Tag: environmental

Wall Cladding Is Today’s Answer To Weather

Posted on by Danpal

There’s a learning curve for the building industry. We learn what our customers want in their living and working spaces so that we can provide the materials that architects need to make that vision a reality. But at Danpal, we know that we can’t live in the moment. We always have to be looking to the future. What materials are going to last longer? What materials are the most sustainable? Which materials will support environmental concerns? What materials can withstand the harsh weather? What materials will give a building its most attractive appearance?

We’ve been in business for three decades and at Danpal, we know that the learning never stops. That’s why we invest in research and development, and that’s why our wall cladding is such a reliable way of protecting a building from the threats that weather poses in this era of climate change.

Wall CladdingWEATHER: THE ANCIENT ENEMY; WALL CLADDING, THE MODERN SOLUTION

Before the continents formed, before dinosaurs walked the earth, before human beings first learned how to make fire, there was the weather. For primitive humans, the weather was a force as powerful as an army, one that could not be controlled or placated. They had to learn to adapt to weather, but the weather has never had to adapt to our species. As human beings advanced in learning and skills, they learned how to build stronger, more sophisticated structures that provided shelter from the elements. But the weather still held the power. Danpal won’t claim that we’ve figured out how to master snow, rain, sleet, hail, wind or even heat; instead, we’ve concentrated on making buildings that are more weather resistant.

WALL CLADDING IS TODAY’S DEFENSE AGAINST WEATHER

Ancient human beings didn’t have research and development teams capable of exploring innovative ways of advancing civilization. They were busy just trying to survive. No one knows how long it might have taken to create the wheel or fashion a spear, but we know they didn’t have a laboratory to work in. Now, however, we have microcell technology, with connector-bound polycarbonate panels to make a building watertight because of our double notching. The convective motion of the air gap uses natural ventilation to improve energy efficiency by protecting the insulation.

WALL CLADDING PROMOTES ENERGY EFFICIENCY

Our primitive ancestors weren’t worried about the effects of climate change on their environment. But human beings today can’t afford that luxury; we know that if we fail to treat the planet with care, Earth will suffer. Wall cladding is an effective, attractive means of promoting energy efficiency. Keeping energy inside where it belongs supports a living environment that uses heating and cooling wisely. The internal temperature of your living and working spaces should be consistent. If you have to change the temperature inside because it seems too hot or too cold, and you’re paying more in your utility bills, you’ll want to check your insulation to make sure that it hasn’t been compromised by moisture. Danpal wall cladding is the perfect way to add that protective measure to your structure. You’ll be saving the planet while you save money!

Color Planet Earth Happy With Green Buildings

Posted on by Danpal

Warmest month on record. Years of drought. Record-breaking floods. Mudslides and landslides Category Five hurricanes. Named winter storms and blizzards that cut a paralyzing swath of snow and freezing temperatures through entire regions. No matter what the season, it seems as though the weather has a catastrophe to match it. As even skeptics become more aware that climate change is a reality we must address, everyone wants to know how we can adapt our lifestyles to counter the threat posed by this looming crisis. Because we are largely indoor beings, we recognize that we must alter our buildings to be more sustainable if we have hopes of rescuing the environment from the perils that climate change can cause.

Environmental responsibility strives to balance the fact that in industrialized countries, buildings account for 40% of the energy that’s used by those nations. Our buildings don’t just dominate the skylines; if they are not in harmony with environmental measures, they also determine whether or not we are hurting our world. Green buildings are a way to balance that excess with deliberate ways of using materials responsibly so that the places where we work and live pose less of a threat to the planet that we all depend upon for life.

Green BuildingsGREEN BUILDINGS AND THE DANPAL MOTTO

Danpal is more than a leader in the building industry. We’re also a partner in the sustainability movement. Our motto, Global Vision, Local Focus, is an acknowledgment that in order to provide quality materials for our customers, we must create products that support sustainability. Households all over the globe have adopted sustainable measures to support energy efficiency. At Danpal, we do the same.

RESOURCE EFFICIENCY AS A WAY OF LIFE

This generation knows that if we fail to protect the planet, we run the risk of having an environment that will be radically different from what we know. Resource efficiency builds upon that theme by encouraging the use of natural, renewable, and recyclable materials. Using materials that can be transported from local sites rather than long-distance destinations is another way of practicing the resource efficiency that supports the green buildings way of life.

