‘Insulation’ refers to materials which provide substantial resistance to heat movement. By installing insulation in the walls, ceilings and floor of a building, the heat flow both into and out of the building is minimized.

In summer: insulation reduces the amount of heat entering through walls and ceilings keeping rooms cooler.

In winter: insulation helps to keep warmth inside the building.

There are two main ways by which insulation products work:

BULK insulation traps pockets of still air within its structure. These air pockets provide the resistance to heat flow. Bulk insulation is available as batts or blankets.

REFLECTIVE insulation works by reflecting large amounts of heat from its polished metallic surface. It must work in conjunction with a still air layer for maximum effectiveness. Still air provides an extra insulating layer and reduces conductance to other materials. Reflective insulation needs to remain clean and dust-free for best performance. It is better at reducing summer heat gain than slowing heat loss in winter.

Fiberglass is the most common residential insulating material, and is usually applied as batts of insulation, pressed between studs. Pre-engineered steel buildings however more commonly use a roll-on or blanket type of insulation. Future Steel’s faced fiberglass is a resilient, flexible fiberglass blanket laminated to a high quality vapor retarder facing. The vinyl backing is tear resistant and presents a smooth surface appearance. Vinyl back insulation can be installed in stud walls or attached to the interior surface of our buildings. It’s available in optional thicknesses to meet your specific heat loss needs.

The Future Steel insulation is easy to install. The insulation is attached to the interior surface using a pin and cap system to hold the insulation in place. Once the insulation is in place, a 6’’ vinyl self adhering overlap on the edges seals each blanket together to provide a contiguous moisture barrier.

Should you require more information please contact Kevin Parke 1(800) 668-5111 Ext. 268.

The post is about an experienced hunter’s first bear tag and subsequent experience. If you have a moment, go read B-Zone in the rain - A bear of a weekend! You will be glad you did!

And while I am writing about happenings on other blogs, Congratulations again, Arthur!

Hayes, the sixty- three- year- old animal lover and vegetarian was locked away in her bedroom for 10 days after Bruce became aggressive. Bruce began demanding food and head butting her bedroom door even snapping a broomstick in half after Hayes tried to shoo him away.

Unbelievable! Bruce is now being sent off to a piggery at an undisclosed location in Australia, to be used as a stud…Seems like more of a reward than punishment! Who knows if Bruce will learn the error of his ways?

DeWalt Heavy Duty Angle Grinder Product Features

- 12.0 Amp AC/DC, 10,000 rpm motor provides high speed for fast material removal
- High power-to-weight ratio for greater efficiency and reduced user fatigue
- Keyless adjustable guard can be adjusted without the use of tools
- Rear handle design for greater comfort and control
- External brush doors for easy servicing
* Sealed ball and roller bearings for extended motor life

Product Specifications

- 12.0 AC/DC Amps
- Max Watts Out 1,837 W
- No Load Speed 10,000 rpm
- Use Wheels RPM Above 11,000 rpm
- Spindle Lock Yes
- Spindle Thread 5/8″-11
- Tool Length 14.33 ”
- Tool Weight 7.4 lbs

Product Includes

- grinding wheel
- wrench
- backing flange
- clamp nut
- keyless adjustable guard
- 2 position side handle

Register here: Winterize Your Home Contest

Hunters and Anglers have long been some of the most vocal supporters of conservation and proper wildlife management. Conservation was undertaken in order to ensure the sustainability of not only wildlife but a much loved sport. The actions of these trailblazers helped to create the North American wildlife conservation model that has been so successful.

In celebration of this each year Hunters and Anglers gather together for National Hunting and Fishing Day. This year NHFDay is September 27, 2008! There are many events planned across the US to help further promote conservation, safety and fun for families and adults alike.

When I had a look around the NHFDay website, I was surprised to learn that Teenage girls are the fastest growing market in sport shooting and that recreational anglers spend $41.5 billion each year to fish. This as you may have guessed has a huge economic impact.

I hope that you visit the National Hunting and Fishing Day website! Happy Hunting and Angling everyone!

“Now that the weather is changing and our days are getting shorter, preparing your home for the winter months is on the minds of many home owners.” says Darcia Armstrong, Director of Marketing for Future Steel Buildings. “This contest is a great way to unite the Future Steel community many of whom have lots of home improvement knowledge.”

