BD+C's 101 Top Products: Structural Products

1. Fabric-reinforced cementitious matrix | Simpson Strong-Tie

Simpson Strong-Tie’s fabric-reinforced cementitious matrix (FRCM) allows contractors to repair, protect, and strengthen concrete masonry structures for a fraction of the installed cost of traditional shotcrete repairs that use rebar, according to the maker. The system combines high-performance sprayable mortar with a carbon-fiber grid that creates a thin structural layer without significantly increasing the structure’s weight or volume. FRCM is ideal for application on overhead or vertical surfaces in structures such as parking garages, tunnels, and bridges. A one-inch layer provides structural reinforcement without substantially constricting tight spaces or adversely affecting facility operations. Further strengthening can be achieved via subsequent half-inch layers.

2. FOAM-LOK 2000-4G | Lapolla

This insulation is the first product to use Honeywell’s next-generation blowing agent, which offers enhancements toward eliminating the product’s depletion of ozone and reducing its global warming effects. The spray applied insulation can improve R values by up to 10% over older systems and offers improved yield. The closed-cell system is manufactured, in part, using post-consumer recycled plastic water bottles.

3. Plenum Barrier | Rockfon

Engineered to improve sound isolation and privacy between rooms in commercial interiors, this plenum board can help Building Teams comply with stringent sound isolation requirements. When combined with the company’s Rockfon ceiling systems, the boards can achieve high sound isolation—tested up to STC 52—between adjacent rooms without the need for bulkheads above demountable partitions or full-height walls.

4. DURAMAX ICF | NUDURA

Nudura’s Duramax is the largest standard insulated concrete form on the market, at eight feet long and 18 inches high, according to the maker. The large-format ICF allows contractors to place 12 sf of wall area in one step. Patented hinged webs allow the forms to be shipped flat and quickly unfolded on the jobsite. A proprietary fastening strip securely locks the forms into place with a reversible, triple-tooth interlock, eliminating float and compression. Offers R-24 performance, with thermal mass properties of up to R-50.

5. Silent FX QuickcuT | CERTAINTEED

Drywall features a viscoelastic polymer between two dense gypsum cores, providing enhanced sound attenuation for applications requiring high STC performance. Assemblies using SilentFX QuickCut can provide STC ratings of 50 or higher, while using fewer layers of gypsum board than traditional assemblies. The drywall is engineered for use on interior walls and ceilings in residential, commercial, and institutional applications. It can be used for new construction or renovations over wood or steel framing. Designed to easily score and snap for fast installation. The company’s M2Tech technology provides protection against moisture and mold. Abuse resistant per ASTM C1629.

6. Thermafiber | Owens Corning

This line of mineral wool insulation products has earned the Safety Act Designation, retroactive to January 1, 2006, from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. The designation means that the use of these products will provide building owners and AEC professionals with liability protection in the event of an act of terrorism on their structure. It restricts liability where qualified anti-terrorism technologies, or QATTs, have been used.

7. Quiet-Tech | CarpetCycle

This insulation is made from post-consumer carpet. It is 90% recycled material and does not contain any inhalable airborne material unsafe for a working environment, according to the maker. Quiet-Tech has a nine-point STC improvement and an NRC rating of 0.95. It fulfills all requirements for UL GreenGuard Gold certification for low-chemical emissions, does not require adhesive use, and contains no VOCs or Red List-banned chemicals.

8. MULTIFIX | ROCKWOOL

This stone wool roofing insulation and coverboard in one reduces the number of layers required for low-slope roof assemblies. The insulation board features a built-in coverboard and a mineral-coated fiberglass facer that is compatible with multiple attachment methods. It can improve overall roof performance by regulating the temperature of the thermal insulation, particularly in cold temperatures, says the company.

9. GreenGuard XPS | Kingspan

Kingspan has expanded its GreenGuard extruded polystyrene (XPS) insulation board product offering with additional thicknesses of three inches and four inches in select 25, 40, and 60 psi compressive strength board. Additionally, a new four-sided routed drainage channel board was introduced. The drainage channel board is for use in protected membrane roof assemblies requiring 40 psi or 60 psi minimum compressive strength and drainage channels. Drainage channels are cut along all four sides of the board at a half inch deep and a quarter inch wide. When placed face down in a protected membrane roof assembly, channels permit drainage of water that seeps through to the roof membrane.

10. Classic Ultra | Icynene

This line of open-cell spray foam insulation features improved cohesion and eliminates the need for hand paddle mixing prior to application, speeding the application process. The formulation enhances cohesion properties by as much as 90% compared to traditional spray foam, according to the maker. The low-VOC foam holds a Greenguard Gold certification. Contractors can start spraying with drum temperatures as low as 60 F.

11. CONCRETE SUBFLOOR Panels | USG

USG Structural Panels provide a fast, efficient method for building floors. The high-strength, reinforced concrete subfloor panels are lighter than precast and poured concrete, and install like wood sheathing. The non-combustible panels offer one- and two-hour fire-rated assemblies, and are mold-, moisture-, and termite-resistant. Panel dimensions: ¾ inch thick, 4x8 feet sheets, with tongue and groove edges. Ideal applications include mid-rise multifamily buildings, theaters, mezzanine spaces, and modular structures. The dimensionally stable concrete panel will not buckle or warp and is easy to install: circular saw for cutting, screws for fastening. Meets sound rating requirements.

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