Can Thermax be left exposed?
Thermax™ White Finish features an embossed white acrylic-coated aluminum facer on its exposed surface, for a clean, finished wall that is durable and washable. Thermax™ Brand products can be left exposed to the interior without a thermal barrier in most applications.
What is thermal sheathing?
Rigid insulation sheathing is made of a rigid plastic foam that is typically sold in 4×8- or 4×10-footboards. The boards are available in several thicknesses and R-values; 1-inch and 2-inch thicknesses are common. Rigid insulation provides thermal protection and it can also serve as an air and moisture barrier.
What is the R-value of Thermax?
[2] Thermax Brand insulation has a higher R-Value at lower temperatures. At 40°F mean temperature and 1” board thickness, R-Value is 6.6, and for 2” board thickness, R-Value is 13.2.
What is Thermax insulation?
Designed for immediate insulation and weather protection on the job site, as well as long-term thermal performance, DuPont™ Thermax™ (ci) Exterior Insulation is a rigid foam board insulation with a glass-fiber-reinforced polyisocyanurate foam core that helps improve fire performance and dimensional stability.
Do you have to cover foam board insulation?
Tests have shown that these laminated boards can withstand UV ray damage for a reasonably long time. That said, it’s still advisable to cover any foam board insulation exposed to the Sun within 30-60 days at the most. On most projects, that’s more than enough time to finish the exterior walls.
Do you need a vapor barrier with rigid foam insulation?
Foam insulation usually does not require a vapor barrier. For some foam insulation types, such as closed-cell spray foam and foam board insulation, the insulation itself stops the movement of most water vapor.
What is insulated sheathing used for?
Insulating sheathing provides additional insulation to the house that is run continuous past the exterior face of the wood studs. Because of this the rated R-value for the insulating sheathing is very close to the effective R-value of the insulating sheathing in the assembly.
Can foam board be used as sheathing?
A THICK SKIN THAT KEEPS A HOME WARM AND DRY. Sheathing with foam-board insulation is a great way to get more R-value with a conventionally framed house. It can work just as well in remodeling projects as in new construction.
Can foam board insulation be exposed?
While there are no UV rays to destroy the foam board’s insulative properties, interior exposure can create a fire hazard. Therefore, to qualify a building for an occupancy permit, most jurisdictions in North America demand that a thermal barrier, like drywall, cover the foam board.
Is foam board insulation fireproof?
While many modern foam insulating products do not themselves readily support combustion (that is they don’t catch fire and burn alone) they may give off thick acrid or toxic black smoke in a fire, making it difficult to safely exit the burning building.
How do you install Thermax insulation?
Fasteners to attach DuPont™ Thermax™ Sheathing – YouTube
Is Thermax fire rated?
THERMAX™ Sheathing is specially designed to have a Class A fire rating and can be used in a range of concealed and exposed applications, above and below grade, and can be used in exterior walls. Because of its improved fire performance, THERMAX™ Sheathing is especially appropriate for hourly rated assemblies.
Does foam board need a thermal barrier?
Yes, absolutely. If you put spray foam insulation in a building, it needs a thermal barrier. That’s what separates it from the occupied spaces. If there’s a fire in the building, a thermal barrier keeps the combustible spray foam from the flames to increase fire resistance.
Can I leave foam board exposed?
Can I use foam board as a vapor barrier?
Rigid foam board, especially foil-faced polyisocyanurate, creates a vapor-impermeable barrier, so the wall would have limited drying potential. Even more permeable types of insulation, such as expanded polystyrene, are vapor barriers when the installation is thick enough.
Can exterior foam insulation cause mold and moisture problems?
The benefit of foam insulation in the exterior wall when it comes to moisture is it doesn’t provide a favorable material for mold to grow in and most foam products contain no food value for mold. Foam insulation also creates a needed air seal that will keep your home comfortable and energy-efficient.
What is the disadvantage to using rigid foam sheathing on exterior walls?
Disadvantages. Rigid foam insulation in wall cavities must be tightly fitted to stop air infiltration. Joints between sheets and boards must be taped to prevent air flow. Rigid foam is susceptible to sunlight.
What is the highest R-value foam board?
Polyisocyanurate: Known as polyiso for short, polyisocyanurate foam has the highest R-value per inch (R-6.5 to R-6.8) of any rigid insulation.
Is foam board a good insulator?
Because of its resistance to moisture, foam board insulation is a great choice whenever and wherever there is a chance it could get wet, such as: an exterior foundation, inside a basement against the foundation, and on the outside of a house beneath a house wrap.
How long can foam board be exposed?
If FOAMULAR® insulation is not covered immediately, it is recommended that it be covered within 60 days. When exposed for up to 60 days, gradual color fading and/or dusting of the surface may occur.
What is a 15 minute thermal barrier?
15-minute thermal barriers are materials sprayed or painted between foam plastics and interior spaces that delay or prevent foam ignition. All 15-minute thermal barrier materials are designed to the temperature rise of the polyurethane foam to not more than 250° F after 15 minutes of exposure to fire and heat.
How do you cut Thermax?
There are two ways to cut Thermax™ Sheathing. One way is to use a straight edge and a utility knife, making sure to cut all the way through the facing. Make sure the surface backing is safe to cut on. Or, Thermax™ Sheathing may be cut with a small handsaw.
Is foam board insulation fire proof?
What qualifies as a 15 minute thermal barrier?
Is plywood a 15 minute thermal barrier?
Thermal Barrier – A thermal barrier as far as building code is concerned, is any product that has been ASTM tested and is considered to have a “15-minute thermal barrier” or an “index of 15”. An example of a thermal barrier is 1/2” sheet rock, 1/4” plywood or particleboard, and some fire proof coating.