• Construction software encompasses a wide range of programs designed to aid in the planning, design, and building processes.
• Minimizing busy work, improving bids, monitoring project details, and increasing productivity are just a few of the benefits of construction software.
• Sage is one of the leading providers of construction management and accounting software.

For most of human history, all phases of the construction process—planning, drafting, design, monitoring, etc.—were conducted manually.

Over the last few decades, however, the advancement of computer and programming technology has led to the development of countless construction software programs, opening up a wide range of possibilities for architects and construction professionals alike.

Let’s explore some of the major benefits and advantages offered by construction software.

What is Construction Software?

In architecture and the building industry as a whole, construction management software, or just construction software, refers to all computerized programs that aid in any portion of the construction process. These programs aid in everything from project management and accounting to setting schedules, storing and keeping track of documents, monitoring safety and quality guidelines, building and systems modeling, and more.

Currently companies like Sage, Procore, and Enscape are leading providers of construction management software. All three offer a range of customizable software solutions that help streamline project management, monitoring, accounting, and other vital project components.

The Benefits of Construction Software

Being more strategic in the preconstruction process could be critical to your success. Photo courtesy of Sage

These are some of the top benefits that popular construction software programs offer.

1. Minimize busy work

One of the most obvious benefits of construction software is that it serves to minimize busy work—that is, it takes a large portion of the tedious, repetitive work involved in the design and construction process off of the hands of human workers.

Manual data entry, for example, is error-prone and time-consuming when conducted by a human employee; construction software, however, can automate this process, saving time and boosting data accuracy. As a result, employees can spend more time doing meaningful work that helps move projects along at an efficient rate.

2. Visualize projects in real-time

Enscape is a plugin that can be integrated with BIM software to provide real-time 3D landscape visualizations. Photo courtesy of Enscape

Another invaluable benefit of construction software is the ability to visualize projects in real-time, as this can provide a much-needed contextualization of the project’s scope, complexity, and potential risks.

“Adding architectural visualization to a design workflow might seem like an added step, but the renderings can be produced in real time, leveraging the data that can already be found in the design model,” Roderick Bates, head of integrated practices at Enscape, previously wrote for gb&dPRO.

Building information modeling (BIM) software, for example, allows architects to create 3D project renderings, providing an interactive and information-rich representation of the building, its systems, and how they relate to one another. Advancements in virtual and augmented reality can even allow architects and engineers to create immersive simulations of their projects, allowing for greater optimization of certain project factors.

3. Get instant access to project status

Once a construction project starts, its common to receive and disseminate periodic status updates, either to project managers, sponsors, clients, or a combination of all three. If something happens and the project is delayed or needs to be altered, you’ll want to know about it as soon as possible. Fortunately construction management programs like Sage 100 Contractor offer instantaneous access to project status, making it incredibly easy to keep up-to-date on a project’s progress and identify potential risks or issues that could impact the project’s success.

4. Get easy access to critical job cost and project details

Photo courtesy of Sage

Similarly, construction management software offers easy access to a project’s details and critical job costs—two things that, more often than not, are subject to change as a project evolves. Being able to quickly identify budget variances or construction setbacks in real-time makes addressing them in a timely manner that much easier, reducing the amount of time, energy, and money lost.

Centralized cloud-based construction management systems that track and store analytics can take this one step further by allowing project managers to compare present and past construction data, which in turn makes it easier to make informed decisions regarding resource allocation or cost estimates.

5. Real-time communication

Communication is one of the most important—if not the most important—factors in any successful construction project, but it’s also one of the hardest to execute properly. This is especially true for large projects whose team members are spread-out across city, county, or even state lines.

An efficient construction management program system, however, can drastically improve communication by providing all team members with an easily-accessible, centralized collaboration hub. In this manner, all parties—be they contractors, architects, project managers, clients, etc.—can communicate with one another in real-time, speeding up the construction process and reducing the likelihood of errors stemming from miscommunication.

6. Measure and manage performance

Various cloud solutions are designed for the AEC industry, from accounting and project management solutions to project collaboration tools. Photo courtesy of Sage

Measuring and managing performance is a crucial part of any construction project, but with so many moving parts and people, it’s often easier said than done. Fortunately, construction management programs like those offered by Sage or Procore help organize all of a project’s key players and components in one place, making it that much easier for managers to conduct their work.

“A field manager can use an iPad and access project controls and revenue in the field. Everything is connected,” Paul Pedini, senior vice president for Skanska Civil in New England, previously told gb&d. “Actions are sent to the right people immediately so they can spend their time managing the project like they are supposed to be doing.”

An effective construction management system will allow managers to track project details, share important documents, and make requests with ease. Sage 100 Contractor, for example, helps manage critical business operations and provides instant access to project status, while also allowing managers to easily integrate budgets, purchase orders, proposals, and the like.

7. Improve your construction bids

Construction software can also help your firm improve its construction bids and secure more work in an efficient manner. Estimating software, for instance, can significantly streamline the estimating process—historically one of the most time-consuming aspects of pre-construction work—and reduce the likelihood of costly errors, resulting in more accurate cost estimates in a shorter amount of time.

Similarly building integration modeling (BIM) technology can give your firm a leg up in the bidding process by providing a full 3D rendering of the proposed project’s functional and physical characteristics—something traditional 2D renderings typically fall short of.

What is Real-Time Rendering?

10 Green Plumbing Solutions in 2024

Job cost accounting software, on the other hand, can help provide accurate information about a project’s job costs—including materials, labor, and overhead—making it that much easier to estimate and ensure you actually make adequate profit from the work you do.

“Integrating your estimating, BIM, and accounting solutions can help quickly deliver the information owners need, including accurate engineering and design-cost scenarios,” Dustin Stephens, vice president of Sage’s Beaverton construction and real estate practice, previously wrote for gb&dPRO.

8. Streamline your workday and integrate services

Sage Intacct Construction addresses the needs of contractors of all sizes and is perfect for any construction business looking for a modern, flexible native cloud financial management solution. Photo courtesy of Sage

Another benefit of construction management software—particularly those linked to the cloud—is that it puts all of your project’s most important details in one place, helping to streamline your workday. As long as the software you choose uses an open application programming interface (API), multiple systems can communicate with one another for seamless integration.

By integrating your company’s cloud-based systems, you avoid wasting time and labor on manual data entry—and all teams involved in the project can rest assured that the data they’re using is accurate.

9. Avoid waste and rework

Crucially, construction software can also help firms avoid wasting time and resources. Virtual reality and BIM, for instance, can provide detailed, accurate physical representations of a project early on in the design process.

“3D BIM includes information about the physical geometry and spatial relationships of the building’s components, which aids in clash detection so teams can make adjustments early in the design phase to avoid potential problems in the building phase of a project,” says Stephens.

Advancements in 3D modeling and printing have also allowed for more precise prefabrication of certain building components, reducing the amount of waste generated during the construction process.

10. Increase productivity

Photo courtesy of Sage

If it wasn’t already obvious from the other benefits on this list, effective construction software can drastically improve productivity across all phases of a project. Certain project management tasks, such as data entry or AP/AR work, can be automated to facilitate accuracy, while cloud-based data management solutions can make accessing important project information much simpler—which in turn allows employees to spend more time doing their job.

Effectively managed dashboards are key in increasing productivity, as they serve to display all of your project’s vital information—data, metrics, key performance indicators, you name it—in one place.

“Dashboards can provide an effective solution to the overwhelming amount of data that you experience every day,” writes Stephens. “Dashboards can also improve employee productivity—and save your company money—by providing easier, more intuitive access to project and accounting details.”

11. Monitor and receive real-time alerts about project details

Another benefit of construction management software, particularly automated alert systems, is that it makes monitoring key project details easy and efficient.

“An alert system works by actively monitoring the data housed in your software. When one of the tracked events occurs—for example, an invoice becomes overdue—the system triggers an email, desktop message, or text message notifying the appropriate personnel of the issue so they can take immediate action,” Stephens says.

Ultimately this helps a project flow smoother and ensures that time-sensitive components or decisions are addressed on schedule.

Similarly, dashboards also serve as crucial monitoring devices by acting as a central hub for all relevant project data. “They allow you to quickly view and analyze the information you need to aid in your decision making,” writes Stephens. “And because the data is generated in real time you can be confident that the information is accurate, something you can’t say with certainty about a report someone printed you last week.”

12. Attract workers

Photo courtesy of Sage

Finally, a company that makes effective use of construction software is more likely to attract and retain workers, as such tools show that the employee’s time, energy, and labor is respected.

Human capital management (HCM) software, for example, can streamline the recruitment, hiring, and onboarding process, giving prospective employees a good impression of your company from the very beginning.

