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D E C E M B E R 2 0 2 3 | 19 Insulation P H OTO G R A P H Y CO U RT E S Y B U I L D I N G P RO DU C T S O F C A N A DA From panels to foam, insulation is helping solve environmental concerns, one cozy layer at a time by ROBIN BRUNET A s with so many other sectors in the construction realm, companies specialising in the manufacture and provision of insulation products in 2023 continued to focus on envi- ronmental concerns and the effort to decarbonize – while improving the efficacy of the products themselves. Matthieu Danis, product manager for wood fibre at Building Products of Canada Corp., says, "We've seen a lot of natural disasters such as droughts and heat spells combined with forest fires. As people become increasingly aware of the changes in weather caused by global warming, so is their concern to consume more responsibly, mostly in sectors that have such a big impact on the carbon footprint as construction. For this reason, there is more talk and demand for products with lower embodied carbon and/or with better life cycles. "Fortunately, wood fibre insulation panels check the box on most, if not all these aspects. The wood content used to manufacture these panels comes from recycled sources, making it a good choice for builders wanting to offer a reduced carbon build. Secondly, the wood used is also a huge contributor since the trees they come from have already contributed significantly in reducing CO2 emis- sions and converting this into oxygen. These panels are literally the perfect product from a carbon footprint point of view." Danis points out that while the European market is ahead of North America in terms of incorporating wood fibre insulation into buildings, some products are gradually making their way into North America via LEED and passive house developments. "European manufacturers are using a dry process that results in thicker wood fibre panels in both mats and thick tongue-and-groove decking panels," he explains. "These products can be used in more applications than the current panel form, since they are using these mats in wall cavities [like fibre- glass or mineral insulation batts] and thicker roofing panels as insulated roof decking. These thicker panels are also used as continuous insulation on exterior walls. Although demand for these products is still marginal, due mostly to pub- lic perception and different installation techniques, there is enough interest for European companies to invest with North American partners to manufacture these products locally." BP's wood fibre panel manufacturing process is unique, with panels offering higher strength and lower density: a lighter product with a higher insulation value (R-3 per inch). BP wood fibre panels are offered in natural formats ranging from 7⁄16 inch to 1⁄2 inch in thickness in both four feet by eight feet and four feet by nine feet dimensions. They can help reduce a building's carbon footprint, partly due to their ease of recycling. "Although we don't currently offer the thicker wood fibre panels, it's possible to install these natural panels using a staggered joint installation, further improving the continuous insulation effectiveness by reducing the ingress of cold air in the wall stud and or cavity," says Danis. To help reduce a building's carbon footprint by limiting the poured founda- tion thickness, BP also offers hybrid or laminated panels: wood fibre panels laminated to low GHG extruded polystyrene that provides higher insulation values (R-5 per inch). "Our R-5 XP panel is a half-inch wood fibre panel laminated to a 0.71-inch XPS for a total thickness of 1 3⁄16 inches, providing both structural resistance and superior insulation. This leaves plenty of space even for brick veneer siding on an eight-inch poured foundation wall," Danis says. "Not only does this panel provide superior air barrier properties, but because we are only using 0.71 inches of XPS, the assembled panel also offers a vapour permeance rating of 2, allowing any trapped moisture or humidity from escap- ing the wall cavity and further reducing chances of mold/mildew development in the wall structure." But wood is hardly the only substance that contributes to superior insulation properties. The Canadian Precast Prestressed Concrete Institute (CPCI) con- tinues to promote certain concrete products as a superior insulation solution, specifically precast double wythe insulated panels. These panels consist of two reinforced or prestressed concrete wythes with a continuous layer of rigid insulation sandwiched between them. The type and thickness of insulation vary with the RSI value required for each project. From a developer's perspective, these panels also contribute to design and construction efficiency. They are mass-produced in standard widths on long line casting beds and can be made with attractive sculptured exterior surfaces, Beyond The Layers Building Products of Canada's wood fibre insulation panels are manufactured from recycled sources. The finished product.

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