Is Duradek Really Green? YES!

Years ago, being ‘Green’ meant one of 2 things – Was it made of recycled materials or Could it be recycled?
We are now much more educated on what being ‘Green’ truly means and take into consideration the entire ‘Cradle to Grave’ concept of the product.

Here’s Duradek’s ‘Cradle to Grave’ story...as compared to the alternatives;

Mining – PVC is a derivative of natural gas and sodium chloride; which is also known as Salt and is one of the most abundant natural resources available on earth.
Manufacturing – At one time, manufacturing PVC had some hazardous side effects. But measures have been taken to rectify those and these safety issues no longer exist. The EPA states that while the manufacturing of PVC is on the rise, toxic dioxins are decreasing.
Transportation & Distribution – Due to the low weight of Duradek compared to the alternatives (such as EPDM & pavers or wood planks), there is considerably less energy consumed in the transportation of the product; from raw resources to manufacturing to distribution to the jobsite.
Building Design – The structural requirements to support a deck with heavy pavers requires many more construction materials. Duradek’s light weight needs only basic structural requirements, using far fewer materials and energy.
Installation – The one-step application process of Duradek requires fewer trips to the job site and uses less manpower, both of which means less energy being consumed.
Maintenance – Duradek does not require re-coating or re-staining, both of which consume materials and manpower. Maintaining Duradek consumes far less energy than the alternatives.
Useful Life – Duradek is a waterproofing membrane, therefore the entire structure is protected and will not decay. The structure remains intact, helping the building to last longer. This saves cost, materials and energy in repairs or replacement.
End of Life – When the time comes to renew the surface, Duradek’s re-installation process will consume less manpower, materials and energy, as well as less disruption to the structure and building use.
Disposal – Compared to Treated Lumber PVC does not leach chemicals into the environment as it decomposes. In fact PVC is often used as landfill liners to prevent other materials from leaching toxins into the earth. Other alternatives, such as composite deck boards are much larger in volume therefore taking up much more space in a landfill.
Recycling - The current opportunities for cost-effectively recycling PVC are minimal, but progress is being made. Some solutions include creating new building materials and man-made reefs.

Compare PVC to the Alternatives

When compared to products that perform the SAME function, consider the following:

• PVC's one-step application and longevity compare favorably to the multiple application and reapplication requirements of liquid-applied systems, saving many trips to the job, which in turn consumes less energy.
• There is a huge weight savings benefiting the structural requirements and the energy consumption to transport as compared to an EPDM membrane with concrete pavers.
• When compared to pressure treated wood, there are no chemicals leaching into the environment and likely double the life expectancy.

As a waterproof roof or deck, compared to alternatives, DURADEK IS THE GREENER CHOICE!

Click here to see more information on the Green side of Duradek including LEED points.

Duradek's Continuing Education Program

Duradek is very proud to be an education provider and have recently added another online method for AEC Professionals to earn learning units.

Comparing Walkable Roof Deck Membranes

This course describes types of walkable roof decks, various waterproofing options, and common problems associated with deck waterproofing.

Walkable Roof Deck Membranes

This course provides an overview of walkable roof deck membranes and roofing systems, including a discussion of the key principles of deck design, design considerations, and how to install and specify roof deck membrane systems.

Click HERE for more information on Course Credits.

Also available is the following article, Enhancing Roof Deck Performance with PVC Waterproof
Membranes – AIA / Architectural Record Continuing Education Series, published in Architectural
Record, Dec.2005

For all courses and links, please go to www.duradek.com/DuradekContinuingEducation.html

Duradek Ultra Tiledek has made the Top 100 in Qualified Remodeler Magazine

Source: QUALIFIED REMODELER Magazine, published by Cygnus
Publication date: June 2010 Issue

The Remodelers’ Choice 100 list for 2010 indicates strong interest in the market for innovative bathroom solutions and products that support energy efficiency. Presented each year, this list is a great resource for remodelers looking for a way to stay abreast of hot products. By keeping up on what’s new in remodelling market, and especially what’s hot, remodelers can remain the expert in this business.

With showers becoming a bigger priority in the master suite, it’s no surprise that shower drainage products make up four of the top 10 spots on The Remodelers’ Choice 100. Peppered throughout the list are also products that help homes become more energy-efficient, including tankless water heaters, insulation and several thermal imagers indicating that your customers are looking to cash-in on rebates and take advantage of longer-term savings.

Yet the range of products on the list is very broad. Featuring the most requested products shown in Qualified Remodeler over the past 12 months, the list offers everything from creative lighting solutions to recycled synthetic roofing.

Products that have also been featured as a Remodelers’ Choice product of the month are designated with a blue ribbon. These are products that not only received many requests for more information in the month in which they were initially published, but also continued to generate enough interest many weeks later.



