The Facts About Air Infiltration Myth #1 Certain types of insulation are air barriers. Reality The home is a system. No cavity insulation ALONE is capable of providing a continuous air barrier. It’s a two step process. The sill plates need to be sealed and lengthwise stud cavities should be caulked. There needs to be good attention to detail around pipes/openings. This applies to all insulation – spray-applied foams, fiber glass, mineral wool and cellulose, etc. Studies done by NAHB and others confirm that with proper air sealing, various insulations perform equally.		For additional information, read the following NAIMA items: Facts #24: The Facts About Insulation And Air Infiltration Alternative Insulations Show Little Reduction in Air Leakage NAHB Field Study Assesses Alternative Wall Insulation Products Facts #4: Facts About Fiber Glass Insulation and Vapor Retarders Effect of Cavity Insulation, Vapor Retarders, and Air Retarders on Air Infiltration of Residential Walls Air Infiltration Myths and Realities
Myth #2 Insulation = Air Infiltration. Reality Insulation = Thermal Performance. No insulation plays a major role in blocking air infiltration through the walls of a home. Resistance to air flow through walls is primarily done by gypsum board (77%)1 and sheathing, siding or housewrap (12%)1. The rest comes from proper sealing of the building envelope and the numerous gaps and penetrations to the outside such as pipes, ducts, and flues. Many of these areas can be difficult or impractical to seal with spray-foam insulation, and may require caulking or other sealing measures. Don’t be fooled. Air infiltration is not about insulation.		Here are other web sites that have additional information on air infiltration: Air Seal and Insulate with ENERGY STAR Home Sealing Home Performance with ENERGY STAR PFT Air Infiltration Measurement Technique Insulation and Air Sealing Weatherization and Air Sealing ENERGY STAR Qualified Homes Thermal Bypass Inspection Checklist

Myth #3

Skimming the wall cavity with spray-applied insulation completely solves air infiltration

Reality

Everyone knows the house is a system. Spray-foam inside a cavity does not come close to stopping all air leakage.

Air infiltration happens all over the house with the wall cavities only contributing a small amount (14%¹). To solve air infiltration you need to address air flow throughout the structure, with the most important places being gypsum board, gaps, and penetrations, not the cavity. Spray-foam insulation in a typical application is not a continuous air barrier. For that you need to seal under sill plates, fill band joists, and seal around penetrations such as recessed lights and electrical boxes. If the foam shrinks, that seal could be lost. Fiber glass insulation with an air barrier or skim coating provides a high performance wall with excellent thermal performance and minimal air leakage at a cost effective price point.

Myth #4

Spray-foam insulation is a one step solution to air leakage.

Reality

No cavity insulation alone is capable of providing a continuous air barrier.

While spray-foam insulation products can be used to fill gaps and voids, they are not always applied that way and don’t always solve all air leakage problems. Achieving a continuous air barrier with spray-foam insulation can be a very costly solution and something that may not be feasible if framing techniques keep some areas from being completely sealed. If your insulation provider is claiming that they provide a “one-step” solution, look again. For an effective solution to air infiltration and thermal performance, choose fiber glass batt, loose fill or spray-applied insulation with a continuous air barrier outside or a skim coating inside. This is common building practice that is high performing and cost effective.

Myth #5

R-value doesn’t matter.

Reality

According to the Federal Trade Commission, “R-value ‘is the only quantifiable...measure of thermal resistance that might provide the typical consumer with a means to evaluate insulation products’.”²

Any claim that R-value may be discounted or enhanced for air infiltration capabilities is false and misleading. There is no provision or language within the FTC R-value Rule that explicitly, implicitly or even slightly hints that there is “any performance yardstick suited” for measuring thermal performance other than R-value. Don’t be fooled. Air infiltration and thermal performance are two separate and distinct issues.

Myth #6

Some types of insulation are better at air sealing than others.

Reality

All insulation needs proper air sealing.

Some spray-foam and cellulose insulation manufacturers claim that studies show their products are better at air sealing. The NAHB Research Center found the following studies to be flawed or limited either because they tested only a few houses, or did not provide equal air sealing to all insulation. Other studies found insignificant differences but are often misquoted. The studies found by NAHB RC³ to be limited, flawed or frequently misquoted include:

• Colorado study (unpublished)
• Modern Materials (June 2006)
• NAHB/EPA (2002)
• Florida Solar Center (1994)
• Christian (2005)
• CMHC (1998)
• Conservation Services Group (2004)
• National Research Canada (1998)

Building scientists and the Department of Energy and the Environmental Protection Agency agree, and the code mandates, that all insulation needs proper air sealing.

Don’t be fooled.

References:

1. G. Yuill, 1997
2. 44 Fed. Reg. 50,220 (1979)
3. NAHB Research Center, 2006