Custom Home utilizing Icynene Classic Max

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Icynene Synopsis

Simply put, installing Icynene to your home or business is not just insulation but a complete Insulation System.  Batt and Blown In Fiber Insulation products offer an R-Value (R is an indication of heat conduction) benefit only.  The thicker the application the higher the R-Value. The negative effects of these products are that they compress over time and they allow airflow, both of which reduce its R-Value and effectiveness as insulation.

Therma Seal Insulation Systems creates an “unvented attic” assembly, which prohibits the intrusion of heat, humidity or pollen into the attic space.  More importantly, the cool air you produce; which in the past seeps through the conventional insulation and dispersed out into the environment, is now retained in the attic space.  The result is a home, which cools quickly and then retains this temperature significantly longer

The benefits you gain by adding this system include air quality and sound absorption and improved energy efficiency. 

As indicated, Icynene is an insulation system that beyond its thermal attributes (R Value) is an Air Barrier system.  This envelope over the conditioned space, is also known as “Unvented Attic System” (http://www.thermaseal.net/images/stories/design-notes/benefits-of-unvented-attic.pdf)

The system provided by Therma Seal retains this cooler air inside the attic envelope.  The ducts and handlers now work in a comfortable environment without a dew point (preventing mold/mildew).   Visit www.thermaseal.net to meet the Therma Seal Team and a complete viewing of the application, case studies and more.

jfinck@thermaseal.net

561.775.9703

Does spray foam insulation cost more than fiberglass and cellulose?

-Icynene Corp

Although behind the wall, insulation is one of the most important investments in any residential or commercial project that your client can make. More often than not, the argument for or against spray foam insulation is affected by cost. While spray foam insulation does cost more than fiberglass and cellulose, it’s important to recognize the return on investment that Icynene spray foam insulation offers.

An article in the Chicago Tribune identifies spray foam insulation as a more complex system that is applied as a liquid that can fill in every crack and seam consistently while fiberglass need to be cut carefully to fit the cavities. This can leave gaps which allow vast amounts of air to escape. 

It’s these gaps in the inconsistent coverage of fiberglass that can have a significant impact on the daily energy consumption, and therefore the building’s heating and cooling costs.  It’s believed that all the gaps left by fiberglass insulation allows enough air escape an average American home to fill two air blimps – every day.  This kind of inconsistency in performance also applies to cellulose since it can impacted by gravity and moisture which hinders its performance.

Does spray foam insulation cost more than fiberglass or cellulose? When you consider the amount of air escaping from poorly insulated fiberglass buildings (and the costs associated with an overworked HVAC system) together with the factors that can affect performance such as moisture, mold potential and gravity against the performance consistency and return on investment value of spray foam insulation, then the cost of spray foam insulation is a wise investment for any building owner.

                             

Remember that variables such as spray foam type, labor and quantity do have an impact on the initial investment price, your clients have the opportunity to use an energy efficient product that provides savings as much as 50% on every monthly heating and cooling bills. No other insulation product can provide such a saving.

Therma Seal Insulation Systems
Solutions Driven... Customer Focused!

Insulation and the truth behind R-value

What is the correct R-Value to be installed in a vented attic?

When speaking in terms of R-Value as it relates to insulation, we are speaking to the speed at which heat conductively travels from the hot side towards the cold side .  The higher the R-Value the slower the speed of heat transfer.  Note R-Value does not stop the transfer, merely slows it down.  An example on your kitchen stove is the time it takes to warm an aluminum pan verse the time to warm a cast iron pan; we will still cook in both cases.   Keep in mind heat travels in multiple methods and wave lengths including airflow.  Conventional insulation can only address the conduction transfer and ignores the transfer of heat by radiation and airflow (convection).  

The solution, an air barrier. When measuring the effectiveness of insulation, R value is the only factor most insulation manufacturers talk about because it’s all they offer. R value measures the ability to limit conductive heat flow (heat transferred through it). But the primary method of heat transfer is not conductive heat flow — it’s air leakage (convection). Air leakage can account for up to 40% of a building’s energy loss, and it cannot be stopped with traditional insulation. R value is important, but an airtight seal is equally important for achieving energy savings.

Icynene spray foam insulation provides insulation R value and air-sealing in a single step. This is the only way to truly provide your clients with the most energy-saving value from their insulation costs.

The Wikipedia link https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/R-value_(insulation) indicates R-Value as thermal resistance.  The higher the R, the more effective.  However there is a space requirement and a balance which should be recognized when choosing the R- Value.  Space is required to add R-Value.   In discussing the batt insulation product 8” is required to achieve a R-Value of 30.  If one were to compress the R30 batt into a 5” cavity this result is a denser product but also a lower R-Value which is near 19.

When is Too Much R in a vented attic a poor concept in hot humid climates?

A vented attic is designed to allow air flow to enter and escape.  Conceptually, heat rises and ridge vents and whirly birds support the relief of heat in an attic.  This process reduces some of the heat, depressurizes the attic and draws new or cooler air in through existing soffits or form the conditioned air of the home.  It is important to have reasonable air flow to prevent other issues which can cause mold or mildew.

Essentially, we are cooling the attic, yet the air is then released to the world.  AC duct systems work in this environment and may be subject to sweating if the metal or aluminum conduit of the duct system is cold and the attic air is too hot.  Restating the importance of air flow in a vented attic, we realize as we increase the volume of insulation to the deck of an attic we reduce the ingress and egress of air flow.  Many times over insulating an attic deck promotes higher dew points and sweating because the attic become even hotter.  Although it is separated from conditioned living by more insulation, reducing the loss of cool air the attic bakes at a higher temperature.  This concern becomes especially evident as the roof slope of an attic is low.

Therma Seal Spray Foam Insulation
Solutions Driven... Customer Focused
561.775.9703

Why spray Icynene Classic Max over other spray foam products?

     The #1 reason to spray the Icynene Classic Max over any other spray foam is fire safety.  Therma Seal Spray Foam uses the latest version of Icynene's open cell spray foam because it is the best in its breed and will not sustain a flame in the event of a fire.  Not only will Classic Max not sustain a flame, this fire safe attic system has proved to snuff out attic fires, protecting not only your largest financial asset, your home, but also your family.

Therma Seal Insulation Systems
Icynene Gold Circle dealers of South Florida