Building Code Insulation Requirements in Texas

Building codes are the rules that everyone involved in construction—from architects and contractors to building owners—are legally obligated to follow. They are set at the local level, but national and global guidelines are also adopted as models. 

This set of rules covers everything from how tall your building can be to which way your doors must open. Understanding building code requirements is critical because it can affect everything about your building’s design. For instance, insulating R-value (thermal resistance) requirements in your building’s envelope will determine the thickness of your walls. This impacts which materials you’ll select to meet the code requirement and fit with your design intent.

It can be challenging to stay informed on new and changing building codes. So, before you begin building that new home or commercial structure in Texas, you’ve got to know the laws. This article helps you do that by sharing the need-to-know on building code insulation requirements in Texas.

Reviewing Codes Before You Build in Texas 

Building codes must be reviewed—before permitting, procurement, or picking up a hammer. It’s during the design phase that building codes should first be taken into account. Codes can vary based on your geographical location, so every building may have different requirements. For the purpose of this article, we will focus on the larger geographical regions inside Texas. However, you will need to consult your local government (city or county) about local building codes for your area.

The International Code Council (ICC) sets performance standards for building envelope energy efficiency. The ICC created the IECC (International Energy Conservation Code) to set the standard for building codes related to energy efficiency for residential and commercial structures. This code contains zoning maps that divide the U.S. into different climate zones based on temperature, humidity, and rainfall. Texas is currently operating under the 2015 IECC for both residential and commercial, effective since 2016. 

Inside Texas, there are three climate zones, according to the IECC Climate Zone Map. They include:

• Zone 2: Southern Texas

• Zone 3: Central Texas

• Zone 4: Northwest Texas

In 2021, a new map was released that added additional climate zones. Once adopted, Texas climate zones will include:

• 1A: Southern Tip of Texas—Very hot and humid

• 2A: Southeast Texas—Hot and humid

• 2B: Southwest Texas—Hot and dry (humid below the line)

• 3A: Northeast Texas—Mixed and humid

• 3B: West Texas—Hot and dry

• 4B: Northwest Texas—Mixed dry

Once you have identified the climate zone that your building will be located inside, you can find out which insulation code requirements apply to your Texas building.

Residential Insulation Code Requirements in Texas

According to EnergyStar.gov, insulation code requirements for Texas homes depend on the geographical region the building is located in. Here’s a look at the different zones and R-value (insulating value) requirements for residential buildings:

The International Residential Code (IRC) also sets standards for energy efficiency for single and dual-family homes up to three stories above-grade. It currently requires R30 to R38 in attics and ceilings, R-10 to R-15 in basement walls, and R-13 up to R-25 for floors and walls, depending on your zone.

Texas Commercial Building Insulation Code Requirements

For commercial buildings, the current building envelope R-value requirements per IECC 2015 by zone are below:

Products that Meet Texas Building Code Requirements 

Once you’ve confirmed your insulation requirements at the local level, it’s time to look for the right insulation product for your project. Rmax stays current on building codes and carries code-compliant insulation so that contractors have one less thing to worry about when it comes to adhering to codes. 

When Rmax products are installed as directed, they meet or exceed code requirements. 

To help envision your design and build with the right materials, try out this wall calculator tool. Enter the details such as—code designation, zone location, and insulation values to preview your wall section and make sure it passes energy codes. 

Each Rmax product has passed a series of rigorous tests. Find out which codes and tests each product has passed by visiting the product page. Here are a few Rmax polyiso insulations that are compatible with Texas building code requirements and carry an impressive R-value of 6 per inch:

• Durasheath® for walls 

• ECOMAXci® FR for walls and ceiling 

• Thermasheath® for walls and ceiling

Rmax Experts Can Help You Pick the Right Polyiso Insulation

Failing to meet building codes can slow down your project before it hits the ground running. Take the time now, during the design phase—to make sure you’ve got it right before you apply for a permit.

If you’re in the process of selecting the right building materials to meet code requirements in Texas, reach out to your designated Rmax representative today, who can help you choose the right code-compliant insulation for your design.

Closed Cell Foam Insulation vs. Alternatives: What Sets it Apart?

Deciding on the proper insulation for your project can take time given the many different types readily available on the market. While many kinds may be available, they often perform in very different ways and some are much better suited for certain applications than others. Knowing the key differences is the first step to selecting the right type of insulation for your application.

Open Cell vs. Closed Cell Foams

Foams are broadly classified by the structure of the cells in the foam, either open or closed. Whether or not more than half of a foam’s cells are open or closed has a tremendous impact on many of the foam’s properties and whether or not it is classified as an open or closed cell foam.

Open Cell Foams

Similar to rubber, open cell foams are combined with an inflating agent during the manufacturing process. The agent expands as the foam hardens or vulcanizes. Some of the most common open cell foams are:

• Reticulated foam

• Polyurethane foam

• Open cell rubber

Many open cell foams have a soft, springy appearance and will quickly return to their original shapes after being deformed. These flexible foams make for great sealing applications and are often found in insulation, sound and shock absorption, and upholstery.

Closed Cell Foams

The cells in a closed cell foam are completely enclosed and do not interconnect with other cells. Typically manufactured with blowing agents, closed cell foams are often stronger and more resilient than open cell foams. Common closed cell foams include:

• EPDM

• Neoprene

• EPS

• XPS

• Polyiso

The trapped bubbles of gas in the foam give closed cell foams excellent insulation properties. The closed nature of the cells also decreases water’s ability to permeate the foam.

Closed Cell Insulation Performance

The tight-packed nature of the cells in closed cell foam insulation tends to give these types of foam a higher R-value per inch than open cell insulation types. In addition to being better insulators, closed cell foams tend to be denser and structurally stronger. Dimensional stability and resistance to water, mildew, and chemicals are all also higher in closed cell foams.

Closed Cell Insulation Installation

The dimensional stability of closed cell foams and the lightweight nature of the foam board makes them easy to install on job sites. The resilience of closed cell foam gives it the versatility to work in cavity insulation or in an exterior insulation application.

Cavity Insulation

After the framing members are installed and exterior sheathing has been secured, closed cell foam can be installed in the cavities between the framing studs. Closed cell foam is strong but can be easily cut so that it can be trimmed to the right size just before installation. 

Adhesive can be applied to the face of the foam board or closed-cell spray foam can be applied to the perimeter of the wall cavity. The closed cell foam board is then pressed into the cavity and sealed tight against the exterior sheathing. Spray foam or tape can be used to seal any seams between panels of foam board.

Continuous Insulation

While often used in interior cavity insulation applications, closed cell foam is uniquely suited for performance as an exterior or continuous insulation. After the framing members have been erected and exterior sheathing applied, closed cell foam boards are installed on the outside of the sheathing.

