There are many ways to build a thermal envelope for a high performance wall system. Which solution is right for your building is a question that should be answered through the design phase. Understanding all the options is an important first step. The most basic decision should be the thermal performance, but there are many other considerations such as air tightness, water and vapor implications, and available knowledge of the system.
Insulated Concrete Forms (ICF) – stackable, permanent concrete forms that have insulation on the outer and inner sides. Concrete is pumped into the cavity to create walls that have higher insulation values than standard pour concrete walls. This system is very air tight which adds to the thermal performance.
Structurally Insulated Panels (SIPS) – high performance building system for residential and light commercial construction. The panels consist of an insulating foam core sandwiched between two structural facings, typically oriented strand board (OSB). This system can come with precut window and door openings or they can be cut in the field.
2 x 6 Wood Studs with Spray Foam – a traditional framing method modified for high performance. The extra 2″ of insulation space adds to the thermal performance and the use of open cell spray foam offers an air tight construction. The downside remains with each wood stud offering a thermal bridge to the outside.
2 x 6 Wood Studs with Cellulose – a traditional framing method modified for high performance. The extra 2″ of insulation adds to the thermal performance and the use of cellulose offers a thermal mass inside the walls. The downside remains with each wood stud offering a thermal bridge to the outside and the difficulty with creating an air tight barrier.
2 x 6 wood stud with 1″ Exterior Polyiso – Taking the 2 x 6 studs with either spray foam or cellulose to a higher level of performance, this strategy can be made air tight and eliminates thermal bridges.
ThermaSteel – The ThermaSteel Building System is a unique patented process utilizing the power of composite technology. A structural grade, opposing double steel framing members with rigid, fire-retardant Modified Expanded Polystyrene Resin (EPS) bonded to the steel frames, forms a thermally broken, light weight composite building component that provides structural framing, insulation, sheathing, and a vapor barrier in one, fast, high-tech step.
Superior Wall – insulated precast concrete wall systems that are custom manufactured to each building’s specification. The product forms a concrete cavity wall panel with concrete studs at 24″ on center attached at the top and bottom with bond beams and the entire assembly is faces with an integral concrete face shell. The wall is reinforced with rebar and polypropylene fibers providing additional structural strength.
There are many more options when trying to design a state of the art home. All have pros and cons and a trained design professional should be consulted to give a holistic analysis before making your decision.
Mincer’s is expanding! A tradition at the University of Virginia since 1948, Mincer’s has long since been the place to go and be seen in Charlottesville on game day. Originally opening as a tobacco shop under the name Mincer’s Humidor, the shop now specializes in University Sportswear.
The new location, The Shops at Stonefield, on Route 29 & Hydraulic Road in Charlottesville will provide plenty of parking and easier access for you to stock up on your UVA sporting good needs.
The Harrisonburg Parklet Project is scheduled for October 4th from 5pm – 8pm. In conjunction with First Fridays Downtown Harrisonburg, the Parklet Project is a free community event where artists, designers, and citizens transform parking spots into temporary public parks. Last year’s Parklet Project in pictures here.
10 Things to Do This Fall for Your Home and Health
1 Check your door and window weather-stripping. Air leakage is the biggest energy waste that we find in homes. Making sure doors and windows seal tight will make your home more comfortable this fall and winter. Keeping doors and windows locked when closed will increase the performance against winter winds.
2 Make sure heating vents are clear of furniture. If your system is designed to perform optimally then it needs to blow air / radiate heat without obstructions. Keep draperies, furniture, and rugs off the floor vents and away from radiators to make sure you are getting heat to the right places.
3 Close your fireplace damper when not in use. A chimney is a huge hole to the outside of your thermal envelope and of course heat rises. Cut your energy use by making sure the damper is closed tight so as little heat as possible can escape to the outside.
4 Check your landscaping. Cut back overgrown plants that block airflow to your air handler and trees that overhang your roof. Protect your plants from coming heavy snows by trimming them back. Plant a winter crop on your garden and collect leaves and grass clippings in your compost bin for a beautiful spring crop.
5 Close your crawl space vents. The best thing to do is to close your crawl space vents permanently and insulate your crawl space walls. If that is not possible at this time, at least close your foundation vents for the cold months. Add a square of rigid insulation over the vent to help things stay modestly warmer below your floor.
6 Clean out those gutters. You made it through the summer without having to crawl on the hot roof, congratulations. Now that temperatures are more moderate, it is time to make sure you don’t get damage come snow season. Take advantage of this time of year to clean out your gutters and inspect your roof.
7 Clean for efficiency. Refrigerators are huge energy hogs so keeping them maintained is critical. Vacuum the coils on the back and bottom and check the temperature. While you are at it, clean the lint hose for your dryer – this will prevent fires and reduce mildew problems.
8 Hang heavier curtains on your windows. No matter the quality of your windows, they are still the weakest part of the thermal envelope of your home. Adding insulating curtains will help offset against heat loss during the cold months that are looming.
9 Open the windows. The more energy-efficient you get your home the less “fresh” air you get inside. Open the windows on these cool autumn days to not only enjoy the sounds of nature, but also to air out any toxic chemicals that have built up over the summer.
10 Have your chimney and furnace inspected. Make sure your fireplace and heating system is ready for the colder weather that is on the way. Get your chimney professionally cleaned to make sure it is free of buildup and birds’ nests. The same can be done for your heating system; clean and efficient is the goal. You should have your HVAC system serviced twice a year (fall and spring).
Green roof, vegetative roof, intensive, extensive, sedums – there are many terms and phrases you will learn in the world of growing vegetation on your roof. This is a niche market, it is new and innovative. Or rather, this is a technology that was developed in Germany in the 1960s. It is not really new at all, just new to our area. A vegetative roof protects runoff, air quality, increases energy savings, and service life, creates habitat, and is beautiful. Used in the appropriate places, a vegetated roof is an excellent investment for your building. Here are some advantages:
Storm-water control– The vegetated roof system, including engineered soil, reduces the run-off, the peak volume-rate for drainage systems, and contaminants – all which reduce the demand on storm-water drainage and treatment systems.
Air Quality – Increasing the amount of plantings in any area allows for natural air treatment, reduces airborne contaminants.
Energy Savings – The planting system provides a buffer between ambient temperature and roof insulation, reducing the fluctuation in high and low daily temperatures, as well as the rate of temperature change. Both of these result in reduced load on the building’s mechanical heating and cooling systems. The added mass (plants and soil) provides some increased thermal value.
Service Life – Assuming a reliable installation, vegetative roof-membrane systems have increased service life over conventional membranes because they are protected from UV Rays.
Aesthetics and health – a visible and accessible vegetative roof increases productivity and general health of those with access.
Habitat – A vegetative area in a built environment provides a place for birds to build nests and insects to thrive.
Insulated Concrete Forms (ICF) – stackable, permanent concrete forms that have insulation on the outer and inner sides. Concrete is pumped into the cavity to create walls that have higher insulation values than standard pour concrete walls. This system is very air tight which adds to the thermal performance.
