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TimberSIL nontoxic pressure treated wood holds promise. |
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Solargenix Engery's residential solar water-heating system. |
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BuildingGreen, Inc., publisher of the GreenSpec Directory and Environmental Building News, announced its selections of the top ten green building products of 2004.
TimberSIL Nontoxic Pressure-Treated Wood: A sodium-silicate-based pressure-treatment system for wood that relies on a mineralization process rather than toxins to prevent infestations and decay. The patented chemistry and heat-treatment process result in the infusion of microscopic glass "crystals" throughout the wood, providing a permanent, insoluble treatment with no dusting or leaching. The treated wood is odorless and nonvolatile, is not corrosive to fasteners, does not cause excessive wear on tools, and typically has a brown color to distinguish it from other treated-wood products.
Standard TimberSIL treated wood carries a 40-year warranty for interior use and up to one year of outdoor exposure; TimberSIL Plus carries a 40-year warranty for outdoor applications, including ground contact. As of October 2004, this new product is not yet listed with the International Code Council; approval for use is granted by local jurisdictions. www.timbersil.com
Winston CPC Solar Collectors: Produced by Solargenix Energy is a residential and commercial solar water-heating system comprised of 12 small compound parabolic collectors (CPC) that focus sunlight onto absorber tubes through which heat-transfer fluid is piped. One to three collectors are commonly used for residential solar water-heating systems, depending on the size of the hot-water storage tank. A roof-integrated thermosiphoning configuration is possible with new construction. The collectors carry a 10-year warranty. The system's heat exchanger, SOLPAC, is also available as a separate item. Coupled with one or more solar collectors, it prepackages the components needed to convert existing electric or gas water heaters into solar water-heating systems. www.solargenix.com
To view the complete top 10 list of green building products go to www.BuildingGreen.com.
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