THE THERMAL ENVELOPE
Standard residential and commercial
construction has traditionally designed vented attics without regard for
regional and climatic conditions. Also, many vented attics are not
designed and constructed in accordance with properly proportioned eave and
ridge venting. This can accentuate the problem of extreme attic
conditions. In warm, humid climates, attic temperatures can reach well
in excess of 120 degrees Fahrenheit. This, coupled with the
infiltration of moisture laden air and attic pressurization, can cause a
myriad of problems for energy efficiency, indoor air quality, condensation
and comfort. An attic cannot be vented enough to minimize these
conditions. Attic fans can cause exfiltration problems and negative
air pressures in the envelope. The ambient outdoor conditions would be
preferable to the extreme attic conditions that are created.
The Thermal Envelope
utilizes an unvented (sealed) attic design that places the insulation at the
roof plane in lieu of at the ceiling. Thereby bringing the entire
building envelope within the thermal and air barrier. Research has
proven that there are many benefits to this method. By locating the
thermal and moisture barriers at the same plane, it eliminates the
opportunity for moisture to enter the attic and condense on cold mechanical
systems. Moisture will not condense within spray foam insulation
making it the ideal material for this application.
The Florida Solar Energy Center (www.fsec.ucf.edu)
attributes 65% of the infiltration in the average Florida home to the attic.
This, coupled with duct leakage, can place an insurmountable burden on the
mechanical systems to maintain indoor air quality and occupant comfort.
Frequently, the result is a “sick building or home,” leading to occupant
illness. There are many contributing factors; however, the most
significant element is the failure of the building envelope. If we
first address how we correctly build the “closed box,” we can then better
engineer the mechanical systems within that “box.”
The building envelope has long been
overlooked and addressed uniformly in different hygro-thermal zones. We no
longer ignore that climatic conditions greatly effect how we should build
the “box.” The latest research has led to newly applied perspectives
in Building Science (www.buildingscience.com),
primarily the Thermal Envelope. The 1997
ASHRAE Handbook (23.10)
recognizes and endorses this procedure stating, “because the net benefits of
attic venting do not always clearly outweigh the disadvantages, venting
should not be required in a warm humid climate.” The 2002
Florida Energy Code also prescribes Thermal Envelopes for commercial
buildings. The same techniques are being applied to residential
buildings with complete success.
The Thermal Envelope alone can
remedy many of the symptoms ailing “sick buildings” in southern
climates. A necessary step in the “cure” is that we must change the
environment. “Fix-it” or “Band-Aid” approaches are only a temporary
solution putting the problem off to reoccur another day. Generally
condensation, duct sweating, infiltration, humidity control and
bacteriological growths within building envelopes vanish when remediated
with a foam-sealed Thermal Envelope.
The spray foam insulation method is
the most comprehensive solution to address the remediation of a building
envelope. The diverse application techniques and the inherent
properties of Foam allow it to accomplish the most difficult and otherwise
impractical sealing and insulting jobs with assured success. A Thermal
Envelope sealed with semi-rigid foam allows control of humidity levels
within the 45-50% range, a level at which molds, mildew, dust mites and many
allergens perish -- immediately affording the occupants maximum indoor air
quality. The system also improves the thermal comfort within the
entire envelope and vastly improves energy efficiency. The sum of the
results is clean, comfortable, healthy, energy efficient, sustainable
construction; that not only is a Lifetime Warranted product itself, but also
extends the life of the building envelope and the systems within it.
Warm Climates – A unique
insulating challenge with a unique solution
To vent, or not to vent?
In warm, humid climates,
temperatures in vented attics can reach well in excess of 120 degrees
Fahrenheit. With the infiltration of moisture laden air from outside
and attic pressurization, a myriad of problems are created including low
energy efficiency, poor indoor air quality and condensation, all of which
result in a lower level of occupant comfort and even “sick building
syndrome.”
The Florida Solar Energy Center (www.fsec.ucf.edu.com)
attributes 65% of infiltration in the average Florida home to the vented
attic design (a design which is well suited to northern climates).
Coupled with duct leakage, this places a considerable burden on mechanical
systems to maintain indoor comfort (humidity levels and consistent
temperature) resulting in higher energy usage, lower indoor air quality,
shorter lifespan of buildings and mechanicals.
The solution is simple. An unvented
(sealed) attic design using ZipFoam spray foam insulation at the roof plane
rather than on the ceiling creates a completely closed structure. This
prevents moisture from entering the attic and condensing. The result
is a completely enclosed, air-tight, sealed building that offers healthier
indoor air quality, considerable energy savings and additional storage space
due to the lack of extreme attic temperatures. Coupled with
duct-sealing, the unvented attic provides a simple, yet comprehensive,
solution.
But doesn’t a building need
to breathe?
Yes, but in a controlled way. The key to healthy indoor air is
control. By eliminating air leakage and allowing your mechanical
ventilation system to do its job, you control the quality of the air that
you and your family breathe, and in doing so lower your energy bills and
improve your health. The ZipFoam solution virtually eliminates
condensation, duct sweating, infiltration, humidity and therefore, bacteria
growth.