Fasteners are used to penetrate through the closed cell foam boards and into the framing members. A few fasteners are used for each board to keep the boards tightly in place. Once all the foam boards have been fastened, tape is used to seal the gaps between the insulation panels.

Rmax Polyiso: The Closed Cell Foam of Choice

Closed cell foams bring exceptional thermal performance, structural rigidity, and resistance to moisture, however, not all closed cell foams are created equal. Rmax polyiso exceeds other closed cell foams, like EPS and XPS, in R-value per inch performance. Polyiso also has a more tightly packed cell network to enhance many of the properties of closed cell foams like moisture resistance.

One of the properties that truly sets Rmax polyiso apart from XPS and EPS is its high-temperature performance. Polyiso, a thermoset, performs very differently from XPS and EPS, both thermoplastics, when exposed to elevated temperatures. While polyiso chars and hardens, XPS and EPS both soften and melt as the temperature increases.

When installed in a continuous insulation application, the surface temperature of the insulation can reach surprisingly high temperatures. Under these conditions, XPS and EPS may not stay installed in the same condition as the day they were installed. Shifting of the insulation means the building may not perform as well over time.

When choosing a closed cell foam, the performance of Rmax polyiso makes the decision easy. For a closed cell foam that will perform exceptionally throughout the life of the building, choose Rmax polyiso. 
Reach out to our team of closed cell foam experts today to learn more about why polyiso should be your closed cell foam of choice!

XPS Foam Insulation: Applications, Performance, and a Great Alternative

One of the most popular types of foam insulation on the market, XPS is used in many different construction applications. Knowing XPS’s strengths and weaknesses make it much clearer on when to use it versus another type of insulation. Learn more about what XPS is, how and when to use it, and when other insulation types make more sense.

What is Extruded Polystyrene (XPS)?

Extruded polystyrene is made through an extrusion process into a rigid foam board. Blowing agents are injected into a mix of molten polystyrene before being forced through an extruder. The mix of the blowing agents and injection pressure pushing the molten mix through the extrusion die results in a foam board with tight cell spacing.

Easily recognizable by its blue, green, or pink color, XPS can be found on many job sites. This type of foam board readily accepts being faced and can be sold unfaced as a semipermeable rigid insulation board. 

XPS is a closed cell foam with an R-value of around 5 per inch of thickness and is very lightweight and durable. The tight cell spacing and closed cell nature of XPS make it an excellent vapor retarder due to its low permeability, especially when faced. XPS panels also provide a great deal of compression strength and dimensional stability. During the extrusion process fire retardants can be mixed in to improve fire-resistance. XPS can even be recycled.

How is XPS Installed?

XPS panels are used in a variety of different applications, and the structural characteristics of the panels make them fairly easy to install.

Cavity Insulation

For a cavity installation, XPS panels are fairly easy to work with. XPS panels can be scored and snapped or cut with a table saw to fit the size of the wall cavity. Spray foam is typically applied along the perimeter of the cavity. Instead of spray foam, XPS compatible adhesive can be applied to the face of the panel that will go against the exterior sheathing. The cut XPS panels can then be pushed into the cavity and sealed with the spray foam.

Exterior Insulation

XPS is often installed as exterior insulation as well, especially below grade. After initial framing of the wall’s structural components, XPS panels are installed directly on the exterior of the framing members. Typically, ⅜” head galvanized nails, 1” crown galvanized staples, or equivalent fasteners long enough to penetrate at least ¾” into the framing members are used to secure the insulation. 

The XPS panels are secured to the framing members using a few fasteners per board. Fasteners should not be over-driven to ensure long term stability of the installation. After the panels are secured, tape is used to seal all of the insulation joints.

How Much Does XPS Cost?

XPS tends to be slightly more expensive than EPS and a bit cheaper than polyiso foam boards. While material prices can be highly volatile, XPS typically costs around $0.42 per square foot for one inch thick panels. XPS is often used in applications with tougher requirements that EPS cannot meet. Even for general insulation purposes, XPS can still be a viable alternative due to the ease of working with the material.

Best Applications for XPS

XPS is a strong and durable foam board with respectable thermal properties. This type of foam board typically works well in applications requiring higher strength and exposure to moisture. Common applications for XPS include:

• Cold storage floors

• Basement and below grade insulation

• Under slab insulation

• Flat roof insulation

• Parking decks

The compressive strength of XPS and stability over time make it a great choice for underfloor insulation. For the same reasons, XPS is often selected for insulating foundation walls.

Rmax Polyiso: The Better Choice for Continuous Insulation

XPS is a great choice for insulation, and when it comes to continuous insulation applications polyiso is also the clear winner. Continuous insulation requirements are increasing and architects, designers, and specifiers must choose which type of insulation to use for their projects. Polyiso is not only a better insulator than XPS, but is also a completely different material.

Polyiso is a thermoset while XPS is a thermoplastic. The difference between these two materials can easily be seen at elevated temperatures. XPS, being a thermoplastic, softens and melts into a liquid when heated. Polyiso, however, chars and hardens. 

Due to the elevated surface temperatures of exterior walls, over time XPS may not stay in place in the same way polyiso will. The elevated temperature performance coupled with the dimensional stability, moisture resistance, and superior thermal performance of polyiso make the choice easy. 

For a continuous insulation material that will perform as well decades later as the day it was installed, choose Rmax polyiso! Contact our experts today to find the perfect solution for your project.

How to Best Protect Foundation Walls: The Most Effective Systems

Any building materials in contact with the ground must be properly rated and designed for ground contact. Termites, water damage, and other factors can cause deterioration over time and lead to serious damage. Choosing effective systems for protecting your foundation walls saves you money and headaches while making your walls stronger and longer lasting.

Why is Protection Necessary?

Critters and nature can wreak havoc on materials in contact with the ground. Carpenter ants, termites, and other insects will nest in anything they can find, including many types of building materials. Pests and rodents will take advantage of routes into the wall if they can find or make them. Water is also a concern any time building materials have ground contact. Water can cause deterioration and rot over time and can be sucked into the wall due to capillary forces.

The Most Effective Protection for Foundation Walls

Many systems and methods exist for protecting foundation walls. Choosing the best for your home depends on your specific situation. Some of the most effective methods are listed below:

Clearance to Grade

The International Residential Code (IRC) recommends a 6-inch distance between grade and any untreated wood. Some states go further and require 8 inches, so it’s important to check your local building codes. Prevent mulch, pavers, plants, or other features that raise the grade from getting too close to your home’s foundation walls. Keeping water away from your home’s foundation walls is critical to keeping your walls healthy. When relying on clearance to grade as your main form of protection, maintenance is key.

External Protection

Adding an external coating can help give your home’s foundation walls an extra layer of protection. Most approaches involve applying a stucco-like finish with a surface-bonding cement. Some of these finishes are thin enough to be painted on while others are similar to a thick acrylic-modified mortar. Hardware cloth or fiberglass lath is sometimes used as a back layer to give the protective surface more strength. These surfaces work as long as the surface stays in good condition, but unfortunately these types of protective surfaces can be prone to chipping and must be repaired regularly.

