Vermiculite Expansion

Description:

Vermiculite is a natural mineral that expands with the application of heat. The expansion process is called exfoliation and it is routinely accomplished in purpose-designed commercial furnaces. Vermiculite is formed by hydration of certain basaltic minerals.

Application:

Vermiculite expansion purposes : insulation materials, fireproofing material, seeding, flowers and trees, friction materials, sealing materials, electric insulation materials, paint, sheets, paints, rubber, refractories, hard water Softener, and refining, construction, shipbuilding, chemical and other industries.

Content:

Expanded Vermiculite is layered structure, crystalline layers containing water rate in the 5 -25 times the thermal conductivity of small, -200kg/m3 density at 50, is a good insulating material. The good quality of the expanded vermiculite, the maximum temperature of up to 1,100 ℃. In addition, the expansion of vermiculite has good electric insulation.

Suistainability:

Natural Material

Availability:

Large commercial vermiculite mines currently exist in South Africa, China, and Brazil

Filed under: Materials, Energy Efficient, insulation, natural, Wall System

Cork Insulation

Description

Granulated cork is used to make insulation corkboard.  Ground cork is put into a mold that is put into an autoclave (a big pressure cooker) and steam baked at a temperature of 300 degrees centigrade (572 degrees Fahrenheit), with no contact with air. The natural resins in the cork liquify and upon cooling, the mass solidifies. Afterwards, the blocks are cut to the desired dimensions.

Benefits

Cork is the bark of the cork oak tree. This tree produces a layer of cork every 9 years, so taking the bark off does not kill the tree. The bark is then used to make wine corks. The process of manufacturing wine corks results in corks and cork waste. 70% of the bark ends up as cork waste. Granulated cork is made from only the waste by-product of industrial cork production. We also buy used wine corks to grind and thereby re-cycle them.

Sizes:

1 x 12 x 36	1 x 24 x 36
2 x 12 x 36	2 x 24 x 36
4 x 24 x 36	5 x 24 x 36
6 x 24 x 36	8 x 24 x 36

Filed under: Materials, cork, insulation, natural

Greenscreen

Description:

Greenscreen  is a three dimensional, welded wire trellising system.The distinctive modular trellis panel is the building block of the greenscreen^® system. Rigid and lightweight standard 3″ or 2″ thick panels are 4′ wide x 6′, 8′, 10′,12’, or 14′ tall. Greenscreen^’s unique wire space frame configuration can span between structure members- thus fences, free standing screens and gazebos are just some of the many applications. The panel’s depth creates a “captive growing space” for supporting plants and promoting healthy growth.

Contents:

Application:

Exteriors + Interiors
Retail + Office Environments
Residential Projects
Industrial Buildings
Tennis Courts and Golf Courses
Hotels and Restaurants
Schools
Hospitals
Stadiums and Arenas
Highway Improvements
Parking Structures
Creating a living tapestry on a building facade
Garden Rooms
Fencing
Roof Top Gardens
Creating Enclosures
Security
Privacy Screening
Graffiti Protection

Sustainability:

Filed under: Skins, green roof, natural, walls

Studio in Madrid

Studio in madrid

Filed under: Case studies, green roof, green wall, metal sheathing, natural

Earth Bags

Description:

Using soil-filled sacks (earthbags) for construction has been recently revived as an important natural building technique for several reasons. It is inexpensive, using locally available site soil and polypropylene or burlap sacks, which often can be obtained free or at low cost. The technique demands few skills, and is easy to learn. In addition, building with the bags goes extremely quickly, much faster than any other earth-building technique. They are adaptable to numerous site conditions and can be used with just about any type of fill material available. When built properly, earthbags are extremely strong, and as the bags themselves are lightweight and easily transported, they are useful for remote locations or emergency shelter. Thus, it is a flexible means of construction usable in a wide range of situations to create a variety of forms and structures.

Applications:

The essential material in building with bags is, of course, the bags themselves. Most commonly the bags used are made of polypropylene or burlap. Polypropylene sacks come in a variety of sizes, and are extremely common. It is important that UV resistant bags be used, as deterioration by sunlight is the biggest danger. Recycled seed or feed sacks of polypropylene are often available for free from various sources. The sacks come in a variety of sizes and also come in a tube form, which is much cheaper to buy per square foot. Burlap sacks have also been used, but are not as durable and can also be more expensive, although they are a “natural” material. Custom-sewn bags have been created for special shapes, and “site sewn” custom bags can easily be made using bent nails or wire.

The other essential material is that which fills the bag. A number of materials have been used, including sand, clay and gravel. While an ideal mixture would be a standard adobe mix of sand and clay, pretty much whatever subsoil is available is what has been used. The fill material can be used either wet or dry, but moistened material creates a more stable structure. An efficient system is to create your sack foundation and/or walls using soil from site excavation.

