Product Profiles
Provincial product profile - GFRC concrete
by Reece Schulte, Andrea Pelland & Stephani Carter of EcoAmmo and Green Alberta
Concrete is a common, strong, fire retardant and dynamic building material that can come in various strengths and tolerances. Typically concrete can be energy intensive in its creation but contemporary green products such as Glass Fiber Reinforced Concrete (GFRC) are striving to change the norm.
GFRC is an ecologically, energy-friendly concrete that is flexible in design and function. It has numerous applications including but not exclusive to exterior cladding, the restoration of exterior facades, sculptures and countertops. The glass fibres reinforce the concrete in the same way that rebar stabilizes regular concrete, giving the product a higher flexural nature.
GFRC allows for nearly unlimited design and aesthetic options because it can be molded into any shape and finished in many ways.
By using many recycled materials such as aggregate, glass and steel, GFRC retains a structural integrity and an appealing aesthetic while producing no waste. GFRC uses significantly less portland cement, making it lighter so it can be cast in thinner sections and can be fully recycled into new concrete projects. As well, it can contribute toward LEED certification.
Most materials used in GFRC are naturally occurring minerals and are not considered pollutants. Those combined with aggregates and glass fibres make GFRC an inert substance.
Click here or visit Green Alberta for more information.
Provincial Product Profiles – Permeable Pavers
by Stephani Carter of EcoAmmo and Green Alberta
Permeable pavers have had mixed reviews in Alberta in recent years. However, more and more project teams are deciding to add permeable surfaces to their projects. Permeable pavers, available in many different varieties, allow rainwater to flow through to the soil beneath, aiding storm water management and pollutant removal, among many other environmental benefits.
I was recently part of an Alberta Government delegation visiting China’s green building industry. There is still much to be done to reduce environmental impacts there, but in some cases the Chinese have been quick to implement green strategies. For example, sun shades, operable windows, grey water treatment and reuse and the use of permeable pavers appear to be standard practice. This photo, taken in Shenzhen, illustrates how permeable pavers are used in parking stalls, while the driveway portions of the parking lot remain concrete or asphalt. This same mixed composition
of surfaces is a growing trend in Alberta.
For those looking to use permeable pavers on their local LEED® projects, Alberta has a local manufacturer who includes recycled content in their products, which can aid in achieving both regional materials and recycled content credits.
Visit www.expocrete.com for more information.
Provincial product profiles – moveable walls
by Andrea Pelland and Stephani Carter, of EcoAmmo & Green Alberta
Moveable walls have been around for many years now and have gone through many renditions of style, functionality and flexibility. You may remember demountable walls that had three options of vinyl finishes that really did not appeal to many interior designers.
Moveable walls are now fully flexible with easy install and reconfiguration, minimizing down time and health problems from dust and debris you get with typical interior construction. They also create minimal waste, sending less to our crowded landfills. Being able to reconfigure rooms in an afternoon allows for spaces to serve different purposes over time, saving precious lease space and the costs associated. They are also super sexy with a million different types of finishes and even compatible furniture, making a complete, coordinated office.
For those looking to use moveable walls on their local LEED® projects, Alberta has a local manufacturer who includes recycled content in their products, no urea-formaldehyde sub straights, low VOC finishes and FSC certified wood finishes, which can aid in the achievement of regional materials, recycled content, certified wood and indoor environmental quality credits.
Check out www.dirtt.net or www.greenalberta.ca for more information.
Provincial product profiles – high density expanding polyurethane foam
by Andrea Pelland and Stephani Carter, of EcoAmmo & Green Alberta
High density expanding polyurethane foam is being used in many ways in the building industry, from spray insulation, to concrete raising, soil stabilization, rigid paving repair, foundations, piles and even load bearing elements.
But how ‘green’ is it? It’s a chemical resin, right? Polyurethane foam is lightweight so it won’t overburden soil or foundations, yet it is extremely strong and durable. Most installation methods are quick, efficient, and require very little construction activity. Some polyurethane foams can also aid in achieving LEED® credits and prerequisites such as minimum and optimum energy performance (products can have high thermal characteristics of R5.5 to R6 per inch of thickness), management of construction waste (the waste, if
any, generated from installation can be recycled), indoor environmental quality – specifically due to its typically low to zero VOC lab tests, and, depending on where your project site is located, regional materials.
For those looking to use high density polyurethane foam, Alberta has a few local manufacturers. Uretek in particular formulates their product on site, reducing the carbon footprint associated with plant manufacturing and transportation. For more information, see www.uretek.ca or www.greenalberta.ca.
 
