Author Archives: tracy

Lakewood, OH’s Anchor Landscaping, (216) 226-0370 , created the beautiful clay paver patio pictured below. The repeating paver pattern utilizes 8x8x2-1/4, 4x8x2-1/4 and 4x8x2-1/4 Kerf (simulates two adjoining 4×4 pavers) in shades 50 Ivory, 52 Majestic and 53 Cimmerian. The installation pattern can be mimicked by following Random Paver Pattern #1, available here for download.

Whitacre Greer dry-pressed clay pavers are produced with genuine fired-clay and shale. The 2000 degree firing process produces a paving brick that is colorfast and extremely durable to the stresses of freeze/thaw.

Anchor Landscaping is owned and operated by Sean and Marty McGuan. The brothers specialize in landscaping older homes. When they’re not creating eye-catching landscapes Sean and Marty teach full time, 4/5th and 3rd grades, respectively.

Thank you Sean and Marty for sharing your work!

The United States Environmental Protection Agency is currently revising the 20-year old New Source Performance Standards (NSPS) for new residential wood heaters. The existing NSPS exempted masonry fireplaces as decorative elements. Revisions to the NSPS may include site-built masonry fireplaces. The EPA and industry have created a test and certification program for appliances that burn wood; including wood stoves, wood boilers and wood burning fireplaces. By 2012, wood burning fireplaces will, with all likelihood, be required to meet new NSPS projected emissions of 5.1 grams of particulate matter per each kilogram of wood burned (g/kg).

HearthCAT units will soon be available for pickup with firebrick at Whitacre Greer.

PRESS RELEASE

For the first time since 1988, the EPA is revising the New Source Performance Standard for allowable emissions. They are including wood burning fireplaces in this revision and have created a test and certification program for every type of wood burning fireplace including masonry. According to EPA, by 2012, all wood burning fireplaces will be required to meet the new NSPS requirement projected @ 5.1 grams of particulates for each kilogram of wood burned (g/kg). A traditional masonry fireplace emits 12-15 g/kg of particulates. If a masonry fireplace doesn’t meet the new standard, it can’t be legally installed or operated. Needless to say, this new EPA Standard will have a significant impact on the entire wood burning masonry fireplace industry.

Clear Skies Unlimited has been working with EPA for years in developing a technology that would reduce particulates in masonry fireplaces below the new 5.1 g/kg limit. Clear Skies recently received the prestigious 2009 Clean Air Excellence Award from the US Environmental Protection Agency for their efforts. The US EPA officially recognized Clear Skies Unlimited at the annual EPA Clean Air Excellence Awards Ceremony in Washington, DC for its dedication to excellence in achieving clean air through new technology development. The Clean Air Excellence Award went to Clear Skies Unlimited based on the projected impact that their revolutionary HearthCAT™ Wood Burning Fireplace Emission Control Technology will have on future wood burning fireplace emissions nationwide.

The HearthCAT technology reduces particulate emissions in wood burning fireplaces by as much as 90 percent. The HearthCAT™ System has reduced PM2.5 in Isokern Modular Masonry Fireplaces to 2.9 g/kg, well below the EPA voluntary program Phase 2 emissions level of 5.1 g/kg. The HearthCAT™-equipped Isokern Masonry Fireplaces are the cleanest burning open hearth fireplaces currently qualified under EPA’s new fireplace qualification program. The HearthCAT™ technology has been successfully tested in masonry fireplaces for retro-fit applications and new construction. The HearthCAT™ was recently approved wood burning fireplace retro-fit applications in most of the major air districts in California. The system is installed in under an hour, requires no power, is maintenance free and is affordable to the consumer.

Clear Skies has recently established the Whitacre Greer Company in Alliance, Ohio as the Master Distributor for the nationwide introduction of this technology to the masonry fireplace new construction market. The HearthCAT™ System is the only passive technology that currently meets the new EPA performance requirement for masonry fireplace emissions. The technology is being very well received by masons and masonry contractors nationwide.

Chicago-area hardscape installer Appian Stone Werks, Addison, IL used Whitacre Greer Old World Cobbled 6×9 pavers for this terrific residential driveway application.   In the greater Chicago area Whitacre Greer pavers are available from Town & Country Landscape Supply.  Old World Cobbled pavers are genuine dry-pressed, fired-clay brick pavers.  They are resistant to damage due to freeze-thaw and will not fade with use.

Whitacre Greer is pleased to have reach a distribution agreement with Clear Skies Unlimited for Clear Skies’ HearthCat technology for the masonry new construction market.  HearthCat technology reduces PM2.5 fireplace emissions below the EPA voluntary program Phase 2 level of 5.1 g/kg.  HearthCat will be distributed through firebrick distributors nationwide for new masonry fireplace construction.  Please contact Colby at cdehoff@wgpaver.comfor information on this exciting new product.