“HCM software can play an important role in the employee experience from the moment they are hired, guiding them through onboarding and benefits enrollment and providing them with a single self-service portal for instant access to everything they need,” says Stephens.

What’s more, HCM software and workplace management apps can make accessing vital HR information—such as pay stubs, time-off requests, schedules, and the like—much more convenient while also facilitating efficient and effective communication between teams and offices.

Conclusion

Overall, advancements in construction software have proved invaluable to the architectural, engineering, and design communities. By streamlining all phases of the construction process, construction software makes it much easier to communicate with team members, monitor project status, integrate various systems, track and manage performance, improve bids, and even attract workers.

And while it is technically feasible to continue doing everything the old-fashioned way, by hand, construction software makes the overall process much more accurate, efficient, and convenient.

The post 12 Benefits of Construction Software appeared first on gb&d magazine.

• LED lights have been rising in popularity consistently in recent years.
• LED lighting consumes significantly less energy than incandescent and CFL bulbs.
• LED lights are adaptable, directional, dimmable, and ever-improving compared to other options.

The technology behind LED lighting has been around for decades, but only recently has it become affordable and reliable enough to rise in popularity so dramatically. From energy efficiency to having a long lifespan, LED lights are both environmentally responsible and budget-friendly.

Light-emitting diodes, or LEDs, are a solid-state lighting solution that use a semiconductor to convert electricity into light, according to the US Department of Energy. This means LED lights do not require a breakable glass bulb like traditional lights.

Plus, LED lights can be used anywhere—from sports arenas to industrial settings to residential projects. They perform reliably and safely in various design applications.

What is LED Lighting?

LED stands for light emitting diode. LED lighting products produce light up to 90% more efficiently than incandescent light bulbs, according to energystar.gov.

LED lights work by passing an electrical current through a microchip that illuminates the tiny light sources we call LEDs, which rarely burn out.

The first LEDs were created in the 1920s and have evolved dramatically to the lights we know today. do not “burn out” or fail. White LEDs for residential use came on the market in the early 2000s and quickly became popular in schools, offices, and health care environments, too. By 2019 LED lighting had become the most popular source of lighting, as designers continue to discontinue their use of halogen and fluorescent lighting.

Common Areas to Use LED Lights

This Gluck+ California house features all LED lighting. Photo by Paul Vu Photography

LED lighting can be used in any area of a residential project. Many designers and homeowners are turning to LEDs to set a tone in a space while also providing extra light. Here are just some of the areas where people are using LED lights:

Under cabinets. LED strip lighting is popular under cabinets and in other potentially dark areas, both to provide better lighting over counter space and also to provide a feeling of luxury, like in a showroom.

Within shelves. Lighting in shelves brings light and warmth to dark offices or helps you find that hidden book.

In the bathroom. LED lights are popular along vanities and mirrors.

Dark hallways. Bring light to dark hallways or staircases with LEDs.

Behind the TV. Add color and light and set the tone in the bedroom or living area.

LED Lights Types

Many types of LED lighting exist today, whether you want to choose an LED lighting strip, lighting in a fun shape, or a specific bright color. LED bulbs themselves come in four primary categories: A-shape, reflectors, decorative, and specialty, according to GE.

A-Shape

A-shape LEDs are the most common and often seen throughout homes. These are conical in shape and cast a more defined beam. A-shape LEDs easily fit in most lamps and are commonly used there or anywhere you might find a traditional light bulb. They instantly offer full light upon switching on, according to Philips, and they’re great for decorative and ambient lighting in retail outlets, hotels, restaurants, multi-unit residences and government buildings.

Reflectors

Reflectors are often used for outdoor lighting and commonly called flood lights or spotlights.

Reflectors are quite literally defined by the LED reflectors that sit over the LED to alter the beam of light. They are an affordable and easy-to-use solution for many areas, though they don’t offer as much control as LED lenses, according to RS Online.

Decorative

Decorative LEDs can bring life and personality to wall sconces, chandeliers, or virtually any exposed-bulb fixtures. Often decorative LEDS are smaller in order to fit within a fixture, but designers can find them in a wide variety of styles, whether you want a classic globe or vintage vibe.

Specialty

Specialty LED lighting is a catchall for the remaining, more special type of lights. This includes everything from antique style bulbs to lighting for very specific fixtures.

LED vs Incandescent

LEDs last longer, are more durable, and offer better lighting control than incandescent lights. LEDs also use at least 75% less energy and last 25 times longer than incandescent lighting, according to energy.gov.

Design flexibility is another major benefit of LEDs. LED lighting can allow an architect’s design to take center stage, blending in or bringing particular elements to life.

Incandescent lights cost less than LED lights, but they will need to be replaced more frequently.

Halogen vs LED

A mix of cove lighting and ambient linear products from H.E. Williams are used for low-glare lighting in the hallway of fourth floor patient rooms at the Virginia Hospital Center in Arlington. Photo courtesy of H.E. Williams

Halogen lights may provide beautiful color but at a short lifespan, according to Dan Kohnen, director of commercialization at H.E. Williams, a more than century-old lighting company.

“The best lighting tools are the ones an architect can apply to show off the architecture, versus the product as itself,” Kohnen said. He’ s been working with Williams since 1999 and has watched the design world evolve to incorporate more LED lighting and human-centric design.

Halogen bulbs also consume more power and get warm fast compared to LEDs. LEDs emit much more light using much less energy.

How Do LED Lights Work?

LEDs are basically tiny light bulbs that fit into an electrical circuit. They don’t have delicate filaments that burn out like incandescent bulbs do, and they don’t get super hot. They also use less energy, reducing the cost of that electricity bill.

LED lights are illuminated by the movement of electrons in a semiconductor material. According to How Stuff Works, a semiconductor is made of a positively charged and a negatively charged component. The positive layer has openings for electrons, and the negative layer has free electrons floating around in it. When an electric charge strikes the semiconductor, it activates the flow of electrons from the negative to the positive layer. Those excited electrons emit light as they flow into the positively charged holes.

Benefits of LED Lights

The benefits of LED lights are many, from saving homeowners money in the long run to being able to provide stronger light in a variety of colors. These are just some of the top benefits of LED lights.

1. Energy-Efficient

LED lights like these ones by Flex Lighting Solutions have transformed countless spaces, including Delaco Steel. Photo courtesy of Future Energy Group

LED lights use up to 85% less energy than traditional bulbs, according to The New York Times. This means LEDs produce savings in electricity costs and simply do well by the environment.

In 2007 Congress passed the Energy Independence and Security Act, which helps the US stay on track with the global shift toward LED and other energy-efficient lighting solutions for everyday light bulbs.

2. Return on Investment

In the Big Sandy Independent School District, LED Lights by Energy Focus brought significant energy savings to the schools. Photo courtesy of Energy Focus

As LEDs become more common, individuals and the US as a whole will notice significant energy savings. According to the US Department of Energy, “Switching entirely to LED lights over the next two decades could save the US $250 billion in energy costs, reduce electricity consumption for lighting by nearly 50%, and avoid 1,800 million metric tons of carbon emissions.”

E3 used Energy Focus LED lights to retrofit the Big Sandy Independent School District in Eastern Texas in 2016. “Cost was a major component for Big Sandy. The LED’s use 15 to 18 watts per lamp as opposed to the 32 to 36 watts per lamp used by the fluorescents. So it saves the schools money and they get a good return on investment,” Tim Evans, vice president of E3, told gb&d.

3. Long Lifetime

Globe pendant lights and embedded LED lights in the library design remind patrons of a nighttime sky. Photo by Nic Lehoux

LEDs use dramatically fewer watts than traditional bulbs to produce bright light, which means they also last much, much longer.

Most LEDs last a minimum 25,000 hours, according to NOPEC—a nonprofit energy supplier in Northeast Ohio. NOPEC says if you were to keep your LED bulb on all day every day it would be about 15 years before you’d have to replace the bulb.

4. Low Radiant Heat

Among the benefits of LED lighting is the fact that they radiate very little heat—particularly compared to CFL and incandescent lights.

According to the US Department of Energy, incandescent bulbs release 90% of their energy as heat and CFLs release about 80% of their energy as heat in comparison to LEDs. This makes LED lights less hazardous, particularly in terms of fire safety.

Another exciting new development in LED physics is the concept of running LEDs in reverse to create a cooling effect, says Robert Pullman, a lighting industry veteran with over 30 years of experience in every aspect of the lighting industry. Pullman previously shared some of his expertise with gb&d. “Recently it was demonstrated that if you run LEDs backward—rather than doing nothing, as one would expect from a diode—you achieve a very short-range cooling effect to the tune of 6W/m2,” he says.

“Projections forecast cooling capacity in the realm of 1000W/m2. This could be achieved in the future by actually using the LEDs themselves to draw heat away from the processor which opens the door to improved heat performance in wearables, mobile devices, and more,” Pullman says.