HOW RESPONSIBLE PRACTICES PROMOTE GREEN BUILDINGS

At Danpal, we live by our motto and we’re proud of the role we’ve played, thanks to the products that we create, in supporting the green building movement. We comply with federal regulations and building codes that outline specific rules to safeguard the environment. We are all engaged in a vital quest to keep the planet healthy, whether we’re a corporate entity or an individual. The standards that determine whether a structure can be regarded as a green building include an awareness of its Indoor Air Quality (IAQ). Materials that emit minimally or no carcinogens or chemicals, are moisture-resistant, use non-toxic cleaning substances, and are installed with a minimum of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC) support IAQ. Cleaning materials have traditionally been violators of these precepts, but today, it’s easy to find environmentally responsible, sustainable cleaning products that do the job without adding more toxic substances to the ecology.

Polycarbonate sheets build better and stronger

Posted on by Danpal

So you really like the way that glass looks, but you don’t like its flaws. Glass isn’t the strongest building material on the market and you don’t want to use a material that’s susceptible to scratching. Nor is glass one of the materials that support the highest levels of energy efficiency and sustainability is important to you.

But you like the look of glass. How can you solve this dilemma? It’s easier than you think. Today’s building industry benefits from the many advances that have come about as a result of technology and innovation. In many cases, new products have evolved that are clearly superior to the older products which were popular in a previous generation. Polycarbonate sheets are one of those dynamic new products. If you really want a building material that has the appearance of glass, you can choose solid polycarbonate, which is a clear, flat sheeting that looks just like glass but doesn’t have its inherent flaws. There’s also multiwall polycarbonate, which is a structured sheet that has hollow air chambers.

Polycarbonate SheetsWHY POLYCARBONATE SHEETS ARE SUPERIOR TO OTHER BUILDING MATERIALS

First of all, polycarbonate sheets are almost impossible to break. That’s one of the most advantageous features of this remarkable material. Polycarbonate sheets have been hardened to the point where they’re 200 times stronger than glass is, with a much higher resistance level.

As strong as polycarbonate is, it’s still flexible and easy to customize, making it much easier to work with than glass. Architects favor polycarbonate sheets because of the creative opportunities that it affords. They can customize for esthetic purposes without sacrificing the endurance that is valued in building material.

While the weather is one of the greatest threats to a building’s long-term life, polycarbonate sheets represent a potential long-lasting strength, one that can increase the life span of a building as well as improve its performance. Danpal’s Ventilated Rainscreen System, with its polycarbonate sheets, uses natural ventilation to keep insulation dry, preventing moisture caused by weather penetration from invading a building’s interior. That advantage is a benefit to the building and to energy efficiency. The energy that escapes costs you money and it also harms the ecological balance in these environmentally-conscious times when we’re all doing what we can to support sustainability in our lifestyles.

WHY POLYCARBONATE SHEETS ARE BETTER SUITED FOR TODAY’S BUILDING NEEDS

Construction is very different from what we were used to a generation ago. During the thirty years that we’ve been in business, we’ve seen a transformation in the way that people think about the buildings in which they live and work.

They expect a workspace or a living space that is comfortable. They require an awareness of the federal standards that oversee environmental regulations. They want a structure that will last, one that is made of quality materials. Danpal is a steadfast supporter of all these requirements. We recognize that buildings are more than just a location in a neighborhood. Buildings are the repository where we invest our time.

That makes a building, whether it’s where you work or where you live, very important. It must reflect the value of the time that you spend inside it.

Green buildings are the goal for the future of construction

Posted on by Danpal

In today’s environmentally conscious society, green isn’t just a color, it’s a message and a commitment. Companies are proud to boast of their ecological practices. Politicians include climate issues in their campaign promises and many even tackle the controversial topic of greenhouse gas emissions and what industrial societies must do to pollute less. Celebrities use their fame to promote sustainable practices. Children in school are taught to take care of the planet. We realize that our soil, our waterways and our air are all fragile partners in the circle of life in which we are all connected. Our planet has endured much in the way of pollution but thanks to modern-day awareness, people from all walks of life are making a commitment to remember our obligation to Planet Earth. We have all made a promise to “go green.”

That promise also extends to the building industry. As environmental consciousness increased, the commercial world recognized that we have a part to play in this venture. Danpal has always operated under the slogan Global Mission, Local Focus, so for us, paying attention to the holistic practices that help the planet is nothing new. For us, green buildings are the only way to build.

GREEN BUILDINGSRESOURCE EFFICIENCY AS PART OF THE GREEN BUILDING LIFESTYLE

Using natural materials, renewable materials, and natural materials is how we practice resource efficiency. In order to be efficient with our resources, we should use products that are locally available, refurbished, or salvaged. Packaging is an important part of resource efficiency. Using products that are packed with materials that are reusable or recyclable defines our lifestyle as one of better stewardship of the planet.

