Recently I decided to conduct research on the different insulation types and summarize their advantages, disadvantages, and best applications. Here's what my references helped me conclude:
Fibreglass (Batt and Loose)
Advantages:
-Low cost per R
-Relatively non-flammable
-Resistant to moisture damage
-No setting
-Comes in most sizes and quantities
Disadvantages:
-Awful to handle
-Respiratory difficulties
Best Applications:
-Cavity walls
-Attic space
Fibreglass (Rigid)
Advantages:
-Light easy to handle
-Breathes, permitting vapour to pass through
-Resistant to moisture damage
-Relatively non-flammable
-Low cost per R
-Can be used as exterior sheathing
Disadvantages:
-Needs strapping for application to outside walls
-Compressible
Best Applications:
-Shutters
-Exterior walls
-Roofs
Cellulose
Advantages:
-Recycled materials
-Low cost per R
-Small particles blow into most cavities
-Resists air flow
-Not affected by normal water-vapour
Disadvantages:
-Absorbs heavy moisture
-Settles
-Possible fire problems is retardant not properly applied
Best Applications:
-Blow in existing cavities
-Attics
Urea Formaldehyde
Advantages:
-High initial R
-Low flammability
-Non-settling
-Fills cavity
Disadvantages:
-High vapour permeability
-Linear shrinkage leads to low R effectiveness
-Environmental problems; Formaldehyde can emit gas
Best Applications:
-Cavity walls
Expanded Polystyrene (Beadboard)
Advantages:
-Cheapest foam
-Breathes
-Easy to use
-Moisture resistant
Disadvantages:
-Low R Value
-Flammable
-Not a vapour barrier
-Degrades under exposure
Best Applications:
-Insulating exposed floors
-Ceilings
Extruded Polystyrene
Advantages:
-Waterproof
-Vapour barrier
-High R value
-Low outgassing
Disadvantages:
-U.V. degradation
-Flammable
-Costly
Best Applications:
-Exterior or interior of masonry walls and foundations
-Sheathing
-Under slabs
Urethane
Advantages:
-High initial R
-Applies on irregular surface
Disadvantages:
-Highly flammable
-Outgassing of fluorocarbons
-High cost
-Diminishing R value
Best Applications:
-Coolers, etc.
Vermiculite
Advantages:
-Fire Resistant
Disadvantages:
-Causes compression of other materials
-Absorbs moisture
-High cost
Best Applications:
-Attics
-Floors
Thursday, February 18, 2010
Thursday, February 11, 2010
GREEN DESIGN
Hello everyone,
I just wanted to make sure everyone is aware of the poll on the right side of my page. It is just to find out how much people value green design. Don't be afraid to vote, your answer is completely confidential!
I just wanted to make sure everyone is aware of the poll on the right side of my page. It is just to find out how much people value green design. Don't be afraid to vote, your answer is completely confidential!
Thursday, February 4, 2010
RESEARCH PROPOSAL
Proposal:
Summary statement of proposed research:
In this day and age there is a lot of research focusing on energy conservation. Nevertheless, we still need more. I was quite shocked to discover the lack of knowledge in our world towards modern day green buildings. Green buildings are structures that harm the environment as little as possible, using such strategies as passive solar energy, water recycling, local and natural construction materials, and renewable energy. By building green, we can all significantly reduce or eliminate the negative impact of buildings on the environment and on the building occupants. Since building green is such a colossal topic, I will try to focus on just one area of it. I would like to conduct my research on energy efficiency of different wall assemblies with the anticipation of finding the most “green” wall structure.
Purpose:
The purpose of my proposed research is to determine which type of practical and affordable wall assembly used in residential construction is the most efficient in preventing loss of heat. Obviously a 10’-0” wall of pure insulation would be the most efficient, but this wouldn’t be very practical. Also, if the insulation got wet, it would lose all its insulating properties and become an excellent habitat for mold growth. Therefore, I must be cautious in categorizing which assemblies are realistic and cost effective.
Goals and Objectives of the project:
Hopefully the research that is conducted will give a definite conclusion as to which wall assembly is the most efficient. Ideally, if my research is successful it will be brought forward to the public and be incorporated into residential construction techniques. If this were to happen, the energy savings around the world could be substantial. One of the main goals of any aspiring architect is to find methods to design in a more sustainable way. By doing this research, I will have started to make a contribution toward eliminating the negative impact of buildings on the environment. If everyone made a contribution towards a global goal such as living greener, we could be living in a much cleaner environment.
Methodology and analytical approach:
I will start my research by establishing the most common types of wall assemblies currently used in residential construction, and then I will research the advantages, disadvantages, and best applications of each wall assembly. Once that is complete, an in-depth analysis of insulation properties will need to be conducted. This will play a huge factor in determining which wall assembly is the most efficient. I plan on using my skills in AutoCAD to create original graphics of these wall assemblies which will be easily interpreted by anyone who wishes to read my research. I hope that I will also have the opportunity to do some of my own material testing if time, money, and resources permit me to do so. Interviews with local architects and engineers will provide me with unbiased information that I can use to help me determine the answer to my thesis. I also have the full intent of speaking with builders regarding the ease of construction of the various wall assemblies in order to find out how practical they are. All of the above information will help give me a better understanding in determining the conclusion to my report.
