Improving Efficiency: Why You Should Insulate The Exterior Side Of The Foundation Wall

Starting with the basics—your foundation is literally the most important part of your building. Without a sturdy and functional foundation, a building will shift, crumble, and become exposed to the unforgiving elements that can wreak a lifetime of havoc once inside. 

It’s critical to protect your building’s foundation from the start, but did you know that insulating foundation walls on the exterior side is one way that you can proactively protect your structure? Since building codes require insulation on basement walls for climate zones three through eight anyway, why not maximize your investment by placing it on the exterior face of the wall?

There are many advantages to insulating the exterior side of the foundation walls:

Protection

Your foundation needs protection from the elements. Using waterproofing along with foundation wall insulation can substantially preserve your building’s foundation. Start by designing a comprehensive wall section. 

This means that you’ll incorporate waterproofing and protection board in addition to the structural components like concrete or masonry that you find in standard foundation walls. The added layers help keep water out. 

Additionally, the foundation foam insulation on the exterior side provides a buffer zone of protection for your newly installed waterproofing from backfilled soil. This protection layer typically consists of one or two inches of foam board like extruded polystyrene or polyiso.

Cost Savings

When you design your foundation walls, keep in mind that you can save on building materials by moving the foundation wall insulation to the exterior side. That’s because insulating foundation walls from the outside doesn’t require an expensive finish on top. Instead, the exterior-facing insulation is backfilled and covered by soil. 

Increase Useable Area 

Insulating your foundation on the exterior side of the wall cavity increases the building’s usable square footage because the insulation doesn’t encroach upon the interior space. This results in a lower price per square foot and a higher value to the occupants. It may seem insignificant, but consider a 10’x10’ room with 2” insulation on each wall. When insulated on the exterior, you get 100 SF, but if you insulated on the interior, usable square footage goes down to 93 SF. 

In a building with fifteen rooms this size, you’ll lose an entire room’s worth of space just by insulating on the interior side of the foundation wall.

Energy Efficiency

When you insulate foundation walls, it’s important to consider whether the installation will be continuous. Traditionally, interruptions in insulation by studs or other components have been acceptable. However, continuous insulation is more widely specified in the latest building codes. 

This installation style minimizes heat loss and provides increased energy efficiency for your HVAC systems. When you choose board insulation on the exterior side of the foundation wall, there are naturally fewer obstacles—which allows you to achieve continuous insulation effortlessly.

Freeze Thaw Protection

The freeze-thaw cycle that most regions in the U.S. experience throughout the seasons can inherently cause damage, including cracking and shifting, to your foundation. 

Luckily, you can minimize the impact of the freeze-thaw cycle by insulating foundation walls on the exterior side, to provide a cushion that allows expansion and contraction as the Earth’s temperatures fluctuate. The insulation on your foundation also provides a thermal break so that extreme temperature gradients are not making direct surface contact.

Minimizes Condensation

Condensation happens when warm air, which holds moisture, cools quickly and can no longer hold the moisture—so it condenses into water droplets on a cooler surface. This often happens on foundation walls because the cool concrete or masonry holds its temperature while the air temperature rises. 

This provides an environment where condensation is prone to forming. However, you can minimize or eliminate condensation in this area by installing foundation foam insulation boards on the exterior side to keep your foundation walls warm and reduce the drastic temperature variation that causes condensation. 

Easy Install

Installing insulation can be time consuming and labor intensive, but it doesn’t have to be. When you move your insulation to the exterior side of the foundation wall, installation is a breeze. Simply tack modular boards to the outside of the foundation wall in a temporary manner until the soil is backfilled for permanent securement. 

Exterior vs. Interior

Sometimes insulating the outside of the foundation wall is not practical. This is the case in many retrofit projects where the soil would need to be excavated around the building in order to install the insulation. Interior insulation is a more practical solution when you cannot easily access the outside vertical surface of the foundation.

Rmax Can Help You Pick the Right Insulation

Picking the right type of building materials can become a headache in a hurry, but it doesn’t have to be overwhelming. 

Ask for help from the experts at Rmax, who know all about building insulation types, where to use them, and how to fit the right one into your budget. Our representatives can review your project’s design and help you pick the right insulation for the job. Get answers today by reaching out to your local Rmax representative!

A Comprehensive Overview of Polyiso Wall Insulation

What is Polyiso Wall Insulation?

Polyiso wall insulation is a building material commonly used in both residential and commercial structures. Whether you’re looking for wall insulation for your home remodel or your new construction project, polyiso wall insulation will provide a tailored solution for your next project. 

Of all the building materials available for insulating the building envelope, rigid foam board—in the form of polyiso—is a superior option.

Benefits

Just claiming that something is superior doesn’t make it so. Let’s back up our statement with the facts. Here are just a few of the benefits of using polyiso wall insulation on your next project:

Easy to Install

The nature of polyiso is that it’s a rigid foam insulation board. That means it’s lightweight, it can be cut by hand into custom shapes and sizes, and it holds its own when attached to your studs. 

Polyiso boards come from the factory in modular sizes, typically 48” x 96” (4’ x 8’) or 48” x 48” (4’ x 4’). The thickness can be customized from ½” up to 4-1/2” thick per layer. 

Polyiso wall insulation can also be installed in multiple layers, if desired. Materials that are easier to install mean decreased labor costs for your project.

Continuous Insulation

As building codes evolve, “continuous insulation” is a term that appears more and more. 

Continuous insulation calls for a constant thermal resistance (R-value) across the entire surface area. Today, many building codes require continuous insulation throughout the building envelope. Polyiso wall insulation is an ideal material to use for continuous insulation because it naturally provides a continuous R-value. That’s because polyiso wall insulation boards are butted up against each other to create a continuous, smooth surface on the wall.

Performance

The purpose of building insulation is to provide thermal resistance—so that heat loss is minimized and energy is conserved. Insulation performance is measured in R-value. 

The higher the R-value, the better insulated your building is. Polyiso wall insulation carries an R-value of R6 per inch, which outperforms other insulating materials like fiberglass batts when comparing similar material thicknesses. A higher R-value per inch means you’ll be able to get more insulating power out of a thinner material that fits inside your wall cavity.

Versatility

Polyiso wall insulation can be customized to fit your project’s needs and budget. Not only does it come in a wide range of thicknesses and sizes, but it also comes with different types of laminated facers to achieve additional material properties. For a more economical option in concealed applications, you can choose a standard facer, and for projects where you want to turn your insulation into a structural nailboard, you can fasten your exterior finishes to a plywood laminated polyiso product such as ECOMAXci® FR Ply.

