The insulation choices we make can significantly impact the amount of embodied carbon that is in our construction projects. Last year, I set about determining how much of an impact different materials have. I also wanted to find a way to make the materials selection process easier for others. 

If you are looking for more details, kindly visit Rockwool panels for thermal insulation in greenhouses.

The lifecycle &#;cost&#; of carbon involved in building construction can be measured by the global warming potential (GWP) associated with the manufacturing and use of each building component. This is measured in carbon dioxide equivalence (CO2e).

My focus was specifically on insulation, which is a product that customers and contractors generally choose based on cost, durability, availability, and building science. A material&#;s GWP is not typically a decision driver.

Since there wasn&#;t a broadly accepted way to both easily and scientifically measure carbon for insulation materials, I began by looking at Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs). These detailed reports are published by manufacturers and trade organizations, and provide loads of data on &#;life cycle costs.&#; See Figure 1 for an overview of how that data gets broken up.

Life cycle stages as defined in the European standard EN

I looked at insulation products that cover a lot of square footage in the construction or renovation of foundations, above-grade walls, and ceilings. From there, I made a list of available products ranging from blueboard to fiberglass to wood-fiber insulation, and then compiled every available EPD&#;the list included close to 200 materials. Priority was given to non-expired EPDs (they have a 5-year shelf life) for products manufactured in North America, but European-manufactured materials were acceptable if no North American products existed or the source was exclusively European.

Most EPDs report GWP based on one square meter of the thickness of material needed to reach RSI-1, which is R-5.678 in imperial units. If&#;

Weekly Newsletter

Get building science and energy efficiency advice, plus special offers, in your inbox.

Signing you up...

Sign Up

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

For more heat resistant wall panelsinformation, please contact us. We will provide professional answers.

This article is only available to GBA Prime Members

Sign up for a free trial and get instant access to this article as well as GBA&#;s complete library of premium articles and construction details.

Start Free Trial

Already a member? Log in

As well as preventing significant heat loss from residential and commercial properties in cold climates, it is also designed to keep the cool air in during hot weather. Increasing the energy efficiency of a building can also mean reducing bills and operational costs. 

We supply a variety of insulation products for flat or pitched roof applications. From steel, concrete or warm roofs to rafter line or loft insulation, ROCKWOOL products are made from premium stone wool to keep your properties safe and the indoor environment comfortable.

On top of the good thermal performance, the fire-resistant and acoustic properties of ROCKWOOL products also allow for more freedom in your designs.

 

 

 

The company is the world’s best fire rated composite panels supplier. We are your one-stop shop for all needs. Our staff are highly-specialized and will help you find the product you need.