Ruffner Mountain Nature Center Turns to
ZIP System® Wall Sheathing for Building and “Green” Support
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (March 31, 2009) – Huber Engineered Woods LLC, leading manufacturer of innovative building solutions, is providing its ZIP System wall sheathing for the new Tree Top Visitor Center at the Ruffner Mountain Nature Center scheduled to open this fall. Architects on the project changed to ZIP System wall sheathing during construction after originally specifying gypsum sheathing and weather-resistant wrap based on the ZIP System product performance, green benefits and availability.
“During the past few years, we’ve experienced problems in the field with housewrap tearing off the wall, poor detailing at openings and improper attachment methods,” said specifier, Dale N. Schexnayder of KPS Group Inc. in Birmingham, AL. “We found that substituting the ZIP System wall sheathing corrected the field problems associated with housewrap. In addition, it’s a green product that contributes to LEED-certification points on the project.”
Founded in 1977, Ruffner Mountain Nature Coalition, Inc. offers environmental education, outdoor activities and over 12 miles of paths on more than 1,000 acres of certified wildlife habitat and nature preserve, so it was critical that the new center be environmentally friendly and built in a timely manner. As the industry’s only code-recognized combination structural panel and water-resistive barrier, the ZIP System wall sheathing effectively addressed both issues.
“The ZIP System wall sheathing possesses several benefits over traditional gypsum sheathing and housewrap,” said Schexnayder. “ZIP System wall sheathing combines the sheathing with a water-resistive barrier, which eliminates one whole step. The protective sheathing with a water-resistive barrier on the face of the board is tough, durable and has a 120-day exposure guarantee. Unlike gypsum sheathing, ZIP System wall sheathing is structural in nature, allowing it to hold a nail or screw.”
The ZIP System wall sheathing is installed with ZIP System™ tape in an easy two-step process that quickly seals panel seams and reduces the time and the number of workers required for installation. The result is not only faster construction, but superior water and air resistance. ZIP System wall panels and tape provide a continuous air barrier, which will help improve energy efficiency in the new Tree Top Visitor Center. According to Schexnayder, the ZIP System wall sheathing expedited construction and will help achieve LEED certification, which recognizes environmentally-friendly buildings based on a performance system created and managed by the United States Green Building Council.
As used at Ruffner Mountain, the ZIP System wall sheathing can contribute to LEED Credit MR4.1 (Recycled Materials) and Credit MR5 (Regional materials) under the LEED NC rating system. Under the LEED for Homes rating system, the product can contribute to the optimize energy performance infiltration category (1.1 Performance of ENERGY STAR for Homes, 1.2 Exceptional Energy Performance) and the air infiltration category (3.1.Reduce Energy Leakage).
To learn more about Ruffner Mountain Nature Center and its new Tree Top Visitor Center and Mountainside Education Pavilion, visit www.ruffnermountain.org.
Huber Engineered Woods LLC is a wholly owned subsidiary of J.M. Huber Corporation, a diversified, multinational supplier of engineered materials, natural resources and technology-based services to markets ranging from paper and energy to construction. An innovative building solution provider for the housing market, Huber Engineered Woods offers such specialty products as AdvanTech® subflooring and sheathing, as well as the new ZIP System® wall and ZIP System® roof products. Headquartered in Charlotte, N.C., Huber Engineered Woods has manufacturing operations in Maine, Georgia, Virginia, Tennessee and Oklahoma, as well as research and development facilities in Georgia. Huber Engineered Woods also serves industrial markets with products for door manufacturers and the transportation industry. For more information, visit www.huberwood.com.