FAQs

Where is Polyiso Wall Insulation Used?

Polyiso wall insulation is used on the vertical surfaces of the building envelope—on the walls that separate the inside of your building from the outside. You’ll find polyiso wall insulation used on exterior foundation walls, on the interior side of basement walls, on the exterior side of stud walls, and even inside masonry wall cavities.

What is the R-Value of Polyiso Wall Insulation?

The R-value of polyiso wall insulation varies by manufacturer, but is typically around R5-R6 per inch. Rmax polyiso wall insulation products, including Durasheath® and Thermasheath®, carry an R-value of R6 per inch. That means one inch gives an R-value of 6. For your next project using one of these Rmax polyiso wall insulation products, you can achieve R20 with a single layer of 4” thick boards or two layers of 2” thick boards. Consult the specific product data sheets for exact R values.

Is Polyiso Wall Insulation Waterproof?

The foam core of polyiso wall insulation is naturally water-resistant because of its chemical makeup (thermoset plastic) and closed-cell structure. It’s actually the facer of polyiso that determines whether the boards are fully waterproof. A cellulose (paper) facer is not waterproof, while a foil facer (aluminum) provides enhanced water resistance.

How Do I Attach Polyiso Wall Insulation?

You have three choices of installation methods for polyiso wall insulation, depending on your installation. Most often, polyiso wall insulation is mechanically attached to studs, plywood, or furring with screws that have large, specialized washers to secure the insulation. Another installation method is adhering polyiso wall insulation to a substrate (such as a concrete wall) with specialized construction adhesive. Lastly, in some cases—you can simply install polyiso wall insulation without any fasteners by using a loose-laid application. This method is used alongside metal furring channels that hold the boards in place or when backfilling a foundation wall with soil.

What Are Other Types of Wall Insulation?

Other common wall insulation materials include fiberglass batts or rolls, spray-foam insulation, loose-fill cellulose insulation, and other types of polystyrene foam boards like extruded (EPS) and expanded (XPS).

Maximizing Energy Efficiency with Rigid Foam Insulation

There is an enormous selection of building materials available on the market today, and choosing the right materials can quickly become overwhelming. When it comes to insulation, you can choose from blankets to beads, boards and even blocks. From there, you have even more choices to make, such as the chemical makeup which can include various types of foam, fiberglass, and more.

Rmax simplifies the selection process in this article by breaking down a tried-and-true building component that they've been manufacturing for decades: rigid foam insulation. 

What is Rigid Insulation?

Let’s start by answering the simple question: What is rigid insulation? Rigid insulation, like all insulation, is a building material used in construction that creates a thermal barrier to separate the inside of your building from the outside. Rigid insulation is often produced as rectangular-shaped boards that are installed in a modular fashion. 

One way to define rigid insulation is by answering the question: What is rigid insulation not? Rigid insulation can be differentiated from other types of insulation by the following characteristics:

• Dimensional Stability: Unlike beads, spray foam, or batts, rigid insulation holds its manufactured shape rather than conforming to its surroundings. This means it can be used outside the wall cavity since it doesn’t require a container to support it.

• Compressive Strength: Other types of insulation like cellulose or fiberglass blanket carry virtually no compressive resistance, while polyiso rigid insulation boards typically boast a compressive strength of 20 psi or higher. This means you can walk on rigid insulation without damaging it.

• Installation Method: Rigid insulation can be installed by fastening, adhering, or loose-laying modular boards to structural sheathing, studs, walls, or decking. 

What is Rigid Insulation Made of?

Now that we’ve established a basic understanding of what rigid insulation is, let’s answer the question: What is rigid foam insulation made of? There are three main types of rigid foam insulation that you’ll see in the construction industry:

1. Expanded Polystyrene (EPS)

2. Extruded Polystyrene (XPS) 

3. Polyisocyanurate (Polyiso)

Each of these rigid insulation types is made of different raw materials (resins and additives), and each one has its own manufacturing process. The final product comes out looking very similar for all three varieties of rigid insulation: rectangular 4’x8’ boards in various thicknesses ranging from ½” up to 6”. 

Polyiso insulation contains an additional component that is not included in EPS or XPS. That’s because the manufacturing process requires a facer on either side of the foam. Polyiso consists of a foam core that is sandwiched between two facers. The facers are made of a material like foil or fiberglass-reinforced cellulose. EPS and XPS, on the other hand, do not require a laminated facer and have a homogenous makeup.

What is Rigid Board Insulation Used for in Construction?

Rigid insulation is versatile and can be used throughout the building envelope, including inside and outside of the wall cavity, roofs, attics, and foundations. Rigid insulation, like Rmax Durasheath®, is used on exterior walls under siding and wall finishes, on the interior of basement walls, and as protection to newly installed waterproofing on the outside of foundation walls for backfilling.

Rigid insulation is the go-to material in commercial roofing systems. It’s used to insulate the building from above and create a drainage slope on flat roofs. In fact, to meet current energy codes, many commercial roofs require more than five inches of rigid insulation above the roof deck and below the roof membrane! 

Benefits: Why and What Rigid Foam Insulation is Best?

A clear advantage that rigid insulation has over other types is its ability to be applied in a continuous manner. Continuous insulation is when your insulating material goes uninterrupted across the surface of your building. Rigid insulation is inherently a continuous insulator. 

Additionally, the boards are often applied in two layers. When installed this way, joints are staggered and there is less opportunity for leaks to occur through the insulation joints. If you’re looking for insulation that enhances your building’s energy efficiency, rigid foam insulation gets the job done, by achieving a thermal resistance of R6 per inch for polyiso rigid foam insulations like Rmax Thermasheath®.

For an even bigger boost in energy efficiency, polyiso rigid foam insulation has another major advantage. It can be laminated to air and vapor barrier materials so that it can be installed in a single application. The Rmax ECOMAXci ® Wall Solution combines a fire-rated polyiso foam core with a 12 mil foil facer. When properly installed with joints sealed, it can function as an all-in-one air and vapor barrier, plus insulator.

What is the Best Rigid Foam Insulation? Rmax Can Help You Decide 

Save time and money now, and later on down the road, by choosing the right insulating material for your construction project. If you’re still not sure what the best rigid insulation for your building is, Rmax can help you choose the right fit for the job. 

Reach out today to learn more!

Rigid Wall Insulation Installation: Techniques for Enhanced Thermal Performance

How well is your building sealed? If you can feel drafts through your walls and around windows or other openings, then your building envelope may be lacking in this area. The culprit? Your building’s outside wall insulation installation method used during initial construction may be to blame. Building insulation performs best when it is continuously sealed.

