Explaining the difference between VOC content and VOC emissions. W. R. MEADOWS has a tradition of environmental awareness starting in the 1990s, when we launched the GREEN LINE product portfolio showcasing products featuring lower VOC content using water-based formulations. Continuing this trend of lower VOC materials, you can now find the following products with California Department of Health (CDPH) VOC Emissions Certificates V1.2, 2017 not only under the GREEN BUILDING tab on our website, but on the newly created SUSTAINABILITY tab under each products’ data page. This tab will also include sustainability letters covering LEEDv4/4.1 criteria and newly added health…
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SUSTAINABILITY CORNER
DEALING WITH OUT OF DATE/OFF SPEC PRODUCTS Spring is just around the corner and is a great time to complete clean-ups both at home as well as work. So when the warehouse is cleaned up and a few old containers are found, how should these materials be handled? Waste materials are regulated at both the state and federal level and the rules for disposal must be complied with. By doing a little leg work, a generator of waste can keep costs to a minimum as well as comply with regulations regarding proper disposal. The first step is to identify what…
ARCHITECTS and SPECIFIERS: How Will eCommerce and ESG Trends Impact Your Warehouse and DC Building Designs?
If you’ve been paying attention, you know the pandemic-driven eCommerce demands have amplified an already frenetic building trend: distribution centers (DCS), or warehouses. According to CBRE Research, every $1 billion in incremental eCommerce generates an additional 1.25 million sq. ft. of warehouse space demand for construction. Today’s existing warehouse space simply cannot meet industry requirements. In fact, the warehouse shortage is so drastic, UPS resorted to creating Ware2Go, a digital tool that helps shippers find on-demand warehouses. When Forbes magazine interviewed warehouse executives this year, Forbes found that warehouse building was their top priority for the next one to three…
How Do VOCs Affect My Construction Project?
If you’ve ever known that “new-car smell,” you’ve experienced VOCs. VOC is the acronym for “volatile organic compounds,” which specifiers and contractors seek to minimize in the products they construct with, especially since green building projects are mushrooming and environmental safety awareness is at an all-time high. In a new car, you can get exposed to off-gassing VOCs for up to six months after you buy it. (This is a great selling point for buying pre-certified vehicles). Studies have shown there are more than 60 VOCs detected in the average new car. VOCs are pervasive in our daily lives. It’s…
CDPH Compliant Sealers
What is a VOC VOC stands for volatile organic compound. VOCs are found in many chemical formulations and exhibit a high degree of volatility. Substances that are classified as volatile tend to readily enter the atmosphere when allowed to vent to the air. VOCs can be flammable and have a variety of potential health issues if improperly handled. What Contains VOC To see a full list of VOC sources, check out this article from American Lung Association. Some of the most predominant products from that list include: paint, paint strippers Varnishes and finishes Caulks and sealants Adhesives Flooring, carpet, pressed…
Check out our new AIR-SHIELD LMP animation!
We’re proud to offer a new installation animation for our AIR-SHIELD LMP air barrier! This installation animation shows the proper application of the product with the use of our AIR-SHIELD LIQUID FLASHING for rough openings, such as windows. AIR-SHIELD LMP is a water-based air/liquid moisture barrier that cures to form a tough, seamless, elastomeric membrane. AIR-SHIELD LMP exhibits excellent resistance to air leakage. When properly applied as a drainage plane, AIR-SHIELD LMP prohibits liquid water intrusion into the substrate. AIR-SHIELD LIQUID FLASHING is a high-quality, gun grade, low-odor, elastomeric, polyether, liquid-applied flashing and detailing membrane. It bonds to most construction…
Intraguard: The Savior of Salty Concrete
Winter salt got you feeling salty? Have no fear! INTRAGUARD Water-Based, Clear, Penetrating Sealing Compound for Salt Protection has just the penetrating sealing action to protect even your saltiest exterior concrete surfaces. Specifically designed to limit the intrusion of moisture and chlorides into concrete surfaces, this proprietary blend of silane and siloxane penetrates deep into the pores of the concrete to help protect the concrete from scaling caused by deicing salts. INTRAGUARD weatherproofs and protects virtually all exterior concrete surfaces, including concrete driveways, walkways, and parking lots. The product is designed to provide lasting protection from de-icing chemicals and moisture…
Check out our updated expansion joints brochure!
