一个建筑物的墙系统必须不断打的雨，空气，蒸汽和热attacks.The壁的，以提供一个屏障，这些元件的每能力入侵依赖于使用相应的材料，安装在正确的序列。 There is no such thing as a perfect wall system; however, a wall system that performs with greater efficiency using new efficient materials is achievable.
In this second addition of “ROI-Driven Products," we take a look at insulation, which is a big part of a building’s envelope. When insulation is installed correctly, it provides the necessary R-value to meet the thermal demands of the region and the comfort demands of the building’s occupants. With energy prices on the rise, building envelopes have come under more and more scrutiny. Homeowners and business owners alike are now seeing the need to improve the building envelope and increase its overall efficiency.
绝缘可以节省你的钱。房主加热和各类能源的它由于各种各样的是其无法控制的变量波动的价格定期冷却他们的房子。降低你的温控器，安装一个可编程的自动调温器，或在每月预算计划可能会降低你的账单登记;然而，您可能忽略了一两件事，才能真正降低你的能源开支，绝缘。在绝缘投资可以节省你的钱，的支付你回来通过减少每月的能源开支的随着时间的推移，以及提供更大的全年提供舒适和安静的室内环境。
According to the U.S. Department of Energy, random air infiltration through gaps and cracks is a leading cause of energy loss in homes, accounting for 25–40% of energy loss in most residential structures. Fortunately, Dow Building Solutions (DBS) has been a leader in building envelope solutions, including air sealing and insulation, for over 60 years. Dow offers the broadest array of solutions for minimizing energy loss and moisture damage caused by air leaks, including FROTH-PAK™ Foam Insulation and Foam Sealant Kits, and GREAT STUFF PRO™ Insulating Foam Sealants and Adhesives. At the International Builders’ Show (IBS) 2011, the DBS booth featured a fun, fascinating, and interactive presentation about GREAT STUFF, which showed how the products work to fill gaps and cracks and how they can help to seal a home, increase energy efficiency, and save money. Air leaks, or what are commonly known as drafts, occur at penetrable locations along a ceiling, beneath an attic. Common locations where air has the ability to leak into an attic include gaps between sheets of drywall; holes through which wiring runs; and around an attic hatch cover, a chimney, recessed lighting, or plumbing and mechanical vents. During the colder months, as heat rises through your home, these gaps will allow warm, humid air to circulate into the unconditioned attic. Locating and sealing these leaks will prevent a rise in the ambient temperature of your attic. Energy Star has developed a helpful guide, “A Do-it-Yourself Guide to Sealing and Insulating with Energy Star,” that provides information about what materials, precautions, and methods are necessary to seal attic air leaks. <跨度风格=“字体大小：12磅;”> <强>酚醛 （苯酚 - 甲醛）泡沫有点流行年前，作为硬质泡沫板绝缘。这是目前仅作为发泡就地绝缘。 胶凝绝缘材料被用作喷涂泡沫或泡沫化置于绝缘。 Urea-Formaldehyde (UF) foam was used in homes during the 1970s and early 1980s. However, after many health-related court cases due to improper installation practices, UF foam is no longer available for residential use and has been discredited for its formaldehyde emissions and shrinkage. It is now used primarily for masonry walls in commercial/industrial buildings. Liquid foam insulation materials can be sprayed, foamed-in-place, injected, or poured. Their ability to fill even the smallest cavities gives them twice the R-value per inch than traditional batt insulation. <强>的刚性纤维 或纤维板绝缘由任玻璃纤维或矿棉和主要用于绝缘空气管道的在家庭。