Architectural Record, a leading source of architectural news and information, features Benjamin Obdyke's HydroGap Drainable Housewrap in its May 2012 issue. Propositioning the product's value, the magazine acknowledges that "preventing water damage during construction is always a challenge." It also offers that HydroGap "revolutionizes" house wrap by combining a WRB and a drainage system "into one product." HydroGap's feature in the magazine appears on p. 72 within the "Products Roundup" section, which showcases a collection of "the newest building products on the market."

Benjamin Obdyke will be exhibiting at this year's American Institute of Architects (AIA) show in Washington, D.C., located at Booth #806. The show begins on Thursday, May 17, and concludes on Saturday, May 19. For more information on HydroGap, please visit www.hydrogap.com.

Published April 13th, Benjamin Obdyke's new HydroGap Drainage Demonstration video shows the dramatic difference in drainage quality between HydroGap and standard, non-drainable housewraps. The video, available for viewing on Benjamin Obdyke's YouTube channel, highlights several of the many benefits and strengths of HydroGap through the use of narration and visuals.

For a FREE sample of HydroGap Drainable Housewrap, visit http://www.hydrogap.com. To view the video on YouTube, click here.

Throughout the month of April, Benjamin Obdyke will be featured on ION Television's "World's Greatest!" The program will profile Benjamin Obdyke, detailing the company's culture along with its new and innovative products, such as HydroGap Drainable Housewrap. Listing times are as follows:

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4/9/12 - 11am (Eastern)
SATELLITE (DirecTV ch. 305, Dish ch. 216) -- Single feed
Eastern viewers - 11am local time
Central viewers - 10am local time
Mountain viewers - 9am local time
Pacific viewers - 8am local time

CABLE -- Dual feed (ION Network)
Eastern viewers - 11am local time
Central viewers - 10am local time
Mountain viewers - 10am local time
Pacific viewers - 11am local time

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4/16/12 - 6:30am (Eastern)
SATELLITE (DirecTV, Dish)-- Single feed
Eastern viewers - 6:30am local time
Central viewers - 5:30am local time
Mountain viewers - 4:30am local time
Pacific viewers - 3:30am local time

Cable -- Dual feed (ION Network)
Eastern viewers - 6:30am local time
Central viewers - 5:30am local time
Mountain viewers - 5:30am local time
Pacific viewers - 6:30am local time

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4/23/12 - 7:30 am (Eastern)
SATELLITE (DirecTV, Dish) -- Single feed
Eastern viewers - 7:30am local time
Central viewers - 6:30am local time
Mountain viewers - 5:30am local time
Pacific viewers - 4:30am local time

Cable -- Dual feed
Eastern viewers - 7:30am local time
Central viewers - 6:30am local time
Mountain viewers - 6:30am local time
Pacific viewers - 7:30am local time


Be sure to tune in!

In the March 2012 issue of ProSales Magazine, Benjamin Obdyke's HydroGap Drainable House wrap is prominently featured in the magazine's "Hot Finds from IBS" section. ProSales highlights HydroGap's possession of "millimeter-tall" spacers, which provide a proficient drainage space within the wall assembly.

The housewrap's spacers "enable water to drain from wall assemblies" at a rate that is "at least" two times faster than other drainable housewraps. The magazine also notes that HydroGap "removes 100x more bulk water" than standard housewraps, which reduces "moisture and mold damage" within wall assemblies.

ORLANDO, FL ─ Benjamin Obdyke introduced HydroGap™ Drainable Housewrap – now the construction market’s top-performing drainable housewrap – at the 2012 International Builders Show. HydroGap™ drains moisture from wall assemblies at least two times faster than the leading drainable housewrap and removes 100 times more bulk water than standard housewrap.

“The faster drainage and better performance of HydroGap™ mean less potential for mold and moisture damage in wall assemblies,” said Benjamin Obdyke General Manager Michael Coulton. “Builders and contractors have trusted Benjamin Obdyke moisture management products to help them ‘build a better wall™’ for many years. The launch of HydroGap™ is a huge step forward in the housewrap category and a major contribution to building sustainability.”

HydroGap™ Drainable Housewrap combines a water-resistant barrier and drainage system into one application. Unlike typical housewraps which comprise of one or two layers, HydroGap™ consists of a tri-laminate substrate, with a moisture barrier protected between two non-woven layers. This composition creates a product with superior strength and water hold out vs. competitive products.

