[Greenbuilding] Block Wall Insulation

[Eli]

I am wondering if there is a new better way to insulate the inside of block
walls.  I have a brick veneer block wall building that I am renovating into
apartment.  I would like to achieve a high standard of thermal performance.

Conventional wisdom seems to be in flux.  The foam insulation companies are
claiming higher thermal performance with lower R values because they avoid
some of the infiltration inherent with fiberglass batts.  Also, if they can
be installed without thermal bridges this improves average performance of
the surface.  The closed cell foam boards offer resistant to mold problems
by sealing insulation from moisture penetration from both direction of heat
flow.  Is there a new neat system to install closed cell foam boards without
thermal bridges and fasten interior paneling. In most cases this would be
sheetrock.

In my past projects I have insulated block or concrete walls in 2 ways.
Usually these were basement walls where a substantial part of foundation was
exposed above ground.  I would install furring strips and install 1.5"
isocyanate (with foil face for high R value) or frame 2x4 wall 6" inside
interior side of block to install R19 Fiberglass Batts. This leaves a gap
for ventilation in case moisture is a problem.  So far I have not gotten any
feedback of problems.

B. Eli Fishpaw
Architect in Lexington Virginia