Introduction
If you’re looking for a good insulation to protect your home from mold, polyisocyanurate (sometimes called polyiso) is an option worth considering. Polyisocyanurate is a high-performance rigid foam board insulation that is widely used in commercial and residential construction because it offers excellent thermal performance and protection against moisture. That’s why this durable material has long been the choice of professionals like architects, builders, and contractors who build with high-R-value wall assemblies.
Polyisocyanurate (polyiso for short) is a thermoset plastic that is manufactured using blowing agents that contain hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs). The material is commonly used in high-performance building applications such as commercial roofs and exterior walls.
Polyisocyanurate is a thermoset plastic that is manufactured using blowing agents that contain hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs). The material is commonly used in high-performance building applications such as commercial roofs and exterior walls.
Polyiso insulation has the highest R-value per inch of any insulation product on the market today, which means it’s an excellent choice for keeping your home warm and cozy during the winter months. But before you install polyiso in your home, it’s important to understand how HFCs affect its environmental impact.
Polyiso is produced through a series of chemical reactions that include the addition of carbon dioxide and/or water, which contributes to the formation of closed cells on the surface of the foam. These closed cells prevent moisture in the interior wall cavity from migrating into the insulation itself, helping to protect against mold.
Polyiso is a thermoset plastic, meaning it’s a material that cannot be melted and reformed repeatedly. In this regard, polyisocyanurate is similar to polyurethane foam insulation but with one major difference: polyisocyanurate uses blowing agents that contain hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), which are known as potent greenhouse gases.
Because of its chemical makeup, polyisocyanurate insulation must be installed by professionals who have been trained and certified by the manufacturer; otherwise there’s a risk of exposing yourself or others nearby to potentially harmful materials.
While polyisocyanurate has several benefits for homeowners such as increased energy efficiency and long-term performance in harsh weather conditions, it may not be right for every situation. If you’re considering using this type of insulation in your home but need more information first, contact us today!
Polyiso insulation is typically covered with a reflective foil facing that acts as a vapor retarder and reflects radiant heat. Reflective foil facers are available in several configurations and thicknesses depending on the application.
Polyiso insulation is typically covered with a reflective foil facing that acts as a vapor retarder and reflects radiant heat. Reflective foil facers are available in several configurations and thicknesses depending on the application.
For example, the R-value of polyiso insulation can be increased by using thicker panels or adding more layers of polyiso to an existing wall assembly. This type of system is called “thermal mass”, which allows you to use your walls for both storing heat in winter and releasing it during summer months.
To reduce greenhouse gas contributions, polyiso manufacturers are phasing out products made with blowing agents containing HFCs, switching to blowing agents containing water and carbon dioxide.
As you can see, there are many ways to minimize your contribution to greenhouse gas emissions. To reduce greenhouse gas contributions, polyiso manufacturers are phasing out products made with blowing agents containing HFCs, switching to blowing agents containing water and carbon dioxide. This is good news for the environment because it will result in a 50% reduction in CO2 emissions by 2030 compared to current levels of production.
Most polyiso manufacturers have stopped including HCFC-141b in their formulations, replacing it instead with HFC-245fa as a blowing agent.
Polyiso manufacturers have phased out HCFC-141b, replacing it with HFC-245fa as a blowing agent. While you won’t find any greenhouse gases in your polyiso insulation, the replacement for HCFC-141b is itself a greenhouse gas. HFC-245fa is also a refrigerant and a gas.
Around 2030, most polyiso manufacturers anticipate completely eliminating all foams made with HFC blowing agents by using only water and carbon dioxide in their formulations.
Around 2030, most polyiso manufacturers anticipate completely eliminating all foams made with HFC blowing agents by using only water and carbon dioxide in their formulations. This is great news! Polyisocyanurate insulation made with HFCs have a big impact on the environment, as they’re extremely powerful greenhouse gases that contribute to global warming.
Polyisocyanurate insulation made without HFCs can protect against mold growth when used properly
If you’re concerned about the environmental impact of polyiso insulation, you’ll be happy to know that some manufacturers are transitioning from using HFCs to using other types of blowing agents. The result is a product with lower global warming potential (GWP) than traditional polyisocyanurate.
While these new formulations still need flammable materials to ignite and burn, they don’t release as much carbon dioxide as traditional versions do when they burn. So while they may not be completely safe for the planet, they’re certainly better than before!
Conclusion
We hope this article has provided you with some insight into the world of polyiso. If you have any questions about using polyiso in your home or business, please reach out to one of our expert insulation contractors for more information!