The patent-pending spacer design on the housewrap surface creates a 1 mm gap between the structure’s sheathing and cladding materials, thereby promoting drainage twice as fast as other drainable housewraps. The unique design also allows for the housewrap to be installed in any direction while maintaining its positive drainage capability. It provides excellent enhanced drainage around window sills, according to the manufacturer.

HydroGap™ has a number of features that benefit builders and contractors. Besides the potential of labor saving based on its omni-directional installation possibilities, the convenient 500 sq.-ft.-size rolls allow for easy one-person installation identical. The low profile of the drainage space eliminates the need for design changes in the assembly.

Additionally, the easy-to-cut product requires no special tools for installation and does not need to be taped at the seams, further reducing cost and labor. HydroGap™ drains at 93%, meeting ASTM E2273, the standard test method for determining drainage efficiency of wall assemblies. It also exceeds AC38 for water-resistive barriers, including the new drainage provision. It is available nationally through a network of authorized distributors.

Benjamin Obdyke encourages construction professionals to reference "Managing Moisture in Residential Building Envelopes," a prescriptive guide for moisture management in different areas. Those building professionals who are in an area that dictates a need for a rainscreen for drainage and ventilation drying, the use of Benjamin Obdyke’s Home Slicker® family of rainscreen products is recommended.

For more information on HydroGap Drainable Housewrap, contact a local Benjamin Obdyke dealer, visit www.benjaminobdyke.com, or call Benjamin Obdyke Customer Service at 800-346-7655.

Cedar Breather® is featured in the January cover story of Roofing Contractor about the historical restoration of Independence Hall in Philadelphia, PA. The article entitled "Mixing Old-World Craftsmanship and Modern Building Science" explains how Cedar Breather roof underlayment will properly manage moisture and extend the life of the new western red cedar shakes applied to the roof of Independence Hall.

The full story can be viewed here.

For more information on Cedar Breather click here

Home Slicker, manufactured by Benjamin Obdyke, recently received an evaluation report (ESR# 2890) from ICC Evaluation Service (ICC-ES), providing evidence that Home Slicker Rainscreen meets code requirements. Building officials, architects, contractors, specifiers, designers and others utilize ICC-ES Evaluation Reports to provide a basis for using or approving Home Slicker in construction projects under the International Building and International Residential Codes.


ICC-ES President Mark Johnson explains why ICC-ES Evaluation Reports are so important. “Benjamin Obdyke can now reference the evaluation report to ensure building officials and the building industry that the product meets I-Code requirements,” Johnson said. “Building departments have a long history of using evaluation reports, and ICC-ES operates as a technical resource for the building department. Final approval of building products is always in the hands of the local regulatory agency.”


ICC-ES thoroughly examined Benjamin Obdyke’s product information, test reports, calculations, quality control methods and other factors to ensure the product is code-compliant.


View the evaluation report here: ESR 2890

Home Slicker rainscreen by Benjamin Obdyke was highlighted in the feature article of the Fall issue of Building Products magazine titled, “Wrapped Tight”. The article explores the latest weatherization products and how remodelers use them to prevent damage from moisture intrusion.


Read the digital version of the article here.


For more information on the Home Slicker family of rainscreen products, visit www.homeslicker.com.

How2Media announces that Benjamin Obdyke will be part of its World’s Greatest! TV series

Delray Beach, FL – How2Media, the producers of the television show World’s Greatest! announced on August 19, 2011 that they have recently selected Benjamin Obdyke to be a part of the popular television series.

“We think their story will be very interesting and meaningful to our viewers” said Gordon Freeman, Executive Producer of the show. Benjamin Obdyke was selected as the best company in its category because of its longevity, innovation, and dedication to its vision, mission, and values.

As part of the show, How2Media will be sending a film crew to spend time at the Horsham, Pennsylvania facilities, to find out what the story behind the story is with the continually innovating , 143 year old company. How2Media will show the World’s Greatest! viewers why Benjamin Obdyke was selected as the best in their category and chosen to be featured on the show.
World’s Greatest! is a thirty minute show dedicated to highlighting the world’s greatest companies, products, places, and people. Each show is a fast paced tour around the world featuring behind the scenes footage, informative interviews, and exciting visuals.

Stay Tuned! More details about airing dates will be published as they are determined.

