A

Abrasion Resistance

The ability of a material to withstand abrasion without appreciative erosion.

Absorption

The process of drawing fluid or gas into a porous material, such as a sponge soaking up water.

Abuse Coverings and Finishes

Jackets, mastics or films used to protect insulation from mechanical and personnel abuse.

Adhesive

A substance used to bond materials by surface attachment.

Adsorption

Refers to the surface retention or adhesion of a very thin layer of water molecules to the surfaces of a material (such as insulation fibers) with which they are in contact.

Aerogel

A homogeneous, low-density solid state material derived from a gel, in which the liquid component of the gel has been replaced with a gas. The resulting material has a porous structure with an average pore size below the mean free path of air molecules at standard atmospheric pressure and temperature.

Air Duct

Ducts, usually made of sheet metal, that carry cooled or heated air to all rooms.

Air Filters

Adhesive filters made of metal or various fibers that are coated with an adhesive liquid to which particles of lint and dust adhere. These filters will remove as much as 90% of the dirt if they do not become clogged. The more common filters are of the throwaway or disposable type.

Air Hawks

Rectangular shaped vents at the attic rooftops.

Air Infiltration

The amount of air leaking in and out of a building through cracks in walls, windows and doors.

Air Intake

An opening in a building's envelope whose purpose is to allow outside air to be drawn in to replace inside air.

Air Space

The area between insulation facing and interior of exterior wall coverings. Normally a 1" air gap. Airway A space between roof insulation and roof boards provided for movement of air.

Anti-Abrasive Coating

Cushioning material applied where insulation contacts the pipe, duct, vessel or adjacent insulation to prevent eroding of either or both.

Attic

An attic is a space found directly below the pitched roof of a house.

Attic Fans

A fan that blows heated air out of the attic of a building

Attic Insulation

The installation of approved insulation products (rockwool, fiberglass, and cellulose) evenly across the unconditioned attic area to achieve desired levels of thermal resistance.

Attic Insulation Removal

The removal of visible soot and char off the surface of insulating materials sufficient enough to achieve an appearance acceptance. One of the most difficult jobs is working in attics and attempting to remove settled loose soot and char particles off of insulation.

Attic Vent

A passive or mechanical device used to ventilate an attic space, primarily to reduce heat buildup and moisture condensation

Attic Ventilation

The process of ventilating the attic in order to remove moisture and heat from the attic

Attic Ventilators

In houses, screened openings provided to ventilate an attic space. They are located in the soffit area as inlet ventilators and in the gable end or along the ridge as outlet ventilators. They can also consist of power-driven fans used as an exhaust system.

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B

Bands

Strapping used to fasten insulation and/or jacketing in place.

Basement

That portion of a building which is partly or completely below grade.

Basement Wall

A wall of a building that is mostly below grade.

Batt

A piece of flexible to semi-rigid type insulation of specified width and length with or without vapor retarder facing.

Binder

Substance contained in insulation material that stabilizes the fibers (sometimes called a thermal setting resin).

Blanket Insulation

A relatively flat and flexible insulation in coherent sheet form furnished in units of substantial area.

Block Insulation

Rigid insulation preformed into rectangular units.

Blown Insulation

Fiber insulation in loose form used to insulate attics and existing walls where framing members are not exposed.

Board Insulation

Semi-rigid insulation preformed into rectangular units having a degree of suppleness, particularly related to their geometrical dimensions.

Breather Coating

A weather barrier coating designed to prevent water (rain, snow, sleet, spillage, wash water, etc.) from entering the insulation system, while still allowing the escape of small quantities of water vapor resulting from heat applied to the moisture entrapped in the insulation.

Building Code

Minimum local or state regulations established to protect health and safety. They apply to building design, construction, rehabilitation, repair, materials, occupancy and use. Community ordinances governing the manner in which a home may be constructed or modified.

Butt Joints

The end joints of pipe insulation.

Butt Strip

Strips of similar jacket material applied around pipe insulation butt joints.

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C

C-Value (Thermal Conductance)

A measure of the rate of heat flow for the actual thickness of a material (either more or less than 1 inch), 1 square foot in area, at a temperature difference of 1° F.

Calcium Silicate

Insulation composed principally of hydrous calcium silicate, and which usually contains reinforcing fibers

Caulk

To seal and make water and/or airtight.

Cellular Elastomeric

Insulation composed principally of natural or synthetic elastomers, or both, processed to form a flexible, semi-rigid or rigid foam that has a closed-cell structure.

Cellular Glass

Insulation composed of glass processed to form a rigid foam having a predominately closed-cell structure.

Cellular Insulation

Insulation composed of small, individual cells separated from each other. The cellular material may be glass or plastic such as polystyrene, polyurethane, polyisocyanurate or elastomeric.

