Environmentally-Friendly Homes

September 2nd, 2011

8 Reasons why Vinyl Cladding is a Green Choice for the Home

Vinyl was first created in the 1920′s, and quickly became a common element in many products, including wall cladding. Vinyl has since emerged as the world’s second most used plastic, but unlike its counterparts, vinyl has many environmentally-friendly features.

Here’s a list of eight reasons why vinyl siding is a great choice for your home and the environment:

1. Environmentally Sustainable
The main element of vinyl is Chlorine, which is developed from salt. This makes up almost 60% of vinyl’s chemical structure, and is a sustainable and cost-effective product.

2. Less Energy During Manufacturing
Vinyl cladding manufacturing uses less than half of the energy necessary to produce bricks and mortar. Vinyl siding also uses less fuel during transportation because it is lighter than bricks and mortar.

3. Solid Foam Insulated
Prestige Exteriors’ Duratuff Select Vinyl Cladding also comes with a pre-installed solid foam insulation backing. This CFC-free superior insulation will help reduce your heating and cooling energy bill, saving money and having less impact on the environment.

4. Long-Lasting
Adding to the environmental credentials, vinyl cladding is extremely durable, meaning it spends longer on your house and less in a landfill. Confidence is so high in Duratuff Select vinyl wall cladding that a lifetime guarantee is offered.

5. Low Impact Maintenance
Unlike other common products used, vinyl cladding never requires painting, which not only saves time and money on labour costs, but avoids the environmental damage from continuous painting. In addition, only a mild soap and water is necessary for periodic cleaning which ensures that you are not responsible for releasing harmful chemicals into the environment.

6. Recyclable
Recyclability is a fantastic factor in vinyl’s sustainability. In America, more than one billion pounds of vinyl was recycled in the last year. In addition, much of the waste from manufacturing can be recycled straight back into the manufacturing process.

7. Less Waste during Installation
Compared to other types of exterior cladding and exterior materials, the installation of vinyl siding generates very little waste.

8. Releases fewer toxic chemicals than other exterior cladding throughout the life-cycle
Vinyl cladding emits significantly lower levels of toxic chemicals, including mercury and silver, into the environment, compared to other types of exterior cladding.

Protecting the future of our environment and your home.

Because guarding the environment for a sustainable future continues to become a focus in society, vinyl cladding delivers many recognised benefits which make it a sustainable choice for your home.

Prestige Exteriors is a leading supplier of vinyl cladding in Queensland. We choose to only install Duratuff Select vinyl wall cladding, which comes with a fifty year transferable manufacturer’s warranty! We clad directly over wood or fibro and leave a beautiful, colourfast and lasting impression. Available in thirteen colours.

Read more about Prestige Exteriors vinyl cladding now, or contact us today.

Looking for a great alternative to painting for your home? For Brisbane Wall Cladding & Brisbane Vinyl House Cladding, call Prestige Exteriors today or visit http://www.prestigeexteriors.com.au/

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Why you should use spray foam insulation

February 17th, 2011

Acoustic Insulation Benefits
Low density Polyurethane Foam Insulation has anexcellent sound absorption properties and sound transmission properties. When making a comparison of polyurethane foam to other insulations, there can be a very great difference. As an effective air seal, it gets rid of the air gaps through which sound travels theeasiest. Low density polyurethane foam Insulation is far greater in controlling mid-range frequencies that include the most common sounds, the voice of a human and loudstereo music.
Enhanced Insulation

When traditional R3.5 fiberglass batts are field installed using traditional methods, the end result is an effective value of only R2.45. Much is lost in inexact fit, ineffective air barrier and broken vapour barrier. Polyurethane foam does not suffer from the same installation challenges of traditional woolbatts.
Enhanced Air Barrier Properties

Spray foam insulation is able to hinder air leaks much more successfully than other types of insulation. Typical insulation materials for example rigid foam board or fibreglass batts may move out of place over time, leaving spots for air to penetrate the house. Additionally, these materials infrequently fill the entire ceiling cavity, which means air can usually find a way into the living area between the sections of insulation, or at the top or bottom of the wall. Polyurethane spray foam fills the entire space, leaving far less gaps for air leaks. This material is also more dense than many other insulators, and provides a tight, impenetrable barrier to air infiltration and leaks.

Enhanced Energy Efficiency in the Home
Air barrier sealing and a superior under floor insulation material result in greater energy efficiency. This can mean a reduction in the use of heating or cooling systems, this can result in lower energy bills and fewer carbon emissions. A efficiently insulated home may even allow you to choose smaller air conditioning and heating systems, which can save both money and space.

Roof Insulation never sags or breaks down
Polyurethane Foam insulation bonds to the surrounding substrates as it is installed. This bond holds the foam in place for the life of the building ensuring its effectiveness lasts offering ongoing savings.

Costs
While polyurethane spray foam insulation is typically more expensive than traditional batts or rigid insulators, the foams true cost may actually be far less. Spray foam serves as insulator, vapor barrier, and moisture barrier, removing the need for exterior caulking, building paper, and separate vapor barriers. Not only do you save the cost of these materials, but there is extra installation saving. Rather than buying and installing four or more products, a single application of spray foam can be utilised instead. When the cost of spray foam is compared to the total cost of batts and related weatherproofing systems, foam actually is more affordable way of insulating. In addition, the higher R-value of foam equals a greater reduction in energy bills is likely, this results in a shorter payback period for this project.

Flexibility
Because polyurethane foam expands to fill a voic, it offers many benefits to people requiring a flexible roof insulation. It is at it’s most useful when filling oddly-shaped spaces, or those subject to some type of obstruction. Spray foam also allows for smaller, skinnier walls, which means greater flexibility with living space. Finally, because foam insulation is so versatile, contractors have far greater flexibility when it comes to framing designs. While rigid insulation requires adequate spacing between studs, polyurethane foam can easily be sprayed into any size opening. For more information on spray foam insulation contractors visit www.insulbarrier.com.au

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