“Weaving a Cedar Roof Valley”
Larry Perrault, owner of Perrault Builders in Sandwich, MA, mentions Cedar Breather as an integral part of a cedar roof installation in his article featured in the August 2011 issue of Journal of Light Construction magazine entitled “Weaving a Cedar Roof Valley.

The article details how to install a leak-proof woven valley in a cedar roofing application. Larry uses Cedar Breather to ensure the wood roof will last “up to 50 years”.

View the full article on the JLC website: jlconline.com

A Message from Benjamin Obdyke, Inc.

To Building & Construction Professionals and Media Representatives,

A video has been posted on YouTube and is making the rounds on the Internet that concerns the surface burning characteristics of a couple of manufactured rainscreen products on the market today. The video purports to show the extreme differences in flammability characteristics between one manufacturer's product as compared with another. The narrator concludes that one rainscreen product readily burns when exposed to flame, but is being represented as a Class A product.

We at Benjamin Obdyke are concerned that confusion about rainscreens and fire-ratings may be a result of the dissemination of this video. A product's fire rating is a fundamental issue for design/application decisions made by the architect, specifier, builder, and contractor. Benjamin Obdyke's Home Slicker®, the industry's first rolled rainscreen product to provide drainage and air flow in rainscreen wall assemblies, meets the ASTM E 84 Standard Test Method for Surface Burning Characteristics of Building Materials and received a Class A rating. This is the most highly respected fire-test-response standard for the comparative surface burning behavior of building materials applicable to exposed surfaces such as walls and ceilings.

We urge building professionals to compare the different product and manufacturer choices available and make wise decisions based on the information they find - and which can be backed up by testing. We also suggest considering the reputation and history of the company providing the product as part of the decision. How long they have been in the industry and their track record in testing and certification are important to consider. Benjamin Obdyke has supplied tried and tested roof and wall products to the industry since 1868. It is a trusted brand with a long history of innovation and quality.

We at Benjamin Obdyke would like to be part of an industry conversation on this important topic. We want to make sure building professionals and the trade media are fully educated on the fire ratings and other features of our rainscreen products, which have performed successfully in homes and buildings for architects, specifiers, builders, and contractors for more than 20 years.

If you would like to discuss this further, please call me directly at 215-672-7200 or e-mail me at mcoulton@benjaminobdyke.com.

Sincerely,

Michael Coulton

General Manager

Benjamin Obdyke, Inc.
400 Babylon Road, Suite A
Horsham, PA 19044

www.benjaminobdyke.com

Benjamin Obdyke Rainscreen System Plays Integral Role in Groundbreaking LEED Platinum Home

HORSHAM, PA ─ The team of building professionals who created Vermont’s first LEED for Homes Platinum-certified home agreed from the design stage that a rainscreen system would play an integral role in extending the life of the residence’s exterior siding.

The home’s design included the incorporation of a nylon matrix rolled rainscreen product called Home Slicker® that was applied behind the cedar clapboard that covered much of the home’s exterior. It provides a space for continuous airflow between the clapboard and the water resistive barrier that covered the tightly sealed super-insulated building envelope.

David Pill, AIA, an architect with Pill-Maharam Architects in Shelburne, VT, was intent on designing a home for his family that would have as little environmental impact as possible, while incorporating construction details that he could use in other projects. “This was actually one of the first opportunities I had to use a rainscreen system in one of my projects,” Pill said. “I wanted a product that would allow us to create a drainage plane behind the siding that promoted air circulation.”

He said he chose Benjamin Obdyke’s Home Slicker – rather than installing a more labor-intensive series of furring strips behind the siding – because the product could create the necessary space without adding additional thickness to the siding assembly. The airspace reduces the forces that might draw water into the wall assembly, while any water that does reach the back of the cladding can more easily drain. It also helps accelerate the drying of moisture-laden air that can accumulate in the interior wall assembly by moving air throughout the cavity.

“I think it’s really important to have that space behind any wood product, such as the wood clapboard I have on my home,” Pill noted. In addition to the LEED award, his 2,800-sq.-ft. home earned the Energy Star 5+ star rating and the AIA Vermont Honor Award in the House/Sustainable category, among many other awards. In the cold climate of Vermont, the net zero-energy home – with a renewable energy source of a wind turbine – produces as much energy as it uses.

