Full Answer
What is continuous insulation (CI)?
Understanding Continuous Insulation (CI) What is Continuous Insulation? Continuous insulation (ci) (as defined in ASHRAE 90.1, Energy Standard for Buildings Except Low-Rise Residential Buildings): “Insulation that is continuous across all structural members without thermal bridges other than fasteners and service openings.
What are the benefits of continuous insulation for building owners?
Building owners benefit through reduced heating and cooling energy costs. Since 2012 the International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) has required continuous insulation in the building envelope in most all Climate Zones (as defined by ASHRAE 90.1).
What is continuous polyiso insulation?
Continuous Polyiso Insulation. National model energy codes are advancing the way we approach building commercial and residential exterior walls by emphasizing the use of continuous insulation systems, which provide a continuous insulation layer over an entire wall, not just in the wall cavities.
Can I use continuous insulation alone to meet energy code?
Finally, it is possible to use continuous insulation alone to meet energy code without any cavity insulation for the ultimate “warm wall” design. *ASHRAE 90.1-2007, Energy Standard for Buildings Except Low-Rise Residential Buildings, American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-Conditioning Engineers, Inc., Atlanta, GA.
What qualifies as continuous insulation?
Continuous insulation (also known as CI) is defined by the energy code as: “Insulation that is uncompressed and continuous across all structural members without thermal bridges other than fasteners and service openings.”
What is the difference between cavity and continuous insulation?
Cavity Insulation Insulation installed between structural members such as wood studs, metal framing, and Z-clips. Cavity insulation is used within the wood- or metal-framed wall, while rigid continuous insulation (c.i.) is placed on the exterior side of the framing.
What is continuous wall insulation?
Continuous insulation is defined as “insulation that is continuous across all structural members without thermal bridges other than fasteners and service openings. It is installed on the interior, exterior, or is integral to any opaque surface of the building envelope.”
Is spray foam considered continuous insulation?
Medium-density, closed cell spray foam insulation provides a high performance wall assembly solution by combining four functions in one material: truly continuous insulation, a continuous air barrier, a full water-resistive barrier, and a vapor barrier.
How do you install continuous exterior insulation?
0:281:38How to install continuous exterior insulation - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipUse just enough fasteners to secure the comfort port 80 to the sheathing. Over the weather wrap.MoreUse just enough fasteners to secure the comfort port 80 to the sheathing. Over the weather wrap. Once the comfort board 80 is installed. It's ready for furring strips. And your choice of siding.
Is rigid insulation considered continuous?
Rigid insulation can be attached to the exterior side of the framing to provide a continuous insulating layer that reduces thermal losses through thermal bridging. Rigid insulation can also function to mitigate moisture problems in building construction.
What is the R-value for exterior walls?
R-13 to R-23Typical recommendations for exterior walls are R-13 to R-23, while R-30, R-38 and R-49 are common for ceilings and attic spaces.
What is the R-value of rigid insulation?
The R-value is about R-5. Like polyiso, this type of rigid foam won't absorb water and is stronger and more durable than expanded polystyrene, so it's probably the most versatile type of rigid foam.
Does sheetrock have an R-value?
Drywall, for instance, has an R-value of about R-0.5 for its half-inch thickness. This is minimal when you consider that filling a 4-inch-thick wall cavity with insulation increases the R-value to about R-15.
Is spray foam insulation better than foam board insulation?
Both spray foam and rigid foam board are highly efficient insulation materials. They have high R-values and can keep your home cool in the summers and warm during winter. However, spray foam usually has a higher R-value than rigid foam board, at similar density levels.
Can you spray foam over rigid insulation?
0:163:56Can You Spray Foam Over Existing Insulation? | Foam UniversityYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipYou could but it would be a very very messy process for the installers.MoreYou could but it would be a very very messy process for the installers.
What is the R-value of 4 inch rigid insulation?
R-23.2ISO Thickness R-Value (Rigid Insulation Chart 2)ISO Thickness:R-Value:4 Inch ISO BoardR-23.24.5 Inch ISO BoardR-26.15 Inch ISO BoardR-29.05.5 Inch ISO BoardR-31.915 more rows
What is a good R-value for exterior walls?
R-13 to R-23Typical recommendations for exterior walls are R-13 to R-23, while R-30, R-38 and R-49 are common for ceilings and attic spaces. See the Department of Energy's (DOE) ranges for recommended levels of insulation below.
What is the R-value of 4 inch rigid insulation?
