Chapter 17 Thermal and Sound Insulation Objectives Summarize

Chapter 17 Thermal and Sound Insulation

Objectives • Summarize the principles of conduction, convection, and radiation. • Define technical terms relating to thermal properties of construction materials. • Interpret thermal ratings charts. • Describe the types of insulation. Copyright Goodheart-Willcox Co. , Inc. May not be posted to a publicly accessible website.

Objectives (Cont. ) • Select appropriate areas for insulation in a given structure. • Explain the principle of condensation. • Describe methods of controlling moisture problems. • List general procedures for installing batt and blanket, loose, foamed, and rigid insulation. Copyright Goodheart-Willcox Co. , Inc. May not be posted to a publicly accessible website.

Objectives (Cont. ) • Describe methods to protect against air infiltration. • List ways to increase sound and noise control. • Describe methods of construction that raise STC ratings in desired areas. • Describe how acoustical materials work. Owens-Corning Fiberglas Corp. Copyright Goodheart-Willcox Co. , Inc. May not be posted to a publicly accessible website.

Insulation • Materials that do not readily transmit energy as heat, electricity, or sound • Necessary where temperature of interior space must be controlled • Materials are engineered for efficient installation • Convenient packages Owens-Corning Copyright Goodheart-Willcox Co. , Inc. May not be posted to a publicly accessible website.

Building Sequence • Mechanical systems must be completed before interior walls are insulated – Ductwork for heating and air conditioning – Electrical circuits, cable – Water supply piping and fixtures – Drainage/waste/venting Copyright Goodheart-Willcox Co. , Inc. May not be posted to a publicly accessible website.

How Heat Is Transmitted • Heat seeks balance with surrounding areas • Heat moves from one place to another by – Conduction – Convection – Radiation • Heat transmission through walls, ceilings, and floors is result of all three methods Copyright Goodheart-Willcox Co. , Inc. May not be posted to a publicly accessible website.

Conduction • Transmission of heat – Within material – From one material to another when they are in direct contact • Dense materials conduct heat more rapidly than porous materials Copyright Goodheart-Willcox Co. , Inc. May not be posted to a publicly accessible website.

Convection • Transfer of heat by another agent – Air – Water • When air is heated – It becomes lighter and rises – This creates convection currents Copyright Goodheart-Willcox Co. , Inc. May not be posted to a publicly accessible website.

Radiation • Transfer of heat by wave motion • Heat received from sun, for example • Waves come in contact with conducting surfaces – Part of energy is absorbed – Some may be reflected Copyright Goodheart-Willcox Co. , Inc. May not be posted to a publicly accessible website.

Thermal Insulation • Fibrous materials are good insulators • Insulation materials are made of – – – Glass fibers Glass foam Mineral fibers Organic fibers Foamed plastic Copyright Goodheart-Willcox Co. , Inc. May not be posted to a publicly accessible website.

Terminology • Coefficient • British thermal unit (Btu) • Coefficient of thermal conductivity (k) • Conductance (C) • Resistance (R) • Total heat transmission (U) • Degree day Copyright Goodheart-Willcox Co. , Inc. May not be posted to a publicly accessible website.

Amount of Insulation • Must be based on – – Comfort standards Insulation costs Probable future fuel costs Local climatic conditions • North America is divided into zones according to climate Copyright Goodheart-Willcox Co. , Inc. May not be posted to a publicly accessible website.

Types of Insulation • Thermal insulation is made in many forms • Includes five broad classifications – – – Flexible Loose fill Rigid Foamed-in-place Reflective Copyright Goodheart-Willcox Co. , Inc. May not be posted to a publicly accessible website.

Foamed-in-Place Insulation • Pumped into spray nozzle to mix with blowing agent and curing agent • Sprayed onto surface to be insulated • Foams to several times original volume Certain. Teed Corporation Copyright Goodheart-Willcox Co. , Inc. May not be posted to a publicly accessible website.

Reflective Insulation • Usually metal foil or foil-surfaced material • Number of reflecting surfaces determines its insulating value • Available in sheets or corrugations supported on paper • Often mounted on back of gypsum lath Copyright Goodheart-Willcox Co. , Inc. May not be posted to a publicly accessible website.

Where to Insulate • Heated areas should be surrounded with insulation in walls, ceiling, and floors • Basement walls and crawl space walls may also be insulated Copyright Goodheart-Willcox Co. , Inc. May not be posted to a publicly accessible website.

Insulating Crawl Spaces • Floors over unheated space directly above ground require same degree of insulation as walls in climate zone • Insulation can be held in place with bowed wire, chicken wire, or fishing line Manville Building Products, Inc. Copyright Goodheart-Willcox Co. , Inc. May not be posted to a publicly accessible website.

Insulating Slab Foundations • Concrete slab floors should be insulated • Vapor barrier should be continuous under entire floor • Insulation can be horizontally under floor or vertically along walls Copyright Goodheart-Willcox Co. , Inc. May not be posted to a publicly accessible website.

Insulating Existing Foundations • Attaching rigid insulation board to foundation is usually best solution • Polystyrene panels must be protected against ultraviolet light, wear, and impact forces • Cover surface with special plaster Copyright Goodheart-Willcox Co. , Inc. May not be posted to a publicly accessible website.

