The Architect Approach

Breakdown in communications between the building industry and plastic manufacturer probably accounts for a large amount of lost motion and dollars. Perhaps another major cause is the pure sales approach within any industry that, in many cases, can delay technical progress. 

Architects and builders desire factual data on products. However, their standards or codes in many cases only identify the composition of the end item, with no performance data. In most cases, the plastics were never subjected to engineering analysis but approved based on past performances. This situation is not new to the engineering community, where patience, time and/or money resolve the problem. 

The architect continues to look for products that can he multifunctional. As an example in roofing, the product could perform a part or all of the functions. The roof has to provide structural integrity, temperature and sound insulation, vapor and moisture control, weather resistance, elastic qualities for change in weather, fire protection, aesthetic appeal, and so on. 

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