Water Routing

Keeping water away from the foundation is critical for the health of the foundation’s walls. Make sure that water will properly shed away from the home and can drain easily. Gutters are a great way to control and route the flow of water away from the home. Gutters should flow into downspouts which direct water at least ten feet away from the home’s foundation.

Waterproofing Membranes

Waterproofing membranes work by giving waterproof characteristics to materials that typically cannot stand up to much water exposure. Available as spray-on, brush-on, or roll-on types of membranes, they are typically applied during construction. Once buried, the membrane protects the wall from moisture. These systems can work well when properly applied, but leave a great deal of room for human error.

Dimple Mats and Drain Boards

Part of the issue with waterproofing below grade walls can be moving the water that does get in, away from the walls. Typically made from high-density polyethylene sheets with dimples along the surface, the dimple sheet is installed so the dimples face the foundation wall. The dimples create an air gap between the sheet and the foundation wall. Any water that gets through the membrane is then able to drain away from the wall.

Below Grade Safe Materials

While most organic materials will not do well below grade for the long-term, some products work just fine. Closed cell foams like those used in Rmax polyiso foam boards resist water absorption and are of no interest to insects and other pests. Additionally, polyiso boards resist compression from soil loads while retaining exceptional thermal performances. The other benefit of using polyiso on a below grade wall is the added insulation benefits that keep the walls warm and reduce the potential for condensation on the inside surface of the wall.

Rmax Polyiso: The Superior Solution

Rmax polyiso insulation boards are built to withstand the challenges faced by below grade foundation walls. Backed with a water shedding facer, Rmax polyiso properly sheds water keeping the foundation walls safe and in good condition. Combined with the other mentioned best practices, Rmax polyiso is hard to beat!

To learn more about Rmax polyiso’s exceptional below grade performance, reach out to our insulation experts today.

California Building Code Insulation Requirements

When it comes to building codes across the nation, California’s Title 24 can be some of the most thorough. Understanding California’s building codes is key to an efficient construction project that will be fully code-compliant and will pass inspection and commissioning. Learn more about California’s building code requirements for insulation so you will be prepared.

What is Title 24?

Most discussions concerning the California building code start by mentioning Title 24. Used as the basis for construction in California, the California Title 24 Building Energy Efficiency Standards are designed to ensure new and existing buildings achieve energy efficiency and preserve outdoor and indoor environmental quality. Title 24 applies to the construction of, additions and alterations to, residential and nonresidential buildings except for jails and prisons. This progressive set of building codes and standards often leads the nation in requirements for energy efficiency.

How Did Title 24 Start?

The Warren-Alquist Act established the California Energy Commission (CEC) in 1974, which ultimately developed and adopted the energy efficiency standards that became Title 24. The codes are updated over time, typically every three years, to incorporate new energy efficiency technologies and construction methods. 

Title 24 Requirements

Almost all construction in California must adhere to the requirements laid out in Title 24. A lack of knowledge of the standards does not qualify as an excuse for not adhering to them and will result in delays and increased costs on construction projects. Certain requirements or measures within Title 24 are either mandatory or prescriptive.

Mandatory Requirements

These requirements must always be met for a construction project. They can not be traded off. These requirements set the baseline for construction in the state of California.

Prescriptive Requirements

The predefined efficiency requirements may supersede mandatory requirements. The requirements can be different for new construction, additions, and alterations. Prescriptive requirements allow for more flexibility.

Two Paths for Compliance

Seeking compliance under Title 24 offers two common approaches: the prescriptive approach and the performance approach.

Prescriptive Approach

Most common for alterations and non-residential construction projects, this approach is very simple. The prescriptive approach allows for no trade-offs. The construction project must match the standard building baseline.

Performance Approach

A much more flexible approach, the performance approach does allow for trade-offs. All mandatory requirements must still be met and CEC-approved software must be used in the design process. Homes and buildings designed under the performance approach must have lower energy design ratings than the standard building design, meaning they must be more energy efficient than the standard building.

Title 24 and Insulation

Insulation plays an important role in Title 24 due to the impact insulation has on an overall building’s energy efficiency. Title 24 sets the minimum amounts of insulation in terms of U-factor. The U-factor is a measure of the heat transmission through a given thickness of material. The U-factor is simply the inverse of the R-value (1/R).

Mandatory Requirements for Insulation

All insulation must be certified to California Quality Standards for Insulation Materials by the California Department of Consumer Affairs. Certain insulation materials are not allowed in California that are allowed in other parts of the U.S. Foam insulation made from formaldehyde is restricted under Title 24. Fire retardants must all be exposed on surfaces and installed according to code.

Roof and Ceiling Insulation

Title 24 requires that insulation be placed in direct contact with the infiltration barrier. If using a ventilated attic design, this makes the ceiling drywall the infiltration barrier. 

When insulation is at the roof, no openings or vents into the unconditioned space are allowed between the ceiling and roof. The maximum U-factors listed in Title 24 for roof and ceiling assemblies are:

• Roof and ceiling - metal building: 0.098

• Roof and ceiling - wood framed and other: 0.075

Wall Insulation

The insulation requirements for wall assemblies are included in Title 24 as well. The maximum U-factors allowed for walls under the mandatory requirements are:

• Walls - metal buildings - 0.113

• Walls - metal-framed walls - 0.151

• Walls - heavy mass walls - 0.690

• Walls - light mass walls - 0.440

• Walls - wood-framed walls and other - 0.110

Rmax’s Polyiso Insulation and Title 24

When building in California, using the right products makes achieving compliance a much simpler process. Products like the Rmax Durasheath® building envelope insulation are not only compliant under the California Code of Regulations, but also provide sufficient R-values to satisfy Title 24. Rmax polyiso products are designed as easy to work with rigid foam boards.

Other Rmax products that comply with the California Code of Regulations include:

• Rmax ECOMAXci® 

• Rmax ECOMAXci® FR Air Barrier 

• Rmax ECOMAXci® Ply 

• EVOMAXci

• Rmax® Pro Select Polyiso

• Rmax ThermaBase-CI™

• Rmax Thermasheath®

• Rmax Thermasheath®-SI

• Rmax TSP®

• Rmax TSX-8510

To learn more about why Rmax polyiso products should be your first choice when building in California, reach out to their team of specialists today!

The Best Insulation for Exterior Walls

Insulation in commercial exterior walls is key to a building's energy efficiency, longevity, and comfort. Choosing the right type of insulation can save money and result in a better overall building. Keep reading to learn more about the best types of insulation for commercial exterior walls. 

