Element Building Solutions

What Element Building Solutions does

Element Building Solutions is a privately-held manufacturer's representative firm founded in 2021 and headquartered in Irvine, California. The firm specializes in building envelope systems — waterproofing, thermal breaks, drainage, and structural glazing — and represents a portfolio of nine industry manufacturers: Adcos (injection grouts), Armatherm (thermal break materials), CETCO and CETCO Liquid Boot (waterproofing and vapor intrusion barriers), CIM Industries (cold fluid-applied membranes), Dow (silicone structural sealing), J Drain (geocomposite drainage), Koster (mineral and cementitious waterproofing), and Polycoat (polyurethane and polyurea coatings). Element does not manufacture products; rather it specifies and drives sales of its principals' products through a regional network of technical field representatives covering ten Western US territories (Alaska, Arizona, Hawaii, Idaho, Los Angeles, Northern California, Southern Nevada, Oregon, San Diego, and Washington).

The firm earns revenue through manufacturer commissions on products specified and sold through its rep network. Its go-to-market is enterprise field sales backed by AIA-accredited educational presentations, jobsite visits, specification and submittal package assistance, RFI support, and hands-on installation training. The seven-person team claims 200+ years of combined technical experience and serves architects, general contractors, and developers across technology, real estate, education, government, and sports/recreation project types. Notable enterprise projects include Apple Park Main Campus, the YouTube Campus expansion, Google Bay View and Charleston East, Intuit Marine Way Building, and Samsara HQ.

Element's competitive position is built on territorial representation rights, deep regional code knowledge (covering seismic zones and extreme climates across the Western US), and trusted relationships with the architecture and contracting community. The firm monetizes the spec-submittal-order cycle rather than direct product sales, with pricing set by its manufacturing principals and Element compensated on commission. No external funding rounds, acquisitions, or AI/ML capabilities were disclosed in available sources.

Name

Element Building Solutions

Legal name

Element Building Solutions

Website

https://buildwithelement.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2021

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Element Building Solutions is a Western US manufacturer's representative firm that specifies and drives sales of waterproofing, thermal break, drainage, and structural glazing systems for architects, contractors, and developers across ten US territories.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Construction Waterproofing & Building Envelope Services

NAICS

Industrial Building Construction (23621)

akta.pro primary industry

Office & Corporate Building Construction (IMAFACAA)

akta.pro secondary industry

Sheet Metal & Flashing Works (Gutters, Copings, Edge Metal, Downspouts) (IMAFAMAE)

Keywords

• Building envelope systems
• Construction waterproofing solutions
• Manufacturer representative services
• Thermal break materials
• Structural glazing systems

Headquarters

HQ city

Irvine

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Revenue model

1. Manufacturer Representative Sales: Element Building Solutions acts as a manufacturer's representative, earning commissions or fees from the manufacturers they represent (Adcos, Armatherm, CETCO, CIM, Dow, J Drain, Koster, Polycoat). Their revenue is derived from supporting product specification, specification assistance, technical support, and driving sales of manufacturer products through their regional representative network across the Western United States.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Element Building Solutions is a manufacturer's representative firm specializing in building envelope systems, including waterproofing, thermal breaks, drainage, and structural glazing. The company does not manufacture products but represents and specifies products from leading manufacturers (Adcos, Armatherm, CETCO, CIM, Dow, J Drain, Koster, Polycoat) across the Western United States, providing product consultation, specification support, jobsite visits, and technical training to architects, contractors, and developers.

