The Trowel June / July 2014

Serving the wall & ceiling industry since 1953 • www.wallandceiling.ca • June / July 2014

Publications Mail / Agreement # 40719512

BCWCA Heads to Skills Canada BC NWCB Project of the Year Award Winners GFRG Meets Emerging Challenges Rise of the Renovation

EIFS and QAP Better Together.

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Serving the wall & ceiling industry since 1953 • www.wallandceiling.ca • June / July 2014

BCWCA Heads to Skills Canada BC NWCB Project of the Year Award Winners

Publications Mail / Agreement # 40719512

GFRG Meets Emerging Challenges Rise of the Renovation

The Trowel team Lara Perraton, Group Publisher lperraton@pointonemedia.com Jessica Kirby, Editor 877.755.2762• jessica.kirby@pointonemedia.com Lara Perraton, Advertising Sales 877.755.2762• lperraton@pointonemedia.com Christina Tranberg, Advertising Sales 877.755.2762• ctranberg@pointonemedia.com

contributing writers John Chettleburgh Anne Cochrane Leesa Matwick Ian Moes William Sturrock

cover photo

photo courtesy of BCWCA

Published bi-monthly by Point One Media, Inc. The Trowel P.O. Box 11, Station A Nanaimo, BC V9R 5K4 t: 877.755.2762 • www.wallandceiling.ca While information contained in this publication has been compiled from sources deemed to be reliable, the publisher may not be held liable for omissions or errors.

CONTENTS •

june / july 2014

06 BCWCA Heads to Skills Canada BC

or the first time ever, the BC Wall and Ceiling Association represented the F wall and ceiling trade at the 2014 Skills Canada BC show and competition.

08 NWCB Project of the Year Award Winners

he Northwest Wall and Ceiling Bureau recognized some of the the best in the T west wall and ceiling projects at its annual convention in May.

21 GFRG Meets Emerging Challenges

lass fiber reinforced gypsum continues to provide a flexible and proven G means to simplify execution of a wide range projects around the globe.

Contents ©2014 by Point One Media Inc. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or duplicated without prior written permission from the publisher.

Printed in Canada. Postage paid at Simcoe, ON. Return postage guaranteed. Canada Post Canadian Publications Mail Sales Product Agreement #40719512.

24 Rise of the Renovation

Content?

Departments & Columns 04 editorial

Return undeliverable Canadian addresses to: The Trowel Circulation Department

27 building science

P.O. Box 11, Station A Nanaimo, BC V9R 5K4 e: circulations@pointonemedia.com

28 around the world 29 feature focus

Journal of Record for

Simply scan the QRCode with your smartphone to be taken directly to the wallandceiling.ca website.

The Trowel is a registered trademark of the BC Wall & Ceiling Association.

The Trowel is published six times per year expressly for members of the wall and ceiling industry.

32 it’s the law 33 technical update 34 industry news 34 advertiser index

In the next issue: Insulation • Weatherproofing • Exterior Finishing

from the Executive’s Desk

By Leesa Matwick Executive Director, BCWCA

Apprenticeship Programs in Jeopardy It’s time for wall & ceiling stakeholders to pull together to protect funding for our training programs. Government funding for apprenticeship programs in the the wall and ceiling trade is in jeopardy.

The BC government recently released its “BC’s Skills for Jobs Blueprint: Re-engineering Education and Training” report, a comprehensive study that plans to re-engineer the direction and funding of trades training to better meet labour and economic demands. More than $7.5 million is invested by the BC government annually for trades and apprenticeship training. How this money is spent is being redefined. (A copy of the Blueprint is available at the following link: http://www.bcjobsplan.ca/getskills/) Planning for educational programs and government funding for training will be moving to a data-driven system with targeted and measurable outcomes. Government will work closely with both industry and education stakeholders to ensure education and training programs are aligned and driven by the demands of the labour market.

In 2005 and 2006, the BC Wall & Ceiling Association, directed by a dedicated Training Committee, resurrected and redeveloped the Wall & Ceiling Installer and Drywall Finisher courses after at least three years during which training for our trade was unavailable.

A tremendous amount of work went into updating the curriculum and establishing a delivery model that met the needs of apprentices and employers alike—part-time, “earn-while-you-learn” training.

Once deployed, demand for the Wall & Ceiling Installer, modules A, B, C, and D was high with the BCWCA in Surrey, Kelowna, and Victoria offering six courses annually for the first several years.

Classes met capacity, each with 16 apprentices who were being trained by the BCWCA and the backlog of eager apprentices (with the support of their contractor employers) was being fulfilled. The Finishing Trades Institute began offering block-release, full-time apprenticeship courses to further meet the demand. The economy was booming and a skilled workforce, once difficult to find, was emerging. Life was good.

The past few years has seen that demand shift significantly. Gone are our apprentice course wait lists. Demand for our Module C/D class – the last courses before Red Seal certification – has dropped alarmingly with apprentices relocating to trades with more opportunity, more recognition, and greater support for training.

4 » The Trowel

A great deal more responsibility now lies on wall and ceiling contractors (and, really, all wall and ceiling stakeholders) to recruit, sponsor, and support apprentices. Otherwise, current funding for our trade will be reallocated to new job opportunities, such as LNG and mining, and to those trades which currently have waiting lists for their apprenticeship programs. With only so many dollars for training, it will be very difficult to regain any lost funding.

Government funding, enjoyed for the past eight years in our trade as a given, based on projected wish-lists, is now a thing of the past. The buck stops here. The wall and ceiling trade is going to have to work harder and smarter to identify and fill our industry’s apprenticeship training courses. Already over the past two years we have seen a shift in funding that has reduced the number of available seats for training for our trade in the Lower Mainland, and particularly, in our remote training centres in the Southern Interior and on Vancouver Island.

A number of major projects in BC are slated for 2014 / 2015, and skilled labour will be highly sought after. Our trade is no exception.

It’s imperative that we think and act for the future and ensure we have the skilled trades ready to meet the anticipated demand.

So where does that leave us? Each person within this trade needs to think beyond the project at hand. The BC government will be allocating more dollars to funding for trades training than ever before as outlined in the Blueprint; but, how many dollars the wall and ceiling trade receives will be entirely up to us. The carrots are there for the apprentices in the form of grants and tax credits. The economy is picking up, and attractive employer tax credits are available for contractor sponsors. Not to sound cliche, but either we use it or we lose it. It’s up to us.

Take action now.

Identify one person for the wall and ceiling apprenticeship program.

Provide us with their name and contact information or have them connect with us directly at the BCWCA office. We can take it from there. If every person in our trade achieved this challenge, we could safely ensure that existing government funding stays in our trade and the future demand for skilled tradespersons is met.

Ask yourself: Will I be a part of the solution of the future of trades training for the wall and ceiling industry, or the downfall? You decide. n

4010 6A St. NE Calgary, AB 403-265-9005 Alberta • Washington • Idaho • Montana • Oregon • California • Alaska

bcwca at Skills Canada BC

BCWCA Heads to Skills Canada BC T

Photos courtesy of BCWCA

By Leesa Mattwick

he BC Wall and Ceiling Association (BCWCA) proudly represented the wall and ceiling industry at the 2014 SkillsCanada BC Competition at the TradeX in April.

allowing for dedicated training and class results in a shorter time. The options for training make it flexible and accessible for anyone interested in obtaining their Red Seal designation.

More than 50 competitions, 500 competitors, countless volunteers and 5,000-plus spectators gathered at the event to support SkillsBC Canada’s aim—encouraging students to explore areas of interest in the trades and technology fields.

A mock-up of a wall complete with t-bar ceiling and a curved wall assembly provided a perfect backdrop to talk about what a wall and ceiling tradesperson does. An interesting fact?

When students were asked, “What trade do you think builds this type of work in a building project?” only five people were able to identify BCWCA members as wall and ceiling installers. (The majority said carpenters.) As an association, the BCWCA aims to change that perception.

BCWCA’s participation in the event was an opportunity to showcase the wall and ceiling trade to students from all over the province and to provide detailed information about BCWCA’s part-time and full-time Red Seal Wall & Ceiling Installer training programs. With a cross-section of students from grade 6 through to post-secondary attending the event, many stopped by to visit the wall and ceiling trade information booth, which represented a partnership for this event between BCWCA and Finishing Trades Institute (FTI).

