Award

December 2021

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D E C E M B E R 2 0 2 1 | 25 Insulation P H OTO G R A P H Y CO U RT E S Y L A FA RG E P R EC A S T ED M O N TO N Sopra-Cellulose insulation from Soprema is made of 85 percent post- consumer recycled paper and cardboard. It consists of loose small grey fibres, smooth to touch, is odourless, and has a low-VOC content. It acts as a protective shield to reduce the transmission of heat and sound and will reduce energy consumption and improve comfort for a wide range of climatic conditions. In the spray category, Soprema's HiBAR is a semi-cementitious spray-applied blend of high temperature mineral fibres and proprietary binders. It is used to provide additional thermal resistance, acoustic control and fire resistance to various building assemblies. Another spray-applied product, K-13 cellulose insulation, achieves objectives in terms of insulation, noise reduction, durability, condensa- tion control, and aesthetics. It is made from 80 percent post consumer materials and is available in a wide variety of colours. Andrew Cole, executive director of the Canadian Urethane Foam Contractors Association (CUFCA), is bullish about the spray foam market overall now that the mandatory phase out of HFC blown agents is complete in Canada. "All new Closed Cell Spray Foam systems must have the new HFO blowing agents with ultra low GWP indexes and also Zero ODS levels, and with all political par- ties expected to provide lots of incentives for home building capacity, our association is optimistic that we will see great growth of adoption," he says. The CUFCA was pleased to have its new Radon RCS system recently evaluated by ULC for the Canadian market. "This system with Grizzly Gold HFO foam has been tested and ULC evaluated to provide excellent radon reduction in new home construction," Cole says. "Also, resilience is still a hot topic for home building, with climate change causing more extreme weather. Spray foam continues to solve issues pertaining to strong home building, by resisting high wind and flooding impacts." One of the most effective materials that make up insulation solutions is con- crete, and Brian Hall, managing director at the Canadian Precast/Prestressed Concrete Institute, points out that with a selection of patterns, surface treat- ments and colour choices, a double wythe insulated wall panel system is an economical solution for office buildings, residential, assisted-care living and warehouses, storage facilities, schools, and many other types of structures. He says, "The R-value achieved by double w ythe insulated wall panels can vary widely depend- ing on the desired performance of the panel. Increased R-values are achieved by increasing the insulation thickness between the two concrete w ythes, with R-values ranging from R-5 to R-50. The vast majority of the insulating properties come directly from the insulation; however, con- crete does possess some insulating properties as well. Different types of insulation can be used in precast panels: expanded polystyrene, extruded polystyrene, and polyisocyanurate depending on the client requirements." Hall also notes that in addition to internal heat gain affecting the energy behavior of wythe insu- lated wall panels, "air infiltration has significant effects on the amount of energy required to heat and cool a building. Large precast concrete panels have minimal joints, reducing uncontrolled air infiltration. Precast concrete wall panels have many ways to enclosure structures and deliver high levels of energy performance, often more easily and more economically than other types of enclosure systems." A Precast double wythe insulated wall panel. Proudly contributing to a more sustainable approach to building in the north.

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