In this resource, you will learn several tips and tricks to optimize your wall insulation installation techniques to achieve enhanced thermal and moisture performance inside your building envelope.

Why Choose Rigid Insulation Installation for Exterior Walls?

Rigid insulation is a popular choice for exterior walls. There are many advantages to choosing rigid foam insulation, such as polyiso, for your walls—including:

• High R-Value per inch

• Not limited by 2x4 framing thickness

• Provides a flat, smooth surface for exterior finishes

• Efficient installation with modular board sizes

• No mess during or after installation

How to Install Rigid Wall Insulation on External Walls

Let’s cover a quick how-to guide on installing polyiso insulation on exterior walls. For this example, we’ll show you how to install Rmax Durasheath® building envelope insulation. This is a closed-cell polyiso foam core with non-metallic, coated glass fiber mat facers.

In a residential application, wall insulation installation usually occurs with fiberglass batts between wood stud walls. However, the thickness of this cavity space can limit the insulating power. That’s why some homeowners choose to add continuous insulation to the outside surface of the studs. Adding just one inch of polyiso can add R6 to the thermal resistance.

To install rigid insulation on the external walls of a home:

1. Place the modular 4’x8’ boards either horizontally or vertically butted against each other. 

2. Align vertical joints with structural backing and fasten with at least eight screws and washers per board into studs or structural sheathing (such as plywood). 

3. Continue with an air barrier and/or exterior finish

This particular product does not require joint taping, but it can be installed if desired.

Pro Tips for Sealing Insulation on Wall Installations

Although not all rigid wall insulation requires sealing, doing so can fortify your structure and significantly decrease heat loss, air leaks, and moisture intrusion. If you’re already installing continuous insulation, why not go the extra mile and seal it up? 

If you decide to seal your joints, we’ll cover the tools you’ll need for installations like the ECOMAXci® Wall Solution, which performs as both the air barrier and continuous insulation. With this application, you’ll seal all the joints between boards (vertical and horizontal) with either tape or liquid flashing, and you’ll detail any penetrations like windows or pipes with 35 mil polyethylene butyl tape.

Tools Required for Wall Insulation Installation

ECOMAXci® can be installed in two ways, either by taping joints or using liquid flashing. 

Here are the tools needed for each method:

For Pressure-Sensitive Tapes

• Utility Knife

• Measuring Tape

• Insulation Knife

• Rubber Hand Roller

• Cordless Impact Driver

Additional Tools For Liquid Flashing Details

• Plastic Putty Knife

• Wet film Thickness Gauge

• Caulk Gun

• Spatula 

Once you’ve got your tools, you’ll also need to have the right building materials. Besides your insulation, you’ll need plenty of fasteners, washers, tapes, and sealant on the jobsite.

Materials Used by Pros in Outside Wall Insulation Installation

• Insulation Boards

• CI Prong Washers for wood or metal studs/backing

• Grip Deck Self-Drilling Screws or other appropriate anchors

• R-seal 3000 (joint tape) or R-seal 2000LF (liquid flashing)

• R-seal 6000 (for windows/penetrations)

Choosing the right materials for the job is one way you can optimize your installation. Since there are various types of fasteners, tapes, and accessories available, check with your Rmax representative to recommend which product is best for your project’s application.

Tips for Reducing Wall Insulation Installation Costs

Here are a few pointers to get you started on the right track:

Watch Installation Videos

Watching the manufacturer’s installation videos is a great way to understand the process before you begin your external wall insulation installation. Find several installation videos from Rmax for their current products in their “Installation Guides and Videos” section online, including:

• Installation for Rmax Liquid Flashing R-Seal 2000 LF

• Installation for ECOMAXci® Wall Solution

Plan Your Layout Before You Begin

You can save a lot of time by investing a little up-front time planning before you begin the installation process. Some factors to consider before you start rigid insulation installation on exterior walls include:

• Decide which fastener type to use with your wall. 

• Purchase a little more than you’ll need to account for waste (typically between 3-10%).

• Study the manufacturer’s recommended fastening pattern to familiarize the layout.

• Buy the correct length fasteners (1” penetration into your substrate).

• Make a jig that helps you locate the studs more easily for fastening.

• Decide whether you’ll lay your boards vertically or horizontally. 

More Installation Tips

Finally, you’re ready to install, here are a few more pointers to help things move smoothly.

• Keep cut boards so you can use them later in the installation when possible.

• Do not countersink screw heads (keep flush).

Rmax Can Help Your Installation Run Smoothly

Rmax has worked with countless contractors during the installation process and is standing by in case you have any questions or need guidance during the process. 

Contact your local Rmax representative today to start planning!

Building Safe and Efficient: Insulation Requirements in North Carolina Explained

The Tar Heel State faces a wide range of temperature variations throughout the year with the change of seasons, often ranging from below zero to above 90℉. Depending on which part of the state you’re in, the climate can be dramatically different from the coast to the Western inland.

To keep buildings safe and running efficiently with its highly variable climate, representatives of the North Carolina Building Code Council (BCC) adopt and amend construction guidelines to oversee progress. In turn, this supports the construction of structures that are compatible with the climate and landscape. 

If you’re building or remodeling in NC, it’s important to become familiar with these codes. While there are codes for everything from accessibility to plumbing and electrical—in this article, we’ll be focusing on the North Carolina building code insulation requirements. 

Current NC State Building Code

Building codes are changing all the time. That’s why there is a council to review the codes and implement changes when necessary for the sake of safety or systems improvement. Find the current list of adopted codes on the NC Office of State Fire Marshal website. 

A significant portion of the current version of NC building codes is based on the ICC 2015 International Codes and went into effect in 2019. This version is referred to as the 2018 NC Codes and it includes ten books. 

Of those ten sets of guidelines, the two that we will focus on for NC building code insulation requirements are the following: 

• 2018 North Carolina State Building Code: Energy Conservation Code 

• 2018 North Carolina State Building Code: Residential Code

What Are the North Carolina Building Code Insulation Requirements?

Taking a look at the two code books listed above, we can decipher what the requirements are for NC building code insulation. Let’s take a look at both residential and commercial construction insulation code requirements.

First, we’ll break down the state by climate zone. North Carolina consists of three distinctive climate zones, including:

• Climate Zone 3A: South and East NC (Warm Humid)

• Climate Zone 4A: North and West NC (Mixed Humid) 

• Climate Zone 5A: Northwest corner of NC (Cool Humid)

Residential NC Building Code Insulation Requirements

North Carolina’s 2018 residential code for single and multi-family residential structures under three stories is based on the International Residential Code (IRC). The required values are shown in the table below for various wall types and other components of the building envelope.