The Importance of Insulation

Insulation has a multitude of benefits for a building including higher energy efficiency. While proper insulation reduces a building’s heating and cooling loads (and therefore the energy bill), insulation also makes a building more durable and occupants happier.

Building Reliability

Proper insulation installation results in a wall structure with little leakage and low thermal conductivity. Inferior insulation not only wastes energy but can reduce the reliability of the entire wall assembly. 

Condensation can form inside the wall of exterior commercial walls with insufficient or improperly installed insulation. This condensation can lead to rot or deterioration that reduces the life of the building and can be costly to repair. This damage is often hard to detect too, making repairs more expensive when the problem is finally discovered.

Well-installed insulation also helps to keep critters and pests out. When wall assemblies are properly installed with insulation, it is much harder for pests to make their way through holes and openings into the building. Pests in walls can do as much or more damage than condensation.

Occupant Comfort 

Keeping a building's occupants comfortable is key to keeping them happy and productive. Insulation not only reduces the amount of energy a building uses to control the temperature, but also keeps the temperature consistent throughout the building. Reducing hot and cold spots makes the entire building more pleasant to occupy and reduces the load on the building’s HVAC system. 

Another benefit of commercial exterior insulation is the reduction in noise. External noise has a harder time passing through exterior walls with Insulation. Sounds from inside the building are also dampened due to the insulation.

Energy Efficiency

The primary reason for insulation in commercial exterior walls is to reduce the amount of energy a building consumes. Keeping the interior of a building at a different temperature than the outside requires energy to move that heat around. Without insulation, the heat will flow right back into or out of the building. Insulation helps to slow this flow of heat and reduce the amount of energy the HVAC system consumes.

What Are the Most Common Types of Insulation?

Many different types of insulation are available on the market. Choosing the right insulation for a commercial exterior wall depends on price, desired performance, and the type of building where the insulation will be used. Some of the most common types of insulation are:

Spray Foam

Different from many of the other types of insulation available, spray foam uses specialized equipment to spray a layer of high-performance foam directly onto the building’s interior surfaces. The foam is very sticky and expands on contact with the walls and roof surfaces. As the foam expands and hardens, a high R-value foam is left behind. The foam is waterproof, mold-resistant, and great at filling air gaps as it expands and hardens.

Fiberglass Board

One of the most popular options for commercial buildings, fiberglass boards are made by stacking together many layers of fiberglass and compressing them into a board shape. These boards are installed in wall cavities and provide a decent level of thermal performance.

Fiberglass Blanket

Instead of coming as a rigid board, fiberglass is also available in blanket or batt insulation. Often sandwiched between pieces of cardboard, the blanket is made from many layers of fiberglass. The fiberglass does not provide much structural support, so installation can be more difficult, but it is a very economical choice. Because fiberglass blankets tend to droop, one potential concern is that over time the blankets will shift and the R-value of the building’s walls will decrease over time.

Rock Wool

Made from high-density mineral wool, rock wool insulation is routinely used to insulate small spaces and high-temperature pipes. Rock wool is often added to boost insulation in certain areas. Another benefit of rock wool is that it helps to dampen sounds acoustically, and makes spaces more enjoyable to occupy.

Loose-Fill Insulation

For covering a large area with insulation in a short amount of time, blown-in or loose-fill insulation is hard to beat. Specialized equipment is used to blow the insulation into the space. The insulation is made from cellulose or fiberglass and can cover hard-to-reach areas quickly and effectively.

Rmax Polyiso, the Superior Choice

While many of the insulation types discussed have unique features, Rmax polyiso is an industry leader for a reason. Rmax polyiso boasts an impressive R-value per inch over 6, meaning less insulation is needed for a commercial building to hit the required R-value. Rmax polyiso is strong, lightweight, and easy to use making it an easy choice for commercial exterior walls. 

To learn more about Rmax polyiso, reach out to our team today.

What Type of Metal Building Insulation Panels Are the Most Effective?

Insulation is key to keeping a metal building energy-efficient, reliable, and comfortable. Not all insulation panels, however, are made the same and some work better for metal buildings than others. Knowing your options will help you make an informed decision about your metal building’s insulation.

Benefits of Insulating Metal Buildings

Insulation is more than just a requirement to meet building codes. Proper insulation leads to a building's greater energy efficiency, more comfortable interior, and increased reliability. 

Energy Efficiency 

The most common reason to insulate a commercial building is for increased energy efficiency. Insulation in a building's exterior walls slows the flow of heat into or out of the building. Slowing the flow of heat means the building's HVAC system does not have to work as hard to keep the temperature in the building comfortable.

With metal buildings, insulation is incredibly important because of metal’s great ability to conduct heat. Without insulation, it is very hard to keep a metal building’s interior at a different temperature from its exterior. Continuous insulation panels on a metal building’s exterior provide the ideal setup for metal building insulation by essentially wrapping the metal building in a blanket of insulation.

Increased Occupant Comfort

Insulation makes a building more comfortable to occupy in two main ways: more uniform temperatures and decreased noise. Having superior insulation in a building's exterior walls keeps the temperature consistent throughout the building and minimizes hot and cold spots. This uniformity in temperature keeps the HVAC system from having to work as hard too.

In addition to better thermal comfort, metal buildings have less noise when properly insulated. Without insulation, metal buildings can be notoriously noisy, with loud sounds echoing throughout. Insulation in a metal building’s exterior walls both muffles sounds from outside and dampens sounds from inside. Overall, building occupants are more comfortable inside well-insulated metal buildings.

Lower Maintenance

Moisture damage can wreak havoc on a metal building’s walls, slowly deteriorating them over time. Without insulation, water vapor inside a metal building can condense on the metal building’s interior walls. As that water condenses and pools, it can cause corrosion and deterioration to parts of the metal wall. Over time, this deterioration can become quite serious and expensive. Insulation prevents this type of condensation from occurring by keeping the metal building’s interior walls from getting too cold.

Rigid Panels vs. Blown-In Insulation

Two of the most common types of insulation are rigid panels and blown-in insulation. Both types are meant to slow down the flow of heat into or out of a building, and each style has its own pros and cons. 

Rigid Panels

Rigid insulation panels are produced in sheets or boards that are strong and sturdy. The boards or panels can support their own weight and are easily installed into a wall or roof assembly. Rigid panels often also have built-in facers on one or both sides of the panel. These facers provide added benefits like increased insulation effectiveness, air barriers, and vapor barriers.

Blown-In Insulation

Unlike rigid panels, blown-in insulation is loose and is blown into walls or ceilings using special machinery. The operator must be careful to ensure insulation is spread evenly and areas are not missed. The insulation is loose, and it cannot be faced, so components like vapor barriers have to be installed before blowing in the insulation. One of the benefits of blown-in insulation is that it can be easier to get insulation into hard-to-reach areas.

Insulation Panel Types

For metal buildings, rigid panels are the way to go. Three of the main rigid insulation panel types on the market are: EPS, XPS, and Polyiso.