Previous Studies/Related Information:
Researchers have previously analyzed different wall assemblies in the attempt to determine their impact on the environment, including energy consumption. Currently there isn’t enough scientific evidence that points to one specific wall assembly as being substantially better than another. However, there are plenty of biased sources around that may lead you to believe certain types of walls are better than others. Well, this may not be true. I plan on thoroughly investigating the subject thoroughly and systematically to come up with a definite answer that researchers may have not yet determined.
Plans for dissemination of work:
(Note that attending all conferences at this point is not confirmed)
January 2010- Used for clarifying topic and determining thesis of research
February 2010- Begin research and online research blog
March 2010- Continue researching
April 2010- Attend USC Construction Management Symposium for Sustainability
May- Start putting research together into report format
June 2010- Attend Canada Green Building Council National Conference
July 2010-November 2010- Complete bulk of organizing data
December 2010-January 2011- Attend Green Building Conference, and conclude the remainder of the report
February 2011- Present my report at TRU Undergraduate Research Conference
Summary statement of proposed research:
In this day and age there is a lot of research focusing on energy conservation. Nevertheless, we still need more. I was quite shocked to discover the lack of knowledge in our world towards modern day green buildings. Green buildings are structures that harm the environment as little as possible, using such strategies as passive solar energy, water recycling, local and natural construction materials, and renewable energy. By building green, we can all significantly reduce or eliminate the negative impact of buildings on the environment and on the building occupants. Since building green is such a colossal topic, I will try to focus on just one area of it. I would like to conduct my research on energy efficiency of different wall assemblies with the anticipation of finding the most “green” wall structure.
Purpose:
The purpose of my proposed research is to determine which type of practical and affordable wall assembly used in residential construction is the most efficient in preventing loss of heat. Obviously a 10’-0” wall of pure insulation would be the most efficient, but this wouldn’t be very practical. Also, if the insulation got wet, it would lose all its insulating properties and become an excellent habitat for mold growth. Therefore, I must be cautious in categorizing which assemblies are realistic and cost effective.
Goals and Objectives of the project:
Hopefully the research that is conducted will give a definite conclusion as to which wall assembly is the most efficient. Ideally, if my research is successful it will be brought forward to the public and be incorporated into residential construction techniques. If this were to happen, the energy savings around the world could be substantial. One of the main goals of any aspiring architect is to find methods to design in a more sustainable way. By doing this research, I will have started to make a contribution toward eliminating the negative impact of buildings on the environment. If everyone made a contribution towards a global goal such as living greener, we could be living in a much cleaner environment.
Methodology and analytical approach:
I will start my research by establishing the most common types of wall assemblies currently used in residential construction, and then I will research the advantages, disadvantages, and best applications of each wall assembly. Once that is complete, an in-depth analysis of insulation properties will need to be conducted. This will play a huge factor in determining which wall assembly is the most efficient. I plan on using my skills in AutoCAD to create original graphics of these wall assemblies which will be easily interpreted by anyone who wishes to read my research. I hope that I will also have the opportunity to do some of my own material testing if time, money, and resources permit me to do so. Interviews with local architects and engineers will provide me with unbiased information that I can use to help me determine the answer to my thesis. I also have the full intent of speaking with builders regarding the ease of construction of the various wall assemblies in order to find out how practical they are. All of the above information will help give me a better understanding in determining the conclusion to my report.
Previous Studies/Related Information:
Researchers have previously analyzed different wall assemblies in the attempt to determine their impact on the environment, including energy consumption. Currently there isn’t enough scientific evidence that points to one specific wall assembly as being substantially better than another. However, there are plenty of biased sources around that may lead you to believe certain types of walls are better than others. Well, this may not be true. I plan on thoroughly investigating the subject thoroughly and systematically to come up with a definite answer that researchers may have not yet determined.
Plans for dissemination of work:
(Note that attending all conferences at this point is not confirmed)
January 2010- Used for clarifying topic and determining thesis of research
February 2010- Begin research and online research blog
March 2010- Continue researching
April 2010- Attend USC Construction Management Symposium for Sustainability
May- Start putting research together into report format
June 2010- Attend Canada Green Building Council National Conference
July 2010-November 2010- Complete bulk of organizing data
December 2010-January 2011- Attend Green Building Conference, and conclude the remainder of the report
February 2011- Present my report at TRU Undergraduate Research Conference
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
WELCOME!
Hello everyone, welcome to my blog! The purpose of my applied research project is going to be to determine which type of wall assembly is the most efficient in preventing loss of heat. Let me know what you think and there will soon be more details to follow, including the research proposal.
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