2/20/2023 0 Comments Cold weather wall insulation![]() Here is a page on thermal bridges: what they are and how to break them in buildingsīut for those not clicking their homework assignments, here’s a quick summary – metal is a conductor, and when you have metal that passes from one side of a wall to the other, you have a thermal bridge, which is a path for heat to leave your home, and money to leave your wallet. But you already know that from the building science video right? Didn’t think there would be a test so soon did you ? heh heh… How to avoid thermal bridges when fixing exterior wall insulation in placeįor insulation to work properly on exterior walls and have a long functional lifespan, the wall system needs to have all the appropriate components, including an air barrier, a vapor barrier /vapor control layer, well balanced insulation, and be attached in a way that doesn’t compromise the R value of the insulation. ![]() Once you determine the approximate amount of insulation you want to install on exterior walls and the type(s) of insulation you are open to using, then you need to find a way to attach /apply it securely to the outside of the walls in a manner that preserves it's R-value or thermal insulating qualities. See our page on choosing the right building insulation for the right application Next, compile a short list of the types of insulation that best suit you by determining what your biggest concerns are. Consider some of the following: Cost, durability, fire-resistance, insect-resistance, low GWP (global warming potential), made with recycled materials, made with natural materials, which ones are best for sound proofing, or for reducing off-gassing to protect indoor air quality. What is the right amount of insulation for walls?ĭetermining your climate zone will help decide on an appropriate amount of wall insulation for your home, whether you are in a heating or a cooling climate. Start by watching our ‘building science made easy’ video below. The best pre-emptive strike against the possibility of a nightmare exterior wall renovation and insulation project is educating yourself - so you don’t get talked into the wrong wall system by a poorly-informed general contractor. Durable, healthy and sustainable homes need careful research and planning - as changing one element without considering how this changes the dynamics of the building envelope is a potential recipe for disaster. Walls need to be built to meet their specific climate needs. All too often ‘ the best wall assemblies’ migrate from their own climate to one where they do not belong, like putting interior vapor barriers on homes with aircon in hot humid regions, which simply should not be done if you want your house to last. It may look easy to go buy some packs of rigid insulation panels down at the local hardware store and screw them to your walls, but unless you understand how your existing walls are built and how they "work" in terms of keeping moisture, heat and cold where they should be for durability, the insulation panels might not be the only things you're screwing up!Īdding insulation to the exterior of a home correctly starts with establishing what climate zone you are building in and how the existing wall is built to make sure you are not creating a condensation point at a dangerous place within the wall assembly, or preventing internal moisture from the occasional leak in the exterior skin from running away, so the wall structure can dry out. How to insulate house walls from the outsideĪdding extra insulation to the exterior walls of an older home when renovating or remodeling is a great way of improving a home's walls thermal performance and reducing energy use while reducing heating bills, carbon footprint and improving a building's comfort level.
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