How does the ZipFoam
solution eliminate bacteria growth?
An unvented design allows you to control humidity levels to within the 45%
to 50% range; a level at which molds, mildew, dust mites and many allergens
perish.
THE ZIPFOAM SOLUTION:
Improves Indoor Air Quality
Improves Energy Efficiency
Extends The Life of the Building
Extends The Life of Mechanical Systems
Environmentally Friendly
Architecturally Friendly
One Application = Lifetime Solution
American Made
WARM CLIMATE SOLUTIONS FOR
YOUR BUSINESS:
Insulating your business against losses doesn’t have to be difficult.
ZipFoam offers a one-stop solution to a variety of problems that commonly
plague commercial, industrial and agricultural businesses located in warm
climates: high energy costs, sick building syndrome, moisture
problems, inventory losses due to mold & mildew, structure & mechanicals
failure (overload) as well as expensive, short lived fixes. In
addition, ZipFoam offers additional value-added benefits.
ELIMINATE HIGH ENERGY
COSTS:
According to Florida Solar Energy Center (www.fsec.ucf.edu.com),
air leakage has a greater impact than R-value on the performance of a
building. ZipFoam is not just an insulation solution – it’s an air
sealing solution as well. In comparison to traditional insulating
methods, ZipFoam has all of the benefits and more, with none of the
limitations or problems.
A semi-rigid spray foam solution, ZipFoam
is quick and easy to install and offers a permanent solution, even for steel
framed buildings. ZipFoam reduces maintenance costs by reducing
moisture problems thereby extending the life of your building and
mechanicals. This improvement in performance can dramatically lower
the sizing and operating costs of heating and cooling equipment.
HOW DOES ZIPFOAM ADDRESS
SICK BUILDING SYNDROME?
ZipFoam air seals the building envelope against wind and airborne moisture.
It creates a comfortable, draft- and condensation-free environment in a
single application. By sealing out dust, allergens, odors and other
pollutants, ZipFoam allows your air management system to do its job so that
the indoor air quality is healthier than outside air. ZipFoam does not
emit gases or odors and offers no support to bacteria, fungus, insects or
vermin. An environment insulated with ZipFoam is a much healthier
haven for those suffering from respiratory problems (such as asthma),
allergy sufferers and persons with chemical sensitivities.
CAN ZIPFOAM ELIMINATE
MOISTURE PROBLEMS?
Yes. Because air leakage is the culprit, the only way to
eliminate moisture problems is to air seal the building envelope. By
eliminating air movement through walls, floors and ceilings, moisture laden
air cannot pass through and affect the indoor environment thus allowing you
to control humidity levels to within the 45% to 50% range; a level at which
molds, mildew, dust mites and many allergens cannot be sustained.
Moisture and temperature sensitivity related inventory losses will be
dramatically reduced.
DOES ZIPFOAM HAVE LIMITED
USES?
No. The ZipFoam solution can be applied to new or existing (retrofit)
construction, and will adhere to virtually any surface. It allows for
architectural freedom and eliminates the insulating and air-sealing woes of
metal construction. With ZipFoam, your new or retrofit building is
permanently protected, sealed off from wind, pollutants and airborne sound,
and resistant to moisture-related (condensation) problems.
WHAT ARE SOME OF THE
VALUE-ADDED BENEFITS?
Sound and odor control: On
its own, ZipFoam is not intended to be a sound proofing solution, but it is
an effective barrier to airborne sounds and thereby offers sound proofing
properties. Its superior fit reduces airborne sound transfer through
roof, floor and walls which means it does double duty and becomes part of a
cost-effective sound proofing solution. Outside noises such as air,
road and rail traffic are significantly less noticeable. Inside, there
are far fewer complaints about plumbing and neighbor noise. As well, the
elimination of air movement through common walls in multi-dwelling units
eliminates cooking odor migration.
WHAT IS ZIPFOAM?
ZipFoam is an American-made spray foam insulation solution that is
environmentally safe. It allows foam to be sprayed without
formaldehyde or ozone destroying gases (HCFCs or HFAs). The result is
a semi-rigid foam that is soft to the touch, non-toxic and permanent because
it will never shrink, sag, or settle. It’s the ideal solution for
metal buildings due to its non-corrosive and adherence properties.
HOW QUICKLY AND EASILY CAN
ZIPFOAM BE INSTALLED?
ZipFoam is a scheduling solution too! ZipFoam is sprayed or injected
on site by trained installers, independent of other trades.
Installation is not delayed by weather conditions. ZipFoam expands to
fill every crevice, and cures in less than one minute and may be covered
immediately thereafter. Excess material is easily trimmed.
IS ZIPFOAM EXPENSIVE?
No. Like any real solution, ZipFoam more than pays for itself.
In addition to insulating, ZipFoam offers many more benefits and value.
Most importantly however, ZipFoam eliminates the headaches associated with
most other types of insulating techniques. Best of all, ZipFoam is American
made and installed by Indoor Air Quality and Energy Efficiency Experts.
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