Insulation and soundproofing

Non-toxic natural building insulation made of grass

Natural insulation materials such as hemp insulation, cellulose (including grass based), wood fiber, straw and cotton act as carbon storage and reduce embodied energy and carbon footprint of homes & buildings. Natural building insulation materials In order to combat the climate change impact of the built…

Hemp insulation in Canada & USA - insulating naturally is an eco-friendly alternative

Discover the benefits of hemp insulation for sustainable building solutions. Learn how hemp offers eco-friendly, energy-efficient, and non-toxic alternatives to traditional insulation materials, perfect for reducing your carbon footprint. A comprehensive guide to hemp insulation: a sustainable choice for insulating…

Insulation and soundproofing

New HFO blowing agents for spray foam will make it over 1,000 times less harmful to the climate

Foam blowing agents long ago stopped harming ozone, that switch had a huge impact on climate. That problem has now been solved. New blowing agents for spray foam coming by the end of 2017 Foam insulation is a petroleum-based product and nothing will change that. But that was never the biggest problem the 'eco'…

Insulation and soundproofing

Does 'insulating paint' work?

No, it doesn't work. Don't buy the hype about insulating paint, this is snake oil in its truest form. Can paint insulate walls of homes? No it cannot. Despite engineers having long ago debunked this nonsense, insulating paint still occasionally finds its way into buildings. So what are the magical claims…

Insulation and soundproofing

Soundproofing interior walls-video

How to reduce sound transmission through interior partition walls. How to soundproof interior walls The key to building smaller homes which don't sacrifice quality of life is ensuring that they are designed to make the best use of their space no matter how limited. However, you must also ensure that there is…

Insulation and soundproofing

Insulating below slab-on-grade floors

Installing 8 inches of Roxul mineral wool below a concrete slab floor. Insulating below slab-on-grade foundations Why insulate under a slab on grade foundation? For comfort, and to save money, that's why! In many areas Building Code has fallen behind common sense on what specification of insulation to use under a…

Insulation and soundproofing

Properly insulating basements and concrete slab floors

The importance of properly insulating basements cannot be stressed enough. Uninsulated basements and poorly insulated basements can be responsible for as much as 1/3 of the total heat loss of a home. How much insulation does a basement floor need? Insulating a basement is a great idea if it wasn't insulated when…

Insulation and soundproofing

Controlling sound transmission in buildings

Before attempting to improve a wall or floor, it is essential to assess the situation to try to identify the major cause of the inadequate sound isolation. Unnecessary alterations can be a waste effort and money. The first step to controlling sound transmission in buildings is assessing the situation. What kind of…

Insulation and soundproofing

Understanding sound transmission in buildings

Sound transmission in multi-unit dwellings and single family homes can affect quality of life. Learn how to prevent it. Before embarking on any structural changes, it is most important to understand that the sound isolation between two homes is not determined only by the common wall or floor. All the other parts of…

Insulation and soundproofing

How insulation works

Understanding how insulation works is best achieved by first understanding the way heat loss occurs in homes. How does home insulation work? Insulation slows the rate of heat transfer, helping keep homes warmer in winter and cooler in summer. Nothing stops heat from moving, but it moves slower through some materials…