At the information booth, members from the BCWCA Training Centre and the FTI displayed a variety of tools used on the jobsite as well as a mock-up to aid in the discussion about scope of work of the wall and ceiling trade. The two training centres offer the same program utilizing two delivery methods. BCWCA has a part-time, “earn-while-you-learn” approach, allowing apprentices to stay on the job four days of the week. The FTI teaches in “block release” format, 6 » The Trowel

There was no question that the wall and ceiling booth stood out from the rest. With its 20’ x 8’ TryATrade area and its curved steel stud tunnel, students and spectators at the competition were instinctively drawn to walk through and observe the four competitors as they completed their projects.

Two fourth level BCWCA apprentices were each paired with a second level apprentice from the FTI to form the Yellow and the White teams. Teams had six hours to read a set of blueprints and build the competition project, while closely monitored and awarded points by contractor member judges.

In the end, with only a spread of 11 points out of a possible 375, the Yellow team won the competition.

bcwca at Skills Canada BC A highlight of the hands-on demonstration area was the participation and help from one of BCWCA’s female Red Seal graduates. With a willingness to work hard, pay attention to detail, and have a strong work ethic, the wall and ceiling trade can be a rewarding career for both men and women.

Drew Smith, BCWCA wall and ceiling instructor and technical chairperson for the Skills BC – Wall & Ceiling Committee, did an excellent job of designing and building the demonstration and competition areas for the event. John Warrington, materials and logistics chairperson from BC Ceiling Systems Ltd., organized and arranged for the supply and delivery of all the needed materials. His enthusiasm from the beginning has been a driving force to seeing BCWCA’s participation in this event. And, of course, a huge thanks to the rest of the team on this committee for their commitment and assistance in putting this all together.

The Hilti team was on hand for the entire day, giving attendees a hands-on opportunity to drill screws into drywall squares, after students “grafitti’d” their names onto the board. Ramset was present, allowing spectators to try concrete guns first hand. Many used these as a photo-ops and wall and ceiling industry volunteers utilized this time to highlight the benefits of getting involved in the trade.

The BCWCA’s participation and success would not have been possible without the generous support from its member sponsors providing both materials and volunteers. The success of the event was due to a great team effort. It is a perfect example of how members of an association can pull together and do something of great value for the good of the industry.

While the immediate gain from this event won’t likely see BCWCA filling its next class of apprentices with SkillsBC attendees, the association did an excellent job at dispelling the myth that wall and ceiling contractors are carpenters and of encouraging booth visitors keep the wall and ceiling trade in mind as they consider career options.

The BCWCA would like to thank its generous sponsors, without whom participation in the 2014 Skills Canada BC competition and show would not have been possible.

BC Ceiling Systems Ltd. Bailey West Inc. Dryco Building Supplies Grabber Construction Products (Canada) Inc. Hilti Pacific West Systems Supply Ltd. Ramset

Where does the BCWCA go from here? Staff and administration look forward to contacting the career counselling departments at Lower Mainland highschools and at various school districts to determine opportunities to go into the schools and / or meet with administrators and provide them with the necessary information to encourage students to consider a career in the wall and ceiling industry.

The association will also be looking internally at member contractors to identify work experience opportunities that may exist for short-term employment for students who have identified this industry as a likely fit for them. n

wallandceiling.ca » June / July 2014 » 7

The Northwest Wall and Ceiling Bureau honoured contractors from across the Pacific Northwest with 2014 Outstanding Project of the Year Awards. The Awards, presented at the NWCB’s annual convention this May, acknowledge the talent, innovation, and ingenuity of wall and ceiling contractors in this region.

Congratulations to each contestant for the hard work and impeccable craftsmanship.

OUTSTANDING PROJECTS OF THE YEAR 1 1. Exterior Commercial (British Columbia) Highstreet Shopping Centre Location: Abbotsford Contractor: Master Stucco Ltd. Architect: Musson Cattell Mackey Partnership Team: Pacific West Systems Supply Ltd., Imasco Minerals, Inc.

crew, which contributed to the overall success of the project.

2. Interior Commercial (British Columbia)

The Highstreet Shopping Centre is one of the largest retail developments in the Lower Mainland spanning over 600,000 square feet of retail space.

Thompson Rivers University Location: Kamloops Contractor: Tru-Wal Interiors Ltd. Architect: Diamond & Schmitt Architects; Stantec Architecture Ltd. Team: BC Ceiling Systems Ltd., Commercial Construction Supply Ltd., Canadian Gypsum Corporation, Bailey Metal Products Ltd., Roxul

The overall volume and the work timing on each building were both challenging factors. Master Stucco had to work closely with Graham Construction, Shape Properties, and other subtrades to make sure schedules were met while quality remained high.

Phase 1 started with adding two floors and a new roof over the existing Main Building. Phase 2 consisted of refinishing 45,000 square feet of the third and fourth floor interiors, which required noise restrictions during class sessions.

The mall had scheduled a multi-phase opening in 2013, thus an additional challenge was working speedily without disrupting the public. The amount of technical details required in each area required an experienced Master Stucco

The winning design incorporated expansive views of Mounts Peter and Paul and the undulating roofline mirrored the Kamloops horizon.

The interior designs included steelsuspended engineered wood ceilings

8 » The Trowel

following the same curves of the roofline – a challenge since the detailed work was 30 to 40 feet above floor level.

The atrium area featured a large bulkhead over a suspended walkway connecting the east and west wings of the fourth floor. Framing, boarding, and finishing was laborious because the serpentine-like structure included recessed areas with hidden light troughs.

Loading limitations, building access points, and weight restrictions on suspended concrete slabs proved to be demanding.

3. Renovation/Restoration (British Columbia) Bell Media Company Radio and Sales Location: Vancouver Contractor: Raicor Contracting Ltd. Architect: Thibodeau Architecture + Design Team: Pacific West Systems Supply Ltd., BC Ceiling Systems Ltd., Bailey Metal Products Ltd., Georgia-Pacific, Roxul

2

Photo: Paul Odermatt

This project was unique because of soundproofing requirements for the radio studios. Multiple layers of drywall, plywood, and backer board were used on steel studs with Roxul insulation to achieve the required soundproofing level. In addition, it was necessary to prevent noise from vibrating throughout the structure. Thick rubber-gasket strips were laid on the floor and partitions built over the strips. After the partitions were braced to the roof, rubber gaskets were installed to isolate the steel framing from the structure. Each studio room was built like a box with no connection to the roof using heavy-gauge, steelstud joists to support the walls and t-bar.

Since the long, steel-stud joists didn’t fit in the elevator, it was a challenge getting materials to the sixth floor.

Eventually, they were hoisted by crane to the roof (70 feet high) from a narrow back alley.

4. Light-Gauge Steel Framing (British Columbia) Uptown Shopping Centre Location: Victoria

3

Architect: Chandler Associates Architecture Contractor: Dryco Systems Inc. Team: Bailey West, Home Lumber, Slegg Lumber, GWG Rentals, Cascade Distributors, Columbia Fire, A-One Safety, Ames Tools, ITW Construction Products, National Concrete Accessories, Parker Johnston Industries Ltd., Winroc, Dofasco Inc., CGC, USG Building Systems, Armstrong World Industries, Georgia-Pacific, Exterior Wood Inc., Timber Products, Dryvit Systems, Inc., Tremco HILTI, Synko, Ramset, Polarfoam, CertainTeed, Owens Corning, Johns Manville

Photo: Pinarchi.com

2014 Light Guage Steel Framing NWCB Award Winner Proud to have worked on the Uptown Shopping Centre

The Uptown Shopping Centre, just north of downtown Victoria, sets itself apart from other projects with its sheer magnitude. This project was completed in two phases over four years and required 50,000 person hours to build the 12 buildings and parkade.

A few factors that made this project challenging were: the designs varied from one building to another; the anchor retail store remained open throughout the project; and, walking the 18-acre site took an entire day.

t: 250.746.6251 • f: Fax: 250.746.7634 office@drycosystems.ca PO Box 9 4775 Trans-Canada Hwy. Cowichan Bay, BC V0R 1N0

www.drycosystems.ca wallandceiling.ca » June / July 2014 » 9

project AWARD WINNERS used to provide a flat surface upon which to work. Large hexagonal boxes were then built into the suspended ceiling to house LED lights and prevent horizontal “bleeding” of the lighting effect.

A ceiling system was installed below featuring acoustical tiles with circular cutouts aligned with the trimmed openings. Finally, translucent lenses were installed in the circular openings.

A firewall was constructed in the middle of the ceiling from the floor to the underside of the deck so that one side or the other could be open to the public. When the firewall finally came down, the two halves were seamlessly tied together.

4

4.

