March 19, 2009 | GBI Insight Home
Building Green with DAP
For those seeking to meet green building standards or guidelines, DAP makes a variety of products that contribute to indoor air quality and energy efficiency.
Low-VOC Sealants and Adhesives
Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) include a wide range of chemicals, some of which have been shown to have adverse health effects. Studies by the US Environmental Protection Agency have found that levels of about a dozen common organic pollutants are between two and five times higher inside homes than out, regardless of where the homes are located. Research also indicates that, while people are using products containing organic chemicals, they can expose themselves and others to very high pollutant levels which can persist in the air long after the activity is complete.
As a result, low-VOC products have become increasingly popular and are stipulated in most green building rating systems. For example, DAP produces low-VOC sealants and adhesives, many of which meet one or more of the following:
- ICC-700 2008 National Green Building Standard, Chapter 9 – Indoor Environmental Quality, Section 901, Pollutant Source Control (architectural coatings, sealants, adhesives that are zero or low-VOC)
- NAHB Model Green Home Building Guidelines, Section 7.1.3 (Global Impact – Products)
Energy Efficiency
To meet guidelines for energy efficiency, design and construction professionals are required to take an integrated and comprehensive approach that encompasses siting of the structure, building envelope, and mechanical space conditioning systems.
DAP produces a number of products that contribute to proper sealing of the building envelope in accordance with the following guidelines:
- Green Globes® for New Construction, Section C – Energy, C.2.6 (building envelope for walls meets or exceeds the requirements of ASHRAE Standard 90.1-2004), C.2.7 (thermal resistance of the building envelope for the roof meets or exceeds the requirements of ASHRAE Standard 90.1-2004), C.2.10 (stack effect is controlled by air sealing and compartmentalizing vertical building shafts such as stairs and elevators from the main space)
- Green Globes for Continual Improvement of Existing Buildings, Energy Section – Envelope (air sealing of the building envelope)
- ICC-700 2008 National Green Building Standard, Chapter 7 – Energy Efficiency
- NAHB Model Green Home Building Guidelines, Section 3.3.1 Building Envelope (PP) B (Energy Efficiency – Implement an Integrated and Comprehensive Approach to Energy-Efficient Design of Building Site, Building Envelope, and Mechanical Space Conditioning Systems)
- ANSI/ASHRAE/IESNA Standard 90.1-2004 – Energy Standard for Buildings Except Low Rise Residential Buildings SI Edition, Section 5.4 and 5.5 (Building Envelope)
DAP is a leading marketer of caulks, sealants, adhesives, insulating foam, spackling, glazing, and other general patch and repair products. Visit the DAP Web site for information on a variety of green building topics, including codes and specifications as well as downloadable regulatory forms for manufacturer verification of product VOC content and/or energy contribution. These forms are required for green building certification and to apply for relevant tax credits.