Contents:
- Comparing the weaknesses of Insulations
- Comparing insulations in metal buildings, pole barns, attics and basements.
- Supporting Articles
Comparing Weaknesses of
Prodex Total Insulation - Fiberglass Insulation - Cellulose Insulation - Rigid Board Insulation - Spray Insulation
Types Insulation
Prodex Total Insulation
Alias(s): Prodex AD5, Prodex Thermic
R-value: 15.67 (details).
Weaknesses: R value of the system will be different in roof, wall and crawlspace application.
Fiberglass Insulation
Alias(s): Fiberglass Batt Insulation, Fiberglass batts, batts, "the pink stuff"
R-value per Inch: Approx - 3.2
Weaknesses: Click to see Warning Label. It reads: "WARNING PRODUCT SAFETY INFORMATION. Possible cancer hazard by inhalation. Can cause respiratory, skin and eye irritation. CAS NUMBER 65997-17-3, Fiber Glass Wool Product FBG-008CA December 1, 2001. PRECAUTIONARY MEASURES Avoid breathing fiber glass dust and contact with skin or eyes. Use a NIOSH-certified disposable or reusable dust respirator (certified N95 or higher). Wear long-sleeved, loose-fitting clothing, gloves and eye protection. Wash work clothes separately from other clothing; rinse washer thoroughly..." Not very air tight and is therefore s subject to air movement around the batts. It has low r-value per inch in narrow cavities. The brands that contain formaldehyde off gas over time. It itches like crazy during install. It is nesting material for rodents. It is difficult to cut fiberglass insulation to fit around electrical boxes and wires. High humidly will effect the r value of fiberglass.
Condensation in metal buildings and polebarns will make fibers wet, create mold, mildew behind the white vinyl surface. The dampness will reduce the effective R value of fiberglass insulation. This insulation type not address the radiant heat problem in metal structures. Click for examples of the DANGERS of fiberglass insulation.
Cellulose Insulation
Alias(s): Blown in Insulation
R-value per inch: Approx - 3.5
Weaknesses: Problems can occur relating to the distribution of the cellulose. In time it can be difficult to maintain an even distribution of the cellulose. A typical problem is that the insulation slides down from the center peak of house towards the edges. You're left with little or no insulation along middle of house ceiling. Not very air tight, air can flow through the insulation especially when coverage is light. Fibers can cause indoor air quality problems (rare). Good nesting material for rodents. Once wet it is permanently damaged. It does not dry quickly. Metal corrosion problems have been attributed to boric acid (fire resistant chemicals) leaching out of wet cellulose.
Rigid Board Insulation
Alias(s): Polyisocyanurate, polyiso board
R-value per Inch: 6 - 7
Weaknesses: Expensive, r-value diminishes slightly over time especially if the foil face is removed. It will absorb moisture if wet, degrades in sunlight. In cold weather, warm inside air containing water vapor can get past the wall finish and insulation, condensing inside the colder wall cavity. In hot, humid climates the same thing can happen, just in the reverse direction. Humid outdoor air in the summer can condense inside cool, air conditioned wall cavities. If enough of this happens and the water cannot escape, wood rot, mold, and other moisture-related problems can occur.
When insulating a foundation you need to consider that, although insects don't eat foam board, they can easily tunnel through it. Insect burrows reduce the r-value and structural integrity of the insulation. For these reasons, some manufacturers treat their foam products with an insecticide, usually a borate compound. Many building jurisdictions also mandate treating the earth around the building with insecticides. These jurisdictions may also want an inspection area several inches wide and all around the foundation of a house kept bare of insulation board.
Spray Insulation
Alias(s): Open-cell polyurethane foam, open-cell, soft foam, half-pound foam
R-value per Inch: 3.5 - 4
Weaknesses: More expensive than batts or cellulose. It will absorb moisture. Not DIY friendly. Installation produces excess foam that must be trimmed and disposed of. Ongoing debate in industry about fire resistance in exposed applications. It is subject to minimum and maximum temperature restrictions during installation.