5. Bright, Intense Light

The Swedish Medical Center-Ballard’s Medical Behavioral Health Unit lacked daylight, so ZGF utilized tunable LED lighting. Photo by Benjamin Benschneider Photography

LEDs do not compromise brightness or intensity for energy efficiency. They compete with incandescent and CFL bulbs in terms of brightness, making them a good addition to workspaces where bright light contributes to productivity.

6. Instantaneous Light

LED lights have less warmup time compared to other bulbs, brightening rooms and outdoor spaces from the moment the switch is flipped.

7. Design Flexibility

Inside Yotel’s Club Lounge, the creative use of LED lighting supports the hotel’s chosen brand. Photo by Nikolas Koenig

The structure of LED lights allow them to be used both functionally and artistically. In spaces of all kinds LED lights offer design flexibility. In the Yotel NYC, Focus Lighting utilized LED lights in all kinds of applications, from pin spotlights to floor lamps to lit ceiling panels, to adhere to the hotel’s strong brand identity.

Light tree. Photo courtesy of Tivoli

In the Broadway Lounge in the New York Marriott Marquis, Tivoli delivered two 15-foot light “trees” with branches reaching out from 21 feet to more than 46 feet using an exquisite inlay of linear light.

8. High Color Rendering Index

Many LED lighting options offer a very high Color Rendering Index (CRI), which means they reveal the true color of whatever they illuminate.

Philips, one of the leading LED lighting companies, makes LED lights with a CRI of at least 80 compared to natural light’s 100. This allows consumers at home to predict how their outfit will look when they step outdoors, for example.

The high CRI of LEDs is also useful in broadcasts, where bright and color-accurate light allows nighttime sports games to look vibrant and real, even on television.

9. Ability to Dim

LED lights can be made to dim just the same as incandescent and CFLs. This increases energy savings and allows the light to adjust to suit the needs of a space throughout the day.

10. Range of Colors

Tivoli’s Litesphere True RGB+W can be used to illuminate public spaces with over 16 million color choices. Photo courtesy of Tivoli

LEDs come in many colors, with surprising and increasingly impressive accuracy in terms of color matching. In one of the rising wellness design trends of today, LEDs perform a crucial role. In accordance with people’s circadian rhythms, LEDs can be programmed to adjust in color and warmth throughout the day.

Tivoli‘s Litesphere True RGB+W can be used to illuminate public spaces with over 16 million color choices. LEDs have come a long way since 1976, when electrical engineer Thomas P. Pearsall invented a bright, high-efficiency LED optimizing transmission wavelength for optical fiber, Tivoli’s Pullman says.

He says the invention changed the design world.

“Pearsall’s LED is not only useful in communications, but Fiber Optic Drops or Star Curtains have also been used by the entertainment and event industries for decades. These industries use CYM (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow), color mixing wheels, and DMX-controlled illuminators to create breathtakingly realistic, simple star fields as well as custom patterns, graphics, and logos. Finally, in 2014, Japanese Nobel laureate and co-winner of the Nobel Prize in Physics Isamu Akasaki invented the world’s first efficient blue light-emitting diodes using gallium nitride.”

11. Sturdy

LEDs utilize semiconductor material rather than a filament or neon gas.

The light-emitting diode is a tiny chip enclosed in a plant epoxy, which makes LEDs far sturdier than traditional incandescent bulbs or neon tubes, according to the Department of Energy.

12. Great in Emergencies

One of the benefits of LED lighting is that its brightness and long life makes it a great option for emergency lighting in schools and other contexts. Photo courtesy of Fulham

Because LED lighting provides bright light at such low wattage and can therefore last a very long time, they are a great solution for emergency lighting.

13. Environmentally Friendly

LEDs do not contain mercury, and if their aluminum heat sinks were recycled, their life cycle impact would be noticeably reduced.

Overall their energy savings and basic construction allow LEDs to win the ticket for most environmentally friendly light, according to a three-part Energy Department-funded study.

14. Operable in Many Climates

Flex Lighting Solutions’ Essentials Series 4.0 LED High Bays increased light levels by 80% at Dana Incorporated industrial facility. Photo courtesy of Future Energy Group

Particularly in cold environments, LED lights perform exceptionally well.

Recently they have progressed to perform in hot, humid environments as well. Industrial spaces are often not climate-controlled, but Flex Lighting Solutions is one company whose LEDs are a leading option for industrial lighting because of their impressive thermal management technologies.

15. Directional Light

By their very nature, LEDs emit light in one direction instead of all around them.

Oppenheim Architecture is Recognized for Sustainable, Humanist Works

The Daylighting Design and Solutions Introduction Guide for 2023

This 180-degree illumination allows the light to be more precise and useful—perfect for recessed and task lighting—and contributes to energy savings because no light energy is wasted or trapped.

16. Reliable Performance

Again, the basic technology behind LEDs has been around for years and years.

Although the bulbs dim toward the end of their very, very long lifetime, their performance overall is reliable and trusty across spaces, even in conditions with inclement weather or frequent impact.

“Advancements in every disciple and technology—including robotics and AI—are geometric, and the LED is at the core of it all—supporting communications, human-centric environments, responsible power consumption, and conservation all the while proving the tools for creativity, and of course, style,” Pullman says. “Onward and upward for those involved in the green building and design landscape, who can now turn their vision into reality.”

The post LED Lighting Introduction: Benefits and Examples in 2023 appeared first on gb&d magazine.

• Parapet roofs have been around for centuries. We outline the types.
• Including a parapet roof in modern building design comes with a host of benefits, from safety and privacy to aesthetics.
• Parapet roofs come in a variety of shapes and configurations these days.

A striking, modern roof design is a surefire way to make a building stand out. And though there are many ways to build a strong and beautiful roof, one common roofing technique has stood the test of time: the parapet roof.

Parapet roofs have been around for centuries and add both security and design flair to buildings.

If you’re wondering, “what is a parapet roof?” you’re in the right place. Let’s explore how parapet roofs have transcended time, plus the benefits that have solidified their design legacy.

What is a Parapet Roof?

A parapet is a low protective barrier that is an extension of the wall at the edge of a structure, such as a roof, balcony, terrace, walkway, or bridge. In a parapet roof a low barrier wall is erected from the roof itself.

A parapet roof’s main objective is to prevent those standing behind it from falling. Historically parapet roofs were used—dating back into ancient times—as a defensive measure atop castles, forts, towers, and city walls to keep invaders out.

Benefits of a Parapet Roof

Bellet Construction project at 141 Prince Street in New York. Photo courtesy of Bellet Construction

Although architects and designers may no longer use a parapet roof to protect buildings from invaders and secure city borders, parapet roofs come with other design benefits to strengthen buildings and improve their facades.

1. Parapet roofs increase roof stability and prevent wind-uplift.

When wind blows against a building, it can create what’s known as wind-uplift, where the pressure below the roofing system is higher than the air pressure above the roof. During high-wind periods, these pressure changes can be dramatic and weaken the roof system, eventually causing roof collapse.

One of the biggest benefits of a parapet roof is that it provides a barrier to wind, which can help mitigate pressure changes caused by wind-uplift and thereby fortify the strength of the roof.

2. They also help protect against other extreme weather.

Besides wind, a parapet roof can strengthen a building’s facade against hurricanes, thunderstorms, and other damage-causing weather. Parapet roofs also provide a barricade against storm debris like tree branches and block objects from coming onto the roof.

3. Parapet roofs increase occupant safety.

Just as a parapet roof protects a building, it can also protect those inside. When occupants are on the roof the parapet acts as a barrier to prevent falling from the building.

7 Benefits of Pre-Compressed Foam Expansion Joints

Eco-Design in the Built Environment: Behind the Success of ECONYL

4. They offer fire protection.

In a parapet roof, the parapet extends above the roof plane. This can stop a fire from coming up the exterior of a building and immediately setting the roof membrane aflame.

5. Parapet roofs give buildings a unique design element.

Far from ancient battlements, modern parapet roof design has enabled architects to create parapet roofs in a variety of shapes and forms to align with any aesthetic. Parapet roofs can also make buildings appear taller than they are. And beyond ornamental advantages, a parapet roof can also increase curb appeal by hiding rooftop equipment like HVAC units.

Types of Parapet Roofs

Central to this project’s modern geometry are strong cantilevered roof forms, says architect Theodore Touloukian, who designed the Beacon Park—Lumen Restaurant in Detroit. Photo by Jason Keen

Parapet roofs are made up of parapet walls that encase the roof. Parapet walls are classified into four main groups: embattled, plain, perforated, and paneled parapet walls.