The most important consideration for bag choice is the material used to fill it. A good rule of thumb is the weaker the fill material, the stronger the bag material must be. In some cases, once a strong fill material has set, the bags could be removed from the exposed areas of the structure without any structural loss of integrity. On the other hand, if a weak material such as dry sand is used, it is essential that the bags be kept integral, and plastered as soon as possible.

Filed under: Materials, building, construction, earth, natural, soil

CordWood

Description:

Cordwood construction (also called “cordwood masonry,” “stackwall construction” or “stackwood construction”) is a term used for a natural building method in which “cordwood” or short lengths pieces of debarked tree are laid up crosswise with masonry or cob mixtures to build a wall.

Application:

Cordwood construction is an economical use for log ends or fallen trees in heavily timbered areas. Other common sources for wood include sawmills, split firewood, utility poles (without creosote), split rail fence posts, and logging slash. It is more sustainable and often economical to use recycled materials for cordwood walls. Regardless of the source, all wood must be debarked before construction begins. While over 30 different types of wood can be used, the most desirable rot resistant woods are Pacific yew, bald cypress (new growth), cedars, and juniper. Acceptable woods also include Douglas fir, western larch, Eastern White Pine, Spruce Pine, Poplar, Tamarack, Western red cedar and Monterey pine.  Less dense, airy woods are superior because they shrink and expand in lower proportions than dense hardwoods like elm, maple, oak, and beech. Most wood can be used in a wall if it is dried properly and stabilized to the external climate’s relative humidity. Furthermore, logs of identical species and source are preferred because they limit expansion/ contraction variables.

Environmental Impact:

Depending on a variety of factors (wall thickness, type of wood, particular mortar recipe), the insulative value of a cordwood wall, as expressed in R-value is generally less than that of a high-efficiency stud wall. Cordwood walls have greater thermal mass than stud frame but less than common brick and mortar. This is because the specific heat capacity of clay brick is higher (0.84 versus wood’s 0.42), and is denser than airy woods like cedar, cypress, or pine. Thermal mass makes it easier for a building to maintain median interior temperatures while going through daily hot and cold phases. In climates like the desert with broad daily temperature swings thermal mass will absorb and then slowly release the midday heat and nighttime cool in sequence, moderating temperature fluctuations. Thermal mass does not replace the function of insulation material, but is used in conjunction with it.

Filed under: Materials, building, building system, construction, natural

Wheatboard

Description:

Wheatboard is the answer to formaldehyde-emitting wood MDF products.  With working characteristics meeting and often surpassing those of commercially available MDF, plus renewable source materials and non-toxic adhesives, Kirei Wheatboard gives you a clean slate to build what your mind designs.  Fire rated Wheatboard is also available.

Environmental Impacts:

Wheatboard is a rapidly renewable resource that is used after the edible portion has been harvested.

Filed under: Materials, MDF, natural, wheat, wood

Living Roof and Facades

Description:

The GreenGrid^® modular green roof system is a cost competitive alternative to traditional built-in-place green roofs. A GreenGrid^® green roof is composed of a series of preplanted modules made of recycled plastics that can easily be placed directly on a roof or other structure with sufficient structural capacity. The system meets the needs and requirements of industrial/commercial, government, institutional, and residential buildings. Modules – Patented GreenGrid^® modules are composed of 100% pre-consumer, recycled, high molecular weight polyethylene.  GreenGrid Roofs brings the best of both worlds together as a modular green roof system. Competitive in cost to built-in-place green roofs, GreenGrid Roofs is made up of preplanted modules composed of recycled plastics that can be sited right on top of an existing roof, as long as the structure will hold. So whether you are ready to canvas your entire roof, a portion, or even bring these modules down to ground level – GreenGrid Roofs works beautifully. GreenGrid Roofs carry many other benefits of built-in-place green roofs, too, including reduced energy costs, reduced urban heat island effect, added sound insulation, added aesthetics, stormwater management, and government incentives. The additional advantages of GreenGrid Roofs include quick installation, easy placement, and flexibility for easy alternations, additions, easy maintenance, and roof repair.

Application:

GreenGrid system can be used on both roofs and exterior façade systems.

Environmental Impact:

GreenGrid® system modules are made from 60% post-industrial recycled high molecular weight polyethylene. GreenGrid® pavers are 100% post-industrial recycled rubber. Installing the GreenGrid® system on your roof means you are using recycled components instead of adding to the demand for virgin materials, as is the case with many other green roof systems. In addition, if your building is planned for LEED® certification, the recycled components of the GreenGrid® system can be included in your calculations of recycled materials used in the project (see LEED Fact Sheet link for more details).

