Insulation has gone multi-function – it’s not just about saving money by reducing energy consumption, but also helping the environment, keeping the home interior comfortable and healthy regardless of weather and outside conditions. Additional insulation trends include increased use of non-ozone-depleating spray-foam, which needs to be applied by certified installers, and installing continuous insulation at the exterior walls. Here’s how some companies can help builders and renovators stay on point.
IKO building envelope insulation systems for new builds or retrofit
IKO Enerfoil and IKO Ener-Air high performing polyisocyanurate rigid foam insulation sheathing systems offer the highest R-value per inch, the company says.
When IKO Enerfoil is used with AquaBarrier Tapes or AcrylicStick SA Tapes or IKO Ener-Air is used with AquaBarrier VP Tapes, this two-in-one system eliminates the need for a separate membrane system to control air and vapour. IKO AccuCut is a new IKO service offering custom-polyisocyanurate insulation sheathing at the plant to specified sizes, while creating straight and clean edges that make installation easier.
Isolofoam rigid insulation panels for above-grade exterior walls
ISOBRACE OSB and Isobrace Air+ panels combine the insulating performance of expanded polystyrene panels and the rigidity of 7/16-in. oriented strand board (OSB). They ensure continuous insulation while helping to increase the structural rigidity of the building. The integrated membrane of ISOBRACE AIR+ provides a continuous and resistant air and weather barrier.
Product features and properties:
• Eliminate thermal bridging between the structure and the exterior cladding
• Completely insulate floor joists – with nine-ft. length
• Contribute to increasing the structural strength of the building’s walls
• Can eliminate the need to add temporary bracing
• Provide support for exterior cladding (when in accordance with cladding manufacturer’s recommendations).
• All-in-one products eliminating multiple installations
• Compatible with different types of building structures
• Reduce working time and labour costs.
Performance+ Air Duct Board offers new ducting benefits
Knauf Insulation says, “Excellent acoustic and thermal characteristics make for quiet, efficient air delivery, with unwanted ‘booms’ and ‘cracks’ caused by sheet metal ducts, minimized.” This formaldehyde-free board with a lightweight non-woven brown mat on the airstream surface is made with ECOSE Technology. The company adds, “Sustainability Knauf Insulation products with ECOSE Technology are made using our patented, bio-based binder – a smarter alternative to the phenol/formaldehyde (PF) binder traditionally used in fibreglass products. The bio-based binder holds our product together, gives the product its unique appearance and makes it formaldehyde-free.”
New technology eases installation of fibreglass insulation batts
Owens Corning NEXT GEN PINK fibreglass insulation incorporates a new advanced fibre configuration technology with fibres being interlocked vertically and horizontally. The company describes the new formulation as, “The new standard in fiberglass insulation,” with several helpful installation benefits: • Cuts cleanly and precisely • Fewer clumps and chunks for clean cuts with one pass. Perfect fit, every time • Fills cavities completely with no fluffing or compression needed • Stays put – even on the ceiling • Extra stiffness batts slide in easily and resist slumping.
Liquid blowing agent is non-ozone depleting
Solstice Liquid Blowing Agent (LBA) is Honeywell’s latest advancement in foam blowing agent technology. The company says it is based on hydrofluoro-olefin (HFO) technology and that Solstice LBA has a global warming potential (GWP) of one, 99.9-per-cent lower than HFC blowing agents. It is a cost-effective replacement for other liquid foam blowing agents. Honeywell Solstice LBA is: • Non-ozone-depleting • Nonflammable (ASTM E-681 and EU A11)
• Listed under the U.S. EPA’s Significant New Alternatives Policy (SNAP) program to replace ozone-depleting substances • Listed on the TSCA inventory/registered under REACH
• VOC-exempt (per U.S. EPA)
Insulation foam boards designed for long-term thermal performance
DuPont Styrofoam Brand CM20 Extruded Polystyrene (XPS) insulation is a moisture-resistant, durable and lightweight extruded polystyrene foam board for interior frame wall sheathing, exterior or interior masonry wall insulation in new or retrofit construction, as well as residential basement floor slab insulation. The closed-cell structure of Styrofoam Brand CM20 XPS Insulation boards helps ensure exceptional long-term thermal performance and high moisture resistance. Sized to fit snugly between wall ties, Styrofoam Brand CM20 XPS insulation is also easy to handle, cut and install, helping to save time and money on the job site.