Embattled Parapet Walls

Embattled parapet walls are the parapet roofs of yore. This historical roof design is what may come to mind when you think of castles or forts. The alternating high and low ridges of the parapet were used as a defense strategy, from which people could both hide behind and shoot at an oncoming enemy or invader.

Plain Parapet Walls

Plain parapet walls are the most common type of parapet roof in modern building. Unlike embattled parapet walls, plain parapet walls are just vertical extensions of the wall at the edge of a roof. They are less decorative and largely incorporated into a building’s design for safety and privacy.

Perforated Parapet Walls

In contrast to the simple design of plain parapet walls, perforated parapet walls are, as the name implies, perforated with different-sized openings to create an ornamental design, such as a geometric or floral pattern.

Paneled Parapet Walls

Paneled parapet walls also provide ornamentation to a building facade. Sometimes referred to as “double walls,” paneled parapet walls are similar to plain parapets but include a decorative panel on the exterior wall. Paneled parapet roofs do not include any perforations.

Parapet Roof Shapes

Bellet’s work on the Meisel Gallery Building included repairs to the parapet roof. Photo courtesy of Bellet Construction

Parapet roofs are also characterized by the shape of their walls: flat, sloped, stepped, and curved.

Flat Parapet Walls

When you think of a parapet roof, you are most likely thinking of a flat parapet wall. With its straight-lined edge, flat parapet walls are the most common parapet roof shape and are used for buildings with flat roofs.

Sloped Parapet Walls

Sloped parapet walls are used on buildings with sloped roof designs, such as a gable roof. The sloped parapet follows the slope of the roof itself. A parapet roof with sloped walls is often purely aesthetic.

Stepped Parapet Walls

Stepped parapet walls are also largely used for sloped-roof structures. More common in older buildings, they follow the slope of the roof, but unlike sloped parapet walls’ smooth, straight edge, stepped parapet walls follow a staircase design.

Stepped parapet walls can also be used on flat roofs. In this case the parapet’s base remains flat with the surface of the roof, but the wall itself staircases up and builds to an apex.

Curved Parapet Walls

Curved parapet walls are similar to stepped parapet walls, with the key difference being that they have a curved edge instead of a staircase design. They can be used on both sloped and flat roofs.

Although this historical roofing design isn’t new, parapet roofs are still used today for both safety and aesthetics. And now that you know the benefits behind parapet roofs and the design versatility they bring to the table, it’s easy to see why.

The post What is a Parapet Roof? appeared first on gb&d magazine.

• Tantimber’s ThermoWood products add life to places and value to projects.
• Choose from sustainable, thermally modified decking, siding, louvers, interior decorative wall coverings, laminated beams, and pergolas.
• The ThermoWood process removes moisture and organic compounds to leave the wood very strong.

Wood has been an essential resource long used in green building, but there’s one problem: It changes over time. Wood expands, contracts, and adapts to its environment just as trees in a forest do. It’s a living material, which means that while it’s reliably eco-friendly, it isn’t reliable enough to stand the test of time.

The good news is that you don’t have to forsake the look, feel, or sustainability of wood for a less desirable, less green material. In fact, you don’t have to forsake the benefits of wood at all with ThermoWood.

Tantimber offers a unique line of sustainable, thermally modified decking, siding, louvers, interior decorative wall coverings, laminated beams, and pergolas that are manufactured using a cutting-edge ThermoWood process. The patented process starts with moving FSC-certified sawn timber to a kiln for high temperature drying. The temperature inside the kiln is raised to 212°C to prevent cracking. The moisture content of the wood is reduced to absolute zero.

Then the high temperature is maintained, which changes the wood chemically and physically, gives it its brown color, and removes harmful extractives. After high-temperature drying, the temperature is decreased by using steam and water. The moisture content of the wood is controlled to ensure end-products contain moisture levels from 4 to 7%, improving the wood’s dimensional stability and durability without the fear of cracking. This whole process can last up to 110 hours.

“ThermoWood is not your standard thermal modification process that everyone talks about in the industry. It’s different. It’s better. It’s not for everyone,” says Mehmet Zenginler, cofounder and managing partner of G Wood Pro, the exclusive distributor of Tantimber ThermoWood products in the US. “It’s the best natural wood product available that can be used for both exterior and interior applications.”

We recently talked to Zenginler about the benefits of ThermoWood—and how using the material can create structures with a long-lasting impact, both in design and on the environment.

1. Thermally modified wood is exceptionally durable.

Photo courtesy of G Wood Products

As a result of the ThermoWood process, the chemical structure of the wood changes. Removing moisture and organic compounds leaves the wood extremely reliable, Zenginler says. In fact, ThermoWood Ash becomes strong as IPE, a South American species of wood commonly known as the iron wood. It’s much lighter than IPE, too.

2. It’s incredibly stable.

Tantimber is great for cladding, decking, flooring, beams, and more. Photo courtesy of G Wood Products

Because of the low moisture content, it doesn’t interact with its environment the same way traditional wood does. Namely, it doesn’t absorb moisture from its surroundings as much. The maximum moisture content will be around 13%, which is nearly enough to change its stability.

“It doesn’t warp, swell, or shrink,” Zenginler says. “Even in extreme weather conditions or when used in different applications, like for saunas or docks on the ocean, it’ll keep it stability.” And because thermally modified wood is resistant to moisture, it’s also resistant to rotting and molding and won’t become a home to bugs or fungi.

3. Thermally modified wood is natural and chemical-free.

Thermally modified wood is made, as the name suggests, from one all-natural material: wood. And Tantimber’s thermal modification process ensures it stays that way.

“We simply remove excess moisture and harmful extractives—that’s all. No chemicals are used, no treatment is applied on the surface, and it doesn’t require any special treatment before or after installation. It’s completely nontoxic.” Zenginler says.

Tantimber’s thermally modified wood has a beautiful brown tone that naturally weathers over time to a beautiful silver-gray patina if the wood is left untreated with pigmented and UV-protected wood oil.

4. It offers design flexibility.

Tantimber offers more than 15 product profiles. Siding, decking, pergolas, beams, decorative interior wall coverings, and more—thermally modified wood is versatile and fit for any design that wants the look and feel of wood without the fear of heavy maintenance or replacement.

Thermally modified wood is made from hardwoods and softwoods. During the modification process the timber is transformed into beautiful golden and chocolate browns that can be used across applications. Its long-lasting, high-performance beauty brings depth to terraces, gardens, bathrooms, walkways, and landscape architecture with decking solutions produced from ash, pine, and iroko.

5. It’s sourced sustainably.

“Sustainability and quality are our number one priorities,” Zenginler says. “Our products are FSC- and PEFC-certified. They are chemical-free, nontoxic, eco-friendly, and 100% recyclable.”

Tantimber only sources wood from sustainably managed forest across the US, Finland, and Cameroon. “We believe the planet we live in must be protected by all people and institutions, as it’s a home to all living creatures—not just humans. The raw materials that are used to manufacture ThermoWood products are obtained from responsibly managed and sustainable forests only.”

6. Thermally modified wood has a long lifespan.

Photo courtesy of G Wood Products

Because of its durability, some species of thermally modified wood, like ash siding, can last upwards of 60 years. “It’s an investment. With thermally modified wood you can design something that will give you a piece of mind your whole life,” Zenginler says.

And because of its longevity, thermally modified wood adds another layer of sustainability to projects, as there is less need to replace the material every few years. If it does need to be removed, Tantimber’s thermally modified wood is fully recyclable.

Using thermally modified wood is an opportunity for any architect or designer to distinguish themselves with a better quality, sustainable product that is produced with a passion for the environment.”

The post 6 Benefits of Designing with Thermally Modified Wood appeared first on gb&d magazine.

• Aluminum is often sought for sliding glass doors for its durability and energy efficiency.
• Aluminum is 100% recyclable and can be turned into many forms.
• YKK AP offers a wide array of sliding aluminum glass doors.

Aluminum is an increasingly energy-efficient building material—and using it can help keep other building materials out of landfills.

Today’s architects and designers are constantly looking for new sustainable building materials to make for longer lasting projects with the potential for LEED and other certifications.

It’s also a popular choice for sliding glass doors when compared to other possibilities, including vinyl. Here we explore some of the benefits of sliding aluminum glass doors as compared to vinyl and other alternatives.

Why Choose Aluminum

YKK AP’s StyleView sliding glass doors are aluminum-reinforced for added durability. Photo courtesy of YKK AP

Sliding aluminum glass doors are typically very durable and require little maintenance.

They’re also lighter than, say, an alternative like steel. They also tend to be more on the affordable side and a sustainable, energy-efficient option, according to Angi.com.

Condensation resistance is another benefit of aluminum, and aluminum is 100% recyclable and able to take many forms.

