As a proud sponsor of Celebrate the Night Sky Week, we are pleased to share some exciting news. The 25–minute documentary “City Lights, Starry Nights” directed by John Orrison is now online and available to everyone!

Duluth, Minnesota is working to create a vibrant city nightscape that supports residents, visitors and its incredible environment. In the film, join citizens and national experts Laura Erickson, Paul Bogard and Shadab A. Raman, PhD, MPH as they discuss new lighting technologies, experience pitfalls, and explore possibilities for ending light pollution.

Brilliant starry nightscape by Travis Novitsky

What is light pollution? How does it impact human health, our surrounding habitat, and our quality of life?

The film explains light pollution, how the human circadian system responds to light, why LEDs are different than older light technologies, how light pollution effects bird populations, and much more!

Produced by a group of Duluth citizens, the film interviews national experts at the Night Sky Seminar we hosted in Duluth in 2017, and shows differences in old and new street lighting in and around the Duluth area.

Want to see the movie in person?

Let us know if your group or classroom would like to screen the film, we are available to facilitate discussion about light pollution and our night skies! Call us at 218.343.7332 to schedule a screening!

Spring is in the air! Here in the Northland, we tend to associate spring with venturing out into the fresh air after a long winter of taking shelter indoors. We seldom think about our indoor air quality.

Meteek Supply was born to satisfy the need for leading-edge materials and products that stand up to our extreme climate. But how does building efficiency affect indoor air quality? Does conserving energy necessarily mean a lack of ventilation? As buildings become more energy efficient, this is a question we consider. Zehnder Residential Ventilation Systems offer amazing air quality for indoor health, comfort, and energy efficiency.

How the Zehnder Heat Recovery Ventilation (HRV) System Works

Zehnder HRV provides a constant supply of fresh air into indoor spaces. Fresh air is fed into the system via an external wall vent. The system recovers up to 90% of the energy of the exhaust air to warm the incoming fresh air, saving on heating costs. The air distri­bution system then channels fresh air to individual rooms as needed. The air volume can be adjusted individually for each room.

The Zehnder system works to extract air from wet rooms (kitchens and bathrooms) while supply­ing fresh, tempered air to bedrooms and living areas.

Poor indoor air quality can lead to a rise in asthma and allergic symptoms due to the increased concentration of allergens such as dust mites, VOCs, pollen and mold. Zehnder provides filtered, clean air solutions for indoor health. Click on the link to read about how Zehnder systems increase indoor air quality, here.

Continuing Education

In our ever-expanding efforts to bring you high performance products and to keep them performing optimally, Andy and Randy recently had training in Zehnder commissioning and maintenance. Zehnder East Coast Representative Gary Baggett and SIDA Registered Master Builder Todd Erskin from South Dakota came to Meteek for the training. They worked on two systems in Duluth and one in the Minneapolis area during the training.

Todd, Andy, Gary and Randy inspect the Zehnder ComfoAir System installed at Meteek.

Andy makes a few adjustments.

Gary and Todd review specs with Andy.

Amazing air quality for indoor health, comfort, and energy efficiency!

We have been pleased to offer you Zehnder ComfoAir systems installed and maintained. Meteek now also offers commissioning services to builders and homeowners who have installed a Zehnder system. This process assures that the installation meets criteria used to maximize comfort, efficiency, and proper operation.

We’d love to talk with you about Zehnder ComfoAir HRV Systems whether you are in the market for a new system, or you are looking for installation, commissioning and maintenance. Call Randy at 218.481.7440 to discuss your options!

Happy February, Northlanders! Looking for a cure for cabin fever? We have a great solution: come join us at the 2019 Energy Design Conference & Expo next week, February 26^th and 27^th, at the Duluth Entertainment Convention Center (DECC). The Expo is free and open to the public. We will be exhibiting again this year and are looking forward to connecting with you to discuss the latest in energy-efficient building materials and technologies, renewable energy, best practices, and responsible design.

Randy discusses energy concepts with 2018 Expo attendee

Check out What’s New:

Windows from Glo

Glo European Windows and Doors offers an elegant, durable high-performance family of aluminum windows and matching doors. Glo offers exceedingly high perfor­mance windows, with insulation values of up to R-7, in tilt-turn, fixed and lift-and-slide options, including models with Passive House certification, curtain walls, and postless corners.

Glo Windows — beautiful and energy efficient

Dragonwood Thermally Modified Wood

A next-generation technology, Dragonwood thermally modified wood creates a beautiful, weather-resistant wood without the addition of toxic chemicals.

