Insulation Dr. Qing Wang Insulation types Insulation apply RSI (metric) or R (imperial) value

Insulation types Batt or roll insulation Rigid board insulation Spray foam insulation Loose fill or blown insulation

Where to insulate home Attic Wall Floor

Batt insulation detail R-value per Inch: 3.2 Strengths: low cost, readily available at local stores, easy DIY installation, use in standard framing spacing and wide cavities, some brands have high recycled content Weaknesses: not very air tight, low R-value per inch in narrow cavities,

Rigid board insulation detail R-value per Inch: 6 - 7 Strengths: high R-value, readily available at local stores, easy DIY installation, can be airtight if sealed well, good for narrow spaces that need high R-value, air can go around but not through Weaknesses: Expensive, R-value diminishes slightly over time, absorb moisture if wet, degrades in sunlight

Blown insulation R-value per Inch: 3.5 Strengths: low cost, high recycled content, DIY installation with rental machine, good for attics with lots of cavity space, widely available, good sound deadening Weaknesses: not very air tight, air can flow through the insulation especially when coverage is light, good nesting material for rodents, permanently damaged if it gets wet, does not dry quickly

Blown insulation on roof

Spray foam insulation R-value per Inch:3.5 - 4 Strengths: air tight installation, good for high efficiency homes and saving energy, good for whole house installations except locations susceptible to moisture Weaknesses: more expensive than batts or blown insulation, will absorb moisture, not DIY friendly, must be trimmed and disposed of

Other insulation - Straw bales R-value per Inch: 2.4 Strengths: made from natural materials, low cost  Weaknesses: not very air tight, subject to air movement around the bales, can't be used in narrow cavities, will absorb moisture and suffer damage if wet, not fully tested by time, not for the average DIY project

Other insulation – EIF (Exterior Insulation Finish system) R-value per Inch: 5 Strengths: reasonable cost, good for new construction and stucco finished homes, good way to add extra R-value to a wall system, Weaknesses :this system had serious problems with trapped moisture in the 1980's - moisture management is now a regular consideration in EIFS designs

OBC Table 12.3.2.1. Minimum Thermal Resistance of Insulation to be Installed Based on Degree-Day Zones(1) Forming Part of Sentence 12.3.2.1.(4) Column 1 Column 2 Column 3 Column 4 Building Element Exposed to the Exterior or to Unheated Space Minimum RSI Value Required Zone 1 Less than 5000 degree- days Zone 2 5000 or more degree- days Electric Space Heating Zones 1 & 2 Ceiling below attic or roof space 7.00 8.80 Roof assembly without attic or roof space 4.93 Wall other than foundation wall 3.34 4.22 5.10 Foundation walls enclosing heated space 2.11 Floor, other than slab- on-ground 4.40 Slab-on-ground containing heating pipes, tubes, ducts or cables 1.76 Slab-on-ground not containing heating pipes, tubes, ducts or cables 1.41 Basement floor slabs located more than 600 mm below grade —

Thermal Resistance of Insulation External wall insulation calculation: Out side air 0.03 Wood siding (19mm) 0.19 Sheathing (12.7mm) 0.11 Batt insulation (140mm) 3.52 (4.23) 2O17 GWB (12.7mm) 0.07 Inside air 0.12 Total : 4.04 greater than 3.34 (OBC requirement)

Different from R and RIS value R - Thermal resistance RSI – R in International System of Units R for imperial and RIS for metric