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Nonwovens Help Construction Go Green



demand for more energy efficient buildings increases the role of nonwovens in roofing and construction applications



By Karen Bitz McIntyre
Editor




Click here to read the full article.
Nonwovens are nothing new in the roofing and construction market. DuPont has been selling its Tyvek brand housewrap material there for decades and the use of spunbond polyester mats in roofing applications has steadily been replacing paper and other organic materials thanks to their ability to inhibit mold and mildew growth. As the construction market—like many markets—has become more eco-aware, nonwovens’ usage in this area has escalated.

Able to offer strength, durability, heat retention, moisture management and flexibility, nonwovens are used in many areas of the building envelope to help keep interiors cool in the summer and warm in the winter. In fact, according to a study from The Department of Energy, the use of a housewrap can lead to a 25-40% savings in energy costs. It’s benefits like these that have made the addition of a wrap basically standard in new home builds around the world.