Letter to the Editor
Dear Editor,
I recently read an article in the September issue of Masonry entitled "Total Flash in Action" by Michael Trunko. This article was presented as a case study, but seemed more like a run-of-the-mill advertisement to me. The product mentioned in such glowing terms is a very new product marketed by Mortar Net. It has no history, and the author suggests that the other alternative flashings such as copper were "expensive and time consuming." As President and C.E.O. of Advanced Building Products, I have been involved with the manufacturing and marketing of masonry flashings and drainage systems for 40 years. Copper flashings are manufactured in eight to 10 different weights. Some are laminated with other waterproofing products, while the heavier coppers are not. All of these copper flashings have a long history of outstanding performance as thru-wall flashings. Three-ounce, laminated copper fabric flashing is one of the most specified thru-wall flashings in the industry. This product is manufactured by at least four companies, comes with a lifetime warranty, and is about one-quarter the cost of the Total Flash product. For those who took the time to read the Trunko article, you will remember that he never did say what the Total Flash product costs.
New products will become available for the construction industry. This is called progress, and much of it is good. But before one proclaims that a new, un-proven product is less expensive, installs with less labor, or performs better than many of the existing products, do your homework. I've done mine, and I totally disagree with the findings of the "Total Flash in Action" article/advertisement.
Very truly yours,
Richard A. Lolley
President and C.E.O.
Advanced Building Products, Inc.
Mr. Lolley,
We appreciate your letter. The case study written about Mortar Net's Total Flash product was, indeed, strictly editorial and was in no way paid for by the company. Therefore, it was not an advertisement, but simply an examination of how a product worked in a certain situation, expressed in the form of a case study. I believe our industry is full of exciting and innovative products, as you pointed out. Your company, along with many others in the masonry industry, is succeeding in moving our trade forward and assuring products and technologies remain high in quality. Thanks for all that you do.
— Jennifer Morrell
Editor
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