Compositions comprising highly reflective microcrystalline/amorphous materials are provided. In some instances, the highly reflective materials are microcrystalline or amorphous carbonate materials, which may include calcium and/or magnesium carbonate. In some instances, the materials are CO.sub.2 sequestering materials. Also provided are methods of making and using the compositions, e.g., to increase the albedo of a surface, to mitigate urban heat island effects, etc.

A bracket for a building module. The bracket has a platform bearing a substantially planar surface, first and second sides appending from the platform away from the planar surface, and a bottom panel extending from the first side to the second side. Each of the first and second sides defines a proximal portion and a distal portion therealong. The distal portion of the first side is inwardly directed toward the distal portion of the second side. There is also a building module, a method for making a building module, and a method for constructing a building.

Compositions comprising highly reflective microcrystalline/amorphous materials are provided. In some instances, the highly reflective materials are microcrystalline or amorphous carbonate materials, which may include calcium and/or magnesium carbonate. In some instances, the materials are CO.sub.2 sequestering materials. Also provided are methods of making and using the compositions, e.g., to increase the albedo of a surface, to mitigate urban heat island effects, etc.

Disclosed is waterproofing sheeting that uses a polyester layer that provides high lateral stability and puncture resistance. The waterproof sheeting can be used in many applications including waterproof roof underlayments waterproof sheeting for foundations, underlayment for tile and flooring and various other applications. The waterproof sheeting can be manufactured without many of the problems associated with the granular coatings of existing waterproof sheeting that create excessive wear and environmental hazards.

A sealed attic insulating and roof ventilating system includes a plenum formed in part by a barrier material attached to adjacent pairs of rafters and having a radiant or reflective upper surface and a corrugated lower surface to which an insulation material may be secured. This arrangement creates an uninterrupted air chamber or ventilation plenum between the barrier material, the adjacent rafters, and the roof decking through which exterior air can circulate unimpeded from the lower vents to the upper vents of the roof. The circulation through the ventilation plenum prevents moisture from accumulating or condensing under the roof decking and warping the roof decking, which ultimately leads to deterioration of the roof decking and failure of the roof covering, and eliminates ice damming on the top surface of the roof covering.

Compositions comprising highly reflective microcrystalline/amorphous materials are provided. In some instances, the highly reflective materials are microcrystalline or amorphous carbonate materials, which may include calcium and/or magnesium carbonate. In some instances, the materials are CO.sub.2 sequestering materials. Also provided are methods of making and using the compositions, e.g., to increase the albedo of a surface, to mitigate urban heat island effects, etc.

A barrier material has an upper, radiant barrier layer and a lower, corrugated surface layer. The radiant barrier layer is preferably a metalized film or an aluminum sheet with an emissivity rating 0.1 or less. The metalized film is laminated to one side of a middle layer using a high, heat-resistant adhesive. The corrugated surface layer, which can receive an insulating material, is preferably a corrugated medium. The corrugated medium is laminated to the other side of the middle layer with a water-resistant adhesive. The middle layer is preferably a fire-resistant, kraft linerboard. The barrier creates an air space or plenum between an external structure and the insulating material designed to prevent heat transfer between an insulated space and the external structure.

Disclosed is waterproofing sheeting that uses a polyester layer that provides high lateral stability and puncture resistance. The waterproof sheeting can be used in many applications including waterproof roof underlayments waterproof sheeting for foundations, underlayment for tile and flooring and various other applications. The waterproof sheeting can be manufactured without many of the problems associated with the granular coatings of existing waterproof sheeting that create excessive wear and environmental hazards.

The subject apparatus is designed to facilitate the installation of blown insulation during construction of building assemblies. In a typical embodiment, there is provide a length or strip of friction clip configured to provide a tight grip along the outer surface of a framing member such as a stud, thereby maintaining tension on a masking film or web thereby affixed to an array of studs. The masking film arrayed in such manner thereby defines a plurality of voids or cavities which may thereafter be filled with blown insulation and then finished with wall paneling. The friction clips are designed to complement conventional framing members. Thus, one embodiment described below is suitable for a solid stud such as lumber or polymer; other embodiments are designed to be affixed to steel light framing members such as C-studs and similar profiles.

An insulation system includes roof sheathing panels, spaced apart structural members, a plurality of pins, insulation support material, and insulation. The plurality of pins are secured to the roof sheathing panels, the structural members, or both. The insulation support material is connected to the pins to form an insulation cavity below the roof sheathing panels and below the structural members. Insulation is disposed on the insulation support material, between the spaced apart structural members and directly under the bottommost surfaces of the structural members.