Issue link: http://digital.canadawide.com/i/549108
Exterior close-up of the Shenzhen Zhongzhou development in Shenzhen, China; + + installation of DuROCK'S PUCCS EIFS exterior wall system. august 2015 | 15 Building Envelope photography courtesy bildtec; durock alfacing international F Advancing the evolution of the building envelope by robin brunet From curtain walls to sealants and membranes, every conceivable component that falls under the category of building envelope is being refined and improved upon – seemingly monthly. That may be an exaggeration, but it's not too far off the mark, and companies such as DuROCK Alfacing International Limited demonstrate the breadth of sys- tems available from a single manufacturer. DuROCK's exterior wall systems include PUCCS EIFS, which provides moisture control via the use of a secondary barrier and may also be used to control air leakage. PUCCS has a patented, circular, geometri- cally-defined drainage cavity that provides a 10-mil- limetre-deep drained air space while at the same time delivering thermal performance to meet overall energy efficiency needs. As the economy continues to gain traction and proj- ects grow in number, identifiable trends are emerging within the building envelope category. Among the most noticeable is the retrofitting of existing struc- tures for reasons of energy conservation. DuROCK's CanaROCK panel system is its latest innovation in prefinished cladding systems. This cost-effective system incorporates a first and second plane of protection against precipitation, is energy efficient and adds strength, beauty and value to any existing building. Then there's the coating of old buildings with new elastomeric protective weather-resistant materials and the use of exterior insulation finish systems in the new condominium market, which continues to remain strong despite other cladding options in many areas of Canada. What A Performance