Product Knowledge Session

In Search of “The Perfect Wall”

Creating More Risk-Free Wall Designs

withDouglas Bennion

Airfoam Technical Services

Solutions Lineup

Tapered Roof EPS Insulated Raft Slabs Geofoam & Void Fill Insulated Metal Panels

R-ETRO Insulation Flotation Billets Food Packaging Seedling Trays

Quad-Lock ICF’s Quad-Deck Floors & Roofs Korolite® Rigid Board EPS Airboard™

Today’s Discussion

Why is change necessary in the way we build?

What are the new building performance

levels?

What are the challenges to get

there?

Can we find more risk-free AND affordable designs?

Q: Why? A: Emerging Building Codes

2022 Minimum

BC Energy Step Code

Voluntary until 2022

10 Year phase-in to Net Zero Energy Ready

Reflected in national codes of both Canada and USA

How will we do it?

Deep stud cavity with service wall?

Multiple framing with3 insulation layers?

NRC LEEP cost estimates: Add 32% to 45% over 2x6

How will we do it?

Structural Insulated Panels?Numerous Thermal Bridges =

prone to condensation problems

Insulating Concrete Forms?Great Solution with

Resilience, requires skilled installers

Building Science 101

There are 3 types of sheathing for framed walls:

Regardless of the sheathing material!

Current “Moisture control” strategy

Requires interiorprotection to limit outward

vapor drive

Requires exterior protection to stop

inward water drive, but vapor-permeable

to allow drying to exterior

“Moisture Control” Cold Sheathing Strategy

Moisture Control Complexity

Moisture Control (More) Complexity

Vapor / Acoustical sealant at ALL joints, overlaps, transitions, openings etc.

Moisture Control (Still More) Complexity

Hole repair throughout the building.Did we get it right EVERYWHERE?

Do owners know how critical it is to NEVER puncture it?

What Is The Result?

Cold sheathing layerExterior -18o C [0o F]

Interior 21o C [70o F] Clearly NOT a risk-free design!

Thermal analysis of a standard 2x6 framed wall

Freezing layer

“Moisture control” strategy

Moisture migration

Cold sheathing layer

What do you get when wood is exposed to too much water?

- Mold & mildew = unhealthy IAQ

- Rot & insects = reduced building life

The Perfect Wall Solution

Wall cavity permanently dry

Warm sheathing layer

Prevents condensation

Permanent access to service cavity

Control costs

Simple Physics - Simply Built

Eliminate batts between studs

Combined WRB, Air & Vapour barrier

Eliminate interior vapour barrier

Reduce the size of framing

100% Exterior Insulation that’s insensitive to moisture

No interior/exterior ratio calculation

“Temperature control” strategy

Warm sheathing layer prevents condensation

Always dries to exteriorAlways dries to interior

WRBAir barrierVapour barrier

More Building Science 101:Five Critical Control Layers

Air Control Layer

Vapour Control Layer

Bulk Water Control Layer

Water Shedding Layer

Thermal Control Layer

“But code requires a vapour barrier on the interior……”

Does it?Warm sheathing layer

9.36.2.9ii) The air barrier is installed on the warm side of the thermal insulation in the opaque building assembly

9.25.4.31) Products installed to function as the vapour barrier shall protect the warm side of wall, ceiling and floor assemblies

Why not split insulation?

Because now you are back to a “moisture control” strategy

Two layers of insulation; Two trades

Higher cost 2x6 framing

Still requires vapour barrier

Risk of condensation at sheathing layer still exists

Eliminate requirement for insulation at rim joist

Warm rim joistsThermal Bridges - some without interior vapor

barrier=

Condensation!

How the temperature control strategy works

Warm sheathing layerprevents condensation

How Do I Build This?

How Do I Build This?

Simulated Wind/Rain to 441 km/h = 274 mph

• Can achieve B.C. Step Code 5 with performance modeling

• Example in CZ4 (lower mainland):• R-20 effective assembly, 4" EPS • R-40 regular truss roof• U-1.2 windows & doors• R-28 ICF basement• Heat Recovery Ventilator

• Close to zero risk of condensation, mold & rot

Performance and Affordability

Improved Value Proposition• Off-the-shelf materials; No special order

• Customer has permanent access to a service cavity• Easier renovations/additions in the future

• Lower materials cost• Reduced framing lumber size• Budget-friendly EPS insulation• Combined WRB, Air & Vapor barrier• No additional vapour barrier• No insulating of joist cavities at rim

• More efficient jobsite• Insulators work outside the building• Fewer trades people on site

“Go-To” BC Energy Step CodeCompliant Assemblies

Coach House & GarageLac la Hache, BC

What Questions Do You Have For US?

www.airfoam.com/FoamShield

Airboard™laminated EPS

Korolite® EPS Quad-Lock® ICF

www.airfoam.com www.quadlock.com