Johns Manville to Introduce Overhead Application for Spider(TM) Custom Insulation System at 2006 Pacific Coast Builders Conference

DENVER--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 19, 2006--Johns Manville (JM), the only manufacturer to offer a complete line of Formaldehyde-free(TM) fiber glass building insulation, will introduce an overhead application for its Spider(TM) Custom Insulation System at the 2006 Pacific Coast Builders Conference (PCBC) taking place in San Francisco, June 20-23. Overhead Spider provides high R-values and complete cavity coverage for superior energy efficiency in hard-to-reach cathedral ceilings and flat roof cavities. In addition to superior energy efficiency, overhead Spider provides high Sound Transmission Class (STC) values, increasing a floor's ability to block airborne sound for excellent sound control in interior floors.

The JM Spider Custom Insulation System is a formaldehyde-free, spray-in fiber glass insulation that completely fills wall and overhead cavities, eliminating all gaps and voids where energy can escape. In addition to providing complete cavity coverage, Spider reaches R-values of R-15 and R-23 in 2x4 and 2x6 wall cavities, respectively, and R-values of R-38 and R-47 in 2x10 and 2x12 in overhead cavities, respectively. Spider is made from inorganic fiber glass which naturally does not support mold growth and is further protected with an EPA registered preservative, the same product used in food, to prevent mold growth. Spider also sprays into cavities practically dry, with a lower percentage of moisture content than dry wood, allowing contractors to apply a vapor barrier or drywall the same day as installation.

“Spider contractors will now be able to install walls, floors, cathedral ceilings and conditioned attics with Spider allowing for greater acoustical performance, increased energy efficiency, and improved indoor environmental quality. The overhead application will allow our customers to add additional value to the homes they install.”

"We are excited to offer the Spider overhead application to our growing network of North American Spider contractors," said Tony Fonk, residential channel leader for Johns Manville. "Spider contractors will now be able to install walls, floors, cathedral ceilings and conditioned attics with Spider allowing for greater acoustical performance, increased energy efficiency, and improved indoor environmental quality. The overhead application will allow our customers to add additional value to the homes they install."

Overhead Spider can be installed on virtually any surface including oriented strand board (OSB), plywood, hardboard, natural lumber, foam insulation, foam or fiberboard vent chutes, and poured or prefabricated concrete. In buildings where Spider will be used on both walls and overhead, it is generally better for contractors to do the overhead installation first to avoid having to clean ceiling overspray off the finished walls.

Spider effectively absorbs sound energy within the insulated cavities and requires half the material to achieve the same STC value as cellulose or blown-in-blanket systems. Spider's ability to achieve a high STC rating was tested on a typical custom home floor assembly in the NVLAP-accredited acoustics laboratory at the Johns Manville Technical Center using ASTM Standard Test Method E 90. Test results showed that the STC rating of a basic assembly can be significantly improved to an STC 44 rating using only 5 1/2 inches of Spider. Resilient channels can be added to reduce sound transmission through the framing structure itself, achieving an STC 56 rating with 5 1/2 inches of Spider. Unlike net-and-blow insulation systems where cavities must be filled for uniform coverage, the improvement is achieved with partially filled Spider cavities.

Spider is a 2005 PCBC Cool Product Award recipient and was named a Must Have Product for 2006 by HGTV Pro, a 2006 Top 100 Product by Building Products and a Best Product of 2005 by BuilderNews. JM's complete line of Formaldehyde-free fiber glass building insulation received the Home Safety Council (HSC) Commendation Award for Product Innovation for Consumer Safety at the HSC's Salute to Home Safety Awards Dinner on June 8, 2006, in Washington, D.C. The award is given to manufacturers for their contribution in helping consumers maintain a safe home environment by reducing home injury risks through innovative product design and development.

The overhead application for Spider has been rigorously tested at the Johns Manville Technical Center in Littleton, Colo., to ensure that the product will adhere to overhead cavities without the use of netting. Contractors can log on to www.spideroverheadinstallation.com for a Web-based training session to learn more about installing Spider in overhead applications.

Johns Manville will be located at booth 0934 in the South Hall at the 2006 Pacific Coast Builders Conference.

Johns Manville, a Berkshire Hathaway company (NYSE: BRK.A, BRK.B), is a leading manufacturer and marketer of premium-quality building and specialty products. In business since 1858, the Denver-based company has annual sales in excess of $2.5 billion and holds leadership positions in all of the key markets that it serves. Johns Manville employs approximately 8,500 people and operates 43 manufacturing facilities in North America, Europe and China. Additional information can be found at www.jm.com.