Our Insulation thoughts; what is the best financial investment to achieve the end goal of good insulation, good indoor air quality and sound control?

 After you’ve completed sealing the thermal envelope, what goes behind the drywall is a big decision. Let’s start with basics.

 INSULATION / R-VALUE

R-Value is a measurement of thermal efficiency or measurement to the resistance to heat flow. The higher the R-Value numbers the greater resistance the insulation has to the movement of heat.

A large percentage of heat escapes through the attic and walls of a home. In order to build a better thermal envelope, we accept that heat flows in one direction, from warm space to cold. Example, warm inside air will flow to the outside during winter months. The most common insulation method is fiberglass insulation batts, which are placed between the studs and stapled into place. The drywall is then nailed over, creating a wall. Although this is an acceptable method, it can be done better. The fundamental problem with the batt is you need to ensure there aren’t any gaps and you can’t because those insulating products are manufactured true and square. In a real-world environment, cavities between the studs are irregular and additional trades cause other obstructions like plumbing stacks or HVAC trunk lines.  You also have to work around supplementary roof and wall penetrations associated with utility and/or local communication companies that create hard-to-reach places creating pathways for conditioned air to leak in or out, sacrificing comfort.

Why Spray?

Because this delivers a continuous thermal and air barrier that seals around plumbing, vents and electrical openings as well as other cracks and voids that allow unwanted air leakage. Leaving no gaps or seams, it minimizes airborne irritants such as allergens, drafts, or humidity.

The following are spray-in custom insulation materials that provide superior performance in relationship to the above acceptable building method.  

Icynene insulation delivers advanced moisture management by forming an air seal to minimize air movement. By minimizing air transported moisture through the building envelope, Icynene helps to prevent condensation and reduces the potential for mold growth within walls and ceilings. Icynene products feature 100% water-blown technology. Using Icynene insulation in place of an air-permeable option can dramatically reduce a building’s carbon footprint by as much as 50% since less energy is required to heat and cool the building.

http://www.icynene.com/

Johns Manville Spider® custom fiber glass insulation is available in variable thickness levels. It  can fill 2x4 cavities up to an R-15 thermal rating, 2x6 cavities up to R-23, JM Spider® insulation also reduces sound transmission, achieving a Sound Transmission Class of 43 in a standard 2x4 wood-framed wall. JM Spider® insulation resists mold because it sprays in almost dry (less moisture content than wood framing), and is treated with a U.S. EPA-registered mold inhibitor to protect the insulation against mold. JM Spider® insulation can be used for both wall and ceiling applications. In addition, only fiber glass insulation made without formaldehyde—such as JM Spider® Custom Insulation—can pass Environmental Specification 1350, the toughest indoor air quality test in North America, with a non-detect for formaldehyde.

http://www.specjm.com/products/sprayin2/spider.asp

If you have additional questions on insulation, please contact us  @ info(at)cdbmd.com 

Cheers!!

Today my neighbor asked me...

Today my neighbor asked me over to look at his concrete stoop. As I got closer to the steps, I noticed that the concrete surface was scaling.  Thinking it was builder error, I asked him if he had been using rock salt as his ice melt?  He said yes! Well, that’s the culprit and here’s why:

While concrete can be one of the longest lasting surfaces you can use, its useful life will be reduced if its weaknesses are exposed. When subjected to tension, concrete is at its most vulnerable. In colder climates, freezing causes the water in the capillaries of the concrete to expand, creating pressure. Yes, while concrete appears very dense, it acts like a dry sponge; it loves to absorb water. The use of rock salt accelerates the melting process. The water enters the concrete and begins to freeze; growing ice crystals create pressure and BAM! Break away the top surface, leaving pit marks exposing the coarse aggregate. We call it scaling or spalling. Also be aware that this can happen on concrete drives as well. Salt and deicing chemicals are picked up from the road and dripped onto the surface.

What can you do to prevent this? Use deicing products that don’t have rock salt or sand.  You can also treat your concrete with a clear coat, but be careful to avoid products that use silicone. It creates a seal trapping water, preventing it to evaporate. Yep, you guessed it, the top surface will scale. So, always contact a reliable contractor to assure the job is done right.

Cheers, Team CDB

Today I received a call asking our standard vanity height? 

Since everything is normally custom, it’s driven by our client’s personal program, but I would have to say it’s usually 29” to 31” high.  There was an occasion we built to 40”, but he was 6’5” and I built my personal ones to 36" high.  Remember to take the following into consideration:

Most vanity tops are ¾” or 3cm thick

In secondary bathrooms, I would set them lower because the area is shared with children and should wash their hands, too.

Another factor will be the type of sink you select, the ones that are installed on top of the counter-top, you should use a lower height vanity or you’ll wind up with the top of the bowl about 40" to 42" if used with a 36" high vanity.

Now, notes on building 36” high, if this is what you select, make sure to take into account the location of your bathroom door and swing. Most door knobs are set at 36” which makes for an interesting situation when you want to open a drawer. I know, because I thought I would build my own to the same height as our kitchen cabinets, which are 36” and well, we have a cased opening into our bathroom. 

"Good judgment comes from experience.  Experience comes from bad judgment." -Bob Packwood

Cheers!