Re: [GBlist] insulation

[Sarah Holland/David Foley <hollandfoley@acadia.net>]

Title: Re: [GBlist] insulation

on 02/25/2002 4:32 PM, Jan Fillinger at janfillinger@jb.com wrote:

> I am interested in a high efficiency blown-in insulation for a cathedral ceilings without ventilation.  I know a little about Icynene, which has an installer in our area (Eugene, OR).  I just recently heard about Air-Krete (cementitious) and about Corbond (polyurethane).  Does anyone know more about these or any other products that would be environmentally (more) benign and provide more than R-5 per inch?   
>  
> Thanks,
>  
> Jan Fillinger
Jan,

Of the 3 options, only Corbond � will give you above R-5 per inch.  I believe that it’s not actually a polyurethane, but a polyisocyanurate, but the chemists among us will need to clarify that.  I used to use it a lot, before I knew better.  It’s a great insulation, but the blowing agent depletes stratospheric ozone.  Although the current blowing agents have greatly reduced ozone depletion potential, they’re still powerful greenhouse gasses.  I know of one company doing high-density spray foam with zero-ozone-depletion gasses: Foamtech of Vermont.  Perhaps there are others on your coast.  We still use sprayed poly foam in rare cases, when our preferred system, dense-packed cellulose, isn’t feasible.  If you use Corbond �, one consolation for the blowing agents is the amount of energy, and therefore greenhouse gasses, you’ll be able to save over the life of the insulation job.

Best wishes,

David

-- 
Holland & Foley Building Design L.L.C.
232 Beech Hill Rd.
Northport, Maine 04849 USA
p: (207) 338-9869 f: (207) 338-9859 e: hollandfoley@acadia.net