BLOCK FILLER

Exclusive use of BASF Thoro® Block Filler. This is a one-component 100% acrylic copolymer used to prime and fill porous masonry surfaces before the application of a sealant or coating. Block filler is used to fill pores, and to allow substrate moisture vapor to escape from the structure, preventing peeling and blistering.

EXTERIOR SEALANT

Exclusive use BASF Thorolastic®. Thorolastic® is a high-build water based, elastomeric, 100% acrylic, waterproof coating and sealant for above-grade masonry. It waterproofs, seals, and protects building exteriors while allowing them to breathe (the moisture to escape) to avoid blistering.

Thorolastic® is specifically designed to accommodate movement in the substrate for structures prone to thermal movement stress.

BASF and its Thoro® line of block fillers and waterproof sealants are generally considered the best exterior grade, high-performance sealants available on the market.

INSULATION

Exclusive use of SPF spray foam insulation is used on all building exterior walls. Closed Cell Bio-Insulation has the highest R-value per inch, improves indoor air quality with excellent thermal and insulation efficiency, helps control moisture and condensation, eliminates wind washing, and reduces noise from outside.

SPF helps conserve energy, reducing CO2 emissions, contains no formaldehyde or ozone depleting substances, and contributes to the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design credits for sustainable, green construction. LEED is an internationally recognized green building certification system.

WHY ALL MASONRY WALLS ARE NOT CREATED EQUAL

Water, water, and water are the three most important issues we focus our architectural design and materials to defend against. Aside from basic structural integrity, water is the most important issue your home must face on a daily basis. Halcyon has a reputation of going beyond the standard to protect and seal our buildings. This is done not only by comprehensive block filling and sealing of our exterior walls, but more importantly, by quality reinforcement within the walls and the utilization of reinforced masonry throughout our buildings.

We take this issue very seriously, especially in recent years with weather patterns becoming more inconsistent and dramatic in the Chicago area. The Halcyon building is approached from both a structural and material basis to provide the best protection possible for water infiltration and temperature changes. Our buildings are prepared to last through years of weathering and aging.

VERTICAL REINFORCEMENT (COMPRESSION STRENGTH)

Every corner in a Halcyon building runs vertical reinforcement carbon steel bars on both sides of the joint: Designation 4 with a Grade 60. This translates to a minimum yield strength compression of 60,000 pounds per square inch, (psi).
While any material with sufficient tensile strength could be used to reinforce concrete, carbonized steel and concrete have similar coefficients of thermal expansion, and therefore will experience minimal stress as a result of differential expansions of the two interconnected materials caused by temperature changes.

Reinforcement steel is cast from the below-grade foundation, extending into the cells of the bond-beam units at the top of the building. Reinforcement steel is also cast vertically along each side of every opening in the building providing increased compression and tensile strength in these sensitive areas.

HORIZONTAL REINFORCEMENT (TENSILE STRENGTH)

A layer of concrete reinforced bond-blocks below each floor truss. Reinforcement steel is cast horizontally within the bond-beam blocks in cement and anchored at each corner, which secures the entire building perimeter for increased tensile strength.

All building openings are reinforced by carbonized steel lintel plates designed to support the load bearing weight of the structure above the openings.

Galvanized ladder wire in 9-gauge is cast horizontally along the walls on every second layer of block within the masonry cement around the entire building. 9-gauge ladder wire results in a tensile strength of 75,000 psi, while typical yield is 70,000 psi. The galvanized finish allows for better adhesion and rust resistance.

MASONRY CEMENT

All Halcyon buildings use exclusively Portland Type-S masonry cement for both below grade and above-grade masonry walls.

Type-S is typically used for below grade structures due to its high compressive strength (1800 psi), and Type-N with medium compressive strength (750 psi) is typically used for above grade masonry.

By using Type-S masonry cement throughout the entire wall and foundation structures, we are able to increase both the compression and tensile bond strength for the entire building.

RUBBERIZED FLASHING

Exclusive use of Hohmann & Barnard Textroflash® flashing. Textroflash® is a proprietary 40-mil thick composite flashing with a flexible membrane and polyethylene sheeting, which provides a dual-layered waterproofing protection.

This flashing is laid horizontally along the top of the bond-block layer between each floor along the entire circumference of the building and above each building opening (windows, doors, and vents).

CAP FLASHING

Use of specialized cladding installation of cap flashing is designed by our roofers to provide horizontal coverage on the roof and chimney openings to protect against water intrusion. All of these locations can provide an opportunity for water to enter the home.