It should be no surprise to hear that aerogel, as a home and building insulation material, will be a standard for energy savings in the not-too-distant future. Aerogel’s cutting-edge insulating capabilities – aerogel is an advanced material with 15 entries in the “Guinness Book of Records, thanks to its unique properties — is the world’s lowest density solid and best protector against thermal bridging.

Aerogel is  popping up in a wide variety of products in addition to Thermablok aerogel insulating strips, including subzero mountain climbing gear, sleeping bags, and even water bottles, for example. When it comes to addressing energy loss from a home or building, the aerogel component in Thermablok breaks conductive “thermal bridging” and can increase the overall wall R-value by more than 40 percent.

Homeowners, architects and builders are all looking for the next-generation answer to increasing energy efficiency, and finding it in Thermablok, thanks to its NASA-technology aerogel. For new construction or renovation, Thermablok aerogel strips install simply in a peel-and-stick application that attaches the Thermablok strips to one side of the stud.

Architects who designed the brand new environmentally sustainable Fabens U.S. Border Patrol Station in Clint, Texas have just completed installing 21,000 linear feet of Thermablok aerogel insulating strips on studs throughout the 51,000 square foot facility.

NASA named Thermablok aerogel insulating material to its prestigious “Spinoff” list of companies that have successfully adapted NASA technology to everyday products and made them available to consumers.

Today, aerogel technology is being adapted to a number of consumer products, from insulation to cold-weather gear, products in the electronics and computer industries. Since aerogel is manufactured by removing the liquid from a silica alcogel and replacing it with nothing but air, it is composed of 99.8 percent air. Some aerogels have a density as low as .001 grams per cubic centimeter (.0005 ounces per cubic inch), making it uber-thin and lightweight, with a lower bulk density that any other type of insulating material.

Architects and builders are just beginning to discover the advantages of aerogel insulating material, and Thermablok is on the forefront of aerogel technology.

 

Thermal bridging is a common issue in all types of construction, and occurs at inefficient locations in a building’s insulating envelope. This decrease in heat resistance results in a higher heat exchange between interior and exterior — heat loss or infiltration, depending on the climate — and thus a decrease in energy efficiency.  A common thermal bridge in residential construction occurs at wall-to-ceiling and wall-to-floor intersections, where wood stud connections are insufficiently insulated (image). In the design of new construction, thermal bridging is more easily planned for and avoided, whereas existing conditions in renovation projects are more difficult to remedy. In addition to wasted heating/cooling dollars, localized surface temperature differentials can cause condensation and subsequent moisture and mold damage.

If you’ve heard the term “thermal bridging” tossed around but are not sure what it means, you’re in good company. Chances are, few of your friends (if any) can define thermal bridging, even though understanding its meaning can be invaluable when it comes to saving money on your energy bill.

Building Envelope (infrared)

A thermal bridge is a passage in a building envelope where heat is transferred at a considerably high rate. Thermal bridging  is a common issue in all types of construction, and occurs at inefficient locations in a building’s insulating envelope. This decrease in heat resistance results in a higher heat exchange between interior and exterior — heat loss or infiltration, depending on the climate — and thus a decrease in energy efficiency.

A common thermal bridge in residential construction occurs at wall-to-ceiling and wall-to-floor intersections, where wood stud connections are insufficiently insulated.  In the design of new construction, thermal bridging is more easily planned for and avoided, whereas existing conditions in renovation projects are more difficult to remedy. In addition to wasted heating/cooling dollars, localized surface temperature differentials can cause condensation and subsequent moisture and mold damage.

It’s easy to fill the cavity with insulation because of all the space you have to work with. It’s common to overlook the wood or steel framing of a building, but ironically, that is where most of the thermal bridging occurs. Reducing or eliminating thermal bridging is key if you want to save energy. Frequently, thermal bridging can lead to condensation or mold, which then leads to future retrofits.

Many of you have expressed an interest on the benefits of aerogel insulation. Thermablok is not a product that is meant to fill the cavities, but instead, its purpose is to act, literally,  as a thermal block. Thermablok is applied directly on the stud of the wood or metal frames. Thermablok is hydrophobic, which means it can substantially reduce thermal bridging and reduces the emission of greenhouse gases while maintaining its ability to prevent the growth of mold that will eventually damage your wood framing.

If you are looking to start fresh and “green” when it comes to protecting your structure from thermal bridging, below are some of the things you can do (presuming that you haven’t already):

1)  Do your homework. Understand the different types of insulating materials available, and the function of each product. Common loose fill, batt and blanket, and spray foam insulations do nothing to address thermal bridging. Thermablok, used in conjunction with other types of insulation that is commonly used to fill wall and ceiling cavities is going to produce the best results when it comes to preventing energy loss and combating thermal bridging.

2)  Locate a green contractor. A green contractor will help you determine the most efficient and cost-friendly green products for your project.

The goal is to reduce your energy bills, save you money in the long run, and reduce your carbon footprint on this earth. Feel good about making environmentally sound choices by building green.

Now you know!