IRREDUCIBLE SIMPLICITY

In 2006 a news headline caught the attention of Les Cullen. He had sold another business recently and saw the Department of Energy had completed a study regarding installing a Styrofoam layer (blanket) on the exterior of buildings as the most economical way to reduce energy usage. This system would dramatically reduce heating and cooling costs. A short time later, Cullen met Will Hutsell, owner of a Styrofoam fabrication company. Cullen imediately purchased controlling interest of a Styrofoam fabrication company and went into business with Will Hutsell. Together they developed & patented insulated a stone & porcelain panels system the US and Canada. ASTM testing and certification at Intertek laboratories was next and CastleRock soon had listings with Warnock Hersey and ETL.

Since then, numerous hotels, schools, commercial and residential buildings in the US & Canada including Alaska are covered with this insulated siding from R-10 to R-30.

Cullen had several other patents (4) from his previous companies, but this had the most potential of any. In 2012 he was nominated as "Innovator of the Year" and won the ITC award. In 2016 the insulated cladding product won second place as "Product of the Year".

Building Codes: Next ASHRAE (American Society of Heating, Refrigeration & Airconditioning Engineers & ICC (International Codes Commission) implemented the requirement into their ASHRAE Code which is used for commercial projects in the US and Canada. and the International Building and Commercial Building Code named "continuous insulation".

The secret to the success of this product is its "Simplicity"! It just goes together like Legos and staples or screws to the wall without mortar, grout or adhesives.

Porcelain (Large format up to 24" x 126" & Small format up to 24" x 48") has become the predominant product in the CastleRock product line. It is economical, beautiful, nearly maintenance-free and designed for up to a 100-year life cycle. It never fades, peels, warps or requires refinishing. It has zero flame spread and smoke generation rating. In 2017 CastleRock received the NFPA 285 high-rise certification and was used on a Hyatt Place & Hyatt House in San Jose, CA at the airport. Since then, other projects have done Hampton Inns, Marriotts and Staybridge hotels, schools, commercial and residential buildings.

Les Cullen, President, CastleRock Building Products, Inc.