WALL INSULATION TYPES IN EGYPT
There are Many types of Wall insulation types in Egypt
The maximum thermal performance or R-value of Thermal insulation is very dependent on proper installation. Homeowners can install some types of insulation — notably blankets and materials that can be poured in place. Other types require professional installation.
When hiring a professional certified installer:
- Obtain written cost estimates from several contractors for the R-value you need, and don’t be surprised if quoted prices for a given R-value installation vary by more than a factor of two.
- Ask contractors about their air-sealing services and costs as well, because it’s a good idea to seal air leaks before installing insulation.
Blanket Installation
To evaluate blanket installation, you can measure batt thickness and check for gaps between batts as well as between batts and framing. In addition, inspect insulation for a tight fit around building components that penetrate the insulation, such as electrical boxes. To evaluate sprayed or blown-in types of insulation, measure the depth of the insulation and check for gaps in coverage.
If you choose to install the insulation yourself, follow the manufacturer’s instructions and safety precautions carefully and check local building and fire codes. Do-it-yourself instructions are available from the fiberglass and mineral wool trade group. The cellulose trade group recommends hiring a professional, but if there isn’t a qualified installer in your area or you feel comfortable taking on the job, you may be able to find guidance from manufacturers.
The table below provides an overview of most available insulation materials, how they are installed, where they’re typically installed, and their advantages.
Types of Insulation
| Type | Insulation Materials | Where Applicable | Installation Method(s) | Advantages |
Blanket: batts and rolls |
•Fiberglass
•Mineral (rock or slag) wool •Plastic fibers •Natural fibers |
•Unfinished walls, including foundation walls
•Floors and ceilings |
Fitted between studs, joists, and beams. | Do-it-yourself.
Suited for standard stud and joist spacing that is relatively free from obstructions. Relatively inexpensive. |
Concrete block insulationand insulating concrete blocks |
Foam board, to be placed on outside of wall (usually new construction) or inside of wall (existing homes):
Some manufacturers incorporate foam beads or air into the concrete mix to increase R-values |
•Unfinished walls, including foundation walls,
for new construction or major renovations •Walls (insulating concrete blocks) |
Require specialized skills
concrete blocks are sometimes stacked without mortar (dry-stacked) and surface bonded. |
Insulating cores increases wall R-value.
outside of concrete block wall places mass inside conditioned space, which can moderate indoor temperatures. Autoclaved aerated concrete and autoclaved cellular concrete masonry units have 10 times the insulating value of conventional concrete. |
Foam board or rigid foam |
•Polystyrene
•Polyisocyanurate |
•Unfinished walls, including foundation walls
•Floors and ceilings •Unvented low-slope roofs |
Interior applications: must be covered with 1/2-inch gypsum board or other building-code approved material for fire safety.
Exterior applications: must be covered with weatherproof facing. |
High insulating value for relatively little thickness.
Can block thermal short circuits when installed continuously over frames or joists. |
Insulating concrete forms (ICFs) |
•Foam boards or foam blocks | •Unfinished walls, including foundation walls for new construction | Installed as part of the building structure. | Insulation is literally built into the home’s walls, creating high thermal resistance. |
Loose-fill and blown-in |
•Cellulose
|
•Enclosed existing wall or open new wall cavities
•Unfinished attic floors •Other hard-to-reach places |
Blown into place using special equipment, sometimes poured in. | Good for adding insulation to existing finished areas, irregularly shaped areas, and around obstructions. |
Reflective system |
•Foil-faced kraft paper, plastic film, polyethylene bubbles, or cardboard | •Unfinished walls, ceilings, and floors | Foils, films, or papers fitted between wood-frame studs, joists, rafters, and beams. | Do-it-yourself.
Suitable for framing at standard spacing. Bubble-form suitable if framing is irregular or if obstructions are present. Most effective at preventing downward heat flow, effectiveness depends on spacing. |
Rigid fibrous or fiber insulation |
•Fiberglass
•Mineral (rock or slag) wool |
•Ducts in unconditioned spaces
•Other places requiring insulation that can withstand high temperatures |
HVAC contractors fabricate the insulation into ducts either at their shops or at the job sites. | Can withstand high temperatures. |
Sprayed foam and foamed-in-place |
•Cementitious
•Phenolic •Polyisocyanurate •Polyurethane |
•Enclosed existing wall
•Open new wall cavities •Unfinished attic floors |
Applied using small spray containers or in larger quantities as a pressure sprayed (foamed-in-place) product. | Good for adding insulation to existing finished areas, irregularly shaped areas, and around obstructions. |
Structural insulated panels (SIPs) |
•Foam board or liquid foam insulation core
•Straw core insulation |
•Unfinished walls, ceilings, floors, and roofs for new construction | Construction workers fit SIPs together to form walls and roof of a house. | SIP-built houses provide superior and uniform insulation compared to more traditional construction methods; they also take less time to build. |
