IN DEPTH: Insulation and Housewrap

Air control has led to some confusion in the market. “There are questions by builders about the balance between air tightness and fresh-air ventilation,” says Huber’s Sealock. “Generally, they’re getting more comfortable with the idea of building an air-tight envelope. But there have been a lot of growing pains associated with that balance.”

Fortifiber’s Yount agrees. “Builders have a thirst for good education on the details of tightening a house and how best to seal joints to provide air control. There is a lot of detailing needed in terms of sealants and tapes that can be used and will work the best.”

Awareness still has to grow on this point, he adds. “Air management is difficult and education is needed, because it’s harder to visualize and manage air penetration than moisture penetration, since air flow doesn’t follow gravity like water does. It depends on pressure differences. Keeping air out is a bigger task than water control.”

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Chris Toebben, marketing manager for Consumer Foam products at Convenience Products, agrees. “One of the biggest challenges we have is educating retailers and contractors on the use of foam insulation. We use an analogy to the zipper on your coat: Your home may have traditional batted insulation, but it doesn’t do anything for you until you zip up the ‘coat’—like applying spray foam to gaps and cracks.”

Moisture Concerns Remain
Water control remains a significant concern, too. “Moisture is one of the most damaging elements to any structure,” says Kimberly Clark’s Tennison. “Keeping moisture out, as well as letting excessive moisture escape, is critical, and it can be managed.”

Explains CertainTeed’s Winslow, “Moisture needs to be controlled with a rainscreen that can direct water away from the home and protect it from penetration. Diverting water away is critical, but some always is going to get in, and there has to be a plan for managing that. It’s critical for us to design forgiving wall systems to give water that gets into the wall a pathway to get out. It isn’t a matter of if the wall will leak but more a matter of when.”

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The problem increases as other problems are addressed. “We have designed and made buildings tighter, so any moisture that accumulates during construction has a harder time evaporating,” says Johns Manville’s Mc-Gavern. “Care must be taken to avoid condensation and leakage of moisture into the buildings in the first place.”

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