Exterior insulation works like a warm coat, wrapping a home's exterior walls and roof in thermally insulating materials to shield it from the elements.

1. Product Knowledge Course
Introductory Level
INSULATION 101

2. Exterior insulation works like a warm coat,
wrapping a home's exterior walls and roof in
thermally insulating materials to shield it
from the elements.
A well-insulated home is not only more
comfortable, it is highly valued for energy
efficiency, which reduces heating
and cooling costs, and demand for fuel
sources such as natural gas and oil.
Ply Gem distributes a wide array of high
quality insulation materials to the building
industry.
Objectives
______________________________
By the end of this course, you will
understand:
1. Purpose of Insulation
2. What makes for good insulation?
3. Types of exterior insulation
4. Product Lines
5. Ordering and Support
Insulation 101

3. Purpose of Insulation
The primary function of thermal insulation materials used in construction is to reduce the
transmission of heat through walls, roofing, windows and doors, and floors.
The main advantages of insulating a home with adequate materials are:
• Prevent heat or cold transmission
• Help reduce energy requirements
Properly insulating your home can have a dramatic effect on heating costs. The diagram
below shows how much heat can escape from various parts of your home if they are poorly
insulated. The majority of heat escapes through walls.

4. What makes for good insulation?
Thermal conductivity
The best insulation materials have the lowest thermal conductivity, meaning heat transfers slowly through
them. Thus, less insulating material will be required.
The insulating properties of commercially available insulating materials are determined by the amount of
heat held inside the material. Therefore, the higher the number of cells and the smaller their size, the
lower the thermal conductivity of such insulating material. Higher R-values mean higher resistance to
heat transmission.
Moisture-vapour permeability
The best insulation materials have very low moisture-vapour permeability. Thus, water absorption
becomes negligible.
Installation
Insulation material should be easy to cut and install, light weight and easy to handle. It should not
generate or absorb odours. It should be unaffected by fungus or mildew and should not attract vermin.
Safety features
The insulation material should be rated as non-flammable. In the event that the insulation material burns,
the products of combustion should not introduce toxic hazards.
R-value is a measure of resistance to heat flow through
a given thickness of material. In theory, the higher the
R-value, the greater that resistance.

5. Types of Insulation
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Several types of insulation are available
• Foam or Rigid Board: The most common types of
materials used in making foam board include
polystyrene, polyisocyanurate (polyiso), and
polyurethane.
• Reflective Systems: Foil, films, or papers are fitted
between wood-frame studs, joists, rafters, and beams
• Blanket Systems: Batts and rolls of fiberglass or
mineral wool are fitted between joists, studs and
beams
• Sprayed Foam and Foamed-in-Place: Liquid foam
insulation materials can be sprayed, foamed-in-place,
injected, or poured.

6. Levelwall
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Levelwall is an exterior rigid foam insulation product with
a helpful grid system making cutting around doors,
windows and roof lines simple.
Levelwall blocks the wood-to-wood thermal transfer of
outside temperatures.
Benefits of Levelwall:
• Additional insulation – Higher R Value
• Air infiltration barrier
• Vapour permeable – allows inside
air moisture to escape
• All weather workability
• Creates a level working surface perfect for
installing vinyl siding
• Contains no harmful chemicals or toxic additives.
*To achieve system R-Value listed, an average of
3/8” dead air space must be adjacent to the
reflective surface

7. Dow Cladmate
STYROFOAM Brand Extruded Polystyrene (XPS) Foam Insulation
products and integrated system components insulate and seal homes from
unwanted and costly air infiltration, moisture intrusion and thermal loss.
Cladmate is a polystyrene foam board that helps reduce thermal bridging
in walls and attics.
• Used in residential and commercial applications; new and retrofit
construction in walls and attics
• Thin profile for minimal additional framing around windows and doors
• Easy to handle, cut and install
• Shiplap edge and butt edge (depending on board thickness)
• Several thicknesses and RSI values available
• R-5.0 (0.88) per 1"
• Board size: 2' x 8'

8. Who is IKO?
IKO is also a leader in the commercial and industrial flat roofing and waterproofing
business, with production plants for industrial roofing membranes, liquid
waterproofing products, and ISO insulation board in both North America and
Europe.
IKO

9. IKO Enerair
Ener-Air by IKO is a breathable rigid polyiso insulation sheathing with a
coated glass fibre facer laminated on the top and bottom side.
Provides high thermal resistance of R6 per inch (RSI 1.05 per 25 mm) for
improved energy efficient performance of walls.
• Environmentally friendly
• No ozone-depleting HCFC’s are used in the manufacturing, making
it an ideal “Green” product.
• Energy Star certified. Can contribute to points under LEED,
EnerGuide and other energy efficiency rating programs.
• Lightweight & easy to cut, thus reducing labor costs on site.
• Coated glass fibre facings provide long-term moisture resistance
• Available in 4’ x 8’ boards in a variety of thicknesses including 19mm
(.75"), 25mm (1"), 38mm (1.5") and 51mm (2.0").
• Doubles as an air barrier as well. When suitably detailed, can be a code-
compliant air barrier assembly.

10. IKO Enerfoil
Enerfoil® by IKO is a non-structural rigid polyiso insulation sheathing with a foil facer laminated on the top
and bottom side.
Provides high thermal resistance of R6.2 per inch (RSI 1.08 per 25 mm) for improved energy efficient
performance of walls.
• Environmentally friendly
• No ozone-depleting HCFC’s are used in the manufacturing, making it an ideal “Green” product.
• Energy Star® certified. Can contribute to points under LEED, EnerGuide and other energy
efficiency rating programs.
• Lightweight & easy to cut, thus reducing labor costs on site.
• Available in 4' x 8' boards with the following thicknesses: 1/2", 5/8", 3/4", 1", 1-1/2", 2", 2-1/2", 3", 3.5",
and 4”.
• Available in 4' x 9' boards with the following thicknesses: 3/4", 1" and 1-1/2".

11. Who is DUPONT?
DuPont is a science company dedicated to solving challenging global problems,
while creating measurable and meaningful value for its customers, employees and
shareholders.
Dupont’s portfolio of products, materials and services meets the ever-changing
market needs of diverse industries in more than 90 countries.
DUPONT

12. DuPont Tyvek Thermawrap R5.0
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An insulated house wrap that offers the air and water management benefits of all
DuPont Tyvek weather barriers with an R-value of 5.0. This innovative product
significantly contributes to home energy savings and improves comfort in the
home.
• 4' x 40' roll allows for easy installation
• Weather and air barrier with 1.5" thick insulation blanket
• Provides continuous exterior insulation (CI), increasing the R-value of the wall
while reducing thermal bridging.
• Breathable; allows moisture to escape.

13. Ordering and Support
To order, contact Mitten’s customer service department at
1-888-MITTEN4.

14. Dow
Building Solutions
Who is DOW Building Solutions?
Dow Building Solutions is a leader in delivering insulation, air sealing and
weatherization technologies that help improve the energy efficiency and
sustainability of residential and commercial buildings around the globe.
For more than 60 years, Dow has leveraged the power of chemistry to create
solutions that help building owners maximize energy efficiency, improve comfort
and durability, and save money.
Quiz
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