Did You Know? Insulation R-Value Changes

Closed Cell, Fiberglass Batting, R-Value, Spray Foam

In the world of building construction, improvement, and insulation, we talk about R-value all the time. Usually, we talk about it as if it’s a constant number. We see R-19 stamped right there on the product, so that’s what it is, right? Well, did you know that the R-value of insulation is not a constant?

What Is R-Value?

R-value is a measure of resistance to heat flow through a given thickness of material. R-value is important, but it’s just one of a few key factors that determine the effectiveness of an insulation material. The R-value is tested in an air-tight vacuum chamber, which means that typical insulation materials like fiberglass and cellulose do not actually perform with that value unless paired with intense air sealing measures.

^[1]

How Is R-value measured?

Because of scams involving R-value claims that didn’t match reality, the U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) devised the R-value Rule to protect buyers of insulating products. In fact, in 2013 the FTC handed down its largest fine ever ($350,000) to a company claiming that its paint had an R-value of 100.^[2]

So, the R-value Rule requires testing insulation using one of four American Society of Test Methods (ASTM) standards. The basic requirement is that the mean temperature must be 75° F (24° C) with a temperature difference of 50° F (28° C) across the insulation.^[3]

According to Building Science Corporation, most R-value testing is done with a temperature of 50° F (10° C) on the cold side and 100° F (38° C) on the hot side.^[4]

The Lowdown on R-value

The main point here is that R-value isn’t some constant number for a given material, and installation isn’t the only factor that affects it. As you can see above, temperature has a significant effect as well.

The team at The Green Cocoon knows that the performance of the insulation is affected by how well it is installed. Energystar.gov has developed guidelines for grading the quality of installation. Moreover, they’ve developed a table that shows what levels of insulation are cost-effective for different climates and locations in the home.^[5]

Compression

Improperly installed insulation loses its R-value. For example, fiberglass can lose up to 50 percent of its prescribed R-value when compressed. When you compress fiberglass batt insulation, the R-value per inch goes up, but the overall R-value goes down because you have less inches or thickness of insulation.^[6]

Fear not, closed cell spray foam is the only insulation material that has an almost constant R-value. The reason is because you cannot pass air through it or compress it.

[1] Building Performance Institute (April 4, 2017). What Does R-Value Mean? Retrieved from bpihomeowner.org.

[2] FTC.gov (January 31, 2013). FTC Action Leads to Court Order: Home Insulation Marketer to Pay $350,000. Retrieved from ftc.gov.

[3] Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (March 31, 2020). R-value Rule. Retrieved from ecfr.gov.

[4] Building Science Corporation (April 12, 2013). Info-502: Temperature Dependence of R-values in Polyisocyanurate Roof Insulation. Retrieved from buildingscience.com.

[5] Energy.gov. Recommend Home Insulation R-Values. Retrieved from energy.gov.

[6] Insulation Institute. The Facts About Compressing Fiber Glass Insulation. Retrieved from insulationinstitute.org.

Gaco Profill Spray Foam Used on Northshore Project

Open Cell, Portfolio, Spray Foam

The Green Cocoon recently completed a project in Massachusetts and had the privilege to work with Gorman Homes. “We work with these guys quite often and they’re great,” said Jim Materkowski, The Green Cocoon President. “We used Gaco Profill in the walls to eliminate open cell shaving waste.”

The Gaco ProFill System is the first complete spray foam system to offer a consistent cavity fill and a smooth surface with no trimming needed. The self-compressing characteristic of this tough, true polyurethane based spray foam is the reason Gaco ProFill can be quickly and easily installed behind a membrane (either Gaco ProFilm or Gaco ProWeb) as part of the Gaco ProFill System. (gaco.com)

There is hardly any waste, which means the Gaco ProFill System provides higher yields than most open cell foams. Consequently, scrap disposal expenses are greatly reduced or eliminated.

If you have an insulation project coming up, please contact us for a quote.

Northshore Rehab

Closed Cell, Portfolio

The Green Cocoon was fortunate to work with Red Hammer Builders from Georgetown, Massachusetts on this project. The house, which is located on the northshore of Massachusetts, was built in the early 1900s.

The project is a full gut rehab, and closed cell spray foam was applied throughout the building.

