Reef Industries manufactures cost-effective vapor barriers and concrete curing blankets to effectively control concrete curing and eliminate moisture, deterioration and mildew from occurring in the building.

The Griffolyn® Vapor Protection System components consist of several high performance polyethylene vapor retarder material made of high density polyethylene, low density polyethylene or linear low density polyethylene all of which are reinforced with a patented heavy-duty polyester cord grid for high strength and durability.

Transguard® is a reusable, wet curing cover ideal for concrete control for both field and pre-cast applications. Transguard® 4000 Curing Covers are excellent for maintaining proper moisture control during the concrete curing process whereby reducing cracking, scaling and dusting. This product features exceptionally low permeability, easy installation and is reflective against heat.

All products can be custom designed to meet your project’s specifications. For more information on how Reef Industries can help you protect your investments, please visit us at www.reefindustries.com or contact us at 800-231-6074.

Flooring for Sustainable Design

The following are “green” tips for sustainable flooring.

Carpet
Each year in the United States landfills acquire millions of tons of carpet that may take 20,000 years to decompose. To stop this waste, it is important to select carpet that has high-recycled content and is itself recyclable. Carpet that can be recycled back into carpet is preferable to carpet that will be “down-cycled” into other plastic products. By specifying carpet tile instead of broadloom, 100% of the carpet does not have to be removed when only 20% of it (the part in the traffic pattern) shows wear. Finally, low toxicity is another important consideration in carpet selection.

Carpet underlayment should also have recycled content, be nontoxic (formaldehyde-free), and provide both insulation value (commonly R-12) and sound barrier properties.

Resilient Flooring
Like other vinyl products, vinyl flooring is not the most environmentally sound choice. Several other types of resilient flooring can be used, including cork, natural linoleum, recycled-content rubber, or chlorine-free polymer resin tile.

Ceramic Tile
Tile is a low-toxic, durable finish material for floors, walls and other applications. Several manufacturers offer products with up to 70% recycled content, mainly post-consumer glass but sometimes also including post-industrial content such as soil/rock waste from the sand and gravel industry. In addition to making use of a post consumer product, adding recycled glass to ceramic tile can provide the tile with interesting textures and colors.

Wood Flooring
As with all wood applications, certified wood should be specified, and locally or regionally grown and processed products are preferable to those that require significant transportation. Endangered species of tropical woods should be avoided. Bamboo is becoming a popular flooring option. Not actually a wood, but rather a grass, bamboo is exceptionally strong (it can be used for structural applications) and rapidly renewable (shoots are mature and ready to harvest in three to seven years). Unfortunately, the type of bamboo used in the building industry is not native to the United States and is currently imported from Asia.

Floor Finish
Solvent-based floor finishes can cause indoor air quality problems, especially during and immediately following installation. Alternatives, such as water-based urethane finishes for wood floors, are increasingly available.

Excerpted from Green Building: Project Planning & Cost Estimating, 2nd Edition, published by RSMeans.