The Benefits of Continuous Insulation
By John Turner, P.E.
It’s so much fun to provide Architectural Engineering services and watching the industry gradually adopt new materials and methods. Continuous Insulation has been one of my favorites for the past few years, and it’s really taking off.
From our perspective, the number one reason for this trend is the popularity of spray foam insulation and the all-too-common trouble with installation of spray foam. We’ve seen too many failures of spray foam not curing correctly – resulting in shrinkage and gaps. And – even when installation goes fine, you’re still left with a wall or roof that has fantastic insulation – between the framing members!
The positive reasons to make the switch are simply too good to resist:
- Framing walls with 2x4s is easier, faster and less expensive than 2x6s.
- Continuous insulation provides significantly superior building envelope performance
- Factory production and quality consistently exceed field methods – especially when it comes to materials like spray foam insulation where temperature, humidity and other environmental conditions are difficult to control.
So, the next time your favorite architect shows continuous insulation wall and roof assemblies, give it a try!
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| This Category | Architectural Design, Capital Improvement Plan, Educational Training, Engineered Consultations, Home Repairs, Just for Fun, MEP, Residential Engineering |
| This Author | John Turner, P.E. |