As you can see, everyone is wearing protective equipment to protect you and themselves from Covid-19 AND the insulation!

Earth Day Goes Digital During Covid-19 Pandemic

Environment

Even though many of us at The Green Cocoon are working from home just like you amidst the Covid-19 pandemic, we can still do our part on Earth Day 2020 (EARTHRISE).

Alejandro Alvarez / CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0)

From the 2020 NCAA Basketball Tournament in the U.S. to the UEFA Champions League and Europa League in Europe to the Grand Prix in Australia, just about every big spring event this year has been cancelled or postponed. But the annual event coming up on April 22, Earth Day, will be held rain or shine. You don’t want to miss it!

Earth Day History

This year is the 50th anniversary of Earth Day, which began as a “youthquake” in 1970 with former Wisconsin Senator Gaylord Nelson leading the charge.

Here’s a little history: On April 22, 1970, millions of people took to the streets to protest the negative impacts of 150 years of industrial development. In the U.S. and around the world, smog was becoming deadly and evidence was growing that pollution led to developmental delays in children. Biodiversity was in decline as a result of the heavy use of pesticides and other pollutants. The global ecological awareness was growing, and the U.S. Congress and President Nixon responded quickly. In July of the same year, they created the Environmental Protection Agenc. They also created robust environmental laws such as the Clean Water Act and the Endangered Species Act, among many. Earth Day is now a global event each year, and more than 1 billion people in 192 countries now take part in what is the largest civic-focused day of action in the world.

EARTHRISE: Earth Day Goes Digital

The theme for this year’s Earth Day is Climate Action. Earthday.org states, “Climate change represents the biggest challenge to the future of humanity and the life-support systems that make our world habitable.” With the coronavirus wreaking havoc on us all and limiting our activities, Earth Day organizers had to get creative.

In a recent press release, Earth Day Network noted that they are shifting their actions from massive worldwide cleanups to a strictly online campaign. The title of their movement is EARTHRISE, which is a “global, digital mobilization that drives actions big and small, gives diverse voices a platform and demands bold action for people and planet.” Over the course of 24 hours, EARTHRISE will fill the digital landscape with global conversations, calls to action, performances, video teach-ins, and more. Learn more.

Some people have already started recruiting others to do their part by hosting Facebook events. For example, Amanda Merlino from Florida is hosting a “Get Trashed for Earth Day” event on April 19^th. She is encouraging people to grab “a plastic bag, wear some gloves, and pick up all of the discarded trash that you see. Post pictures or video of your efforts to encourage others to get involved.”

How to Celebrate Earth Day at Home

While none of us are sure how long this pandemic will last, each of us can take steps to ensure we don’t turn one crisis into another. Strive for sufficiency over efficiency, avoid the urge to panic-buy and learn how to cook for a few days with what you have in the house, rather than run to the store for one item.

Take a walk and pick up trash

Whether you walk by yourself and pick up trash or you recruit others to do it, seeing a clean street shows pride for one’s town or city. Join an event like Amanda is holding or hold one yourself. Doing something with others increases one’s motivation.

Cut way back on water

Since you’re not going out, consider cutting back on showering to save water and energy (but keep washing your hands!). Unless you’re in direct contact with medical professionals or constantly out in the world, try showering several times a week instead of every day.

Embrace frugality

Try eating the same breakfast every day for a week. Keep your pantry stocked with humble ingredients that are also delicious. Now is a great time to pass your frugal life skills onto your kids. Breakfast is important!

Let your yard go wild

Treehugger.com says to “Turn your lawn back into a productive plant community. Plant clover. Stop raking your damn leaves and use them as a home compost pile instead. Grow vegetables in your yard. Plant a wildlife hedge instead of building a fence.”

Stay healthy

Help overworked healthcare professionals and hospitals by keeping your own immune system strong. Go on a walk for both a mental and physical break. If you’re unable to go outside, try one of these “visual soundscape” videos to relax. Reduce your consumption of meat and dairy.

In summary, all of us working together can save the planet. We just need to get along. Stay healthy and strong this Earth Day. Learn more about Earth Day.

The Green Cocoon Is an “Essential Business” and Will Remain Open

Covid-19

The Governors of Massa chu setts and New H am pshire have asked all non-essential businesses to close. The Green Cocoon (TGC) is excited to be listed as an essential business, and thus will continue working on all projects as planned, unless other arrangements are made.