Residential R-Value Code Requirements in NC:

*R-value requirements may be less for air-permeable/impermeable attics.

When evaluating North Carolina building code wall insulation requirements for homes, you’ll notice that in climate zones 4 and 5, you have the option to combine cavity wall insulation with continuous insulation. For example, if you’re constructing a building with wood studs, you can use R13 cavity insulation between the studs, plus R5 continuous insulation. The additional insulation, if polyiso is used, requires less than an inch of continuous insulation installed on the exterior side of the studs. ½” thick Rmax Durasheath® carries a thermal insulating resistance value of R3, which exceeds the code requirement for this construction application.

Commercial NC Building Code Insulation Requirements

The North Carolina Energy Conservation Code applies to non-residential, commercial structures including businesses, hospitals, and government buildings for both new construction and remodeling projects. This code follows the requirements of the ANSI/ASHRAE/IESNA 90.1 standard. You’ll find the R-value requirements for North Carolina commercial construction projects in the table below.

Commercial R-Value Code Requirements in NC*:

*These values may differ from the requirements of commercial buildings that contain residential dwellings, or from metal buildings. 

As you can see in the chart above, the North Carolina building code wall insulation requirements show increased R-values for several applications in commercial buildings when compared to residential construction projects. One notable difference is the increased requirement of continuous insulation throughout the envelope, from the floor, up the walls to the rooftop. 

Polyiso board insulation is one of the best products on the market to achieve continuous insulation assemblies and meet code requirements. For example, Rmax Thermasheath® carries an R-value of R6 per inch, so you can achieve R7.5 with a single layer of 1-¼” boards.

Meet North Carolina Building Code Insulation Requirements with Rmax

As a trusted manufacturer in the insulation industry for over 45 years, Rmax has been here throughout the years of evolving building codes and increased energy efficiency requirements. We have developed insulation solutions to meet and often exceed code standards and our North Carolina representatives can help make sure your next project is insulated with the right materials. 

Reach out to your local Rmax representative today!

The R-Value of EPS Insulation: Understanding Its Thermal Performance and a Superior Alternative

When insulating your construction project, whether it’s your home, business, or a work-related endeavor, it’s important to consider all of your options so that you can make informed decisions about which materials will best suit your design’s expected thermal performance. Here, we break down one of those material options: EPS. 

What is EPS Insulation?

Expanded polystyrene, or EPS, is a type of closed-cell insulation commonly used in walls, roofs, and foundations. The manufacturing process uses steam, blowing agents, and resin beads to create the final product. ASTM C578 is the standard specification for this type of thermal insulation.

One unique property that is inherently beneficial to EPS is its ability to be worked into shapes or molds during production. This makes it useful for very specific applications. Consider, for instance, the packaging material that comes around a new flat-screen TV or computer. It’s perfectly molded to support the shape of the product it’s meant to protect.

R-Value of EPS Rigid Insulation

When it comes to choosing the best insulation to cover a building envelope, it’s less about the shape of the material and more about its properties and performance. One measure to compare is the thermal resistance value, or R-value. A typical EPS insulation R-value stands firm at about R4 per inch of thickness. That means a one-inch thick board will have at least an R4 and a two-inch thick EPS board will have a minimum R8. 

EPS is available in various densities, ranging from around 1-3 pounds per cubic foot (pcf), which in turn creates varying levels of compressive strength (from 10-60 psi). These factors impact thermal performance. Take a look at the EPS Insulation R-value chart below to check how the densities affect the R-value of EPS: 

Typical EPS Insulation R-Value Chart

*Values based on Insulfoam unfaced EPS insulation at 40℉

As you can see, the R-value of EPS rigid insulation requires increasing thicknesses and/or densities in order to achieve a good thermal barrier. For example, if you want to meet the minimum R13 for walls, you’ll need at least 3” thick EPS. For an R20 wall, you’ll need 4” or more, depending on the density you select.

A Superior Alternative to EPS for Higher R-Values: Polyiso

Oftentimes, you just don’t have four inches to spare inside a wall cavity. So, if you’re looking for an alternative that packs more R-value per inch, one option is polyisocyanurate (polyiso). 

R-Value of Polyiso Insulation

Polyiso insulation ranks well in terms of insulating power. With an R6 per inch, polyiso beats EPS insulation R-values by nearly two full points on the scale. That seemingly small difference can add up quickly when you’ve got limited space for your insulation to fit into. Below, you can find the typical R-values for polyiso when compared to EPS insulation.

Polyiso vs. EPS Insulation R-Value Chart

*Values based on Insulfoam unfaced EPS insulation at 40℉

**Values based on Rmax Thermasheath® Polyiso insulation

Comparison of Polyiso vs. EPS Insulation R-Values

Across the board, polyiso outperforms EPS in thermal R-values. As you can see above in the polyiso vs. EPS insulation r-value chart, you can achieve an R20 with just three inches of polyiso—that shaves off an entire inch of insulation thickness when compared to EPS. Find the entire range of polyiso R-values for Rmax products, including ECOMAXci® FR and Durasheath®, in our product R-value charts.

Get Help Selecting a Superior Insulation Board for Your Project

If you’re looking for ways to minimize insulation thickness without compromising on thermal resistance values, Rmax can help. Our representatives can help you pick the right product for your design. Whether you’re insulating a wall, roof, basement, or attic space, polyiso is a versatile and well-rounded building material used by professionals who build to last. 

Contact one of our sales representatives today for more information!

Wall Board Insulation: Enhancing Comfort and Energy Efficiency

All buildings, both commercial and residential, have character, and a major factor that plays a role in creating that character—is how the occupants feel while inside the building. Is your building putting visitors at ease with a cozy and comfortable ambiance, or keeping them at a distance with a cold and clammy atmosphere? The difference is in the materials.

You can change your building’s attributes simply by altering your insulating strategy. When it comes to creating comfort in your home or commercial building, thermal insulation can make or break your environment. 

Since walls make up the majority of a building’s surface area, it’s an ideal place to focus on when designing an enhanced comfort and energy-efficient structure. Let’s learn more about wall board insulation.

What is Wall Board Insulation?

Wall board insulation goes by many names. It’s commonly referred to as rigid insulation, foam board, rigid foam, bead board, foam insulation, board insulation, polyiso, and more. The term “wall board insulation” does not necessarily refer to a single type of insulation material, but rather the general shape of the material and the way the insulation is installed.