The Centre is now the new home for 60 retail shops. Phase 3 has yet to get underway but it is expected to contain multi-residential and office buildings.

5. Suspended Ceiling (British Columbia) Hard Rock Casino Location: Coquitlam Contractor: Peninsula Wall and Ceiling Ltd. Architect: Chris Dikeakos Architects Inc. Team: Great Canadian Gaming Corp, CGC/ USG, BC Ceiling Systems Ltd., Commercial Drywall Perhaps the most striking features of the iconic casino are the incredible ceilings—the suspended ceiling over the main gaming floor features circular

5

6

Photo: Bob Matheson Architectural Photography

translucent tiles that gradually change colour.

The ceiling is actually three highly complex ceiling constructions in one.

First, a drywall suspension system was

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10 » The Trowel

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6. Interior Commercial (Oregon) DW Fritz – Phase 2 Location: Wilsonville Contractor: MCG Architect: Group Mackenzie Team: GTS Interior Supply, Spears Construction Supply, Clark Dietrich Building Systems, CertainTeed Gypsum, Armstrong World Industries The project included a free-standing office and conference room walls throughout with detailed “eyebrow” soffits. The eyebrows were different widths and depths but all were the same elevation. The office space featured a Level 5 drywall finish throughout and open structure on the entire secondfloor office space. Field cutting

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Crews were challenged by a tight schedule with extremely long leadtimes, completing the build out of the second floor during the day while daily precision manufacturing operations continued below, and framing the freestanding offices with large lights in the walls.

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was required for the wood-slat wall coverings. Floating 16-foot soffits were suspended by stainless aircraft cable and all thread. The assembly included 21 floating-cloud ceilings with six-inch knife edge axiom trim and 9/16-inch grid. The installation included three 60-foot floating ceilings, three 30-foot floating metal-fin ceilings, and highend finishes throughout the space.

7 7. Restoration (Oregon) AGC Center Location: Wilsonville Contractor: Western Partitions, Inc. Architect: Western Architectural Team: Building Specialties Inc., Dryvit Systems, Inc., USG Building Systems, SCAFCO Steel Stud Company The scope of work included removal and replacement of most of the EIFS exterior and replacement of 17 windows.

The first big challenge was that the sealant around the window frames had been installed without backer rod and had three-sided adhesion. WPI was able to cut the backside adhesion without damaging the system or the widow frame.

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Talisman Square, a 40-year-old residential apartment complex, required a complete retrofit of the building’s structural elements and exterior façade without forcing the owner to disrupt current tenants. Dryvit’s Outsulation® Plus gave the design team flexibility to meet the detailing challenges while providing a cost-effective solution that created a brand new exterior and energy efficient façade that helped reduce heating operating costs by 20%.

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project AWARD WINNERS Another challenge was removing the existing EIFS system down to the framing on the bottom three floors.

To work inside the building, WPI had to move furniture away from outside walls while minimally displacing the tenants.

Most of the window headers had rusted through, and the existing sills were inadequate to support the new windows.

DEVCO Engineering provided guidance on repairing the light-gauge steel frame, and SCAFCO designed special 16- and 14-gauge shapes for headers and sills. Overcoming all challenges, the crews installed all 17 windows in four days.

8. Exterior Commercial (Oregon) Port of Morrow SAGE Center Location: Boardman Contractor: Generation Plastering LLC Architect: Terence L. Thornhill, Architect Team: Standard Paint & Flooring, LLC, Parex USA

The team also had to reduce the exterior cleaning maintenance in a windy location and reducing overall energy use while showcasing Oregon’s alternative green energy. The choice was a hydrophobic exterior finish that self cleans, reflects UV rays, and reduces pollution by breaking down smog molecules through photocatalytic reaction.

8

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The entrance to SAGE Center features cylindrical towers so visitors feel like they are walking into a grain silo.

Visitors can also step into the basket of a hot-air balloon and take a virtual tour of fields and the Columbia River or plow virtual fields with a tractor.

The special challenges involved with this project were meeting the state’s new energy codes/building requirements, making metal grain silos look like the real thing, and finishing the exterior with vibrant colours, which are prone to fading in sun-baked climates.

9 9. Renovation (Oregon) Target Galleria Location: Portland Contractor: Performance Contracting, Inc. Architect: MBH Architects

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project AWARD WINNERS Team: GTS Interior Supply, SCAFCO Steel Stud Company, USG Building Systems, HILTI This site is truly unique because the 101-year-old Galleria building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Unique characteristics of this 89,000 square foot project included the donut-design acoustical ceilings and interior cladding systems. Over 50 percent of the existing concrete ceilings remained exposed after the finish and a fresh coat of paint were applied.

Following the finishes, acoustical ceilings and axiom trims were installed in a cloud fashion. PCI installed interior claddings, marking Target’s first store to do so. The red claddings reflect the Target brand from escalator to entryways and columns. Since PCI had not previously used the interior cladding product, it relied heavily on many craftsmen employees and the support and confidence of the general contractor.

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16 » The Trowel

10 10. Suspending Ceiling (Oregon) Salesforce.com – Portland Location: Hillsboro Contractor: Performance Contracting, Inc. Architect: Gensler Team: GTS Interior Supply, Spears Construction Supply, Knez Building Materials, SCAFCO Steel Stud Company, USG Building Systems, HILTI, GeorgiaPacific, Hamilton Drywall Products This 13-year-old, five-story building was a core-and-shell building, providing a frame for building to the owners’ needs without a complete remodel. The fourth and fifth floors plus half of the first were built according to plan with open workspace, cubicles, and cloud ceilings. The multiple acoustical clouds were finished with a pyramid-shaped panel adhered to suspended substrate.

The paint-can ceiling hanging over the coffee bistro adds a unique and bright touch. The structure was built with walkable/crawlable platforms, ductliner insulation, and thousands of paint cans.

The most challenging aspect of this project was schedule management.

Thorough planning of light location, speakers, sprinklers, and paint colour allowed the assembly to mesh perfectly.

There were many learning curves throughout the project, such as cutting and installing pyramid foam pieces seamlessly and installing thousands of paint cans over insulation to plywood.

11 11. Light-Gauge Steel Framing (Oregon) Collaborative Life Sciences Building Location: Portland Contractor: Western Partitions, Inc. Architect: SERA Architects, Inc. Team: Building Specialties Inc., Spears Construction Supply, SCAFCO Steel Stud Company, Georgia-Pacific WPI’s scope of work included the lightgauge, metal-stud framing of the core and shell. This entailed using over twoand-a-half miles of framing to layout and over 28 miles of primarily 6-inch, 43 mil studs and track.

The framing of the CLSB exterior and atrium lecture halls was extremely challenging. The walls are formed by several different angles designed to tie into each other, somewhat like a giant pie. With some key layout points not even within the framed area, the mathematical skills of WPI team were called into play.

General contractor JE Dunn Construction knew projects with the framing complexity of CLSB are rare and selected WPI as part of the team for the well-trained veteran UBC framers they employ.

12. Interior Residential (Washington) Mercer Court Apartments Location: University of Washington, Seattle Contractor: Northwest Partitions, Inc. Architect: Ankrom Moisan Architects Team: Kent Gypsum Supply Inc., SherwinWilliams, HILTI, Fry Reglet Corporation, Armstrong World Industries, CEMCO, Grabber Construction Products, USG

Photo: Chris J. Roberts Photography

12

12.

Building Systems, Plastic Components, Inc., Hamilton Drywall Products, GeorgiaPacific Mercer Court is the newest addition to the student-housing complex at the University of Washington’s Seattle campus. It consists of five, eightstory-high towers sitting on 4.5 acres overlooking Portage Bay and the Seattle skyline.

Photo: Ben Benschneider Photography

13 Team: GTS Interior Supply, The Supply Guy, SCAFCO Steel Stud Company,

13. Light-Gauge Steel Framing (Washington) Seattle Children’s Hospital – Phase One Expansion Location: Seattle Architect: ZGF Architects Contractor: Performance Contracting, Inc.

The Seattle Children’s Hospital Phase One Expansion project was an eight-story addition to the existing building located near the University of Washington. The addition is comprised of structural steel, concrete, and structural metal framing. The exterior facade consists of aesthetically pleasing finishes such as imported custom tile, metal panels, coloured-glass fins, and stucco.

WALLWORKS ACOUSTIC ARCHITECTURAL PRODUCTS Inc. Manufacturer of LEED-Compliant Sound Control Systems

This project’s uniqueness lies in its structure and magnitude. The lower half of each building was constructed of interior and exterior metal-stud walls framed within a three-story concrete podium. The podium supported an additional five floors of wood-framed structure, which had to take into account shrinkage, axial loading, wood-shear walls, and warped or crowned studs.

