Insulation Types
Placement
R-values
Ventilation
WOWs, etc.
100
A type of insulation, typically fiberglass, which come in blanket and batts.
What is flexible insulation?
100
The type of insulation best suited for insulating an exterior foundation wall.
What is XPS?
100
The R-value for polyisocyanurate.
What is 5.6 per inch?
100
The air temperature at which water condenses and "falls" of the air.
What is dew point?
100
Literally translated, this Latin phrase means "times flees".
What is tempus fugit?
200
A type of insulation which requires special equipment which mixes two chemicals together.
What is foamed-in-place insulation?
200
Made of recycled newspaper treated with fire retardant, this insulation is well-suited for insulating ceiling space.
What is cellulose?
200
The R-value for typical construction-grade wood (softwood)?
What is R-1.25?
200
Gaseous water when hot; gaseous water when cold.
What is steam and vapor?
200
A WOW that means ordinary, run-of-the-mill or unimaginative.
What is prosaic?
300
It may be cellulose or fiberglass and is typically applied by a subcontractor using a hopper and a large hose.
What is blown-in insulation?
300
Historically the most common way to insulate wall cavities, it comes in widths of 16 and 24 inches and has an R-value of 3.17.
What is fiberglass insulation?
300
The R-value for low-density foam insulation.
What is 3.60 per inch?
300
The major cause of moisture migration into a wall.
What is air leakage?
300
A feature on some trusses which allows for insulating at the wall line to full depth and/or without compressing the insulating material.
What is a raised (or energy) heel?
400
This type includes EPS, XPS and polyiso.
What is rigid insulation?
400
The systems by which wall and ceiling/floor noise resistance are rated.
What are STC (Sound Transmission Class) and INR (Impact Noise Rating)?
400
The R-value for cellulose.
What is 3.70 per inch?
400
A material, applied to the interior of a wall, that is highly resistant to moisture transmission.
What is a vapor barrier or vapor retarder?
400
The conditioned space of a building that separates heated from unheated space.
What is the thermal envelope?
500
By "trapping" sound waves in their small holes and fissures, these dampen noise and increase STC and/or INR numbers.
What are acoustical tiles or panels?
500
Providing both high R-value and racking strength, this product is probably the most expensive insulating option in modern home construction.
What is high-density foam?
500
The R-value requirement for walls in Climate Zone 6 (Montana,etc.).
What is R-20+5 or R-13+10.
500
The three features typically necessary to achieve proper roof/attic ventilation.
What are a vented soffit, a positive ventilation chute and a continuous ridge vent?
500
A hybrid insulation system that would be comprised of, for example, a few inches of low-density foam and fiberglass insulation.
What is "flash and batt"?
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