Employees Working From Home

All office employees are now working from home and only the installers are coming to the shop. They get the supplies they need and then head off to the project site.

Taking Extra Precautions

“We are a very small crew and are taking extra precautions in the office by deep cleaning surfaces frequently,” said Vice President Candace Lord. “By law our installers have to wear respirators while at the job site, so they are already better protected from the virus. Moreover, TGC uses mechanical ventilation while we work, which creates a negative pressure in the house. This actually prevents any of our air from getting into your house!”

If you have any questions about your current project or would like a consultation for something new, please contact us. Stay safe and healthy everyone.

Art Studio Insulation Project in MA

Portfolio

The Green Cocoon (TGC) was invited to work with general contractor, Chad Eaton, on the creation of an art studio in Massachusetts. Chad’s client enjoys painting as a hobby and needed a place to paint. So, Eaton took the client’s garage and turned into an art studio.

Eaton hired TGC to insulate the walls of the garage. TGC used closed cell spray foam, which reduces excess waste and energy consumption in buildings by up to 50%. It also adds strength, R-value (7 per inch), and provides greater resistance to the leakage of air and water vapor.

You’ll see in the before and after photos how Chad and crew did all framework to finish, including making the tables!

We have a very happy customer.

green-cocoon-closed-cell-foam-insulation-ma-before — Before

green-cocoon-closed-cell-foam-insulation-ma — After Closed Cell Spray Foam

green-cocoon-closed-cell-foam-insulation-ma-after — Finished Art Studio

Mineral Wool Insulation Market Increasing

Green, Rockwool (Mineral Wool)

ROXUL Inc. Now ROCKWOOL

According to PR NewWire.com, the global mineral wool insulation market is expected to reach an estimated $23.7 billion by 2023. Moreover, the CAGR (compound annual growth rate) is expected to be 3.8% between 2018 to 2023. The major growth drivers are increasing construction activities and tougher global government regulations. Additionally, stricter building codes for energy efficiency and fire safety regulations have added to mineral wool insulation growth.

Emerging Trends

Emerging trends, which have a direct impact on the dynamics of the mineral wool insulation industry, include the shift towards eco-friendly insulation (“green”). Likewise, there is the growing focus on glass wool insulation recycling and the development of lightweight and highly fire-resistant insulation.

Mineral Wool Is Recyclable

The Green Cocoon uses mineral wool insulation and has been for quite some time in the New England area. Mineral wool is friendly to both people and the environment and is gaining in popularity. It is 100% recyclable, VOC-free, and formaldehyde-free.

ROXUL Now ROCKWOOL

ROCKWOOL (formerly ROXUL Inc.), North America’s largest producer of stone wool insulation, is the mineral wool we use. ROXUL rebranded itself to ROCKWOOL in early 2019. Furthermore, the ROCKWOOL brand has been marketed internationally for 80 years, and it will now be adopted in North America.

If you would like more information on mineral wool insulation or its application, please contact us.

Photo courtesy of familyhandyman.com.

Green Cocoon Attends Green Alliance’s Holiday Party

Team

On Thursday, December 11, Candace Lord and Joe Marino, vice president and salesperson for The Green Cocoon, attended The Green Alliance’s second annual holiday party. The jam-packed event was held at the Great Rhythm Brewing Company in Portsmouth. Over 100 members and guests attended.

Purpose of The Green Alliance

The Green Cocoon is a member of Green Alliance. Their purpose is to promote local business partners that make serious efforts to operate in a sustainable and environmentally-conscious manner. Furthermore, those business partners offer discounts to Green Alliance Community card-holders. Learn more at https://www.greenalliance.biz/about.

Sales of Artwork Help Fund Research Center

The event was sponsored by Sustainable Seacoast, Blue Ocean Society for Marine Conservation, and the Great Bay Waterkeeper with Conservation Law Foundation. Local artist Ragko showcased his amazing artwork that connected us to water. Sales of his artwork went towards the creation of an independent Huilliche-Mapuche research center in southern Chile.

We stay involved with groups like The Green Alliance to help towards our goal of making little to no negative impact on the environment.