Cellulosic Fiber

Insulation composed principally of cellulose fibers usually derived from paper, paperboard stock or wood, with or without binders.

Cement, Insulating

A mixture of dry granular, fibrous or powdery (or both) materials that when mixed with water develops a plastic consistency, and when dried in place forms a coherent covering that affords substantial resistance to heat transmission.

Closed Cell Foam

A material comprised predominantly of individual non-interconnecting cellular voids.

Commercial Insulation

The insulation of commercial spaces like schools, colleges and metal buildings etc

Compressive Strength

The property of an insulation material that resists any change in dimensions when acted upon by a compaction force.

Concealed Spaces

Spaces not generally visible after the project is completed such as furred spaces, pipe spaces, pipe and duct shafts, spaces above ceilings, unfinished spaces, crawl spaces, attics and tunnels.

Conditioned Space

Building area supplied with conditioned air that is heated or cooled to a certain temperature and may be mechanical controlled to provide a certain humidity level.

Cover

To place insulation and/or finish materials on, over or around a surface so as to insulate, protect or seal.

Crawl Space

A shallow open area between the floor of a building and the ground, normally enclosed by the foundation wall.

Cryogenic Insulation

Insulation for extremely low-temperature processes surfaces from –100 F to –459 F (absolute zero).

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D

Damming

The use of a substance to support firestopping materials until cured.

Delamination

The separation of the layers of material in a laminate.

Diatomaceous Silica

Insulation composed principally of diatomaceous earth with or without binders, and which usually contains reinforcing fibers.

Duct

A passageway made of sheet metal or other suitable material used for conveying air or other gas.

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E

Eave Vents

Vent openings located in the soffit under the eaves of a house to allow the passage of air through the attic and out the roof vents.

Elastomeric

A closed-cell foam insulation containing elastomers that provide the property of high elasticity.

Energy Bills

The bills which show the consumption of electricity on your home or commercial space

Energy Code

Local requirement that outlines the minimum level of insulation and other energy-efficiency measures for new construction. Energy Codes are updated on an ongoing basis, and minimum levels of insulation are set by considering the cost of energy and what level provides a reasonable payback.

Energy Consumption

The conversion or transformation of potential energy into kinetic energy for heat, light, electricity, etc.

Energy Efficiency

Term used to describe how efficiently a building component uses energy.

Exhaust Duct

A duct carrying air from a conditioned space to an outlet outside the building

Exposed Spaces

Those spaces not referred to as concealed or as defined by the specifier.

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F

Facing

A thin covering adhered to the surface of insulation prior to field installation.

Fiberglass

A fibrous material made by spinning molten glass used as an insulator and heat loss retardant

Fibrous Glass

A synthetic vitreous fiber insulation made by melting predominantly silica sand and other inorganic materials, and then physically forming the melt into fibers. To form an insulation product, there are often other materials applied to the mineral wool such as binders, oils, etc. Commonly referred to as either fiber glass or fiberglass.

Fibrous Insulation

Insulation composed of small diameter fibers that finely divide the air space. Fibers used are silica, rock wool, slag wool or alumina silica.

Fireblocking

Building materials installed to resist the free passage of flame of flame and gasses to other areas of the building through concealed spaces.

Fish-Mouth

A gap between layers of sheet materials caused by warping or bunching of one or both layers. Typically seen when stapling kraft face insulation or the jacketing on pipe insulation.

Flange

A projecting collar attached to a pipe for the purpose of connecting to another pipe, valve or fitting.

Flange Cover

The insulation for a pipe flange composed of the specified thickness of insulation material, may be preformed. Also, a preformed jacketing. Foam Board Plastic foam insulation manufactured most commonly in 4'x8' sheets in thickness of 1/4" to 3".

Furnace

An appliance for heating a medium to distribute heat throughout the dwelling unit.

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G

Gable Vents

A louver vent mounted in the top of the gable to allow the passage of air through the attic. (The hole near the pointy part of the wall.)

Gas Heating System

A heating system that uses natural gas or bottled liquid propane gas as fuel.

Girt

A girt is a horizontal structural member usually located on the wall in a framed wall - used as a term in metal building construction.

Glass Fiber

A material consisting of glass fibers used in making various products, including yarns, fabrics, insulation, and structural objects or parts. Fiber glass is resistant to heat and fire.

Granular Insulation

Insulation composed of small nodules that contain voids or hollow spaces. The material may be calcium silicate, diatomaceous earth, expanded vermiculite, perlite, cellulose or microporous insulations.

Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Gases that trap heat in the atmosphere are often called greenhouse gases.; Some greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide occur naturally and are emitted to the atmosphere through natural processes and human activities.

Green Insulation

Insulation of spaces using recyclable materials

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H

Heat Flow Rate

The rate at which heat moves from an area of higher temperature to an area of lower temperature. Btu/hr (W/hr). Heat flow is generally used to quantify the rate of total heat gain or heat loss of a system.