Product overview

Element Building Solutions is a manufacturers' representative firm specializing in building envelope systems, not a unified software product. Its offering portfolio is organized around the building envelope systems it represents through partnerships with industry-leading manufacturers, organized into the following distinct product lines: waterproofing systems (including CETCO below-grade and plaza deck waterproofing, CETCO Liquid Boot vapor intrusion barriers, KOSTER mineral/cementitious/membrane waterproofing, and Polycoat polyurethane/polyurea coatings); thermal break solutions (Armatherm structural and cladding thermal breaks); drainage systems (J Drain geocomposite drainage mats); injection and crack-sealing systems (Adcos injection grouts and resins); cold fluid-applied waterproofing (CIM 1000 and CIM 800 membranes); and silicone sealing solutions (Dow structural glazing, air barriers, weather sealants, and coatings). The portfolio is anchored by technical support services including AIA-accredited presentations, jobsite visits, spec and submittal assistance, and hands-on training.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Adcos Injection Systems High-performance injection grouts and resins formulated to stop water, seal cracks, and stabilize soils, used for crack and joint injection (active leak sealing), curtain injection/waterproof cut-off walls, and soil stabilization & permeation grouting. Specified for architects, contractors, and developers through Element's regional rep network.
• Armatherm Thermal Break Materials High-performance thermal break materials that eliminate thermal bridging at structural connections, reducing heat loss and condensation risk without compromising load-bearing capacity. Used for structural and cladding thermal breaks, balcony/canopy/parapet isolation, and curtain wall anchoring systems.
• CETCO Below Grade & Plaza Deck Waterproofing Engineered waterproofing systems including active and passive sheet membranes, underslab waterproofing, pre- and post-applied membranes, podium deck waterproofing, hot rubberized asphalt, and cold fluid-applied waterproofing for demanding below-grade conditions. Includes the CETCO Vintegra below-grade waterproofing system.
• CETCO Liquid Boot Vapor Barrier Seamless, spray-applied gas vapor barrier engineered to block harmful subsurface contaminants, offering superior chemical resistance and airtight protection for critical environments such as schools, healthcare facilities, and data centers. Supports compliance with EPA and state vapor mitigation standards.
• CIM Cold Fluid-Applied Waterproofing Fluid-applied membranes offering seamless waterproofing protection for podium decks, planters, tanks, and demanding applications. Includes CIM 1000 for horizontal deck waterproofing and CIM 800 for vertical and horizontal waterproofing applications. Resistant to water, chemicals, and structural movement.
• Dow Silicone Building Solutions Industry-leading air, weather, and structural sealing systems for the modern building envelope, including structural glazing systems, air and weather barrier systems, elastomeric coatings, and performance weather seal joints.
• J Drain Engineered Drainage Systems High-performance geocomposite drainage mats and drainage layers that relieve hydrostatic pressure and manage water movement to protect below-grade and horizontal assemblies, including green roofs, planter drainage, and foundation walls.
• Koster Waterproofing & Moisture Mitigation Comprehensive waterproofing systems including mineral, cementitious, and membrane-based solutions that work from both positive and negative side, addressing active leaks, flowing water, and long-term moisture mitigation in below-grade basement waterproofing applications.
• Polycoat Advanced Coating Systems

Named customers11 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• AdcoscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAdcos formulates high-performance injection grouts and resins to stop water, seal cracks, and stabilize soils. Element represents Adcos for crack & joint injection (active leak sealing), curtain injection/waterproof cut-off walls, and soil stabilization & permeation grouting.
• ArmathermcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorArmatherm manufactures high-performance thermal break materials that eliminate thermal bridging at critical structural connections. Element represents Armatherm for structural and cladding thermal breaks, balcony/canopy/parapet isolation, and curtain wall anchoring systems.
• CETCO WaterproofingcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCETCO delivers industry-leading waterproofing technologies for demanding below-grade conditions. Element represents CETCO for active/passive sheet membranes, underslab waterproofing, pre/post-applied membranes, podium deck waterproofing, hot rubberized asphalt, and cold fluid-applied waterproofing.
• CETCO Liquid BootcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCETCO Liquid Boot is a seamless, spray-applied gas vapor barrier that blocks harmful subsurface contaminants. Element represents CETCO Liquid Boot for spray-applied vapor intrusion barriers, chemical-resistant membranes, and EPA/state vapor mitigation standards compliance.
• CIM IndustriescoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCIM Industries offers fluid-applied membranes for seamless waterproofing protection. Element represents CIM for cold fluid-applied membranes, horizontal deck waterproofing, chemical/abrasion-resistant coatings, and tank/containment waterproofing.
• DowcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDow delivers industry-leading air, weather, and structural sealing systems for the modern building envelope. Element represents Dow for structural glazing systems, air/weather barrier systems, elastomeric coatings, and performance weather seal joints.
• J DraincoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorJ Drain offers high-performance drainage solutions that support waterproofing systems. Element represents J Drain for subsurface/vertical drainage systems, geo-composite drain mats, green roof/planter drainage, and horizontal drainage for plaza/podium decks.
• KostercoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorKoster provides comprehensive waterproofing systems engineered to permanently protect structures against water infiltration. Element represents Koster for interior/exterior below-grade basement waterproofing, crystallizing/cementitious mineral waterproofing, cold self-adhesive/thermoplastic membranes.
• PolycoatcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPolycoat delivers high-performance waterproofing and protective coating systems. Element represents Polycoat for liquid-applied pedestrian/vehicular deck systems, below-grade waterproofing membranes, reflective/elastomeric roof coatings, and polyurea/corrosion-resistant protective barriers.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves4 records

