Insulation Materials: From Fiberglass to Foam, · Insulation Materials: From Fiberglass to Foam, ... Thermal Conductivity (K) •Aluminum •Steel •Glass •Concrete •Brick •Wood

Fernando Pages Ruiz

Insulation Materials:

From Fiberglass to Foam,

Lamb’s Wool to Blue Jeans

Fernando Pages Ruiz,

Brighton Construction

• Builder thirty years

• EcoHome Contributor

• Two books: “Building

and Affordable

House,” and

“Affordable Remodel.”

28 February 2008 2

Efficiency Vermont is a Registered Provider with The American

Institute of Architects Continuing Education Systems

(AIA/CES). Credit(s) earned on completion of this program will be

reported to AIA/CES for AIA members. Certificates of Completion for

both AIA members and non-AIA members are available upon request.

This program is registered with AIA/CES for continuing professional

education. As such, it does not include content that may be deemed

or construed to be an approval or endorsement by the AIA of any

material of construction or any method or manner of handling, using,

distributing, or dealing in any material or product.

Questions related to specific materials, methods, and services will be

addressed at the conclusion of this presentation.

Learning Objectives

At the end of this program, participants will be able to:

1. Understand insulation nomenclature such as the meaning of R value and U

value.

2. Become familiar with the the features of different insulation materials and

appropriate use.

3. Know the pros and cons of materials such as closed vs. open cell foams,

bio-based blowing agents, and recycled products.

4. Know more about exotic insulation systems such as recycled blue jeans and

lambs wool.

Course Evaluations

In order to maintain high-quality learning experiences, please access

the evaluation for this course by logging into CES Discovery and

clicking on the Course Evaluation link on the left side of the page.

The Basics

• R-Value

• U-Value

R-Value = More is more.

• R-value is a measure of thermal resistance used in the building industry.

• The R-value depends on the type of insulation and includes its material, thickness, and density.

• Heat flows naturally from a warmer to a cooler space.

• Heat transfers through three means:

– conduction, convection, and radiation.

Conduction

• Heat moves through solid materials: Hot

coffee, cold hands.

• Frying pan (steal studs, anyone?)

– Thermal bridging

• Does heat rise?

Convection

• Heat moves in any direction, including down

(hence the importance of foundation insulation).

• But warm AIR rises: Enter Convection. The hot

air balloon effect.

• Convection is a bigger issue than wind.

– Hence the importance of attic sealing.

– Works in reverse in summer (heavy air sinks).

Radiation

• Heat moves through space.

• Sunny day skiing.

– Clear line of site to surface temperature. Wood stove.

Un-insulated wall.

– Same room, same temp., more glass feels colder.

• Solar heat gain through glass increases summer

bills, but lowers winter heating costs.

U-Value = Less is more.

• The U-value (or U-factor), also called overall

heat transfer coefficient, describes how well a

building element conducts heat.

• It measures the rate of transfer through a

building assembly under standardized

conditions.

• The standard test is set at a temperature

gradient of 24 °C, at 50% humidity with no wind

(a smaller U-value is better).

How does insulation work?

• Some materials allow energy to pass through easily--they are good "conductors" of energy-aluminum.

• Others, though, absorb heat better than they release it and these are called poor conductors, or good insulators, air.

• They have High R and low U-values.

Thermal Conductivity (K)

• Aluminum

• Steel

• Glass

• Concrete

• Brick

• Wood

• Rubber

• Glass wool

• Air

• 1400

• 310

• 7.8

• 5.8

• 4.3

• 1.6

• 1.4

• 0.26

• 0.18

BTU-in/hr.ft.F

• A poor conductor, such as glass wool or plastic.

• Forcing heat through air (or other gas) trapped in fiber mesh or cells.

• Reducing convection through wall cavities.

• Some materials also reflect—radiant barriers.

Insulation works in three (okay,

four) ways:

Climate Zones and R-Values

• The US Department of Energy has

recommended R-values for given areas of

the USA.

• Vermont is in Climate Zone …?

Zone Six

Ceiling R-value 49

Wood Frame Wall R-value 20

Floor R-value 30

Fenestration U-Factor b 0.35

What does R-Value mean in the

real world?