Expanded Polystyrene (EPS)

EPS has the lowest R-value of the three main types of rigid panels but is also the least expensive, typically. EPS is unfaced and can be fragile to handle. EPS is commonly used with structural insulated panels and insulated concrete forms, but not typically in metal buildings.

Extruded Polystyrene (XPS)

XPS has a similar chemical makeup to EPS but is produced in a different way. With a slightly higher R-value, XPS is a better insulator than EPS. XPS is stronger than EPS and also comes in faced varieties. While XPS is better suited for metal buildings than EPS, XPS is made from a blowing agent with a very high global warming potential making it more impactful to the environment.

Polyisocyanurate (Polyiso)

Often the best choice for metal buildings, polyiso has a superior R-value of over R-6 per inch. It is durable, lightweight, and easy to work with. Polyiso is a better insulator, a stronger material, and has less harmful impacts on the environment. When insulating a metal building, it is hard to beat the benefits of polyiso.

Choose Rmax Polyiso for Metal Buildings

Rmax polyiso keeps metal buildings energy efficient, occupants comfortable, and structures reliable for years to come. When selecting the most effective insulation panels for a metal building, choose Rmax polyiso. 

To learn more about why Rmax polyiso is the best choice for metal buildings, reach out to our insulation experts today.

Can Polyiso be Used for Exterior Wall Insulation Boards?

For more than 35 years, Rmax has been creating insulation solutions based on the latest building science. Our full line of high-quality, polyiso-based wall and specialty insulation products for commercial, residential, and industrial applications deliver maximum R-values and minimum environmental impact with efficiency in installation, cost, and design.

Rmax insulation has been designed and tested to provide building envelopes with superior insulating protection while meeting the newest codes and requirements. Rmax products are leaders in both performance and environmental sustainability. Rmax offers polyiso products to meet the needs of any application.

Rmax’s engineered products and solutions allow for ultimate efficiency through multiple design options, ease of construction, and reduced energy usage. This leads to a better building envelope while adding to the bottom-line through both material and labor savings - making Rmax an excellent choice for commercial and residential applications. Whatever the application, Rmax is there to deliver performance and quality!

Leaders in Continuous Insulation

Continuous insulation (CI), as defined by ASHRAE 90.1, is:

“Insulation that is uncompressed and 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.”

Instead of cavity insulation that fills the voids between studs, continuous insulation wraps the exterior of a building in a continuous layer of insulation that covers any “holes” where heat could have otherwise leaked through the building envelope.

Increased desires for energy efficiency and overall better building practices have pushed standards to require CI in more applications. Rmax polyiso can meet the increased material requirements needed in a continuous insulation product. High dimensional stability, resistance to chemicals and mold, and facers that provide built-in air and vapor barriers are just some of the features that make Rmax polyiso exceptional. As leaders in creating insulation based solutions, Rmax is on the forefront of delivering insulation to meet new and varied needs.

Polyiso’s Evolution

Once a product used almost exclusively in wall construction, polyiso has evolved into a product with attributes that allow it to be applied to a variety of different applications.

Originally made using ozone depleting blowing agents, polyiso has continued to evolve and improve in both performance and environmental sustainability. Now produced with a high percentage of recycled materials, Rmax polyiso is a green solution for building projects.

Polyiso is not just a green solution during manufacturing. The benefits continue for the life of the insulation. Because of polyiso’s incredible thermal performance, Rmax polyiso reduces the energy consumption of buildings where it is used for the life of the building. This decrease in energy usage is just another part of polyiso’s green lifecycle.

Fire and Water

Part of what makes Rmax polyiso special is the characteristics the insulation panels have outside of their thermal performance. Rmax polyiso can take on both water and fire. With properly treated joints, polyiso panels can function as a water-resistive barrier that results in labor savings and a tighter building envelope. Polyiso can withstand moisture exposure without being damaged or losing its performance characteristics which sets it apart from many other insulation types.

An interesting phenomenon occurs when Rmax polyiso is exposed to fire. Instead of melting like other insulation types, Rmax polyiso chars and hardens. Unlike other insulation types, Rmax polyiso does not require a tradeoff between energy efficiency and building safety. With Rmax polyiso, you get the best of both worlds.

The Rmax Polyiso Advantage

When used in wall assemblies, polyiso brings great advantages to building construction. With great strength and dimensional stability, Rmax polyiso is easy to work with and installation is a breeze. Built-in facers also allow Rmax polyiso to be easily tailored to the application where it is being used.

Common construction applications for Rmax polyiso include:

• Stud walls

• Cavity walls

• Masonry walls

• Exterior stucco

• Re-siding

• Vaulted-ceilings

• Attics and crawl spaces

• Limited roofing

With all of the certifications and ratings that come with Rmax polyiso, you can rest assured that the polyiso will be up to the test no matter how it is used.

Some compliances of Rmax polyiso:

• ASTM C1289 Type II, Class 2

• ASHRAE 90.1

• International Building Code (IBC) Section 2603, Foam Plastic

• DrJ 2202-02

• California Code of Regulations, Title 24 (BHFTI License T1523)

• Tested per NFPA 286 (ICC-ES AC12 Appendix B)

• Tested per NFPA 285 to comply with IBC Section 2603.5.51

• 1, 2, 3 or 4-hour Fire Rated Assemblies as shown in the UL Fire Resistance Directory.

Top Rmax Products and Their Applications

DURASHEATH® - continuous insulation for exterior walls.

ECOMAXCI® FR (REPLACES TSX-8500) - commercial exposed wall/ceiling applications.

ECOMAXCI® FR AIR BARRIER (replaces ECOMAXCI®) - continuous insulation for commercial exterior walls and use with the ECOMAXCI® wall solution.

ECOMAXCI® FR PLY - fir resistant continuous insulation for cladding attachments in commercial exterior walls.

ECOMAXCI® PLY (REPLACES ECOBASECI™) - continuous insulation for cladding attachments in commercial exterior walls.

EVOMAXCI™ - continuous insulation for use with the evo architectural panel system.

R-MATTE® PLUS-3 - a SIKA® residential insulation for wall/ceiling multi-applications. Available at local big box retail locations. 

THERMABASE-CI™ - structural continuous insulation for cladding attachments in residential exterior walls.

THERMASHEATH® - commercial or residential wall/ceiling applications.

THERMASHEATH®-SI - structural insulation for residential exterior walls

TSP® - durable glass fiber reinforced aluminum facers for commercial and residential applications.

TSX-8510 - commercial exposed wall/ceiling applications.

Benefits of Rigid Polyiso Foam Board

As one of the most widely used and readily available building products, Polyiso is a cost-effective insulation option for reducing building energy use and improving the overall service life of roofs and walls.  

What Is Polyiso Insulation?

