Call our experts today: 800-825-0123
With smaller more residential use barns and sheds, the mission is not to heat or cool the structure, but to bring it as close as possible to the outside air temperature since most of these structures are neither heated or mechanically cooled. Lowering the temperature inside via cross ventilation is key however, that alone will […]
Read moreTemptrol is the first lightweight flexible reflective fabric that brought metallizing into new areas and uses. It won the AMICAL Technical Award in the Industrial Category for 2005. Temptrol is breathable and can be gently washed up to 10 times and, is very easy to handle. I made curtain panels out of Temptrol using small […]
Read moreFrom the Levins and Hall dust tests performed in the late eighties, their conclusions show that although dust degrades performance, it is not devastating. Dusted radiant barrier is still effective in reducing attic heat flows AND total house cooling loads. These tests were done in TN and it is my assumption the radiant barrier was […]
Read moreThe introduction of the roof truss saved a lot of construction time and costs and eliminated or reduced the need for support posts. Unfortunately, the truss creates a cold climate issue called uplift. When it is part of an insulated attic, the top “chords” stay cold while the bottom ones remain warmer due to insulation […]
Read moreCondensation brings us back to the breathability discussion. Adding insulation over the walls and roof makes a continuous thermal barrier while burning the thermal bridges. However, when adding or wrapping more insulation, make sure that air, water, and thermal barriers are working together and not against. Trapped moisture in a tight building envelope equals mold, […]
Read moreTraditional structures were designed to allow moisture to evaporate where modern construction relies on systems of barriers preventing moisture from penetrating the structure and building materials. Increased moisture within a wall whether old or modern, will drastically increase the likelihood of decay. Exterior paint is designed to prevent water penetration, but this also prevents evaporation. […]
Read moreJust because a home is old does not mean it is cold. Insulating an old home should be carefully studied to ensure you are not introducing more problems than resolving. Before tackling old home insulation, a little history about old home construction helps clarify why modern technology for old, historic, and very old homes is […]
Read moreBefore even discussing Radiant Barrier, it is important to understand all the issues with cold climate insulating and retrofitting an old house or modern home with insulation. There is a plethora of issues and technical problems that must be addressed and understood which, brings into the discussion, talk to the pros, the real ones who […]
Read moreNormally, heat rises but without proper ventilation in the attic, heat does not rise but migrates. Proper ventilation prevents moisture buildup from the heated air which, will quickly bring on other problems such as, bacterial buildup, mold growth, wood rot, popped shingles and ice dams in the winter. Without proper attic ventilation, air becomes stagnant […]
Read moreThermal insulation such as fiberglass, does not usually live up to its R-value unless certain criteria are met. Classic insulation absorbs heat and then re-emits that heat into the structure and or building materials around it. The role of thermal insulation is to SLOW conductive (heat moving through solid objects) heat flow. Think of a […]
Read more
