EcoTouch Certified R Metal Building Insulation is currently available in the South and West United States and expects a complete rollout in 2013.
Design-build contractors and architects are constantly working to stay well informed of new trends in an ever-changing landscape. One of the biggest growth categories of the past few years is sustainability and energy savings. According to the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), building operations account for approximately 40 percent of energy use. With this in mind, green building standards continue to evolve, as are building material manufacturers.
While structural design remains a focus, the key to sustainability can lie in one of the building’s simplest investments: insulation. Insulation may function out of sight-behind the walls-but it is the heart of a building’s thermal performance.
Insulation Gone Green
Thermal resistance value, or R-value, which measures insulation’s ability to resist heat flow, is certainly important to any building. However, it is especially significant within metal buildings where temperatures can be more difficult to control. Selecting the right insulation for the application may not only save on heating and cooling costs long term, but there are federal and state incentives for builders investing in these materials.
In the metal building space, there also is movement toward specifications requiring formaldehydefree materials and incorporating biobased products made of renewable materials instead of the traditional synthetic base. Toledo, Ohio-based Owens Corning is responding to this need with EcoTouch Certified R Metal Building Insulation. Formaldehyde- free and made with a biobased binder, it uses a minimum of 65 percent recycled content, 41 percent of which is post-consumer content*. It is certified by Scientific Certification Systems (SCS) to contain a minimum of 65 percent recycled glass content and is GREENGUARD Children & Schools Certified. Additionally, EcoTouch insulation also is the only fiberglass insulation product listed in the USDA BioPreferred Catalog. BioPreferred, which is a program managed by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), encourages the use of U.S.-made products.
Selecting Insulation
Certainly, every building serves a specific purpose, and determining this information when planning is the first step to assess the right type of insulation. Fiberglass is often a great choice for metal buildings, as it is pre-cut and designed to fit the roof framing within the structure of the building. Methods are available to apply insulation between purlins to accommodate greater insulation thicknesses and better thermal performance. There are also a variety of facings to choose from to provide attractive interior finishes and abuse resistance.
In addition to energy savings, another important design consideration for metal building insulation is moisture control. The insulation system, including facing selection, can help minimize condensation and increase durability of the building.
The Future of Insulation for Metal Buildings
Now is the time for green metal building solutions to be at the forefront of any project. Building owners and specifiers alike will continue to seek sustainable materials, so it is important for design-build contractors and architects to stay informed of the latest codes, requirements and product solutions to make their buildings as efficient and appealing as possible. For the latest information about the future of insulation, please visit www.owenscorningcommercial.com/ecotouch.
Todd Carlson is the business manager, engineered insulation systems, building materials group at Owens Corning, Toledo, Ohio. To learn more, visit www.owenscorning.com.
*The GREENGUARD INDOOR AIR QUALITY CERTIFIED mark is a registered certification mark used under license through the GREENGUARD Environmental Institute.