Expansion highlights3 records

Emerging players

• Sto Corp: Sto Corp manufactures exterior building envelope systems including EIFS, stucco, continuous insulation, and air/water barrier systems. It competes with portions of Element's waterproofing and air barrier portfolio and pursues the same architectural specification community on commercial and institutional projects.
• PROSOCO: PROSOCO manufactures masonry, concrete, and air barrier / waterproofing products used in building envelope assemblies. It competes with portions of Element's represented product categories (Koster, CETCO) and sells into the same architectural and contractor customer base in commercial and institutional construction.
• Cosella-Dörken: Cosella-Dörken manufactures high-performance building envelope products including the DELTA® family of air and moisture barriers, drainage membranes, and below-grade systems. It competes with portions of Element's represented lines (Dow weather barriers, CETCO membranes) and pursues the same architectural specification community, often through independent rep networks.
• VaproShield: VaproShield is a specialty manufacturer of breathable, vapor-permeable membrane systems for above-grade building envelopes. It competes with portions of Element's waterproofing and air barrier portfolio and targets similar architectural specifications on commercial and institutional projects.

Broad incumbents

• W. R. Grace & Co. W. R. Grace is a specialty chemicals and materials manufacturer whose construction products division includes waterproofing, concrete admixtures, and air barrier systems. It is a scaled competitor to several of Element's manufacturer principals and serves the same architect and contractor specification channel.
• Sika Corporation: Sika is a global manufacturer of waterproofing, sealing, bonding, and roofing systems widely specified on commercial building envelopes. It competes head-to-head with the manufacturers Element represents (Dow sealants, CETCO waterproofing) and runs direct sales and technical service infrastructure across the US, including the Western states Element covers.
• Henry Company: Henry Company manufactures commercial and residential waterproofing, roofing, and air barrier solutions. It competes directly with Element's represented principals (CETCO, Koster, Polycoat), pursues the same architectural specification community, and operates a direct field sales model that competes with independent reps.
• Carlisle Construction Materials: Carlisle Construction Materials manufactures a broad portfolio of building envelope, waterproofing, and roofing products (EPDM, TPO, below-grade waterproofing, air barriers). It competes directly with several of Element's represented principals (CETCO, Koster, Polycoat) and operates its own direct specification-focused sales force — the type of scaled player that could disintermediate independent reps.
• GCP Applied Technologies: GCP Applied Technologies manufactures specialty construction chemicals including waterproofing, concrete admixtures, and below-grade membranes. It competes with portions of Element's represented portfolio (CETCO, Koster) and sells into the same commercial building envelope specification channel.
• Tremco Incorporated: Tremco manufactures waterproofing, air barriers, structural glazing, and building envelope systems and operates its own specification-focused sales force. It competes directly with Element's represented principals across multiple product categories and has historically pursued the same architectural and contractor customers Element serves.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/BuildWithElementUS
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/buildwithelement

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Element Building Solutions