R-23.2ISO Thickness R-Value (Rigid Insulation Chart 2)ISO Thickness:R-Value:4 Inch ISO BoardR-23.24.5 Inch ISO BoardR-26.15 Inch ISO BoardR-29.05.5 Inch ISO BoardR-31.915 more rows
What is XPS insulation board?
Expanded Polystyrene, referred to as XPS, is a closed cell insulation product commonly used in remodeling and new construction applications. Due to the manufacturing process, XPS insulation is typically available only in standard dimension square or rectangular boards.
What is spray foam insulation R-value?
Closed cell spray foam has an R-value of R-7 per inch. In comparison, open cell spray foam has an R-value of R-3.8 per inch. Additionally, the materials have decidedly different densities.
What is Continuous Insulation?
Continuous insulation, also known as outsulation, is defined in American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-conditioning Engineers 90.1 (ASHRAE 90.1), as:
How does continuous insulation help the building industry?
In the long run, continuous insulation not only dramatically reduces building management costs, but the improvements in efficiency, help the building industry move closer to carbon neutrality and a more sustainable environment.
What is rigid foam insulation?
Rigid foam plastic sheathing materials are commonly used for continuous insulation because of their relatively high R-value per inch and low cost to meet or exceed energy code requirements . [We discuss the pros and cons of Rigid Foam Sheathing here and here .]
What is CI in building?
To help ensure well-insulated buildings, since 2012, the International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) has required continuous insulation (CI) in the building envelope. The 2012 IECC prescribes how much insulation is required for each of the 8 U.S. climate zones, for various types of above-grade walls, below-grade walls, roofs, and floors.
How much does thermal bridging reduce insulation?
Furthermore, studies done by the Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) found that thermal bridging through framing components reduces insulation performance by as much as 15-20 percent in wood frame construction and by 40-60 percent in metal framed buildings.
What is thermal bridge?
If you’ve been around the construction and insulation industry you probably know the term. T hermal bridging, also known as cold bridges or heat bridges, are penetrations in a building’s insulation layer that allow heat (a.k.a. energy) to escape and cold to intrude during winter. Vice versa in the summer. In an airtight and insulated home, thermal bridges can account for heat loss of up to 30 percent.
How much heat loss is due to thermal bridges?
Vice versa in the summer. In an airtight and insulated home, thermal bridges can account for heat loss of up to 30 percent. As more stringent legislation and energy awareness lead to increased insulation levels in walls, roofs, and floors, heat losses due to thermal bridging become increasingly important.
What is continuous insulation?
Continuous insulation is defined by the building code as an “insulating material that is continuous across all structural members without thermal bridges other than fasteners and service openings ” (2018 International Energy Conservation Code). Applications for continuous insulation include above-grade walls, roofs and below-grade walls. The uninterrupted thermal barrier across these surfaces increases the effective R-value of the building assembly as compared to adding a similar amount of non-continuous insulation (such as within stud cavities). For additional information on the general benefits of continuous insulation, visit continuousinsulation.org.#N#Polyiso continuous insulation (“Polyiso CI”) delivers a high R-value when compared to other products, which means the designed thermal performance of the building assembly can be achieved with a minimum thickness of insulation. Thinner insulation results in thinner profiles for exterior wall and roof assemblies.#N#A popular application for Polyiso CI is exterior wall assemblies for residential and commercial buildings. For wall applications, Polyiso CI can be installed as a 3-in-1 building envelope solution to:
Is polyiso CI fire resistant?
Polyiso CI possesses a high level of inherent fire resistance when compared to other foam plastic insulations due to its unique structure of strong isocyanurate chemical bonds. These bonds result in improved resistance to high temperature exposures as well as enhanced fire resistance.
What Is Continuous Insulation?
Continuous insulation (CI) protects the integrity of a space with insulation that covers all structural components of your building.
Why Does Continuous Insulation Matter?
Continuous insulation that’s applied to roofs, walls and below-grade construction offers several benefits. By adding layers across the entirety of the structure, not just the cavities, you’ll help prevent thermal bridging and ensure an energy-efficient, code-compliant building.
Planning Out Effective Continuous Insulation
To plan out the kind of continuous insulation you’ll need to ensure a building that stands up to water and severe conditions over time, it helps to keep a few strategies in mind.
Simple CI Design for Safer, Healthier Buildings
There are a few materials that can help you achieve continuous insulation, but today’s building materials industry offers an overwhelming number of options.
Why is continuous insulation important?
