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Learning Objectives 1 Explain factors that influence how much carbon is stored in wood building products. The carbon in wood, paper, grass trimmings, and other organic matter removed from the atmosphere by photosynthesis, which will ultimately be returned to the atmosphere through burning or decay. cross-laminated timber (CLT) An engineered-wood panel consisting of layers of lumber stacked with the grain at 90-degree angles and glued together with structural adhesives. Applications include floor slabs, walls, and roofs (A, right). dowel-laminated timber (DLT) A mass-timber product made of dimensional softwood lumber stacked and friction-fit together with hardwood dowels. [Extracted from the article]

This article informs that G-P Gypsum has introduced the next generation of DensArmor Plus, the company's paperless, moisture and mold-resistant interior wallboard. Enhanced DensArmor Plus panels feature a new glass-mat facing that finishes like paper-faced wallboard--resulting in the first completely paperless interior wallboard that offers moisture and mold resistance and finishes easily.

This article provides information on the effectiveness of fluid applied air and moisture barriers as a means of controlling moisture in wall assemblies. Fluid applied air and moisture barriers offer performance advantages over building wraps and traditional asphalt-impregnated felt or paper moisture barriers. They can be used in all types of wall construction over wood, gypsum and cement-based sheathings. They can also be used over prepared concrete and concrete masonry units.

Presents new building products and contract furnishings exhibited in the first half of 1996 in Minneapolis, Orlando, and Chicago by the American Institute of Architects, the Construction Specifications Institute and NEOCON. Includes flexible color options; Rice-paper safety glass; Modular private office; High-performance, neutral tint.

The article features tile and stone products including porcelain wall tile from Unica Ceramiche, porcelain slabs from Fuoriformato and ceramic wallpaper from ABK.

This article presents information on wall panels, by Texas-based Durra Building Systems. To create their strawboard panels, Durra applies both high heat and extreme pressure to straw fibers, coaxing out resins that act as a permanent bonding agent. Panels are then dry-extruded and finished with a strong, water-resistant liner paper. The resulting panels are nontoxic and offer fire, impact, mold, and mildew resistance.

Used in Europe for more than 20 years, MEG (Material Exterior Grade) from Abet is an exterior high-pressure laminate consisting of layers of kraft paper impregnated with thermosetting phenolic resins. Bonded by heat and high pressure, the core and exterior color are all one piece. MEG is graffiti-proof, and most custom patterns can be created digitally for building exteriors.

The look of natural stone, weathered oxidized steel, and even simulated wood grain were big trends among the Spanish ceramic tile showcased at the annual Cevisima trade forum in Valencia, Spain. More than 1,500 exhibitors attracted over 86,000 visitors from 140 countries to view a wide array of tile for commercial and residential use. Uchi from Saloni is inspired by the texture of Japanese rice paper. This ceramic tile series encompasses coordinating wall and floor tiles. The wall tile is produced in a 12" x 24" format, while the floor tile comes in 12" squares. Uchi offers light tones of ivory, cream, and gray. The series is complemented by a woven-rattan relief tile named Tatami, offered in 12" x 12" and 3" x 12" formats. Saloni, San Juan de Moro, Spain. www.saloni.com CIRCLE 206

The firm Corian's six new colors were influenced by the Japanese aesthetic of "wabi-sabi" based on the concept that there is beauty in nature's imperfections. Understated tones and textures and a random scattering of particles gives the colors, featuring organic names such as Green Tea, White Jasmine, and Rice Paper, a slight patina and weathered look.

Presents information on building and architecture products and supplies. Custom-built and designed office furniture from Specification Built Corp.; Electronic window opener from Andersen Corp.

The article evaluates specialized construction products, including the NuTone NM intercom system from Broan-NuTone, the Series 8102 shower booth from Sugatsune America and the eno interactive whiteboard from PolyVision.

This article states that when inventor Jeff Yakobics is not flipping burgers at the greasy-spoon restaurant he owns in Michigan's Upper Peninsula, he is at home slinging drywall mud to test new wallboard prototypes. Yakobics has developed a product he calls "tapeless" drywall. Incorporated into the board's paper backing is a flap impregnated with a pressure-sensitive glue. One screws the panel to studs, peel off a plastic backing, stick the tab and mud the seam. Workers still have to tape butt joints and bead outside-corner joints.

The article focuses on the conversion of the old Wood County Jail in Bowling green, Ohio, into a modern jail. The conversion from former jail to a modern, environmentally controlled record center, and law library offered challenges. To update the building and make it useful, the interior required total gutting. In rebuilding the interior, the former attic became a fourth floor law library. Historic Registry requirements dictated that window bars be retained, but that is about the only clue reflecting the building's past. The other floors are being used for record center offices and for floor-to-ceiling mobile shelving units for storing both microfilm and paper records dating back to 1820.