2011 Fall Newsletter

Sep 26, 2011

  Building Communities That Last- One brick, block, and stone at a time - A message from the board   The construction industry has faced a number of challenges this past year: economic issues, potential changes to the building code, severe weather, problems caused by aging infrastructure, and volatile political situations that impact our industry.     

MasonryWorx and our partners have been diligent in our participation with governing bodies, codes and standards committees, industry alliances and interest groups to keep an open dialogue on these issues and to keep a long-term view in mind.   We have conducted surveys and provided qualified research about our industry to our members, partners, the public and the press, and made concerted efforts to keep the interests of society at the centre of our motivation.

Strong communities require strong, durable, safe buildings.  Keeping our eye on the long term and on the interests of those who inhabit and use our homes and public buildings is the key to making a lasting impact on society.  Masonry products contribute to communities, providing fire safety, protection from severe weather, low maintenance, energy efficiency and long-lasting beauty to neighbourhoods. 

A recent study conducted by Pollara Strategic Insights indicated that 80% of new home buyers put masonry first in durability, fire resistance, stability in severe weather and increased value of their home. And industry research indicates that masonry homes are up to 13% more energy efficient.  This is a track record that the masonry industry is proud to maintain and grow.

With climate change a raging issue, globally and in Canada, taking a long view in the construction of our communities is more critical than ever.  Severe weather and energy efficiency have become important issues for most homeowners in Ontario, and the durability of building materials is a key environmental issue.  Pollara reports that 78% of new homebuyers in Ontario put energy efficiency of their home as a top priority, and that 89% of new homebuyers would prefer to buy a home made with brick or stone over siding.  

GreenBuild, the official conference of the U.S. Green Building Council, is to be held in Toronto this fall, indicating the importance of our province in the commitment to build sustainable neighbourhoods.  The building community has responded enthusiastically, and thousands have registered to attend this important conference.  Many of our members will be exhibiting, and MasonryWorx will be joining in the conversation about sustainable construction.

Our members understand the value of buildings that last, and homes that shelter inhabitants from growing environmental concerns such as energy consumption and severe weather.  Ensuring the durability of our product is top of mind for MasonryWorx, and our mandate to educate our members, builders, and consumers about the environmental properties of our product and services is critical to our long term success, and to the success of communities in this province for decades to come.  

Lasting buildings make lasting communities.  We hope you will join MasonryWorx in furthering this vision for a strong future for buildings and the neighbourhoods they enhance in Ontario.

Dante Di Giovanni
President, MasonryWorx

Taking A Fresh Look at Cavity Wall Insulation

Insulated masonry walls are not new.  Although many different types of insulation can be used in this application, not all have the desired performance. Fortunately there are cost-effective options with a proven track record of in-field use and performance, including STYROFOAM™ Brand CAVITYMATE™ Ultra Insulation by Dow Building Materials.  

With new energy codes requiring even higher R-values – and designers committing to meet other energy efficiency benchmarks – the challenge is to find cost-effective, energy-efficient cavity wall insulations. That is why selecting insulation with a high R-value/inch is so critical. Insulations, such as STYROFOAM™ Brand CAVITYMATE™ Ultra Insulation with R5.6/inch, offer close to 25% more R-value/inch than some other insulations.  Installing just 3” (75mm) provides close to R-17 and still works with conventional cavity wall designs.

When looking at cavity wall applications, take the time to get the answers to these questions:  

• What is the in-field performance of the insulation?  Sometimes the ‘in-field’ experience is different from reported lab results.  For example, if mineral fiber insulation sits on the lower shelf angle, it can retain moisture, having a detrimental effect on the insulation R-value and on the durability of the insulation, ties and flashing.  Figure 1 compares the water absorption of mineral wool insulation versus a typical plastic foam over 2 hours of immersion, according to ASTM C209 “Standard Test Methods for Cellulosic Fiber Insulation Board’. In just 5 minutes, mineral wool absorbs far more moisture than a typical plastic foam insulation does in 2 hours.
• What is the moisture performance in a real world environment? If the insulation does get wet, will it dry out? By design, cavity walls are a wet environment.  Because water is very conductive, any water in the insulation can lower the overall R-value. Add in potential freeze-thaw cycling, reduced durability due to ‘soggy’ insulation, increased weight of the insulation, and the situation goes from bad to worse. Currently, there is no ASTM drainage test so finding comparative data on how efficiently insulation will drain if it gets wet is a challenge. In a simple test where a sample of mineral wool was submerged for 2 hours, then removed and drained on edge, a significant amount of water still remained in the insulation after 3 hours. (Figure 2)
• Can the insulation perform when subjected to freezing temperatures? Serious damage can be caused by ice forming in the wall which can cause the bricks to spall. In addition, if the insulation retains moisture, the exterior wall may exhibit wet patches and even white salt stains.
• Is the compressive strength of the insulation sufficient to avoid compression during installation and in service? Some types of insulation lose their R value when compressed as the trapped insulating air is reduced, so specify cavity wall insulation that can perform under compression.
• Does the insulation work as a system with other components in the wall cavity? Any cavity wall insulation must work with other components – such as foam-in-place insulation, adhesives, flashings, ties, etc. – to deliver a holistic, energy efficient system.
• What is the advertised R-value versus the stable, long-term value? Some insulation manufacturers quote an initial R-value instead of the long-term aged R-value.  Confirm that any insulation delivers the design R-value to maximize energy savings and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Remember that once the insulation is installed, it can’t be easily replaced or inspected. It doesn't make sense to use insulation with less than superior field performance.  If it fails, the burden of removal, replacement and disposal can be a costly ‘mistake’. 