Foam board wall insulation is made up of thin, rectangular panels of insulating material in various sizes—think of it as the foam-core poster boards you used to use in school to present your science fair project, but thicker. Thicknesses vary from around ½” to over 6” in some materials. Typical dimensions of foam insulation boards are similar to what you’d find in the plywood selection at your local hardware store, including 4’x8’ and 4’x4’ boards. 

Typical materials used for wall board insulation include the following:

• Polyisocyanurate (Polyiso or iso)

• Extruded Polystyrene (XPS, blue board, or pink board)

• Expanded Polystyrene (EPS or bead board)

• Mineral Wool Boards

Each of these materials has its pros and cons and they all are used in construction, from the below-grade foundation level up to the rooftop.

Why Choose Wall Insulation Foam Board for Your Project?

To contrast wall board insulation to other types of insulation, we’ll need to identify other common ways to insulate walls, which include:

• Fiberglass batt insulation

• Spray foam insulation

• Loose-fill and blown-in

Insulation wall boards are different from these other types and come with some unique advantages, including easier installation, increased R-values, better fire resistance, and the ability to customize the installation.

For example, let’s compare the R-values, in descending order, of various materials per a one-inch-thick application.

As you can see, board insulation does the job when it comes to achieving a high thermal R-value with less thickness. Closed-cell polyurethane slightly outperforms polyiso, but it’s important to take into consideration that spray insulation may require multiple layers to achieve the same thickness that can be installed in one effort with board insulation. That means you can achieve comfort and energy efficiency with less material, quicker labor, and often—less expense.

Another clear advantage of board insulation is the simplicity of installation and lack of a mess that comes with loose-fill, spray foam, and blanket insulation. Rigid board insulation material can generally be easily cut-to-size by scoring with a razor knife and snapping to size by hand. Plus, there’s no mess or clean-up after installation. What you get is a professional and clean final product finish for your wall.

Polyiso board insulation can be customized to fit your project’s needs by adding additional properties in the facers. For example, Thermasheath® is a polyiso foam core bonded to reinforced aluminum foil facers on both sides, while other boards can feature fiberglass facers or even laminated plywood.

Where to Use Thermal Insulation Wall Board

Thermal insulation wall board is a versatile material due to its modular nature. Common applications of these rigid insulating materials include:

• Exterior wall insulation board

• Interior basement wall board insulation

• Exterior concrete walls 

• Foundation waterproofing protection board

• Thin wall insulation board applications

Exterior wall insulation boards are advantageous because they do not need to fit within the wall cavity space. With continuous insulation, such as polyiso boards, building owners benefit from the energy savings, and contractors can achieve the desired R-value thickness outside of the building’s occupied space.

Get the Best Price on Wall Insulation Board

Rmax carries a wide range of Polyiso wall insulation board products for your next construction project. Whether you’re looking for an exterior continuous insulation solution for a masonry or steel stud wall such as Durasheath® or a fire-resistant plywood backing system like ECOMAXci® FR Ply for cladding attachment, Rmax representatives have you covered.

Reach out today to find out what your best insulating options are and we’ll get you in touch with the right professionals to get you a comprehensive thermal insulation wall board price list!

Insulation for the Long Haul: The Advantages of Continuous Insulation Over Cavity

If you’ve ever lived in an old or historic home, you may have noticed that it’s quite leaky and doesn’t hold the heat in too well in the dead of winter. That’s because homes that were constructed more than 50 years ago were often missing a component that we consider crucial today: insulation. 

Insulation serves many purposes in the home, including:

• Increased thermal comfort

• Reduced heat loss from heating and cooling

• Acoustic properties

• Reduction of condensation

The History of Insulation Types in Old Homes

Construction methods have evolved throughout history by capitalizing on different materials and methods available at the time. Consider a rustic log cabin—often, the thickness of the load-bearing exterior wooden walls was all you got in terms of insulating value. Likewise, many historic homes were constructed of thick masonry walls that provided some thermal gain advantages, but lacked a separate type of home insulation for walls.

We didn’t start to see the insulation that we have in a typical residential home today until after 1965, when building codes began requiring it. From that point forward, builders began using fiberglass batts in the wall cavity for standard home construction, among other methods. 

What Are the Different Types of Home Insulation?

In residential construction, there are many types of insulation for homes. Depending on each wall type, you have various options to choose from. 

Masonry Cavity Walls

For example, modern masonry walls are constructed as veneers rather than solid brick. With this construction method, there is an air space cavity between a column of concrete block and the exterior-facing brick veneer. A cavity wall system includes several components, including insulation. A masonry cavity wall can accept many home insulation types in the following forms:

• Mineral Wool Boards

• Polyisocyanurate Boards

• Polystyrene Beads

• Spray Foam

• Fiberglass Batts

Wood Stud Wall Cavities

On the other hand, wood stud walls commonly used in residential construction are often insulated with fiberglass batts between the studs. Still, there are even more different types of insulation used in homes, including cellulose loose-fill, polystyrene foam panels, and even structural insulated panels or insulating concrete forms.

The Best Type of Insulation for New Home Construction

When choosing the best type of insulation for home applications, it’s important to look at all of your options. With the increased focus on sustainability and enhanced energy efficiency, you might be looking for the best type of home insulation and it might not be what you think. 

Traditional fiberglass batts in wood stud walls, for example, are limited in R-value to the width of the studs being used since the wall can only be 3-½” thick for a 2x4 stud wall. This material also fails to address thermal bridging and does not carry a continuous R-value across the wall surface.

The best home insulation types are those that provide an adequate thermal barrier for your climate. In some applications, it might be easier and less expensive to achieve the desired thermal values by using continuous insulation in the form of rigid foam boards.

Continuous Insulation vs. Cavity Insulation

Continuous insulation is a rigid board often used on the exterior of walls or roofs. It is installed uninterrupted and provides a consistent R-value across the entire surface area of the envelope. Polyiso and other continuous insulation products can be installed on either side of stud walls, foundation walls, basement walls, roofs, attics, and more. 

When comparing home insulation types pros and cons, continuous insulation comes out on top because it provides:

• Continuous and consistent thermal values

• Virtually unlimited space to install the insulation to achieve desired R-Values

• High R-Value in a minimal thickness 

• Fast and easy installation in both new construction and retrofit applications

If a cavity wall is a must-have in your home project, you can still use polyiso or other rigid foam boards. These versatile insulating materials can be installed inside the cavity, as well as used in a continuous application on one side of the cavity wall. 

