10 Things Made of Polyurethane

We don't normally spend our days wondering about what things are made up of. We like to leave that to the scientists, engineers and young children who can marvel at floating balloons. However, sometimes it is good in the understanding of a substance to know other areas that it can be used.

When we ran across this post on a blog from The Polyurethane Group, we thought it gave some great (and surprising) examples of the uses of Polyurethane.

10 Things Where Polyurethane is the Key Component:

1. Bowling Balls
2. Surfing Boards
3. Roller Coasters 
4. Soccer Balls (or European footballs)
5. Insulation
6. Bandages
7. Denim 
8. Polyurethane Coastal Protection
9. Polyurethane Fridges in Swaziland, Africa
10. Green Roofs

Read the entire post, "10 polyurethane applications you would not have thought of" here.

NOAA Forecasters Predict More Activity this Hurricane Season

On August 4, 2011 the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) issued an updated forecast for the 2011 Atlantic hurricane season that predicts more storms and hurricanes than was originally thought to occur. Peak hurricane months are between August and October in the Atlantic region and even FEMA has warned residents to get prepared.

You don't have to live in the Atlantic, however, to respect the enormous force of Mother Nature. Midwestern storms can have hurricane-strong gusts and create havoc on trees and building structures. This makes it important to choose the right product and performance-based roofing contractor when considering applications for roof repairs or new roofs.

Many Spray Polyurethane Foam Roofing manufactures have products that carries the Miami-Dade County Notice of Acceptance as protecting the roof in winds up to 150 miles per hour, or a level 5 hurricane, when properly applied over concrete, steel or a smooth surface BUR wood deck. The system creates a monolithic seal over the roof, making it impossible to detach in high winds. When applied by a an accredited roofing professional, Polyurethane Spray Foam Roofing can meet the needs of building owners in the Midwest.

Source: NOAA - http://www.noaanews.noaa.gov/stories2011/20110804_update_atlantichurricaneoutlook.html

Comparing Insulation Products

Out of the dozen positive features compared between spray foam insulation, fiberglass batts, fiberglass loose-fill, wet-sprayed cellulose, blown-in (dry) cellulose and mineral wool, only the spray foam insulation had the most. They include:

• High to Highest R-Value per inch
• No wind washing effect
• Certified air barrier
• Expands to fill hard-to-reach spaces
• Contains no HCFCs or CFCs
• Does not contain formaldehyde
• Won't shrink or settle over time when properly installed
• Will not absorb significant levels of water
• FEMA approved flood-resistant insulation materials
• Will not distort framing when properly installed
• Efficiently reduces sound transmission through walls

The only feature that Spray Foam Insulation does not have that two of the others provide is the ability to inject it into existing wall cavities without major demolition. Spray Foam Insulation is normally done during the initial building process, while adding on to an existing structure or remodeling.

Source: sprayfoam.com, "Insulation Comparison Chart"

Urban Heat Islands

Have you ever noticed while driving out of the city into a rural area that the temperature seems to suddenly drop? This is the result of what is called the Urban Heat Island effect, which is a heat bubble that builds up around cities due to buildings, pavement, lack of vegetation and other permeable surfaces.

Scientists have been measuring Heat Islands for years and, as cities grow, so do the Urban Heat Islands. As Heat Islands grow so does energy consumption (more electricity to cool things down) which increases emissions of air pollutants and greenhouse gases from power plants. The increased heat also causes the quality of water to become impaired as hot rooftops and pavement shed their water into the drainage system and out into streams, ponds and other bodies of water, causing rapid fluctuations of temperatures which is stressful to the aquatic ecosystem.

There is a also general discomfort for humans with higher air pollutants and higher temperatures.

The EPA sites four main ways that helps counteract Urban Heat Islands:

• Increasing tree and vegetative cover
• Creating "green" roofs (rooftop gardens or "eco-roofs")
• Installing cool roofs
• Using cool pavements

High performance fluid-applied roofing systems designed and applied by a certified professional roofing contractor are proven to reflect up to 85% of the sun's rays, reducing the temperature by nearly 60 degrees than that of traditional black roofs. Washington Roofing & Insulation uses only the highest quality of material that is ENERGY STAR, LEED, CRRC, Miami-Dade County approved and / or certified.

Source: EPA Website: What is an Urban Heat Island

It's Not Just About Roofs, Anymore

As building and architecture focuses more on energy efficiency and renewable resources, spray polyurethane foam (SPF) insulation will become more prevalent for the entire building structure.

As opposed to traditional fiberglass insulation, SPF fills every crack and crevice to eliminate airflow in and out of the building, saving on utility bills and extending the life of your HVAC. It also helps keep insects, spiders, dust, pollen and mold down, giving you cleaner, healthier air to breathe.

Metal studs on the interior of a building.
Photo by: Washington Roofing & Insulation

Metal studs after spraying BASF Spraytite as Insulation.
Photo by: Washington Roofing & Insulation

Washington Roofing & Insulation uses SPRAYTITE closed cell SPF with uses ZONE3 zero-ozone-depleting blowing-agent technology and emits no volatile organic compounds (VOCs). It can be used in the following areas of insulation applications:

• Above Rafters
• Between Rafters
• Cavity and Cavity Walls
• Ceilings
• Exteriors
• Floors
• Interiors
• Perimeters
• Roofs