Nov 20 2006
Heightened interest in vinyl as a preferred material for "green" buildings was one of the most significant developments at the three-day GreenBuild International Conference & Expo in Denver, according to industry officials.
The nation's top green building expo ends today. "We were amazed at the traffic at our booth," said Vinyl Institute president Tim Burns. "More than ever before, architects, designers and builders came by to tell us of their increased interest in vinyl as a key factor in sustainability."
There were also more vinyl exhibitors than ever before, Burns said, and a growing understanding of how vinyl can help designers and builders meet their needs. He noted that the Utah Olympic Oval -- one of the very first buildings to qualify for the LEED rating --featured a five-acre white vinyl membrane roof that kept the huge building cool in hot weather.
"The best visual choice ended up being the right environmental choice," said architect David Brems, the Oval's chief designer.
Drew Ballensky, general manager of Duro-Last Roofing of Saginaw, MI, said that Duro-Last and sister company Oscoda Plastics had doubled their exhibit space and experienced far more traffic, positive comments and business leads than in previous years, "including very positive comments from building owners, our ultimate clients."
While only two vinyl roofing companies exhibited four years ago, this year there were many more, including at least six membrane companies, Ballensky noted. Each was visited by several hundred people.
"We are seeing pro-vinyl momentum," said Burns. "We see much more interest in the fact that vinyl is not only a truly sustainable product, but is energy- saving, cost-saving, flexible and eminently practical. Very few products offer all these advantages, and this expo showed that our message is really getting through."
A major attraction for designers at the Vinyl Institute booth was a dramatic high-style vinyl chair by Los Angeles lifestyle design firm Aqua Vitae. "It became a major conversation piece in its own right," said Burns. Valued at $2,500, it was raffled off at the end of the show.