[Greenbuilding] [BULK] Re: was Diminishing returns / obsessingover bridging

[Jeannie]

Foam over the studs and blown insulation in walls are both good ideas --
though I wonder how long the blown insulation really stays in place over the
decades.  Batting sure doesn't. 

Generally it is preferable to use a structural material that is
self-insulating.  I'm biased toward autoclaved aerated concrete, naturally,
but other products fitting the bill include SIPS, strawbale, ICF, adobe....
What else?

I like wood studs, don't get me wrong.  My family has been in the lumber
business for generations.  Lumber sales are what put me through college, and
my newest business venture is selling borate lumber (www.boratelumber.com).
But from an energy efficiency standpoint, I wonder if it makes sense to
frame a house at all.


Jeannie Babb Taylor
www.SafeCrete.com
706-965-4587

-----Original Message-----
From: greenbuilding-bounces at listserv.repp.org
[mailto:greenbuilding-bounces at listserv.repp.org] On Behalf Of Lawrence Lile
Sent: Wednesday, July 26, 2006 10:11 AM
To: Greenbuilder list
Subject: Re: [Greenbuilding] [BULK] Re: was Diminishing returns /
obsessingover bridging

You are right! 

It is also instructive to look at frost on roofs.  Some houses have the
frost half melted off before the sun comes up, others have a full frost
layer except right around vents.  

A layer of foam over those studs is the key to breaking up thermal
bridges in standard stud wall construction.  It makes quite a big
difference in overall heat loss and better infiltration performance. 

--Lawrence Lile




-----Original Message-----
From: greenbuilding-bounces at listserv.repp.org
[mailto:greenbuilding-bounces at listserv.repp.org] On Behalf Of Jeannie
Sent: Wednesday, July 26, 2006 7:11 AM
To: 'Greenbuilder list'
Subject: [BULK] Re: [Greenbuilding] was Diminishing returns / obsessing
over bridging
Importance: Low

All I know is this.. When you drive through a neighborhood on a cold
winter morning, the vinyl-sided frame houses have vertical stripes in
the frost.
You can see every stud.  The only explanation I know for this is that
the warm studs are melting the frost - which sounds like heat loss to
me.

 

J.

 

 

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