Tag Archives: expanded polystyrene

What Are Geometrically Defined Insulation Boards?

Posted by Admin on February 12, 2011 None comments

A relatively new modification to modern Exterior Insulation Finish Systems (EIFS, or “Synthetic Stucco”) are what is called (geek alert) Geometrically Defined Insulation Boards. What exactly does that mean?

It’s a complex way of saying insulation with grooves cut into the back. The purpose of the grooves is to provide a way for water to drain out that gets behind the system. This helps to ensure that no moisture becomes trapped, causing mould or rot.

Why is this necessary? Well, it’s not if EIFS is installed by a skilled applicator, but was implemented to further assuage the fears of Architects. The problem is that even when the Architect properly specifies a system, General Contractors (and home owners) don’t always pay for true skilled applicators – and the applicators who charge less typically do so because they’re inexperienced. Less experience means higher chances of screwing up some part of an EIFS installation.

A popular argument against EIFS with drainage channels formed from cementitious adhesive (the grey streaks in the picture above) is that  the ribbons are flattened out once  the exterior insulation is pressed in place on the wall. The argument goes that if the ribbons are flattened, there is no longer any way for water to drain out if it gets behind the system. Unfortunately, there is an element of truth to the statement – I have seen insulation torn off walls as part of an inspection and observed a complete lack of drainage space because the insulation was pushed against the wall too hard.

If this was to happen, the weather-barrier that is required by EIFS manufacturers would help to protect against mould and rot problems. The majority of the time however, the vertical ribbons of adhesive stay in tact when the insulation is pressed in place (by a skilled applicator).

The Cause Of The Problem

As with all potential problems with skilled trades, it comes down to hiring the right contractor. Selecting the cheapest bid will not get you actual skilled applicators who know how install EIFS properly. This is the case with all skilled trades though, and not a problem exclusive to the EIFS industry. The problem is that every idiot GC or home owner brags when they get EIFS installed for $6 per square foot, when what they’re really doing is shooting themselves in the foot. The $6/sf “contractor” is typically an applicator who was in the industry for a couple of years and is willing to charge less because they won’t take the time to install the system properly. Whether that’s because they’re not aware of how to properly install EIFS or they just aren’t ethical people is another topic entirely. Other people hear about this then think that paying $6 per square foot for EIFS is the norm, and are shocked when something inevitably goes wrong. The few hundred or thousand dollars they save ends up costing many thousand in the long-run and in their ignorance they blame EIFS.

The purpose of the geometrically defined insulation boards is to help “idiot-proof” an EIFS installation. By creating a second layer of drainage that is difficult to clog up (in addition to the cementitious ribbons), the EIFS industry is essentially helping general contractors and home owners who are otherwise too ignorant to hire the right contractor. While the industry is aware I’m sure that someone out there is working hard to create a better idiot – it’s still a step in the right direction and will undoubtedly help a few projects.

Additional Thoughts

Notice that in the image above, the edges of the insulation board are also cut back so that there is additional means of drainage around the perimeter of the insulation boards as well as within it. Also note that this only works if the insulation boards are installed horizontally (how it’s being held in the picture) so that water can drain vertically down the cavities.

Some people have commented that cutting into the insulation reduces it’s R-value. Studies by the EIFS manufacturers have found the reduction in R-value to be negligible as less than 5% of the insulation is removed to create the channels.

What is Mineral Wool Insulation?

Posted by Admin on December 9, 2010 None comments

Mineral wool insulation is typically used on projects where there are non-combustibility requirements by code. Used in EIFS (Exterior Insulation Finish Systems) in lieu of EPS (Expanded Polystyrene) for the fire-rating, it is more difficult to work with because of it’s spongey nature, and tends to require additional materials as well as time.

The most common supplier of mineral wool insulation on the Toronto market is a company by the name of Roxul. With a manufacturing plant in Milton – just off the 401, they are the preferred supplier for most of our projects. Due to the manufacturing process, individual fibres in the board are extremely tiny and may be considered a possible carcinogen to humans when exposed to over a long period of time (similar to asbestos) if they become trapped in the lungs. Once embedded into the wall with a base coat on one side and a weather barrier on the other, concerns about this are negligible. Care should be taken when removing or handling mineral insulation, and eyewear, gloves and a respirator are recommended.

We are able to accomodate toronto insulation projects where mineral insulation may be required due to non-combustibility requirements by code, whether it’s because of the proximity to another building or other reasons.

Stucco Insulation Materials: What Are Your Options?