Did you know that the first product W. R. MEADOWS introduced, way back in 1926, was ASPHALT EXPANSION JOINT? Our founders pioneered expansion joint technology, knowing that concrete expands and contracts with temperature and moisture changes. As the temperature rises or the moisture content of the concrete increases, expansion takes place. As the temperature drops, the concrete will contract. The provision to accommodate movement at predetermined locations with proper joint applications prevents the development of stresses that could rupture the concrete. Our company was founded on the principle of protecting concrete from damage – that’s why we’re known as the Guardian…
Samples of Intraguard Now Available!
We recently introduced Intraguard, a water-based, penetrating concrete sealing compound for exterior concrete surfaces specifically designed to limit the intrusion of moisture and chlorides into concrete surfaces. Its proprietary blend of silane and siloxane penetrates deep into the pores of the concrete to help protect it from scaling caused by deicing salts. The product has met with widespread acclaim throughout the industry, and we just want to make readers aware of this fantastic technology. Intraguard’s clear sealing properties weatherproofs and protects virtually all exterior concrete surfaces, including concrete driveways, walkways, and parking lots. The product is designed to provide lasting…
Updated Waterproofing Brochure Now Available
W. R. Meadows is known for our wide array of building envelope materials, including our full line of waterproofing materials. These material include our Mel-Rol sheet waterproofing membrane, Mel-Rol LM fluid-applied waterproofing membrane, and Mel-Rol LM (All Season) all-weather, fluid waterproofing membrane. Recent entries into the line include BEM and Hydralastic 836. As you can see, we have a multitude of products to meet every waterproofing need. To help our customers keep track of all our waterproofing materials, we offer our new, updated waterproofing brochure. This brochure has recently been updated and features the most current information on our entire…
PMPC Stands the Test of Time
When a demolition team went to tear down a gymnasium containing W. R. MEADOWS PMPC at Ursilane College on the east side of Cleveland, Ohio, they found something remarkable. While demolishing the building, the workers found that the PMPC, placed below the building’s concrete foundation in 1973, was still intact–looking as if it had been placed this year: solid, no cracks, with its plastic release sheet still intact. PMPC or, PREMOULDED MEMBRANE VAPOR SEAL WITH PLASMATIC CORE, is a patented (#US 7,179,761) seven-ply, weather-coated, permanently bonded, semi-flexible vaporproofing/waterproofing membrane. It is composed of an exclusive plasmatic core suspended mid-point between two…
W. R. MEADOWS Goes to Building Envelope Boot Camp
On April 30th-May 2nd, eleven members of our W. R. MEADOWS sales team took part in our first ever two day building envelope boot camp. The boot camp consisted of a combination of technical and hands-on training where the participants took part in product demonstrations, practiced presentations, and were brought up to speed on all the new happenings within the W. R. Meadows line of building envelope products. In the classroom, our sales team was provided with technical knowledge on air barriers, waterproofing, and underslab moisture protection in order to provide a greater level of technical support to all members…
Bay Area Air Quality Management District
The Bay Area Air Quality Management District (BAAQMD) is the public agency entrusted with regulating stationary sources of air pollution in the nine counties that surround San Francisco Bay: Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, Napa, San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara, southwestern Solano, and southern Sonoma counties. Recently, the BAAQMD has revised their regulations and here is a review for Regulation 8, Rule 3: Architectural Coatings, which originally took effect in 1978. Significant changes to the regulation were implemented on 1/1/2011, which included lowering the maximum allowable VOC for a majority of the product categories, adding a few new product categories, and…
Take Our New Course at Hanley Wood University
We’re proud to partner with our friends at Hanley Wood University to offer an online continuing education course. The online course earns continuing education from the American Institute of Architects (AIA), but is also a great way for contractors to learn more about current construction practices. The course offered is Concrete Basics: Curing and Sealing. The course feature slides, voiceovers, and detailed information about this subject. At the end of the course, there is a short quiz to take. For architects, you will receive continuing education learning units from AIA. This is a fast and easy way to earn and learn!…
VOC Compliance Map Launched
As most of you know, varying VOC regulations across the U.S. can be a bit confusing. VOC regulations are sometimes ruled by the EPA, the state, or by local regulatory committees, and sometimes all of the above. And then, finding the product that fits your particular area can be confusing as well. Click Here to Open VOC Compliance Map At W. R. MEADOWS, we’ve spent countless hours developing products that meet the strict VOC regulations of your local area. We’ve worked closely with regulatory commissions such as the Ozone Transport Commission and the South Coast Air Quality Management District. To…