This is the final post on this round of construction tape testing. As you might recall, the first tape test post was about cold temperature application of the tapes, and then trying to remove the tapes off various substrates while remaining cold. (See the first tape test post here.) Some performed better than others, but none had the tack of the second round of testing which was performed on plywood at room temperatures. (See that post here.) This final round of testing came about because I still had a question. Will the tape bond increase if the tape is applied at cold temperatures and then warmed, much like a normal construction application might experience?
Construction Materials-A Less Common Sheathing
This post first appeared on the Green Building Advisor’s website.
When I first started working in the trades as an electrician back in the mid 1990’s, we worked for a couple contractors that liked to use buffalo board sheathing. I suspect the product was given this name because of its resemblance to buffalo chips. (If you don’t know what a buffalo chip is, you’ll have to look it up, it’s not the kind of chip you eat.) I’ve heard it called several other names, bildrite, beaver board, brickboard, bagasse, but it is best known as fiberboard sheathing.
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Construction Materials-Construction Tapes-Cold Weather Testing
In 1845, a surgeon figured out if he used a little adhesive on a piece of cloth, a “bandage” could be used for wound care, the first tape was invented. Through the 1900’s, the evolution of tapes continued. 1925 saw the development of masking tape used in painting. In the 1930’s, scotch tape was invented. This clear tape was hugely popular and had many uses. Water resistant duct tape was invented during World War II, originally designed to seal military ammunition cases. More recently, the tape evolution has exploded into the construction industry.
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Construction Materials-Tape
I am currently working on a blog post for Green Building Advisor where I will be testing a few different tapes in cold weather applications. That article will appear here, on my blog, after it has published on GBA. In preparing for that test, I’ve learned a few things I thought I would share.
Construction Materials-ThermalTight
I learned about a company called BRINC Building Products, Inc a couple years ago. They had developed a solution for how to attach windows when using exterior insulation. Normally we would build a wood buck to move the rough framing out to the plane of the exterior insulation. Continue reading “Construction Materials-ThermalTight”
Construction Materials-Humidex Garage Ventilation
Last winter, during the International Builder’s Show in Las Vegas, I found a garage ventilation system that I thought would work well for humidity control in my very cold climate. Continue reading “Construction Materials-Humidex Garage Ventilation”
Construction Materials-Smart Vapor Retarders
I have now had the opportunity to work with the three smart vapor retarders available in the United States. Each has there own qualities. They all work in cold climate construction. But…my in opinion there is a good, better and best. This blog will outline my impressions of each. Continue reading “Construction Materials-Smart Vapor Retarders”
Construction Materials-Fluid Applied WRB/Liquid Flashings
When I first started in the construction industry, more than 20 years ago, adding water and air membranes and sealing the exterior of a home was in it’s infancy. Sure, adding tar paper or felt to the exterior of a home had been around for many decades, but the use of Tyvek and Typar were fairly new and a lot of builders and homeowners were confused about how they worked. Continue reading “Construction Materials-Fluid Applied WRB/Liquid Flashings”
Construction Materials-Electrical Overcurrent Protection
As some of you know, I hold a journeyman’s electrician license in the state of Minnesota. During my trip to the International Builders Show recently, one of the most interesting new products I saw happened to be a new type of circuit breaker. I know, exciting! Actually, this new technology goes well beyond protecting some electrical circuit or piece of equipment. Continue reading “Construction Materials-Electrical Overcurrent Protection”
Construction Materials-Aerobarrier Update
This is a recent Instagram post, an update to the AeroBarrier blog I posted back in September. Continue reading “Construction Materials-Aerobarrier Update”