Pill made the decision to include rainscreen technology in his home while collaborating with custom builder Jim Huntington of New England Housewrights and Andy Shapiro, an energy consultant with Energy Balance Inc. “Every decision we made would have implications later in the process. I knew a rainscreen system would definitely improve the durability of the siding in the years ahead,” Pill said. Shapiro noted that he is an advocate of adding an airspace behind siding. “I incorporate venting behind siding where I can,” he said. “It extends the life of the finish on the siding and extends the life of the siding itself.”

Builder Huntington was fully supportive when the rainscreen system was specified by Pill and Shapiro. “It was a great experience for me as a builder to have an owner who was willing to incorporate so many energy-efficient methods and products into their home. We took our time to make sure every detail was right,” he said. Pill made it clear from the beginning that he wanted to put as much of his efforts on the home’s shell as possible. The sidewall system includes studs insulated with closed-cell polyurethane spray foam, polyisocyanurate foam board over exterior sheathing, housewrap, Home Slicker, and painted cedar clapboard combined with corrugated metal exterior cladding.

“When it came time to add a rainscreen space behind the cedar clapboard, the Home Slicker was the way to go,” Huntington said. “It gives the siding a chance to dry out if any wind-driven moisture should get behind it.” The builder thinks the minimal additional expense of including a rainscreen component can be well worth it in the long-term. He noted that he routinely specifies Benjamin Obdyke’s Cedar Breather®, a moisture-management product similar to Home Slicker, with cedar shake and shingle roofs. “I know the roofs have to breathe. It’s a must for me.”

Since the Pill-Maharam home was completed, it has delivered on everyone’s expectations. The turbine has produced enough energy for the home’s needs and the high-efficiency design has kept the family comfortable in the cold winters and the warm summers. “I also made the right decision to include the rainscreen system in our home and I’ve incorporated the technology into the recommendations of other homes I’ve designed. The process has been a fantastic learning experience for me,” Pill said.

For more information on Home Slicker or other roof or wall products, contact a local Benjamin Obdyke dealer, visit www.benjaminobdyke.com, or call Benjamin Obdyke Customer Service at 800-346-7655.

HORSHAM, PA ─ Tara Murray has been appointed Marketing Manager of Benjamin Obdyke Incorporated, a leading provider of roof and wall products to the residential and commercial construction markets. She reports directly to Michael Coulton, General Manager.

In her new position, she is responsible for the development and implementation of marketing plans supporting all Benjamin Obdyke existing and new products.

Murray comes to the company from CertainTeed Corporation’s Ceilings Division, where she held posts of increasing responsibility in product marketing and marketing communications. She began her career with the print and digital design services agency Warkulwiz Design Associates.

Murray earned a bachelor of science degree in graphic design communications from Philadelphia University. She is nearing completion of her Masters of Business Administration degree from Villanova University. She is a resident of Collegeville, PA.

Benjamin Obdyke Provides Expert Insight into Attic Ventilation and Upcoming Code Changes

In an article featured in Roofing Contractor magazine, George Caruso, product development manager for Benjamin Obdyke, provides a detailed tutorial of ridge ventilation and the importance of attic ventilation in a home. The article explains key topics in ridge ventilation including: why ventilation is necessary, how to identify a home’s ridge vent needs, IRC and IBC code changes, and types of ridge vent products.

The complete article is available on the Roofing Contractor website and in the February 2011 issue.

For more information on ridge ventilation, visit the Benjamin Obdyke website to download helpful education, training, and tools.

Benjamin Obdyke’s Home Slicker® Rainscreen Featured in Award-Winning “Green Home” Project

Home Slicker moisture-eliminating rainscreen for exterior walls from Benjamin Obdyke received a nod from GreenBuilder® magazine in the article “The Green Design Guide” featured in its December 2010 issue.

Using projects of the 2009 GreenBuilder Green Home of the Year awards program, the article showcases category winners using the best sustainable design ideas in residential building. As part of the home awarded “Best Traditional Neighborhood Design”, Home Slicker moisture-eliminating rainscreen is highlighted as a “continuous space for drainage and drying” behind the cedar siding. Also mentioned are the thermal break and pressure equalization-eliminating characteristics of Home Slicker that protect against the threat of trapped moisture and premature deterioration of exterior walls.

The complete article, including the “Best Traditional Neighborhood Design” winner, is available on the GreenBuilder website. Home Slicker is also featured in the GreenBuilder online database of Green Products.

More information on Home Slicker moisture-eliminating rainscreen can also be found at www.homeslicker.com.