Insulation

Keeps you warm in the Winter and cool in the Summer

Insulation is installed in the building’s floor, wall or ceiling cavities. Insulation slows heat transfer by reducing conduction (heat flow in a solid substance), radiation (heat that travels through the air, like the sun’s energy) and convection (heat transfer by movement of air or a fluid). Insulation comes in many different forms, all have an R-value, which is the measurement of resistance to the transfer of heat. The higher the R-value the greater the resistances to heat transfer.

Some insulations have foil faces that increase its radiant performance, for example, Reflectix or Celotex. Fiber glass is commonly used, yet air travels freely through its fibers allowing convection to rob your home’s energy more easily. Properly installed Cellulose and various Spray foams can form an air-barrier around your home and stop convection flows within your building’s cavities. Investing in the proper insulation is very important, since you will not be able to change it easily in the years ahead as you would with a kitchen cabinet, appliance or even a window. The insulation is in every exterior surface of a house and very expensive to upgrade post completion.

Along with the many different types of insulation there are many different construction designs that can boost your overall R-value. For example, a design incorporating 2 x 6 walls is common, yet simply using 2 x 8 alone can increase the walls insulation R-value from R-20 to R-28. Another practice is double studding which aids by giving a thermal break (stopping convection) and grants large amounts of depth for insulation to achieve very high R-values. Another design utilizes ridged insulation on the interior or exterior; this also offers a thermal break and higher R-values.

The detailing and design to achieve air-tightness and high R-values of the building shell are close to unlimited. Choosing the right design for the homes needs, interests, and budget is the trick. With our skills, resources, sub-contractors, and architects, we are able to help design a new home, or improve an old home that suites your budget and energy efficiency interests.

Insulation R-Values Per Inch

Cellulose Insulation

Made from ground up newspapers or wood waste, cellulose is one of the greener insulations. To resist fires, a retardant is added during its production. Cellulose is generally installed using two methods, either open blow or dense pack. An open blow is commonly used in attics, in and over the ceiling joist bays, below the rafters with no netting.

Dense pack is used in floor, wall, ceiling and rafter systems. During the dense pack instillations, netting is first installed on the inner most side of the framing to contain the cellulose within each bay. One bay at a time the cellulose is pneumatically injected through a long hose behind the netting to a density of 3.5 – 4lb’s per square foot achieving an R-vale of 3.7 per inch of depth. Cellulose usually contains a lot of small fibers that tend to pack into cracks and crevices of the closed building cavities.

With its ability to pack, and to fill holes, it forms an effective air barrier on its own. Unlike fiberglass there is no air between the fibers, this stops the loss of heat through convection. Cellulose is one of our first choices because of its ecofriendly makeup, high R-value, and effective air-barrier properties.

Blower Door tested.

Fiberglass Insulation

Fiberglass insulation is commonly found in residential or commercial construction in floor systems, walls, ceilings and rafters. Fiberglass is generally pink or yellow in color; it is also very itchy upon skin, eye or throat contact. Fiberglass is made by melting glass and drawing off the molten material into fibers. The fibers are bound together with organic resins to form batts or blankets.

While fiberglass is commonly used, it is one of the least effective insulations on the market. Fiberglass can be effectively used only if great care is taken during installation, and extra measures are taken to form an air-barrier. During installation appropriate notching around electrical boxes, light fixtures, piping, ducting and wiring must be performed carefully. Any compression or poorly cut to fit fiberglass batts will quickly result in a lower overall insulation R-value.

Fiberglass insulation also has no ability to stop air movement; by allowing air to move freely through its fibers, energy is lost through convection. Fiberglass is last on the list to be chosen in today’s efficiency needs.

Rigid Insulation

igid insulation is generally purchased in 2’ x 8’ or 4’ x 8’ sheets, ranging in thickness from ½” to 2”, in ½” increments. The Expanded polystyrene (white, not pictured here) is similar to the old surfboards and commonly used in packing. Expanded polystyrene tends to be the most economical insulation per volume yet has a lower R-value then Extruded polystyrene (see below). Typical usage for the Expanded polystyrene is under poured slabs of concrete in a heated space.

Extruded polystyrene (blue or pink) has a higher R-value than the expanded, is more durable, and less porous.

Foil faced polyisocyanurate has the highest R-value per inch, reflects radiant energy, and is the most effective of these three rigid insulations In a recent renovation project we covered the entire existing roof with 1½” foil faced rigid polyisocyanurate, gaining greater efficiency in the home at a economical price (installed). Installation of rigid insulation with tapes and caulks makes an effective air-barrier that can be used during new construction or renovation.

These are just a few ways rigid insulation can be effective. We are consistently employing new proven practices with the many uses and locations rigid insulation can be utilized.

Spray Foam Insulation

SPF (spray foam) is receiving greater recognition because of its ability to make homes more efficient. Like Cellulose, SPF is injected into the building cavities one bay at a time. SPF is a very effective air-barrier and is available in many different chemical make ups and R-values per inch. SPF also adds to the strength of the building by adhering to the many building surfaces and using it own rigidity. Widely known Icynene is a low density foam at R-3.6.

Several low density foams are offered in eco friendly formulas; soy-based, bio-polyols or even mushroom base. Many Icynene or polyurethane SPF’s are on the market; many have VOC’s (volatile organic compouind), CFS’s (chlorofluorocarbons) or HCFC’s (Hydrochlorofluorocarbons) within their chemical makeup; none is toxic, yet all are ozone depleting.

One of the highest insulation R-values achieved per inch is polyisocyanurate SPF (at R-7.6 its hard not to consider); yet the cost can be substantial. Spray foam offers many uses and options. Choosing the right product, its application, and the proper installer, are key components to a successful SPF investment.