Hahn Recycled Plastics

Hahn Plastics are 100% recycled plastic products including parts, profiles, and systems for landscaping. All products are maintenance-free, easy to install, durable and spinter-free, as well as aesthetically pleasing. Not only are they made entirely from recycled plastic, they are also 100% recyclable!

And What’s Tried and True

In addition to our new offerings, we are thrilled to offer an exciting variety of tried and true products and materials in our continuing efforts to meet your energy conservation needs!

HVAC from Viessman, Jaga and Zehnder

Viessmann’s sleek, compact boiler design delivers efficient heating to your interior space. Designed with corrosion-resistent alloys, Viessmann condensing boilers are top performers in the market today.

Jaga Radiation presents new concepts in hydronic heating and cooling systems compound the efficiency of condensing boilers and low-temperature heating. Jaga offers traditional low-volume hydronic heating units, as well as models that both heat and cool.

Jaga Radiation in-floor sleek design

Zehnder heat recovery ventilation provides a constant supply of fresh air into indoor spaces. Fresh air is fed into the system via an external wall vent. The system recovers up to 90% of the energy of the exhaust air to warm the incoming fresh air, saving on heating costs. The air distri­bution system then channels the optimally tempered fresh air to individual rooms as needed. The air volume can be adjusted individually for each room.

Building fabrics and tapes from Siga

SIGA is a family-owned Swiss company that produces rainproof and diffusion-open breathable membranes suitable for creating a permanently wind-tight building envelope. In high-performance building applications, SIGA products can be used for between- and above-rafter insulation and for rear-ventilated (rainscreen) facades.

Residential project with SIGA building fabrics.

Wood finishes from Cutek and Rubio Monocoat

CUTEK Extreme wood finish is a synthetic oil-based exterior wood protection system. It penetrates deeply into the wood where it works to control moisture from within. Developed in Australia, Cutek oils do not peel off or crack, and impart exceptional dimensional stability to the wood.

Developed in Belgium, Rubio Monocoat Oil is a next-generation interior finish that colors and protects your wood in one single layer. With no VOCs, Rubio Monocoat is afe and durable enough for any wood finishing need, from children’s furniture to wooden flooring.

Lighting from Novaflex and Soraa

Novaflex offers energy-efficient LED ribbon/tape light in output ranges for every application. Professional-grade lighting ensures proper execution of design intentions. Additionally, Novaflex also offers architectural-grade LED neon in multiple outputs and color options.

Novaflex energy-efficient LED ribbon/tape light

SORAA manufactures LEDs using a unique GaN-on-GaN (Gallium Nitride on Gallium Nitride) process that provides massive advantages. Unlike traditional LEDs, Soraa LEDs render every color of the visible spectrum (think rainbow) – starting at violet and ending at red.

Meteek Supply represents high-performance materials and technologies for the best that can happen…

Howling blizzards from the arctic and summer windstorms born of the Great Plains forge the extremes of our Northern climate. Meteek Supply provides leading-edge materials and products that stand up to the demands of our 140° temperature swings, pounding freeze-thaw cycles and summer heatwaves.

Searching the globe for materials and technologies, Meteek Supply is meeting your needs for high-performance building, and for the comfort and safety of your clients who use them.

As always, we strive to bring you products and technologies for your high-performance building needs. With an eye on renewable energy and responsible design, we’re sure we can help you find just the right products for you or your clients. Mark your calendars for February 26^th and 27^th. We can’t wait to see you at the Energy Design Conference & Expo!

Happy holidays, friends! As 2018 draws to a close, we invite you to join us in remembering what a great year this was, in celebrating the joys of the season, and in welcoming the new year!

At Meteek & Co and Meteek Supply, our passion is expressing inner transformation. We construct the elements that express the uniqueness of your endeavors from boardroom to commercial space, business to home. With wood, glass, steel and stone, from bold design to intimate detail. Meteek facilitates bringing your vision into form. What could be more magical than that?

It’s time to Celebrate the Night Sky! This week in the Twin Ports and our region we are celebrating connecting to the starry night sky as we approach the first day of fall and get ready to enjoy longer nights. People all across the region have a vision of a Duluth and Lake Superior free of light pollution and full of starry skies.

Throughout the week, we have been hearing from experts like Dr. Shadab Rahman about the effects of light pollution on circadian rhythm. Light at night interferes with our sleep cycles and can have real and serious health consequences. Not only is Meteek Supply a proud sponsor of Celebrate the Night Sky Week, but we also have products like NovaFlex Lighting to provide to a few simple ways to support our circadian rhythm.

NovaFlex Flexible LED Lighting

NovaFlex is flexible, energy-efficient LED ribbon/tape light in output ranges for every application. With NovaFlex we can increase the amount of brighter blue light during the day and utilize dimmer, warmer, red and amber tones at night which more closely mimics natural daylight cycles.