The magnitude of this project posed unique challenges in material stocking, job-site logistics, manpower sequencing, and trade stacking. To maintain the schedule, Northwest Partitions had about 12 to 15 business days to complete each floor. Just-intime deliveries allowed different trades to work in adjacent areas. During peak times, over 100 employees were on the jobsite, requiring extraordinary time management and dedication.

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project AWARD WINNERS The primary work performed by PCI included public areas and patient room build-outs on levels six through eight, and remodification of the existing hospital space. Some unique features of the expansion were the continuous serpentine soffits in the patient rooms, mirrored serpentine-axiom trim outside the patient rooms and elliptical GFRG, GFRC, and columns. Patient room porch-front framing supported by slab inserts, suspended-threaded rod, and custom off-angle bent plates created diversity.

some storage issues with the mountains of materials needed and with multiple trades working in close proximity to each other. WPI’s just-in-time delivery process brought relief.

WPI built over four miles of walls and hung over 875,000 square feet of sheet goods on this project, much of which can’t be noticed within the stadium setting.

dimensional issues that had to be overcome to achieve the architectural design. WPI’s employees persevered through numerous obstacles to produce one of the most elegant middle schools in the nation.

Photo: Cleary O’Farrell Photography

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Photo: Royal Robinson

16. Restoration (Washington)

15 15. Interior Commercial (Washington)

14 14. Exterior Commercial (Washington) Husky Stadium Renovation Location: University of Washington, Seattle Contractor: Western Partitions, Inc. Architect: 360 Architecture Team: Drywall Distributors Inc., Evergreen Building Products, LLC, Spears Construction Supply, SCAFCO Steel Stud Company, Georgia-Pacific, Sto Corp., HILTI, Armstrong World Industries, BlazeFrame Industries, USG Building Systems, CertainTeed Gypsum, CEMCO WPI’s scope of work on this project included the light-gauge, metal-stud framing, drywall, moisture and air barriers, acoustical ceilings, and directapplied and full EIFS systems.

The project was initiated with the demolition of about 90 percent of the existing stadium and its replacement with a newly constructed facility that is code-compliant and user friendly. It had to be completed within a 14-month timeframe in order to be available for the 2013 NCAA football season. The location and restricted space created 18 » The Trowel

Valley View Middle School Location: Snohomish Contractor: Western Partitions, Inc. Architect: Dykeman Team: Building Specialties Inc., Drywall Distributors Inc., The Supply Guy, Spears Construction Supply, CEMCO, SCAFCO Steel Stud Company, Georgia-Pacific, USG Building Systems, BlazeFrame Industries WPI’s scope of work included lightgauge, metal framing for all interior and exterior applications, exterior sheathing, fire stopping, acoustical wall construction, gypsum board, and gypsum-board, shaft-wall assemblies.

Difficult issues faced by WPI included a large, spread-out campus, high atriums, hard-to-access work areas, a unique angular design, Level 5 finishes with significant critical light issues, many design changes (about five a day), 1550 RFIs, 600 CCDs, and 136 ASIs. The project was completed within 18 months with no extensions of time and while meeting moving targets for acceptable applications.

In addition, the stairs in the student commons area had many design and

Madison Elementary School Location: Olympia Contractor: Miller & Sons, Inc. Architect: BCRA Team: BASF Wall Systems, Commencement Bay Construction Products, The Supply Guy, AMICO, Owens Corning, VaproShield Miller & Sons was faced with a challenging project in restoring Madison Elementary School in Olympia, WA. The school was housed in a poorly designed building that had water infiltration at the roof where there were no flashings or soffit overhangs.

This allowed wind-driven rain to run down the wall, penetrating and destroying caulk joints.

The Miller team, working with a bold design from BRCA, put together a stucco job that is not only aesthetically pleasing but also functional with a fluid-applied, weather-resistive barrier, continuous rigid insulation, and a mechanical drainage plane. The stucco work has the lath attached securely to the framing with Zink trims, expansion joints, and corner beads.

Photo: Dan Crates

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17. Exterior Renovation (Washington) Natural Resource Building Location: Olympia Contractor: Western Partitions, Inc. Architect: S.M. Stemper Architects Team: Building Specialties Inc., Dryvit Systems, Inc. This project was unique in that the seven-story Natural Resource Building was to have the exterior skin (EIFS), exterior sheathing, and windows replaced while the occupants carried on with their daily operations. For construction, a temporary wall was installed four feet away from the exterior walls.

Added challenges were the wet and windy weather, delivery/stocking of materials with little lay-down area, and the height of scaffolding. Coordinating with other trades was critical because all existing windows stayed in place until new exterior sheathing was installed. After windows were removed, a liquid weather barrier was applied to the openings, and sill pan and windows were reinstalled as soon as it dried. Once new sheathing was up, backstop products, head and throughwall flashing, and weather barriers were immediately installed.

Photo: Aaron Hatch

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Originally, this private home was built in the early 1990s with traditional EIFS on the exterior. The scope of work was removing the existing EIFS and replacing it with a hydrophobic system.

The crew first applied a complete air and weather barrier around the residence. They then installed the EPS with polyurethane foam adhesive, which was applied with vertical beads of adhesive to create drainage. Finally, heavy duty mesh was applied for a highimpact result. Three custom colours were used for the finish coat.

plaster details featuring 7,600 square feet of coffered ceiling on a grid layout with dentils and repeating circles with Italian influence.

19. Historical Restoration (Washington)

Pre-planning and constructing all plaster details proved the most challenging and rewarding aspect of the project. The plaster casts had to set for a minimum of 30 days in a temperaturecontrolled environment. To meet the demanding schedule, all molds and casts were manufactured on site in the main waiting room floor area instead of in an off-site warehouse.

King Street Station Rehabilitation – Phase 2B Location: Seattle Contractor: Performance Contracting, Inc. Architect: ZGF Architects LLP Team: Salmon Bay Sand & Gravel, Drywall Distributors Inc., USG Building Systems, CEMCO, Georgia-Pacific Originally built between 1904 and 1906, King Street Station served as Seattle’s primary train station until Union Station was constructed in 1911.

The main waiting room had intricate

The original 30-foot-tall coffered ceiling needed extensive repair and rehabilitation to restore its original condition. The walls also called for a full plaster remodel because structural steel columns and plates had been installed during a seismic upgrade.

The remodel followed federal historic preservation guidelines.

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18. Exterior Residential (Washington)

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Private Residence - Medina Location: Medina Contractor: Phampena Inc. Architect: Olson Kundig Architects Team: Evergreen Building Products, LLC, Sto Corp.

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wallandceiling.ca » June / July 2014 » 19

As proud members of the BCWCA and as leaders in our industry, we would like to congratulate all of the nominees for NWCB Project of the Year Awards. We wish our associates all the best and future success.

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www.comren.ca 20 » The Trowel

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE WINNERS!

project AWARD WINNERS

20 20. Suspended Ceiling (Washington) Odegaard Undergraduate Library Location: University of Washington, Seattle Contractor: Performance Contracting, Inc. Architect: Miller Hull Partnership, LLP Team: GTS Interior Supply, Mortenson Construction, 9Wood, Armstrong World Industries The focal point of this three-story building was the wood ceiling over the atrium. First, a large skylight was installed to flood the building with natural lighting. Then a grille ceiling was installed as one plane over the entire ceiling space. It was vital to the project team that the wood-grille ceiling allowed ample light to pass through and that it was visually appealing.

To make this project possible, the team had to remove and relocate the main staircase to the perimeter of the concourse area. Due to the enormous size of the skylight, relocating the seismic pods to outside the skylight area was a challenge. Aligning all suspension tees with the mullions above to create a simplistic appearance was anything but simple. Suspension “web covers” and stainless-steel wires gave the ceiling grid a fluid and minimalistic appeal. n

Get Your Own Copy of The Trowel magazine Subscribe online today at www.wallandceiling.ca

interior FINISHING

GFRG

Meets Emerging Challenges Story and photos courtesy of John Chettleburgh President and CEO, Formglas Products Ltd.

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onstruction today places an unprecedented emphasis on building materials that support the achievement of ambitious green construction standards such as LEED 4.0, deliver superior product durability and design aesthetics, and reduce the time and cost of construction. Simultaneously, the boundaries of design have been extended by use of advanced 3D modelling software that allow for the creation of complex designs that commonly break from traditional architecture.