That said, their lightweightness could lead to more dents over time.

PROS: Lightweight, low-maintenance, energy-efficient, condensation resistance, recyclable
CONS: Possibility for dents over time

Sliding Aluminum Glass Doors to Consider

YKK AP offers a number of options for sliding aluminum glass doors—from the YSD 600 thermally broken architectural (AW) rated sliding glass door designed to provide greater energy efficiency and occupant comfort to the YSD 400 heavy duty sliding door system that complies with higher structural loads.

MegaTherm Aluminum Framing System

A key component to YKK AP’s thermally broken systems is its MegaTherm aluminum framing system, which saves energy and reduces condensation. The polyamide material is much stronger and has a higher melting point than PVC or polyurethane used in other systems—and since its coefficient of thermal expansion is very close to aluminum, the bond between it and the extrusion maintains structural integrity through a wide range of temperature fluctuations.

The MegaTherm® aluminum framing system also allows dual finish options. Some unique design effects may be created by changing finishes between the exterior and interior exposed surfaces. Using different exterior/interior finishes may also achieve cost savings on larger projects by putting a less costly finish on the interior surface.

Aluminum and Aesthetics

YKK AP’s StyleView HD Sliding Doors are another beautiful option for the home. Photo courtesy of YKK AP

YKK AP’s StyleView HD Sliding Doors are another beautiful option for the home. They’re also aluminum-reinforced for added durability.

These feature double weather stripping for protection against air, water, noise, and dust infiltration and come in five finishes—white, tan, adobe, bronze, and black.

StyleView doors meet ENERGY STAR performance guidelines when glazed with Low-E insulating glass—a standard feature of YKK AP products.

The StyleView line also includes corrosion-resistant hardware and were designed to have a rich, detailed appearance without the labor and material costs typical of J-channel applications.

What is Vinyl?

Vinyl sliding doors use the same frame material that vinyl windows use, according to Delco Windows. Vinyl itself is a type of plastic made from ethylene and chlorine. When processed the substances combine to create PVC resin—or vinyl.

Delco describes vinyl as having a semi-flexible structure while being rigid enough to hold in glass and components.

Why Choose Vinyl?

Delco says vinyl’s standout benefits are its energy savings and clean look.

Vinyl is often sought for its affordability and durability, as it stands up in tough weather conditions without flaking, peeling, or rusting, according to Angi.com.

The Pros and Cons of Aluminum Vs. Fiberglass Windows

Check Your Ductwork: Improving Indoor Air Quality and Ventilation

Vinyl also offers countless aesthetic options, so designers and architects can get the look they hope to achieve.

La Cantina Doors also points to cost as a primary reason people turn to vinyl, as it’s often more affordable than aluminum or wood.

But while vinyl is generally strong, extreme temperature shifts can cause cracks, Angi.com says. It’s also more flammable than some other patio door materials.

PROS: Affordable, durable
CONS: Can crack, flammable

The post Aluminum Sliding Glass Doors vs Vinyl appeared first on gb&d magazine.

• Indoor air quality matters more than you may know, according to the experts at AirThings.
• Technology like View Plus can sit anywhere in a space and be accessible by app.
• Wave in front of the monitor and you’ll get a green, yellow, or red light to indicate your air quality.

“The air quality that’s inside—whether in schools, office buildings, or your home—has a massive impact on how you feel, your health, and your ability to concentrate,” says Lauren Pedersen, chief marketing officer at Airthings. “Small changes in air quality can have a massive impact.”

Pedersen is referring, in part, to recent research and a book called Healthy Buildings: How Indoor Spaces Drive Performance and Productivity, by the director of Harvard’s Healthy Buildings Program and Harvard Business School’s leading expert on urban resilience.

Airthings hopes to make buildings a little bit healthier with products like their View Plus, an easy-to-use indoor air quality monitor that tests for carbon dioxide, VOCs, humidity, virus risk, and more. Their team is particularly interested in the growing data around air quality and performance in schools. “We monitor so many classrooms around the world. You see people sitting with several thousand PPMs of CO2, which means their cognitive performance is lowered by 20, 30, or even 40%,” says Airthings CEO Øyvind Birkenes. “They’re drowsy. They’re tired. Awareness around that has increased.”

These are some of the benefits of using technology like View Plus to monitor indoor air quality.

The View Plus air quality monitor includes a built-in display and sensors for radon, particulate matter (PM), carbon dioxide (CO2), humidity, temp, airborne chemicals (VOCs), and air pressure. Photo courtesy of Airthings

1. Know what’s in the air.

Indoor air quality is especially important, the EPA says, as Americans, on average, spend approximately 90% of their time indoors, where the concentrations of some pollutants are often two to five times higher than typical outdoor concentrations.

For property managers, adding technology like Airthings allows them to view real-time and historical air quality data to manage multiple buildings in one place and identify any air quality issues and areas of improvement. Set up alerts, generate reports, and get tips based on your current air quality. You can also add a public dashboard display or QR codes so anyone in your building can check the air quality themselves.

2. Save energy.

Having a monitor like View Plus for business can help you reduce energy consumption and save money, as you optimize ventilation, heating and cooling, and light based on need instead of schedule. Balance the pressure difference in your building to avoid energy leakage. Airthings’ technology can also help facility managers and building owners remotely monitor and optimize their buildings, so they’re always in the know.

All you have to do is wave in front of the monitor to view all pollutants outside the recommended levels. Photo courtesy of Airthings

3. Be smarter.

Improved indoor environmental quality could boost decision-making scores by more than 100%, according to a study by Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. According to Airthings, reducing carbon dioxide levels in the typical office environment resulted in an improvement of up to 50% in cognitive skills for workers tested. And healthier staff could mean a more productive staff. A 2018 report by the World Green Building Council suggested a healthier work environment could cut sick leave by four days per year per employee.

4. Feel better.

Higher concentrations of carbon dioxide can also cause headaches, restlessness, drowsiness, poor sleep, snoring, and other problems. The EPA says health effects associated with indoor air pollutants include irritation of the eyes, nose, and throat; headaches, dizziness, and fatigue; and even respiratory diseases, heart disease, and cancer. The link between some common indoor air pollutants—like radon, particle pollution, carbon monoxide, and Legionella bacterium—and health effects is well established.

Ventilation—even opening windows or vents for five to 10 minutes several times a day—is an effective way to reduce airborne chemical concentrations. Choosing household products with low-VOC toxicity, buying natural cleaners, detergents, and even used furniture can also help lower the total airborne chemical levels indoors, according to Airthings.

View your data anytime, anywhere with this wireless and Wi-Fi connected device. Easily mount to the wall or sit on a shelf. Photo courtesy of Airthings

5. Easy to scale up.

Airthings is a scalable solution that works for multiple buildings. You can seamlessly integrate this technology into your building management system, whether you have 1,000 or 1,000,000 square feet of space to manage. Airthings’ solutions can also be customized to fit any space and portfolio. The View Plus monitor is easy to use, as you simply wave your hand in front of the monitor for a visual indication of air quality levels. The red and yellow light indicate poor and fair levels, while the green light indicates healthy levels.

The post 5 Benefits of IAQ Monitoring appeared first on gb&d magazine.

• Wood is a key element of biophilic design, as it reduces stress in built environments.
• Using sustainable wood can help you gain LEED certifications and even reach net-zero.
• Materials like reclaimed wood help reduce waste in the industry.

How is wood sustainable? Wood is reusable, allows us to reduce waste, and we have more of it than we think, according to the USGBC.

Wood is increasing in demand across the industry. In a study done by Science Direct, it was found that the annual demand for engineered wood products (EWP) materials up to 2030 is expected to range up to 23,707 kilotons and 30,933 kilotons per year. “Three development trends can potentially lead to a higher share of wood construction in the future: (a.) technical progress towards high performing load-bearing wood constructions, (b.) progress in the harmonization of fire protection and environmental regulations, (c.) constant growth in the capacity to produce ecological construction materials,” the study said.

Wood also has a carbon footprint that’s 75% less than concrete or steel. With innovative design, we can optimize the materials we use to reduce the amount of waste we produce per job site. Excess wood can then be taken to recovery centers for recycling, where another builder can secure wood for his or her next project… all without tapping our forestlands for materials,” the USGBC says. “Since the 1940s, forest growth in the United States has continually exceeded harvest, which means we use much less wood than we think we do. And, of the 750 million acres of forestland in the United States, about 20% of it is protected by conservation efforts. So, all in all, we’re in very good shape to continue using wood as our main building material.”

It supports biophilic design.