Specification grade LED ribbon/LED tape offered in multiple lumen outputs

Since we are exposed to artificial lighting nearly 24 hours each day, we can increase the brightness and intensity during the day to mimic natural daylight. At the same time, we can utilize warmer-colored, dimmer lighting at night. This will reduce the effects of how artificial light disrupts normal sleep patterns.

Increasing brightness and intensity of indoor lighting during the day helps to mimic natural daylight.

NovaFlex offers products that are beautiful, energy efficient and designed in output ranges for every application.

NovaFlex also offers architectural-grade LED neon in multiple outputs and color options for indoor and outdoor lighting solutions. We invite you to stop in to see some samples. Or give us a call at 218.481.7440 to discuss your lighting needs.

Wow! Look what just arrived at the shop! We received quite the surprise when two boxes of Starry Skies Lake Superior T-Shirts arrived in a variety of styles and colors! Thanks to Knife River Outfitters, another one of the stellar sponsors of Celebrate the Night Sky Week coming up September 16-22!

RobBee and Super Shop Dog Mako check out the delivery from the Starry Skies T-Shirt Fairy

Are you ready for some fun?

We are really excited about all the fun and fascinating upcoming events for Celebrate the Night Sky Week  September 16 – 22!  Show your support and and enthusiasm in Starry Skies apparel. Shirts and caps were popular last year and more colors and styles are available this year! You can get your Starry Skies clothing at most events, or come prepared dressed in current fashions from the Starry Skies Lake Superior website here.

Cynthia and RobBee model Starry Skies apparel available at many of the upcoming event locations this year and online

Want to try a few shirts on for size? We have women’s and unisex long sleeve and short sleeve styles are available. All are made of 100% preshunk cotton. Visit the Starry Skies Lake Superior website, or stop by and pick yours up today!

Prepare to shine, Northlanders and mark your calendars for an entire week of celebrating the night sky this September! Starry Skies Lake Superior has lined up another week of exciting events around the region, following the success of last year’s Celebrate the Night Sky Week and Meteek Supply is proud to be a sponsor.  A few events are highlighted below, many more are featured on this year’s schedule.

Sunday September 16 we will be kicking off our second annual Celebrate the Night Sky week 6-11 pm at the Oldenburg House with stories, food, fun and telescopes! Come join us in Carlton, MN as we celebrate our connection to the stars on beautiful grounds nestled into our beloved northern landscape and adjoining Jay Cooke State Park. Sky lore historian Mary Stewart Adams, producer of the Storyteller’s Night Sky, will wend us into why the stars mean so much to humans, and why our connection with the night sky is irreplaceable. Members of the Arrowhead Astronomical Society will be on board with telescopes to enhance our sky viewing pleasure.

About “Celebrate the Night Sky Week”

Photo courtesy of Matthew Moses Photography

Celebrating our Spectacular Skies

Northern lights, meteor showers and the Milky Way are common sights in our region. Our visual access to night skies is unusual in the United States, where 80% of our citizens cannot see the Milky Way, and most children may never see it at all. Celebrate the Night Sky Week recognizes the unique night sky opportunities in our region.

Learning About our Lighting Choices

Lighting technology is changing at a rapid pace, and we continue to choose ever-brighter night light­ing. We are inviting presenters to educate professionals and citizens on latest technologies, medical research, and cultural importance, empowering all of us in becoming decision-makers about our Night Skies.

Be sure to join us on Wednesday, September 19 for a presentation by Shadab Rahman, PhD, MPH at the UMD School of Medicine Research. Neurophysiologist Shadab Rahman is an Instructor in Medicine at Harvard Medical School. His primary research is in how light can modulate behavioral, endocrine and molecular outputs, with secondary interest in metabolic, immune and reproductive rhythms, and the effects of light exposure on these rhythms. Rahman presented at last year’s Night Sky Seminar and is working towards inauguration a sleep study in our region.

Shadab will also be on hand Wednesday night 7 pm at Fitger’s Spirit of the North theater for the premiere of “City Lights, Starry Nights,” a documentary movie on light pollution and moving towards seeing the stars in Duluth and our region!

Connecting our Region

Light pollution travels, and skyglow becomes sky trespass as excess light from one area can hinder others’ views of the night sky. Safeguarding our access to the night sky is a regional endeavor. Com­munities on the North and South Shores are involved in the Night Sky Week, to ensure beautiful, Superior night skies.

Cynthia and RobBee model Starry Skies apparel available at many of the upcoming event locations this year and online here.