Two challenges emerge from this confluence of trends—there often lacks materials sufficiently adaptable and cost effective to achieve the design vision, and installing contractors face greater risk when executing projects far more complex than the traditional projects they may be accustomed to. Enter glass fiber reinforced gypsum (GFRG), a material that was introduced to North America from the UK in the late 1970s, that continues to provide a flexible and proven means to simplify execution of a wide range projects around the globe.

Historical GFRG GFRG is a composite of high-density alpha gypsum cement reinforced with glass fibers and factory-molded into virtually any shape or size. GFRG is commonly specified as a means wallandceiling.ca » June / July 2014 » 21

interior FINISHING

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• Roofing Products • Doors & Windows • Floor Coverings • Kitchen Design & Cabinetry • Structural Floor Joists

• Prefab Wall Panels • Suspended Ceiling Systems • Hardie Fiber Cement Products • Paints & Stains

“GFRG is commonly specified as a means of simplifying and accelerating the construction of interior spaces, particularly where a design requires precision geometry and installation.” of simplifying and accelerating the construction of interior spaces, and particularly where a design requires precision geometry and installation. Historically turned to as the “new” alternative to traditional plaster, which is heavy and less durable, use of GFRG accelerated as the pool of skilled traditional plaster trades declined, and the time and cost benefit of factory molded components became quantifiable.

13 Locations Serving Vancouver Island: Sidney 2030 Malaview Ave. W. 250-656-1125

Tofino 661 Industrial Wy. 250-725-2538

Saanichton 2048 Keating X Rd. 250-652-1130

Comox 554 Anderton Rd. 250-339-2207

Salt Spring Island 804 Fulford Ganges Rd. 250-537-4978

Cumberland 3217 Small Rd. 250-336-8710

Langford 2901 Sooke Rd. 250-478-5509

Contractor Locations Victoria West 1496 Admirals Rd. 250-388-5443

Nanaimo 4950 Jordan Ave. 250-758-8329 Lantzville 7187 Lantzville Rd. 250-390-1207

Victoria East 3934 Quadra St. 250-920-2001

Duncan 2853 Roberts Rd. 250-715-3730 Wall Panels & Trusses 1785 Mills Rd. Sidney BC 250-656-9255

WWW.SLEGGLUMBER.CA 22 » The Trowel

Fast forward to the past two decades where architects and designers have become better-versed in the technical properties of GFRG, and leading producers of the material adopted 3D software and 5-axis CNC machines in their manufacturing processes to create precision patterns and molds. GFRG has become a favoured solution for an extensive array of interior applications—traditional architectural details such as cornice moldings and columns, contemporary ceilings and walls featuring intricate details or compound curves, and acoustical applications where precision cast perforations support achievement of NRC values. GFRG is also used to create the form on which field-applied acoustical material is applied.

Installation Advantage Contractors experienced in the installation of GFRG well appreciate the advantages of this material over the common practice of building shapes by framing and drywall, or with traditional site plastering. Aside from the enhanced physical properties of GFRG, such as hardness and flexural strength, the shape of GFRG castings imparts much of its strength, meaning large components can be lightweight and easy to handle. As a result, the complexity and amount of supportive

interior FINISHING

“The complexity and amount of supportive framing required to install GFRG is far less than field-built architectural shapes.” framing required to install GFRG is far less than field-built architectural shapes. This is apparent for shapes that would otherwise require a high labour component to frame, drywall, bead, tape, and skim in the field, all of which translates to a favourable impact on the time and cost of installation.

other materials such as wood and stone. The result is that GFRG will continue to be used in a wide array of applications – simple and complex, small and large, practical or whimsical – and along the way, being a practical means for reducing cost and complexity for project owners and the contractors charged with delivering projects. n John Chettleburgh is president and CEO of Formglas Products Ltd., the globallyrecognized leading producer of moulded architectural products for interiors and exteriors. Formglas introduced GFRG technology to the continent in 1978. Learn more about GFRG and other molded architectural materials at www.formglas.com

Use of GFRG provides numerous advantages for site finishing.

Advanced manufacturers of GFRG material utilize 5-axis CNC machines to fabricate master patterns with exacting detail and smooth, uniform surfaces. GFRG components arrive to the job site paint-ready. Reveals specified by the architect or designer may be cast-in at the factory, and through co-ordination between the job site and manufacturer, components can be made with factory-made openings for lighting, sprinklers, or electrical boxes. GFRG components installed in the ceiling are often wire suspended, while wall mounted components are face-fastened to studs. Most of the time, joints are treated by tape and compound (most GFRG components provide a tape joint recess to simplify finishing).

Taken together, installing GFRG is faster than traditional construction of architectural features by traditional methods.

GFRG’s Future Use of GFRG will continue to grow as a leading and preferred material for interior construction. Aside from its green, construction-friendly attributes and non-combustible properties, GFRG has been proven around the world to be durable and cost effective to buy and install. Driven by the emphasis on aesthetics, cost reduction, and flexibility, experienced GFRG producers with enhanced technical capabilities have evolved the material to reproduce intricate patterns and textures, and to create finishes that simulate wallandceiling.ca » June / July 2014 » 23

building RENOVATIONS

Rise of the Renovation

Photos courtesy of NovaCrown

By Jessica Kirby

Despite Canada’s economical ups and downs, home and commercial renovations have remained relatively steady over the past ten years, and according to analysts are on a steady rise for 2015 and 2016.

According to TD Economics, single family and multi-unit residential housing spending has increased an average seven percent annually over the last decade. Although spending is expected to plateau for 2014, 2015 and 2016 will see a gradual increase.

Industry Trends by Scotia Bank says although renovations may be in order, the majority tend to take place within the first year of new home or building ownership and then taper off.

Tailing a constrained market, the amount spent on individual projects is expected to remain tight, placing emphasis on on finding budget-friendly solutions.

NovaCrown is a manufacturer of polystyrene moulding components that can help create an upscale, eye-catching space for a fraction of the time and cost of traditional building methods.

For instance, the company completed an 800-square-foot office space renovation at MDA Corporation’s Richmond office that provided a beautiful, sophisticated coffered ceiling and coffer accent in an upscale boardroom.

24 » The Trowel

building RENOVATIONS MDA was pleased with the overall look of the crown moulding and traditional coffered ceiling, but wanted to try something more cost effective and timesavvy than a boxed and drywalled coffer on an adjacent kitchen area.

Stunning Ceilings MDA is a world leading information and space systems and services company. Among its many world class products are the Space Shuttle and space station robotic arms and the Radarsat satellites. Given its clientele and the scope of its work, MDA management was looking for a boardroom that would impress.

The work was required in three distinct areas of the building.

The client requested an authentic coffered ceiling in its main 600-square-foot board room, which would be accented in the recess by NovaCrown’s crown moulding product. An adjacent 300-square foot kitchen area and additional 250-squarefoot board room would receive complete ceiling overhauls using NovaCrown’s Coffered Ceiling Tile suspended ceiling system.

On the main ceiling, 5x5-foot coffers received crown molding detail at the recess, adding shape and style to the application. The lightweight, easy to install components are created in attractive, economical profiles out of polystyrene and wrapped in drywall paper. The ease of installation and finishing made MDA management take notice. The company was pleased with the overall look of the crown moulding and the installation of the traditional coffered ceiling, but wanted to try something more cost effective and time-savvy than a boxed and drywalled coffer on an adjacent kitchen area.

The company selected NovaCrown’s Coffered Ceiling Tile, which is essentially a suspended ceiling tile system shaped to look like coffered ceiling panels. The 2 x 2 and 2 x 4 foot tiles are dropped into any standard grid, transforming this particular room in less than four hours.

“If you were to do the regular ceiling work of building coffer boxes and then putting the crown in, on the big coffer ceiling it would have taken approximately eight days and cost around $6,000 or $7,000,” says Dale Forsberg, sales manager with NovaCrown. “With our ceiling system it took four hours and costed under $1,000 to do the adjacent room.”

“A board room has to look nice,” he says. “It’s the big selling point with major distributors. People say they don’t believe it’s a tile—it looks that good.”

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wallandceiling.ca » June / July 2014 » 25

building RENOVATIONS

CEILING TILE & GRID

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WE DELIVER! 3955 QUADRA STREET PH: 250-479-7151 EXT. 201 WWW.LUMBERWORLD.NET Whether you call it drywall, gypsum wallboard or plasterboard, it’s all 100% recyclable to us.

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The objective was creating the nicest board room they could, and the designer selected the elegance of a big coffer, he says.

