Abstract: The invention provides energy-saving housing wherein the indoor temperature condition can be made comfortable throughout the year by a small amount of energy by suppressing loads on cooling and heating devices, and high airtightness and high heat insulation performance can be maintained for a long period of time so that durability is excellent. The energy-saving housing includes wall parts provided with inner walling made from an inorganic material and heat insulators made from an organic foamed material, a ceiling part provided with inner walling made from an inorganic material, heat insulators made from an organic foamed material at the ceiling part or roof part, and a floor heating device provided at least at the floor part of the lower floor, and has an equivalent clearance area of from 0.3 cm2/m2 to 0.6 cm2/m2.

Abstract: A thermal insulating cover is presented. The cover includes a top, a plurality of sides extending from the top and a wide base perimeter extending from the plurality of sides. The device may be formed as a unitary piece, or may be provided in two or more sections which are easily assembled together. A piece of foam, acting as a gasket may be affixed to the base perimeter.

Abstract: A laminated wall structure, suitable for use in an exterior insulation finish system, comprises the following layers in the order provided: i) a layer of building sheathing; ii) a layer of water-resistant adhesive which substantially completely covers and adheres to said building sheathing; and iii) a layer of thermal insulation adhered to said building sheathing by said water-resistant adhesive. The laminated wall structure, which can be used with all conventional building sheathings, can require less time to construct than known structures.

Abstract: The facing of a faced insulation layer has Z-folded, double-folded, or single-folded lateral tabs extending the length of the facing sheet along or spaced inwardly from lateral edges of the facing sheet. Each lateral tab has multiple segments. One of the segments of each lateral tab has an adhesive thereon that can be exposed and extended beyond one of the lateral edges of the insulation layer for bonding the faced insulation layer to a framing member. Where the blanket is separable into sections, the facing has pairs of separable tabs that separate when the blanket is separated to expose surfaces of the separable tabs with adhesive thereon. The adhesive may be microencapsulated or have microencapsulated constituent(s).

Abstract: An insulating unit for an electrical box for insulating an electrical box. The insulating unit for an electrical box includes a rear portion, a lower portion extending from the rear portion, an upper portion extending from the rear portion opposite of the lower portion, and a side portion extending from the rear portion defining a rectangular cavity for receiving the electrical box within. A cutout may be made within the upper portion, side portion or lower portion for receiving a wire. Sealants are preferably utilized for sealing and securing to a wall stud. The rear portion, lower portion, upper portion and side portion are preferably comprised of an insulating material.

Abstract: A heat insulating wall, and a method of manufacturing the same. A laminated body includes a first panel, a first plate-shaped insulating member made of plastic foam and having a predetermined thickness, a vacuum insulation member mounted on the insulating member, a second plate-shaped insulating member made of plastic foam, and a second panel. The area between the first and second panels surrounded by the first plate-shaped insulating member, the vacuum insulation member, and the second plate-shaped insulating member is filled with expanded plastic foam. The thickness of the first and second plate-shaped insulating members is set to a predetermined thickness S.

Abstract: The facing of a faced insulation layer has Z-folded, double-folded, or single-folded lateral tabs extending the length of the facing sheet along or spaced inwardly from lateral edges of the facing sheet. Each lateral tab has multiple segments. One of the segments of each lateral tab has an adhesive thereon that can be exposed and extended beyond one of the lateral edges of the insulation layer for bonding the faced insulation layer to a framing member. Where the blanket is separable into sections, the facing has pairs of separable tabs that separate when the blanket is separated to expose surfaces of the separable tabs with adhesive thereon. The adhesive may be microencapsulated or have microencapsulated constituent(s).

Abstract: Reinforced wall structures and methods for strengthening wall structures to more effectively resist damage produced by seismically induced forces are disclosed. According to one embodiment, a method for strengthening a double wall structure comprises forming plural layers of a foamable, adhesive material in the cavity between the two wall portions of the double wall structure to bond together the wall portions. According to another embodiment, a method for strengthening a single wall comprises spacing a sheathing layer from one surface of the wall so as to define a cavity therebetween. A plurality of structural members are positioned outside of the cavity so as to support the inner form. A foamable, adhesive material is introduced into the cavity to bond together the inner form and the wall.

Abstract: Hold-down clips for insulation. The clips have U-shaped bases for wrapping about the exposed edges of framing members such as 2×4s, 2×6s, 2×8s, and 2×10s, and the like, that are used under roofs, ceilings, floors and walls. The clips have side extending arms that abut against the insulation materials and can include protruding portions which further press the insulation material in place. The U-shaped bases can further include inwardly protruding bent tabs, dimples, and spike portions for further locking the clips to the framing members. The clips can be easily installed without the need for tools such as hammers, nail guns, and staple type guns, as well as not need any additional fasteners such as nails, screws, and staples, in order to be installed. An optional through-hole in the base portion can allow for an extra fastener to be used where the through-hole provides direct guidance for placing the optional fastener.

Abstract: Apparatus for attaching items such as solar shading to curtain walling mullions of the kind defined, comprises a bracket having a generally U-shaped formation at one end for fitting over the generally U-shaped formation of the glazing bar of a mullion, a substantially planar portion which, when the bracket is fixed to the mullion, projects forwardly of the glazing bar and in use between two adjacent glazing units and a seal locating formation projecting laterally of the substantially planar portion. The generally U-shaped formation comprises a web portion and two parallel or substantially parallel side portions. The web portion has an aperture therein above and/or below the substantially planar portion for receiving a self-tapping screw which can, in use, extend through the aperture and engage with the groove in the U-shaped formation of the glazing bar.

Abstract: A wall panel structure for controlling humidity within a building having a panel assembly attachable to an inner wall surface of the building including: a first panel having a surface with a first predetermined porosity to moisture; and a second panel secured to said first panel with a space for accomodating airflow between the first and second panels, the second panel having a surface with a second predetermined porosity to moisture, the first perdetermined panel porosity being greater than the second predetermined porosity to thereby absorb moisture from air being circulated between the first and second panels; whereby humidity of an environment within the building is controllable.

Abstract: To provide a housing panel, a method for manufacturing the housing panel and a house using the housing panel that is high in quality with satisfactory heat insulating effect and low in manufacture cost, a housing panel for fitting with and closing a space surrounded by frame members such as columns, bases, lintels, tie beams, struts and rafters of a house. Outer members provided with grooves for fitting with a flat plate are arranged at least on both sides of the flat plate, and heat insulating material is provided in a space portion defined by the flat plate and the outer members.

Abstract: A method of insulating an attic cavity includes assembling a plurality of trusses to define an attic cavity, the trusses having sloped top beams so that the attic cavity has a reduced height end portion at least one end of the trusses. A screen material is applied to the attic cavity at the reduced height end portion of the attic cavity. Loosefil insulation material is blown into the end portion of the attic cavity to insulate the end portion of the attic cavity. The remaining portion of the attic cavity is insulated.

Abstract: A prefabricated building component, e.g. for incorporation in a wall, a floor, a roof or another building component, comprises a frame formed by lengths of lumber with heat insulating foam material provided in spaces between the lumber so as to form a heating insulating barrier. To reinforce the frame against racking forces, a reinforcement sheet of fiber reinforced composite material is provided on the barrier and the lumber at least one side of the frame.