Dow Building Solutions Showcases Cutting-Edge Construction Technologies in Behind-the-Scenes Facilities Tour

MIDLAND, MI–June 20, 2013–Dow Building Solutions (DBS), a subsidiary of Dow, opened its doors to numerous media outlets while showcasing its ongoing research initiatives on building performance. While DBS focuses on residential, retrofit, and commercial construction markets, the tour was primarily focused on residential and retrofit applications. SprayFoam.com attended the daylong event, taking place in Midland, Michigan, where DBS is headquartered.

The day kicked off with an introduction by Mike McGaugh, President of DBS, as he addressed the need for leadership in communicating the importance of incorporating the latest building materials and technologies in modern construction, particularly to current and prospective homeowners. The message was clear in light of introduction's setting, the Outperformance Home Gallery (OHG).

The OHG is a single family showcase home constructed with a multitude of products from DBS and Dow, including STYROFOAM spray polyurethane foam. Jim Morey, Residential Operations Marketing Manager for DBS, highlighted the home's embodiment of "outperformance," defined by DBS as a home that exceeds not only current building code requirements, but also projected requirements in the future. Inside the home is a walkthrough gallery featuring numerous building performance demonstrations of commonly used, code-minimum building materials and their code-exceeding counterparts (for example, the differences in air infiltration exhibited by fiberglass insulation and spray foam insulation).

Tour attendees were then introduced to an in-progress study located literally next door to the OHG. DBS's Twelve Energy-Efficient Test Homes, or TEETH, are located on the same street in a quaint Midland neighborhood and feature four groups of three homes, with each group built to one of four different building specifications. Gary Parsons, Lead Building Scientist for DBS, explained the homes are occupied by actual residents in an effort to collect real-world data that can't be reproduced in a lab or modeled with software. DBS has planned a five-year study of the homes and is currently going through year one.

The tour also highlighted the significance of incorporating modern building materials and techniques in retrofit construction. The Revitalize Home, located a short drive from the OHG and the TEETH project, is a showcase home that features numerous retrofit improvements using several DBS products, including Dow Great Stuff insulating foam sealants. Kaethe Schuster, Remodeling Market Manager for DBS, showed that with just a handful of cost-effective upgrades, the 60's-era home has nearly attained an ENERGY STAR rating.

Construction on the OHG, the TEETH project, and the Revitalize Home was led by Great Lakes Bay Region builder Cobblestone Homes, in conjunction with DBS. Mark Wahl, President of Cobblestone, outlined the company's philosophy on homebuilding, arguing that it's prudent to design homes that maximize livability and durability, and minimize operational costs.

Parsons also directed the tour of DBS's Wall Assembly Research Center, which is located at the DBS headquarters in Midland. Known as "The Hut," the state-of-the-art facility is the heart of DBS's ongoing research into residential and commercial wall systems. DBS products are tested in a variety of assemblies while being exposed to yearly seasonal conditions, with data being collected 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

For more information on Dow Building Solutions' research initiatives, please use the links and contact details provided below.

About Dow Building Solutions: Dow Building Solutions has a 60+ year legacy of providing energy saving solutions to the global commercial and residential new construction and remodeling 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 insulation, air sealing and weatherization solutions backed by building science expertise to help builders, remodelers, 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. For more information about Dow Building Solutions, please use the link provided below.