Issue link: http://digital.canadawide.com/i/1433288
Pink Next Gen Fiberglas Insulation. R5-XP – Dupont's Styrofoam Brand XPS panels. D E C E M B E R 2 0 2 1 | 21 Insulation P H OTO G R A P H Y CO U RT E S Y OW EN S CO R N I N G; B U I L D I N G P RO DU C T S O F C A N A DA Stringent energy efficiency and GHG regulations are driving the insulation market by ROBIN BRUNET A s predicted, 2021 was the year of widespread pent-up demand positively affecting almost all sectors of construc- tion, including insulation; and if supply chain shortages were a challenge, they didn't detract from the thrust to introduce products with a low global warming potential. A typical example is Owens Corning, whose market- ing energy in 2021 was largely directed at its Pink Next Gen Fiberglas Insulation, described as "For people who insist on safe, proven materials, demand clean, precise results, and work to create comfortable indoor environments, while respecting the natural environment we all share." More specifically, the products comprising the next generation of fibreglass insulation have the highest recycled content in the industry and are manufac- tured 100 percent by electricity from wind energy. "We are constantly responding to the demands of the construction community, and Pink is our response to the demands for sustainability we've been hearing of late," says Luis Faria, Owens Corning's technical manager, Western Canada Building Materials Group. "In addition, there is also a need for products that are faster and safer to install." Pink Next Gen Fiberglas Insulation is a preformed, flexible batt with advanced fibre technology that delivers improved recovery and stiffness, which in turn facilitates quicker installations times. It has a superior texture with less chunks for clean cuts with one pass, less dust, and a smooth surface that passes inspection, and it is manufactured using 100 percent wind-power electricity. Quietzone Pink Next Gen Fiberglas Insulation is also a preformed, flexible batt with advanced fibre technology, for enhancing acoustical performance by absorbing sound transfer with equivalent performance to those of mineral wool insulation, according to National Research Council Canada studies. Owens Corning's next new product line is Thermafiber. Thermafiber RainBarrier ci High Compressive insulation is the highest compressive strength mineral wool continuous insulation on the market, and it is designed to be used behind any cladding type including combustible and open-joint assemblies. Thermafiber RainBarrier 45 and HD mineral wool insulation are semi-rigid insulation boards designed to fit between cladding attachment elements such as masonry ties, girts, and clip & rail systems. There are also options on the mineral wool side for thermal protection (Thermafiber UltraBatt), sound attenuation (Thermafiber SAFB) for wall cavities, as well fire protection in curtain wall and perimeter fire containment systems (Thermafiber Safing and Thermafiber FireSpan). Owens Corning's contribution to the banning in many countries of high- Global Warming Potential (GWP) HFC blowing agents is Foamular NGX (Next Generation Extruded) insulation. This insulation not only delivers a 90 percent reduction in blowing agent GWP and completely eliminates use of HFC 134a, it provides a high R-5 per inch (extremely low absorption potential means superior R-value retention in the presence of water). At Building Products of Canada, the focus is on achieving realistic goals for both embedded and operational carbon reduction, and one solution that is proving to have substantial benefits in the construction sector is the marrying of BP's 1⁄2 inch woodfibre Insul-Sheathing panel with Dupont's Styrofoam Brand XPS panels, creating a 1 3⁄16� composite panel, called R-5 XP. Combining the mechanical and insulative properties of BP's wood fibre panels and the insulat- ing properties of the DuPont panels results in a continuous thermal resistance of R-5 (meeting the requirements of Supplementary Standard SB-12 in Ontario and part 11 of the Quebec Building Code). The combined panels also do not require additional bracing, thus reducing both material and labour costs; meet both air-barrier and weather-barrier standards, thus eliminating the need and the cost of installing housewrap; and are water vapour permeable, which keeps the wall assembly dry and mould-free over time. Paul Lowes, BDM technical sales, architects and builders at Building Products of Canada, says, "Our wood fibre panels are top-tier building materials and a solution for upfront embedded carbon concerns. Plus, the savings on the opera- tional end are substantial and provide greater R-value than OSB and plywood." Maxime Duzyk, director, building science and engineering at Huntsman Building Solutions, points out that her company has met the certification stan- dards set by the National Building Code and all other government regulations NOW, That's A Wrap