Midland, MI - February 29, 2012
The DOW™-KNIGHT CI-System recently excelled in the first in-field use completed on the Kishwaukee College student center in Malta, Ill., exceeding contractor and architect expectations for ease-of-installation and performance. This innovative wall solution, featuring THERMAX™ Wall System from Dow Building Solutions, delivers a single-source rain screen, thermal and air barrier solution. First introduced through a co-marketing agreement between Dow Building Solutions and Knight Wall Systems in May 2011, the award winning DOW™-KNIGHT CI-System was developed to address one of the biggest challenges architects face today in dealing with continuous insulation (ci) – and thick insulation in particular – as it enables the attachment of cladding without creating a thermal bridge in the assembly, providing true continuous insulation.
The college student center, which is currently under construction, involved some common challenges that many architects encounter, namely, designing a way to attach exterior cladding that does not disrupt the integrity of the continuous insulation and air barrier assembly.
“Our customers are looking for versatile, high performance building envelope options that will help them design energy efficient buildings while saving time on the job,” said Doug Todd, commercial marketing manager, Dow Building Solutions North America. “By combining our award winning THERMAX Wall System with Knight Wall Systems, we are able to offer our customers a high performance wall system that is affordable, offers a wide range of cladding options for customizable building aesthetics, and simplifies the wall assembly.”
“At the detail level, the DOW™-KNIGHT CI-System helped solve thermal bridging issues and the single source system allows us to seamlessly transition between materials, maintaining a continuous weather barrier, despite various material intersections,” said Tony Holub, Demonica Kemper Architects. “This is the first system I have seen that allows us to accomplish the truest nature of continuous insulation.”
The DOW™-KNIGHT CI-System was also a perfect fit in the Kishwaukee project because it allows for cladding attachment over THERMAX™ ci at insulation thicknesses up to 3.0 inches.* It provides a complete rain screen solution with maximum energy efficiency and moisture management, that meets the requirements of ASHRAE 90.1 while eliminating the need for z-furring, which threatens to create significant potential for thermal bridging. When the project opens in October 2012, the community will gain a solidly built, energy smart, weather protected building.
“Our vision was to create an inviting space for students and the community,” said Holub. “The wood veneer facade provides the warmth and natural beauty we wanted to have reflected in our exterior design, and the DOW™-KNIGHT CI-System allowed us to achieve our aesthetic vision without compromising the high performance building envelope.”
In addition, production rates were increased a minimum of 25 percent due to faster installation process.
The THERMAX™ Wall System, a key element of the DOW™-Knight CI-System, has been helping raise thermal efficiency and lower energy costs in commercial buildings around the country since its introduction in 2009. This three-in-one solution helps contractors meet code and speed up the installation process, while offering the versatility to accommodate various cladding options.
For example, the St. Ann’s Cherry Ridge Nursing Facility in Rochester, N.Y., which features the THERMAX Wall System, was looking to give the commercial building an inviting residential feel. The build team was able to achieve the exact desired aesthetic with complete continuous insulation by attaching cement board exterior cladding. And on another project, Rasmussen College in Wausau, Wisc., THERMAX Wall System was selected for this all-masonry clad building since they were looking for a system that would deliver energy efficiency and eliminate efflorescence. Contractors were also able to downsize the HVAC system on this project based on projected energy savings.
From colleges in Ill. to nursing facilities in N.Y., Dow’s commercial building portfolio helps contractors and architects meet rigorous industry codes while reducing the building load. The result is a structure with enhanced energy efficiency and protection against air and moisture infiltration. Dow products can help meet code and earn credits in various green building programs, including the U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design (LEED) program.
For more information, visit: www.dowknightsolutions.com or www.thermaxwallsystem.com.
About Dow Building Solutions
Dow Building Solutions has a 60+ year legacy of providing energy saving solutions to the global commercial and residential construction industry, which began with the launch of its flagship STYROFOAM™ Brand Extruded Polystyrene (XPS) Foam Insulation, one of the most recognized brands of insulation in the world. A market-facing business unit of The Dow Chemical Company, Dow Building Solutions offers exceptional building science expertise to help builders, designers, architects and home/building owners reduce energy costs and protect against wind, rain and moisture, while contributing to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. More information about Dow Building Solutions can be found at www.dowbuildingsolutions.com.
About Dow
Dow (NYSE: DOW) combines the power of science and technology to passionately innovate what is essential to human progress. The Company connects chemistry and innovation with the principles of sustainability to help address many of the world's most challenging problems such as the need for clean water, renewable energy generation and conservation, and increasing agricultural productivity. Dow's diversified industry-leading portfolio of specialty chemical, advanced materials, agrosciences and plastics businesses delivers a broad range of technology-based products and solutions to customers in approximately 160 countries and in high growth sectors such as electronics, water, energy, coatings and agriculture. In 2012, Dow had annual sales of approximately $57 billion and employed approximately 54,000 people worldwide. The Company's more than 5,000 products are manufactured at 188 sites in 36 countries across the globe. References to "Dow" or the "Company" mean The Dow Chemical Company and its consolidated subsidiaries unless otherwise expressly noted. More information about Dow can be found at www.dow.com.
Note*: Exact thickness of THERMAX™ ci depends on the veneer and full wall assembly compliance per IBC.
For Editorial Information:
Jan McKinnon
The Dow Chemical Company
1 519-541-0336