For some strange reason here in the U.K. your R value is called the 'U' value David
-----Original Message----- From: blindhandyman@yahoogroups.com [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Ray Boyce Sent: Saturday, February 16, 2008 12:49 AM To: blindhandyman@yahoogroups.com Subject: [BlindHandyMan] Spray Foam Saves Energy Every homeowner wants a cozy, comfortable home. And every homeowner wants the ability to maintain that comfort at a reasonable cost. That's why all building codes require minimum insulation R-values for specific climate zones. These days there are a handful of insulation applications that meet these R-values, but the frontrunner in energy efficiency is the use of spray polyurethane foam (SPF). In fact, there's a lot more to insulation than its R-value. The R-values refer to the "K-factor" of a material. The K factor is the thermal conductivity for a unit thickness of material. However, other factors also affect the thermal performance of roof and insulation systems. These other factors include thermal drift, thermal gaps created by mechanical fasteners, poorly installed decking, and the effects of air movement on energy usage and moisture retention in roofs. Because an insulation material's R-value represents dry materials that are not affected by airflow or moisture, it doesn't take into account the other aspects of energy performance. For example, fiberglass batt insulation may be rated with an adequate R-value, but as the material retains moisture it loses its insulating qualities. In a "real world" environment, you can expect as much as a 30-percent reduction of labeled R-value for thermal insulation materials that are permeable to moisture. The physical properties of SPF insulation protects against this problem. Furthermore, the liquid application of the spray foam requires no fasteners, which means no thermal breaks at the fastener locations. The bottom line is this: Spray foam insulation addresses R-values, airflow and moisture resistance better than other types of insulation. The result is a savings of up to 60 percent in heating and cooling costs. Shown is a peek inside the SPF installer's truck, and a look at the specialized equipment required to apply the insulation systems. A Better Thermal Envelope SPF roofing systems have been around for more than 40 years, but there is still a significant lack of knowledge among consumers, as well as many roofing professionals on how to install or maintain these systems. For example, in the Birmingham metro area, hometown of Extreme How-To, only two companies offer SPF installation. We recently met with one such company, Thermetix, A licensed dealer of Foametix insulation, to check out a whole-house installation and get the first-hand scoop on the benefits of SPF. "While there is a higher upfront cost for the installation of the foam, SPF can really cut down on energy bills in the long run," says Ron Brown, co-owner of Thermetix, the company that installs Foametix SPF systems throughout Alabama. Although the initial cost of installation could be 3 to 4 times the cost of installing standard fiberglass batts, in as few as five years the homeowner can recoup their investment and enjoy lowered utility bills throughout the life of the house. The rigid foam insulation, which is sprayed as a liquid and immediately hardens in place, does not settle or sag over time, losing its R-value like fiberglass or cellulose. SPF also has no food value to attract insects or rodents. The rigid SPF insulation is sprayed as a liquid that immediately hardens in place. SPF can expand to about 100 times its original volume to fill air gaps between the framing studs in the walls and attic. By conforming to cavity shapes and sealing around wall features, SPF reduces air infiltration much better than standard fiberglass batts or reflective barriers. That's a big benefit, considering that government energy reports estimate 40 to 50 percent of a home's heating and cooling loss results from air flowing through the building envelope. Spray foam insulation is also non-toxic and usually has a lifetime guarantee. And, as the house expands and contracts over time, so does the foam insulation. This eliminates cracks and spaces for warm air to escape. "Spray foam is also helpful for people who suffer from allergies," says Brown, explaining that the seamless and monolithic layer of insulation provides superb air quality and pathogen growth. Unlike traditional roofing systems that require vents in the attic, SPF systems utilize unvented attics. This results in conditioned attic space because the air-impermeable insulation acts as a barrier to prevent moisture condensation on the underside of roof decks. Vented attics minimize condensation by allowing the escape of moisture to the exterior by air flow. But with this airflow come outdoor allergens and pollutants-a non-issue with an unvented attic in an SPF system. The most commonly used SPF products are medium-density ("2 pound") foam, shown right, and low-density ("1/2 pound") foam, shown below. Which Spray