Page 51 - October 2015 Green Builder Magazine

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energy, manufacturers are starting to produce spray foams that
feature an increasing proportion of bio-based content, usually
soybean or castor oil. One example is SucraSeal, a 25 percent bio-
based spray foam that also contains zero VOCs.
The blowing agents in closed-cell spray foam are another issue;
as the Lapolla example shows, many manufacturers are motivated
to replace those with high GWP with alternatives. Another new
release is Icynene’s ProSeal Eco; this 100 percent water-blown,
closed-cell spray foam is the first of its kind in the world, according for a single-batt attic solution—a product that’s part of the trend
to the company. Knauf Insulation released ECOSEAL Plus at the
beginning of the year; this new and improved version of its water-
based spray-on sealant features zero VOCs, no petroleum and zero
GWP blowing agents.
FIBERGLASS AND MINERAL WOOL: TRIED AND TRUE
Still popular, fiberglass insulation has been around for about a
century. Compared to many other options, it is inexpensive, easy
to install and naturally fire resistant. However, according to the
American Lung Association, fiberglass can cause skin and eye
irritation; at higher exposure levels, it has been associated with
skin rashes and difficulty breathing.
Manufacturers have been continually improving their products
for both performance and health. As was mentioned earlier in
Ready to Go. Knauf’s ECOSEAL Plus sealant can be used straight
from the bucket without mixing. It dries within a few hours,
which means insulation can be installed the same day.
www.knaufinsulation.us
Easy Install. This single-batt attic solution from Owens Corning www.greenbuildermedia.com 10.2015
features softer, gentler fiberglass. As with all of the company’s
residential products, it is formaldehyde-free.
www.insulation.owenscorning.com
this article, many manufacturers are now offering formaldehyde-
free products, making fiberglass insulation one of the greener
choices, when it comes to chemical content. Last year, Owens
Corning introduced its R49 PROPINK EcoTouch fiberglass batt
toward fiberglass options with a bio-based binder and higher
recycled content, as well as a product that is non-itchy and easier
to apply. Similarly, CertainTeed offers SoftTouch duct wrap. This
blanket-type fiberglass is formaldehyde-free and contains a plant-
based binder; it also contains between 20 and 25 percent recycled
fiberglass.
Mineral fiber (aka mineral wool) batts offer superior thermal
and acoustic performance and have experienced a resurgence
as of late. Companies that offer mineral wool insulation include
ROXUL, Knauf, Johns Manville and Thermafiber, which is owned
by Owens Corning.
But even with natural insulation materials, there are factors
affecting its overall sustainability. For example, mineral rock
wool, the material in Roxul’s ComfortBoard IS rigid sheathing
board, is often considered one of the most sustainable and
efficient materials for insulation. It contains no petroleum, zero
VOCs, boasts a high R-value, and is naturally resistant to fire,
mold and insects; however, it has high embodied energy, as the
manufacturing process requires extreme temperatures.
Combined with air-sealing products, fiberglass and mineral wool
insulation can be part of an effective insulation system, and in fact,
several manufacturers are touting just that. For example, Johns
Manville recommends its “hybrid” system: JM Corbond III spray
foam in tandem with fiberglass batts or sprayed fiberglass. The spray
foam performs the air seal and vapor barrier, while the fiberglass
fills in the cavity for an economical but energy-efficient solution.
Another take on the hybrid system is to use one or more
layers of rigid foam insulation on the building’s exterior and
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