ROCKWOOL Comfortbatt ® Residential Installation Guide
Site preparation and PPE Site preparation and personal protective equipment (PPE) Insulating is a safe DIY project when the insulation is installed properly. Refer to the following tool checklist and tips before beginning insulation projects. Tips for controlling and reducing dust Another important safety consideration when handling insulation is dust control. These recommended work practices help to minimize itching of the skin. Gather the proper equipment, tools and protective clothing 2.
Insulation project scenarios ROCKWOOL Comfortbatt® installed in exterior walls is a great way to save energy, but there are other applications that can make a big difference in your home’s comfort. Insulating the exposed concrete walls in basement and heated crawl spaces, as well as increasing the insulation in your attic, are all effective ways to improve your home’s energy efficiency.
Attic If you want to increase home comfort and save energy year ‘round, start by reducing the heat loss through the attic, the most cost-effective place to add insulation. If the current insulation has settled and isn’t flush with the top of the joists, add an extra layer of ROCKWOOL Comfortbatt® thermal batt insulation to bring it up to the top of the joist. Step 1 1 Install Comfortbatt between joists. Butt ends tightly together to eliminate any gaps.
For existing construction 1 2 When no insulation is present: 1. Install Comfortbatt between joists 2. For additional insulation, lay a second layer of insulation perpendicular to the first layer. ® When existing insulation is present: • Level existing insulation to top of joist. • Insulate attic hatch to same level as rest of attic. • Lay Comfortbatt on top of joists running perpendicular to the first layer. • Apply weatherstripping to edge to reduce air leakage.
Cathedral Ceiling The rafters in cathedral ceilings are usually made of 2 x 10s or 2 x 12s and ROCKWOOL Comfortbatt® is ideal for insulating around those rafters. Maintaining a minimum of two inch of air space between the insulation and roof deck is recommended to help prevent moisture damage and ensure long roof life. Step 1 In cathedral ceilings, the insulation should be stapled or held in place by pressure against the sides of the rafters.
Exterior walls Exterior walls should be insulated as much as possible. If walls are constructed of 2 X 6 material, then ROCKWOOL Comfortbatt R22/23 (5½”) batts should be used. Do not attempt to squeeze 5.5” batts into a 2 X 4 stud wall. ® 1 Air sealing Air sealing is important for controlling heat loss and reducing condensation risk. There must be a continuous uninterrupted airtight plane form wall elements to other components for the enclosure such as windows, roof and foundation assemblies.
Thermal insulation systems for residential exterior wall applications As energy efficiency and thermal performance demands continue to increase, building codes, builders and homeowners are responding by increasing the R-Value of the building enclosure, in particular, the above grade exterior wall.
Basement walls To reduce overall heating and cooling costs, it pays to insulate the interior foundation walls. R-Values can be increased by installing a combination of two ROCKWOOL insulation products: Comfortboard® 80 and Comfortbatt® thermal insulation. Before starting, check basement walls for signs of dampness. If damp, have the foundation checked for cracks. Ideally, wait a minimum of one year after construction to allow for the foundation to settle.
Crawlspace Many home and cottage owners can enjoy additional benefits by insulating their crawl spaces. In some cases, the most difficult aspect of insulating a crawl space is having enough room to work around to properly install the insulation. If the crawl space area is easy to get at, the installation of ROCKWOOL insulation is quite simple. Typically, there are two types of crawl spaces – they are defined by either being vented or non-vented.
Vented crawl space installation Vented simply refers to the space having air vents, typically more than one, and they are generally located across from one another at the upper part of the foundation wall. The vents allow for an air exchange, helping to eliminate dry rot, moisture build-up, and other conditions that can develop in these enclosed spaces. This type of venting would be very common in older homes.
ROCKWOOL insulation products for vented crawl spaces Better R-30 2 x 10 Joists + R30/R32 3 1 2 (or attach 1 x 2 furring/strapping strip to 2 x 8 joist to build up the joist cavity depth) 1 2 x 10 Joists 2 Vapor Control Layer* 3 ROCKWOOL Comfortbatt® (R30/32) 4 Foundation Wall 4 * Consult your local authority having jurisdiction on the proper location and installation for the vapor barrier/retarder.
Non-Vented crawl space installation A non-vented crawl space is defined as having a heating or cooling source, or some other source that conditions the air within the crawl space. Conditioning the room helps to minimize moisture build-up in the space, and helps to avoid the growth of mold. Dirt floors of a non-vented crawl space should be covered with a suitable vapor barrier before insulating. All joints of the vapor retarder shall overlap by 6 inches (153 mm) and be sealed or taped.
Non-Vented crawl space systems Basements and non-vented crawl space walls – Header (rim-joist) If the basement / crawlspace header (rim-joist) needs to be insulated see Basement Header and Bottom Plate Details diagram: Basement and non-vented crawl space walls – bottom plate The bottom plate of an insulated wood stud wall installed against a basement or crawl space wall needs to be damp-proofed and sealed. 1. Caulk or spray-foam any gaps and cracks, 1.
ROCKWOOL insulation products for non-vented crawl spaces Good: R-15 1 2 x 4 Studs + R14/R15 2 1 Foundation Wall 3 2 2 x 4 Studs 3 ROCKWOOL Comfortbatt® (R14/15) 4 Vapour Control Layer* 4 Better: R-21 2 x 4 Studs + R6 Board + R14/R15 Batt 1 4 3 2 1 Foundation Wall 2 ROCKWOOL Comfortboard® 80 (R6) 3 2X4 Studs 5 4 ROCKWOOL Comfortbatt® (R14/15) 5 Vapor Control Layer* Best: R-23/26 2 x 4 Studs + R8 or R 12 Board + R14/R15 Batt 1 Foundation Wall 1 4 3 2 2 ROCKWOOL Comfortboard® 80 5 (R8
Attachment of Board Insulation Board Products ROCKWOOL stone wool board products, such as ROCKWOOL Comfortboard 80, should be permanently attached using mechanical fasteners, insulation pins or appropriate attachment measures based on the end-use application. ® Mechanical Fasteners For the permanent attachment of ROCKWOOL board insulation, ROCKWOOL recommends the boards be mechanically attached using mechanical fasteners with minimum 2” diameter washers.
Fastening Patterns for Plain Board Insulation The dimension of the insulation boards dictates the minimum number of attachments required and their fastening pattern. This section provides examples for insulation boards up to 48” in length installed over a solid wall and a wood/metal stud wall. For more information refer to ROCKWOOL’s Board Insulation Attachment Guide.
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