The Andy Quattlebaum Outdoor Education Center at Clemson University, a 2021 WoodWorks Design Award winner. Photo by Jonathan Hillyer

Part of the reason wood has had a resurgence in the market is because of its health benefits. Wood can be a beautiful element of biophilic design as it brings nature indoors. Using wood in a sustainable way will not only help create better buildings and work spaces, but it’s also said to make people happier. Recent studies have shown that designing with wood in office spaces can increase productivity by 8% and well-being satisfaction by 13%. The use of wood in interior spaces is a key part of biophilic design, making nature feel accessible in a variety of environments.

Wood supports biophilic design because it’s hypoallergenic, promotes good air quality, moderates humidity and temperature, and also has acoustic capabilities.

Companies like Microsoft are using wood as a key element in their biophilic design. The tech mogul introduced offices in the trees in 2017. “These rustic cabin-like wood structures in the trees come complete with many of the modern necessities of an office: electricity, meeting spaces, Wi-Fi access and ergonomically designed seating. Hand-carved wooden doors open at the swipe of a badge to a selection of meeting spaces,” according to Think Wood.

It can help you earn certifications.

Photo courtesy of StructureCraft

Wood can also contribute to LEED certification or even be used to achieve net zero.

One example of this can be found in ZAS Architects and Bucholz McEvoy Architects’ project, the headquarters for Toronto and Region Conservation Authority’s (TRCA). In addition to the use of wood and an energy-efficient building envelope, this project implements a green roof, rainwater harvesting, low impact landscape development, and solar chimneys. The project is also targeting Net Carbon Zero, LEED Platinum V4, Toronto Green Standard Level 2, and WELL Silver certifications.

“In the LEED 2009 commercial rating system (NC, CI), the Certified Wood (MRc7) offers a single point if at least 50% by cost of permanently installed wood products are FSC-certified. Under the LEED 2009 system, projects can be rewarded for the FSC credit even if wood is a relatively minor part of the overall materials used,” according to the FSC.

Sustainable wood can also help builders achieve net-zero. This can be implemented in both residential and commercial space, as wood emits less carbon and doesn’t take as much energy to harvest as steel or concrete. Wood also works to reduce chemicals in the atmosphere, as well as carbon storage. According to a study done by Science Direct, “mass timber buildings emitted on average 216 ​kg CO2e/m2 less in construction phase than their counterparts constructed using conventional building materials.”

It’s renewable.

Photo by Jonathan Hillyer

You might also consider wood for its renewable power. It’s no secret that deforestation plays a large part in our current climate crisis, but the beauty of wood is that it is the only building material grown from the Earth.

Although wood is renewable, it is crucial to grow and harvest lumber responsibly. Forestry management is a key element to consider when building with wood. “Strong markets for wood products encourage forest owners to keep their lands as forests and invest in practices to keep trees healthy. Forest management in the US and Canada operates under federal, state, provincial, and local regulations to protect water quality, wildlife habitat, soil and other natural resources. In the US more forest land is lost to development, then forestry,” Think Wood says.

Despite development being a contributor in deforestation, there are ways to use wood responsibly while supporting existing forests. Using certified sustainable wood is one way AEC professionals can ensure their projects are working to support ethical forest management.

“When shopping for wood, consumers often look to certified wood to ensure that they’re purchasing wood products that are, in fact, sourced from sustainable forests,” the USGBC says. “This is important because these programs keep consumers and retailers in line when it comes to forestry practices. The more consumers demand sustainable products, the more retailers and forest managers shy away from destructive harvesting practices like clear-cutting and logging.”

How Ambius Brought Greenery to Bell Works

4 Tips for Using Software in Construction

It reduces waste.

Butler Square. Photo courtesy of Butler Square

Using sustainably sourced wood also reduces construction and demolition (C&D) waste when a building has reached the end of its life. Materials like concrete and steel are more difficult to recycle and reuse. “The built environment is the world’s largest consumer of raw materials by sector and produces significant construction and demolition waste,” Think Wood said in a previous contribution to gb&d. “In 2018 alone the US generated 600 million tons of C&D debris—more than twice the amount of municipal solid waste picked up from homes and businesses.”

Think Wood goes on to say, “Maximizing wood use in both residential and commercial construction could remove an estimated 21 million tons of C02 from the atmosphere annually – equal to taking 4.4 million cars off the road.”

One of the benefits of using a natural building material like sustainable wood is how it supports a circular economy. A circular economy is a model of production and consumption that emphasizes reusing, repairing, refurbishing, and recycling existing materials and products as long as possible. Wood is one of the greatest assets we have as we shift to this more sustainable model.

One way to reduce waste is through factory-built prefabrication or mass timber, both of which can optimize assembly and streamline onsite erection. Mass timber is a growing market with the International Code Council (ICC) approving new proposals every year. This allows projects to expand into bigger and taller commercial buildings as well as residential. The use of mass timber can be found in projects like Milwaukee’s Timber Lofts, which reimagine existing buildings and make them greener.

It can be reused and reclaimed.

Decades-old barn sourced for reclaimed barn wood by Woodstock Walls. Photo courtesy of Woodstock Architectural Products

Another pillar of wood sustainability is its potential for reuse and reclamation. Reclaimed wood can be used across a variety of projects, including for walls, flooring, architectural panels, moulding, doors, countertops, tables, shelves, beams, and ceiling panels.

Reclaiming wood reduces the demand for harvesting new timber and minimizes deforestation. Reusing and reclaiming wood allows AEC professionals to participate in one of the most sustainable practices of the built environment. But how should we go about this process of upcycling?

“Reputable manufacturers source century-old barn wood and examine the structures themselves,” said Kevin Fults, founder of Woodstock AP, in a previous article for gb&d. “For example, at Woodstock Walls, the owner takes trips through the back countries of southern and Midwest states to find the highest quality reclaimed wood free from decomposition, bugs, and mold.”

Reclaimed wood is also another source that can help improve the health and quality of spaces. Wood is naturally absorbent and acts as an insulator with air pockets in its cellular structure that help slow the conductivity of heat. It also doesn’t hurt that reclaimed wood provides unique interior and exterior designs, as no two pieces look the same.

It’s easy to modify.

Custom reclaimed wood wall panels with Woodstock AP tannin solution. Photo courtesy of Woodstock Architectural Products

Wood is also sustainable for its potential for modification.

Cross laminated timber (CLT) is one of the most popular forms of modified wood on the market. CLT is a solid wood panel made from layering boards in alternating directions that are bonded together with structural adhesive. This fusion process creates a lightweight yet extremely strong building material that is also fire- and earthquake-resistant. This sought-after material allows for quicker construction as it can be prefabricated, as well as quicker clean up and waste reduction.

Architects may also turn to thermally modified wood to ensure durability and performance. Thermal modification enhances wood by making it rot- and moisture-resistant. This process is sustainable because ​​there are no chemicals or plastics used in the process, just heat and steam. Minimal energy is used as the process only takes a couple of days, instead of kiln-drying that can take several weeks.

It’s often chemical-free.

Raw and unfinished authentic reclaimed barn wood planks. Photo courtesy of Woodstock Architectural Products

One of the biggest upsides to using wood as a sustainable building material is that it is often free of harmful chemicals. While chemically treated wood exists, architects looking for a greener option can easily consider chemical-free wood options. Whether that means using wood with tannins, using thermally modified wood, or looking for reclaimed pieces, there are plenty of chemical-free choices.

Woodstock Architectural Products is a leader in custom woodwork and specializes in tannin solutions, reclaimed wood, and more. Tannin is a natural chemical found in wood that protects against bacteria and fungi growth. These tannin solutions can alter the color of wood while still maintaining its natural characteristics and texture.

Tannin solutions use tannic acid that can be extracted from bark, wood, stems, and leaves to dye other surfaces. When the compound is mixed and applied on certain wood species, the reaction exposes multiple shades of brown, black, and red.

Using chemical-free wood and wood treatment options also means a more sustainable life cycle for the material. When wood products free of chemicals are used in the built environment, the options for reuse are increased and the demolition waste is less harmful.

The post How Wood is Sustainable appeared first on gb&d magazine.

• Infinity Drain solutions offer a truly barrier-free bathroom design.
• A linear drain is built into the floor of the shower and can be anywhere along the channel length.
• These solutions allow architects to use materials that may not otherwise fit into a center drain shower enclosure.

Since 2007 Infinity Drain has been designing decorative shower drains for barrier-free bathrooms.

“The barrier-free shower—also referred to as the walk-in shower, zero-threshold shower, or curbless shower—is a growing trend in bathroom design,” says Barbara Kratus-Stark, sales and marketing director for Infinity Drain.

What distinguishes this type of shower from another is it has no obstacle at the threshold to step or roll over. Kratus-Stark says barrier-free bathroom design is often achieved with a linear drain system and single-slope floor pitch. A linear drain is a channel or trench built into the floor of the shower. It collects the water and delivers it to the drain outlet, which can be anywhere along the channel length.