Best Types of Insulation for Your Home

If you’re looking for specific types of home insulation products, below are some offerings that are great options for residential applications for continuous insulation:

Residential Wall Insulation

Rmax carries a wide range of home wall insulation types that can be applied in a manner that achieves continuous insulation. This includes below-grade applications such as Thermasheath® that doubles to protect your waterproofing and also provides thermal comfort in your basement.

Thermasheath®-SI can be used as structural wall insulation, or Therma Base-CI™ can be used to provide a nailbase backing for exterior finishes. Durasheath® is another energy performance option for insulating narrow spaces in homes such as cavity walls.

Residential Roof Insulation 

Your vertical surfaces aren’t the only ones that you’ll want to insulate. Heat often escapes through attics, ceilings, and roofs. Here are some types of home insulation materials used in roofing applications:

• Sarnatherm® Iso

• Sarnatherm® CG

• Sarnatherm® Roof Board

Let Rmax Find the Best Type of Insulation for Your Home Design

So, what is the best type of insulation for a home? If you’re making that decision, Rmax can help you choose the best type of home insulation for your project. Rmax offers a wide variety of polyiso solutions to get your home insulated better than you could ever imagine and we have innovative solutions that will work with your design to achieve the thermal values you desire. 

Reach out to your local representative today for help with your project!

Making a Difference with Sustainable Insulation: A Comprehensive Guide

Your next project has the potential to make a difference. That’s because buildings have a massive impact on the environment—encompassing everything from waste in landfills to carbon dioxide emissions to energy consumption.

Even if you’re not looking to get your project LEED certified, you can still choose more sustainable materials so that your building could potentially produce a net positive rather than a net negative effect on the world. That’s what sustainability is really all about; living in harmony with the natural world. This is your opportunity to choose materials that are more compatible with nature. Let’s find out how.

How Buildings Play a Role in Creating a Sustainable Future

None of us live forever, but it’s likely that our buildings, and the effects of how we live today, will outlast us and continue to impact future generations for years to come. 

While historic buildings have lasted hundreds and some even thousands of years if well-maintained, today’s buildings aren’t lasting so long. The estimated lifespan of a college campus building is 75 years, and most single-family homes are lucky to last a hundred.

One simple way to make a difference is by picking the right building materials. By choosing more durable building materials, you can fortify your building’s defenses against the elements and improve the longevity of the structure. Although your structure may not last thousands of years, it’s still important to consider the environmental impacts during its lifespan.

Buildings, both residential and commercial, affect the environment in several ways, including:

• Energy Consumption

• Carbon Emissions (read more here)

• Resource Consumption

• Construction Waste

Luckily, designers and builders can work together to reduce the negative impact caused by these factors. One major way to reduce the building’s impact is reducing energy consumption by choosing sustainable insulation materials. When you reduce unintentional heat exchange (heat loss) through the building envelope, you affect the degree to which your building impacts the environment. You’ll want to select sustainable insulation that adequately insulates the building envelope in order to increase energy efficiency.

What is Environmentally Sustainable Insulation?

So, how do you find and select building materials that are truly environmentally sustainable? 

Environmental Product Declarations

One way is to review Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs). These documents are provided by manufacturers and third parties and provide the results of studies that show the environmental impact of the specific product. 

For example, the Polyisocyanurate Insulation Manufacturers Association (PIMA) has provided third-party EPDs for polyiso showing that over a building’s lifespan, polyiso has 47x energy savings when compared to the energy required for the following processes:

• Initial manufacturing

• Transportation to job sites

• Lifetime maintenance

• Decommissioning and disposal

LEED-Certified Products

LEED credits worksheets, provided by manufacturers, are another way to understand how a building material can impact the environment for the better. These documents name the sustainable category and give a description of how the material meets the LEED requirements. Sustainable building insulation will typically possess the potential to meet the following LEED credits:

• Energy & Atmosphere Credit (EA)

• Materials & Resources Credit (MR)

• Environmental Quality Credit (EQ)

More Considerations for Finding Sustainable Insulation Solutions

According to the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency), when shopping around for the best sustainable insulation for your project, the primary factors to consider are the following:

1. R-value per inch (Higher is better)

2. Limited or no toxins or VOCs

3. Recycled content

4. Low emissions

5. Low energy required to manufacture (embodied energy)

6. Sustainable sourcing of raw materials

7. End of life disposal options including recycling or reusing

You can identify products that qualify by locating ecolabels, including certifications such as Intertek Clean Air for indoor air quality, GREENGUARD for chemical emissions, and ENERGY STAR® for energy efficiency. 

Types of Sustainable Insulation

Insulation materials that rank high on the sustainability scale include rockwool, concrete, and polyisocyanurate. Polyiso is one of the most sustainable insulation materials in board form because it boasts the following properties:

• High thermal efficiency (High R-Value) 

• Zero ozone depletion potential

• High recyclable content 

• Negligible global warming potential

Examples of less sustainable insulation products include styrofoam, fiberglass, and spray foam, which can have a negative impact on the environment in terms of ozone depletion, hazardous materials, or harmful emissions. 

Rmax’s Commitment to Sustainable Thermal Insulation

Rmax is a leader in the industry when it comes to shifting toward more sustainable practices in the construction industry, including the manufacturing of more environmentally-friendly building materials. 

As evidence to this claim, Rmax polyiso products currently meet several criteria for LEED credits. The majority come from enhanced energy performance offered by polyiso products. One earning possibility even includes innovative solutions, such as the Rmax® ECOMAXci® Wall Solution that acts as an air, water, vapor, thermal and hygrothermal barrier all-in-one.

Read more about the company’s sustainable design initiatives and reach out to your local Rmax representative to find sustainable insulation solutions for your next project!

Polyiso Insulation vs. XPS: A Comparison

Choosing the right building materials for your construction project can make or break your finished masterpiece. If you don’t get things right during the construction phase, fixing them later becomes a costly undertaking. Because it’s often concealed in walls and other hard-to-reach spaces, one of the critical components you’ll want to get right from the start is your insulation selection. 

Insulation directly impacts your building’s:

• Energy bill

• Comfort level

• Material integrity

Without insulation to help regulate temperature, moisture and condensation can form, and will promote mold growth inside your building and wreak havoc. Maximize your insulation’s potential by using the right type for the job. 

Types of Insulation Used in Construction

Insulation comes in many different sizes, shapes, and forms. Here are the common types of insulation used in construction today:

• Fiberglass

• Mineral wool

• Polyisocyanurate 

• Polyurethane

• Polystyrene

• Concrete

These insulating materials can come in many forms, including loose fill, boards, batts, rolls, blocks, or spray foam. In this article, we’ll compare two of the common foam types that are installed in modular board form: XPS and polyiso insulation.