Why Focus on Night Skies?

Honoring our Environment

All organisms in our environment, including humans, have evolved to depend upon daily cycles of light and dark. We need to protect the night in order to protect the environment we depend on.

Protecting Human Health

Our bodies are entrained to the cycle of day and night. Too much light at night compromises our endocrine system. stressing our bodies and contributing to cancer, obesity, diabetes, sleep disorders and depression.

Safeguarding our View of the Cosmos

Humans have always been curious about our place in the Universe. The marvels of northern lights, asteroids and comets; the movement of the planets and the cycles of moon and tides all point us toward the “bigger picture.” Curbing light pollution protects our access to the stars.

Supporting our Quality of Life

Our goal is to establish our region as a “Dark Sky Destination,” welcoming visitors to connect with our beautiful night skies, and maintaining the quality of life we enjoy.

Take a look at the fun we had last year. There’s even more fun in store for this year!

Author Paul Hoban reads from his book The End of Night: Searching for Natural Darkness in an Age of Artificial Light

Lake Superior Stars, an original print by Rick Allen created for the event on display at siiviis

Local restaurants like Valentini’s and Amity Coffee participated with tasty information and local “gAstronomical” food and drink specials

There is something for everyone, whether you are two or two hundred! Come and check in with the cosmos. We are lining up a spate of great events for the week: be sure to check them out! Stay tuned and check back often as more events are added at www.StarrySkiesLS.org, or on Facebook at Starry Skies Lake Superior IDA. Or get in touch with Randy Larson 218-343-7332 randy@meteek.com. We look forward to seeing you under the stars!

Another sultry, high-humidity day today, while just last week it seemed like an early autumn was on the horizon with high winds, low temps and driving rain. If you think we are obsessing about the weather, let’s face it: we live in an extreme climate with huge variables. As a result, we need habitat solutions to meet those climate challenges that are both cost effective and durable.

This is our passion at Meteek Supply. To provide leading-edge materials and products that stand up to the extreme northland weather. Towards that goal, we are pleased to offer ROCKWOOL and SIGA building fabrics for high-performance rainscreen applications.

Cynthia applies SIGA waterproof breathable tape to SIGA Majvest buildling fabric before the windows are installed.

Rockwool Refresher

Last week we introduced high-performance ROCKWOOL insulation for frost protection in a shallow-foundation. But did you know that ROCKWOOL performs brilliantly in many other applications? With an R-value of 4.20 per inch, as well as outstanding fire and water resilience, ROCKWOOL is also a terrific choice for a variety of applications including:

• Exterior/Interior Wall Insulation
• Floor/Ceiling
• Attic
• Flat Roof
• Acoustics and Noise Absorption

ROCKWOOL is stone wool, or mineral wool. It is a fiber insulation comprised of basalt rock that is 100% recyclable. Its unique structure is both durable and tough, a great feature considering our extreme northland climate. ROCKWOOL’s unchangeable stability adds up to energy and maintenance savings over the lifetime of a building.

High-Performance ROCKWOOL & SIGA Building Fabrics: A Real Dynamic Duo

We found ROCKWOOL a great choice for a frost-protected shallow foundation for our addition project in Gnesen Township. But we didn’t stop there! Breathablity and moisture resistance are key factors in our selection of ROCKWOOL for wall insulation for this project. Coupled with SIGA building fabrics and tapes, we’ve constructed a building with a continuous weather-resistant layer and a vapor control layer. You can read more about SIGA and the science of building tight here.

Here’s a peek at our Gnesen Township addition project in progress.

ROCKWOOL and SIGA Majvest—a dynamic duo for moisture resistance and vapor control.

Yay! Windows! Lath goes on top of the ROCKWOOL.

Putting it all together

Rainscreen is a building technique where you leave space between the exterior façade or siding and the interior of a wall. This space provides a barrier against moisture transfer from capillary action. It also de-pressurizes the wall by creating an “eddy” space (think of a rock in a stream current that creates an eddy behind it) so that moisture is not as easily driven through the wall profile.

Rainscreen also de-pressurizes the wall by creating an “eddy” space.

At the far right, siding is attached to the lath for a proper rainscreen.

Rockwool, Siga and Rainscreen: the All-Weather Trio to stand up to the high-performance demands of the northland’s extreme climate. Stop in if you would like to take a look at some of our samples, or give is a call at 218.481.7440 to discuss your project ideas!

Our challenging climate in the Northland demands a superior insulating material. We at Meteek Supply are excited to offer ROCKWOOL, a breathable, moisture repellent, insect resistant, non-toxic and durable insulation.

Super shop dog, Mako, gives her nod of approval.