Polyisocyanurate insulation is a rigid, closed-cell, continuous foam board insulation. The foam in the rigid polyiso boards is pressed together so tightly during manufacturing that air and moisture cannot get through the board when installed. Facers are added to the board to further increase the polyiso board’s performance characteristics. 

What Are the Benefits of Polyiso Insulation?

Polyiso provides many benefits outside of its excellent thermal characteristics:

• High R-value per inch of thickness 

• Excellent fire test performance 

• Extensive building code approvals

• Cost-effective continuous insulation (CI) solution

• Compatible with most wall and roof systems

• Dimensional stability

• Compressive strength

• Moisture resistance

• Thinner walls and roofs with shorter fasteners

• Long service life

• High solvent compatibility

• Compatibility with most solvents used in construction adhesives

• A wide range of service temperatures

• Zero ozone depletion potential 

• Recycled through reuse

• Virtually no global warming potential

• QualityMark™ certified LTTR values

Where Can Polyiso Be Used?

Polyiso is a highly versatile form of insulation that provides superior performance in both roof and wall installations.

Roof Applications

Compatible with nearly any commercial roof system, Rmax polyiso can be used with modified bitumen, metal, built-up, ballasted single-ply, mechanically attached single-ply, and adhered single-ply. Polyiso is used in almost 70% of all commercial roof construction because of its durability and excellent thermal performance.

Wall Applications

Polyiso is a popular choice for wall installations due to its ease of installation, durability, and thermal performance. Rmax polyiso’s integrated air barrier and vapor management layers reduce the labor involved during wall construction while resulting in a better finished building. With fewer thermal breaks, the overall wall’s composite R-value will be higher too. 

Polyiso works great in continuous insulation installations which are increasing in popularity. ASHRAE defines Continuous Insulation (CI) 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.” As energy efficiency becomes more important and exterior continuous insulation becomes the standard, polyiso will be the insulation of choice for many of those installations.

Common Polyiso Facers

One great aspect of polyiso rigid boards is that they can be easily faced during manufacture to boost their performance. Sandwiched between layers of facing, polyiso becomes a truly high-performance composite material. Some common facer options include:

• Non-asphaltic, fiber-reinforced organic felt facers. Standard facers for roofing, these facers provide long-lasting performance and increase the insulation’s durability, chemical, and mold resistance.

• Foil facers. These facers work to increase the insulation's thermal performance, maintain dimensional stability, and decrease the likelihood of water absorption or water vapor transmission.

Is Polyiso Safe for the Environment?

Polyiso foam is made through a chemical reaction that mixes the components together with a fire retardant, a blowing agent, and small amounts of catalyst. Mixing these compounds together causes a heat-generating reaction to occur which boils the blowing agent, pentane. The boiling of the pentane causes the foam to expand and create gas-filled cells throughout the foam board. These gas-filled cells make polyiso rigid boards lightweight with low thermal conductivity.

One of the reasons pentane is used as the blowing agent for polyiso foam boards is because of its safety. Pentane has no ozone-depletion risk and has very little global-warming potential. In the past, blowing agents were used that damaged the environment, but those have all been replaced with more environmentally-friendly options.

Does Polyiso Have a High R-Value?

Polyiso has a high R-value per inch when compared to other insulation products, see the chart below. This allows Polyiso products to deliver more energy savings potential for buildings than other materials of the same thickness.

R-Value Per Inch Comparison

Polyiso has an R-6.5 and the highest R-value per inch when compared to other insulation.

What is LTTR?

Based on consensus standards in both the U.S. and Canada, Long Term Thermal Resistance (LTTR) is a scientifically-supported method of calculating the 15-year, time-weighted average R-value of roof insulation. All Polyiso manufacturers in the Polyisocyanurate Insulation Manufacturers Association (PIMA) have adopted the LTTR method as the exclusive means to measure thermal performance of permeable-faced Polyiso roof insulation. PIMA Polyiso manufacturers have certified LTTR-value products verified by the QualityMark™  Program. 

What is QualityMark™?

The PIMA QualityMark™ Certification program is a voluntary program that allows Polyiso manufacturers to obtain independent, third-party certification for the Long Term Thermal Resistance (LTTR) values of their Polyiso insulation products. Polyiso is the only insulation to be certified by this unique program for its LTTR value. The program is administered by FM Global and was developed by the Polyisocyanurate Insulation Manufacturers Association (PIMA) based on work done at Oak Ridge National Laboratory and CAN/ULC- S770. Click here to view the QualityMark™ Brochure.

Easier on the Environment and for Installation

Polyiso boards have superior R-values, so less material is needed to get the same amount of thermal performance when using polyiso. These characteristics make polyiso a better choice throughout a building’s lifecycle.

Easier on Shipping

High-density polyiso boards take up less room, making them easier to ship and move around. Polyiso boards take up less space, they are easier to ship on trucks, store in warehouses, and store on the job site.

Easier on the Job Site

The individual boards weigh less than other insulation types, so boards can be moved around much more easily. Less manpower is needed to move insulation throughout the job site, keeping projects moving ahead on schedule.

Easier on the Building

The significantly lighter weight of rigid polyiso boards lowers the overall weight that the structure itself must bear. Compared to gypsum boards, polyiso reduces the total dead load that the building sees, which can decrease costs from structural loads.

Easier on the Environment

Not only is polyiso now made from blowing agents that do not damage the ozone layer, but the overall global warming potential of polyiso is some of the lowest in the industry. Polyiso’s incredible performance also reduces the amount of energy the building needs to operate for the life of the building. Many of the raw components that go into the rigid boards during manufacture are recycled raw materials that further reduce polyiso’s impact on the environment. Polyiso is gentle on the environment throughout its lifecycle.

Whether for commercial, residential, or specialty construction, Rmax polyiso is ready to meet your application’s needs. High-performance insulation in a building’s roof or walls leads to decades of energy savings while being economical for construction and easy on the environment. Learn more about all Rmax has to offer by reaching out to our team of insulation experts today.

How to Best Insulate a Warehouse

Warehousing in the U.S. is growing rapidly with an estimated 330M square feet of new warehouse space needed by 2025 just to keep up with demand. 

Warehouses provide flexible space for businesses to operate in a variety of different ways. With their demand growing, building warehouses efficiently will become increasingly important. Understanding the importance of insulation is the first step toward building an efficient, long-lasting metal warehouse.

Typical Warehouse Construction

Warehouses are designed to be built quickly and to allow for flexible usage of the enclosed space. Warehouse design stays pretty simple, often with just four walls and a high roof. The walls are typically made from sheet metal mounted to steel I-beam flanges to create a large, enclosed open space that can be used for many different purposes.

Why is Insulation Important?

Insulation is an unseen yet critically important feature of any structure, whether residential, commercial, industrial, or warehouses. Let’s look at some of the features that not only make insulation critical but inform why focusing on insulation is one of the most important things a builder can do.