Condensation • When warm air is cooled, some of its moisture is released as condensation • Moisture collects in walls during winter months • This may cause paint film to blister and separate from wood surface • In warm weather, condensation may occur in basement areas or on concrete slab floors Copyright Goodheart-Willcox Co. , Inc. May not be posted to a publicly accessible website.

Vapor Barriers • Membranes that water vapor cannot readily pass through • Protect ceilings, walls, and floors from moisture • Must be located on warm side of walls • May be applied to inside surface of insulation Copyright Goodheart-Willcox Co. , Inc. May not be posted to a publicly accessible website.

Ventilation • Good attic ventilation should be provided • Outside openings in attic space must be covered • Baffles can be used to prevent insulation from shutting off airflow Pease Industries, Inc. ; Owens-Corning Copyright Goodheart-Willcox Co. , Inc. May not be posted to a publicly accessible website.

Thinking Green • Seal house thoroughly during framing stage • Common leaky areas become difficult to access once walls go up • Treating unsealed leaks after framing can waste time and drywall Copyright Goodheart-Willcox Co. , Inc. May not be posted to a publicly accessible website.

Safety Note • When working with insulation – – – Wear loose clothing Protect eyes Wear mask covering your nose and mouth Do not rub or scratch your skin Wash work clothes separately from others Dispose of scrap materials properly Copyright Goodheart-Willcox Co. , Inc. May not be posted to a publicly accessible website.

Installing Batts and Blankets • Use utility knife or shears to cut fiberglass insulation • Install blanket insulation by stapling it to studs • Staple flanges to framing members Copyright Goodheart-Willcox Co. , Inc. May not be posted to a publicly accessible website.

Ceiling Insulation • Can be installed from below or in attic space • Butt pieces together at ends • Carry insulation over top of wall plate Copyright Goodheart-Willcox Co. , Inc. May not be posted to a publicly accessible website.

Multistory Construction Insulation • Floor frame should be insulated at band joist • Install insulation in perimeter of first floor • Fill voids around window and door frames • Insulate cantilevered floor projections Bullard-Haven Technical School Copyright Goodheart-Willcox Co. , Inc. May not be posted to a publicly accessible website.

Installing Loose and Foamed Insulation • Loose insulation is most used above ceilings • It can be placed by pouring or blowing • Vapor barrier is placed between ceiling covering and loose insulation Owens-Corning Copyright Goodheart-Willcox Co. , Inc. May not be posted to a publicly accessible website.

Installing Rigid Insulation • Insulating board is used for exterior walls • Plastic foam insulation is widely used • It is bonded to wall surfaces with special mastic Copyright Goodheart-Willcox Co. , Inc. May not be posted to a publicly accessible website.

Insulating Basement Walls • Where basements are used as living space, exterior walls should be insulated • Outside surface of concrete or masonry walls should be waterproofed below grade Copyright Goodheart-Willcox Co. , Inc. May not be posted to a publicly accessible website.

Insulating Existing Structures • Use special care where no vapor barrier can be installed • Humidity inside of building should be controlled • Cold-side ventilation is essential • In attic, provide unrestricted path for air to travel from soffit vents to vents in roof Copyright Goodheart-Willcox Co. , Inc. May not be posted to a publicly accessible website.

Stopping Air Infiltration • Reduce infiltration by sealing – Joints between sill and foundation – Joints around door and window frames – Intersections of sheathing with masonry work – Cracks between drip caps and siding Copyright Goodheart-Willcox Co. , Inc. May not be posted to a publicly accessible website.

Estimating Thermal Insulation Materials • Amounts of insulating materials are figured on basis of area (square feet) • Thickness is then specified as separate data • Size of packages varies • Fill insulation comes in bags that usually contain 3 or 4 cu. ft. Copyright Goodheart-Willcox Co. , Inc. May not be posted to a publicly accessible website.

Blower Door Testing • Measures tightness of building • Blower door consists of adjustable frame, flexible covering, and powerful fan • Tighter buildings will have greater difference between outside and inside air pressure The Energy Conservancy Copyright Goodheart-Willcox Co. , Inc. May not be posted to a publicly accessible website.

Acoustics and Sound Control • Noise is unwanted sound • Three solutions to noise problems – Reducing source – Controlling sound within given area – Controlling sound transmission Owens-Corning Fiberglas Corp. Copyright Goodheart-Willcox Co. , Inc. May not be posted to a publicly accessible website.

Installing Ceramic Tile • Apply adhesive using thick set or thin set method • Adhere tiles and allow them to dry • Fill spaces between tiles with grout Copyright Goodheart-Willcox Co. , Inc. May not be posted to a publicly accessible website.

Construction Careers Flooring Installers • Work with wood, vinyl, tile, carpeting, and sheet flooring • Work for – Flooring contractors – Retail stores – Self-employed • Learn through on-the-job training or apprenticeships Dmitry Kalinovsky/Shutterstock. com Copyright Goodheart-Willcox Co. , Inc. May not be posted to a publicly accessible website.