To view to entire article online, please click here.
To view Duradek’s #31 spot article, please click here.

Duradek Ultra Tiledek has made the Top 100 in Building Products Magazine

Source: BUILDING PRODUCTS MAGAZINE
Publication Date: 2010-06-20

Searching for something stylish for your latest project? Something innovative? A time-saver? A sustainable solution? Look no further. The 2010 Top 100, our annual ranking of the building products, materials, and tools readers wanted to know more about, showcases an array of product introductions for the home and the job site that can help you differentiate your projects while saving your crews time and your clients money.

As in past years, many of the products reaching the Top 100 are unique, with never-before-seen technologies and designs. Still other offer a more subtle twist--in style, functionality, or performance--that captures readers' attention. No matter the appeal, each honoree is worth a second look.

Among this years list are a number of trends, unsurprisingly dominated by the residential market's most popular buzzword--sustainability. In all seven of our coverage areas, including Windows, Kitchens, and Exteriors, green products are present and, in several cases, the No. 1 attention-getter. It's hard to deny not only the influence of green building on manufacturers' R&D, but also the overwhelming desire of contractors to learn more about the products that make up sustainable homes.

Rankings for the 2010 Top 100 are based on the number of clicks received by new products featured on ebuild New Products News, the twice-weekly e-mail newsletter from Building Products, as well as from our sister publications Builder, Remodeling, Custom Home, Tools of the Trade, and The Journal of Light Construction, and their web sites. Each Top 100 product is republished on the following pages within its designated category--Bath, Construction, Exterior, Interior, Kitchen, Tools & Equipment, or Windows & Doors.

To view the entire article online, please click here.
To view Duradek's #30 spot article, please click here.

Porcelain/Stone Tile On Outdoor Decks Over Living Space - White Paper

Porcelain or Stone Tile on outdoor decks provides a beautiful surface but the failure rate is high. This paper discusses the common pitfalls of a tile overlay from the construction of the deck throught the application of the top finish. It deals primarily with decks and balconies on wood frame buildings with a focus on protecting the structure with solid waterproofing (roofing) details. It also prepares the reader with the questions to ask when choosing tile, thinset mortars, decoupling and drainage mats and making decisions on slope and railing attachment. To view the White Paper, DOWLOAD HERE.

Duradek on 'Holmes on Homes'

Yes, it's true! Mike Holmes has chosen to use Duradek to solve some of his tough waterproofing problems!
Duradek was featured in Season 7, on Episode EP7081: Rocky Reno. This was filmed in Canmore, Alberta near the Rocky Mountains.

Holmes on Homes Episode: Rocky Reno

We have a link on our website News Page to the Episode...

We are listed as one of his Approved Contractors on the 'Make It Right' website.

Duradek Ultra Plazadek - Waterproofing Under Pavers and Duck Boards

Since 1974, Duradek PVC membranes have been used to waterproof decks, balconies and roof decks. Well over a hundred million square feet of Duradek has been installed all over North America and it has proven itself to be a durable, attractive and relatively maintenance free waterproofing system.


Duradek has developed significant expertise in the waterproofing of surfaces designed for leisure living and pedestrian traffic over that period of time. Applying walkable roofing membranes requires details and a skill set beyond just keeping the water out. It involves accomplishing the work with appearance in mind. And deck/balcony details are far more complicated than basic roofing. It requires finishing around doors, drains, pillars, railings, stairs and many different types of siding and tie ins to other roofing products.

There seems to be a trend towards many of the higher priced houses using pavers or duck boards as the deck finish over living space. The walking surface provides the visual part but the real important work is done by the waterproof membrane. Duradek’s Plazadek is the ideal choice to protect the building owner’s investment.

Roofing Approved Membrane

Duradek Ultra is a 60 mil, PVC membrane, with CCMC and ICC evaluation reports covering its use in Canada and the US as a roof membrane capable of pedestrian traffic. Plazadek is a “model” of Duradek Ultra designed specifically for a paver or duck board overlay. The 60 mil product is 25% (48 vs. 60 mil) thicker than what is required for roofing commercial buildings and therefore capable of handling almost any abuse it would be subjected to over its lifetime.

Installed by Trained Applicators

The primary benefit of Duradek Ultra Plazadek is the trained applicators who install the material. Duradek will not sell waterproofing products to any company who’s installers have not been trained. The typical details those installers work with every day on decks and balconies are just as important for decks covered with pavers or duckboards.

Railings

Your decision on railing also plays a major role in good waterproofing. Duradek is a manufacturer of powder coated aluminum railings and has great expertise in making sure that the safety provided by the guard rail does not compromise the waterproofing integrity of the roof membrane.

