Roxul ComfortBatt User Manual
ROXUL® Insulation Products For Residential Thermal Applications
Better | Best
ROXUL® Solutions For Residential
Thermal Applications.
Better | Best
Better. Best.
When deciding on the quality of insulation to include
in a residential construction or renovation project,
builders, contractors and homeowners need input
in determining effectiveness of the insulation and
whether to just meet minimum code requirements
or exceed them, creating a comfortable environment
through all seasons.
From meeting the specified minimum, to achieving
R-values that will exceed building codes well into
the future, it’s great to know you have options.
This thermal guide to ROXUL
solutions can address various common residential
applications using ROXUL insulation, including:
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exterior walls
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attics
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cathedral ceilings
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crawl spaces and
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exposed floors
The Better: Although building codes for insulation
requirements vary between states, most building
codes are designed to meet minimum standards.
Using ROXUL to meet these minimum codes is Better
than using other types of insulation because of the
exclusive features and benefits of ROXUL insulation.
In our Better solutions we will show you how to use
ROXUL to achieve or exceed building code standards.
The Best: The R-value of insulation is worth
considering to achieve optimum energy efficiency and
improve the overall comfort of your home. When you
choose the BEST solution, you are creating a warm
and comfortable home to enjoy immediately, as well as
making a long-term commitment to the environment
and energy savings well into the future.
®
Insulation’s Better I Best
Compared to other insulation like foam plastics and fiberglass,
ROXUL
ROXUL’s Better. Best. Thermal Insulation Guide
Features and Benefits .............................................. pg 3
Attic applications ...................................................... pg 8
Cathedral ceilings applications ..............................pg 10
Residential exterior wall applications ...................pg 12
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®
stone wool ranks superior.
Interior basement foundation wall .........................pg 16
Exterior exposed floors ...........................................pg 18
Non-vented crawl spaces ...................................... pg 21
Vented crawl spaces............................................... pg 22
ROXUL® Insulation Products For Residential Thermal Applications
What sets ROXUL® insulation apart
from other insulation.
Fire resistant
The combination of stone wool and recycled content
makes ROXUL® insulation fire resistant. This noncombustible product does not develop smoke or
promote flame spread when exposed to fire, making
ROXUL insulation a critical line of defense in fire
protection. In fact, studies have shown that stone
or mineral wool insulations provide a 54% increase*
in overall fire resistance rating compared to
non-insulated walls.
Sag free, tight fit
The higher density of ROXUL insulation provides
superior sag resistance and fit. Once installed,
ROXUL insulation holds its shape without sagging
or slumping in the wall cavity to provide continuous
fire protection and thermal performance over time.
Water repellent
ROXUL insulation does not absorb or hold water and
will not promote mold or fungi growth. It has superior
drying potential, effectively managing moisture in the
event that it does get into the wall or floor, allowing it
to dry out and maintain its thermal properties.
* Su ltan , M.A . (1996), A Model for Predic ting the Heat Transfer Through Non-in sulated Unloaded Steel-Stud G ypsum Board Wall Assemblies Exposed to Fire,
Institute for Research in Cons truction, National Re sear ch Council Canada , Ottawa, Ontario, C anada.
Fast, easy installation
Working with ROXUL insulation is a breeze. Simply cut
with a serrated knife for quick and easy installation
between studs, around electrical boxes, pipes,
wiring, ductwork and between studs and joists
with non-standard widths.
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Better | Best
Fire Stopping Board Insulation
Thermal Insulated Sheathing
ROXUL® thermal insulation for residential applications.
Top Up Attic Insulation
ROXUL COMFORTBOARD™ IS
Rigid stone wool insulation board fastens to
outside studs and is fabricated to improve thermal
performance to the building envelope.
Thermal Insulated Sheathing
ROXUL COMFORTBATT
®
Thermal insulation for use in exterior walls, attics and
crawlspaces. It provides indoor comfort and energy
savings all year ‘round.
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ROXUL® Insulation Products For Residential Thermal Applications
ROXUL ROCKFILL
™
Loose fill thermal insulation that is easy to apply
over existing attic insulation. Pour, fluff to aerate and
spread. No need to rent an expensive blowing machine
required with other types of insulation.
ROXUL DRAINBOARD
®
Rigid stone wool insulation board for fibrous
foundation drainage. Its non-directional fiber
structure means the boards can be installed
either horizontally or vertically without any
loss of drainage ability.
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Better | Best
What is R-value?
R-value is a unit of measure describing the resistance of heat flow through a material (e.g. insulation, stud, wallboard)
or a wall assembly. Generally, the higher the R-value, the better the material/assembly is at reducing heat loss
(or heat gain). Many factors play a role in this transfer of heat, including the structural components that bypass
the insulation, as well as humidity and variance of fluctuating daily temperatures.