• The overall R-value of a wall or ceiling will

be somewhat different from the R-value of

the insulation itself because some heat

flows around the insulation through the

studs and joists.

Whole Wall R-Values

Wall Type W-W R

Standard 2x4 9.7

Perfect 2x6 12.8

Poor 2x6 11

Steel frame wall 5.6

Steel w. insulated sheathing 10.5

SIPS 6-in 21.6

Stucco-straw bale 16-to-28

Concrete block 10-to-30

ICF 26-to-44

The Classic: Batt

Cost: Low

Air sealing: Poor

Best use: Above-grade walls

Other uses: Floors and roofs

Good: Fiberglass batt plus sealing and tight fit, least expensive.

To perform well, they must be installed in conjunction with a very well-detailed air

barrier. Unaddressed air leaks in fiberglass-insulated walls can easily lead to

condensation and moisture problems.

Higher density available.

Bad batting, moldy house.

Mineral Wool

• Low convection

– Sound deadening

• Slightly high R-value

• Recycled

• Costly, itchy.

Cotton

•Many of the same drawbacks.

• More difficult

to install

•Recycled 85%

•Acoustics

>Fiber glass

< Mineral Wool

• $$$

.

R-30 in a 2x6 wall.

Bonded Logic

Wool

• Slightly higher than fiberglass batts

• Retains R-value when wet.

• Natural insect and fire resistant.

• Moth balls?

Polyester

• Used in baby diapers, feminine care, hygiene, apparel, etc.

• Hydrophobic – won't absorb moisture

• No respiratory or skin irritation issues – no protective gear for installation

• Made from recycled plastic bottles and other post-consumer material

• Superior compression/recovery

Insulation & Infiltration

• 31 % Floors, walls, ceiling.

• 13% Penetrations

Infiltration and Wall Energy

Rating

Small job, big benefits

Simple

sealing

techniques

Blower door

test

Equal value,

lower cost

Blown

Cost: Low

Air sealing: Low to moderate

Best use: Above-grade walls, attic floors

Other uses: Rafter bays

Fiberglass

• Better seal than batts.

• Not so itchy.

• Lower R-values per inch (R-2-to-2.7) than

any other, so best applied at attic.

• Convection no longer a concern unless

your attic -20-degrees. (Old at 0-degrees)

• Bag count, beware of ―fluffing.‖ Bag count

on manufacturer’s web site.

Cellulose

Blown-in cellulose

•choice of many green builders for insulating walls, flat ceilings, and

sloped ceilings.

•Made from recycled newspaper

•Cellulose is inexpensive, packed in delivers R 3.8 per inch.

•Better at reducing infiltration, 3.2 loose.

•Disadvantage: Moisture.

•Becomes soggy, holds

•a lot of water.

•Detection of leaks delayed.

Retrofit walls and attics

Spray Foam

Cost: High

Air sealing: Excellent

Best use: Air sealing difficult areas

Other uses: All insulation jobs

Closed-cell

• Closed-cell spray polyurethane foam

performs better than any other insulation. It has

a high R-value per inch (R-6.2 to R-6.5), it's

impervious to moisture, and it's an effective

vapor retarder. It is also an excellent air barrier.

Closed-cell spray polyurethane foam can be

used under slabs, on below-grade or above-

grade walls, in ceilings, or even as roofing. It is

also the most expensive residential insulation

available.

Open-cell

• Open-cell spray polyurethane foam has some but not all of the virtues of closed-cell foam. Like closed-cell foam, open-cell foam creates an effective air barrier. However, open-cell foam has an R-value of about R-3.6 per inch—much less than that of closed-cell. Unlike closed-cell foam, open-cell foam absorbs and holds water. It is also vapor-permeable, which can be a virtue or a drawback, depending on the application. Open-cell spray foam costs less than closed-cell foam.

Closed cell, R-19 3.5-inches

BioBased Insulation

Open cell, R-3.6-inch,

12.6 at 3.5-inches

(about the same as FG)

Icynene.

MD-R-200 Medium-density

R-5.1 per inch.

