CertainTeed partners with George Brown College to study blown-in insulation and membrane performance

Press Release from CertainTeed Canada follows

CertainTeed Partners With George Brown College To Evalulate Effectiveness Of CertainTeed MemBrain™ and InsulSafe XC™ Fiberglass Blown-In Insulation

MISSISSAUGA, ON (May 22, 2018) – CertainTeed Canada is working with the Centre for Construction and Engineering Technologies at George Brown College to study the performance of CertainTeed/ Saint Gobain’s MemBrain™ Continuous Air Barrier and Smart Vapour Retarder and its line of sustainable fiberglass insulation product.

The research study is using the College’s rooftop test hut, also known as a natural exposure test facility, at their Casa Loma Campus. Six test wall systems have been built and are being monitored for moisture performance, durability and drainage concerns as well as the wall performance relating to solar gain and wind exposure.

The research data is being collected over a one-year + period in order to understand the seasonal variances of the Canadian climate with regards to moisture control. The project is being led by Christopher Timusk, PhD, Professor and Researcher, Building Science at George Brown College. Dr. Timusk says, “The whole idea is to be able to demonstrate the inward drying potential of MemBrain Continuous Air Barrier and Smart Vapour Retarder, that the MemBrain walls dry to the inside and don’t accumulate any moisture as compared to the identical ones built next to them constructed with polyethylene vapour barrier, which retains moisture and stops vapour going through it.

“Two of the assemblies are retrofit assemblies like the more traditional double wythe masonry walls of homes such as in the Annex neighbourhood in Toronto as well as the older parts of cities across Canada. When these homes were originally built, they had little or no insulation in them. They’re beautiful old buildings, and people want to make them more comfortable and energy efficient but, at same time, they don’t want to sacrifice durability.”

CertainTeed MemBrain™ Continuous Air Barrier and Smart Vapour Retarder is made from advanced material that changes its permeability with the ambient humidity conditions. Air tightness without proper moisture management can eliminate moisture’s escape path, trapping it within a home’s walls. The hidden consequences of this moisture buildup could include loss of thermal efficiency and potentially lead to mould and rot issues.

CertainTeed is a leading North American manufacturer of building materials including roofing, vinyl siding, trim, fence, railing, decking, insulation, gypsum, and ceilings projects. It is headquartered in Pennsylvania and has approximately 6,000 employees and 65 facilities throughout the United States and Canada. CertainTeed is a subsidiary of Saint-Gobain, which operates more than 100 manufacturing facilities globally in industries including industrial ceramics, reinforcements and flat glass, abrasives, and building materials. CertainTeed’s Canadian headquarters is located in Mississauga, Ontario.