Thermal insulation combined with optimal airtightness

The decline in fossil fuels and increases in energy costs justify the need to reduce energy consumption in buildings (individual, collective, tertiary, etc.).Among the easy-to-implement reductions, preventing parasitic air infiltration, in new construction as well as in renovation, contributes to achieving substantial energy savings.

For the implementation of optimal insulation meeting current standards and anticipating RT 2012, Knauf Insulation, specialist in insulation materials, has a wide range of glass mineral wools (free from petroleum products) and membranes (vapour barrier and vapour retarder) ensuring perfect airtightness.

Thermal insulation

Mineral glass wool using the ECOSE process® Technology
Glass mineral wool is made with a binder from the process ECOSE®Technology Developed by Knauf Insulation. The process, which reduces the energy required to manufacture the binder by up to 70%, contains no formaldehyde, phenol, acrylic, or artificial dyes or pigments. Made from sand—an abundant natural resource—and recycled glass, Knauf Insulation's glass mineral wool ranks among the most environmentally friendly insulation products.

More comfortable to install, softer to the touch, and odorless, Knauf Insulation mineral wool is low-irritation and generates little dust. It is resistant to water, water vapor, and mold, and does not attract insects, rodents, or other vermin.

The performance of an insulator…
Knauf Insulation glass mineral wool is a high-performance, non-combustible insulation (Euroclass A1, according to EN 13501 - bare products or coated with a glass veil -) which has received ACERMI certification (Association for the Certification of Insulating Materials), an organization certifying that the insulation values announced by the manufacturer correspond to the actual characteristics of the product. In addition, Knauf Insulation is the first company to have received the gold medal « INDOOR AIR COMFORT GOLD »of EUROFINS for indoor air quality.

…for successful insulation
To achieve successful insulation, it is essential to determine the conductivity coefficient, which is expressed in lambda (λ), i.e., the capacity of a material to transmit heat by conduction. The closer the lambda value is to zero, the more insulating the material is (e.g., 0,032).
The second characteristic used to determine the performance of an insulator is the thermal resistance represented by R, which depends directly on the thermal conductivity and the thickness of the insulator. In short, the higher the value of R, the more the product resists the passage of heat.

Airtightness

Airtightness involves sealing the home against airflow in order to minimize energy loss. It also limits the migration of water vapor through the walls, which, at a certain temperature, condenses and causes structural problems (mold, corrosion of materials, etc.).

Vapor barrier or vapor retarder, what does it consist of?
Placed on the warm side of the wall (interior side) against the insulation, the vapor barrier, or vapor retarder, contributes to improving the performance of the insulation.

Knauf Insulation has a range consisting of vapor barriers and a vapor retarder offering different levels of permeability depending on the humidity level of the areas to be treated.

The performance of vapor barriers and vapor retarders is characterized by their ability to resist the diffusion of water vapor. The Sd coefficient is expressed in meters. It symbolizes the resistance of the vapor barrier compared to that which would correspond to a layer of air of the same thickness. The higher the Sd value, the more impermeable the vapor barrier is to water vapor. Conversely, the lower the value, the more permeable the product.

For very humid areas (swimming pools, communal showers, etc.), the LDS 100 vapor barrier (Sd = 100 m) provides perfect water vapor tightness. Intended for areas generating less humidity, the Sd 30 (Sd = 30 m) and Sd 20 (Sd = 20 m) vapor barriers significantly limit the migration of water vapor. The Vapor Flex vapor retarder (controlled permeability Sd = > 2 m), which has the highest permeance, regulates the migration of water vapor whatever the climatic conditions, summer and winter.

Essential installation accessories
Knauf Insulation vapor barriers are complemented by a range of installation accessories, essential for their complete implementation. This includes:

- Lds Soliplan : high-performance adhesive for joining membranes together.
- Solitape : adhesive tape for bonding the overlaps of membrane strips.
- LDS Solifi t : high-adhesion adhesive for fixing membranes to penetrating elements.
- Solid double : double-sided adhesive for temporary fixing of the membrane on clip rail and furring.
- Kleberaupe : double-sided adhesive for fixing the membrane to furring, wood, PVC, metal and concrete.
- Solimur : elastic glue with high adhesive power for connecting the membrane to protruding structural elements (wood) or walls (masonry).
- Universal sleeve : for the passage of tubes from diameter 75 to diameter 125 mm.
- Adhesive sleeve allowing the passage of electrical conduits in the membranes (switches, sockets, ceiling lights).

Knauf Insulation is ahead of the certifications
In the absence of a DTU, Knauf Insulation adapts its airtightness products which already correspond to CPT n°3560 and n°3647 (Cahiers des Prescriptions Techniques) guaranteeing the durability of the insulation, control of air permeability and limitation of water vapor.

Dedicated documentation
Knauf Insulation has paper guides on insulation combined with airtightness, for individual houses and timber-framed houses, available at all specialist points of sale (materials dealers) or in pdf format on its website:

www.knaufinsulation.fr