Builder - February 2009 - (Page 59) PRODUCTS PRODUCTS AND TOOLS EVERY BUILDER SHOULD KNOW ABOUT ■ E D I T E D B Y N I G E L F. M A Y N A R D SPRAY ON: The latest addition to the company’s insulation lineup, CertaSpray polyurethane foam comes in open- and closed-cell versions. The spray-in product completely seals wall cavities, creating a tight seal against air and moisture infiltration. In addition, it helps create a superefficient building envelope and reduces energy use. ▪ CertainTeed. 800-233-8990. www.certainteed.com. CHEMICAL FREE: EcoBatt fiberglass insulation is made with a new ECOSE binder that improves the sustainability of the product. In addition to reducing embodied energy, the binder contains no phenol, formaldehyde, acrylics, or artificial colors. The insulation is made from 30 percent postconsumer recycled glass and sand. ▪ Knauf Insulation. 800-825-4434. www.knaufinsulation.us. Tighten Up How good is the insulation in your homes? O nce upon a time, the average house was poorly insulated or it had no insulation at all. Today we know better. We’ve realized just how important insulation is for creating an energy-efficient house. “With energy costs rising and energy sources diminishing, conservation is critical for our earth’s future,” says Scott Miller, director of public affairs and sustainability at Shelbyville, Ind.–based Knauf Insulation. “Insulating buildings is the single most important factor in ensuring a sustainable future.” The question, however, is whether or not today’s builders are insulating their houses with the newest technology or doing what they’ve always done. When it comes to insulation, builders and architects have their favorites. Most stick to fiberglass batt, the dominant product in the category; but in recent years, other options have emerged such as cellulose, foam, natural fiber, wool, and most recently blow-in fiberglass. Manufacturers say there is a reason that builders choose fiberglass: “It offers the most features and the most benefits,” says Miller. “It’s made from an inert material, doesn’t burn, and is available in a wide variety of R-values, from R-13 to R-22.” Architect Ken Wilson in Washington, D.C., is a fan of fiberglass’ cost and performance, especially the formaldehyde-free version from Denver-based Johns Man(see page 60) ville. But for others, SPIDER’S WEB: Offering the benefits of blow-in insulation and the value of fiberglass, Spider seals wall cavities and attic spaces to stop air leakage and infiltration. It also increases the overall energy efficiency of a house. The product is free of formaldehyde and high in thermal efficiency. ▪ Johns Manville. 800-654-3103. www.jm.com. FOR MORE PRODUCT INFORMATION, VISIT EBUILD, HANLEY WOOD’S INTERACTIVE PRODUCT CATALOG, AT WWW.BUILDERONLINE.COM/PRODUCTS OR EBUILD.COM. W W W.BUILDERONLINE.COM f ebrua ry 2 0 0 9 BUILDER ■ 59 http://www.certainteed.com http://www.knaufinsulation.us http://www.jm.com http://WW.BUILDERONLINE.COM/PRODUCTS http://www.EBUILD.COM http://WWW.BUILDERONLINE.COM
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