当有一个需要绝缘，能承受高温度下，它也被使用。 的 辐射屏障 安装在家园 - 最常用的阁楼 - 减少夏季热增益和冬季热损失，这有助于降低加热和冷却成本。的障碍包括反射辐射热，而不是吸收它的高反射材料制成。它们不这样做，但是，降低热传导等的绝热材料。 反光绝缘系统是由铝箔与各种背衬，如牛皮纸，塑料膜，聚乙烯泡沫，或纸板的制造。对热流动的阻力取决于热量流动方向。反射隔热是最有效的减少向下的热流。 Cellulose — a material used as loose-fill insulation — is made from recycled wood fiber, primarily newsprint. The wood fiber is shredded and pulverized into small, fibrous particles that pack tightly into closed building cavities, inhibiting airflow. This provides a thermal resistance of R-3.6 to R-3.8 per inch. Loose-fill insulation consists of small particles of fiber, foam, or other materials. These small particles form an insulation material that can conform to any space without disturbing any structures or finishes. This ability to conform makes loose-fill insulation well suited for retrofits and for places where it's difficult to install some other types of insulation. <强>的泡沫板 -rigid面板绝缘可以用来隔离你家里的几乎任何部分，从屋顶下来的基础。它们提供了良好的散热性，往往添加结构强度到您家。泡沫板绝缘护套通过结构元件降低热传导，如木材和钢螺栓。 和蛭石珍珠岩保温材料通常发现在1950年之前，蛭石保温材料建造的房屋的阁楼绝缘没有被广泛使用了，因为它们有时含有石棉。然而，根据美国环境保护署，石棉是不是固有的蛭石。已发现蛭石的只有少数几个来源，以包含比微小痕量的。不过，如果你在你的阁楼具有蛭石保温，不要打扰它。If you want to add insulation to your attic, use an insulation contractor who is trained and certified in handling asbestos. 
<强>的聚氨酯 是用于含有低传导性气体闭孔泡沫绝缘材料（通常氢氯氟烃或在其细胞中HCFC）。的气体的高耐热性赋予聚氨酯保温材料的R值一般为约R-7〜R-8每英寸。
<强>的聚异氰脲 或多异是塑料制成的热固型，闭孔泡沫，它包含一个低传导率气体（通常是氢氯氟烃或HCFC）在其细胞中。的气体的高耐热性聚异氰酸酯给出了隔热材料的R值一般从R-5.6〜R-8每英寸。
<强>的聚苯乙烯 - 无色透明的热塑性塑料 - 常用于化妆泡沫板或beadboard绝缘，混凝土块绝缘和一个键入松散填充绝缘的，它由聚苯乙烯小珠。
隔热混凝土块可以在家庭容纳许多壁。其核心填充有绝缘（除了那些需要结构钢加固和混凝土填充细胞），这提高了平均壁R值。更好的混凝土砌块降低连接板尽可能的面积。
一些天然纤维 - 包括棉，羊毛，稻草，和大麻 - 被用作绝缘材料 。
Plastic fiber insulation material is primarily made from recycled plastic milk bottles (polyethylene terephthalate or PET). The fibers are then formed into batt insulation similar to high-density fiberglass.
的术语 “矿物棉” 通常是指两种类型的绝缘材料：
<强>的玻璃纤维 （或玻璃纤维） - 其由极细的玻璃纤维 - 是的一个最常用的绝缘材料等。它以两种不同的绝缘形式使用：毯（絮垫和卷）和松散填充。
面板是在制造过程中固定到绝缘材料等。甲面保护绝缘的表面，保持绝缘在一起，便于紧固。一些类型的面层也可以作为一个空气阻隔，辐射挡板和/或蒸汽阻挡。一些甚至提供阻燃性。
Blanket insulation — the most common and widely available type of insulation — comes in the form of batts or rolls. It consists of flexible fibers, most commonly fiberglass. You also can find batts and rolls made from mineral (rock and slag) wool, plastic fibers, and natural fibers, such as cotton and sheep's wool.
正确绝缘您的平板上档次的地板不仅将帮助您节省能源开支，同时也将提高你家的舒适。冷混凝土板可以舒服的在家里的来源。一种绝缘板减少热量损失，从而更容易散热。这种减少的热损失有助于适度室内温度。
A properly insulated basement can help reduce your energy costs. However, basement walls are one of the most controversial areas of a house to insulate and seal. You need to carefully consider the advantages and disadvantages, not to mention moisture control. 一个适当隔离的基础可能会导致降低供热成本，更舒适的地面以下的房间，如果您有任何。它也可以帮助防止水分的问题，虫害，并在您的家氡气渗入。 
