Energy Savings Go Through the Roof!

Posted By PIMA

When it’s time to replace a roof, most owners choose roofing materials based on performance qualities like longevity and weather resistance. But a well-designed roof can also shine in another performance area: energy efficiency.

Energy efficiency is important to many owners with concerns ranging from climate impacts like building carbon footprints to the costs and reliability of energy resources. Since approximately 25 percent of heat loss in an uninsulated building occurs through the roof, choosing materials that add insulative power can add significant energy savings. For commercial and low-slope roof applications, adding layers of rigid foam insulation to the roofing system can deliver exceptional R-value without a lot of bulk.

An article last month from the Energy News Network details initiatives in Warren, Minnesota and Arnsberg, Germany to use thermal imaging in evaluating building heat loss to help owners determine the best energy efficiency opportunities.

The program was conceived after municipal leaders from Warren and Arnsberg met through the Climate-Smart Municipalities program sponsored by the University of Minnesota’s Institute on the Environment which paired five cities in Minnesota with similar cities in Germany. Arnsberg had been using remote-piloted aircraft to collect thermal images of building heat loss. Leaders in Warren decided to try using drones to get more detailed information.

Piggybacking off each other’s ideas, the two cities are innovating the practical applications of these thermal images in directing energy efficiency efforts to the places that will have the greatest impact. Their research provides further evidence that reroofing with energy-efficient materials can decrease building heat loss and lead to reduced energy consumption.

Tags:  building envelope  buildings  continuous insulation  Efficiency  energy efficiency  insulation  Polyiso 

PIMA Technical Bulletin #304: Energy Efficiency with Polyiso Continuous Insulation (CI)

Posted by PIMA

Technical Bulletin #304 discusses how to use Polyiso CI (with foil or coated glass facer) to provide a continuous layer of insulation on the exterior of homes with wood or steel framing to minimize thermal bridges. Architectural images depict insulation covering the entire opaque wall surface that demonstrate significant increases in the overall thermal performance and energy efficiency of a home using Polyiso CI.

Thermal images highlight the temperature distribution and heat flux through wood and steel frame wall sections both with and without Polyiso CI and demonstrate an improved overall effective R-value. The technical bulletin also discusses Polyiso CI’s features and benefits related to attic, roof, foundation, and slab applications. A “Key Facts” summary provides a convenient reference of the important information contained in this document. A link to PIMA Technical Bulletin #304 is found here.

Tags:  building envelope  buildings  continuous insulation  insulation  Polyiso 

PIMA Technical Bulletin #303: Moisture Control with Polyiso Continuous Insulation (CI)

Posted by PIMA

Technical Bulletin #303 contains important information about the use of Polyiso CI (with foil or coated glass facer) when used as a continuous layer of insulation on the exterior of a home (wood or steel framed construction). This technical bulletin notes that providing insulation over the entire opaque wall surface significantly increases the overall thermal performance and energy efficiency of a home and highlights how it protects from the ravages of moisture.

Included in this technical bulletin are a number of illustrations comparing Polyiso CI with other systems in connection with the transfer of moisture. A “Key Facts” summary provides a convenient reference of the important information contained in this document.

A link to PIMA Technical Bulletin #303 is provided here.

Tags:  building envelope  continuous insulation  Polyiso 

PIMA Technical Bulletin #302: Wall Bracing with Polyiso Continuous Insulation (CI)

Posted by PIMA

Technical Bulletin #302 presents several applications related to the proper use of the Polyiso CI, and highlights the importance of wall bracing to resist lateral loading conditions and meet residential building code requirements. Structural bracing requirements are described for both wood and steel framed residential construction in the document.

Included in this technical bulletin are illustrations related to the use of wall bracing with Polyiso CI that serve as helpful “how to” descriptions for installation of the product. Also included is a summary of “Key Facts” that reference important information contained in the document. A link to PIMA Technical Bulletin #302 is provided here.