“But then they they saw what our product could do for a fraction of the price.”

Like any suspended ceiling tile, the Coffered Ceiling Tile is diverse and a snap to install. Its gyprock backer means light fixtures can be secured without additional support, and the additional weight is minimal at 3.5 lb per board. In fact, the added weight helps the tiles sit properly, says Forsberg.

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ffecting Wher ely A eW itiv eL s o P iv

“You see these gaps all the time in some drop ceilings made of light composite ... In ours, you can’t tell there’s a grid because they have the weight to sit in that track perfectly.”

“You see these gaps all the time in some drop ceilings made of light composite,” he says. “In ours, you can’t tell there’s a grid because they have the weight to sit in that track perfectly.”

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Tiles are generally 2x2 or 2x4 in size, but NovaCrown can custom manufacturer any size for specialty applications and to size at the edge of irregularly shaped ceilings.

Gypsum is a true closed-loop product, designed for your safety and to be infinitely recycled in to new drywall.

“We have a 72-hour turnaround time for specialty orders because they are manufactured locally,” he says. “They are fire-rated and arrive bubble wrapped and ready to go.”

604-534-9925 • www.nwgypsum.com

For more information about NovaCrown, please visit www. novacrown.ca.

For more renovation case studies, please visit www. wallandceiling.ca n

26 » The Trowel

building SCIENCE

Photo: J. Bauer/KIT

German lightweight, high-stability construction materials use microarchitecture The Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) in Karlsruhe, Germany has developed lightweight construction materials modelled on nature. The high-stability, low-density ceramic microstructures are produced by researchers using three-dimensional laser writing.

beams, however, are only 10 µm in size.” In total, the lightweight construction elements are about 50 µm long, wide, and high.

The framework construction made of a ceramic-polymer composite is highly stable, although the individual elements have a thickness of only a few hundred nanometers.

Examples are wood and bones. At the same density, however, the novel material produced in the laboratory can carry a much higher load. A very high stability was reached by a shell structure similar to the structure of honeycombs.

It failed at a pressure of 28 kg/mm2 only and had a density of 810 kg/m3.

This exceeds the stability / density ratio of bones, massive steel, or aluminum.

The shell structure produced resembles

Although their density is below that of water, their stability relative to their weight exceeds that of massive materials, such as high-performance steel or aluminum. The lightweight construction materials are inspired by the framework structure of bones and the shell structure of the bees’ honeycombs. The results of the work have are now presented in the journal, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS).

“The novel lightweight construction materials resemble the framework structure of a half-timbered house with horizontal, vertical, and diagonal struts,” says Jens Bauer, KIT. “Our

“Nature also uses open-pore, nonmassive structures for carrying loads,” said Oliver Kraft, KIT.

a honeycomb with slightly curved walls to prevent buckling.

To produce the construction materials, 3D laser lithography was applied. Laser beams harden the desired microstructure in a photoresist. Then, this structure is coated with a ceramic material by gas deposition. The structures produced were subjected to compression via a die to test their stability.

Microstructured materials are often used for insulation or as shock absorbers. Open-pore materials may be applied as filters in chemical industry.

For more information please visit www. kit.edu. n

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wallandceiling.ca » June / July 2014 » 27

around the WORLD

Project : School Gymnasium, Neuves Maisons, France Address : Rue des Fourrieres 54230 Neuves Maisons, France Designers : Giovanni PACE architect + ABC-STUDIO architects Highlights : Raw concrete exterior and warm natural wood interior walls and ceilings

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school gymnasium in Neuves Maisons, France is nothing short of a work of art. The scope of the build included a multi-sport activity area, change rooms, and storage. The building is located between a railroad to the north and an industrial zone to the south, requiring a detailed conceptual plan for integrating it into its environment, while retaining aesthetic excellence. The building site is also situated on a floodplain with embankments, again calling for careful design and consideration of contextual appropriateness, as another key objective was neighbourhood rejuvenation and creating a welcoming, active space for children.

A key feature of the building’s structure and aesthetics is its exemplary use of concrete as an exterior cladding and finish— its monolithic presentation is at the same time graceful, using angular composition and a generous complement of wood to soften the profile.

According to designers Giovanni PACE architect + ABCSTUDIO architects, “like a jewel box, the project unfolds inside.”

The angular exterior creates visual interest, paired with immaculate landscaping in a modern, streamlined 28 » The Trowel

arrangement. The building’s angle represents a cantilever of 18 x 13 meters. Raw concrete facades are printed with natural wood during coffering, and demonstrate sustainability in a heterogeneous context; the self-compacting concrete is wood textured, meaning a wood tannin changes the colour of the concrete. Inside the concrete box, walls and ceiling constructed of natural wood for a warm and acoustically sensitive ambience. Natural light from the roof is soft and diffused for the end-users’ comfort and to support optimal athletic performance.

The interior ceiling is natural meleze wood with an acoustic textile, and a concrete is used on the change room floors, while a composite sport-ready material is used in the multipurpose sport area.

The 1,565-square-meter space reached completion last summer.

For more information please visit Giovanni PACE architect at www.giovannipace.fr or ABC-STUDIO architects at www.abc-studio.net. n

feature FOCUS Kraft Tool’s Revolutionary Elite Series Five Star Trowels™ Set the Bar

Every metal tool must be made with a small amount of another metal to create an alloy and add specific qualities to the material.

Metal alloys require even and consistent tempering to add strength and reduce brittleness. Metals take on different colours based on the heat and exposure time during tempering. Different metal alloys require different types of tempering, based on their material structure and end use.

Since 1981, Kraft Tool Co.® has manufactured quality professional tools for cement, masonry, asphalt, floorcovering, plaster, and drywall. We are proud of the workmanship that goes into each of our tools made in Shawnee, Kansas, USA. Our revolutionary line of Elite Series Five Star Trowels™ is specially designed and engineered for the professional finisher. State-of-the-art machinery precisely finish grinds the working surface of each trowel. This innovative procedure enables these trowels to possess a truly “broken-in” blade ready for immediate use. A large variety of sizes are available in carbon steel, blue steel, Swedish stainless steel, and golden stainless steel. Every Elite Series Five Star Trowel™ comes with a convenient trowel holder to protect and store the tool.

From the blade to the handle, the Elite Series Five Star Trowel™ is considered the best in the business. The blade, mounting and handle are precisionbalanced for consistency and comfort.

Compression-fit stainless steel rivets produce an exceptionally strong bond between the blade and the lightweight aluminum mounting.

Choosing Trowel Metals

Three styles of guaranteed no-turn handles complete these showpiece tools. The patented Soft Grip ProForm® handles reduce muscle fatigue. Leather handles wick away sweat from hands for a comfortable grip, and are the only leather handle finishing trowels offered on the market. The patented laminated hardwood handles come in a variety of unique vibrant patterns and help absorb moisture.

Kraft Tool’s Elite Series Five Star Trowels™ are sure to give you the most comfortable, confident, and professional finish for concrete or plaster. Try them once, and you will have found your trowel for life. Kraft Tool Co.® manufactures over 500 different types and sizes of trowels.

Go to www.KraftTool.com for more product information and to request a catalogue. n

Stainless Steel, for instance, is tempered evenly to normalize metal structure and create uniform hardness. It is slightly heavier and less flexible than carbon steel and may be slightly more prone to rust than some metals, but holds the sharpness of an edge well.

Carbon Steel is lightweight, strong, and flexible, and is typically used in concrete and plaster. Blue Steel’s hardness and spring make it suitable for following the radius of a curve.

Golden Stainless Steel is suitable with thinner blades and finer edge, and is highly rust resistant. It is used in concrete, but is mainly preferred by plasterers.

Swedish Stainless Steel has a bright, shiny appearance, is rust resistant, holds its edge very well, and is used in concrete and plaster.

wallandceiling.ca » June / July 2014 » 29

feature FOCUS Serpent Wrench Makes History In 2005/2006 Construx Ltd. decided to make an impact in the building industry that would reduce injury, save time, and result in a better ceiling installation.

At the time, the company discovered that twisting 12 gauge wire for hanging suspended ceilings was harder than expected for first timers or labourers without experience, because twisting the wire by hand led to blisters and cuts.

Wayne Christian, project supervisor for Construx Ltd., saw the need to reduce injuries, make installation easier, and increase production, specifically when dealing with twisting hanging wire.

He started to work on something that could deal with all the issues he was facing and came up with an answer: a wrench that could lock on and twist the 12 gauge wire used to hang suspended grid systems.