Over a building’s lifespan, continuous insulation is highly cost-effective because it reduces energy bills and the risk of defects. It also improves occupants’ level of comfort.
What is CI insulation?
Thick insulation: CI is essentially the down in a down jacket – for your home. A thicker insulation layer will move the dew point—the point where moisture in the air condenses into water—outside of the wall assembly. All things equal, the higher the R-value, the less condensation will occur within the wall assembly itself. Instead, it will occur towards the exterior surface and within the CI layer – and ideally where there is no food source for mold.
What is vapor open insulation?
Vapor open materials: Insulation and air sealing products that are vapor open to the exterior ensure that if moisture does condense inside the wall it will dry to the outside, rather than remaining trapped. That mitigates the risk of mold and mildew and is indicated by a product’s perm (permeability) rating. Therefore, you want CI materials with a high perm rating. Note also, that moisture within our walls generally dries to the outside more readily in heating climates – climates where the heat load is greater than the cooling load.
What is a good vapor open air/weather barrier?
Materials—air/weather barriers. A good, vapor open air/weather barrier is essentially Gortex for your house because it helps keep both moisture and air out of your wall. (e.g., it keeps the rain out and allows “sweat” to dry). There are a variety of products available.
Why do walls need to breathe?
One objection to using CI and air sealing is the misguided notion that “Walls need to breathe” to prevent mold and mildew. A CI strategy can indeed cause problems if vapor closed materials are used because they trap moisture. There are instances where this has contributed to mold, rot and indoor air pollution. Let’s be clear about breathing – walls do not need breathe, and instead need to enable moisture to migrate out. This is a fine but very important distinction.
What is CI in building?
ASHRAE 90.1, Energy Standard for Buildings Except Low-Rise Residential Buildings, defines continuous insulation (CI) as “Insulation that is continuous across all structural members without thermal bridges other than fasteners and service openings.”
Is CI more effective than interior CI?
Placement. CI is generally applied to the exterior of a building envelope. In most cases, exterior application is easier and more effective than an interior CI strategy. It helps move the dew point outside the wall assembly and it doesn’t require the detail work of fitting it to joists and other structures.
How does continuous insulation help a building?
Continuous insulation keeps energy and heat loss to a minimum, increasing the building’s energy efficiency and leading to lower monthly operating costs.
Why do we need continuous insulation?
Why you need continuous insulation. As noted above, continuous insulation is needed to achieve high-performance wall assemblies. More importantly, it will be increasingly needed for energy code compliance (see IECC charts below) as mandated to all states that have accepted federal economic stimulus funds.
What is Rmax insulation?
Rmax insulation has been designed and tested to provide homes with superior insulating protection, while meeting the newest codes and requirements.
Can you put continuous insulation on a foundation?
For example, it is common to place continuous insulation on the inside face of foundation walls and also above-grade masonry walls, which is considered a typical practice in Florida where the exterior masonry wall face is coated with stucco or parging.
Is continuous insulation equal to sheathing?
While not all continuous insulation materials are equal, continuous insulation as a product class offers many advantages over other types of wall sheathing. Some of these advantages were discussed earlier.
What is cavity insulation?
Cavity insulation is used within the wood- or metal-framed wall, while rigid continuous insulation (c.i.) is placed on the exterior side of the framing. Alternative combinations of cavity insulation and sheathings in thicker walls can be used, provided the total wall assembly has a U-factor that is less than or equal to the appropriate climate zone construction requirements.
What is continuous R value?
Continuous R-Value - Enter the R-value of any continuous insulation in the above-grade wall. Continuous insulation is continuous over framing members or furring strips and is free of significant thermal bridging. The R-values of other parts of the building assembly (e.g., gypsum board and air films) are accounted for by the program and should not be entered. Insulated sheathing installed on the exterior of above-grade walls is an example of continuous insulation. For structural insulated panels and insulated concrete forms, enter the manufacturer-reported R-value for the entire assembly.
What is the standard size of exterior walls in RES?
All exterior walls are assumed to be of regular rectangular shape with an average wall height of 9 ft. , and the wall width is calculated from the gross area as input by the user.
What is the U O factor for a frame wall?
The U o ‑factor for all frame walls is based on the R‑value of cavity insulation and the continuous insulation R‑value (if used ). If the user does not enter a continuous insulation (sheathing) R‑value (or enters a value of 0.0), the software assumes a sheathing R‑value of 0.83. This default value gives credit for some minimal type of sheathing material (such as plywood) under the siding.
