 1, 2007... Parksite Inc. has named George Pardo as vice president of its Parksite Surfaces and Parksite Builder Solutions division.

The National Fire Protection Association.(PEOPLE)
January 1, 2007... The National Fire Protection Association announced the appointment of Christian Dubay as vice president, Codes and Standards and Chief Engineer.

RBF Consulting.(PEOPLE)
January 1, 2007... RBF Consulting announced the re-election of Todd Niemann as the president of the San Diego Regional Chapter of the Construction Management Association of America.

Spackle.(Cartoon)
January 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Blown-in wall system: Owens Corning.(product FOCUS on Insulation)
January 1, 2007... ProPink Complete Blown-in Wall System is designed for all enclosed cavities--including walls and ceilings. This product will not settle, rot or decay, enabling a consistent R-value from the moment it's installed. The insulation fits the form of...

Energy-efficient panels: Kama Energy Efficient Building Systems.(product FOCUS on Insulation)
January 1, 2007... The company's panels are 60 percent more energy efficient than those built with traditional wood or metal stud framing. The energy efficient, green-building panels can reduce, by one-third, a building's heating and air conditioning...

Glazing system: Weather Shield MFG. Inc.(product FOCUS on Insulation)
January 1, 2007... The new Zo-e-shield glazing systems feature exclusive Real Warm Edge Spacer Systems, EasyCare coating, multiple layers of silver coating and inert gas-filled airspaces. Real Warm Edge Spacers, made from flexible, low-conductive, durable...

Acoustical insulation: CertainTeed.(product FOCUS on Insulation)
January 1, 2007... CertaPro AcoustaTherm Batts are designed to enhance acoustical and thermal performance in exterior and interior walls, and improve sound transmission loss over suspended ceilings. The product improves acoustical properties in partition or...

Insulation maximizes fire containment: Thermafiber.(product FOCUS on Insulation)
January 1, 2007... Perimeter fire containment systems designed with Firespan mineral wool insulation blankets provide fire resistance, thereby maximizing life safety in structures subject to fire outbreak from any number of unsuspected sources, such as a...

Control moisture in sidewall systems.
January 1, 2007... Water resistive barriers and rainscreen systems can protect sidewall systems from mold and mildew damage, while boosting a home's energy efficiency. but choosing the right system begins with a thorough understanding of the performance...

Exterior stucco as a waterproofing alternative: an effective and aesthetically pleasing way to weatherproof an aged masonry wall is adding a cement stucco system.
January 1, 2007... Stucco can reduce the moisture permeability of masonry--enhancing its waterproofing capabilities--and provides an aesthetic finish on concrete block or masonry. Cement stucco can also be colored or patterned to add a textured look to a...

Cracks in Portland cement plaster (stucco): where do they come from? Why do they happen? Who is to blame? An analysis on what causes hairline cracks in Portland cement.
January 1, 2007... Every contractor who has anything to do with stucco knows the frustration of hairline cracks that are inherent with a cement stucco system. We try every new product and technique but yet still seem to find ourselves on site with the designer,...

Three-dimensional water protection: by adding waterproofing/air barriers to buildings, you can create effective protection from moisture.
January 1, 2007... There are many choices for cladding available today for your residential or commercial project. Some are more energy efficient than others and it's important, no matter what siding you choose, to protect your investment. A waterproofing/air...

Locked, stocked and R smoking value: the ICFA and Habitat partner to create an affordable housing project with very strong energy efficiency and insulating qualities, and a hot look.(Cover story)
January 1, 2007... After reading the article "The Habituals" (Walls & Ceilings, Sept. 2005) about the Jimmy Carter Work Project in Detroit that W & C and other BNP Media sister publications were involved in, Joseph Lyman, the Insulating Concrete Form...

Solid strategy for staying busy.(the PLASTER man)
January 1, 2007... It doesn't take a rocket scientist to realize that in many parts of the country the economy has slowed way down. For several months now, I have gotten e-mails from many who have asked for tips on staying busy, especially around this time of the...

Leaks.(the FINISH LINE)
January 1, 2007... The number one source of litigation in the construction industry is leaks. People tend to describe buildings in terms of the dominant opaque cladding: "Turn left at the brick building," instead of "Turn left at the building with windows." Thus...

