ToolBase E-News volume 140
In This Issue:
BEST OF WHAT'S NEW IN HOME TECH:
Popular Science Magazine recently named the 100 most impressive technologies of 2005 in twelve categories for its 18th Annual Best of What's New awards. In the Home Tech category, the Grand Award was given to Timber Treatment Technologies' TimberSIL, a non-toxic, non-corrosive pressure-treated wood. The lumber first absorbs sodium silicate under pressure, and then bakes until an amorphous glass hardens throughout the wood. Other winning products include Grancrete, a sprayable concrete that can be applied over a frame to create a waterproof, fire-resistant structure in 20 minutes; and EGP Thermique Hot Glass, the first transparent adjustable heater. To learn more about other winning Home Tech products, visit the Popular Science website.
NEW OSB STANDS UP TO HURRICANES:
According to a recent article in the Portland Press Herald (Matt Wickenheiser, 12/4/05), University of Maine researchers have developed an advanced oriented strand board (AOSB) which they believe will help houses withstand brutal hurricane winds. The product uses a resin-and-fiberglass composite strip that can be layered into standard OSB. In tests at UMaine, the AOSB has shown a 125 percent increase in strength for one type of failure during a hurricane over traditional OSB, and a 73 percent increase in a building's ability to absorb energy and not shake apart during an earthquake. The researchers are currently conducting additional tests and looking into getting AOSB manufactured and into the marketplace. For more detail on AOSB and how it addresses common failures that occur in hurricanes, read the article.
EARTH-FRIENDLY MATERIALS GO MAINSTREAM:
According to a recent article in the New York Times (Earnest Beck; 01/05/06), growing consumer interest in organic products has encouraged a new generation of green home building retailers, which are poised to become a national presence. These stores sell to homeowners interested in protecting their health and the environment; items include eco-timber, insulation made of recycled jeans, plant-based paints, organic bedding, sustainable cork flooring, natural fertilizer and mold-resistant drywall. To learn more, read the article.
THIS HOME BY DIGITAL DESIGN:
According to a recent article in the Lexington Herald-Leader (Art Jester; 12/12/05), an innovative new home in Lexington, Ky., used high-end visualization computers to create not only the home's structural design, but also the template for manufacturing its building materials. According to Gregory Luhan, an assistant professor of architecture at the University of Kentucky who envisioned the "Resonance House" project, the digital process "gives you the ability to control, with a high level of precision, all aspects of design and manufacturing." During construction, a portable milling machine was used on site to turn raw wood into flooring, and scrap materials were recycled, cutting construction waste to three tons, a fraction of the waste typically generated in a comparably-sized project. The project was chosen by the U.S. Green Building Council as one of 12 test sites in the nation for developing standards for the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) program. For more information, read the article.
'LOUISIANA HOUSE' SHOWCASES METHODS AND MATERIALS FOR FLOOD, MOISTURE, HURRICANE RESISTANCE:
A recent article in the (New Orleans) Times-Picayune (Renée Peck; 11/12/05) details the development of the "Louisiana House" in Baton Rouge, a demonstration home that showcases materials and techniques for improving flood and hurricane-resistance. According to the article, the project offers a timely cheat sheet for those who want to retrofit their homes and who are those starting from scratch. The Louisiana State University Agriculture Center project showcases four different building systems, with four foundation systems, three heating and cooling systems, 10 different kinds of windows and doors, half a dozen types of window flashing, and a variety of flooring, which demonstrates choices for different budgets and needs. To learn more, read the article.
HOME AWARENESS SYSTEM RESPONDS TO WATER LEAKS:
According to a recent article in Nation's Building News, Eaton Corporation recently launched Home Heartbeat, a wireless, plug-and-use home awareness product that allows homeowners to monitor the safety, security, and comfort of their homes remotely. The product features a water sensor that can help prevent expensive water damage in the event of a leak. If the water sensor detects a leak in the home, it relays a message to the Base Station, which in turn alerts the homeowner and shuts down the main water supply through a Water Shut-off Valve. For more information, read the article.
FIBERGLASS REINFORCED WOOD OFFERS HIGH-STRENGTH MATERIAL OPTION:
According to a recent press release from the USDA Forest Service Forest Products Laboratory (FPL) in Madison, Wis. (1/17/06), a recent a lifecycle inventory analysis indicates that wood reinforced with fiberglass may offer environmentally-friendly benefits and increased security. The analysis was conducted by researchers at ERG, Inc., of Lexington, Mass., and reported in the Forest Products Journal. Researchers explain that fiberglass reinforcement, primarily at joints, hinges, and latches, improves the strength and durability of doors, making them suitable for use in some residential applications where increased security is a primary concern. The wood-fiberglass doors can also be manufactured using low-grade, small diameter timber, according to the release.
ENERGY-EFFICIENT LIGHTING BRICKS:
"Solar Bricks" may offer a new and energy-efficient way to light up a driveway, a pool deck, a path or patio, according to a recent press release (1/26/06). The Miracle Solar Energy Lighting Brick and Road Marker systems, distributed by WW Creative Solutions, Inc. of San Diego, Calif., consist of a modular, self-contained lighting device that can be used for decorative or traffic flow purposes, powered only by solar energy charging capacitors, with no batteries. The lights automatically turn on at dusk and off at dawn and require only a few hours of daylight to charge for a full night's operation. They are designed to fit into existing surfaces, both horizontally and vertically, and require no wiring or electric outlets. For more information, read the release.
INDUSTRY WORKING GROUP AIMS TO KEEP BUILDERS CURRENT WITH HOME ELECTRONICS:
According to a recent release from the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), the NAHB National Council of the Housing Industry (NCHI) - Supplier 100 has created a new subcommittee, called the Home Electronics Working Group, to keep builders updated on the latest trends and innovations on the home technology front. The group aims to increase awareness of home technologies within the residential construction industry through conferences, local trainings, and forums. The group is open to all NAHB and NCHI members in the building, remodeling, manufacturing, and design industries. To learn more, read the release. To become a member of NCHI and the Home Electronics Working Group, please email Barbara McMurrary.
