Installing Value
Learn More from Vesta Firestopping, Inc.,
Homeco Insulation, Inc. and R&J Insulation, Inc.
Firestop:
- What is the importance of firestop?
- Which Firestop product has a 1 hour, 2 hour, or 3 hour rating?
- What are the different kinds of Firestop technology?
- What is the difference between CP 25WB+ red caulk and IC 15WB+ yellow caulk?
Fiberglass Insulation, Vapor Barrier and Venting:
- What is R-Value?
- What are the MN Energy Codes I should consider before building?
- How and why is insulation used to control sound?
- Is it necessary to install a vapor retarder over the insulation?
- What about attic ventilation?
- Are the insulation products you install good for the planet?
Sprayed Polyurethane Foam:
- What is the insulation R-value of the spray foam you install?
- What are the differences between closed-cell and open-cell foams?
- Can sprayed polyurethane foam add structural strength?
- What about mold?
- Is the polyurethane foam you install good for the planet?
Firestop:
What is the importance of firestop?
It has been demonstrated that active fire prevention systems like smoke detectors, alarms and sprinklers can fail due to a loss of power, water pressure, or inadequate maintenance. When these systems fail, the results can be disastrous. Firestopping materials are effectively used as a passive fire prevention system to compartmentalize and contain fire, keeping it from migrating from one room to another, or from one floor to another, and preventing the passage of fire, smoke, and combustion by-products.All firestopping should be installed in strict accordance with local building codes and National Fire protection (NFPA) guidelines as well as manufacturer specifications by qualified carpenters.
Which Firestop product has a 1 hour, 2 hour, or 3 hour rating?
This is a trick question: products do not carry ratings. Systems carry ratings.What are the different kinds of Firestop technology?
Intumescent and ablative are the main technologies. Intumescent begins to expand when exposed to fire and/or heat. Ablative forms a hard char when exposed to fire.What is the difference between CP 25WB+ red caulk and IC 15WB+ yellow caulk?
IC 15WB+ is approved by Novian for use on CPVC pipe and has approved UL systems up to 3 hours. CP 25WB+ has approved UL systems up to 4 hours.
Fiberglass Insulation, Vapor Barrier and Venting:
What is R-Value?
Insulation is identified and labeled by R-value. "R" stands for resistance to heat flow. The higher the R-value, the greater the insulating power. Insulation levels are recommended by geographic zones and are stated in R-values.What are the MN Energy Codes I should consider before building?
The MN Energy Code you will use is determined by the type of structure you are building. The code is broken down by two categories; “One and two family residential” and “Multifamily, Commercial, Industrial”. Examples of regulated subjects include soils, foundations, wall, floor and roof framing, smoke detectors, fire protection, structural design, egress windows, stairways, handrails, building materials, weather resistance, and many others.Please refer to our Resources page for more information on MN Energy Code Requirements.
How and why is insulation used to control sound?
Sound attenuation, or the limiting of sound propagation from one area to another, requires the application of special and standard insulation materials to encase or enclose the noise generating source, forming a sound barrier between the source and the surrounding area.The types of sound attenuation applications vary. Acoustical blankets can be used in wall and ceiling cavities to limit sound transmission. Blowing fiberglass, full depth, in ceilings can be beneficial for two different reasons. It can limit the sound transmission between floors but it also acts as a draft stop to contain flame and smoke in case of fire.
Is it necessary to install a vapor retarder over the insulation?
Yes. A vapor retarder prevents moisture from penetrating walls or ceilings. Without a vapor retarder, moisture can condense on cold outer surfaces causing wood to rot and allow mold and mildew to grow. In colder climates the vapor retarder is installed on the inside (warm side) of the structure since heat flows from warmer to cooler in order to reach equilibrium.What about attic ventilation?
Roofs, attics, and crawl spaces require a higher level of moisture protection above and beyond vapor retarders. Moisture that enters roof cavities and attic spaces must be carried out by air moving through vented openings. An attic needs to breathe. If the moisture has no way of escaping it may condense on the cooler roof sheathing creating water that drips on the attic insulation. Ventilation areas should be equal to 1/150 of the attic area. If an adequate vapor retarder is present, the ratio can be reduced to 1/300.Are the insulation products you install good for the planet?
CertainTeed’s fiberglass building insulation products for residential, commercial and HVAC systems are now certified by GREENGUARD™ for superior indoor air quality (IAQ) performance. CertainTeed’s products were tested for emissions of formaldehyde, volatile organic compounds (VOC’s), respirable particles and other pollutants using stringent environmental chamber protocols.
Sprayed Polyurethane Foam:
What is the insulation R-value of the spray foam you install?
Our polyurethane foam is closed-cell, with a superior effective R-value of 6.0 per inch.What are the differences between closed-cell and open-cell foams?
There are three major differences. First, BASF Polyurethane Foam Enterprises uses the versatility of chemistry to offer a closed-cell content of greater than 90 percent for all of its formulations, and open-cell foams commonly used as insulation systems have approximately 60 percent open-cell content. Second, closed cell content offers an R-value of over 6.0 per inch and open cell offers between 3.0 and 3.6 per inch. Third, closed cell foam is virtually impermeable to air, while open cell foam allows far more air and vapor into the house interior.Can sprayed polyurethane foam add structural strength?
Spray-applied closed-cell polyurethane foam is the only insulation material that adds structural integrity throughout the wall system. Testing conducted by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) Research Center and the Canadian Construction Materials Centre shows spray-applied polyurethane foam insulation between wood- and steel-stud wall panels increased rack and shear strength two to three times compared with standard stick-built components with glass fiber insulation when sprayed onto gypsum wallboard and vinyl siding, and increased racking strength when sprayed onto oriented strandboard (OSB).What about mold?
Mold requires three things to grow: moisture, warm temperatures and a food source. Polyurethane foam insulation has no nutritional value and is not considered a food source for mold. The use of polyurethane as insulation eliminates condensing surfaces and reduces the potential to accumulate moisture. It also eliminates air movement within the wall cavity. Other insulations are less successful at controlling air infiltration and providing adequate insulation to eliminate condensing surfaces, thus increasing the possibility of an environment susceptible to mold. Closed-cell foam is approved by FEMA for use in flood regions.Is the polyurethane foam you install good for the planet?
BASF’s polyurethane technologies are formaldehyde-free formulas that emit no volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and use ZONE3 zero-ozone-depleting blowing-agent technology. Plastic building products, including polyurethane foam, use less energy from all sources than alternative products during production. Spray-applied polyurethane foam insulation saved 3.4 trillion BTUs in manufacturing energy over glass fiber in 1990. Their systems also increase building energy efficiency and reduce waste.