Posted by Admin on March 6, 2010 6 comments

There are a variety of different types of insulation boards that can be used as the insulation in EIFS. By far the most common exterior toronto insulation is Type-I (1) EPS (Expanded PolyStyrene). This is the white insulation boards you typically see being installed, as well as what is found at hardware stores such as home depot. Most EIFS manufacturers require that the EPS be purchased from them when using their system, for a variety of legitimate reasons. The EIFS manufacturers purchase the polystyrene in bulk, and of a certain grade/quality. That being Type-I (1 pound per cubic foot), Virgin (no recycled content) and in 2′x4′ sheets of your specified thickness.

Polystyrene can be manufactured in a variety of densities (referred to as the “type”). Some can go as low as 0.5 pounds per cubic foot, meaning that they are half as dense as 1 pound per cubic foot – and offer much less insulating value. Some manufacturers sell lower densities because it is less expensive, and the average consumer is not aware that they are getting less insulating value for their dollar. On the other end of the spectrum, it is also possible to get denser styrofoam – Type-II or Type-III (2 lbs per cubic foot and 2.5 lbs per cubic foot respectively) which offer more insulating value per inch.

Why 2′x4′ sheets? Simply, they are easier to work with, and make the system more crack resistant by providing many points at which the system may make minor shifts without cracking the base coat or finish coat.

EPS R-Value

Generally, the Type-I polystyrene you get from an EIFS manufacturer offers an R-Value of 3.71 per inch. This becomes important when you are trying to achieve the maximum rebate from the Retrofit Rebate Program. The Retrofit Rebate Program will grant upwards of $3,750 for adding R-9 to the exterior of your walls – which EIFS does better than any other material. To get to R-9 from 3.71/inch, you require almost exactly 2.5″ (3.71 * 2.5 = R-9.275). It becomes very important to specify this to your contractor when soliciting quotes, because typically 1.5″ or 2″ is specified by default – which will only get you the $2,250 rebate. Generally, the price difference contractors will ask for to go from 1.5″ to 2.5″ is about $700-$800, but will get you an additional $1,500 in rebates. Well worth the investment.

Other Insulation Boards

Other types of insulation boards that are sometimes substituted for EPS when certain factors require them. For example, when adding insulation to the exterior of a wall, that is located between houses that are close together (like downtown Toronto) – one wants to minimize how far the insulation comes out from the wall. In this situation, a denser insulation such as XPS (Extruded PolyStyrene – pink or blue insulation) can be substituted.  While 1.5″ of XPS typically is enough to achieve R-9 insulation, contractors demand a higher price to install it as it takes a little more work and is itself more expensive to purchase.

Fire-Rated Insulation

Sometimes fire-resistance is an issue (particularly downtown, and especially on commercial projects). In this situation, Roxul Mineral Fiber Insulation can be used. While this is an option, it’s an expensive one and difficult to do correctly. Typically it is recommended that the fire-rating is achieved by the drywall/substrate by using Type-X Gypsum boards or Cement Boards and installing a regular, EPS EIF system over it.

As always, consult with the EIFS manufacturer before making any decisions to validate any information you find on this site, or that your contractor gives you.

Dryvit: What is Stucco/EIFS

Posted by Admin on January 26, 2010 1 comments


Transcript:
We all want to make our environment cleaner, and healthier. There is an extraordinary exterior wall system that has a tiny environmental foot print, with a huge economic benefit. Outsulation system from Dryvit – as green as it gets.

Outsulation systems are highly energy efficient wall claddings, used on 350,000 buildings worldwide. Outsulation systems can be attached to an approved substrate, or installed over an air and water barrier, as shown here. Components include expanded polystyrene (EPS) insulation board, fiberglass reinforced base coat, and a textured acrylic finish. A variety of finished textures, styles and colors are available, and can replicate stucco, brick, limestone or granite. The expanded polystyrene can be shaped to create architectural details such as reveals, cornice work and quoins. the design options with Dryvit outsulation systems are virtually endless.

Most importantly, Dryvit Outsulation systems are simply – as green as it gets. Let’s see how.

3 key factors impact the construction and use of buildings. These are the design and construction cost, operating cost, and environmental cost. Each cost has not always been equally important to all involved in the building’s life span. For example – the architect and general contractor are typically most concerned with aesthetics, function and meeting a construction budget. Similarly, a facility manager often has to operate and maintain a structure in which he had no role in designing. And, there have been few in any capacity – until recently, who were concerned with the environmental footprint of their building, beyond conforming to local building codes. Today, concern for all costs and more and more of the environmental one, is equally compelling to all involved in the construction cycle and building use.

