Products

Valley Forge, Pa.-based CertainTeed Corp. is expanding its Sustainable Insulation fiberglass insulation technology to new categories of product, including SoftTouch, Duct Wrap, Commercial Blanket Insulation and Metal Building Insulation.

The Masonry Veneer Manufacturers Association (MVMA), the trade association organized specifically for the adhered masonry veneer industry, has announced new officers.

Dan Mulhern, of Veneerstone, will serve as president and Chuck Stein, of Environmental StoneWorks, will serve as VP. Ardeen Brever, of Boulder Creek Stone, will continue to serve as secretary/treasurer, and Ralph Vasami of Kellen Co. will continue to serve as the executive VP.

An unfair-competition complaint by U.S manufacturers has led to preliminary duties on multilayered wood flooring from China. 

The Commerce Department Tuesday announced a 27.01% duty rate on multilayered flooring imports -- a move described as a preliminary decision, based on evidence of Chinese subsidies.

While more than one-third of Americans are aware of the federal phaseout of incandescent light bulbs, the majority of consumers have yet to learn that the 100-watt bulb is scheduled to disappear from store shelves beginning in 2012. This is one of the many findings of an Osram Sylvania consumer survey involving 300 homeowners and renters nationwide.

Meritage Homes expanded its production of high performance green homes to the Texas market. In the next two weeks, Meritage will open green communities in Fort Worth and San Antonio. 

Each home includes:

• Spray Foam Insulation for a seamless, thermally efficient insulation blanket that prevents air leakage and offers 3X the R-value of standard fiberglass insulation;

• Double Low-E Vinyl Windows that reduce energy loss by up to 50%.

• Energy Efficient CFL Lighting that reduce energy usage by 75%.

Owens Corning has named two new executives to lead its building materials and composites divisions, according to a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

Chuck Dana has been appointed group president, building materials, and Arnaud Genis has been appointed group president, composites, succeeding Dana. These changes are effective immediately.

Karel Czanderna, currently the group president of the building materials group, has resigned and will leave the company following a transition period.

The prolonged housing downturn has pushed the building materials industry into uncharted waters where everyone is trying to hold their place in a shifting topography of competitors, suppliers and customers. Big or small, LBM operators are learning that the rules of engagement have changed. Here today, gone tomorrow, back next week in a reconfigured shape.


What a perfect time to try something new. 


Mooresville, N.C.-based Lowe’s says it is the first national retailer to offer consumers an Energy Start-rated LED A-Line bulb.