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!!

From the mail bag; "could we help suggest how to buy "Green Cabinets?"

Here we go: While purchasing cabinets are simple to some, multiple components affect resource efficiency and indoor air quality, requiring careful consideration during this selection process.  To us, most importantly, you’ll also need to examine the woods that make up the veneers, trim, doors, and drawer fronts. Austin Energy Green Building’s Sustainable Building Sourcebook recommends domestic hardwoods or certified, sustainably harvested tropical hardwoods as the most environmentally sound choices. “Veneer-grade domestic softwoods are often harvested from old growth timber, and non-certified tropical hardwoods are too often harvested in a manner that is devastating to the forest,” the group advises.  And, be sure to enquire about the chemical content of the glues used to adhere the veneers to the cabinet box; non-solvent-based adhesives can be comparable in performance and cost, Austin Energy says.

ALTERNATIVE MATERIALS

Today, traditional composite wood panels dominate, however, alternatives exist that offer environmental benefits or trade-offs of their own.  Solid wood eliminates formaldehyde concerns, but it lacks the materials efficiency of an engineered product, is fairly rare, and is more expensive.  Weyerhaeuser makes composite panels using Lyptus, a Brazilian-grown wood that can be harvested for lumber in 14 to 16 years. Like bamboo, another cabinetry alternative, Lyptus offers the benefits of rapid renewability but does have to be shipped a longer distance. Wheatboard, made from waste stalks, is another option gaining attention.  As with traditional composite panels, ensure alternative engineered materials you select utilize formaldehyde-free resins.  Though more rare here, some metal cabinets can be a green selection from both a resources and health standpoint. For example, St. Charles Cabinetry says its metal options contain more than 70% recycled material and are 98% recyclable; the products’ baked-on powdercoat finish is considered hypoallergenic.

Ream more on St. Charles Cabinetry

Read more on Weyerhaeuser http://www.lumin.com/

FINISHES

Though low-VOC finishes are becoming more available, they’re not widespread due to concerns that are similar to those made during the transition to healthier paints: The quality and richness aren’t always equivalent and the application may be unfamiliar. 

 If you have questions about how to buy “Green” contact us at Congressional Design/Build at info(at) CDBMD.com.

Cheers, CDB