CC-SPF has been around for a couple of decades, mostly in commercial roofing applications, but in recent years its use in residential wall-cavity insulation and as a problem solver has increased.
Among the many problems solved by CC-SPF we find: ice-damming, rim-joist insulation, leaky windows, unvented attic conditioning, drafts, crawl space conditioning, moisture control, air-infiltration control, leaky windows, pipe freezes and waste chase insulation.
Why is CC-SPF so useful?
CC-SPF is spray-applied as a liquid and then expands several times its original volume, filling all cracks and crevices by forming a seamless, monolithic seal.
CC-SPF “has unique characteristics that set it apart from all other insulation materials: high r-value per inch, air tightness, low permeability, [structural] strength and liquid water holdout – rain control” 2 www.buildingscience.com
|
Picture 1 - CC-SPF applied in wall-cavity
|
Picture 2 – CC-SPF applied in attic
|
 |
 |
In other words, CC-SPF is a superior insulation material and it provides superior moisture control, being an air barrier, a water barrier and a vapor retarder.
This is good news for builders, because moisture control is critical:
• “Controlling rain and ground water are the most important factors in the design of construction of durable buildings and for the control of mold” 2 www.buildingscience.com
• “Controlling moisture is key to preventing mold growth…When present in large quantities, mold can cause health problems, including allergic reactions, asthma episodes and respiratory problems” 3 American Lung Association www.epa.gov/mold
Moreover, FEMA states that closed-cell foam “is the only type of insulation classified as an “acceptable” flood-resistant material” “Batt or blanket insulation types and all other insulation types are classified as “unacceptable” 4 FEMA Technical Bulletin 2-93 “Flood-Resistant Materials Requirements for Buildings Located in Special flood Hazard Areas in accordance with the National Flood Insurance Program”
In contrast, “Fiberglass batt insulation provides rather poor thermal performance when installed within a cavity. It is impossible to install without “wrinkling” the batt and most faced batt installations are “inset” stapled to prevent the flanges of the fiberglass batts from interfering with gypsum board installation. The wrinkling and inset installation creates air voids and facilitates the creation of convection cells that result in reductions in thermal performance of 30 percent or more.” 5 Joseph W. Lstiburek, Ph.D., P. Eng.
“When fiberglass batts are installed in steel stud wall assemblies the nature of the wrinkling and inset installation when coupled with the thermal conductivity of the steel framing results in reductions in thermal performance of up to 75 percent.” 5 Joseph W. Lstiburek, Ph.D., P. Eng.
|
Picture 3 – Wrinkled glass fiber batts in wall-cavity
|
Picture 4 – Wrinkled glass fiber bats in steel-stud structure
|
 |
 |
Part 2