Alias(s): Closed-cell polyurethane foam, closed-cell, hard foam, two-pound foam
R-value per Inch: 5 - 6.8
Weaknesses: expensive, not do-it-yourself friendly, ongoing debate in industry about fire resistance in exposed applications, installer experience/training critical as improperly installed foam is prone to failure, subject to minimum and maximum temperature restrictions during installation.
Alias(s): Kit foam, can foam, DIY foam
R-value per Inch: 5 - 6
Weaknesses: Expensive especially if used for large areas. Not user friendly- requires know how to both select the right product and install it properly. It is subject to minimum and maximum temperature restrictions during installation.
Alias(s): Wet spray cellulose, spray cellulose, dense pack cellulose ("dense pack" is an incorrect term often used to describe wet spray cellulose, see "dense pack" under injected insulation)
R-value per Inch: 3.5
Weaknesses: Not do-it-yourself friendly. Installed wet and concerns about moisture release and mold have surfaced in the industry. Adhesion to wall surfaces can break down over time so the tight installation may not be long term.
Comparing Insulations in specific Applications:
Metal Buildings, Pole Barns, Basements, crawl spaces and Attics
Metal Buildings and Pole Barns
Steel skinned structures require an insulation that addresses the following: Condensation, Radiant Heat, and Cold. Prodex Total Insulation is the only insulation in this comparison that addresses all three of these concerns.
Adding traditional fiberglass batt insulation to slow the loss of inside heat from a steel building creates a problem. Instead of warm air rising and striking the metal walls and roof directly causing condensation and dripping, the insulation will make the air cool more gradually. The warm, moist indoor air will cool and reach the dewpoint either somewhere inside the insulation or when it reaches the roof or siding trapping moisture. Moisture trapped within the insulation will cause its R-value and effectiveness to drop dramatically as water is a very good conductor of heat. Even though the metal in a quality steel building will be treated, water trapped between the insulation and the building exterior will, over time, cause rust, oxidation, mold and fungus growth - conditions that will degrade the steel walls and shorten the service life of the building. Condensation can also result in ruined crops or bacterial growth.
A vapor retarder installed on the warm side of the insulation will act as a physical shield to repel moisture, keeping it inside in the form of water vapor. A vapor retarder like aluminum foil will slow the movement of water vapor. Air infiltration through the building exterior in humid areas will also allow some moisture in below the roof decking and into the insulation. As any amount of moisture seriously degrades the insulation capabilities of fiberglass batt insulation, fiberglass is not recommended for use in steel buildings in humid areas. Reflective foil insulation is recommended instead as it both insulates and creates a vapor barrier that protects the building exterior.
Attics
Most of the heat loss and gain in a home is through the roof/attic. A complete insulation system for an attic/roof should include at thermal insulation (R value) and a radiant heat barrier. Prodex Total Insulation is the only insulation in this comparison that is a thermal insulator (R value) and a radiant heat barrier.
Basements and /crawl spaces:
Moisture problems in basements and crawl spaces have lead experts to recommend against using fiberglass batt or blanket insulation in a basement. The old standard installation of fiberglass batt insulation between framed stud walls on the basement interior with a vapor barrier over the studs is no longer recommended because of excessive problems with mold, mildew, decay and rot. To maintain its effectiveness, fiberglass must not be exposed to high-moisture conditions such as a damp basement. Moisture will negate the insulation value of fiberglass batts and promote mold and mildew which degrade indoor air quality. Installing a vapor barrier over the interior of the fiberglass will prevent the foundation walls from drying to the interior, a problem with mitigating capillary rise, groundwater leakage and construction moisture. Batts with no vapor barrier will not be effective either as interior humidity will still be a problem. Click for more information of using reflective insulation in basements and crawl spaces.
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