“With the floor sloped in one direction, the water is aided by gravity and rushes to the far edge of the space, where it is then easily processed,” she says.

We talked to the Infinity Drain team about some of the reasons why designers should consider linear drains for their next projects.

1. Truly Barrier-Free

Barrier-free bathroom installation is simplified with the new Site Sizable Low Profile linear drain, seen here in satin bronze. The drain’s lower profile helps minimize the floor height needed to achieve a curbless entry. Photo courtesy of Infinity Drain

With no curb or barrier obstructing the entrance to the shower, you make for a more accessible bathroom for people of all ages and capabilities while removing the trip hazard. Solutions like the Site Sizable Low Profile Linear Drain have a lower profile that helps minimize the floor height needed to achieve a curbless entry.

“When the shower flooring material must accommodate a drain and four-way pitch, architects will often specify smaller tile or cut large-format tile on a diagonal and then pie-piece it together around the drain,” Kratus-Stark says. “When the shower floor slopes uniformly in one direction, as it does in a barrier-free application, the limitations on tile size and slab material are eliminated. Large-format tiles, stone slabs, or any solid-surface material can be used without being compromised or broken down into smaller pieces.”

2. More Material Options

The Slot Linear Drain from Infinity Drain was designed to disappear. The new drain has a narrow 3/8-inch drainage gap and comes in a range of finishes from stainless steel to matte black, with an easily accessible clean-out tray. Photo courtesy of Infinity Drain

Kratus-Stark says barrier-free bathrooms enable architects to use materials that didn’t fit into a conventional center drain shower enclosure. The removal of physical boundaries at the shower eliminates the compartmentalization that before made the bathroom space feel smaller and broken up.

“The move from a shower compartment with a standard center drain to a barrier-free shower with a linear drain affects the type of flooring that can be specified in the bathroom. The barrier-free solution offers architects the opportunity to use higher-end materials often found in ultra-modern interiors and five-star spas,” she says.

3. Make the Bathroom Look Bigger

And instead of having a bathroom broken up into distinct areas, the barrier-free shower creates a seamless transition between the shower space and the rest of the bathroom.

This makes the entire bathroom feel larger, even though the total square footage of the space has not changed.

4. Prolong Your Bathroom’s Life

Linear drains are a long-term solution because you can make the entire bathroom waterproof and more durable. Plus, the barrier-free aspect means owners can age in place.

Kratus-Stark says it’s a no-brainer when you compare it to using cheaper materials that aren’t waterproof, aren’t long-lasting, and may require more maintenance later on.

5. Made Sustainably

Infinity Drain also offers Next Day Custom for a perfectly aligned solution for wall-to-wall linear drain installation without the wait. Next Day Custom Linear Drains are available in lengths up to 72 inches in two finishes, three grate styles, and for all installation waterproofing methods. Photo courtesy of Infinity Drain

Infinity Drain uses locally sourced and manufactured products with 91.2% recycled content and emphasizes energy-efficient improvements to their New York-based factory, including a new PVC roof and LED lighting. Their CLEARCLAD e-coating process creates a closed loop, which reclaims nearly 100% of the water used in its low-VOC finishes.

“Infinity Drain’s priority is to be a sustainable provider of decorative drains,” says Infinity Drain President Jonathan Brill. “We have committed to reduce our impact on the environment as well as to enhance the overall wellness of our clients, employees, and trade professionals.”

6. Easy to Clean and Maintain

Linear drains are as easy to maintain, Kratus-Stark says.

The drains come with a hair basket and tool to pull out the grate for easy access, and water drains more efficiently—leading to less mishaps in the bath and less mildew to clean, she says. You can also switch out the linear drain decorative grate to a different style or a tile insert frame to update the look of your shower.

The post 6 Benefits of Linear Drains appeared first on gb&d magazine.

The Global Wellness Institute defines wellness as the active pursuit of activities, choices, and lifestyles that lead to a state of holistic health. The pandemic had a devastating effect on our physical, mental, and emotional well-being, and many homeowners have become increasingly aware of how home updates can lead to increased holistic health and well-being. One of these updates includes making the shower work for us and not against us.

Consumers now have an increased interest in taking their bathroom remodels and showers to the next level by creating the ultimate bathroom oasis. Linear drains can play a key role in accommodating emerging post-pandemic bathroom trends. Here are some of the benefits to linear drains as they relate to well-being, cleanliness, sustainability, and multigenerational living.

1. The bathroom sanctuary

While stuck at home many homeowners found new ways to increase well-being and manage stress in the bathroom. Managing stress by adding the necessary self-care amenities gives consumers the opportunity to regenerate in the comfort of their own homes. There is an increasing demand for amenities such as steam showers, extra-deep soaking tubs, water filtration, and voice-activated smart features that promote relaxation for the homeowner.

Inspired by luxurious “wet-room” spa baths in upscale hotels and health clubs, consumers of all ages now seek to enjoy the same look and feel at home to promote well-being. Part of that look are linear drains used in curbless showers, and popular thanks to the way they marry style and functionality. A curbless shower means cleaner lines in the bathroom, less visual clutter, and added accessibility—all features that enhance well-being.

Curbless showers feature striking linear drains that add a clean, contemporary European feel. Superior performance in a curbless shower starts with having a single directional slope with a linear drain spanning wall to wall at the bottom of the slope. This approach creates more freedom for design because the single slope accommodates large format tiles. The use of linear drains also offers labor savings, as installers need to only create a slope one direction compared with a conventional four-way compound slope used with center point drains

In addition, linear drain cover designs continue to evolve. Previously in design, the shower drain was little more than an afterthought. Today’s drain cover designs match the stylistic direction of the overall bathroom, complementing different motifs and aesthetics.

5 Things to Consider Before Converting Tubs to Showers

12 Sustainable Bathroom Renovation Ideas

2. Cleanliness

It’s no secret that the coronavirus crisis reinforced the importance of illness prevention and health optimization in the home.

Manufacturing products from materials that are antimicrobial and/or self-cleaning is an important part of product development in the bath space. Ease of maintenance within showers for hotels, hospitals, and homeowners is also crucial to enhancing the longevity of any remodeling project.

One of the key benefits of linear drains is that they offer the convenience of lower maintenance because they can be integrated with larger-format tiles. This strategy reduces the number of grout joints and seams where mold, mildew, and grime can take hold.

A wall-to-wall linear drain not only maximizes drainage but also offers a clean look that enhances the homeowner’s shower experience.

A linear drain with a single-direction slope has less chance of water pooling or running out of the shower. Shower floors without enough pitch usually puddle and hold water. Soap scum and water deposits form in these wet areas, which makes the tile and grout look dirty.

3. Sustainability

There is an increased focus on sustainable solutions in the wake of Covid-19, such as the use of recycled materials to reduce our footprint in the building process. According to The Global Wellness Institute, wellness is multidimensional and includes promoting a healthy physical environment free of hazards and awareness of the role we play in bettering—rather than denigrating—the natural environment.

In both the commercial and residential segments, there is an equal focus on the sustainable renovation of bathroom spaces. As sustainability pertains to wellness, there is an increased focus on the use of sustainable solutions in the bathroom, such as efficient faucets, water-saving showerheads, and LED lighting.

The needs revolve around implementing products and materials that offer flexibility in layout and energy efficiency. Linear drains can accommodate a variety of shower-floor panels, as well as environmentally friendly options, such as QuickDrain’s PET (polyethylene terephthalate) rigid-foam shower floor panels.

Pre-sloped and tile-ready shower pan kits from QuickDrain USA are made from 100% recycled plastic. Courtesy of Oatey Co.

This environmentally friendly option is fabricated from recycled, plastic water and soda bottles. There are many opportunities to create a sustainably designed bathroom environment that will, in turn, enhance wellness and offer a guilt-free, relaxing bath experience.

4. Multigenerational living

QuickDrain USA’s “invisible” linear drain, WallDrain, offers a cutting-edge design for ADA-compliant showers. Photo courtesy of Oatey Co.

According to Colin Milner, CEO of the International Council on Active Aging (ICAA), the senior living industry has embraced wellness as a means to address shifting expectations and mindsets toward aging.

Multigenerational households were on the rise during the pandemic, which rose to 15% between April and June 2020, according to the National Association of Realtors. To accommodate different generations in the home, we are seeing an increasing demand for accessibility in the bathroom and shower.

Linear drains used in curbless showers provide a universal design that appeals to multigenerational living conditions. Homeowners benefit any time safety measures can be taken into consideration within an upgraded bathroom design. Linear drains in curbless showers are the ideal design solution for creating ADA-compliant showers and wet spaces that are universally accessible. With no barrier to cross, the floor more easily accommodates a freestanding bench, a wheelchair, or some other mobility aid.