Clear Skies Unlimited Inc. is a small business specializing in innovative catalytic solutions for the most challenging air quality problems.  Clear Skies has successfully developed and tested a wood burning fireplace emission control retrofit technology that has the potential to reduce emissions in wood burning fireplaces by as much as 70 to 90 percent in some cases.   The HearthCAT™ System Reduces PM2.5 from one modular masonry fireplace to 2.9 g/kg, well below the EPA voluntary program Phase 2 emissions level of 5.1 g/kg.  The HearthCAT™-equipped Isokern Fireplace is the cleanest burning open hearth fireplace currently qualified under EPA’s voluntary program.  The HearthCAT™ has also been successfully tested and qualified in a factory-built fireplace.  The technology has application potential in millions of fireplaces nationwide, since it can be used in new or retrofit fireplaces, and in both open hearth masonry and low mass fireplaces.  The HearthCAT™ is a passive catalytic device that employs a smoke capture hood to isolate and destroy the offensive pollutants and wood smoke.  The system is easily installed, requires little or no maintenance, and is affordable to the consumer.  For four consecutive years, Hearth & Home Magazine had issued the Vesta Challenge to hearth product manufacturers for the creation of a wood burning fireplace retrofit technology that would dramatically reduce particulate emissions without creating any smoke spillage or adversely affecting indoor air quality.  In March of 2009, Clear Skies Unlimited won this prestigious award.

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The Metro Parks Serving Summit County has selected and installed Whitacre Greer Old World Cobbled pavers for an addition to the FA Seiberling Nature Realm facility.  The pavers, 4x8x2-1/4, 6x6x2-1/4 and 8x8x2-1/4 in natural browns and grays, are arranged in a repeating pattern providing the appearance of historic cobble stones.  The pavers were first used at the park in 2002.

Whitacre Greer Old World Cobbled pavers are available in the entire thirteen-color color palette and in a variety of sizes.  Colors complementing any site may be mingled at the time of manufacture easing installation.  Multiple sizes may be incorporated into projects in repeating patterns providing the look of natural stone cobbles.  A sample of possible installation patterns utilizing multiple sizes/shapes of pavers is available here.

Whitacre Greer pavers are dry-pressed, fired-clay.  They are extremely durable in all climates and will not fade with use or exposure to UV light.

, NC casino is the most recent gaming property to select Whitacre Greer Boardwalk pavers for its renovation.  Completion of the project is expected in 2012.  Harrah”s joins the , Atmore, AL; the , Pittsburgh, PA and the , Mont-Tremblant, Quebec in its selection of the long and linear Boardwalk Paver.

Wind Creek Casino and Hotel.  Whitacre Greer Boardwalk Pavers.  Shades 50 Ivory, 52 Majestic and 54 Chocolate.

Rivers Casino.  Whitacre Greer Boardwalk Pavers.  Shades 41 Caribbean, 42 Cinnamon and 44 Mahogany.

Casino de Mont-Tremblant.  Whitacre Greer Boardwalk Pavers.  Shades 50 Ivory, 52 Majestic and 54 Chocolate.

Whitacre Greer Boardwalk pavers are available in the following sizes:

• 2-1/4 x 9 x 2-1/4
• 2-1/4 x 9 x 3 (Width x Length x Height)
• 3 x 9 x 3

They, like all other Whitacre Greer paving products, are available in the entire standard color pallet and are suitable for pedestrian and vehicular areas.

Minnesota Brick and Tile, Bloomington, MN and Cason Builders Supply, East Flat Rock, NC worked with Short Elliott Hendrickson to specify and supply the Boardwalk pavers on the Harrah”s project.  Valley Crest Landscape Company is installing.

Thank you all for thinking of Whitacre Greer Boardwalk pavers!

Whitacre Greer’s third annual Surplus Day Sale will be held Saturday, June 12th at the plant at 1400 South Mahoning Ave, Alliance, OH.  Surplus pavers and firebrick, overruns and off color material will be available to visitors on a first come, first served basis.  A wide variety of paver sizes and colors will be available for large and small residential projects.

Whitacre Greer, Alliance’s brickyard, produces firebrick for residential fireplaces and light industrial appliacations and paving brick for commercial, institutional and municipal projects throughout North America.  The signature Boardwalk line of pavers is recognized by landscape architects near and far for its unique profile and exceptional design capabilities.

The Surplus Sale will be held from 8am till 2pm, Saturday, June 12th.

Mahan Rykiel Associates – Landscape Architects chose Whitacre Greer Boardwalk clay paving brick for the Puerto Rico Convention Center Hotel, San Juan.  The Boardwalk pavers, a blend of shades 52 Majestic, 53 Cimmerian and 54 Chocolate surround a roof deck pool located on the fourth floor.  Belair Road Supply, Whitacre Greer’s Baltimore-area distributor assisted with the specification of the 2-1/4x9x2-1/4 (WxLxH) Boardwalk pavers.

The Sheraton Puerto Rico Hotel & Convention Center is situated in the midst of the convention center district and next to the marina.  The hotel is conveniently located ten minutes from the international airport and five minutes from historic Old San Juan.

Whitacre Greer Boardwalk pavers are dry-pressed, fired-clay products.  Raw shale and clay is processed and then pressed in steel molds under 400-ton presses.  The green pressed brick are then loaded on kiln cars, dried and fired in a kiln where temperatures approach 2000 degrees fahrenheit.  A complete explanation of the production process is available here.

Thank you Mahan Rykiel and Belair Road Supply for thinking of Whitacre Greer clay brick pavers for this exciting project!

The Whitacre Engineering Company, Canton, OH discovered these photos of the Whitacre Greer Company’s Waynesburg plant and was kind enough to share them with us.  Click on the photograph for a higher resolution image.  Throughout its history the Whitacre Greer Company and its predecessors have manufactured a wide range of fired-clay products including hollow tile as pictured below.  J.J. Whitacre founded both The Whitacre Engineering Company and the Whitacre Greer Company.