The Wrench in Time

In July, 2006 the first prototype was made from a modified 1/2” monkey wrench. Numerous variations of the wrench were made to determine the best design, size, strength, and ease of use, until a tool with optimal performance and comfort was selected.

In July, 2007 the wrench’s design was finalized and sent to the patent lawyer.

In October that year, the product was filed for a US patent, and underwent site testing throughout the patent process. Acceptance from the US patent office became official in August, 2009.

Wayne Christian is listed as Inventor of industry specific tool now known as a Serpent Wrench™. n

• A wrench is a hand-operated tool made for tightening or loosening bolts, nuts. or anything that needs to turn.

• Wrench is the American name for the tool; the English call it a spanner.

• Wrenches work as levers, pulled at a right angle to the axes of the lever-action and the bolt, nut, or other object.

• Solymon Merrick patented the first wrench in 1835.

• Charles Moncky invented the monkey wrench around 1858 and Robert Owen, Jr received a patent for a rachet wrench in on 1913. The first rachet wrenches were keys used to wind clocks as far back as the Middle Ages.

• Jack Johnson, the first Black heavyweight boxing champion, patented a wrench in 1922. He invented it while serving time in Leavenworth Federal Prison for violating the Mann Act by crossing state lines with his future wifeLucille Cameron, who was white.

• In 1870, Daniel C. Stillson, a steamboat fireman, patented the modern day pipe wrench for which he received about $80,000 in royalties during his lifetime.

• The Spud Wrench, invented in the 1900s, evolved from a tool used to dig potatoes.

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30 » The Trowel

Acousti-Plus Inc. Alberta Drywall & Stucco Bernardi Building Supplies Builders Supplies Ltd. Chaleur Building Supplies Coastal Drywall Supplies Commercial Construction Supply Commercial Drywall Supplies CSR Building Supplies D.L. Building Materials Dryco Economy Drywall Supplies Future Acoustic Supply Guelph Building Supply Letourneau Materiaux de Contruction BMR Master Building Materials Millwork Home Centre Morin Bros. Building Supply Ontario Acoustic Supply Pro Con Building Supplies Shoemaker Drywall Supplies Wallboard Trim and Tool Inc.

feature FOCUS Canada and America in History Four Canadians have been commemorated on American postage stamps: John McLoughlin, Jason Lee, Henry TP Comstock, and Louis Jolliet.

—•— American escape artist Harry Houdini was killed by a student named Jocelyn Gordon Whitehead from British Columbia, Canada.

—•— Art “Foxy” Irwin is credited by some as inventing the baseball glove. Irwin was born in Toronto, Canada in 1858, but took up his baseball pursuits in Boston, Massachusetts, where he was raised.

—•— Thomas (Doc) Kelley, a travelling performer from Newfoundland, invented the pie in the face gag that was a central tenent in America’s silent film industry. Kelley thought of the joke after witnessing a hotel stable boy being chased by an irate cook, who eventually hit the boy with a piece of pie while on-lookers laughed.

—•— Gerry Geran from Holyoke, Massachusetts, was the first American to join the NHL. He was a forward with the Montreal Wanderers during the 1917-1918 season.

Flannery Trim’s Canadian Roots Flannery Trim calls San Fernando, California home, but its strong Canadian roots make it a company that loves to do business north of the border. Flannery Trim’s owner, Barry “Bud” Rutherford hails from Carman, Manitoba and was raised in the province’s capital city, Winnipeg. Before he headed south to open Flannery Trim, Rutherford completed a four-year lathing apprenticeship on Canadian soil. Once he completed his training, employment opportunities were slim and he wanted year-round work, so he headed south to build his future.

Although Rutherford settled in California, he and his family stayed connected with Canada and visited every year for 45 years. He attributes his roots for the company’s commitment to the ethics of hard work, which he learned in Canada. He loves that he can count on integrity and fair play when it comes to the company’s cross-border relationships: “It has always been a pleasure to speak to a fellow Canadian about the industry or business,” he says.

Barry “Bud” Rutherford. Photo: Flannery Trim.

Canadian sellers are the aluminum drywall reveals including the company’s drywall shadow mold with built-in splices. “We have seen a huge increase in sales of that trim, in particular,” says Rutherford who continues to invent and promote new products for the walls and ceiling industry.

For more information please visit Flannery Trim online at www. flannerytrim.com.n

Flannery Trim manufactures aluminum trim for drywall, plaster, fiber cement panels, and millwork panels. Its biggest

Manufacturer of Specialty Drywall and Plaster Trim

TEL (800) 765-7585 FAX (818) 837-1155 EMAIL: info@flannerytrim.com 300 Parkside Drive San Fernando, California 91340 www.flannerytrim.com

Drywall Reveal

wallandceiling.ca » June / July 2014 » 31

it’s the law To Avoid Disputes: Have A Written Contract A recent BC Supreme Court decision highlights the importance of having a contract in writing. Failure to do so can lead to a protracted and costly legal battle.

oral agreement between the homeowners and the general contractor?

2. Was the builders’ lien registered by Smith filed in time?

Facts In CJ Smith Contracting Ltd. v KazemPour, 2014 BCSC 689. CJ Smith Contracting Ltd (“Smith”), had been conducting home renovations for 28 years. The company was hired to carry out home renovations for a couple who had recently immigrated to Canada, Mr. Iraj Kazem-Pour and Ms. Hengameh Rah-Navard.

Court Decision The BC Supreme Court held that where the homeowners’ evidence differed from the evidence of Smith and his witnesses, she generally favored the evidence of Smith. While the evidence of Smith was found unreliable with regard to the chronology of a specific instance, both homeowners were said to be generally defensive and argumentative on cross-examination.

Smith contended that the parties agreed to a “cost plus” contract with respect to specified materials, their installation, and a fixed hourly rate for labour costs. All materials and services not otherwise specified in the agreement would be subject to a “costs plus 20%” contract. The homeowners, on the other hand, asserted that the agreement was a fixed-price contract with a limit of $180,000.

Unfortunately for the parties, their agreement was not in writing. The total costs of the renovation invoiced

by Smith exceeded $283,000. The homeowners paid $185,000 of those costs and Smith sued for the balance owing.

Issues 1.

What were the terms of the

The Court also relied on a “common book of documents” which contained all of the invoices produced by Smith as well as copies of the cheques written by the homeowners. For the purposes of the litigation, the parties formed a Document Agreement stipulating that, if there was no cross-examination, the document would be admissible as accurate and true.

Relying on these documents, credibility evidence, and evidence arising from cross-examination, the Court accepted the version of Smith stating that, with the exception of a fixed price for labour, the agreement was a “costs plus” contract. Additionally, any items described as “extra work or materials” were determined on a “costs plus 20%” basis. It was also held that the lien was

by / Ian Moes and Anne Cochrane Kuhn & Company

filed in accordance with the time limit under the Builders Lien Act, SBC 1997 c.45.

Lessons Learned 1. It is a truth widely known but often forgotten that home renovation work should be confirmed in a written contract with the terms specified.

2. Supporting documents, particularly invoices relating to renovation work, should be retained.

3. Where a dispute arises over the terms of an oral agreement, the credibility and reliability of witnesses is central to determining the nature and content of the contract.

4.

A witness who is defensive and argumentative in cross-examination may cause the reliability of his or her evidence to be called into question.

5. W

hen contemplating the registration of a builders’ lien it is important to be cognizant of the time limits under the Builders Lien Act. n This article was written by Ian C. Moes, a lawyer, and Anne Cochrane, a law student, who practice in construction law with the law firm of Kuhn LLP. This article is only intended as a guide and cannot cover every situation. It is important to get legal advice

Magnesium oxide wallboard, a superior alternative to all types of gypsum and fibre-cement products. Get on board with MagO. Call us today at 604-290-1961. Visit us online at www.magobp.com.

32 » The Trowel

for specific situations. If you have any questions or comments about this case or other construction law matters, please contact us at 604.864.8877.

technical update Waterproofing Tile and Stone Wall Surfaces Since ceramic tile and stone are often installed in wet areas, these installations require long-term control of moisture.

The majority of waterproofing problems involve only one per cent of the project’s installation area. This means successfully installing 99 per cent of the job can still result in a failure that damages the entire tiled area.

Leaks most often occur at drains, penetrations, seams, and transitions between materials as a result of poor design detailing and/or careless installation. History has also shown moisture accumulation in wall cavities occurs more often from water vapour migration and buildup of condensation.

It is important to pay close attention when detailing and specifying these project aspects. It is much more cost effective to prevent vapour migration and condensation buildup than to attempt to correct these issues afterwards.

