Benefits of Vapor Semi-Permeable Insulation

Benefits of Vapor Semi-Permeable Insulation on Masonry Walls in Hot-Humid Climates

An area’s average climate determines, in part, the types of materials used in residential and commercial construction. Hot and humid climates include parts of North and South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, Texas, and Mexico according to Herbertson’s Thermal Regions (a modified version of the Koppen Classification scale).

Herbertson defines a hot and humid climate as a place that receives more than 20 inches of rain annually and exhibits one or both of these conditions:

• A wet bulb temperature (thermometer covered in a water-soaked cloth) higher than 67 degrees Fahrenheit for 3,000 or more hours during the warmest 6 months of the year.
• A wet bulb temperature higher than 73 degrees Fahrenheit for 1,500 or more hours during the warmest 6 months of the year.

Hot air and water vapor must be managed through the use of building materials and techniques adapted to the climate. For instance, heat always moves toward cold – which means that, in sunny, humid areas, hot air will gradually replace air-conditioned indoor air unless builders take steps to keep moisture out of the building.

In high precipitation areas, moisture can threaten the integrity of the structure and its materials. To keep standing pools of water, wind-driven rain and leaks from weakening the building over time, contractors need to incorporate construction technology that keeps moisture out and allows it to dry if it finds a way in. Among some of the most effective materials used are weather resistant barriers and vapor-transmitting insulation.

Read the entire article here. 

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Fi-Foil and Masonry Semi-Permeable Insulation

Fi-Foil Company’s VR Plus Shield™ Reflective Insulation for Masonry Walls is constructed of three layers of reflective insulation designed to reduce radiant heat transfer through walls and increase a home’s overall R-value. VR Plus Shield Perforated version is recommended for masonry wall applications in hot-humid climates, adds R-7.0 and can be used alone or as part of a system. Perforations along the premium aluminum sheets allow moisture to pass through the insulation layers.
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For more information on Fi-Foil’s VR Plus Shield™ or any of Fi-Foil’s other products and services, such as Silver Shield™, HY-Fi®, Retroshield® and accessories, visit the website or call 888-513-4972.