Choosing Insulation: Deal-Breakers

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	October 20^th, 2011


		Past GreenSpec Insights Issues

What Type of Insulation Should You Use? Part 1: The Basics

Alternative Energy Sources: Savior or Downfall?

Red List Mania: An Overlay of Chemical Avoidance Guides

Surprising new solar tech for cold climates

LEDs? Incandescents? Who's Using What

How to improve the windows you already have

When NOT to Replace Old Windows

Nine Types of Greenwashing

Spray Foam: Good or Evil?

See more past issues


		Welcome!

Welcome to GreenSpec Insights, an independent resource for architects, green consultants, and building product specifiers. Each week, we aim to bring you not only unbiased new product reviews, but also insights into what's really important for environmental performance in specific product categories. We hope you find it useful -- send your suggestions and other comments to Insights@GreenSpec.com.

Choosing Insulation:

Part 2: What Are Your Deal-Breakers?


		— Paula Melton Even our savvy readers had some trouble with the GreenSpec insulation quiz. Does it really have to be this hard to choose the best insulation for your project? Making good decisions about insulation--or helping your clients make them--requires a thorough working knowledge of the relevant issues. When considering any insulation material, we have to keep in mind what is for most of us the least flexible issue--cost--while also juggling: embodied energy global warming potential offgassing risks potential for moisture and mold interactions with other materials in the wall, roof, or slab assembly structural properties durability vulnerability to insects fire resistance recycled content recyclability downstream effects of landfilling ability to source locally pollution from resource extraction and manufacturing social justice issues related to manufacturing building codes building certification requirements, including red-listed materials and energy performance standards Keep in mind that the best jugglers on earth can only handle about seven balls at a time for any extended period. Based on results from our GreenSpec insulation quiz, juggling this number of insulation considerations at the same time is nearly impossible--even for you, our exceptionally well informed readers. That said, it's better to choose which balls you want to drop based on your own and your clients' priorities rather than just letting them fall willy-nilly. Read the rest of the blog including information about how to find your dealbreakers, and decision-making tools for insulation.

Top Products from the Greenbuild Expo Floor:

Windows


		— Brent Ehrlich Finding the top Greenbuild products among 900 exhibitors is no easy task. This week we introduce you to our favorite windows from the show. Greenbuild expo floors are typically chaotic and crowded and so vast that it is difficult to find the innovators among the throngs of people, glaring LED signage, and innumerable booths. This year's Greenbuild in Toronto had almost 900 exhibitors spread out over two expo floors separated by a significant walk, which made the search that much more challenging. Fortunately, I enjoy a good challenge--and the exercise--and I was rewarded by finding some interesting products destined for GreenSpec. For this installment, let's take a look at some windows. Read the rest of the blog to see what Products Editor Brent found, including R-20(!) quadruple-pane windows, A high-performance window retrofit, Cost-competitive triple glazing, and Thermochromic self-tinting panes.

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Brattleboro, VT 05301