Page 49 - October 2015 Green Builder Magazine

Versatility. Icynene ProSeal Eco, a 100 47
percent water-blown, closed-cell
spray foam, can perform as an air
barrier in walls; it can also be used on
exterior sheathing to create a
thermal-bridge-free insulating layer.

WWW.ICYNENE.COM

Insulation and www.greenbuildermedia.com 10.2015
Air Sealing

Insulation makes any project greener, but choosing the
best product requires more than just looking at its R-value.

BY SUCHI RUDRA the balance,” he says. “Transportation energy, in-service durability
and performance are usually quite important and need to be
I N THE MULTIFACETED world of thermal insulation and air considered. The distinction between products that are petroleum
sealing, there are several factors to consider. Do you select a based and those that are not is far too simplistic and usually leads
product based solely on its thermal performance, or is that to bad decision making. Embodied toxic chemicals are much more
outweighed by its material composition and safety? And of a concern and can show up in a lot of products. The biggest risk
what about affordability? It’s not always easy to find one to health and environment is people not using enough insulation
product that checks off all the right boxes. and people using insulation improperly.”
Dr. John Straube, a principal at Building Science Consulting
Inc. says it’s difficult to compare the “eco-footprint” of all products Manufacturers are releasing more products that are
in a single class. “The petroleum used to make foam plastic or to formaldehyde-free, offer higher percentages of bio-based content
melt the rock and glass for mineral fiber is a very small part of the or feature higher recycled content. Johns Manville phased out
total energy saved by the product in service, and so this rarely tips formaldehyde in 2002; in 2011, Owens Corning reformulated

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