Perimeter Trims and Waterproofing Details

Regardless of what surface you walk on, the perimeter finish of the waterproofing membrane is of great importance to the appearance and waterproofing function over the long term. Duradek has many options of perimeter finish details, depending upon the desire to remove the water with a gutter or drain and scupper system and depending upon how you want the visible portion of the membrane to show.

Plazadek's details also include the recommendation of a drainage mat between the paver and the membrane to allow water to drain while keeping the dirt and other contaminants from building up underneath or between the pavers. In anticipation of potential damage during the placement and subsequent movement (vibration) of the heavy pavers, Duradek’s Plazadek detail calls for extra protection to be built in at the junction of the deck and wall. And for duckboard systems, Duradek has a detail for bonding the sleepers to the membrane without risk of penetration or movement. It easily allows the boards that are walked on to be safely restrained in place.

Warranty

Duradek Plazadek is covered with a written ten year guarantee and the peace of mind of knowing it is backed by a company with over 35 years of expertise in roofing of surfaces intended to be walked on.

What Is Duradek, You Ask…?

Duradek is the trade name for a line of PVC vinyl membranes that were developed to solve waterproofing problems for sundecks, flat roof decks, balconies and other leisure walking surfaces. The technology was borrowed from the marine industry where PVC was being used to waterproof hull liners for over 25 years. If PVC membrane could perform well in those harsh marine environments, then it can certainly waterproof decks and balconies!

As the industry leader in sheet waterproofing systems, Duradek has been applied to literally billions of square feet of walking surfaces, to protect them from rot, decay and to form a roof over the space below. Now, with over 36 years of waterproofing experience, Duradek is still the primary choice of Architects, Builders, Property Managers and Homeowners who appreciate our attention to detail.

Here is Duradek's current product line-up:

Duradek Ultra – Duradek is the original sheet vinyl designed to waterproof flat decks and roofs. Duradek is textured to provide slip-resistant walking surfaces and comes in a wide variety of colors and patterns to provide a contemporary, clean look previously unavailable in the outdoor waterproof flooring industry. Installed in one easy step and in almost any weather condition, Duradek can be used immediately. Duradek provides the waterproofing and the walking surface in one simple solution.

Duradek Ultra Tiledek – Duradek Ultra Tiledek is identical to Duradek Ultra except the top surface is a fabric top, to which the thinset mortar mix that holds down tile, can tightly adhere to. Installed with the same waterproofing details and techniques as Duradek, Tiledek is the waterproofing roofing membrane under a tile, slate or porcelain finished surface. In addition to protecting the surface below, Tiledek also acts as a crack isolation barrier to bridge small cracks in the substrate preventing those cracks from transferring through to the tile.

Duradek Ultra Plazadek – Duradek Ultra Plazadek is designed specifically for the purpose of waterproofing flat deck or roofs which are intended to have pavers, stamped concrete or a wood/synthetic wood duckboard system placed overtop for pedestrian traffic. Plazadek is identical in construction to Duradek Ultra, installed with the same waterproofing techniques, by the same network of trained applicators and performs the same function of protecting the living space below.

Durarail – Durarail is a powder coated aluminum railing and fencing system produced by Duradek. Constructed with a heavy wall thickness of durable aluminum, the system is exceptionally strong. It enables wider spans between posts and provides for a better visual appearance and view. The TGIC powder coating comes in 8 standard colors, in addition to over 180 custom colors and provides a maintenance free, durable and attractive finish which meets AAMA 2604 and 2605 specifications. The Durarail finish will not rust, peel or corrode even in harsh environments. Durarail is available in many styles, from pickets to view-through glass and is easily customized to satisfy any requirement.

Durarail has systems that meet the rigorous building code standards in both the US and Canada. Additional engineering is available to satisfy even the toughest of code jurisdictions.

A Durarail railing or fencing system is a safe, strong, yet attractive addition to any outdoor living space.

The DURADEK Story…

Duradek has been in the deck, balcony and flat roof waterproofing industry since 1974. We pioneered the use of PVC membranes as an outdoor walking surface and were the first to have an approved single ply 'walk on' roof membrane. Duradek membranes are the primary roofing approved materials on tens of thousands of flat roofs and decks throughout North America. From large condo and townhouse complexes to single family homes, Duradek is the choice of Architects, Builders, Property Managers and Home Owners who understand our attention to detail.

Duradek's factory engineered products and professional installation techniques have set new standards for waterproofing that works. Duradek products are only installed by trained, professional applicators to ensure the job is done right, the first time!

Duradek is the source for time-tested and proven materials, details and installation techniques for any waterproofing sundeck, balcony or rooftop deck.