A conventional tile or stone installation may appear moisture-proof, but this is not always the case. Waterproof integrity needs to be ensured by addressing moisture entrapment, freeze-thaw stability, thermal and moisture expansion and contraction, and effects of constant wetting and drying of intermittent moisture control systems.

works equally well for interior or exterior installations. For exterior assemblies to be successful, all materials must be frost-resistant, and installations should be conducted at a minimum temperature of 12 C (54 F).

Compatibility of installation system components should be confirmed and manufacturer-recommended cure times must be followed.

As each facade is unique, we suggest contacting the Terrazzo Tile & Marble Association of Canada (TTMAC) and reviewing the Specification Guide 09 30 00 for further assistance. This guide is used by specifiers and installers, and is updated regularly by tile industry experts.

A few of the most common installations encountering water, and moisture management challenges, are reviewed below.

Intermittent moisture control is required in areas such as exterior façades, showers, and tub surrounds.

Exterior Façades Substrates can vary from concrete masonry unit (CMU) to cement backer board. For some applications, such as tile or stone installed over cement backer board, the same detail

Showers and Tub Surrounds More than 14 details in the TTMAC Specification Guide 09 30 00 are

By William Sturrock Terrazzo, Tile, and Marble Association of Canada

dedicated to showers, tub surrounds, and drains. Ensuring waterproof integrity is of primary concern for these locations. The treatment of drains and contact points (e.g. tubs, walls, and floors) is of extreme importance to the overall success of the installation.

As moisture accumulation in wall cavities occurs more often from water vapour migration (and subsequent condensation), than water penetration from the shower, it is essential the installation system permits drying of this cavity and the material in this wall cavity be moisture-resistant.

Requirements for success for showers and tub surrounds are similar to those for exterior façades, except for the frost and temperature stipulations. Proper connection of the waterproofing system to the drain is critical, so the drain must be compatible with the waterproofing method used.

Continual moisture control is needed in spaces like steam rooms. Steam rooms are the ultimate challenge for moisture control as they are hot, humid environments surrounded by colder walls. The use of a vapour retarder is incorporated to control vapour transmission to the wall cavity. In most cases, the waterproof membrane and continued on page 34 wallandceiling.ca » June / July 2014 » 33

technical update continued from page 33

vapour barriers are not in the same location in the section design; however,

the industry is developing new waterproof materials that are vapour barriers. All materials employed, including tile, grout, and movement joints, should be suitable for a steam room’s typical operating temperatures of 43 to 46 degrees C (110 to 115 degrees F). A sufficient bond coat to ensure a minimum of 95 per cent contact on wet areas should be employed, as well as adequate drainage.

Conclusion As indicated, moisture control is a crucial component of tile or stone installations where water is involved.

Assurance all the finishing materials and installation components are designed for their intended use is crucial to a

project’s overall success and long-term performance.

William Sturrock is a 25-year committee contributor to the TTMAC and is the 2001 recipient of the TTMAC Award of Merit. He can be reached by e-mail at wsturrock@sympatico.ca.

Photos and Captions: Exterior Tile on CBU – Assembly detail for exterior tile on CBU. A Tile on Shower – Assembly detail for interior tiled shower.

Tile in Steam Room – Assembly detail for tiled steam room over concrete.

Shower System – Tiled showers must be built to prevent moisture penetration into wall cavities.

Credit for line drawings to Terrazzo, Tile, and Marble Association of Canada and credit for photos to Laticrete International.

industry news

Get Ready for the August / September Issue and Book Your Advertising Space Today

OK Builders Supplies Named Exclusive Kelowna Distributor for BASF Wall Systems Products

If you’re interested in booking ad space in the next issue of The Trowel magazine contact Christina Tranberg at 1.877.755.2762 or email ctranberg@pointonemedia.com

BASF Wall Systems is pleased to announce that OK Builders Supplies Ltd. is now the exclusive distributor of BASF Senergy EIFS, stucco, and architectural coatings for the Kelowna, Penticton, and Vernon markets in British Columbia. OK Builders Supplies Ltd. has been a leading distributor of ready mix concrete and masonry products in British Columbia for almost 65 years.

The addition of BASF’s Senergy EIFS, stucco, and air barrier products enables OK Builders Supplies Ltd. to provide additional products that are highly popular in the region. OK Builders Supplies Ltd. is committed to providing its customers with the best products and supporting its customers with the best service and staff in the industry.

For additional information about Senergy, visit the website www. senergy.basf.com. n

34 » The Trowel

Advertiser Index Company

Phone Page

Bailey Metals Products CGC Inc. Coast Building Supplies Ltd. Comren Contracting Inc. Construx Tools & Innovations Demand Products Dryco Systems Inc. Dryvit Systems Canada EIFS Council of Canada Flannery Trim Grabber Construction Products (Canada) Inc. Kraft Tool Lumberworld Operations Ltd. MagO Mansonville Plastics (BC) Ltd. New West Gypsum Recycling Peninsula Wall + Ceiling Ltd. Plasterform SCAFCO Steel Stud Company Slegg Lumber Steeler Ltd (Delta BC) Sturdy Ladder Inc. Trowel Trades Accessories Ltd. Wallworks Acoustic Architectural Products Inc. Winroc Corporation

800.818.2666 OBC 800.565.6607 11 604.590.0055 16 604.525.8111 20 416.300.9423 30 800.325.7540 23 250.746.6251 09 800.263.3308 13 416.499.4000 IFC 800.765.7585 31 800.567.8876 19 800.422.2448 29 250.479.7151 26 604.290.1961 32 604.534.8626 15 604.534.9925 26 604.576.4503 10 800.268.4534 27 403.265.9005 05 250.656.1125 22 877.678.6565 20 403.264.2934 25 604.536.6100 14 877.829.2550 17 888.2.WINROC 12

Become a Member Today

The British Columbia Wall and Ceiling Association is a non-profit provincial trade association of professionals serving a wide-ranging membership of drywall and EIFS/stucco contractors, manufacturers, suppliers, gypsum specialty dealers, and labour. Our primary mandate is providing training to apprentices in our industry and we offer apprenticeship programs including the RED SEAL trade - Wall & Ceiling Installer.

Member Benefits: • Benefits to Contractors Contractors are assisted with technical information and specifications, code related issues, workmanship standards, industry recommendations, and manufacturers’ literature. Field assistance with peer reviews is available to help support the wall and ceiling scope of work.

• Benefits to Dealers and Suppliers

Dealers and suppliers are kept informed on technical and code matters, given a forum to reach trade contractors, assistance with job-related problems, and promotion of materials and products.

• Benefits to Manufacturers and Manufacturers’ Representatives

Manufacturers and manufacturers representatives are provided with a forum to reach contractors, officials, specifiers, and users of their products; are kept informed of code and technical information; receive assistance with job-related problems, and have a common source to deal with industry-wide issues.

• Meetings and Publications

Regular Chapter Meetings, the annual NWCB Wall and Ceiling Industries Convention, and various industry seminars provide members with valuable information and affords regular personal contact with contractors, manufacturers, suppliers, and other industry peers.

• Education

In-house seminars and educational courses are available through the Association. Topics include Interior Finishing, Exterior Cladding, and Business Management. Courses covering other subject areas are being developed.

• Networking Events

There are golf tournaments, conventions held at various scenic locations, and an annual Christmas dinner and dance party. All of these are fun-filled events to enjoy and relax while getting to know the other members.

Industry Services: • Apprenticeship Training Member contractors and industry representatives work closely with the provincial apprenticeship programs to ensure the appropriate trades training takes place. An “earn while you learn” format of training allows apprentices to achieve work and education balance.

• Industry Standards

The Association promotes the use of Standard Specifications through the development of industry standards manuals. The AWCC Specifications Standards Manual, the Stucco Resource Guide, other published recommendations, and some manufacturers literature is available through the Association.

• Technical Assistance

The Association offers general advice and consultation on industry recommendations and standards in a non-proprietary manner.

Design and engineering professionals, inspection agencies, and general contractors rely on the Association for technical support.

• Resource Library

The Association has a growing resource centre with a selection of manufacturers’ and general technical literature and a selection of industry videos.

Please contact the BCWCA for more information about becoming a member. We look forward to partnering with industry organizations to build a stronger and more collaborative trade.

British Columbia Wall and Ceiling Association Unit #112 - 18663 - 52nd Avenue Surrey, BC V3S 8E5 P. (604) 575-0511 • F. (604) 575-0544 • E. info@bcwca.org • www.bcwca.org