The Future Steel winterize you home contest gives contestants the opportunity to share their DIY winterizing skills with others. Entering is easy all you have to do is send us a written description or checklist of how you winterize your home complete with photographs if you have them to http://www.futuresteel.com/contest.

The contest will run from September 22, 2008 until November 21, 2008, after which time a DeWalt Heavy Duty Angle Grinder will be awarded to one lucky contestant. Whether your winterizing plan includes cleaning out your gutters, turning off your outdoor water supply or caulking around windows and doors send your home winterizing descriptions to http://www.futuresteel.com/contest/ for your chance to win.

About this time last year, I read an excellent reader tip in the Harrowsmith Country Life magazine.

Mr. Corbett from PEI suggested that we coat the tip of our snow shovel with floor wax to prevent rust from forming and snow from sticking! What a great tip, it saves us effort and money.

Soon, I will be announcing a new Future Steel Contest! I think this tip might be a good segue / hint as to what the contest is about.

Keep checking the Future Steel Contests page, our latest contest (with awesome prize) will be up and running soon!

A little while ago, the Outdoor Bloggers Summit, a space dedicated to the great outdoors and all of the people who blog about the subject, were nice enough to feature the Future Steel blog in their ongoing weekly segment, the Outdoor Bloggers Spotlight.

Since their post about the Future Steel Buildings blog, they have focused their spotlight on several other blogs that are floating around the blogosphere. The most recent spotlight features a great hunting blog called Low Country Hunting, authored by Jeff. Before the Outdoor Bloggers Summit highlight, I had not visited this blog before so I would like to thank the Outdoor Bloggers Summit for taking the time to showcase Jeff’s blog as well as Future Steel’s.

Visiting the Low Country Hunting blog today, I read that there is a new Ladies Only hunting website for a club called Low Country Hunting Club. Jeff’s cousin Beth runs this club. The website is, of course, accompanied by a blog.

So isn’t this great! From one spotlight, I actually learned about two blogs. If you have not visited the Outdoor Bloggers Summit blog, yet, I highly suggest you take a few minutes to check them out. You will find some very useful articles and be given the opportunity to introduce yourself to plenty of likeminded bloggers and outdoor enthusiasts.

Can you feel that?  The crisp, clean autumn air…Horray!  Fall feels like it has arrived.  There are so many fun outdoor activities families and children can participate in, so in honour of my favourite time of year I have compiled a list of fun things you may like to do with those close to you!

1.    Take a hike:  Now that the heat of summer has subsided, taking a hike through a local conservation area or trail is a great way to introduce your children to the outdoors.  Encourage them to roam a bit, discover birds and insects and learn tree types through the colour and texture of their bark.  Not only will the exercise be good for your children’s growing bodies but their minds are sure to benefit as well.

2.     Hit the Apple Orchard:  Going apple picking as a family is one of my favourite memories growing up.  Look up a local orchard and be sure to call ahead to inquire about tractor rides, petting zoos, corn roasts and snacks.  This is also a great way to learn about farms and farm life.

3.    Visit a Pumpkin Patch: Much like apple picking will expose your family to farming, taking a day trip to a pumpkin patch will do much the same thing.  Taking a trip to a pumpkin patch is a great way to get your kids geared up for Halloween.  Be sure to bring your camera with you to capture all of the fall colours and family fun.

4.    Go Leaf Collecting:  Leaf collecting is a ton of fun.  Make sure to find leaves of all different colours and shapes.  Once collected using some construction paper and glue you can build a wreath to be displayed on your front door.

5.    Hold a Backyard Corn Roast:  Right around the end of summer Corn of the Cob is in season.  This is a great way to enjoy time with your neighbourhood friends and family. Pick corn with light coloured husks and slightly dried out corn silk.  Soak Corn in husk for 2 hours, and let air dry.  Fire up the BBQ.  With husks still on cook on BBQ until ready to eat!

Enjoy the outdoor this autumn!

In the spirit of the time of year, I heard a joke that you might like and thought I would share it with all of you.

On the first day of school a sarcastic teacher said to his students,
“If there are any idiots in the room, I invite you to please stand up”
After a long and awkward silence, one youngster rose to his feet.
The teacher then asked the student “why is it that you consider yourself to be an idiot?”
The student then looked at the teacher with a sneer and replied.
“Well, actually I don’t,” he said, “but I hate to see you standing up there all by yourself.”