Heated Space

Building area supplied directly with heat. (See conditioned space)

High-Performance Insulation

Fiber glass insulation with densely packed fibers, resulting in higher R-values for a given thickness. Most commonly used in confined spaces such as walls or cathedral ceilings.

Home Audit or Energy Audit

An assessment performed by an energy specialist in order to identify how a structure's energy efficiency can be improved. Many incentives or rebates require an audit be conducted before and after the improvements in order to verify savings.

Home Energy Audit

A thorough assessment of a home’s thermal efficiency, often conducted free of charge by most utility companies.

Humidity

A measure of the amount of water vapor in the atmosphere.

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I

ICC

International Council of Building Code Officials (ICBO). The ICBO code organization was combined with BOCA and SBCCI to form the International Code Council (ICC).

IECC

International Energy Conservation Code is the predominant model energy code in the US and the; basis used for most state and local energy codes.

Impact Resistance

Capability of an insulation material and/or finish to withstand mechanical or physical abuse.

Insulate

To cover with a material of low conductivity in order to reduce the passage or leakage of heat, reduce the surface temperature, or reduce the noise emanating from the object.

Insulating Cement

A mixture of various insulating fibers and binders with water to form a moldable paste insulation for application to fittings, irregular surfaces or voids.

Insulation (Thermal)

Those materials or combination of materials that slow the flow of heat.

Insulation Density

Denser insulation products generally have more fibers in the same given area and generally have greater insulating power.

Insulation Removal

The process of removing installed insulation due to the formation of mildew and mold.

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J

Joist

Horizontal framing member set from wall to wall to support the floor or ceiling.

Joist Hanger

A metal "U" shaped item used to support the end of a floor joist and attached with hardened nails to another bearing joist or beam.

Jacket

A covering placed over insulation for various functions

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K

Kilowatt

A unit of electric power equal to 1000 joules per second or 3412 Btus per hour.

K-Value (Conductivity)

The measure of heat in Btus that pass through one square foot of a homogeneous substance, 1 inch thick, in an hour, for each degree F temperature difference. The lower the K value, the higher the insulating value.

Knee Walls

Walls of varying length. Used to provide additional support to roof rafters with a wide span or to finish off an attic.

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L

Lacing

A method of joining or securing insulation materials, reinforcements, or finishes for insulation materials using eyelets, hooks, wire, cord, etc.

Lagging Insulation

A block material for insulating tanks and boilers, usually curved or tapered and can be made from any of several insulation materials.

LEED

LEED -- Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design-- is a rating system developed by the US Green Building Council.

Loose-Fill Insulation

Insulation in granular, nodular, fibrous, powdery or similar form designed to be installed by pouring, blowing or hand placement.

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M

Mastic

A protective coating, usually a petroleum or other base product, applied by spray or trowel to weatherproof or otherwise prevent deterioration of the insulation to which it is applied.

Microporous Insulation

Material in the form of compacted powder or fibers with an average interconnecting pore size comparable to or below the mean free path of air molecules at standard atmospheric pressure. Microporous insulation may contain opacifiers to reduce the amount of radiant heat transmitted.

Mineral Fiber

Insulation composed principally of fibers manufactured from glass, roc or slag, or glass, with or without binders.

Mineral Wool

A broad term used typically to refer to rock wool and slag wool. In some countries, this term is also used to refer to fiber glass.

Mold and Mildew Resistance

The property of a material that enables it to resist the formation of fungus growth.

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N

Natural Ventilation

Ventilation using only natural air movement without fans or other mechanical devices.

NEAT

National Energy Audit Created by Oak Ridge National Laboratories as a DOE approved audit qualifying for the 40% materials waiver. It is a computerized auditing tool for prioritizing energy conservation measures for houses.

Net Free Area

The area of a vent after that area has been adjusted for insect screen, louvers, and weather covering. The free area is always less than the actual area.

Nozzle

An orifice for spraying a liquid like fuel oil.

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O

Oil Heating System

Refers to a central heating system that uses #2 fuel oil, kerosene, or residual oil as the primary fuel for heat generation.

One-coat Cement

A mixture of various insulation fibers, fillers and binders with hydraulic-setting cement. The material can be applied directly to fittings to match adjacent insulation thickness in one application and smoothed to provide a hard finish.

Open Cell Foam

A material comprised predominantly of interconnecting cellular voids.

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P

Panel Insulation

A prefabricated unit of insulation and lagging.

Perlite

Insulation composed of natural perlite ore expanded to form a cellular structure.

Phenolic Foam

A foamed insulation made from resins of phenols condensed with aldehydes.

Pipe Insulation

Insulation in a form suitable for application to cylindrical surfaces.

Polyethylene

A closed-cell, thermoplastic material used for insulation.