Hello ROCKWOOL! Danish mineral wool manufacturer ROCKWOOL (formerly Roxul in the United States) is the world’s largest manufacturer of mineral wool products. Starting mineral wool manufacturing in 1937, ROCKWOOL has expanded to the U.S. with two facilities, including a new production facility in Ranson, West Virginia just this June.

What is Stone Wool?

Stone wool, or mineral wool, is a fiber insulation spun from molten limestone, basalt, or ceramics. ROCKWOOL insulation is a rock-based stone fiber insulation comprised of basalt rock that is 100% recyclable.

Stone wool insulation has a unique structure, which keeps its shape and toughness despite changes in temperature or humidity. Consequently the performance does not change, decade after decade. That adds up to energy and maintenance savings throughout a building’s lifetime.

ROCKWOOL: superstrengthified insulation with brilliant performance.

Due to its dense fiber structure, ROCKWOOL stone wool is also easy to install. Most importantly, it adapts to all types of irregularities. As a result, this superstrengthified insulation performs brilliantly.

Shallow Foundation Frost Protection

We found ROCKWOOL a great choice for a frost-protected shallow foundation for our addition project in Gnesen Township. Because of its non-organic composition, ROCKWOOL doesn’t provide a food source for mold or mildew to grow. Nor is it attractive to insects or rodents.

Randy installs the ROCKWOOL insulation in the shallow foundation.

Once gravel and drain tile are installed, Randy covers the drainage materials with soil.

Randy adds more fill.

Andy levels the foundation for the stem walls.

And ROCKWOOL is moisture resistant yet vapor permeable. Because it doesn’t wick water, any water that contacts the outer surface will drain. Furthermore, it wont be absorbed into the body of the insulation. Breathability and moisture resistance are key in a climate like ours where rain and frost can create issues.

Superior Fire Resistance

In addition to its excellent vapor permeability and moisture repellent qualities, ROCKWOOL insulation also offers superior fire resistance. Stone wool is not combustible, because stone is not combustible. Moreover, since house fires burn at a temperature much lower than the melting point of stone, it is therefore an extremely safe choice. Check out the video below to see how beautifully ROCKWOOL holds up to water and flames.

Wow! Water resistance demonstration begins at 1:39; fire resilience demo begins at 2:17 in the video.

Also noteworthy, ROCKWOOL has a variety of applications in addition to its use in a shallow foundation. We promise to share more in future posts.

From excellent thermal properties to extreme fire resilience, from water and mold resistance to durability, ROCKWOOL has it all. It is a terrific choice for frost protection in a shallow foundation. Stay tuned for more uses of high-performance ROCKWOOL insulation!

For more information, contact us today at 218-481-7440

We live in one of the most beautiful places in the world, and there are few views more spectacular than the shores of Lake Superior. What could be better than a deck which offers a view of the big lake? Stainless steel cabling can provide an unobstructed view of the lake, perhaps with a few sailboats on the horizon…

Stainless steel cabling offers an unobstructed view of the big lake.

From Decks to Decks, Randy’s Inspiration

Randy Larson’s inspiration for using stainless steel cables for construction came from growing up sailing Lake Superior on a Morgan 34. He raced the Trans Superior International Race  in 1973 on Keel Joy. Inspired by the stainless steel cables and sleek hardware of his sailing days, Randy’s fascination with these elements grew.

As a building material, the possibilities seem limitless. At Meteek Supply, we offer a full range of stainless steel cabling and hardware systems to meet your building needs. (and click here for further reading)

Flash back to the outstanding crew of the 1973 TransSuperior aboard the deck of Keel Joy, a Morgan 34. Randy at upper right!

(And if you’re interested in boats, you may know about the myriad possibilities for using epoxy. We offer the full line of West Sytem Epoxy products at Meteek Supply. Stay tuned for future ideas for a variety of applications!)

A Modern Building Material with Timeless Appeal

Stainless steel cable and hardware have become popular choices for building materials in recent years. From decks to stairways, balconies to fencing, cable railing installs easily and can withstand the kind of weather extremes we see here in the Northland. Not only does it look beautiful, but it is low-maintenance. The minimal design shifts the focus to what’s beyond it: your view. It provides a safeguard from falling, and is extremely safe for children and pets.

For over 60 years, architects have used stainless steel in their design concepts. We think of stainless steel as part of the modernist architectural movement, along with glass and tensile fabrics. Its minimal simplicity lends itself well to both contemporary and traditional designs.

The minimal simplicity of stainless steel cable and hardware complements both contemporary and traditional interiors.