In order to be a truly green building, it must be the product of a process which pays close attention to every segment of the construction process and the materials that are used. That means that the extraction, fabrication, processing, transportation, installation, recycling, reuse and disposal of the materials used in construction must support a philosophy of sustainability.

IDENTIFYING A GREEN BUILDING

One way of identifying whether or not a building is green is to determine it’s Indoor Air Quality (IAQ). By using materials that emit few or no carcinogens or chemicals, that are non-toxic and resistant to moisture and can be installed with minimal volatile organic compounds (VOC), IAQ is supported and this helps to identify a green building.

Water is another resource which is part of the green building identification process. Using products that reduce the consumption of water helps in the conservation of this natural resource which we all depend upon, but which is in short supply in far too many parts of the world.

The global economy also factors into the identification of a green building. Materials used in the construction of green buildings should be affordable so that they can be universally accessible.

Danpal is an eager participant in this crusade for resource efficiency. We obey federal regulations and building codes that are designed to make sure that products adhere to ecologically sound practices.

SELECTING MATERIALS FOR GREEN BUILDINGS

Posted on by Danpal

The twenty-first century has seen the growing prominence of the sustainability movement advance to the point where lifestyles have dramatically changed. We make decisions on the foods we purchase, vacations that we take, and the buildings where we live based on how the environment is affected by what we do. As the movement has progressed, we now pay close attention to the use of materials and products in the construction of green buildings. We know the advantages of using green building materials. We benefit from the energy conservation, the reduction in maintenance costs, the improved productivity and health of the building occupants; the lower cost of changing space configurations; and an increased flexibility in design. Choosing the right materials is a straightforward process that puts the planet first. By doing that, we also support our own wellbeing.

THE COMPOSITION OF GREEN BUILDING MATERIALS

Using green building materials and products has a multifaceted role in protecting the environment by promoting the conservation of nonrenewable resources. Another benefit is the reduction of the environmental impact that’s associated with the extraction, transport, fabrication, processing, installation, reuse, recycling and disposal of building materials. Because green building materials are made out of renewable resources, they promote environmental responsibility, especially as we consider their impact over the life span of the product.


SELECTION CRITERIA FOR GREEN BUILDING MATERIALS

Resource-efficient materials

  • are made of recycled content
  • come from natural and renewable materials
  • are manufactured with resource-efficient processes
  • are made from locally available materials and components
  • use materials that are salvaged; refurbished; reusable; recyclable
  • are packaged responsibly

Energy efficiency is maximized

  • by using materials that help reduce the consumption of energy in buildings and facilities

Indoor air quality is enhanced by using materials that

  • emit few or no carcinogens
  • release minimal chemicals
  • are installed with minimal VOC-producing compounds
  • are resistant to moisture
  • require simple, non-toxic cleaning
  • promote healthy indoor air quality

Other criteria include the affordability of the material and its role in water conservation.

green buildingsSELECTING GREEN BUILDING MATERIALS

After establishing project-specific environmental goals, the environmentally-minded consumer can rely on research, evaluation and selection to choose green building materials. Research includes collecting all available technical data to be evaluated so that you can be sure you’re identifying all options. Evaluation consists of confirming the technical information and, where there are gaps, finding the missing information. When selecting the products to be used, an evaluation matrix is needed to score the project-specific environmental criteria. The product with the best environmental attributes will be identified by the total score of the individual products.

DANPAL’S COMMITMENT TO SUSTAINABILITY AND GREEN BUILDING SELECTION

As a company, Danpal has remained committed to the principles of sustainability throughout our existence. With the motto of Global Vision, Local Focus, we reinforce our practices by adhering to the policy that what we produce must not harm the planet or the people who live upon it. That’s a lofty goal but we feel that it’s also a practical one. Taking care of the environment is a way to take care of ourselves as well, because what affects the planet ultimately affects each of us. Our natural resources must be protected if they are going to continue to sustain us. We cannot live without water that is clean and drinkable, air that we can breathe, and soil that can grow food for us to eat. The buildings that we design and construct can play a harmonious role in the overall sustainability of this planet that is home to us all.

Facades Make Buildings Stronger, More Appealing, More Energy Efficient

Posted on by Danpal

There are a number of considerations that go into the design of a building. An architect has an image of a building as she or he works, but throughout the creative process, a very analytical procedure is taking place simultaneously. Weather is always uppermost in the architect’s planning: is this building located in a region where it will be subjected to particularly wet weather in the form of rain and snow? Will sunlight be intense? Is the area a windy place? How extreme are the weather conditions and how will they impact the building? Architects build with the weather, environmental regulations, and esthetics in mind, and throughout all of this, they are also eager to please the client for whom they are designing the building. The client is also concerned about the cost of the building: Will it require much maintenance? Will it last a long time? Will it perform its primary function and meet expectations?

