GE Helps Centerpoint(TM) Develop New Translucent Home Roofing System for Enhanced Aesthetics, Comfort & Energy Efficiency
Technology allows full spectrum, natural light into living spaces
PITTSFIELD, MASS. - Dec. 2, 2005 - GE - Plastics today announced that it will be assisting Centerpoint(TM) Translucent Systems, LLC - a manufacturer and distributor of residential roofing products - to develop a new translucent roofing system that provides full-spectrum, natural light, and significantly improved aesthetics, comfort, and energy efficiency for the residential new-construction market. Centerpoint will build the new systems using GE's Lexan* Thermoclear* multiwall polycarbonate (PC) sheet - a material based on GE's tough, virtually unbreakable Lexan resin - in combination with Nanogel® translucent aerogel from Cabot Corporation.
Centerpoint's patent-pending roofing structure is designed to allow penetration of natural, filtered daylight into living areas without the energy loss and higher heating and cooling costs of glass roofing inserts. The company selected GE's Lexan Thermoclear multiwall sheet for the new pre-assembled roofing system based on its outstanding performance properties: excellent light transmission; the ability to withstand wind loads of up to 140 mph; superior UV resistance and impact strength; light weight and design flexibility vs. glass; and exceptional sound and energy insulation.
"Centerpoint's translucent roofing system gives residential developers a high-end product to differentiate their homes and communities in the increasingly competitive new-construction segment," said Kendall Sayers, president, Centerpoint. "GE provided tremendous support in helping us identify a material candidate for our roofing system. Its Lexan Thermoclear sheet not only delivers outstanding performance but also enhances the beauty of the home environment."
Consumers purchasing new homes are increasingly requesting floor plans that include more natural light, both to improve aesthetics and to reduce energy needed for interior lighting. However, intensive use of glass glazing can cause harsh lighting effects and lead to interior heat buildup from penetration of near-infrared radiation, especially in hot and/or sunny locales. Centerpoint's new roofing system addresses these concerns by using the GE and Cabot materials to filter and diffuse natural daylight entering home living areas, eliminating shadows and glare, and raising energy efficiency by a factor of five compared to glass panels. The system also provides sound-dampening qualities for a quieter environment.
GE will supply a gray metallic/white tinted version of Lexan Thermoclear multiwall sheet in a custom-designed 25mm that will come with a 10-year limited written warranty. This configuration will be filled with Cabot's Nanogel translucent aerogel, a lightweight, nanoporous insulation material that delivers outstanding thermal insulation and light transmission.
"GE prides itself on its global leadership in materials innovation," said Michael Difucci, industry manager, Building Security & Infrastructure, GE - Plastics. "The Centerpoint roofing application is a perfect example of how this creativity can enable a breakthrough product like this new roofing system. By combining technical performance with design flexibility and superior aesthetics, GE's high-tech materials provide a competitive advantage to our customers."
Currently, three configurations of the Centerpoint roofing system are on display in homes built by Centex Corporation in South Carolina, with plans underway to install them in homes throughout the southeast region. The translucent roofing system is also an excellent candidate for roof domes, skylights, walkways, conservatories, and other building applications where it is desirable to admit high levels of light while keeping excess heat to a minimum.
GE will be displaying examples of this new innovation at the National Home Builders Show in Orlando, Fla. January 11-15, 2006. Please see us at booths W1143 and W1243.
For more information on Centerpoint Translucent Systems, contact Kendall Sayers, president; Tel: +1 865-637-2401, ext. 556; E-mail: kendall@cptsystems.com.
For more information on GE's Lexan Thermoclear multiwall sheet, contact Mike Difucci, industry manager, Building Security & Infrastructure, GE - Plastics; Tel: +1 413-448-7661; E-mail: michael.difucci@ge.com.
About GE - Plastics
GE - Plastics is a global supplier of plastic resins widely used in automotive, healthcare, consumer electronics, transportation, performance packaging, building & construction, telecommunications, and optical media applications. The company manufactures and compounds polycarbonate, ABS, SAN, ASA, PPE, PC/ABS, PBT and PEI resins, as well as the LNP* line of high-performance specialty compounds. GE - Plastics, Specialty Film & Sheet manufactures high-performance Lexan sheet and film products used in thousands of demanding applications worldwide. In addition, GE - Plastics' dedicated Automotive organization is an experienced, world-wide competitor, offering leading plastics solutions for five key automotive segments: body panels and glazing; under the hood applications; component; structures and interiors; and lighting. As a Worldwide Partner of the Olympic Games, GE is the exclusive provider of a wide range of innovative products and services that are integral to a successful Games.
About Centerpoint Translucent Systems
Centerpoint Translucent Systems offers a broad range of translucent roofing options with three distinct series of roofing systems. Each series comes in a variety of sizes. From the more modest Series 300 roof designed for installation above a bay window, to the larger Series 500 roof for generous soft light in a kitchen, den or home office, Centerpoint has an energy-efficient, translucent roof to complement any home. More information and photos are available on the company's website at cptsystems.com.
About Nanogel
Cabot Corporation created Nanogel, in part to insulate thermally inefficient glazing systems. The feather-light aerogel is based on Cabot's patented surface modification and fine-particle manufacturing technology. The nanoporous particles have an air content of 97% and weigh only 90 grams/liter, making Nanogel the lightest solid material in the world. It provides a superior combination of thermal and sound insulation as well as light transmission and diffusion over other insulation materials. These benefits offer new design solutions for architects where both maximum natural daylight levels and energy efficiency are required. Nanogel is manufactured exclusively by Cabot in Frankfurt, Germany. More information is available on the company's website at www.nanogel.com.
(TM) Centerpoint is a trademark of Centerpoint Translucent Systems.
* Lexan, Thermoclear, and LNP are trademarks of General Electric Company.
® Nanogel is a registered trademark of Cabot Corporation.
Contacts
The Americas:
Christopher Tessier
GE - Plastics, Pittsfield, Mass.
Tel: +1-413-448-6926
E-Mail: christopher.tessier@ge.com
Europe:
Banu Kukner
GE - Plastics, Specialty Film & Sheet,
Bergen op Zoom, The Netherlands
Tel: +31 164 291 605
E-Mail: banu.kukner@ge.com
