Building Products Magazine Recognizes the Role of Foam Insulation in Green Building

MIDLAND, Mich., November 17, 2009 – Dow Building Solutions (DBS) has brought home the “green” from Building Products magazine’s second annual Green Product Awards contest.

DBS earned the coveted awards for two different continuous insulation (ci) wall systems – STYROFOAM SIS™ Brand Structural Insulated Sheathing and the THERMAX™ Wall System. This is the first time in the competition’s history that a company has won for two products in the same year.

“Builders, contractors and architects recognize the value of insulation in making a structure greener and more energy efficient,” said Mike McGaugh, vice president and general manager, Dow Building Solutions, North America. “At Dow, we are helping to make green-built homes and buildings even better by developing and bringing to market new technologies that perform better, save more energy and are easier to install.” 

The winners of the 2009 Green Product Awards represent product introductions that excelled in three areas: sustainability, value to the contractor, and innovation. The ultimate award winners were those deemed to contribute the most to green-built homes and buildings, and offer the most value to builders, remodelers and architects.

STYROFOAM SIS™ Structural Insulated Sheathing from Dow combines a structural layer, a moisture barrier, and foam insulation, providing R-values of 3.0 at ½ inch or 5.5 at 1 inch. Made of up to 80 percent post-consumer recycled content by weight, STYROFOAM SIS™ Brand Structural Insulated Sheathing is ENERGY STAR-qualified. And, at one-third the weight of OSB*, it is easier to handle and quicker to install.  One judge summed up the products benefits as, “This appears to be an excellent product, providing wall bracing, energy performance, and the potential for weatherization all in one.  The labor savings alone is huge.”

“Builders who have switched from un-insulated sheathing, such as OSB, to STYROFOAM SIS like the fact that they only need one product to deliver structure, water resistance and thermal insulation,” said John Hammer, residential market manager, Dow Building Solutions, North America. “It’s an easier way for them to build greener homes. Homeowners benefit too, saving anywhere from $200-$500 on their energy bills**.”

The THERMAX™ Wall System by Dow is a new approach to steel stud wall design that makes it easier to minimize a building’s energy usage in a cost-effective manner.  The system integrates continuous rigid foam insulation and flashing on the exterior, and spray polyurethane foam on the interior.  It provides an R-value of up to 28.8, blocks air infiltration, and helps prevent moisture intrusion.

“THERMAX™ is truly innovative because it reduces the number of trades involved in erecting the wall assembly and, because of the spray-applied interior wall insulation, the smallest penetrations are eliminated,” said Birmingham, Michigan, architect Victor Saroki of Victor Saroki & Associates, in a testimonial.

“When we calculated the tremendous energy loss in steel stud construction that used traditional gypsum and batt insulation, we decided to create a wall system that provides thermal protection and prevents air and moisture penetration without adding steps,” said Doug Todd, commercial market manager, Dow Building Solutions, North America.  “With some recent projects, our customers have reported energy savings of 30 to 40 percent over the original design, and capital cost reductions for materials and labor of up to $60,000.”


About Dow Building Solutions
Dow Building Solutions has a 60+ year legacy of providing energy saving solutions to the global commercial and residential construction industry, which began with the launch of its flagship STYROFOAM™ Brand Extruded Polystyrene (XPS) Foam Insulation, one of the most recognized brands of insulation in the world. A market-facing business unit of The Dow Chemical Company, Dow Building Solutions offers building science expertise to help builders, designers, architects and home/building owners reduce energy costs and protect against wind, rain and moisture, while contributing to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. More information about Dow Building Solutions can be found at www.dowbuildingsolutions.com

About Dow
Dow is a diversified chemical company that combines the power of science and technology with the “Human Element” to constantly improve what is essential to human progress. The Company delivers a broad range of products and services to customers in approximately 160 countries, connecting chemistry and innovation with the principles of sustainability to help provide everything from fresh water, food and pharmaceuticals to paints, packaging and personal care products. In 2008, Dow had annual sales of $57.4 billion and employed approximately 46,000 people worldwide. The Company has 150 manufacturing sites in 35 countries and produces approximately 3,300 products. On April 1, 2009, Dow acquired Rohm and Haas Company, a global specialty materials company with sales of $10 billion in 2008, 98 manufacturing sites in 30 countries and approximately 15,000 employees worldwide. References to “Dow” or the “Company” mean The Dow Chemical Company and its consolidated subsidiaries unless otherwise expressly noted.  More information about Dow can be found at www.dow.com. 
 

* Based on ½” STYROFOAM SIS™ Brand Structural Insulated Sheathing

** Savings will vary based on based on heating/cooling system, geographical location, energy costs, wall assembly and configuration and thickness of insulation installed.

DISCLAIMER: STYROFOAM™ Brand Spray Polyurethane Foam should be installed by a trained SPF applicator wearing protective clothing, gloves, goggles and proper respiratory protection. Consult the instructions and Material Safety Data Sheets carefully before use.

More information about STYROFOAM SIS™ Structural Insulated Sheathing and the THERMAX™ Wall System is available at the Dow web site at www.dowbuildingsolutions.com.  For further information, please contact Marissa Peterson of Gibbs & Soell Public Relations, on (212) 697-2600, mpeterson@gibbs-soell.com