Provincial product profiles – climate-controlled irrigation systems
by Andrea Pelland & Stephani Carter, of EcoAmmo and Green Alberta
A major trend for this year is related to post-occupancy evaluations and data. The green building industry has made the transition from merely getting everyone excited about building green to actually building green, projecting efficiencies and entering an era where the ‘proof is in the pudding,’ or, in this case, ‘the proof is in the post-occupancy data.’
In order to prove that green buildings are performing as well as the projections, we need to measure and track everything we want to impact positively, including seeing building performance as a system – energy, water, indoor air quality, and even the grounds associated with the building! The mere placement of a viewable and interactive meter can increase efficiencies 3% to 5%. As the old management adage goes, ‘You can’t manage what you don’t measure.’
In Alberta we have several emerging service providers to help measure and track performance. One such leader is ExactET, providing Climate Controlled Irrigation Services. Just by connecting to their network of local weather stations they can reduce a client’s potable water use for irrigation by 40% to 70%! Coupled with the use of auxiliary or grey water approved irrigation equipment, potable water use can be completely eliminated! ExactET’s services can aid in achieving up to 7 credits and one prerequisite in the new LEED-EBOM (Existing Buildings: Operations &
Maintenance) Rating System. For more information, see www.exactet.caor www.greenalberta.ca.
Provincial product profile – hemp: back to the future
by Shane Korithoski, Canamo Enterprises
One of the biggest challenges facing today's green builders is finding materials that are non-toxic, have lower embodied energy and support the local economy. Rating systems such as Cradle to Cradle and the Pharos Lens standard create more transparency around these issues.
Unfortunately, there is not a lot of choice regarding healthier building materials. Materials that are petroleum free and free of fire retardants and blowing agents are almost impossible to find. So what should a forward-thinking green builder look for?
One material appropriate for the Alberta climate is made from hemp. Combining the shiv & fibre of the plant with lime creates an organic masonry material with superior insulation R-values to any earth building mix.
Building with hemp is not new. The Romans and Japanese both used it, and the material has been making a comeback for some time throughout Europe. The hemp-lime system caught on about 25 years ago in France and has since spread to other areas of Europe, including Ireland and England. It’s been said that growing hemp on just 1% of the farmland in the United Kingdom would be enough to build 180,000 houses a year! Only within the past five years have North Americans begun opening their eyes to the awesome potential of hemp.
Hemp has been called a bio-composite superstar: it’s a fast-growing and versatile plant with a unique closed-cell structure that sets it apart from other kinds of cellulose. While most straw yields about three tonnes of fibre per hectare, hemp straw weighs in at 10 to 15 tonnes. The plant sequesters carbon, producing carbon-negative products and helping to combat global climate change.
Hemp buildings are resistant to fire and mould and can be incorporated into passive solar design strategies due to the material's impressive thermal mass. Living in a "hemp house" can be viewed, in a sense, like living in a tree. The walls act like a permeable skin, releasing negative ions (as opposed to positive ones) into the air; thus residents have fewer problems with static electricity and electromagnetic fields. In addition, the hemp home supports the local economy and is pleasant to be in!
Even the Alberta government has begun to take notice of this plant and its amazing properties; our province can now be considered Canada's leader in bio-materials development, and hemp is one of the main interests. Check it out atwww.canamobuilding.com.
NOTE: Do you have a product you would like to profile? Get in touch – and get published!
 
Provincial Product Profiles – Cladding Systems
by Andrea Pelland & Stephani Carter, of EcoAmmo and Green Alberta
There are many cladding options available on the markettoday, but choosing one that is right for your project can be a daunting task. Choices have to be made between the look, the performance, and the cost of the material, with one sometimes being sacrificed for another. Natural brick is very beautiful, but a common complaint from designers is that efflorescence and vanadium staining can compromise the original design of a project, making the building appear dated and
unsightly. Natural stone is also very aesthetically pleasing, but the weight of the material can be prohibitive to some projects, and can also be expensive.
A new product on the market that addresses these issues is the Suretouch cladding system developed by Permacon. Premoulded insulated polystyrene panels are first installed onto the existing wall with anchors. The masonry is then popped into place and mortar is applied with a manual injection tool - the system has been simplified to the point where anyone with a basic understanding of construction can install it. Brick, stone or concrete options are available and the ease of installation keeps the costs down.
A high insulation value of R-13.5, combined with recyclable panels, also makes the system and solid green building option. Water drains out through channels in the polystyrene and through weep holes at the bottom, preventing staining of the masonry.
For more information, please visit www.suretouch.ca, orwww.greenalberta.ca.
 
