Projects Archives - The Green Cocoon

Rockwool Is Insulation of Choice on Energy-Efficient Arlington Home

The Green Cocoon is thrilled to be a part of this energy-efficient project in Arlington, Massachusetts. The insulation of choice is ROCKWOOL Comfortboard® 80 (mineral wool/rock board). Comfortboard® thermal insulated sheathing is a rigid stone wool insulation board designed for use as an exterior continuous insulation. And, this home is completely wrapped in it!

Keeps Moisture Out

Comfortboard® does not produce smoke or propagate flames, keeping occupants safe and reducing property damage in the event of a fire. Moreover, this solution allows fast outward drying, keeping moisture out of your wall assembly. That is because it is vapor permeable.

Attention to Detail Is Impressive

Additionally, Rockwool placed over Blueskin is a fantastic air barrier! Blueskin® SA is a self-adhering membrane consisting of an SBS rubberized asphalt compound laminated on a blue polyethylene film.

Also, it is impermeable to air, moisture vapor, and water. Blueskin® SA is designed to install easily on a variety of prepared substrates. These innovative factors ensure the comfort of those living in the home. Moreover, there is an added bonus of reduced energy costs stemming from the improvement of thermal performance.

Recommended by Home Builders

As shown above, this building is going to be air and water tight. Build tight, ventilate right! No wonder home builders love these two products. They make a great team!

In summary, The Green Cocoon specializes in many different types of insulation. Just contact us and we’ll let you know the one that is best for your situation.

Gaco Profill Spray Foam Used on Northshore Project

Projects

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

Projects

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!

Art Studio Insulation Project in MA

Projects

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

No Fossil Fuels Needed for Newton, Mass. Restoration Project

Projects

Newton, Mass. – The Green Cocoon, Inc. (TGC) was recently awarded an insulation project for a home in Newton, Mass. The original home, built in the early 1900s, is being fully renovated, gutted completely to the studs. Once completed, solar panels will be installed in the home and it will run on 100 percent electricity. Consequently, this house will not use any fossil fuels!

Closed cell spray foam was used on this project, specifically Gaco HFO (hydrofluoroolefin) spray foam. HFO closed cell spray foam is a reformulated version of spray polyurethane foam. But, the reformulated version has only a tiny fraction of the global warming potential of its predecessor. HFO is a blowing agent and is an essential ingredient in spray foam insulation. It creates the tiny bubbles of trapped gas that slow the movement of heat and make foam such a good insulator with a very high R-value. But the most common blowing agent in spray polyurethane foam today, a hydrofluorocarbon, has a global warming potential (GWP) more than 1,000 times that of carbon dioxide. The newer type of blowing agent has a GWP of 1.[i]

“We have been using an eco-friendly closed cell spray foam for quite some time,” said Candace Lord, Green Cocoon Vice President. “It reduces excess waste and energy consumption in buildings by up to 50 percent while adding rigidity and strength to the structure. The R-value is over 7 per inch, and it has a greater resistance to the leakage of air and water vapor. It is a perfect vapor barrier in both summer and winter.”

The contract was awarded by Essex Restoration, a residential building and remodeling company in Wilmington, Mass. They have been working with TGC for over two years on restoration and renovation projects.

[i] Green Building Advisor (2017, February 9). Next Generation Spray Foams Trickle into the Market. Retrieved from greenbuildingadvisor.com

Restoration project for Weston antique

Projects

May, 2019, Weston, Mass. – The Green Cocoon (TGC) just finished the remodel of an energy-efficient, antique home in Weston, Massachusetts. Built in 1897, this completely remodeled farmhouse is on the market for just under $5 million. The home combines the architectural integrity and character of the original farmhouse with advanced, high-performance and smart home features. These features include being certified as EPA Indoor airPLUS; DOE Zero Energy Ready Home; and an ENERGY STAR® Home. Read entire story.

Mineral Wool Used for Project

“We are very excited to have been a part of this restoration,” said Candace Lord, Green Cocoon General Manager. “The results of our Mineral Wool are incredible. It is 100% recyclable, VOC-free, and formaldehyde-free. Mineral Wool is made from volcanic rock and slag (a glass-like by-product left over after a desired metal has been separated, i.e., smelted, from its raw ore). It is extremely fire retardant and has no harmful chemicals.”

LEED Platinum® Home

Having such efficiency is one reason the home was registered as LEED Platinum®. LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) is one of the most popular green building certification programs used worldwide. Developed by the non-profit U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), it includes a set of rating systems for the design, construction, operation, and maintenance of green buildings, homes, and neighborhoods. The rating systems aim to help building owners and operators be environmentally responsible and use resources efficiently.

About The Green Cocoon

The Green Cocoon, Inc. is an award-winning environmental comfort specialist delivering seamless energy efficient, eco-friendly insulation solutions to residences and businesses throughout Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Maine. Comfort is at the core of their inherent operative mission. Their business is hinged on honesty, transparency, and trust. www.thegreencocoon.com.

New England Gem in Gloucester, MA

Projects

The Green Cocoon was hired as the insulation subcontractor for this restoration project. Insulating this New England gem, located in Gloucester, Massachusetts, was a wonderful project.

A Matt Diana Housewright Project

The original house was built in 1690. Also, it has additions dating from the early to late 1700s! All of the walls have layer upon layer of history. Interestingly, the house was wallpapered hundreds of years ago and then new walls were built over those. Hand-etched drawings of sailboats with the British flag can be found on the exposed first-floor ceilings.

Maintaining History

To make sure this house maintained its historical preservation, mineral wool with an adhesive was blown into the exterior walls. The roof was insulated from the exterior with rigid foam board. This was done so we did not damage any of the beautiful interior.

Contact Us

For more information on mineral wool insulation or any of our insulations, contact us.

Our First Passive House

Projects

The Green Cocoon has a passion for efficiency, not only in our daily operations, but also in the projects that we choose to work on. We have insulated every type of project. Some of the projects include small renovations and existing attics. We also love to work with energy positive and net-zero homes. But, our favorite is the Passive House.

What is a passive house?

The term passive house (Passivhaus in German) refers to a rigorous, voluntary standard for energy efficiency in a building, reducing its ecological footprint. A continuous, balanced supply of fresh air ensures unparalleled indoor air quality. Operable windows connect indoors with out. Super-insulated walls hold warmth in the winter and cool in the summer. Special windows and a snug building envelope help keep the desired warmth in the house – or undesirable heat out. This is done through a highly insulated roof and floor slab as well as exceptionally well insulated exterior walls. The results are buildings that require very little energy for space heating or cooling.

As of this writing, there are less than 100 certified passive houses in the United States. We had the privilege to be the insulation company that worked with most of them. We like to think of ourselves as the “go-to insulation company” for highly energy-efficient projects.

Learn more about this project and passive house building in general.

Old Farmhouse Gets Facelift in Rye NH

Projects

The Green Cocoon was thrilled to work on an old farmhouse in Rye, N.H. We used closed cell spray foam on most of the farmhouse. Closed cell spray foam is great because it reduces excess waste and energy consumption in buildings by up to 50 percent. Simultaneously, it adds strength, R-value (7 per inch), and greater resistance to the leakage of air and water vapor. Closed cell is a “perfect vapor barrier” in both summer and in winter.

Brought Up to Current Energy Codes

The house was completely gutted and rebuilt to current energy codes. We made sure that the house was well insulated all around, using spray foam on the roof and exterior walls. We used mineral wool for the interior walls and in the ceilings to help with sound deadening.