Great Places to Use Stainless Steel Cable Railing and Hardware

• Decks The most common place to install a cable railing is on a backyard deck. Northland builders and homeowners know that a deck can be a prized addition, especially in the warm summer months when we all love to relax and enjoy being outside with family and friends.
  

  Stainless steel cabling allows clear views.

  Building codes require certain precautions to keep occupants safe, including a railing. Adding a railing to a deck, however, tends to block the scenic views — the reason many decks are built in the first place. Cable railings allow for the clearest view, and the least amount of work to maintain it.

• Balconies or Terraces A balcony is a lot like a deck, but the structure of the building supports the platform rather than standing alone as an attachment. Balconies and terraces are usually smaller than a deck, but still deserve a strong, stylish railing. In a smaller outdoor space, a cable railing’s transparent quality can provide a feeling of spaciousness and a great view.
•  Stairs Stairs are another common place for cabling. Railings are nearly always required where there are stairs. Cabling is an easy-to-install railing option for staircases and other interior applications. With an open look, cable railings provide an expansive feeling that works well with both contemporary and traditional interiors.

Cabling provides and open expansive feeling.

• Outdoor Pathway/Garden Include cabling in outdoor spaces to mark pathways and add interest to landscaping. Substitute a cable railing for a wooden structure and you can appreciate the entire outdoor space without obstruction. Also, cable railing in a garden setting will allow climbing plants and other vines to show off and make the railing a part of the landscape.

Effortless beauty: good looks with low maintenance

Other railing materials like glass and traditional pickets require a lot of work to keep them looking optimal. Stainless steel cable and hardware are durable, resist corrosion and withstand the elements. Good looks with low maintenance are always a winning combination in our book.

Sleek and gorgeous railing prefabbed in our shop by Andy last week and installed the next day: a lovely blend of contemporary and traditional.

Clean look: stainless steel and limestone risers.

With stainless steel cabling and hardware, the possibilities are limitless.

Give us a call to discuss more options for stainless steel cable and hardware, or to chat about sailing…

What’s up for fun this summer? How about Tentsile tree tents and hammocks available at Meteek Supply! Tentsile tree tents are tension suspended tents which allow above-ground sleeping. What could be more fun than camping in the trees above wet, bumpy, and uneven terrain, not to mention snakes, bugs, and other creepies… These tents are just plain cool–and we have them here at Meteek Supply!

Elevating Adventure

Tentsile Tree Tents came from the imagination of a British architect who saw the Star Wars movie, Return of the Jedi as a young boy. Remember the Ewoks’ tree house village? This planted a tiny seed, and the idea grew. Fast forward to today, the Tentsile is a usable space created through pure tension.  The lightweight, portable treehouse has three anchor points to create a “living space” suspended between the trees. Tentsile tree tents enable campers to immerse themselves deeper in nature and experience its beauty and magic like never before.

What could be more magical and fun than camping in the trees?

In a Tentsile, you can sleep anywhere; above wet, bumpy and uneven terrain while also enjoying protection from snakes, bugs and other creepies…

How do they work?

Set-up is easy and takes about 10 minutes.  You can set one up about 4 feet off the ground for easy access and to minimize risk of injury, or stack tents and hammocks for high tree adventure. The Tentsile tree tents come with all the elements needed for set-up including an instruction manual.

Randy and Laura relaxing on a gorgeous day.

Fun Features

• The tents are versatile: they are designed to be suspended over the ground, but in dry conditions you can pitch on the ground like a conventional tent.
• They are comfortable and spacious.
• The Tentsile Stingray comes with a fully enclosed micro insect mesh roof (with opening doors) and removable rainfly sheets so you can enjoy the stars on a clear night!
• All tents and hammocks are UV resistant, and the tents are PU-coated and have waterproof polyester fabric fly.
• They are just plain fun!

You can hang the tents and hammocks individually or in a stack or cluster to create your own treehouse village!

We also have hanging ladders which make for easy entrance and exit. They are sold separately.

An entire community of tree house tents can be linked together for fun with friends and family.

Relaxing above the creepy crawlies.

Tentsile tents offer high adventure in the backyard or in the wilderness

You can check out the easy set up below:

Summer Fun with Tentsile Tents at Meteek Supply

We carry a variety of different Tentsile tree tent and hammock designs in a range of prices, which you can check out here!

You can visit us at Meteek Supply to see our selection in person. Or feel free to call us at 218.481.7440 to discuss your outdoor adventure needs!

Happy snow day, northlanders! Yet another snowstorm in April may leave you less than excited. But homebound students aren’t the only ones who are happy about today’s weather. At Meteek Supply, we are ready to give you the low down on Low Temperature Radiation! We are excited to offer Jaga Radiation low temperature heating–a great option for new concepts in hydronic heating and cooling systems.

