Blog
Adhesives and Sealants: Performance First, but Materials Matter
Exterior adhesives and sealants are formulated for performance, but some contain chemicals that pose risks to unprotected workers or the environment.
by Brent Ehrlich
This is part of an ongoing series. Read all the Sticky Business posts here.
Does LEED Kill Jobs? Lobbyist Claims Don't Hold Up
FSC and LEED, with its certified wood credit, are hurting the economy, claim the governor of Maine, a U.S. Senator, and SFI. We take a look at the evidence.
by P.J. Melton
This is Part 1 in our "Wood Wars" series.
"Wood Wars" Continue, with Military Losing
Defense authorization bill calls to haul military money going to LEED
by P.J. Melton
The U.S. Congress is calling a halt to certain military spending on green building in a newly passed defense authorization bill (H.R. 1540). The bill prohibits use of Department of Defense funds to achieve LEED Gold or Platinum, with waivers possible if a cost-benefit analysis for the project can demonstrate payback. Exceptions may also be made without a special waiver if achieving Gold or Platinum “imposes no additional cost.”
Georgia Bans LEED Over Certified Wood Credits
Following in Maine’s footsteps, the State of Georgia has effectively banned LEED certification for State building projects.
by P.J. Melton
Following in Maine’s footsteps, the State of Georgia has effectively banned LEED certification for State building projects.
Sealing Without Stickum: Gaskets Make a Place for Themselves
Compressible gaskets keep air and water barriers continuous without liquid sealants or adhesive tapes. But they don’t all last equally well.
by Peter Yost
This is part of an ongoing series. Read all the Sticky Business posts here.
In the U.S., we tend to put a lot of faith in caulks, tapes, and wet-applied sealants. But in Europe it’s a different story.
30 Years Later – Fixing Those Drainage Problems
Finally fixing the basement drainage problems that have plagued my house for 30 years
by
When I bought the house in West Dummerston, Vermont, where my wife and I have lived for the past thirty years, one of the first things I did was fix the drainage problems that were dumping water into our basement….
Or so I thought. Let me explain.
Sustainable Sealants: The Challenges of Predicting Service Life
Caulk joint sealants can be a major deciding factor in how long your building envelope lasts. Is there a better way to predict how long the sealants last?
by Peter Yost
This is part of an ongoing series. Read all the Sticky Business posts here.
LEED Certified or Certifiable? Architects Make the Case for Earning the Plaque
Got clients that want LEED-certifiable projects but don't want to commit to certification? Join the club, and hear some tips and lessons learned.
by
“Anyone else finding a trend of clients wanting LEED-certifiable projects but not wanting to commit to certification? I have three projects just this week toying with going this route.”
That was the opening salvo in a recent email discussion I was involved in among a group of architects. With the permission of those involved, I’ve anonymously synthesized some of the key takeaways here. I’d also like to hear from you: please post your experiences on LEED certified vs. certifiable projects below.