Energy Efficiency

Energy usage in large warehouses is incredibly important and can be very wasteful if the warehouse is not very efficient. Without effective insulation, the warehouse can be uncomfortable to work in or the energy bills will be incredibly high from trying to maintain a comfortable environment. If builders decide to go cheap on insulation materials and installation, the effects could be financially catastrophic.

Think about a 50,000 sq ft warehouse that needs some measure of climate control. Non-exceptional installation of average or sub-par insulation could amount to a massive energy bill over time, cutting hard into the bottom line of the warehouse. As most all warehouses are a part, or the core, of commercial endeavors, burning financial resources for the life of the building because insulation was underappreciated during construction could add up to a severe thorn in the company's side.

And energy efficiency isn’t insulation’s only task:

Moisture Issues

Condensation occurs when a surface is cooled below the dewpoint of the air. In colder environments without insulation, the inside of the metal walls can cool down below the dewpoint of the air in the warehouse and liquid water will form on the wall. The water will pool and drip down the wall and, over time, can cause corrosion, mold growth, and structural issues for the warehouse.

Rodent Protection

Another benefit insulation provides is protection from rodents and other pests. Insulation blocks pathways that these critters can use to get into a warehouse and cause havoc. Well-installed insulation will keep bugs and rodents out, protecting not only the product in the warehouse but the warehouse itself.

Ways to Insulate a Warehouse

Many options exist for insulating warehouses and many buildings use a combination of options to achieve the desired finished result. Insulation materials have R-values which measure the ability of the material to block the flow of heat. The higher a material’s R-value, the better it is at insulating. Here are some of the most popular:

Fiberglass

One of the most widely used insulation types, fiberglass batt insulation goes into a warehouse’s wall cavities between the studs. While it has a lower R-value usually between 2.9 and 4.3 per inch, fiberglass is usually applied in batts a few inches thick.

Spray Foam

Another easy-to-apply option is spray foam which is applied throughout the interior of the warehouse. Spray foam expands when it contacts the warehouse walls and fills any existing cracks or gaps. Spray foam makes an excellent air barrier and has an R-value of between 3.7 and 6.5 per inch.

Aerogel

Often seen in cold storage warehouses, aerogel packs an impressive R-value of 10 to 20 per inch. Aerogel is also lightweight and environmentally friendly but it can be expensive.

Continuous Insulation

Cavity, or internal insulation, is applied inside the warehouse between the studs, and continuous insulation is typically applied to a warehouse’s exterior. The benefit of continuous insulation is the unbroken plane of insulation that surrounds the entire warehouse. A warehouse’s studs and girts provide easy pathways for heat to “leak” around internal insulation. With continuous insulation, the warehouse is much more energy efficient.

Polyiso: The Best Warehouse Insulation

When it comes to warehouse insulation, polyisocyanurate (polyiso) is hard to beat. Polyiso mixes strength, thermal performance, and competitive cost into one product that is easily applied as a layer of external, continuous insulation.

Here are some of the many benefits of polyiso foam insulation:

• High R-value per inch compared to other insulation products used in commercial and residential construction

• An exclusive third-party thermal performance certification

• Outstanding installed cost advantages and economical cost per R-value

• The ability to achieve today’s code required R-values while minimizing space, material, and labor requirements without breaking the bank

• Excellent performance in fire tests

• Ease of use and peace of mind, as Polyiso products are designed for use in an expansive assortment of tested, approved, and code-compliant applications.

• Polyiso is stable over a large temperature range (-100°F to +250°F) and can be used as a component in roof systems utilizing hot asphalt.

• Polyiso has low density, good adhesion to facers, low water absorption, and low vapor transmission

• Polyiso is not affected by oil-based waterproofing compounds, insecticides, or fertilizers when properly protected

Utilize the Best Polyiso Insulation Has to Offer with Rmax

Rmax is changing the game by engineering superior-performance polyiso insulation for  warehouse walls. Rmax polyiso keeps warehouses energy efficient and comfortable for many years to come, positively impacting the bottom line and allowing businesses to reach their full potential.

To learn more about why Rmax polyiso is the right choice for your warehouse, reach out to our team today.

What to Know About Building Code Insulation Requirements

Building codes are used to make sure that buildings are built safely and energy efficient. A local jurisdiction’s building codes set the minimum for how well a building must be constructed. Building codes can evolve as information changes or new materials become available. Understanding the requirements for insulation keeps you adhering to the code and can save you time and money.

Building Code Standards

Building codes are adopted by local towns and cities and can vary all across the nation. These codes are typically adopted from standards published by knowledgeable organizations in the industry. Some municipalities adopt new standards into their building codes much quicker than others and are something any building owner should be aware of.

What Organizations Create Standards?

Some of the most popular organizations for creating standards are:

• American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE)

• North American Insulation Manufacturers Association (NAIMA)

• American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM)

• International Energy Conservation Code (IECC)

As these organizations publish standards, local jurisdictions review their building codes and decide what new standards they want to adopt into their building codes. 

Standards That Affect Insulation

Some standards that are often used in building codes to set requirements for insulation are ASHRAE 90.1, NAIMA 202-96, and ASTM C 665. 

NAIMA 202-96, for instance, is a certification that insulation manufacturers use to ensure that their products comply with the minimum requirements of that standard. Inspectors from the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) make quarterly unannounced visits to the factories that produce certified insulation. The inspectors review quality control procedures, records, and randomly test products to ensure the insulation meets the requirements of the certification.

Standards like ASHRAE 90.1 prescribe what types of insulation must be used when building different kinds of buildings. These standards define items like “continuous insulation” and break down the amount of insulation required for different climate zones in the U.S. These standards help ensure that everyone is speaking the same language when it comes to insulation and building standards.

What Insulation Meets Code Requirements?

Certified products help you know whether or not a certain product will meet code requirements. Insulation is not always produced in the same way for use in all different applications. For example, NAIMA 202-96 Certified Metal Building Insulations are fiberglass insulations intended for use in metal buildings, specifically. While they can sometimes be used in different applications, certifications help you know that a product will meet the requirements of a given standard.

Breaking Down ASTM C 665, Including Types and Classes

ASTM C 665 is an additional certification used for mineral fiber blankets that quickly lets you know if an insulation type will be acceptable. ASTM C 665 breaks insulation down into Type I, Type II, and Type III.

ASTM C 665 Types

Type 1

Blankets without membrane coverings. Unfaced insulation.

Type 2

Blankets with a non-reflective vapor retarder membrane covering one principal face. Classes A, B, and C are typically kraft-faced.

Type 3

Blankets with a reflective vapor retarder member covering one principal face. Class A, B, and C, foil-faced. 

ASTM C 665 Classes

Additionally, there are three different classes (A, B, and C) that describe how membranes are faced on the insulation.