Jaga Radiation, Hydronic Heating + Cooling

Jaga Radiation offers traditional low-volume hydronic heating units, as well as models that both heat and cool. Originating in Belgium, Jaga products have a firm foundation in notable North American projects including the Evergreen Brickworks Building in Toronto, and the Chihuly Glass House Museum in Seattle. As the demand for comfortable, energy-efficient products increases, more architects, engineers and contractors are turning to these stylish and energy-efficient solutions.

Jaga heating solutions help transform old Brick Works facility into an icon of sustainability and LEED-EB Platinum building

Jaga Offers Discreet, Immediate Heat at the Chihuly Glass House Museum

Low Temperature Radiation at Meteek Supply

We are pleased to offer Jaga Radiation at Meteek Supply. Products include a variety of hydronic units, including models that both heat and cool. Low-H2O stands for Low-water content and mass. Low-H2O radiators contain only 10% of the water content from a panel radiator with identical output. These radiators can react immediately on external factors. This allows you to benefit from free heat sources like sunshine or cooking. Low-H2O also stands for Low- water temperatures: these radiators are actually designed to operate on a supply water temperature starting from 110°F (with optional DBE even from 90°F).

Due to the quick reaction time, Low-H2O can react immediately to all changes in the room. When external heat comes into the room the radiator stops immediately, preventing an overshoot of the room temperature for optimal benefit from free energy sources. When the temperature in the room tends to drop, the Low-H2O reacts directly, maintaining every square inch of the room at a comfortable temperature.

Jaga Slim-Canal

The Slim-canal offers heating, cooling and ventilation. It is small, yet powerful enough to warm and cool window walls and keep you comfortable. Silent and unobtrusive, the Slim-canal provides the best possible climate comfort.

The Slim-canal by Jaga is powerful enough to warm and cool window walls

The Slim-canal maximize space and uses less energy

Jaga Strada DBE

The Jaga Strada DBE combines warm power with cutting edge design. The Strada presents a sleek front combined with strong vertical lines of the sturdy grille. Look behind the cabinet and discover the Low-H2O technology, which makes Strada the most economical radiator. And with Dynamic Boost Effect technology, efficiency is vastly augmented at an extremely quiet 35 dB.

Strada DBE offers warm power and cutting edge design

Jaga Strada DBE — it can’t get any leaner than this

Jaga Briza

Super slim and powerful heating, cooling and ventilation. Briza is a climate unit with a dual personality, a hybrid that provides comfortable heat in the winter and refreshing cooling in summer. It gives optimum indoor climate throughout the year. And the Briza is flexible; it can be recessed into walls. Ceiling mounting is also an option.

Briza is a climate unit with a dual personality

Take a break from the cold April temperatures to visit us. You can check out our full line of Low Temperature Radiation options–we have plenty of choices to warm your heart!

Looking for a building membrane system that is weatherproof and breathable and stands up to our punishing climate? In our ever-expanding search for building materials that amaze and perform, we have found the family of SIGA building fabrics and tapes, and are delighted to offer them to you.

Local Projects, Local Supplier

Residential project with SIGA building fabrics. Designed by David Salmela, built by Rod & Sons Carpentry

Meteek Supply is proud to supply SIGA building fabrics and tapes to local builder Brad Holmes at Rod & Sons Carpentry. Brad is one of the go-to builders for local (and internationally known) architect David Salmela’s award-winning designs.

SIGA creates wall and roof membranes, and corresponding breathable tapes that are impervious to extreme conditions such as wind, rain, snow, insects, condensation, and mold. This is high-performance building—building tight—which ultimately results in lower energy costs and energy dependence.

The Science of Building Tight

SIGA, a family-owned Swiss company, produces building fabrics and adhesive tapes that deliver the science of building tight. These rain-proof and diffusion-open breathable membranes are suitable for creating a permanently wind-tight building envelope.

There are three types of membranes in the line: a roof membrane (Majcoat), a facade membrane (Majvest) and a vapor control layer for interior walls (Majpell 5). Various tapes are available to pair with the fabrics in order to create a permanent, air-tight building shell and a durable rain-proof and wind-tight building envelope

SIGA products can be used for between and above-rafter insulation and for rear-ventilated (rainscreen) facades. The Technical University of Berlin has proven driving rain resistance of Majcoat and SIGA accessories.

A SIGA-sealed building provides a continuous weather-resistant layer and a vapor control layer.  The seal is rainproof and weather-resistant, preventing air leakage. This allows for the most efficient heating and cooling possible. It not only maximizes interior comfort, but also increases overall building health.

