Current Product Testing Projects

Safe & Effective Exterior Insulation Retrofits

With the current push to retrofit homes, it is important to understand how moisture transfer is affected by common exterior insulation methods. Is there danger of moisture accumulation leading to rot or mold in the walls? This work will examine the potential for moisture accumulation as a function of exterior insulation R-value and the presence of “double vapor barriers”.
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Reflective insulations

There are many insulation products on the market that proclaim the benefits of reflective layers or radiant barriers, such as a metal foil skin. Some of these claims are extraordinary and require scrutiny. Reflective layers are known to be effective in reducing solar heat gain in hot, sunny climates, but can they help us in the frigid north? This project will examine the effectiveness of reflective insulations in cold climate construction.

Movable window insulation

While windows are typically the weakest component in the building envelope, they are crucial for needs ranging from aesthetics, to ventilation, to emergency egress. If your windows could stand an upgrade, but you can’t stand the price tag of new windows, this project will help provide options for retrofitting your windows with movable insulation.