Modern by Design Showhome Demonstrates Sustainable Benefits of Spray Foam Insulation Systems

SPRING, TEXAS, April 2010 — BaySystems™ supplied the spray polyurethane foam (SPF) insulation system Bayseal™ OC (open-cell) and CC (closed-cell) SPF for a sustainable demonstration home in San Francisco’s fashionable Pacific Heights neighborhood. The renovated 7,700–square-foot historic home was featured as the annual Modern by Design Showhome. The project spotlights significant energy-savings solutions in a modern design setting.

The home was built in 1904 and is a local landmark. The original single-family home was later a World War II boarding house, then a popular area guest house. San Francisco developer Regina Callan purchased the foreclosed home with the intention to restore it per GreenPoint Rated Existing Home criteria. GreenPoint Rated is a third-party verification system for the green building measures outlined by Build It Green, a California non-profit dedicated to accelerating the adoption of green building practices in the housing industry.

Contractors used Bayseal™ OC and Bayseal™ CC SPF insulation to address specific challenges in the home. Bayseal™ CC SPF proved to be the best product due to its ability to seal the building envelope despite the varying façade materials of brick and stucco. The humid, windy bay environment made interior moisture and temperature control a problem. Bayseal™ CC SPF provided a high R-value, a complete seal, and contributed to overall improved indoor air quality. Designers also used Bayseal™ OC SPF in the interior walls around the media room and children’s playroom to baffle the sound. Though not part of the structural design for the house, Bayseal™ CC SPF added stability to the perimeter walls.

“This renovation project was a great way to demonstrate a variety of sustainable and cost-effective home building solutions in our community,” David Myers, development manager for Build It Green, said. “We’re so thankful for partners like BaySystems™, who are willing to donate their products and be part of our effort to promote smart environmental solutions. Their spray foam was definitely the right choice to meet all the needs of this project, plus the added benefit of a healthy indoor environment is great too.”

Through public tours and printed literature, the Modern by Design showhome offered homeowners a hands-on educational experience to see the practical application of sustainable building products.

“The Bayseal™ OC and Bayseal™ CC products were the perfect choice to meet the demanding needs of the Modern by Design house,” said Renee Zierden, general manager, BaySystems™. ”SPF from BaySystems™ readily allows designers and builders the flexibility they need for custom designs plus the sustainability and affordability they want.”

“We’re excited to be a part of the Build It Green effort in California because we believe so strongly in their mission of collaboration and education. Homeowners need to understand how architects, contractors, and material suppliers can work together to maximize the investment in residential sustainability efforts. The Modern by Design home will be a constant reminder of how beautiful and affordable ‘green’ can be.” Zierden added.

SDI Insulation of San Francisco is one of the newest BaySystems energywise™ Preferred Contractors and installed the SPF. The BaySystems™ energywise™ Energy Cost Savings Guarantee program is a residential energy efficiency program that combines an optimally designed HVAC system with Bayseal™ SPF installed by a BaySystems energywise™ Preferred Contractor. The BaySystems™ energywise™ Energy Cost Savings Guarantee program is backed by Bayer MaterialScience to provide homeowners a substantial reduction in energy usage.

Build It Green is a non-profit membership organization whose mission is to promote healthy, energy- and resource-efficient building practices in California. The organization works with mainstream stakeholders in the housing industry to accelerate the adoption of green building practices. More information is available about the organization at http://www.builditgreen.org/.

Bayer MaterialScience LLC is one of the leading producers of polymers and high-performance plastics in North America and is part of the global Bayer MaterialScience business with approximately 14,300 employees at 30 production sites around the world and 2009 sales of 7.5 billion euros. The company manufactures high-tech polymer materials and develops innovative solutions for products used in many areas of daily life. The main segments served are the automotive, electrical and electronics, construction, medical, and sports and leisure industries. Sustainability is central to Bayer MaterialScience LLC’s business and is based around the key areas of innovation, product stewardship, excellence in corporate management, social responsibility and respect for the environment.

BaySystems™ manufactures spray polyurethane foam systems for residential and commercial buildings and provides a complementary family of roofing, insulation, coatings and primers.

Contact:
Carrie Stallwitz, Phone: 713-320-8165
E-mail: carrie@witzpr.com

Alex Keane, Phone: 281-825-4771
E-mail: alex.keane@bayerbms.com

For more information about spray polyurethane foam product families from BaySystems™, call 1-800-289-8272 or visit www.BaySystemsSpray.com.

For more information about Bayer MaterialScience materials, call 1-800-662-2927, e-mail naftainfo@bayerbms.com or visit www.bayermaterialsciencenafta.com.