Composite Masonry ProductsVAST Blog
News, talk, opinions, tips and tricks. All in one place.
August 13th, 2010 | Andy
EPA Uses VAST on Rooftop
Roofing Contractor magazine just did a nice write-up about how the EPA Atlantic Ecology Division in Rhode Island used VAST Composite Deck Pavers to add a habitable space to their rooftop. The EPA considered composite lumber, concrete plaza pavers and other deck tiles and determined VAST was the lightest, toughest and greenest option.
“My first impression of the VAST pavers was that it’s an ideal material for rooftop applicatins,” said Gagliano. “They are tough but lightweight, offer the timeless visual appeal of brick pavers, and we could match the paver color with the building’s exterior walls and the sedum to be planted in the GreenGrid system. That helped achieve a blending of the architectural elements of the roof.”
July 22nd, 2010 | Andy
VAST Wins Green Design Award
“These top achievers showcase exemplary home products in terms of energy efficiency, cradle-to-cradle and sustainable manufacturing, technological or design innovation, and aesthetics.
This international competition drew submissions from across the globe… products were judged by five experts in their respective fields… panelists favored “products that offer a solution to problems in the marketplace.”
July 15th, 2010 | Andy
The Re-Invention of Permeable Pavers
Press Release
New Permeable Pavers from VAST® Enterprises: VAST Composite Permeable Pavers in a 4×8-inch Size
VAST Composite Permeable Pavers, the Newest VAST Pro Paver for Professional Landscape Contractors, Offer a Cradle-to-Cradle Green Alternative for Decreasing Stormwater Runoff across Hardscapes
MINNEAPOLIS – July 15, 2010 – VAST® Enterprises, LLC, the material science research and manufacturing company that invented composite masonry for green building, announced the newest product in its line of VAST Pro Pavers for professional contractors: VAST Composite Permeable Pavers. VAST Composite Permeable Pavers reduce rain runoff into storm drains and decrease stormwater pollutants by infiltrating rainwater on building sites. The pavers have a tested infiltration rate of more than 450 inches per hour (4.9 gallons per square foot per minute) when installed with aggregate conforming to ASTM D448 No. 8.
“Landscape architects and professional contractors have been asking for our composite permeable pavers in a 4×8-inch size. In response, we accelerated development of our new larger permeable paver as part of the VAST Pro Pavers line,” said Andy Vander Woude, chief executive officer, VAST Enterprises, LLC. “The 4×8 size is ideal for stormwater management in large commercial hardscape applications — including parking areas, plazas, courtyards, walkways and entryways.”
“With our innovative composite material technology and high-tech manufacturing process, VAST has re-invented the permeable paver,” said Troy Achterkirch, vice president, engineering and operations, VAST Enterprises, LLC. “VAST harmonizes hardscape beauty and durability, permeability and sustainability, and safety and accessibility.”
VAST Composite Permeable Pavers offer a number of significant advantages:
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Accessibility: VAST Composite Permeable Pavers are slip-resistant and manufactured with spacer lugs that are engineered to maintain a precise 0.275-inch space between pavers. This ensures that VAST Composite Permeable Pavers can be installed according to ADA Accessibility Guidelines for Buildings and Facilities (ADAAG) # 302.3, which calls for such spaces to be no greater than one-half inch wide.
Multiple Professional Performance Requirements: Like all VAST composite masonry products, VAST Composite Permeable Pavers are manufactured in VAST’s proprietary composite blend of up to 95 percent recycled car tires and plastic containers. VAST Composite Pavers fulfill the most demanding requirements for hardscape beauty, design versatility, durability, and installation efficiency. VAST’s composite material imparts deep colors, excellent slip resistance and unbeatable strength.
Lighter Weight: VAST Composite Permeable Pavers weigh 8.2 pounds per square foot, versus 30 or more pounds per square foot for concrete permeable pavers. This weight advantage makes VAST Pavers less energy-intensive and less costly to transport, easier to work with on job sites, and great for use in flat and green roof applications.
Installation Efficiency for Professional Contractors: VAST’s patented grid system enables contractors to work more efficiently, saving time and reducing the amount of labor required for paver installation. The VAST grids (manufactured in the same composite material as the pavers) are laid out on the same type of sub-base required for landscape or permeable pavers made of concrete. Installers insert VAST Pavers into the grid in any designed pattern, and the pavers are automatically aligned for excellent results. Once the sub-base is prepared, using VAST can reduce the amount of time required to lay pavers by two-thirds compared to using concrete pavers.
Eco-Friendly, Socially Responsible: There is no better choice for green building and sustainable development projects than award-winning VAST Composite Pavers. VAST’s environmental advantages make VAST Composite Permeable Pavers superior to other pervious pavement alternatives. The VAST manufacturing process begins with post-consumer recycled rubber and plastics, uses no water, requires 82 percent less energy and releases 89 percent less carbon dioxide than concrete product manufacture, generates no volatile organic compounds, yields zero scrap, and creates products that are 100 percent recyclable.
“VAST Composite Permeable Pavers are cradle-to-cradle green,” said Steve Smith, vice president, business development, VAST Enterprises, LLC. “Permeable and green — that’s the permeable paver re-invented.”
June 11th, 2010 | Andy
New: VAST Success Stories
Just added a “Success Stories” section to the website! Here you’ll be able to learn why customers chose VAST for their projects. Each story is a downloadable two-page case study detailing the project and how VAST helped make it a success. Check it out
Want to be featured in a success story? Contact us
May 25th, 2010 | Andy
Greenopolis
Our friends at greenopolis had some incredibly nice things to say about VAST. Check it out
I wasn’t familiar with greenopolis, but they’ve got some great content. I highly recommend subscribing:
May 21st, 2010 | Andy
Newsletter (May 2010)
April 16th, 2010 | Andy
Patterns, Patterns, Patterns
Just added a page dedicated to showing how to install different patterns. The key is to make sure that the grids are laid out correctly for the chosen pattern. This then allows the pavers to interlock each of the grid segments and dramatically increases the stability and durability of the installation.
Don’t see the pattern you’re looking for? Let us know.
April 13th, 2010 | Andy
VAST Wins Crowd Pitch Event
The audience at yesterday’s Crowd Pitch event selected VAST as the most exciting opportunity to invest their “funny money.” The event held by Funding Universe and RAIN Source Capital, gave businesses four minutes to talk up their company. A panel of experts asked questions, and the crowd voted by “investing” $100 worth of fake money in the company of their choice.