An added benefit is that linear drains generally avoid looking institutional, as so many ADA bathrooms do. An excellent example of this counter-institutional trend is QuickDrain’s WallDrain, which practically disappears into the wall, offering an ultra-clean and contemporary look.

The pandemic has definitely shifted homeowner perspectives and expectations. Their health and overall wellness concerns will impact the future of home-design for years to come. One place to start is in the bathroom, where the benefits of linear drains nicely align with the surging consumer trends of wellness, cleanliness, sustainability, and multigenerational living.

The post 4 Benefits of Linear Drains in Post-Pandemic Bathroom Design appeared first on gb&d magazine.

• There are many different types of traffic coatings. Among them, polyurethane/epoxy coatings are becoming increasingly popular.
• NeverFade coatings with Kynar Aquatec both restore and protect the exteriors of buildings.
• Solar reflective coatings can both prolong a deck’s life and cool surfaces.

Buildings and other projects often make use of coatings to maintain and protect the structures or surfaces long after they’re completed. Some coatings serve to provide waterproofing and concrete surface protection.

Each coating type has its own intended use that is important on some applications more than others. Some structures demand a coating that sets quickly while others care more about durability or waterproofing.

“It’s important that the coating type you choose is meeting your intention and your requirements,” said Mosby Lawrence, waterproofing manager at NEOGARD, in a previous interview with gb&d.

These are six different types of coatings that may benefit your next project.

1. Traffic Coatings

NEOGARD’s products have been used in projects around the world by leading architects and engineers. Photo courtesy of NEOGARD

Traffic coatings, as the name implies, work best on structures that are subject to constant traffic. They come in many different types based on what they’re made from and their use.

Polyurethane systems have been used as a sustainable option for filling in cracks and waterproofing things like apartment building garages since the 1970s. “Clients can spend a great deal of money for traffic systems, but they are sustainable and meet strict VOC standards. If a client maintains them, you can simple re-apply the coating over it, so there is no need to replace them,” Lawrence previously told gb&d.

Epoxy broadcast systems have been used for decades as an affordable, easy to apply option with concrete surface protection and enhanced durability for ramps, bridge decks, and parking garages.

Lawrence said hybrid systems, especially polyurethane/epoxy, are becoming more popular as another of the top types of coatings. Their durability makes them a great option for high-volume, heavy traffic parking garages. “Even if you don’t want to use hybrid throughout the whole garage, you can use it in high wear areas such as ramps, exits, entrances, and turning areas,” Lawrence said. “This will increase the durability of the entire system.”

For projects that require quick installation and turnaround, Lawrence said it’s best to go with a poly-methyl methacrylate, or PMMA, system. This type of traffic coating’s chemistry allows it to have a fast turnaround time, meaning applications can start and end within hours of the same day.

For a coating that has high permeability, is easy to apply, and produces no harmful odors, consider a latex/vinyl copolymer system of coating. This is best used on concrete surfaces with a metal pan deck underneath.

2. Solar Reflective Coatings

Westcoat’s solar reflective Texture-Crete top coat can be applied over both solar reflective and non-solar reflective systems. It can also bond to concrete walkways and pool decks without waterproofing systems. Photo courtesy of Westcoat

Solar reflective coatings can be very impactful in urban areas that have little to no shade from the sun.

Coatings like Westcoat’s solar reflective Texture-Crete top coat can be applied over both solar reflective and non-solar reflective systems. It can also bond to concrete walkways and pool decks without waterproofing systems.

This coating is used on buildings and sidewalks to try to decrease the amount of heat that is absorbed and re-emitted. Solar reflective coatings also lower energy costs and reduce the amount of air pollution in urban areas by reducing the need for air conditioning. This type of coating complies with the Cool Roof Rating Council’s standards for solar reflective roofs and walls, including a certain thermal emittance and Solar Reflective Index.

Solar reflective systems can be applied to existing surfaces and structures. The installation process uses multiple layers of both dark and white cement to adhere to and protect existing structures. This also helps to prolong deck life by preventing deterioration from harmful UV rays and by waterproofing its surfaces.

San Diego-based Westcoat has years of experience in creating sustainable types of coatings. “We are no stranger to sustainability and energy efficiency initiatives,” said Mallory Cabading in a previous article for gb&d. “With the addition of the solar reflective series, we can provide a California Title 24, Cool Roof Rated waterproof deck coating solution.”

3. Restoration Coatings

The Historic Federal Aviation Administration’s West Coast Headquarters was fully protected using NeverFade Metal Restoration Coatings system from APV Engineered Coatings. Photo courtesy of Stuart Dean Company

Restoration coatings are meant to give new life to older structures. NeverFade from APV Engineered Coatings is great for restoring the appearances of buildings affected by time and weathering. This water-based resin is usable on a wide variety of substrates and is extremely durable with a 20-year guarantee from APV.

APV’s NeverFade with Kynar Aquatec coatings can be applied by brush or roller (as opposed to the traditional practice of spray application), according to Todd Gomberg, a second-generation principal at Capital Contractor Services and a regional NeverFade® certified applicator.

One prominent example of NeverFade in use is the former West Coast Headquarters for the Federal Aviation Administration, described as one of the nation’s most significant examples of 1970s late modernism by the LA Conservancy. NeverFade was used on this project because the water-based polyvinylidene fluoride resin can be used on a variety of substrates, is extremely weather-resistant, and has low odor emissions.

4. Weather Coatings

Lead architect John Pistorino used APV NeverFade on the “Sandcastle” to help the house stand up to hurricanes. Photo courtesy of APV Engineered Coatings

Some coatings are needed to face the toughest weather, including hurricanes. “It can be difficult to find an exterior coating that stands up to high humidity, extreme UV rays, and the corrosive power of salt spray for more than five years without fading,” said Michael Roberts of Lazer Distribution in a previous article for gb&d. “NeverFade Coatings with Kynar Aquatec has demonstrated 15 years of performance [on our Sandcastle project] in South Florida with no fading and chalking. I knew the product would be a perfect fit for the Sandcastle.”

Kynar Aquatec is a water-based resin that is ideal for air-dry, field-applied types of coatings. The premium, weather-resistant coating can be easily applied to a variety of substrates—including metals, plastics, wood, concrete, stucco, EIFS, and previously painted surfaces.

“The use of Kynar Aquatec and complex inorganic pigments gives NeverFade the ability to resist film erosion, chalking and fading caused by harsh UV exposure,” Erin Neff, director of marketing and business development, APV Engineered Coatings, previously told gb&d. “Degraded and faded paint is so commonly seen throughout Florida, which is one of the harshest environments in the country.”

5. PVDF Coatings

Photo courtesy of APV Engineered Coatings

Polyvinylidene fluoride, or PVDF, has been around for more than 50 years. This type of thermoplastic polymer works to restore and protect the exteriors of structures. Before application, it goes through years of testing to verify adhesion, abrasion, hardness, impact resistance, and mold and mildew growth, while also being tested with UV light exposure and humidity to identify color change, gloss retention, and chalking.

NeverFade coatings from APV Engineered Coatings come in two main topcoat formulations that incorporate Kynar Aquatec®—the high-performance PVDF polymer engineered by Arkema. Compared to urethanes and acrylics, Kynar® PVDF is in a class by itself. Outstanding characteristics include extreme resistance as well as easy application with industry-standard spray equipment, and adhesion to many different surfaces, among other benefits.

Besides having the same outstanding weatherability and durability characteristics of types of coatings with Arkema’s original factory-applied grade, Kynar 500, its versatility is unparalleled. And thanks to uncommonly low VOCs, NeverFade can easily be field-applied in states with even the harshest environmental regulations.

6. HVAC Coatings

Heresite tests its coatings in all environments, incorporating elements like humidity, UV, and chemical resistance. Photo courtesy of Heresite Protective Coatings

HVAC coatings are often used with HVAC condensers and evaporator coils. Using HVAC coatings allows you to protect equipment from the toughest environments and extend equipment life.

Heresite Protective Coatings has multiple offerings of HVAC coatings, including the P-413 and the ES-600. The P-413 is mainly used for coil and radiator heat exchangers, while the ES-600 can be used as a standalone for coils, cabinets, and components or alongside the P-413 for a “full immersion” coil coating on components that cannot be over-cured.

Heresite tests its HVAC coatings in environments close or next to marine environments. “A lot of the world’s population lives in these coastal environments, and this brings industry in close proximity as well,” said PeterHellman, president of Heresite Protective Coatings, in a previous article for gb&d. “It is these environments that dictate our testing protocols, using cyclic versus static testing and incorporating multivariate elements like humidity, UV, and chemical resistance.”

The post 6 Types of Coatings and When to Use Them appeared first on gb&d magazine.