Monitor the Health of Your Roof During the Winter

Energy Efficiency, Insulation, Roof Health, Save Money

Many cities across the country were hit with a major winter storm last week, and for some, it was the first big one of the season. One area of the house that gets hit the hardest during a winter storm is the roof. Make sure to monitor the health of your roof during the winter to make sure it is strong enough to take the brunt of bad weather. If the snow isn’t melting quickly, it means that heat from your home isn’t escaping through your attic floors and then transferring from your roof to the exteriors. That means your roof is doing its job!

Bare spots and icicles mean heat is escaping

If your roof gets a decent amount of snow on it, make sure it’s not melting in specific spots. That means there’s heat loss likely due to poor insulation and/or ventilation in the attic. If that is the case, give us a call once the snow melts.

After a snowfall, every homeowner should take a look at their roof and check for hot spots—areas on the roof where the snow has melted. It’s normal for some melting around venting and fireplace exhausts, but you shouldn’t see any bare patches on your roof. A snow-covered roof means your insulation is doing its job.[1] If not, it’s time for a new insulation package!

Also, keep an eye out for icicles—another sign of heat loss. If your roof is warm enough to melt the snow but it’s cold enough outside for snow to refreeze, your roof is losing heat. That’s not healthy for your energy bills or the environment.

Remove some snow if it gets too deep

What about the weight of snow? If there’s ice too, that can be a heavy load. Add the weight of two layers of shingles and that’s one roof no one would want over their head. Generally, most roofs max out at about 20 pounds of snow per square foot, which translates to around two feet of wet snow or up to four feet of light, fluffy snow.[2]

Once you start hitting those levels, you may want to think about removing the snow. Otherwise, it could potentially cause your roof to cave in, which is a terrible experience in any weather, but particularly during subzero temperatures. Still, you can’t exactly get on top of your roof with a snow shovel. If you have an asphalt roof, you run the risk of doing serious damage to your shingles, which can cause your roof to leak afterwards—and all kinds of havoc as a consequence.²

If you don’t have the proper equipment to remove the snow yourself, hire a roofing contractor to safely handle the removal for you. It generally only costs about $100 to $300, and it will save your roof a lot of wear and tear.[3]

Install an ice and water shield

We suggest you install an ice and water shield over the first four feet of roof, on top of the sheathing—not just along the edges near gutters. This adds a second layer of protection against leaks and moisture where ice dams may occur, so if water gets in below the shingles the sheathing is watertight.

Another reason to add an ice and water shield is it seals around nails, unlike tar paper, roofing felt, or asphalt paper. If you have shingles on your roof, as most North American homes do, for every nail that goes through the tar paper there’s a tiny hole — an open invitation for water in your attic.

Check your attic (and garage) after a storm too. If you see frost on the sheathing it’s not a good sign. It means your attic isn’t properly vented for your specific insulation type or it is lacking insulation all together, which could lead to mold or rot. If you see any signs of mold or rot in your roof, call a professional remediation company.

Your roof and attic are crucial when it comes to protecting your home over the winter. Please contact us to schedule an appointment to make sure your insulation package is up-to-date.

[1] National Post (Feb. 7, 2015). Snow piling up on your house is a good indicator of the roof's condition. Retrieved from nationalpost.com.

[2] Modernize (2019). Is Snow Good or Bad for Your Roof? Retrieved from modernize.com.

[3] Cost Owl (2019). How Much Does Roof Snow Removal Cost? Retrieved from costowl.com.

The Green Cocoon Sponsors Rett’s Roost 2019 Superhero 5K

Giving Back

The Green Cocoon was a sponsor of Rett’s Roost (Rett’s) 2019 Superhero 5K held on September 22 at the Throwback Brewery in North Hampton, New Hampshire. Rett’s is a nonprofit that helps children with cancer and their families.

Sponsoring this event has become a tradition for The Green Cocoon. We’ve been a sponsor for the last few years and plan to continue to do so as long as possible.

Because of the theme “Superhero 5K,” there were many people dressed in brightly-colored costumes. Due to the fundraising efforts of so many volunteers, over $18,000 was raised for Rett’s retreats!

Thank you to everyone who came out to run/walk, who donated their time and money and to Capstone Photography for taking such great photos from the day.

See you next year!