Filed under: Materials, green, natural, Recycled, roof

Natures Carpet

Description:

Nature’s Carpet consists of a variety of different qualities so that you can have an eco-friendly, sustainable home without sacrificing style.  Nature’s Carpet is made of 100% New Zealand Wool, a rapidly renewable resource. The backing is made of jute, a natural fiber, held in place with natural rubber latex. The result is an ultra-low toxicity floor covering which actually improves indoor air quality for your health and comfort.  This beautiful and durable product comes in several styles that will suit your needs. It meets and even exceeds the high standards demanded by both the environmental movement and by individuals with high sensitivity to chemical toxins.

Benefits:

Nature’s Carpet is a fine carpet made entirely from wool, a rapidly renewable resource. Nature’s Carpet offers you a great comfort in an attractive range of 100% natural, ultra-low toxicity floor coverings.

100% Wool

All Natural

CRI Green Label Plus Approved

Soft & Comfortable

Biodegradable

Rapidly Renewable Resource

Filters allergens and dust

LEED Compliant

No Insect Resist agents

Ultra-Low toxicity

Durable and Long-lasting

Excellent sound absorption and insulation

Wool Is …

Anti – Allergenic

Allergies are on the rise around the world. Exposure to synthetic materials is felt to be a possible contributor. Wool fibers are too long and too course to be inhaled and, being a natural fiber, won’t give off harmful emissions. Wool has a breathable fiber structure that does not promote the growth of bacteria or dust mites.

Easy to Clean

Wool is a naturally soil and stain resistant fiber. Wool fibers have developed these properties over centuries to keep sheep clean in their harsh rugged environments. On the floor, wool carpets repel stains and soiling, keeping them on top of the pile for ease of cleaning.

Environmentally Friendly

Wool is sustainable, biodegradable and a rapidly renewable resource that has the least environmental impact of all the carpet fibers. Wool is the only carpet fiber made without petroleum; a finite and non- biodegradable resource. Consumers are becoming increasingly concerned with the environment and often choose products that have minimal impact.

A Natural Fiber

Consumer preference for natural products can be seen in all areas of retail. Whether they eat, wear, sit, or walk on it, consumers prefer stylish, quality natural products and will look to them first when considering a purchase. When it comes to carpet, wool has its advantages that synthetics can’t match. Wool is the natural fiber for carpets and sets the bar for others.

Soft

Nothing compares to the pleasure of soft wool carpet under your foot. Today’s focus on the home environment means your customers are spending more time relaxing and entertaining in their homes. The continuing move towards an informal lifestyle means that feet are often bare and carpeted floor is for sitting and lying on to watch the big screen TV or read the paper.

Durable

The natural crimp of wool allows it to spring back quickly after compression and retain its original shape. The crucial performance characteristic ensures woolen carpets look good for longer, even in high traffic areas. Museums are filled with fine examples of wool rugs dating back to hundreds of years.

Warm

The natural crimp of wool also creates millions of tiny pockets that trap air and act as the ideal insulator. The trapped air helps maintain a constant temperature in both hot and cold weather in a way that no synthetic fiber has ever done. This phenomenal trait allows sheep to live in environments ranging from freezing mountainous areas to arid desert plains.

Quiet

Those same millions of air pockets make wool a great insulator; look around next time your are in a concert hall and you will often see it used on floors, walls and seats to create the best acoustics. In the home, wool carpet minimizes sound transmissions between floors and rooms.

Safe

Wool’s fiber structure and natural tendency to absorb moisture form the environment mean that it is one of the hardest fibers to ignite and the easiest to extinguish. Drop a burning cigarette on wool carpet and the charred tips of the fiber can be simply brushed away, leaving perhaps a slight scorch mark rather than melting.

Anti Static

Wools ability to absorb moisture prevents the build up of static electricity. This is an important comfort characteristic in the home and practical one in the offices containing computer and electrical equipment.

Filed under: Materials, carpet, LEED, natural, wool

Quartz Carpet

Description:

A resilient and slip resistant floor covering, Quartz Carpet™ combines natural quartz granules with an epoxy resin and finished with various textures. Quartz Carpet™ is the result of more than 25 years of product development. The unique Quartz Carpet™ coating system of quartz granules ensures uniform color. The color is UV stable, therefore it will not fade and is available in more than 1000 color options.  There are 20 standard colors in granule sizes ranging from a super fine (0.1-0.3mm) to larger, open pore structures (3-5mm).

Applications:

Quartz Carpet™ can be installed over existing concrete, tiles and plywood surfaces, with virtually no limitations in design and application procedures. It can be applied in a variety of architectural uses including commercial, residential, industrial, recreational and institutional.  Quartz Carpet™ is suitable for interior and exterior applications.

Benefits of the System:

An almost infinite color range (special colors upon request).  The visual appeal of a seamless surface.  Durability and practicality in a high traffic, commercial locations.  Anti slip texture.  Stain resistance.  25 year projected life.  Easy to maintain.  Natural beauty.  Totally seamless.

Filed under: Materials, carpet, color, exterior, interior, natural