Effective R-values versus Nominal R-values
People are often surprised at the difference
between the commonly stated (nominal) R-value
of insulation and the effective R-value of the
insulation within the wall assembly. This reflects
the difference between controlled lab tests
versus the real-world performance.
Although the insulation package may state a nominal
R-13, the effective R-value of the assembly may be
smaller. This reduction is dependent on the thermal
bridging of the structural elements that bypass the
insulation. Thermal bridging is where heat escapes
through a conductive material that creates a bridge
between the outside and inside causing heat loss.
For example, wood studs conduct heat relatively
well as compared to insulation. Steel studs conduct
thermal energy extremely efficiently, thereby reducing
the effectiveness of the wall assembly to resist the
loss of heat. High-density stone wool insulation
resists heat loss better and achieves better energy
performance than fiberglass insulation, which is
less dense and less stable.
Today’s building codes are moving to mandate
effective R-values over nominal R-values – and
ROXUL® stone wool, because of its higher density
and dimensional stability, leads the way as the
interior and exterior insulation of choice for
residential applications.
Decreased thermal bridging equals
a better performing wall
ROXUL insulation helps reduce thermal bridging
through wood studs, leading to a better performing
thermal wall. In a typical single-family building,
wood studs make up 25% of the wall surface, so it’s
important to ensure the use of exterior insulation
to complete the building envelope.
Factors that contribute to
superior thermal performance
With informed consumers and the building industry
pushing for innovative solutions that are truly
energy efficient, ROXUL raises the bar in developing
wall systems with excellent long-term thermal
performance. This is the result of two inherent
properties in its insulating systems – lack of thermal
loss due to dimensional changes, and the insulation’s
ability to repel water, which aids in the control of
heat loss and gain.
The use of ROXUL stone wool as a continuous insulation
(c.i.) also contributes to a building envelope's efficiency,
giving it higher effective thermal resistance values
than foam plastics.
Made from stone wool, an inorganic combination
of basalt and recycled slag, ROXUL insulation is
thermally stable, maintaining its R-value over time.
The insulation will not expand or contract due to
humidity or temperature variance.
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ROXUL® Insulation Products For Residential Thermal Applications
Meeting the challenges of today’s
climate zones.
Building codes vary by state/municipal codes
and climate zone
ASHRAE – History of R-Value Requirements
Building codes often differ by state/municipal codes
and climate zone. The insulation solutions shown
on the following pages represent applications based
on specific locations and on current building
code regulations.
While R-value applications will differ depending
on location, thermal preferences and financial
considerations, one factor should remain invariable:
the quality features of your insulation. When compared
to other insulation like foam plastics and fibreglass,
ROXUL® stone wool ranks superior for soundproofing
and fireproofing, as well as for ease of installation and
long-term performance in wall systems, floors and attics.
The following solutions are only suggested approaches
to consider. Check with your local building code for
specific details.
Catherdal
Ceilings
Attics
The American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and
Air Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE), is an
international society of technical individuals who
provide knowledge to the building industry on
heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration
(HVAC&R). The Society developed ASHRAE 90.1,
an energy conservation standard that provides the
minimum requirements for energy efficient buildings.
This standard, and others are applied today in many
states for commercial, government and high-rise
and residential building applications.
Look to the National Building Code and refer to section
A-5.3.1.2 for information on condensation and energy
conservation standards.
Exterior
Walls
Exposed
Floors
Basement
Walls
Heated
Crawl Space
ASHRAE Map of Climate Zones
Every rating agency has its own maps that divide
regions into thermal or climate zones to tailor codes
and standards to what is appropriate for that
ROXUL COMFORTBATT® thermal home
insulation keeps your home warm in the
particular region.
winter and cool in the summer for more
comfortable living all year round.
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Better | Best
Thermal insulation systems for
residential attic applications.
To increase home comfort and save energy year
round, start by reducing the heat loss through
the attic, probably the most cost-effective area
to add insulation.
*
:
R-49
The New Minimum R-Value Requirement for Attics
Using ROXUL® thermal insulation, this can easily
be done as a weekend project to insulate the attic
portion of a new extension, or to increase the R-value
and top up the current attic insulation, especially in
an older home.
Gaps and voids in the attic can account
for up to 30% of the heat loss. Areas
around pipes, wiring and attic vents are
often neglected and can account for
the majority of those gaps and voids.
™
ROXUL ROCKFILL
loose fill, top up attic
insulation makes it easy because unlike
other attic insulation, there is no blowing
machine required, and installation can
be done by hand.
Venting Your Attic
Before adding insulation, ensure proper venting in the attic,
which is usually supplied by vents in the soffit. Inadvertently
blocking the vents with insulation allows moist air to collect in
the attic, which can cause wood rot and mildew. To avoid this,
install baffles over the soffit vent and staple the baffles in place.
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*Som e state/mun icipaliti es may d iffer. Check your loc al bulding co des.
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