SIGA building fabrics and adhesive tapes deliver the science of building tight to protect against wind, weather, air and vapor through rainproof and diffusion-open breathable membranes suitable for creating a permanently weather-tight building envelope.

Here’s how SIGA building fabrics work:

SIGA flexible membrane window flashing (Wigluv) is high-performance and easy to use. It sticks in hot and cold weather, making it usable in all weather conditions. SIGA’s elasticity seals corners in one step, saving you time. It is available in a variety of widths and is vapor permeable, allowing your building to breathe while remaining water-resistant.

Click on the photo below to enlarge and see how easy it is to install SIGA’s high-performance materials.

SIGA durably seals windows creating permanent moisture management, saving time and increasing long-term building value.

Applying SIGA Wigluv window flashing tape to SIGA building fabric

SIGA products are a favorite for builders and specifiers of performance buildings in all climates and a Meteek Supply favorite, as well. Stop in if you would like to put your hands on fabric and tape samples, or give us a call at 218.481.7440 to discuss your project ideas!

SIGA-Wigluv Window Flashing permanently manages moisture.

Thermally Modified Wood employs next-generation technology to create a beautiful, weather-resistant wood without the addition of toxic chemicals. It is a thoughtful product choice because it achieves a weathered finish while being easier on the environment. It is great for decking, siding, and other exterior uses, while the enhanced grain makes interior use a beautiful option as well.

Thermally modified wood is highly weather-resistant, resistant to insects, mold, rot, and decay. It is lightweight, incredibly strong and durable, dimensionally stable, and non-toxic.

Thermal modification is a way to process wood to withstand the elements in exterior uses such as decks, or siding. The process begins with wood sustainably-harvested from the Southeastern United States. The basic idea is to introduce the wood to heat in order to change its molecular structure—in other words, to “cook” the wood. Ancient hunters used this technique to harden spear handles.

Today, this technique is paired with computerized technology. High-temperature kilns from Finland evenly heat the wood to 500 degrees, just below the burning point. The water, sugars and resins present in wood are “cooked out.” The wood is no longer vulnerable to rot, with no edible resins or sugars for microbes and insects.

During thermal modification, components in the wood’s cell walls that normally absorb and release moisture become permanently water-insoluble. With most moisture removed from thermally modified wood, it is less vulnerable to decay by biodegrading and also resists warping. The end result is a straight, true, high-quality wood.

According to Wood Magazine, “The technology has been employed for years in Europe but is only recently making its way into North American retail markets.” Thermally modifying wood creates a durable, safe, environmentally-friendly building product—a thoughtful choice in your building needs.

Thermally modified wood is beautiful, durable, and environmentally friendly.

Call us at Meteek Supply for more information and options: 218.481.7440

As warmer weather approaches, it’s time to start thinking about protecting your decks and exteriors. Cutek Extreme exterior wood finish is available at Meteek Supply.

Cutek Extreme exterior wood finish is a synthetic oil-based wood protection system. It penetrates deeply into the wood where it works to control moisture from within. Developed in Australia, Cutek oils do not peel off or crack, and impart exceptional dimensional stability to the wood.

Cutek Extreme Exterior Wood Finishing at Meteek Supply

Cutek enhances the natural beauty of wood without obscuring the grain. Maintenance is a simple: clean and recoat – no sanding or stripping needed.

Most paints and stains attempt to control moisture in wood by forming a film on the surface. Most natural oils don’t penetrate, but provide a barrier at the surface of the wood like other surface  coatings. Additionally, many natural oils act as nutrients for unsightly surface mold and fungus.

How Cutek works

Cutek is different. It’s important to understand that it is a unique penetrating oil system designed to enhance the natural color and grain of wood.  Cutek is a clear oil which can be used to protect the wood from moisture and moisture-related movement such as cupping, warping and splitting.  Using the clear oil alone will protect the wood, providing stability and structural integrity while allowing it to naturally lighten to produce a silver weathered patina over time.

Cutek protects wood from moisture.

Cutek is available in clear and with 10 Colortones.  If you desire to maintain the original color of the wood, you can use a Colortone suited to your selected wood.  This will further enhance the natural color and grain, and help to maintain its “natural” color over a longer period of time.

Cutek Colortones are available to enhance and maintain the natural color and grain of the wood.

See our webpage or call Meteek Supply for pricing and availability: 218.481.7440

We had a great turnout at AIA Minneaplis, showing Jaga hydronics, Renson shades, Accurate Dorwin fiberglass windows, Rubio Monocoat finish, and a host of other goodies!

One of our booth highlights were the awesome pretzels we brought, which were highly rated during the after hours receptions.