Take a fresh look at your insulation choice. Make sure it delivers an energy efficient, cost effective solution of long-lasting and proven performance with high R-values/inch even in the wettest environments.  The result will save time, aggravation and money – and help save the environment along the way.

Cecile Mutton, P. Eng is a professional engineer and an experienced technical writer with a strong interest in environment and construction-related topics.

Contact:
Dow Building Solutions
1-866-583-BLUE (2583)
www.dowbuildingsolutions.com/block

®™ Trademark of The Dow Chemical Company ("Dow") or an affiliated company of Dow

(1)CavityRock insulation manufactured by Roxul Inc. was used as the test material.

For more detailed information, see Tech Solution 520.0 at http://www.dow.com/webapps/lit/litorder.asp

Benefits of Masonry Homes Make Sustainable Performance Affordable

In today’s climate of changing weather and increasing heating costs, it makes more sense than ever to pay attention to the materials that protect our homes and public buildings.  Masonry is a proven building material, one that has stood the test of time over hundreds of years, and one which offers even more benefits in this challenging world of changing communities.

How to afford sustainable building? Homebuyers and commercial building owners need value now, more than ever, so escalating costs is an issue.  According to a recent study conducted by Pollara Strategic Insights, 89% of people in Ontario prefer masonry on their home, but most think it costs more than other materials such as wood, vinyl siding or stucco.  The reality is that a recent review of builders in the GTA indicates that a home built with masonry cladding adds only 2 to 4% to the end cost of the home.

This small differential is easily recovered by increased energy efficiency, higher resale value, and quality of life while occupying the building.  

Real estate professionals estimate that a masonry home sells for 6% more than a similar home with vinyl, wood or stucco cladding.  The curb appeal is that strong.  And, Pollara indicated that four out of five people think a brick or stone home looks best, is more durable and has a higher resale value.  Two-thirds also acknowledge that a masonry home will have lower maintenance costs than options like wood, stucco or vinyl siding.  All of this adds up to increased value of the building, and lower ongoing costs.

Another important factor in the sustainability of a masonry building is energy efficiency.  A study conducted by the Cement Association of Canada, ”Guide to Sustainable Design with Concrete,” concluded that a ‘high thermal mass’ building, typical of masonry, resulted in 8 to 13% increased energy efficiency.  The National Association of Homebuilders conducted a computer simulation study of equivalently sized and shaped masonry buildings against timber-framed buildings with a 30% higher insulation R-value.  The masonry homes proved 12 to 17% more efficient, even against the better insulated wood frame buildings.  The resulting savings in heating costs, and reduced emissions into the environment for a masonry home result in a lower sustainability footprint that pays for itself.

The cornerstone of sustainability is durability.  There are a number of factors that support the case for durability of masonry buildings, not the least of which is track record.   Builders through the ages, from the Parthenon to the great cathedrals of Europe, chose masonry for buildings that are still standing today.  DoItYourself.com, an independent home improvement and repair web site, states, “Brick is virtually maintenance free.  It doesn’t rot, dent, or need to be painted, and it won’t be eaten by termites.”  With benefits like this come cost savings, making masonry more affordable in the long-term.  

Quality of Life is a recognized tenet of sustainable building.  Residents who are comfortable will use a building more efficiently and encourage the construction of more sustainable buildings.  Masonry buildings offer increased air quality by resisting mould growth and offering significantly lowered emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that exacerbate breathing problems.  The out-gassing levels of masonry amount to a rating of 0.003% as compared to 2.3% for sheet vinyl.

At the construction phase, Masonry comes from local sources and is 100% recyclable, reducing overall environmental footprint and reducing costs.  

“These are the tangible costs,” says Dante DiGiovanni, President of MasonryWorx.  “What the numbers don’t show are the additional quality of life benefits of building with masonry— less street noise from neighbours with the greater peace of mind that comes with improved fire and extreme weather resistance.  With small lot sizes and houses being built closer together, the advantages of masonry keep climbing.”

 With climate change now a critical issue the world over, today’s communities require buildings that can stand up to the challenges of ensuring safe, sustainable living.  Masonry has a long history of standing up and standing out, and is a wise and beautiful investment in the future of our buildings.  Its benefits far exceed the cost, and indeed save money, while contributing to the environmental performance we all must demand of our buildings today.

Download the full edition of the MasonryWorx Newsletter for more articles

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