THE CHALLENGE

One of the biggest challenges facing builders today is finding the perfect insulation method and maintaining the R-value of that insulation. Both can help you achieve a higher level of energy-efficiency. And this is where ZIP System wall sheathing comes into play.

But what exactly is meant by insulation and R-value?

Insulation is the material used to create a thermal barrier between the interior and and exterior surfaces of a building. The R-value—also known as the thermal resistance value—is the measure of thermal resistance to heat transfer or heat flow. It is a popular way of comparing insulation because the higher the R-value, the greater the resistance to heat flow. In extremely cold environments, for example, a higher R-value is needed to prevent the warm air inside a home from flowing out through the walls into the cold air outside. In turn a high R-value helps sustain conditioned air in the home and thus reduce energy costs to recondition the air.

Remember that heat transfer is normally from high temperature to lower temperature. High temperature air or objects have faster moving molecules, which if coming into contact with colder temperature air or objects will cause them to move faster and heat up. So in the example above, the warm inside air in a home will cool down if it comes in contact with the colder air outside.

But the R-value only tells part of the story of how well insulation will work in any home. Other key factors play an important role in affecting the R-value or resistance to heat flow. These are:

• Convection – air flow in the form of random air leaks
  
• Conduction – heat or cooling loss as a result of temperature differences across materials (walls, ceilings, insulation)
  
• Radiation – in waves, for example from sun through windows.
  

The most important of these is air leakage. Note that the United States Department of Energy reports that over 30 – 40 percent of the cost of heating and cooling a home is lost to uncontrolled air leakage.

To find a solution, it is not enough to simply add insulation to achieve a higher level of energy-efficiency. The addition of glass fiber insulation, for example—no matter how much you install—will not stop air leakage. Only a suitable air barrier can help stop uncontrolled air leakage.

THE SOLUTION

The revolutionary science behind ZIP System sheathing, and ZIP System tape, is the solution to this problem. By sealing panel joints and gaps, and thereby reducing air leakage, ZIP System wall sheathing protects the effective R-value of insulation so that builders and homeowners can:

• Lower the rate of heat flow
• Use less energy to heat or cool a home
• Increase overall energy efficiency
• Save on heating and cooling costs