Tags:  buildings  continuous insulation  energy codes  energy efficiency  Polyiso 

PIMA Technical Bulletin #301: Polyiso Continuous Insulation (CI) Performance in Residential Wall Applications

Posted by PIMA

Technical Bulletin #301 looks at the use of Polyiso CI (with foil or coated glass facer) to provide a continuous layer of insulation on the exterior of residential housing (when used with wood or steel framed construction) to minimize thermal bridges and increase the overall thermal performance and energy efficiency of a home. This document covers various applications of Polyiso CI including: thermal insulation; thermal bridge reduction; water resistive barrier: air barrier; water vapor control; and fire performance.

Included in this technical bulletin are a number of illustrations comparing Polyiso CI with other insulation systems. A “Key Facts” summary and “Definitions” section provide addition and important information. A link to PIMA Technical Bulletin #301 is provided here.

Tags: building envelope continuous insulation Efficiency energy codes insulation Polyiso

Canada to Address Building Code Gap for Existing Buildings

Posted By PIMA

The Canadian Commission on Building and Fire Codes has issued recommendations to address “the absence of clear code requirements for existing buildings.” The report outlines an approach to constructing a regulatory framework for today’s building stock to address five objectives, including improved energy efficiency. Canada has invited interested stakeholders to provide input on the report through a brief online survey by August 30, 2019. PIMA plans to submit comments that highlight the United States’ experience with the existing building provisions of the IECC and respond to the report’s concerns of building fire safety. To view the online survey, click here.

Energy Conservation Lives!

Posted By PIMA

A recent Trump Administration document “encourages communities to adopt and enforce up-to-date building codes.” This important policy recommendation, contained in the Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA)’s National Mitigation Investment Strategy (NMIS), is expected to further catalyze code adoption and pave the way toward enforcement of these critical building standards.

The NMIS Recommendation 3.1 further states:
“Building codes regulate the design, construction, and occupancy of buildings and structures by providing minimum requirements to safeguard public safety, health and general welfare. Architects, engineers, builders, and regulators should use the latest building codes for the most up-to-date requirements for structural integrity, mechanical integrity, fire prevention and energy conservation. Using up-to-date building codes helps communities survive, remain resilient, and continue to provide essential services after a disaster occurs.”

This recommendation, combined with increased code adoption at the local level will be a powerful market signal. Further information and an explanation of the document is available here.

Durham’s Liberty Warehouse – Iconic and Insulated

Liberty Warehouse will be Durham, North Carolina’s next iconic building and an anchor of the Central Park neighborhood. The project will use the Rmax ECOMAXci Wall Solution to provide Polyiso Continuous Insulation (CI) in the walls along with specialty windows to enhance this unique re-development effort.  

Originally built in the 1940’s as one of the last of the large tobacco auction warehouses, this space will now include 246 luxury rental apartments and 24,693 square-feet of retail space. The ECOMAXci Wall Solution is an NFPA 285 approved assembly, providing continuous insulation to eliminate thermal bridging through the steel studs, and an integrated air, water and vapor barrier to improve performance, lower costs, and reduce environmental impact.

Insulation Fly-In: Building Relationships for Better Buildings

Posted By PIMA

In this age of instant connectivity, virtual encounters allow communication and cooperation with unprecedented speed and ease. But there’s something about a face-to-face meeting that really helps people reach common ground. In May, 110 contractors, manufacturers, and suppliers from the insulation industry representing the majority of states met on Capitol Hill with lawmakers to discuss issues and ideas for harnessing the resources of the insulation industry to tackle some of our country’s most pressing problems. And they were serious about building those face-to-face relationships—and packed in 101 meetings on Capitol Hill, 23 of them with members of Congress. 

With the constant stream of news stories highlighting the human costs and economic consequences of a changing environment, momentum is growing behind solutions that can address these environmental challenges in ways that strengthen U.S. economic productivity and competitiveness. To that end, PIMA members are working to build enthusiasm for federal action on policies that optimize the energy efficiency of new and existing buildings. Raising standards for new residential, commercial, and industrial buildings and retrofitting older ones can lead to long-term savings through better building performance.

Increasing the energy efficiency of our buildings is a practical way to help the environment, create jobs, and save money. Boosting energy efficiency alone can provide 40% of the necessary greenhouse gas emissions reductions to meet global targets and the work to implement these standards will lead to jobs in manufacturing, distribution, and installation. These improvements will save consumers billions of dollars in energy costs annually – money that can be invested back into the U.S. economy.