What is XPS?

Extruded polystyrene, or XPS, is a foam-based synthetic polymer material that has been melted and compressed into board form. Think of the packing materials for large, delicate items like a flat-screen TV or computer—this packaging is sometimes made of XPS.

The name you’ll hear on jobsites is “blue board.” That’s because the color is often baby blue, or sometimes pink. In construction, XPS is commonly used at the foundation or floor level and in other areas with high moisture.

What is Polyiso?

Polyisocyanurate, or polyiso, is another foam-based insulating material that is sandwiched and pressed between facers to create the board form. This process is called lamination. Consider an insulated garage door—the insulated panels are probably made from polyiso. 

On job sites, polyiso is referred to as iso. You’ll find iso used over large portions of buildings, including wall assemblies, flat roof systems, and insulated panels. 

Now, let’s take a look at a comparison of XPS to iso insulation.

Comparing XPS vs. Polyiso Insulation

Below, we’ll compare and contrast the different insulation properties of these two building materials.

Closed-Cell Foam Structure

While the chemical makeup of XPS and polyiso are very different, they do share some of the same material properties. For instance, both are a closed-cell foam composition. 

Closed-cell means that the individual air bubbles that are inherent to the manufacturing process of these foam materials are closed and separate from each other. In other words, air cannot move from one bubble to the next inside the foam structure. This helps increase the thermal insulating value, improves moisture resistance, and enhances dimensional stability.

Thermal R-Value

Since the main purpose of insulation is thermal resistance, or keeping heat from escaping, let’s compare the thermal resistance capabilities of XPS to iso insulation. Typical extruded polystyrene rigid foam boards carry a minimum R-5 per inch, while polyiso boasts a better performance rating at R-6 per Inch. That means a 2” thick XPS board will have at least R-10 and a 2” thick polyiso board wins with R-12. A thinner profile with higher insulating value can lead to big savings on overall wall thicknesses and other building materials.

Versatility in Facers

One noticeable difference when comparing polyiso insulation to XPS is in the facers. 

XPS is unfaced, meaning that the entire makeup of the board is made of a single material—extruded polystyrene. This can limit the applications, considering that XPS is often incompatible with adhesives.

Polyiso, on the other hand, is laminated to facer material on both sides of the foam. That means that the material you see on either side of iso differs from the foam core, and expands the physical properties available from the product.

Polyiso facers can be made of the following materials:

• Coated Glass Fiber Mat Facers (Rmax Durasheath® for the building envelope)

• Glass Fiber Reinforced Aluminum Facers (Rmax ECOMAXci® FR for exposed exteriors)

• FR Treated Plywood (Rmax ECOMAXci® FR Ply for cladding attachment)

• Reinforced Aluminum Foil Facers (Rmax Thermasheath® for the building envelope) 

High-Temperature Applications

Building envelope surfaces, including walls and roofs, can reach extremely high temperatures well above the ambient air temperature. That means you’ll want to pick materials that can stand the heat inside your walls and roof. 

When comparing xps to polyiso insulation in heat resistance, polyiso outperforms extruded polystyrene. Due to being a thermoplastic material, under extreme temperatures, XPS loses all dimensional stability and melts back into its molten components. In contrast, polyiso is a thermoset material that will not melt under the same high temperatures and remains stable.

Choosing the Right Insulation for the Job with Rmax

Picking materials for your construction project can be overwhelming. If you need help deciding which insulation to specify to meet your specific project needs, Rmax can help. 

Reach out to your local Rmax representative today to narrow down your options.

Florida Building Code Insulation Requirements

There’s a reason that snowbirds flock to Florida each winter. The warmer temperatures and humid climate provide relief from the cold and dry winters that many of them have to face throughout a big chunk of the year. The unique climate of Florida is only shared with a few other locations, such as South Texas and the southern tips of the states between Florida and Texas.

The unique climate also brings unique challenges when it comes to construction and building design requirements. With such a large cooling load, high humidity, and coastal considerations, structures in Florida require some special attention. 

That’s where building codes come in. Brush up on the fundamental code requirements in the state of Florida to make sure your next project is up to code.

The Basics of Florida Building Codes

Building codes are a set of guidelines that help keep buildings safe, accessible, and energy efficient. 

Common Building Codes

There are many different building codes. Here are a handful of some different realms that building codes can cover:

• Energy Code

• Structural Code

• Life Safety Code

• Plumbing Code

• Fire Code

• Electrical Code

• Accessibility Code

• Zoning Code

A Focus on Energy Code Requirements 

For the purpose of this article, we’ll be focusing on energy codes for Florida. Energy codes are designed with geographical location at the forefront in order to ensure buildings are energy-efficient for the local climate. In other words, the Florida building code roof insulation R-value will vary greatly from the R-value requirements in Maine.

The energy code sets the standard for the following building systems:

• Insulation Requirements

• Heating and Cooling System Requirements

• Windows and Lighting

Florida Building Codes

Generally, building codes are written on a national scale by organizations, such as the International Code Council (ICC), and then adopted at the local level. Florida and other states, as well as local governments, adopt and modify these model codes while also writing their own laws to deal with the various factors impacting local construction.

Florida’s energy code is called the Florida Energy Conservation Code, or FECC. This code, last updated in 2020 as the 7th edition, applies to both residential and commercial buildings. This set of regulations adopts the model code known as 2018 IECC and ASHRAE 90.1-2016 as its basis.

Florida Building Code Insulation Requirements

Before you build in Florida, one of the first steps to planning requires a review of code requirements. Even within the state borders, these code requirements can vary depending on geographical location, particularly for energy codes. The International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) provides a climate zone map as a starting point and the Florida energy code further breaks down this map by county.

Inside Florida, there are two major climate zones, according to the IECC Climate Zone Map. They include:

• Zone 1A: Very Hot and Humid - Includes a handful of the southernmost counties of Florida including Miami-Dade county

• Zone 2A: Hot and Humid - Includes most of Florida

Commercial Buildings in Florida

Florida building code insulation R-value requirements for commercial building envelopes are listed in Chapter 4 [CE] of the FECC and shown in the table below:

*Florida building code attic insulation requirements can be reduced from R38 to R30 if one of the following conditions is met:

• Continuous insulation is used over 100% of the ceiling area and over the top plates at the building eaves.

• There is insufficient space to accommodate the R38 requirement in the roof or ceiling assembly.