Provincial Product Profiles – Mould Control
by Andrea Pelland & Stephani Carter, of EcoAmmo and Green Alberta
Moulds are found in our natural environment and are vital to the decomposition of organic materials – they also serve to recycle nutrients back into the soil.
Moulds reproduce and grow very rapidly; all that is needed is a food source and moisture and they will flourish. Unfortunately, food sources for moulds can include wood, paper, insulation, and even paint and drywall.
As important as moulds are to the natural world, they can become dangerous and even toxic when located indoors. Mould only needs a few days to start colonizing and producing spores – these spores can produce compounds such as mycotoxins that in humans can produce anything from allergic reactions to serious immune and respiratory problems.
Once mould has gained a foothold indoors, the removal and clean up process can be very costly and time consuming.
The best way to deal with mould is to ensure that your home is an unfriendly place for it to grow. One way to do this is to use a wood sealer to prevent moisture gain. An Alberta company, Genics Inc., manufactures a product called CobraTM Coat-Blu, an oil-free, environmentally safe, home use mould control. It is easy to apply and is non-toxic to people; it can be used as a pre-treat for residences and commercial buildings as well as on decks, fences, poles, spindles,
landscape timbers, lattices, gazebos, etc.
For more information, please visit www.genicsinc.com, or www.greenalberta.ca.
 
Provincial Product Profiles – fibrous reinforcing
by Andrea Pelland & Stephani Carter, of EcoAmmo and Green Alberta
When you think of concrete reinforcing you think of steel and how strong it is… but there is a new kid on the block, fiberglass-reinforced plastics (FRP).
FRP can give a great return on investment because it is lightweight (4x lighter than conventional rebar) ands can be installed in a continuous loop without the need for ties. Using FRP will also contribute to LEED points in terms of energy performance (product is thermally non-conductive), waste management (100% recyclable and does not need to be separated from concrete beforehand, saving more time and money), and durable building - FRP does not oxidize or corrode, which causes concrete to crack, and in doing so dramatically extends the life of concrete from 40 years to
up to 100 years. Beyond LEED®, FRP also does not leach toxins in wet applications. For those looking to use FRP on your next project, Alberta has a local manufacturer, BP Composites Ltd. Their product "TUF-BARTM" is 100% manufactured locally, they source 79% of the components within Alberta, they include 2% post-industrial recycled content, and it is 100% recyclable. TUF-BARTM can aid in the achievement of up to 7 LEED® credits and prerequisites. For more information, see www.bpcomposites.com or www.greenalberta.ca.
 
Provincial product profiles - high albedo paving stones
by Stephani Carter of EcoAmmo, and Green Alberta
You may have heard that the heat island credits in the LEED® program are controversial here in Edmonton. The theory behind heat islands may be moot in a predominantly cold climate with eight months of snow cover. However, the credit is applicable for our short summers and there are more products tailoring to meet the requirements.
The Canada Green Building Council define a heat island as “the incidence of higher air and surface temperatures caused by the absorption of solar energy and its re-emission from roads, buildings and other structures.
“As a result, ambient temperatures in urban areas can be artificially elevated, resulting in increased cooling loads in the summer, requiring larger HVAC equipment and energy for building operations.”
High albedo materials – very reflective of solar radiation – answer the challenges of heat islands. We have featured this local manufacturer previously for their permeable paving stones, but now they have their SRI (Solar Reflectance Index) laboratory ratings and comply with the heat island effect non-roof credits. If you’re very creative and want to place these tiles on your roof, they can help you there, too!
For those looking for SRI-rated pavers for their local LEED® projects, Expocrete is Alberta’s local manufacturer that includes regional and recycled content in their products – and now high albedo content as well!
Check out their website for more information www.expocrete.com.
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