Dow Insulating Exterior Wall Sheathing

Although gba has published many articles and videos on the topic we continue to receive frequent questions from readers asking how to install rigid foam sheathing on exterior walls so it s time to provide a primer on the topic.

Dow insulating exterior wall sheathing.

What s the best way to install foam insulation on the outside of a wall. Tuff r polyisocyanurate insulation consists of high performance high r value closed cell polyisocyanurate foam core boards sandwiched between a choice of durable exterior foil facers. Thermax sheathing is a non structural rigid board insulation consisting of a glass fiber infused polyisocyanurate foam core laminated between 1 0 mil smooth reflective aluminum facers on both sides. Exterior steel stud walls in commercial applications walls ceilings and roofs for commercial residential and.

Concrete slab insulating over slabs helps reduce the potential for condensation or sweating reduce energy loss and increase the warmth of the homeowner. It s installed over the exterior walls of the home and can have several purposes from lending structural support to helping to insulate the home. Updated on july 20 2015. Thermax sheathing is designed for use as continuous insulation in both interior and exterior applications to assist in meeting and exceeding both the most current iecc and the ashrae 90 1.

Extruded polystyrene foam insulation like styrofoam brand residential sheathing is inherently resistant to moisture which can wreak havoc on other building materials. Structural sheathing and non structural sheathing. Exterior sheathing can be loosely grouped into two categories. Thermax is also engineered with unique fiberglass reinforced core for enhanced fire performance making it the only polyisocyanurate insulation to have fm 4880 approval and can be used on walls and ceilings up to 30 ft.

Moisture can compromise the performance of cavity insulation and damage drywall wood framing and osb or plywood sheathing. When rigid foam insulating sheathing is installed on the exterior walls of a home the foam can serve as a drainage plane taking the place of house wrap for time and cost savings. Thermax sheathing or styrofoam brand extruded polystyrene foam insulation offers a quick and effective alternative for insulating and sealing rim joists. To serve as a drainage plane the seams in the foam sheathing must be properly taped with sheathing and flashing tapes to provide continuity of the drainage plane at.

The other is a tri plex facer consisting of a three ply laminate of durable kraft. On tuff r insulation one facer is a continuous sheet of aluminum foil.