All of these considerations matter a great deal. Danpal, a leader in the building industry, recommends its facades as a way of putting architect and client concerns to rest. Danpal facades combine impressive strength with light weight for a product that’s easy to work with and built to last.

Danpal Strengths Create Superior Facades

A façade by Danpal can resist the impact of weather while preventing moisture from penetrating a building. Our microcell technology keeps the building watertight and airtight, and our double-click locking system offers impressive impact resistance. The snap-lock connection system also contributes to the prevention of penetration by moisture.

FacadesFacades Can Handle The Light

Natural light is a great innovation in building materials and Danpal facades lead the way for this popular feature. The tight spacing between the ribs of the façade’s glazing panel transmits evenly diffused natural light to enhance the internal working and living spaces. At the same time, we’re well aware that sunlight, as much as we love it, can be a problem for a building. That’s why we offer co-extended UV protection so that the building will enjoy a long life span.

Energy Efficiency Is Supported By Danpal Facades

The unique cell structure of our facades can be credited with improvements in the “U” and “R” values that support better thermal insulation and increased energy efficiency. Today’s consumers expect their places of work and residence to mirror their own environmental concerns and Danpal is pleased to do our utmost to meet this expectation from our customers. We’re all about Global Vision, Local Focus as we support the environment and the expectations of our clients.

Esthetic Appeal Is Part Of the Danpal Façade Attraction

There’s no need for a building to be dull. Not when Danpal offers so many options in the form of colors, finishes and textures that can dazzle the eye and enhance the look of the community. Our facades allow the architect to release those creative instincts that make a building more than a construction project.

Danpal Facades Are Easy To Work With

Danpal is committed to creating products that are easy to work with. Our facades are designed with concealed joints that create a flush external. If necessary for performance, the flush external can twist and warp.

Choosing a Danpal façade means choosing strength, esthetics, flexibility, and sustainability. It’s the smart choice!

Danpal Wall Cladding Won’t Let Your Building Down

Posted on by Danpal

When making the choice of what company to use for the building materials that are needed in your construction project, you’re going to be faced with a number of different questions that need to be answered. Which company has the experience that suits the ever-changing needs of the industry? Which company has a reputation for producing innovative building materials that meet the needs of the design while also meeting federal environmental regulations? Which company has the staffing that keeps up with the latest technological advances? When you’re in the market for wall cladding, you want to use materials providing by a company that has proven its merit in construction. That company is Danpal.

The Danpal Team Designs Wall Cladding That Protects Insulation

We’ve been in the business of building buildings for more than three decades. We’ve seen energy efficiency become a major priority for our clients as the public becomes more invested in the safety of the planet. We’ve witnessed the expanding role that technology has played in adapting building designs to reflect a “smart” living and working environment. Through it all, we have continued to concentrate our work ethic as a Global Vision, Local Focus mission that keeps the needs and expectations of each individual customer at the forefront of our efforts. We aim to build buildings that fulfill their purpose. That’s why our Danpal wall cladding is designed to protect insulation. Insulation that has been compromised by moisture is failing the building it’s supposed to maintain.

Wall CladdingWhy Does Insulation Have To Be Protected By Wall Cladding?

The only thing that weather can be relied upon to do is to challenge a building’s lifespan. Whether it’s a season when cold weather predominates, or a time when heavy rains are expected, or a period when winds are a threat, all we can be sure of is that a building will need to be protected. If moisture manages to penetrate a building’s defenses, the insulation can no longer perform its function under optimum conditions.

Energy efficiency is threatened because failed insulation forces the heating and cooling systems to work harder to maintain a consistent temperature inside. The occupants of the building are threatened by the growth of mold, which thrives in a moist environment and can lead to health problems that harm people who may already suffer from allergies and asthma. Money is lost because when insulation isn’t working, energy is escaping and you’re paying for energy that you aren’t using. Wall cladding can make the crucial difference in how your insulation performs.

Danpal Wall Cladding To The Rescue

Danpal’s innovative team has created wall cladding that is designed to resist weather and prevent moisture from invading the interior of a structure. Not only do our designers and engineers know how to develop a product that is able to fend off nature’s advances, but our company operates on five continents. There’s no better way to be schooled in the various kinds of weather and the threats that they represent than to actually function in areas where that weather is present.