INSULATION FOR TODAY’S BUILDERS

Insulation-for-Builders

Building insulation is a term usually used to refer to any substance or object that is used to carry out the process of insulation in a building. Though most of the insulation in buildings are carried out for thermal reasons, there are other types as well including fire insulation, acoustic insulation and impact insulation.

 

Owens corning, in this case, has been a source of great help not only to builders but also to architects and designers in providing them with information as well as helping them in the selection of products and letting them meet the requirements of green building certifications. "Our company is committed and aims at providing professionals with a variety of products, building related knowledge and science and the required transparency needed to build and design stronger and more sustainable structures whether commercial or residential. Our range of insulation related products is part of the same approach."

Thermal insulation is generally taken into special consideration during the construction of a building because it is important to gain thermal comfort for its occupants. With energy costs on the rise and the sources of energy on a constant depletion, it has become a great concern to conserve this energy. Insulation thereby comes as a considerable factor in certifying a viable future, because it reduces the unwanted gain or loss of heat and the energy demands of heating and cooling systems.

How insulation works:

Insulation work is based mainly on three basic mechanisms of heat flow; conduction, convection and radiation. With conduction, the movement of heat is directly through the material while in convection heats adopt circulation through the liquids and gases and in radiation there is travelling of heat waves in a straight line through anything it passes that has the capability to absorb energy.

Irrespective of the mechanism of transfer, energy flows from hotter to cooler to the instance that both come to the same temperature. So it is generally applied that heat flows from your warmer interior of the house to the cooler and unheated exteriors in the winters. Whereas in summer heat flows from the outside to the inside of the house. Now this is the point that asks for the installation of a system to fight heat loss in winter and heat gain in summer.

Appropriate insulation thereby is one basic solution to reduce a flow of heat energy by providing an effective resistance. To make an insulation work we have to consider all the mechanisms of heat transfer and counter them accordingly. Most of the common insulation materials work by reducing the transfer of energy via conduction, and some degree of convection. To combat the radiant heat, reflective insulation systems and radiant barriers are used effectively with their reflective surface facing an air space.

Types and materials for insulation:

When it comes to the insulation of buildings, though fiberglass batt is a dominant product of choice, different builders have their own preferences and favourites. Over the years there has been quite an advancement in the types of materials being used and newer options like cellulose, foam, wool, natural fibre and blow-in fiberglass have emerged. The choice of insulation material is often made on account of the functions and qualities of that particular material.

Blow-in insulation or loose fill insulation is usually made of cellulose or fiberglass and is blown into place with the help of specialized equipment. It is ideal for attic insulation and other hard to reach locations as well as for wall insulation to fill the cavities or it can also be imposed on an existing insulation.

Densely packed cellulose and fiberglass are preferred for wall insulation and other closed spaces. This method is also gaining importance in new constructions because of its ability to completely fill the spaces, slow down air flow and to prevent the insulation from settling.

Batts are prepared sections of fiberglass or rockwool insulation designed for a convenient handling when using it in between the frames and beams. They can be used for the insulation of floors, attics, ceilings and walls.

Spray foam or polyurethane spray foam works and sets in quickly to fill in small cracks and gaps and is most suitable for sealing around doors, vents and windows as it can be easily cut or painted. It is sprayed into the place of application with the help of a spray can or other specialized equipment.

Vapour barriers and Kraft-faced insulation are based on the concept that vapour barriers help control the quantity of moisture that can pass through the insulation. They find most of their usage in the exterior wall insulation of homes.

Benefits of insulation:

Proper insulation of homes and commercial buildings not only creates a steady and comfortable indoor climate but also significantly improves the energy efficacy of your building. You can definitely conserve 50-70% of the excess energy used on a regular basis to maintain a pleasant temperature. So to improve the energy efficacy, and to save the money on energy bills Owens Corning, Johns Manville and others provides the best possible solutions to your insulation needs. These are how insulation of different parts of your building can be of help:

1. Insulation of your heated basement can make the whole house more comfortable by decreasing the outflow of energy in winter.

2. Attic insulation or your exterior wall insulation can help save extra on energy bills.

3. Additional home insulation can lead you to save much of your heating and cooling energy costs.

And another added feature, it can work to control the noise by absorbing the sound.

To avail all these benefits and much more in your building, you can look forward to Owens Corning which is the expert and has experience in developing, manufacturing and marketing insulation, fiberglass composites and roofing. Their motto is to develop manufacturing materials, building products, system and technology that works effectively to conserve energy and increase the comfort in residential and commercial buildings to make the world a better place to live.

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