CertainTeed Corporation has partnered with Penn State University to develop a solar energy training facility and the GridSTAR Net Zero Energy Demonstration Structure pictured above. This initiative represents the second phase of the innovative GridSTAR Center smart energy campus at The Navy Yard in Philadelphia, a campus dedicated to advancing renewable energy, smart-grid technologies, and workforce training.
Designed with input from CertainTeed, the demonstration building highlights the company’s line of solar roofing products and serves as a hands-on training venue for students and building professionals learning modern solar roofing installation techniques. The project also marks the first Multi-Comfort certified building in North America, showcasing an integrated approach to occupant comfort and high-performance building design.
Multi-Comfort is a Saint-Gobain program that recognizes buildings delivering significant benefits through thoughtful design and strategic material selection. It emphasizes improved energy efficiency, enhanced occupant comfort and well-being, and long-term cost effectiveness. The program assesses five complementary aspects of comfort— aesthetic, thermal, acoustic, visual, and indoor air quality—demonstrating that exceptional occupant experience and strong building performance can be achieved together.
Multi-Comfort certified projects are designed to be sustainable, energy efficient, low maintenance, and cost effective while providing comfortable living and working environments. The program is intended to complement local building practices and works alongside established certification frameworks such as the U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design).
CertainTeed and Saint-Gobain aim to improve people’s lives through the creation of living, learning, and healing spaces that enhance daily experiences and long-term outcomes. The GridSTAR demonstration building embodies that mission by pairing advanced building science with practical, trainable systems.
Key building envelope components and systems included in the demonstration project:
Roofing systems
• Landmark Solaris solar-reflective shingles
• CertainTeed underlayments
• Apollo RIPV integrated photovoltaic system
• Flintlastic low-slope roofing system
• 2” Flintboard PISO plus R38 fiberglass batts
Attic assembly (R68)
• Raised heel truss design to increase insulation depth at the eaves
• Nominal 2 x 10 ceiling joists (9 ¼” depth)
• Two layers of fiberglass batt insulation
• Combined thermal resistance R68+
Exterior wall assembly (R30.5)
• Nominal 2 x 8 wood frame (7 ¼” depth)
• OPTIMA BIBS insulation with MemBrain smart vapor retarder (SVR)
• R2.2 CedarBoards insulated siding
• CertaWrap water-resistive barrier
• 1” R6.5 Atlas PISO insulation board
Crawl space wall — unvented (R26.3)
• Form-a-Drain foundation drainage system
• ThermaEZE exterior insulation
• Energy Edge foundation thermal break
• Platon waterproofing membrane
• 2” CertaSpray closed-cell polyurethane over Platon on the crawlspace ground and walls
Interior gypsum and finish systems
• Standard and Type X gypsum board where required for fire resistance
• M2Tech enhanced impact-resistant gypsum products
• SilentFX sound-damping gypsum panels for improved acoustics
• AirRenew gypsum that helps capture VOCs and improve indoor air quality
Outdoor and finish elements
• EverNew composite decking for low-maintenance exterior decks
• Kingston vinyl railing system with porch columns
• Fiber cement flooring boards used as thermal mass where appropriate
These thoughtfully selected materials and assemblies combine durability, high thermal performance, acoustic control, and improved indoor air quality to deliver a building that performs well energetically and provides a comfortable environment for occupants and trainees.
Product specifications and additional information are available from the manufacturer, CertainTeed, and supporting product lines from Saint-Gobain. The GridSTAR Net Zero Energy Demonstration Structure serves both as an educational resource and a real-world example of how modern roofing, insulation, and envelope systems can work together to achieve net-zero energy goals while enhancing occupant comfort.
All product information can be found at www.certainteed.com.