The marvels of veneer plaster finishes.(all things GYPSUM)
January 1, 2007... We spend much of the time in this column addressing the many facets of gypsum wallboard construction. Lately, with the recent release of our flagship publication, the Fire Resistance Design Manual, we've concentrated our discussions on both...

Coming to America (Part one).(the GREEN thumb)
January 1, 2007... Back in January 2002, there appeared in this column a two-part article entitled "Drywall Deja Vu." The first part talked about the impact of waste gypsum board; fully 1 percent of the entire solid waste stream and the problems encountered when...

America's Mandarins.(smart BUSINESS)
January 1, 2007... Government employees are gobbling ever larger amounts of taxpayer money. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Pseudo-holidays, such as Columbus Day and Presidents Day, give respite to those of us who live in traffic-clogged metropolitan areas....

Keeping Latinos safe on the job.(success with HISPANICS)
January 1, 2007... Ramon didn't understand. He said he did but he didn't. He said he did because he wanted to make his supervisor happy. Making his supervisor happy cost him his life. Making his supervisor happy cost his family their husband, their father, their...

Rugged hand laser: Spectra Precision Laser/Trimble.(the TOOLBOX)
January 1, 2007... The easy-to-use, self-leveling Spectra Precision Laser LG20 Crossbeam Generator is a rugged, one-person tool designed for a variety of interior and exterior applications. It is a versatile hand tool that replaces a level, square, plumb bob,...

Faux finish option for medallions: Focal Point Architectural Products.(the TOOLBOX)
January 1, 2007... The product is designed for those who want the look of a stained or finished medallion but don't have the time or resources to create the effect. Ten hand-applied, artistic finishes will be available nationwide for more than 30 medallion...

Helical anchor: Powers Fasteners Inc.(the TOOLBOX)
January 1, 2007... With the new Heli-Pin helical facade anchor, contractors can stabilize both brick and masonry walls and make invisible repairs to masonry building facades. The corrosion-resistant stainless steel anchor tie creates a mechanical connection...

Mold-resistant exterior sheathing: Temple-Inland Forest Products.(the TOOLBOX)
January 1, 2007... StructGuard TS is a mold-resistant, exterior gypsum sheathing that provides code-recognized structural wall bracing. Manufactured with special anti-microbial additives, water-inhibiting facers and beneficial vapor permeability, it provides...

Lithium-ion cordless metal cutting saw: Makita U.S.A. Inc.(the TOOLBOX)
January 1, 2007... The 18V LXT Lithium-Ion 5 3/8-inch Cordless Metal Cutting Saw Kit, model BCS550, is powered by a high-torque motor producing 3,400 RPM and featuring a carbide-tipped 30T blade. This saw will cut conduit pipe, channel, corrugated sheet metal,...

Portable band saw blades: M. K. Morse.(the TOOLBOX)
January 1, 2007... The company has launched a new line of bimetal portable band saw blades. The heavy-duty product line is .025 inches thick rather than the standard .020 inches. The increased thickness improves beam strength and reduces deflection for use in...

Ceiling coffers: Madrid Inc.(the TOOLBOX)
January 1, 2007... The company's ceiling coffers are for residential and commercial applications. The coffers feature a quick and easy method of clipping to an existing grid. The system is designed to conceal the metal grid without having to use cumbersome grid...

Ergonomic lifting tool: Dr. Gold & Co./Goldanco LLC.(the TOOLBOX)
January 1, 2007... The Carrymate lifting and carrying grips are rugged yet lightweight tools that will safely handle any form of sheet material, ranging from drywall, lumber, plywood and sheet metal to doors, windows and other awkward objects. They are designed...

Hand-carry compressors: Jenny Products Inc.(the TOOLBOX)
January 1, 2007... Designed to be an economy equipment solution, the lightweight and portable Air2Go compressors feature a single-stage, direct-coupled pump, built with a cast-iron cylinder for longer service life and an aluminum head to allow better dissipating...

Architectural, stucco-coated metal wall panels: Custom Panel Systems.(the TOOLBOX)
January 1, 2007... These sturdy, 20 gauge panels are designed to comply with building codes that prohibit the use of corrugated metal panels. The panels offer a flat, stucco coated profile with an interlocking, concealed fastener attachment system. The panels are...