Icynene

BASF: Flood areas, sucrose-

based polyols.

Spraytite medium-density

Hybrid systems

Johns Manville

Flash and Batt

• 1 to 2 inch layer of

closed-cell foam and

fiberglass or

cellulose.

• 45-55 % R-Value

(condensation)

• Lower cost option.

Generally, Polyurethane

• When high-performance builders talk

about spray-foam insulation, they’re

typically talking about polyurethane. But it

turns out there’s more than one kind of

spray foam used in residential

construction.

• Phenol-formaldehyde and urea-

formaldehyde insulation also are available,

Other Foams Exist

• Urea-formaldehyde earned a bad reputation in the 1970s after high levels of formaldehyde were detected in homes where it had been installed. Canada banned the foam outright, and some states in the U.S. continue to prohibit its use. Some manufacturers turned to a phenol-formaldehyde resin with lower emissions. In the meantime, a urea-formaldehyde manufacturer says newer formulations meet federal formaldehyde standards.

RetroFaom

• RetroFoam is banned in Canada, as well

as in California, Massachusetts and

Vermont.

• But, the company adds, the insulation has

been reformulated since its original

introduction and now meets federal

emission standards. Some regulatory

agencies just haven't caught up.

Exotic Foams: Air Krete

R 3.9-inch

• Magnesium silicate, cement-based insulation.

• Pumped into closed cavities

• Hypoallergenic for chemically sensitive.

• Fire-proof, contact with high-heat sources.

Rigid Foam Board

• Cost: Moderate

Air sealing: Very good

Best use: Walls, slabs, sloped roofs

Other uses: Floors

Highlighs of Foam Board

• Rigid foam insulation: effective air barrier, better than batts, or blown-in insulation, especially if the seams between sheets are carefully sealed with caulk or tape.

• Expanded polystyrene (EPS) versatile insulation that can be used below grade, on walls, or on roofs. EPS is less expensive than XPS or polyiso. If the correct density is chosen for the application, EPS is not affected by moisture.

• Extruded polystyrene (XPS) shares many of the strengths of EPS. However, it is stronger, denser, smoother, more water-resistant, and has a higher R-per inch (R-5 for XPS versus R-3.8 for EPS). It also costs more than EPS.

• Polyisocyanurate has the highest R-value per inch (R-6.5 to R-6.8) of any rigid insulation. Its blowing agent is environmentally benign, and it is free of the brominated flame-retardant chemicals that taint polystyrene. However, polyiso easily absorbs water, so it can't be used below grade.

Exterior Insulating Sheathing

Economical

basement

insulation.

Expanded polystyrene (EPS)

FPSF (Frost protected Shallow Footing)

Extruded polystyrene (XPS)

Insulating Sheathing

Insulated Siding

• Insulated siding is an option for compliance with thermal bridging reduction requirements to earn the label for new homes under ENERGY STAR Qualified Homes Version 3 Federal Trade Commission.

• For products such as insulated siding, the appropriate standard for testing R-value is ASTM C1363 Standard Test Method for the Thermal Performance of Building Materials and Envelope Assemblies

R-value Testing

• ASTM C1363 (aka, the ―Hot Box‖)

– ASTM C1363 testing is conducted

to determine an insulated siding

product’s specific R-value

– Insulated siding is tested in a

realistic setting

• Close to field application

• Includes air circulation around siding

– Initial results indicate insulated siding

products on the market have R-values

between 2.0 and 3.0

• Each profile has its own R-value

62

HERS Index Improvements Using Insulated

Siding

• Improvements to the HERS Index and projected energy

use for homes using R-values for insulated siding of 2.0,

2.5 and 3.0 show insulated siding can provide a 1 to 3

point improvement

• This improvement accounts for up to 23 percent of the

total improvement necessary to achieve compliance with

ENERGY STAR Qualified Homes Version 3

63

Bill’s Eco-B&B

Course Evaluations

In order to maintain high-quality learning experiences, please access

the evaluation for this course by logging into CES Discovery and

clicking on the Course Evaluation link on the left side of the page.

Affordable Remodel Fernando Pages Ruiz buildingaffordable.com