Let’s examine these costs, beginning with construction. The selection of exterior cladding materials is usually dictated by the desired appearance. Once bidding takes place however, a building is often over-budget and the value-engineering phase begins. This process can result in changing the aesthetics and as a consequence, sacrifices quality and performance. But not with Dryvit Outsulation systems. In a case study by a major architectural firm, over 10% – $570,000 of shell construction costs were saved on a building designed for masonry, by substituting the Dryvit Outsulation system. The exact look of the project was maintained, and 2 months were slashed from the construction schedule! Imagine what the building owner could do with that extra “green”!

Next, let’s look at the operating cost. Specifically – the HVAC and maintenance cost for the lifetime of the building. 40% of all energy consumed goes for heating and cooling of buildings of all types. And energy prices have tripled in the past few years. Much research has been dedicated to the goal of reducing energy use, for instance – the Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) determined that insulation placed on the exterior of the wall in steel frame construction reduces both air leakage and thermal bridging. This in turn, greatly improves energy efficiency. Dryvit Outsulation systems do just that. By literally placing a seamless thermal blanket on the outside of your building and helping to reduce energy consumption. The state of Massachusetts endorses this concept, by requiring exterior insulation for all metal framed structures in the state building code, and other states are considering similar legislation. At Dryvit’s request, the U.S. Department of Energy’s Oak Ridges National Laboratory conducted whole-wall experiments in order to compare the energy efficiency of several commonly used claddings. The 2″ thick Dryvit Outsulation systems were found to be at least 84% more energy efficient than the next best one. What does 84% more energy efficient mean? Simply that Dryvit Outsulation systems can reduce a building’s energy use by 30% with no additional cost. In fact in 2006, by dramatically increasing the energy efficiency of over 350,000 buildings, Dryvit Outsulation systems saved the equivalent of over 3,500,000 barrels of oil.

It’s clear, Dryvit Outsulation systems can save money on both construction and operating costs for the building’s life-time. But in today’s more socially conscious economy, that just isn’t green enough.
Because of the theorized link of carbon dioxide emissions to rapid climate change, special focus has been placed on establishing the “carbon footprint” of all things, large and small. Building products need to be evaluated in terms of their impact on the environment over their entire lifetime and not just at a single point. For this reason, Dryvit asked the national institute of standards and technology to evaluate the environmental impact of Outsulation systems throughout these 5 life-cycle stages. this chart shows the resources needed to extract and create the materials we use to make our Outsulation systems, including the expanded polystyrene. It also takes into account our manufacturing process. As you can see, the energy required is significantly less than for some other common claddings. In fact, while we’re on the topic of manufacturing, Dryvit’s facilities are managed to ISO standards which require constant measurement and improvement. ISO is the benchmark for world-wide manufacturing excellence.

Transportation comes next. When comparable square foot quantities of various claddings are transported equal distances, Dryvit outsulation systems compare very favourably with brick and stucco.

After construction and use – which we’ve already discussed, comes the end life of a product, which involves reuse, recycling or disposal of a product. Again, Outsulation systems are superior. The Dryvit-Care program perscribes the routine and affordable measures that can be taken to keep Outsulation systems looking beautiful. When properly cared for, Outsulation systems can perform as intended for the life-time of the building. Dryvit outsulation systems are also used to renovate other materials – such as brick and stucco without changing the look, and without having to remove and dispose of the original cladding. It is tempting to think that because Dryvit Outsulation systems incorporate expanded polystyrene and acrylic polymers, that somehow this makes them less ecologically responsible than the seemingly more natural product such as wood siding, or clay brick. It is essential however, that when evaluating a product’s environmental impact, the entire life cycle be considered. Whether a product is natural or manufactured, there are embedded energy costs involved with each phase. No single phase is more important than another. The size of every product’s environmental footprint is determined by the total impact over the entire life cycle.

Reduction of carbon dioxide emissions is a world-wide environmental goal. This study shows that over the the 50-year life cycle of the building, the carbon footprint of Dryvit outsulation systems is about 3 times smaller than stucco, and 5 times smaller than brick.

Green buildings reduce carbon dioxide emissions by using fewer resources throughout their life cycle. Today, everyone involved in the business of designing, constructing and operating buildings has an opportunity to positively affect the world by making smart choices. So choose Dryvit Outsulation systems – products with a tiny environmental footprint, but huge economic and ecological benefits. That’s why we can claim – we’re as green as it gets.