Power Vent

A vent that includes a fan to speed up air flow. Often installed on roofs.

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Q

Quotation

A price provided by a contractor, sub-contractor, or vendor to funish materials, labor and/or both. Quotes differ from estimates in that an estimate is a best guess of the cost involved.

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R

Radiant Barrier

Radiant barriers or reflective barriers inhibit heat transfer by thermal radiation.

Radiant Barrier Foil

Radiant barrier foil is a thin aluminum film that works to reflect heat gain. It is typically fastened to the underside of roofs or in attic spaces, where it prevents the heat absorbed by hot roofs from transferring to the home’s interior.

Radiant Barrier Spray

Barrier spray is a coating applied to structures for insulation and related purposes. The most widely used barrier spray is spray polyurethane foam (SPF), which provides a sealed thermal barrier for residential and commercial applications. SPF products are engineered for a variety of uses including roofing and fire control. Radiant barrier spray is a product used to block radiant heat from the sun.

R-Value

Measure of resistance to heat flow. Insulation materials have tiny pockets of trapped air. These pockets resist the transfer of heat through material. The ability of insulation to slow the transfer of heat is measured in R-values. The higher the R-value, the better the insulation material's ability to resist the flow of heat through it.

Rafters

A slope framing member that supports a pitched roof.

Reflective Insulation

Insulation depending for its performance upon reduction of radiant heat transfer across air spaces by use of one or more surfaces of high reflectance and low emittance.

Retrofit

The application of additional insulation over existing insulation, new insulation if old insulation has been removed, or new insulation over existing, previously uninsulated surfaces.

Ridge Vents

A vent mounted along the entire ridge line of the roof to allow the passage of air through the attic or cathedral ceiling.

Rock Wool

A synthetic vitreous fiber insulation made by melting predominantly igneous rock and other inorganic materials, and then physically forming them melt into fibers.

Roof Vents

A louver or small dome mounted near the ridge of the roof to allow the passage of air beneath the roof sheathing or through the attic.

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S

SBCCI

Southern Building Code Congress, International (SBCCI). The SBCCI code organization was combined with BOCA and ICBO to form the International Code Council (ICC).

Service Temperature Limits

The temperature to which the jacket or coating may be subjected when applied over insulation to while in service.

Slag Wool

Man-made material made primarily from iron ore blast furnace slag.

Soffits

Soffit (from French soffite, formed as a ceiling; to fix underneath), in architecture, describes the underside of any construction element.

Examples of soffits include:

The underside of a flight of stairs

Solar Vents

A solar vent is an environmental friendly solar-powered ventilation system that does not require conventional electricity to operate.

Slag Wool Insulation

Man-made material made primarily from iron ore blast furnace slag which is spun into a fibrous form.

Sprayed-On Insulation

Insulation of the fibrous or foam type that is applied to a surface by means of power spray devices.

Spray Foam

Spray Foam is made chemical that is composed of both organic and nonorganic materials. When these materials are combined at a specific temperature, form a polyurethane material that expands several times its original size. This is where the compound is named.

Spray Foam Insulation

The insulation of spray foam on cracks and crevices to creating an airtight and watertight seal, one of the advantages of spray foam is its ability to expand and reach elusive. This is what makes spray foam insulation as effective.

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T

Thermal Insulation

Insulation applicable within the general temperature range of 300 F to 1800 F.

Thermal Insulation System

Applied or installed thermal insulation complete with including any accessories, vapor retarder, and facing required.

Transmission, Heat

The quantity of heat flowing through unit area due to all modes of heat transfer induced by the prevailing conditions.

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U

U-Value (Transmittance)

The combined thermal value of all the materials in a building section, air spaces and surface air films. It is the time rate of heat flow per unit (sq. ft.), per degree F temperature difference with units in; (Btu/h•ft2•°F).; The lower the overall U-value, the more energy efficient the assembly.;

Underground or Buried Insulation

Insulation applied on piping and equipment located below grade and usually in direct contact with the surrounding soil.

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V

Vapor Retarder

Helps control the amount of moisture passing through the insulation and collecting inside exterior walls, ceilings and floors.

Vent

A pipe or duct which allows flow of air as an inlet or outlet.

Ventilation

The act of supplying fresh air and getting rid of foul air; or a mechanical system in a building that provides fresh air.; In buildings ventilation creates a positive flow of air that allows the house to “breathe” and helps prevent moisture build-up year round.

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W

Waterproof

Impervious to prolonged exposure to water or water entry.

Weather Barrier

A breather jacket or coating which allows passage of water vapor and protects from atmospheric conditions.

Weatherstripping

Flexible gaskets, often mounted in rigid metal strips, for limiting air leak age at opening in the shell like doors and windows.

Wood Fiber

Insulation composed of Wood/cellulosic fibers, with or without binders.

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