Foam is Right for You? The two most commonly used spray foam products are low-density, open-cell SPF (nominally referred to as "1/2 pound") and medium-density, closed-cell foam ("2 pound"). Foametix offers both types of SPF, dubbed Blue Max 050 Open-cell and Blue Max 200 Closed-cell. Low-density, open-cell SPF refers to a generic SPF that weighs between 0.4 to 0.6 pounds per cubic foot when fully cured. When sprayed to a substrate it expands about 100-150 times its original volume to form a semi-rigid/flexible, non-structural SPF insulation. The SPF has an R-value around 3.5 per inch. The 1/2-pound foam expands 100 to 150 times its original volume to fill study cavities. A recip saw with a special, long blade can then be used to cut the insulation flush with the framing. Medium-density, closed-cell refers to a generic SPF that weighs between 1.5 to 2 pounds per cubic foot when fully cured. When sprayed it expands about 35 to 50 times its original volume to form a rigid, structural SPF insulation with a compressive strength between 15 to 25 PSI. The SPF has an R-value of around 6.0 per inch (aged R-value). The 1/2-pound insulation is widely used in interior walls and attic spaces for its acoustic properties. Foametix recommends closed-cell foam for exterior walls and crawlspaces, because of its ability to resist moisture and its superior insulating properties. Additionally, closed-cell foam doubles the rack loads on walls and adds structural integrity. Both products are excellent air barriers, provide great insulation, and can help control condensation within the building envelope. However, the closed-cell foam is simply a better insulation, period. In a whole house system, there is a need for both products. For more information on sprayed foam insulation, visit www.sprayfoam.org or www.thermetix.com. SPF FAQ's Is SPF a good soundproofing material? Both open- and closed-cell SPF effectively reduce noise from outside sources by sealing cracks and gaps that allow sound to travel through the walls, floors and ceiling into the building. They are less effective against noise caused by vibration. How Long does a sprayed polyurethane foam roof last? The oldest performing SPF roofs are more than 30 years old. Because the physical properties of the SPF change little with age, how long the SPF roof system lasts depends primarily on the original application and long-term maintenance. How do you maintain SPF roof insulation? SPF roof systems should be inspected semi-annually and after events that could cause physical damage. Small (less than 3-inch diameter) dents, cracks, punctures from dropped tools, wind-driven debris can be repaired with an elastomeric sealant compatible with the SPF and coating system. More extensive damage can be repaired by reapplying SPF. Typically, SPF roof systems are re-coated every 10 to 15 years, dpending ont he typed and thickness of cotaing used and factors specific to the roof (such as wind erosion effects, hail, foot traffic, abuse, etc.). Recoating extends the service life of the SPF roof system. --Source: Spray Polyurethane Foam Alliance, www. sprayfoam.org To listen to the show archives go to link http://acbradio.org/handyman.html or ftp://ftp.acbradio.org/acbradio-archives/handyman/ The Pod Cast address for the Blind Handy Man Show is. http://www.acbradio.org/news/xml/podcast.php?pgm=saturday Visit The Blind Handy Man Files Page To Review Contributions >From Various List Members At The Following address: http://www.jaws-users.com/JAWS/handyman/ Visit the archives page at the following address http://www.mail-archive.com/blindhandyman@yahoogroups.com/ If you would like to join the JAWS Users List, then visit the following address for more information: http://www.jaws-users.com/ For a complete list of email commands pertaining to the Blind Handy Man list just send a blank message to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Yahoo! Groups Links No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.5.516 / Virus Database: 269.20.0/1268 - Release Date: 09/02/2008 11:54 Internal Virus Database is out-of-date. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.5.516 / Virus Database: 269.20.0/1268 - Release Date: 09/02/2008 11:54 To listen to the show archives go to link http://acbradio.org/handyman.html or ftp://ftp.acbradio.org/acbradio-archives/handyman/ The Pod Cast address for the Blind Handy Man Show is. http://www.acbradio.org/news/xml/podcast.php?pgm=saturday Visit The Blind Handy Man Files Page To Review Contributions From Various List Members At The Following address: http://www.jaws-users.com/JAWS/handyman/ Visit the archives page at the following address http://www.mail-archive.com/blindhandyman@yahoogroups.com/ If you would like to join the JAWS Users List, then visit the following address for more information: http://www.jaws-users.com/ For a complete list of email commands pertaining to the Blind Handy Man list just send a blank message to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Yahoo! 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