But these policies would do more than save energy; they’d also provide buildings and the people who use them with added protection from severe weather events. In 2017 alone, there were $317 billion in losses from US natural disasters, jump-starting discussions on creating more resilient buildings and communities. Optimizing insulation for an energy efficient building envelope improves performance post-disaster or during prolonged events like heat waves or extreme cold. And the investment would pay off – it’s estimated that designing buildings to the 2018 I-Codes would deliver a national benefit of $11 for every $1 invested.  

Some legislative tools to promote these improvements include:

• Strengthening oversight of new rules for disaster preparedness and response.

• Supporting investments in building science research.

• Recognizing buildings as infrastructure, including critical structures such as hospitals and schools.

Improving the energy efficiency and resilience of our built environment is a proactive approach to reduce greenhouse gas emissions while boosting economic growth, improving energy security, and advancing U.S. global competitiveness. PIMA members are working together to promote policies that support these goals through events like Insulation Industry National Policy Conference. 

For a deeper dive into the policy topics that were highlighted during the industry fly-in, please download the policy briefs:

• Climate Change and Energy Efficiency

• Resilient Infrastructure and Energy Efficient Buildings

• Immigration and the Recovery of the U.S. Construction Industry 

The Overarching Impact of the Insulation Industry

Posted By PIMA

Insulation can be found in buildings, refrigeration and a multitude of other end use products, and is used for floatation and transportation. From an environmental standpoint, when insulation products such as Polyiso are used in building and construction, the purpose of the insulation is to stop the flow of air (hot or cold) through the exterior walls and roofs of a building. Reducing the air transfer reduces the amount of energy required to regulate a building’s heating and cooling system. As a result, the insulation has a direct impact on the cost and use of energy to run that building.

Beyond its sustainability and environmental attributes, a new report, “The Contributions Insulation to the U.S. Economy in 2018,” produced by the American Chemistry Council (ACC), shows that the insulation industry contributes significantly to the U.S. economy. In fact, the industry generates more than 550,000 jobs and $33 billion a year in payrolls. For extended details on the economic contributions, insulation industry segments, and more view the full study here.

Attached Files:

Contributions of the Insulation Industry to the U.S. Economy in 2018.pdf (45.16 KB)

Sika® acquires the global Parex business

“Parex offers a number of complimentary brands that will benefit our customers through a more complete product offering in façade and interior finishing solutions…we are excited to welcome all Parex employees to the Sika® team.” – Christoph Ganz, Regional Manager Americas

Sika® Acquires Parex Press Release

Polyiso Fire Performance

Posted By  PIMA

All construction materials, including insulation products like polyiso, must provide a suitable margin of fire safety. Polyiso insulation products are tested per material-specific tests as well as part of full assemblies that test fire performance as constructed. Importantly, polyiso possesses a high level of inherent fire resistance when compared to other insulations due to its unique structure of strong chemical bonds. These bonds result in improved high temperature resistance (up to 390 degrees F – more than twice the temperature resistance of some other building insulation products), which in turn leads to enhanced fire resistance. In addition, polyiso does not melt or drip when exposed to flame. The product forms a protective surface char that enhances its fire resistance in terms of reduced flame spread and the potential to contribute to flashover.

For more information on polyiso insulation’s performance in fire tests, consult the following Technical Bulletins:

• Technical Bulletin 103:"Fire Performance in Walls and Ceilings"

• Technical Bulletin 104:"Fire Performance in Roof Systems"

• Technical Bulletin 105: "Fire Test Definitions"

• Technical Bulletin 111: "Class A and Class 1 Roof Assemblies Are Not the Same"

• Technical Bulletin 111C: "Roofing Regulations in Canada: Class A and Class 1 Roof Assemblies Are Not the Same"

• Technical Bulletin 405: Fire Resistance Properties of Polyiso Foam Plastic Insulation Used in Wall Assemblies - Facts and Comparisons"

Tags:  fire performance  insulation  NFPA 285  Polyiso