Behind the Walls02
New products offer better air sealing, user-friendly insulation, and products that reduce the need for mature lumber, concrete, and steel.
WHAT MAKES IT GREEN?
INSULATING PRODUCTS
Installing insulation is still about slowing heat loss. But now attention is turning to new and better ways to attack weak links in the building envelope. Good air sealing can cut heating and cooling costs by up to 20%, according to the EPA’s Energy Star program. With this in mind, many insulating systems now include spray foam or some other way to manage air infi ltration. Insulation manufacturers also are looking “out of the box” at new materials and more benign chemical formulas. For example, Owens Corning has completely reformulated one of its most fundamental components to increase the overall sustainability of their products-the binder that holds the glass fibers together.
FINGER JOINTED 2X6 LUMBER
For conventionally framed homes, finger jointed lumber has earned a good reputation among builders-both for its predictable strength and straightness and because it can be created from shorter lumber so more parts of a tree can be used. When walls are framed at 24 inches on center, 2x6 lumber allows for significantly more insulation inside wall cavities than 2x4 walls.
INSULATED FOUNDATION
Research has shown that uninsulated foundation walls can account for more than 50% of the heat loss in a home that is well insulated above grade. The greatest heat loss happens where concrete is directly exposed to air. Fortunately, the fix-at least on newer, below-grade basement walls-may be as simple as adding rigid extruded polystyrene (XPS), expanded polystyrene (EPS), or polyisocyanurate board to the inner side of the concrete. On older homes with uneven or pitted foundation walls, spray foam offers a flexible alternative.
E-RIM INSULATED RIMBOARD
Up to 14% of a building’s total air leakage can occur across the rim joist, but sealing and insulating the space is a nightmare. Emercor solves the problem with an engineered product that combines a vapor barrier with R-14 insulation around the floor perimeter. A unique joining detail means faster installs and less waste.
www.emercor.com
OWENS CORNING ECOTOUCH
EcoTouch is a major innovation for Owens Corning, changing the way it has made insulation for 70 years. Its new bio-based binder, as part of their “PureFiber” technology, has been put through rigorous testing to make certain it does not grow mold or impact fire resistance. The company plans to use it in both its new and existing insulation lines. EcoTouch features at least 50% recycled content-30% of it post-consumer. It’s completely formaldehyde-free, and designed for ease of handling and installation.
www.owenscorning.com
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