Residential Buildings in Florida

Florida building code exterior wall insulation R-value requirements for homes and residential structures are found in Chapter 4 [RE] of the FECC. These values match the similar requirements as commercial structures and are listed below in the table:

*R38 values can be reduced to R30 if one of these conditions is met:

• Insulation continues over the entire ceiling area and over the top plates at the eaves.

• There is a lack of space to meet the R38 requirement in the roof or ceiling.

Insulation Products that Meet Florida Building Code

Insulation is an essential building material required to meet Florida building code. Meet code insulation requirements by choosing materials that pack a punch with high thermal resistance R-values per inch while also meeting testing requirements.

One insulation product category that exceeds both of these prerequisites is polyisocyanurate, or polyiso. Rmax polyiso products offer superior R-value with minimal thicknesses. For example, R30 ceilings can be achieved in less than 5” with two layers of 2.5” Rmax Durasheath® insulation, for a cumulative R-value of 30.6.

Walls and floors can achieve R13 insulation in 2” with Rmax Thermasheath® insulation or ECOMAXci® FR insulation. For an all-in-one solution that combines continuous insulation and air barrier, the Rmax ECOMAXci® FR Air Barrier is an ideal solution.

Meet Florida Building Code with Code-Compliant Insulation

If you’re ready to select your building materials for your construction project in Florida and want to make sure you’re meeting Florida building code insulation requirements, Rmax can help. We offer a wide variety of code-compliant, energy-friendly, and easy-to-install insulation solutions. 

Let our representatives help you today to pick the right products for your project’s building envelope.

Understanding LEED Certified Insulation

If you’re in the construction industry, you’ve probably heard of LEED certification. Whether you know a little or a lot about LEED, it’s hard to know it all. It can be a blessing to have so many methods to achieve LEED-certified status of your building, but it can also quickly lead to information overload. 

If you are looking for ways to earn LEED points—your building’s envelope holds a lot of potential, and your insulation selection is critical to making your building more sustainable. Learn more about the program and LEED insulation requirements below.

What is LEED Certification?

LEED is the acronym for “Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design.” This program was created by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) to inspire construction practices to become more environmentally friendly and sustainable and to make buildings healthier.

Any building type, from new construction to renovations in both residential and commercial settings, can earn LEED-certified status. Each building type has a corresponding scorecard for builders and designers to check off qualifying components in various categories. These categories address the entire construction process and building lifecycle. 

The categories include:

• LT - Location and Transportation 

• SS - Sustainable Sites 

• WE - Water Efficiency 

• EA - Energy and Atmosphere 

• MR - Materials and Resources 

• IEQ - Indoor Environmental Quality 

• IN - Innovation 

• RP - Regional Priority 

Depending on your project type, your scorecard requirements may vary. There are four levels of LEED certification:

1. Certified: 40-49 Points

2. Silver: 50-59 Points

3. Gold: 60-79 Points

4. Platinum: 80+ Points

How can you achieve LEED certification for your project? Let’s take a closer look at how your building’s envelope can bring LEED credits your way.

How to Meet LEED Insulation Requirements

Insulation can help you earn points toward LEED credits in multiple categories. Everything from where you source materials to how well the building materials conserve energy can impact your score.

Since insulation often covers the entire surface area of your building—it’s in your walls, attics, roofs, and sometimes underfoot—it’s critical to take this building material into account for energy efficiency. 

Below are the LEED Insulation Requirements for each category:

Energy and Atmosphere Credits

The Energy and Atmosphere (EA) category has four required credits, including: 

1. Fundamental Commissioning and Verification

2. Minimum Energy Performance

3. Building-Level Energy Metering

4. Fundamental Refrigerant Management

The remaining credits hold the potential for up to 33 points for commercial projects and focus on enhancing energy performance, of which up to 20 points can be reached through altering your insulation. 

Meet the requirements of the EA category by choosing the right insulation products that meet or exceed the ASHRAE 90.1 energy standard and achieve higher efficiencies.

Materials and Resources Credits

The Materials and Resources (MR) category has two required credits:

1. Storage and Collection of Recyclables

2. Construction and Demolition Waste Management Planning

The remaining credits offer up to 13 additional points toward your LEED score in areas that include raw material sourcing, material ingredients, waste management, and building life-cycle impact reduction.

Insulation can help you meet the MR criteria in several ways:

• Low waste accumulation, such as rigid insulation can be cut on-site and fit into any space.

• Insulation can also be reused or repurposed for other projects.

• Certain insulation products contain recycled content.

• Select insulations carry zero Ozone Depletion Potential (ODP).

Indoor Environmental Quality Credits

Insulation can help you earn points toward the IEQ credits on your LEED scorecard. Low-emitting materials, indoor air quality, thermal comfort, and acoustic performance are examples of earning opportunities in this category.

Innovation and Design Credits

You wouldn’t think of insulation first when considering innovation and design, but there is a way to boost your LEED score in this category. Earn up to 5 additional points in LEED-ID by choosing an innovative wall solution such as Rmax ECOMAXci®, which combines an air/weather barrier with continuous insulation in a single layer to virtually eliminate thermal bridging while meeting fire, air, and water code requirements.

LEED Certified Insulation Options

By targeting the above LEED categories and credits, you can begin to narrow your focus to picking the right products for your project’s design. Is there such a thing as “LEED certified insulation”? If so, which LEED insulation should you choose? If not, what do I look for to meet LEED insulation requirements?

The answer is no—there are no LEED-specific materials. Rather, certain materials—including insulation—can help you earn points toward achieving the credits mentioned above. As a component of a whole system, building insulation can help you meet LEED requirements and earn additional points.

When selecting insulating materials for your LEED project, be sure to pick materials that meet code standards at a minimum. For example, Rmax Polyiso insulation meets or exceeds these ASHRAE standards:

• ASHRAE 90.1: Energy Standard

• ASHRAE 55.2: Thermal Environment Design Standard

You can also check Rmax LEED resources to be sure you’re using the most up-to-date references. One reason that polyiso is such a valuable insulation for LEED certified projects is that you can achieve a superior R-value with less material (a thinner profile). 

Polyiso is versatile and can be used around the entire building envelope, from the foundation, up the walls, to the roof. 

Get Help Picking the Right Insulation for Your LEED Project with Rmax

Interpreting the LEED requirements can seem like a monumental task. If you need help navigating and picking the right building materials to achieve LEED certification, Rmax can help. Our experts can tailor a solution to meet your site-specific needs. 

Call or email your local Rmax representative today! your local Rmax representative today!