Challenges and Considerations
Moisture
Moisture poses a slow and steady threat to any building, with insulation playing a large role in how much moisture accumulates. Every building has a desired lifespan and the balance between moisture, heat, and air flow must be considered during the architectural design process. Both temperature and humidity inside and outside of the building will affect its durability, as well as being critical components for providing a comfortable interior environment.
While proper insulation can improve interior living and working conditions, it can also trap moisture. This can cause considerable harm to a building, and it can also encourage mold growth. The moisture levels inside and outside of the building are separate considerations that will help you choose the right insulation for each construction project.
While proper insulation can improve interior living and working conditions, it can also trap moisture. This can cause considerable harm to a building, and it can also encourage mold growth. The moisture levels inside and outside of the building are separate considerations that will help you choose the right insulation for each construction project.
Thermal Design
Buildings average 40% of all energy consumption, with much of that energy used to keep the interior environment comfortable (AC and heating require a lot of energy). When there are gaps in insulation, it can be very costly to maintain the building’s temperature. Insulation reduces the heat exchange between the interior and exterior. However, it is less effective in gaps and through areas in the walls and floors.
The insulation's R-value can be reduced by outside air and moisture, which increases the building's energy cost over time. Insulation in stud cavities, around pipes and ducts, and around the exterior of the building can significantly reduce how much air and moisture is exchanged between the inside and the outside of the building. Proper design of a building includes filling the gaps in the structure to ensure that the thermal elements are controlled instead of further compromising the building.
The composition of the exterior of the building is also an important consideration. Wood and steel studs make it easier for heat to escape through the exterior walls. There are several accessories and products designed to fix the thermal bridging to keep the energy costs low, while preventing the introduction of moisture and potential water damage.
Contact your local White Cap Account Manager for more information on product selection.
A great place to start is by adopting a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) rating system, which provides a framework for healthy, highly efficient, and cost-saving green buildings. LEED certification is a globally recognized symbol of sustainability achievement and leadership.
The insulation's R-value can be reduced by outside air and moisture, which increases the building's energy cost over time. Insulation in stud cavities, around pipes and ducts, and around the exterior of the building can significantly reduce how much air and moisture is exchanged between the inside and the outside of the building. Proper design of a building includes filling the gaps in the structure to ensure that the thermal elements are controlled instead of further compromising the building.
The composition of the exterior of the building is also an important consideration. Wood and steel studs make it easier for heat to escape through the exterior walls. There are several accessories and products designed to fix the thermal bridging to keep the energy costs low, while preventing the introduction of moisture and potential water damage.
Contact your local White Cap Account Manager for more information on product selection.
Sustainability
Over the last couple of decades manufacturers have shifted to produce products that are more environmentally friendly and efficient to meet regulations.A great place to start is by adopting a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) rating system, which provides a framework for healthy, highly efficient, and cost-saving green buildings. LEED certification is a globally recognized symbol of sustainability achievement and leadership.
Acoustics
From controlling the amount of outdoor noise that can be heard when inside the structure to minimizing noise within the structure, different insulation types are designed to absorb or block sound.
Some facilities require more consideration about acoustics than others. Apartments and houses have a very different acoustical design compared to hospitals and classrooms. There are three components that require acoustic design and insulation consideration:
- Ceilings
- Floors
- Walls
Even a one-story building requires these considerations because sounds on floors can echo throughout if the sounds aren't minimized.
LEED is also helping to make acoustics a more important consideration. Fortunately, having a good acoustic solution is not something that needs to be entirely isolated from the other challenges. Insulation that is easily sustainable and provides good thermal control can also provide better acoustical controls.
Architects have a lot of factors to consider when specifying insulation for a building. White Cap partners with the leading industry brands to meet these specifications and provide you with the appropriate insulation to complete your project.
LEED is also helping to make acoustics a more important consideration. Fortunately, having a good acoustic solution is not something that needs to be entirely isolated from the other challenges. Insulation that is easily sustainable and provides good thermal control can also provide better acoustical controls.
Architects have a lot of factors to consider when specifying insulation for a building. White Cap partners with the leading industry brands to meet these specifications and provide you with the appropriate insulation to complete your project.