insulation

Building insulation

refers broadly to any object in a building used as insulation for any purpose.

Convection

in the most general terms refers to the movement of molecules within fluids

Radiation

as used in physics, is energy in the form of waves or moving subatomic particles emitted by an atom or other body as it changes from a higher energy state to a lower energy state.

Conduction

occurs as hot, rapidly moving or vibrating atoms and molecules interact with neighboring atoms and molecules, transferring some of their energy (heat) to these neighboring atoms.

70

The standard comfortable temperature of insulation required to keep a resting person warm in a windless room is at __ °F

Spray Polyurethane Foam Insulation
Rigid panels
Insulated Concrete Forms
Structural insulated panels
Oriented strand board
Batt Insulation
Blanket Insulation
Loose Fill
Corrugated Insulation

Types of Insulation

Spray Polyurethane Foam Insulation

A two component mixture comes together at the tip of a gun, and forms expanding foam that is sprayed onto concrete slabs,

Rigid panels

made from fibrous materials (fiberglass, rock and slag wool) or from plastic foam. They are sometimes sold in sections designed to fit tightly in standard wall cavities.

Insulated Concrete Forms

are hollow, light-weight "stay in place" forms made of two Expanded Polystyrene (EPS) panels which are connected by polypropylene webs.

Structural insulated panels

also called stressed-skin walls, use the same concept as in foam-core external doors, but extend the concept to the entire house.

Oriented strand board

is an engineered wood product formed by layering strands (flakes) of wood in specific orientations.

Batt Insulation

are precut, whereas blankets are available in continuous rolls.

Blanket Insulation

made from fibrous materials like mineral wool, wood fiber, cotton fiber or animal hair and manufactured to form a mat with thickness of 1⁄2” – 4 “ .

Fiberglass

Made from recycled glass, non-flammable, and cost-effective, often used in batts and rolls.

Loose Fill

Cellulose is 100% natural and 75-85% of it is made from recycled newsprint.

Fibrous Type

from mineral wool rock, glass wool, slag wool or vegetable fiber usually of wood fiber.

Granular Insulation

from expanded minerals like perlite, vermiculite or ground vegetable matter.

Corrugated Insulation

From paper formed into shapes that produced enclosed air pockets into small regular semi – circular corrugations and covering both sides with sheet of flat paper to give strength and produce the air pockets.

Sound Insulation

It means of reducing the intensity of sound with respect to a specified source and receptor.

Fire Insulation

The plaster provides a layer of insulation to retard heat flow into structural steel elements that would otherwise lose their strength and collapse in an accidental fire.

WATERPOOFING

describes objects relatively unaffected by water or resisting the ingress of water under specified conditions.

Integral Type
Membrane Type
Fluid Applied

3 Types of Water proofing:

Integral Type

Types of Water proofing: Medium in powder form is added and mixed with aggregates of concrete.

Membrane Type:

Types of Water proofing: Recommended for use where direct rain or standing water are eminent

Fluid Applied

Types of Water proofing: An elastomeric coating based on heavy solids elastomer compound formulated to waterproof and preserve substrate like concrete, wood, brick and steel

Mineral Wool

Fire-resistant, made from stone or slag wool, and environmentally friendly.

Foam Board

Includes materials like polystyrene and polyisocyanurate, known for high R-values and rigidity.

Spray Foam

Available in open-cell and closed-cell forms, excellent for sealing gaps and providing high insulation.

Reflective Insulation

Uses reflective materials to reduce heat transfer, often used in attics and walls.

Natural Insulation

Includes materials like sheep's wool, cellulose, and cotton, known for eco-friendliness.

R-Value

A measure of an insulation material's ability to resist heat flow; higher R-values indicate better insulation performance

Sound Absorption

The ability of insulation materials to reduce noise levels by absorbing sound waves, important for acoustic comfort.

Fire Resistance

The ability of insulation materials to withstand or resist fire, with materials like mineral wool being non-combustible.

Roof Insulation

Insulation applied to roofs to reduce heat loss and gain, often using materials like spray foam or foam boards.

Wall Insulation

Insulation installed in walls to enhance energy efficiency and reduce thermal bridging, commonly using fiberglass or mineral wool.

Flooring Insulation

Insulation used under floors to reduce heat loss and improve comfort, often involving materials like foam boards or spray foam.

Eco-Friendly Insulation Materials

Materials like cellulose, sheep's wool, and recycled fiberglass that minimize environmental impact.

Energy Efficiency Impact

The role of insulation in reducing energy consumption by minimizing heat transfer, thus lowering heating and cooling costs.