Air Barrier

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An air barrier (high density cardboard) is added
to insure that the insulation is in contact with
the sheetrock and to stop air flow. Insulation
does not stop air flow
Air Barrier
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Air barriers added
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Home with air barrier
Home with no air barrier
Same corner
4
Home with no air barrier
Home with air barrier
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Seeing behind the striking curb appeal
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Requires complex framing and lots of wood
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That is really tough to insulate
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That looks great finished (covered up)
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Oh well, did I say it looks great!
Turret entry
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WAP example 24 homes with existing R-30 attic
insulation
What would the computer model tell us to do?
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R-30 batt, R-?? performance
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Insulation suspended from the truss system,
creating a large air space between the drywall
and batts.
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Infrared of batts suspended from truss
system. Studs at R-4 out performing R-30 Batt.
Stud R-4
R-30 Batt
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Infrared of knee wall. Stud at R-4 out
performing Batt insulation.
Stud at R-4
Batt R-30
R-11 batt
Stud R-4
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Installation of insulation batts in the vaulted
ceiling resting on the truss, creating a three
and a half inch air space between the drywall
and batts.
Insulation
Truss
Sheetrock
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Infrared of vaulted ceiling with insulation batts
resting on the truss. Studs at R-4 out
performing R-30 Batt.
Stud at R-4
R- 30 Batt
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Insulation retrofit

• Where the insulation was suspended from the truss
  system, blown insulation was installed on the
  ceiling.
• Batt installed touching the knee wall drywall.
• Where the batts are resting on the truss,
  insulation was blown between the batt and drywall.

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Infrared of hallway
Before insulation
After insulation
Hall way light is on in both infrared shots.
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Infrared of hall knee-wall
Before insulation
After insulation
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Infrared of knee-wall in master bedroom
Before Insulation After insulation
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If used correctly, infrared can be a powerful
tool
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Test, what is this?
A piece of insulation that is working!
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• Demand insulation that works
• No gaps
• No voids
• No compression
• No misalignment
• No wind intrusion

24

• We Need to
• Maximize Thermal
• Performance,
• Not R-Value

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Questions