Perth Insulation reduces the energy needed to cool and heat a building. It also helps provide fire protection in ducts, conduits, and cables.
Foils, films, or papers fitted between wood-frame wall studs, joists, and rafters. Suited to standard framing spacing, avoiding obstructions where possible.
Cellulose insulation is made of 75 to 85 percent recycled paper fiber – usually post-consumer waste newsprint – with a fire retardant additive. It is an alternative to fiberglass insulation.
Thermal conductivity
The thermal conductivity of an insulation material is a measure of its ability to aid (conduct) or resist (insulate against) the flow of heat. It is a characteristic that depends on the structure and state of the material, and it is also a function of temperature. The inverse of thermal conductivity is thermal resistance, which indicates how well the material will hold heat and prevent it from passing through to surrounding components.
A material with high thermal conductivity will transfer heat energy at a faster rate than materials with lower conductivity. This is a property that is important to consider when selecting the right material for an application, because it can impact how efficiently the component operates and its temperature. For example, a metal will typically be more effective at conducting heat than an insulating material such as mineral wool or Styrofoam.
Conduction is one of three methods that heat can transfer through a material; the others are convection and radiation. The thermal conductivity of a material determines the speed at which heat moves through it, and is calculated by dividing its specific heat capacity by its temperature gradient. The more heat the material can absorb, the higher its specific heat capacity will be.
The type of insulation selected for a particular project will depend on many factors. Some of the most common types include fiberglass, cellulose, and spray foam. Fiberglass is a synthetic material that has a low thermal conductivity, and it is often used in the construction of walls and roofs. Other types of insulation that are commonly used include blown cellulose, rock and slag wool, and cementitious foam.
Spray foam is a versatile type of insulation that can be applied in various ways. Polyurethane and isocyanate spray foam are usually applied as two-component mixtures that come together at the tip of a gun and expand to form an insulating foam. Cementitious foam is applied in a similar manner, but it does not expand.
Another type of insulation that is gaining popularity in residential construction is the structural insulated panel (SIP). These panels are made by sandwiching foam board insulation between sheets of oriented strand board and gluing them together. The result is a strong and durable insulation that can be fabricated in large sizes to fit any building project.
Convection
Heat always moves from warm to cold areas, seeking balance (the zeroth law). The larger the difference in temperature between the areas, the faster the flow. Insulation slows this flow by impeding conduction, convection and radiation.
The ability of an insulator to resist the flow of heat is measured by its thermal conductivity, which depends on the material and its thickness. A material that is thicker and has a lower thermal conductivity is more effective at restricting the flow of heat, even when it is not as thin as an insulating foil.
The insulator’s effectiveness is also influenced by the air permeability, which is the rate at which it allows water vapour to move through it and the emissivity of its surface. A low emissivity is important as it helps to reflect radiant heat, keeping the material at a cooler temperature.
As the insulation layer becomes warmer, the molecules that make up its particles will become less dense and rise to form a thermal convection cell. This cell may be accelerated by wind or by artificial means, known as forced convection. If the convection cell becomes large enough, it will break apart, forming a lattice of small cells, which will be further accelerated by the same forces. This process can repeat itself over and over until the material is no longer able to sustain its structure, at which point it will collapse.
Insulation can be sprayed in a liquid, or it can be formed into boards and molded around pipes or other objects. It can also be sprayed into walls and ceilings, or inserted between the framing of buildings. The most common types of insulation are foam, fibre, cellulose and cellular plastic. Foam insulation is spray-applied using professional equipment and comes in two forms: open-cell and closed-cell. Open-cell insulation allows water vapor to move through it easily, but has a lower R-value than closed-cell. Rigid insulation is made from fibrous materials or plastics, and it is available in a wide range of board-like forms and molded pipe coverings. It can also be fabricated as reflective insulation to reduce summer heat gain and winter heat loss.
Radiation
The insulation process provides a barrier between the inside of your home and the significantly different temperature outside. It helps to prevent the flow of heat from one side to another, which is why it’s so important to keep your home properly insulated. This can be done by putting in the right amount of insulation and keeping it well maintained. It also reduces your energy bills and carbon footprint. RetroFoam of Michigan has over 17 years of experience insulating homes throughout the lower peninsula and Toledo area. We are here to help you understand the whole insulating process so that you can make an informed decision about your home’s insulation.
The most common insulation material is bulk insulators, which are cellulose, mineral fibers or foam plastic. These materials can be shaped into batts, blankets or loose-fill insulation and are installed in building cavities like walls, attics, ceilings and floors. They can resist conductive and convective heat transfer, and they are generally effective at blocking radiant heat transfer as well. Bulk insulation is also good for air sealing and moisture control.
Other types of insulation include reflective and vacuum insulation. Reflective insulation is often made of foil or aluminum and has a low emittance value, which means it reflects radiant heat. It does not stop heat transferred by conduction or convection, however, so it is not used to determine R-values. It is most commonly used as a surface layer on the inside of a wall or ceiling to stop convection and condensation and improve the appearance of the interior.
Vacuum insulation is another type of insulator that can stop all kinds of heat transfer, including convection and conduction. Its effectiveness is limited, however, by the edge of the insulation material which can form a thermal bridge. Other types of vacuum insulation include ethylene fluoropropylene (EFP) and Ethylene chlorotrifluoroethylene (ECTFE). They can be formed into foamed products for better processing and improved data transmission.
While insulation can be costly, it is a wise investment for a home owner. It reduces heating and cooling costs, improves indoor comfort, and reduces a building’s energy consumption. Many countries and states have requirements for new and existing buildings to be insulated. These requirements are usually based on climate and the type of heating system used in the building.
Thermodynamics
An insulation material’s thermal insulating capability is a function of its product density and its thermal conductivity. The higher the product density, the better the insulating ability. Other important material characteristics are acoustic properties and fire resistance. An insulation material must also be resistant to moisture and mildew. Some materials are also highly durable, which reduces maintenance and energy costs. Other important physical properties are stiffness and strength, which help to resist mechanical stress (as required by launch and re-entry conditions on spacecraft).
The best insulators are those that have low thermal conductivity. These materials are very effective at reducing heat flow, and therefore are used in a wide variety of applications including building construction, winter coats and thermal coffee mugs. Some insulators are made from natural materials like cotton or wool, while others are synthetics such as fiberglass or Styrofoam. Some types of insulators have the added benefit of being environmentally friendly and require little or no chemical treatment.
A key factor in choosing an insulation material is its thermal resistance, a property that is measured in units of W/m2K or lambda value. This measurement is based on the thermal conductivity of the material and its thickness. It is not a substitute for the insulation’s R-value, which takes into account both thermal conductivity and thermal resistance.
Insulation can be categorized according to its composition (natural or synthetic), form (batts, blankets, loose-fill, spray foam and panels) and functional mode (conductive, convective or radiative). A material’s thermal resistance is also an important consideration because it indicates the amount of heat that will transfer from one area to another, as well as how much of this transfer is due to radiation and conduction.
The first law of thermodynamics states that energy can neither be created nor destroyed in an isolated system, but can only be transferred from one form to another. This is important when considering the selection of an insulation material because it means that the energy that is transferred by radiation and convection is less than the total energy in the system.