May 15 2008 9:31AM | Permalink | Email this | Comments (0) |
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Thermo-ply Protective Sheathing, made by Berry Plastics Building Group, is a high-performance and environmentally responsible product that sports a formaldehyde-free construction.

Formaldehyde, as I’m sure you’re all aware of, is a colorless, flammable, strong smelling gas that is used in the manufacture of many building products, from sheathing to low-grade particle board cabinetry. Formaldehyde has is received tremendous media exposure because of its significant potential for adverse affects on health. Case in point: the National Institute for Occupational Health and Safety, the U.S. National Toxicology Program, and the U.S. EPA advise limiting exposure to formaldehyde, a probable human carcinogen that can cause respiratory and other health problems.

Thermo-ply (shown here on a new construction project), unlike other sheathing materials, does not contain volatile organic compounds (VOCs) such as formaldehydes, asphalts or phenols. The non-toxic bonding agent used for Thermo-ply is 100% polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), a much safer bonding agent often used in the food service industry. Thermo-ply is 1/8”-thick and is constructed with 100% recycled materials (80% post consumer waste and 20% post-industrial material). It is non-porous, can be overlapped and wrapped around corners to provide a tighter seal to the studs than plywood or OSB.

Thermo-ply is available in 3 different grades:

• Green - Lightweight non-structural grade, .078” thickness
• Red - Structural grade for 16” o.c. stud spacing, .113” thickness
• Blue - Structural grade for 16” o.c. stud spacing, .137” thickness