RE: [GBlist] PVC-free building products

["Ralph Bicknese" <ralph.bicknese@christnerinc.com>]

Robert:

I was wrong about Romax.  I checked a little further.  The flexible metal
conduit I was thinking of is called Greenfield.

I do not know of a substitute for Romex.  As mentioned by another posting
the Greenpeace (not to be confused with Greenfield) site has info on going
pvc free.

Sorry for the confusion.

Cheers,
Ralph Bicknese

-----Original Message-----
From: Ralph Bicknese [mailto:ralph.bicknese@christnerinc.com]
Sent: Thursday, June 28, 2001 2:30 PM
To: Robseelig@aol.com; greenbuilding@crest.org
Subject: RE: [GBlist] PVC-free building products


Robert:

There is no need to use pvc at all.  For plumbing pvc is typically used in
vent stacks and waste lines.  Cast iron vents and waste lines were the
material of choice before pvc and can still be.  An advantage is that it is
quiter.  With pcv waste lines overhead you can sure here the toilet flush.
There are some newer piping products that may be suitable for what you are
trying to do.  I recently heard of fiberglass piping/conduit and
polybutelene.  I may have the name a litte off for polybutylene.  I have not
used it but it is being used for supply piping instead of copper.  I prefer
copper though for supply pipe, particularly its ability to inhibit microbial
growth.

As far as siding goes there are several alternatives to vinyl.  Wood,
masonite, cementitious board, etc.  J. L. Hardie Corp. is one manufacturer
of a fairly green cementitious siding board. The link is:
http://www.jameshardie.com/usahome.htm  They make it to look a bit like
clapboards, with and without wood grain, and in panels.  There is also
aluminum siding but I do not care for it because it is easy to dent and is
noisy when impacted (rain, baseballs, etc).  Then there are other cladding
and wall materials such as brick, stucco, steel (corrugated or panelized),
ceramic tile, rammed earth, straw bales, you name it.

My understanding of the name Romax is that it is a flexible metal conduit.
Not plastic.  Some codes permit it to be used instead of rigid metal
conduit.  In most cases conduit is not required at all in residential
interiors.  I do not think Romax is suitable for below grade applications.
Perhaps fiberglass or polybutelene piping would suffice for below grade
conduit instead and be greener.

Cheers,
Ralph Bicknese

-----Original Message-----
From: Robseelig@aol.com [mailto:Robseelig@aol.com]
Sent: Thursday, June 28, 2001 12:15 PM
To: greenbuilding@crest.org
Subject: [GBlist] PVC-free building products


I am in the process of renovating my home and I would like to use no PVC
materials, that means no PVC pipe, no PVC - romax etc.  Does anyone know of
materials which meet code which are alternatives to PVC?

alternative to RomaX?????
alternative to PVC pipe?????
alterative to other building products which typically have PVC????

Also, I justed watched an excellent documentary movie which will be airing
on HBO in about 8 to 12 months on the life cycle hazards of PVC, specifcally
vinyl siding.  Does anyone know of an affordable alternative to use instead
of vinyl siding for homes.  Again, I emphasize affordable.  keep your eyes
and ears open the movie is called blue vinyl.

Does anyone know of any homes or buildings which have been build without the
use of PVC?

Thank you much for your help,

Robert Seelig
Greenchange
3018 College Avenue
Berkeley, CA 94705

______________________________________________________________________
This greenbuilding dialogue is sponsored by REPP/CREST, creator of
Solstice http://www.crest.org, and BuildingGreen, Inc., publisher of
Environmental Building News and GreenSpec http://www.BuildingGreen.com
______________________________________________________________________


______________________________________________________________________
This greenbuilding dialogue is sponsored by REPP/CREST, creator of
Solstice http://www.crest.org, and BuildingGreen, Inc., publisher of
Environmental Building News and GreenSpec http://www.BuildingGreen.com
______________________________________________________________________