Building Construction

Recycled tire rubber is incorporated into an increasing number of products used during building construction, both inside and outside. Many TDP vendors provide documentation on recycled content or other benefits that can help to satisfy green building requirements such as the new CalGreen regulations, or to earn credits through programs such LEED.

Resources

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Product Descriptions

Access Ramp made from rubberAccessibility Ramps
Rubber accessibility ramps can be used to satisfy wheel chair accessibility requirements of the federal Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Recycled tire rubber ramps have no load weight limitations, unlike other construction materials like aluminum, wood or plastic. Rubber accessibility ramps are solid, durable and slip resistant. Installation is easy and can be accomplished in minutes, never requiring jack-hammering or concrete saw cutting. ADA ramps can satisfy relevant standards such as shock attenuation (ASTM F355) and freeze/thaw (ASTM C1026). 

 

Flooring in gym made from rubberFlooring
Crumb rubber manufactured from tires is used to make a variety of flooring products including modular, antifatigue tiles, rolled flooring and rubber flooring underlayments. Applications include indoor and outdoor areas, sports flooring, work place flooring, trade show flooring and many others. They can be applied under tile, wood or synthetic turf to improve cushioning and/or to provide water/vapor protection. The benefits of recycled rubber flooring include superb acoustic insulation properties, enhanced cushioning, durability and long lasting performance. These flooring products each can satisfy established performance standards relevant to their application, such as sound transmission, moisture/vapor transmission and flammability standards. 

Sealants made with crumb rubber from tiresSealants
Crumb rubber manufactured from tires is added to a variety of sealants, coatings and caulking to enhance performance characteristics. Applications include sealing surfaces, repairing small cracks, and reducing the erosion and wear of asphalt, concrete, brick, metal, wood, plastic, tile and more. Crumb rubber is added to acrylic paint to make a remarkable sealant applicable on flat roofs. Sealants, coatings and caulking are also used on asphalt, concrete driveways and parking lots, for swimming pools and repairing cracks in a variety of surfaces. These rubberized sealant and coating products use 35-70 percent recycle tire crumb rubber in the manufacturing process which can meet relevant technical performance standards such as water/vapor transmission and emittance. 

Roofing made with crumb rubber from tiresRoofing
Many contemporary roofing systems are now incorporating crumb rubber made from tires in a variety of products used in both residential and commercial applications. These products can satisfy established technical performance standards needed for each application: for example, those related to flammability and moisture/vapor transfer. Asphalt is a well-known waterproofing material. Adding recycled tire rubber enhances a roofing system’s flexibility, flow characteristics, and fatigue resistance. Another type of roofing product is water-based acrylic roofing systems (also referred to as infrastructural coating systems). Adding crumb rubber makes these products as durable and flexible as any conventional membrane. The nontoxic, noncarcinogenic acrylic coating infuses recycled rubber to create a durable and waterproof rubber matrix to seal and insulate the surface. A third type of roofing product is shake rubber roofing tiles, which are made from compression molded recycled tire crumb rubber. These tiles keep houses cooler in summer and warmer in winter, and are maintenance free, fire resistant, immune to insects, resistant to rot, mildew and moss. 

Membrane made with crumb rubber from tiresWaterproof Membranes
Crumb rubber produced from tires is being used to develop the next generation of waterproofing technologies. Waterproof membranes are applied prior to adding two or three other layers to prevent moisture leakage in roofing, decking, flashing, flooring, parking lots and other construction applications. The crumb rubber comprises about 15 percent of the product, and replaces more expensive conventional materials while adding performance benefits. Using crumb rubber combines resilience, flexibility, and superior waterproofing properties into waterproofing membranes and flashings.

 

Disclaimer: Product benefits and standards testing and documentation may vary according to specific products and vendors. CalRecycle makes no warranty, express or implied, and assumes no liability for the information provided in this website. References to individual businesses and their commercial products do not constitute an endorsement by CalRecycle. The information contained in this website is not complete, and is provided as a convenience to our website visitors and for informational purposes only

For more information contact: Tire-Derived Products, TireGrants@calrecycle.ca.gov