Inspiration5 min
Design a Home with LP® TopNotch® 350 Durable Sub-Flooring
Neil Freidberg, Building Science Manager at LP, has been a leader in building science for more than a decade. His expertise in the field provides a closer look at the importance of products engineered to work together.
We asked Neil to share how he would design a made-to-last house with LP® TopNotch® 350 Durable Sub-Flooring. Here’s what he had to say:
Q: Every climate has unique needs that are important to take into account when selecting building materials for any given project. What climates lend themselves to LP TopNotch 350 sub-flooring?
A: The great thing about LP TopNotch 350 sub-flooring is that it works in every climate. It can be used as a dependable sub-flooring solution no matter the area in which you’re building.
Q: Rain during construction is often unavoidable. What is the importance of home design with sub-flooring designed to drain water?
A: Standing water is one of the worst things for your build because it affects not just the build during construction but also the amount of moisture you have to remove once your house is done. So, if water isn’t properly drained away during construction, moisture will still be retained in your sub-floor, and it will have to be addressed before the finish flooring is installed in most cases.
If flooring is significantly affected by moisture or even leads to a callback, it’s the last thing you want to rip up once your build is completed and the homeowner has moved in. With LP TopNotch 350 sub-flooring, you’ll have a unique RainChannel® notch system that allows water to drain away during construction.
Q: How would you approach LP TopNotch 350 home design with other LP Structural Solutions products?
A: LP TopNotch 350 sub-flooring is always great to mix and match with LP Legacy® Premium Sub-Flooring, especially for multi-level structures. On the top floor I recommend using LP Legacy panels, which can be exposed to more rain during construction. Then use LP TopNotch 350 panels on the lower levels to help any waterfall from upper levels drain away through the RainChannel® notch system.
Beyond sub-flooring, LP WeatherLogic® Air & Water Barrier proves to be a great defense against moisture by contributing to a tighter building envelope.
Interested in learning more about the LP Structural Solutions portfolio from the pros? Catch another unique build recap with Brad Leavitt or explore our resilient solutions here.
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News & Stories3 min
History of Partnership with Gary Sinise Foundation
The LP Foundation is a proud partner of the Gary Sinise Foundation, which supports wounded veterans in several ways. You can learn more about the LP Foundation here.
Business Solutions
4 minQ&A: How Home Orientation Impacts Continuous Insulation
There’s a lot to consider when it comes to building an energy-efficient home for your clients and the many nuances that change with each build—including its orientation to the sun. We sat down with Neil Freidberg, Building Science Manager at LP, to unpack the impact of home orientation on continuous insulation needs.
Resiliency Solutions
5 minHOW A RADIANT BARRIER CAN IMPROVE BURIED DUCT PERFORMANCE
One of the questions LP® Building Solutions gets from builders often is about burying ducts in attic insulation and whether combining radiant barrier sheathing with blown insulation over ductwork can benefit homeowners. As with most technical situations, the outcome depends on a nuanced approach. Let’s dig in and explore this question.
Sustainability Solutions
8 minHow to Drive Effective Communication and Collaboration on the Jobsite
Every jobsite has a ton of moving parts, from product shipments, supplies, and schedules to subcontractors and homeowners. It’s no wonder that many project teams can struggle to maintain quality jobsite communication and collaboration throughout the building process. And when communication slips, construction companies inevitably deal with costly errors, inefficient workflows, delayed projects, or wasted time, leaving clients and the team frustrated.