Class A

Membrane-faced surface with flame spread of 25 or less. For use in exposed applications meeting building code requirements.

Class B

Membrane-faced surface with flame propagation resistance critical radiant flux of 0.12 W/cm2 or greater.

Class C

Membrane-faced surface not rated for flame propagation resistance (for use in non-exposed applications only)

A building code will prescribe what is minimally acceptable, allowing you to find a material that meets or exceeds the requirement then easily. Ultimately, building codes provide a minimum for thermal effectiveness, fire resistance, and moisture resistance that all new buildings must adhere to.

Polyiso Exceeds Expectations and Achieves Strict Code Compliance

Because of polyiso’s exceptional performance, it often exceeds the requirements laid out in building codes making it an easy choice for code-compliant construction. Notable building codes polyiso achieves are ASHRAE 90.1, NAIMA 202-96, and ASTM C 665. 

And while the great benefits of polyiso have been understood and employed for roof installations, Rmax polyiso is also the superior choice for walls and below-grade applications. Let’s take a look at what makes polyiso so effective:

Thermal Conductivity

The higher an insulation’s R-value, the better it is at insulating. Polyiso boasts an impressive 6.5 R per inch value that demonstrates its low thermal conductivity. Meeting the minimum R-value required by code requires a thinner wall when using polyiso over other insulation types.

Polyiso also provides exceptional strength and dimensional stability which makes it great for use as continuous insulation. More standards are beginning to require continuous insulation layers on buildings because they outperform cavity insulation techniques. When buildings are built with cavity insulation, the studs in the wall act as thermal bridges allowing heat to “leak” around the insulation and through the studs. Continuous insulation avoids these issues by applying a continuous layer of unbroken insulation on the outside of the building’s walls, just behind the exterior cladding.

Fire Resistance

Polyiso is a type of plastic known as a thermoset. Unlike other insulation types, when polyiso is exposed to fire and intense heat it chars instead of melting. Polyiso makes for a highly resilient insulation material that can help limit damage in case of a fire. As standards raise the minimum fire ratings that insulation types are allowed to have, polyiso will be in a great position to meet and exceed those requirements.

Moisture Resistance

Polyiso comes in a rigid foam board format, and it can be laminated to foil facers during manufacture. The foil face provides a built-in vapor barrier for reducing the amount of water vapor that can be transmitted through the insulation. Some insulation types are very permeable to water vapor and require additional costly vapor barriers to be added to the wall during construction to ensure the building meets code requirements.

Utilize the Best Performing Polyiso Insulation with Rmax

Rmax polyiso is high-performance insulation available throughout the USA at a competitive price. Using quality materials ensures a well-finished building and avoids headaches worrying about being code compliant. To learn more about Rmax polyiso’s extensive building code approvals, reach out to our team of insulation experts today.

EPS vs XPS Insulation and a Better Alternative

When deciding on which insulation type to use, it can be difficult to figure out the differences between all the options on the market. Knowing what makes each insulation type special will help you make an informed decision. Insulation is one of the most important parts of your building, so it is a decision you will want to get right.

The Importance of Insulation

Insulation is incredibly important to a building’s performance and longevity although it often does not get the credit it deserves. The main role of insulation is to slow down the transfer of heat into and out of the building. By slowing down this rate of heat transfer, the building’s HVAC does not have to use as much energy to keep the building comfortable.

In addition to energy efficiency, some other benefits of insulation are:

Noise Reduction

Buildings with little or no insulation tend to be very loud. Insulation reduces the noise from loud sounds outside and prevents sound from being able to echo off the building’s walls internally. Without insulation, noise can reverberate throughout the building. Insulation acts to dampen these sounds, keeping them from getting louder and making your building more enjoyable to be in for all occupants. 

Fire Resistance

Code requirements require insulation to pass a minimum fire rating test. Buildings with insulation make it harder for a fire to spread throughout the building. Not only can this reduce structural damage in case of a fire, but it will also reduce the likelihood of fire-related injuries to building occupants.

Thermal Comfort

Insulation helps to slow down heat transfer into and out of the building, and also keeps the temperature in a building more consistent. Without proper insulation, a building is more likely to have hot and cold spots throughout. Thermal comfort keeps occupants more productive and reduces the variability in how your HVAC equipment operates.

EPS and XPS: What’s the Difference?

Expanded polystyrene (EPS) and extruded polystyrene (XPS) are both popular forms of insulation and while similar, they do have their differences.

Composition

XPS is made via an extrusion process, resulting in a closed cell structure and a smooth layer on the top and bottom sides of the board. The closed cell structure of XPS prevents water penetration into the insulation and gives XPS enhanced strength and durability

EPS is made using beads of foam instead of an extrusion process. The beads are placed into a mold and then heated to fuse them. Since voids can occur between the beads, the insulation is not a closed cell board and is less resistant to water.

Thermal Conductivity

One of the key parameters for any type of insulation is its thermal conductivity. XPS and EPS are both popular insulation types because they both have low thermal conductivity. EPS has pockets of air trapped inside the foam board, so XPS typically outperforms EPS. High-density EPS is closer in performance to XPS, but XPS still usually performs better.

Compressive Strength

For some applications, the insulation’s compressive strength becomes very important. Concrete floors, flat roofs, foundations, and cold storage all put more stress on the insulation. XPS is typically stronger in compression than EPS, requiring thicker,  higher-density versions of EPS to match XPS insulation’s performance.

Water Vapor

Often a deciding factor for when to use XPS versus EPS is the ability to resist water vapor diffusion. Water vapor can travel through insulation and into the building. The closed-cell nature of XPS makes it much more difficult for this to occur. In wetter locations, XPS is usually selected over EPS.

Polyiso: the Better Alternative

Polyisocyanurate (polyiso) provides a superior alternative to both EPS and XPS insulation. Polyiso is a completely different kind of plastic, a thermoset instead of a thermoplastic. When exposed to high heat, XPS and EPS soften and melt. Polyiso, on the other hand, simply chars.

The structure of polyiso tends to be stronger than XPS or EPS due to the bonds of its chemical makeup.  Polyiso has a three-dimensional network of bonds or cross-linking, that gives it both strength and high-temperature durability. This durability helps polyiso keep its shape and high performance better than XPS and EPS.

Polyiso is higher-performing insulation with thermal conductivities better than XPS. Even with exceptional performance, polyiso is still comparable in cost with XPS and EPS, based on its lower price per R-value per inch. Polyiso matches or exceeds the performance of both XPS and EPS including being more sustainable for the environment, having higher thermal performance, greater fire resistance, thinner wall profiles, and better moisture management and air infiltration reduction.

Find the Best in Polyiso with Rmax

At Rmax, our mission is to take the best polyiso insulation available and maximize its performance even further. When choosing the insulation for your building, reach out to our experts at Rmax today to learn more about why Rmax’s polyiso wall insulation is the best choice.