Frequently Asked Questions

1. What's the difference between Labeled (Nominal) R-value and Effective R-value?

Labelled or Nominal R-value – is the current industry standard for most present day building codes?  Labelled R-value is the tested ability of insulation (by itself) to resist the flow of heat energy. The test procedure does not consider building materials (lumber, drywall, etc.) and the temperature range is not relative to real world environments. Typical testing temperature range: Warm side +40°C > Cold side +10°C.

Effective or Objective R-value /Performance R-value – is the tested ability of "Full Scale" real world wall assemblies including building materials and insulation to resist the flow of heat energy. The temperature range (-18°C to +21°C with a 22 KPH wind) provides the real world (Effective) R-value of wall assemblies in predominately cold climates, i.e.: Canada. Results from this method of testing are highly reliable and are accepted by most building code jurisdictions. Click here to read what building science engineering says about R-value.

2. What’s the effective R-value of labeled R-20 fiberglass insulation in a wood wall assembly?

As per ASHRAE (American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-conditioning Engineers) the Effective R-value of a wood frame wall assembly including 1/2" sheetrock, vapour barrier, R-19/R-20 fiberglass insulation and 7/16" OSB is R-15.8.

3. What's the labeled R-Value of Quik-Therm Multi Purpose Insulation or MPI?

The labelled R-value of 1" Quik-Therm MPI tested on its own (no building materials) to the ASTM 1363-05 test method (temperature range -18 to + 20 with a 22 Kph wind) is R-5.86.

4. What’s the effective R-value of 1" Quik-Therm MPI in a wood wall assembly?

The Effective R-value of a wood frame wall assembly including 1/2" sheetrock, empty wood stud cavity, 7/16" OSB, 1" Quik-Therm MPI is R-8.3. However, when an additional air space is incorporated between the exterior OSB and the 1" Quik-Therm MPI the effective R-value is increased to R-10.6.

5. What’s the effective R-value of R-20 fiberglass insulation in a steel wall assembly?

As per ASHRAE (American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-conditioning Engineers) the effective R-value of R-20 fiberglass insulation in a steel framed wall assembly is only R-7.1 or about 60% less than its labeled R-value.

6. What’s the Effective R-value of R-20 fiberglass combined with 1" Quik-Therm MPI in a wood wall assembly?

The tested effective R-value of a wood frame wall assembly including 1/2" sheetrock, R-20 fiberglass insulation, 7/16" OSB, 3/4" air space (created by wood strapping), 1" Quik-Therm MPI is R-26.3. Without the 3/4" air space the effective R-value would be approximately R-24.

7. Do two vapour barriers within a wall assembly cause moisture related problems?

The dreaded double vapour barrier syndrome has been a topic of building construction conversation for decades. The theory is; when two vapour barriers are part of the same wall assembly, moisture may be trapped between the inside and outside vapour barrier; thus reducing the wall's ability to dry.

We will attempt to make this explanation simple but first it is important to understand some basic physics. We refer to this as Thermodynamics 101.

1. Migration - Warm air migrates to cold air and high pressure areas move to lower pressure areas.  In the winter the inside air of a building is warmer and its pressure is higher than outdoor air.
2. Diffusion - Diffusion is moisture moving through (penetrating) building materials. Vapour barriers slow moisture transfer/diffusion down but never really stop it.
3. Air Pressure - Warmer higher pressure air moves to colder lower pressure areas by the easiest path possible. This happens through breaches (tiny holes and crevices) in building envelopes.
4. Condensation - As air warms; its ability to hold water vapour increases; as it cools it decreases. Relative Humidity refers to the amount of moisture that air can hold at a specific temperature. When warm moist air meets colder air or objects within the wall cavity; it condenses and turns to water, frost or ice. This is referred to as the "dew point."

What happens: In the heating season the inside of buildings are warmer then the ambient temperature outdoors. Consequently, through crevices and tiny holes, the warmer higher pressure air migrates towards the colder lower pressure air.  When the warm moist air meets the cold air (or objects) within the wall cavity, it condenses and turns to water, frost or ice. The results are wet insulation, framing and building materials. Long term consequences are mildew, mold, wood-rot and potentially serious health problems.

Try this: Blow into an empty Coke bottle? Because there are no holes other than the one you are trying to blow in - the warm pressurized air from your lungs is unable to replace the cooler stable air in the Coke bottle. In other words because there is no leakage (holes), the air from your lungs cannot replace the air in the bottle.

Conclusion: High performance impermeable insulation installed on the exterior of a wall assembly stops air leakage and keeps wall cavities above the dew point temperature. Consequently, in most cold climates, the use of high performance impermeable insulation will dramatically reduce condensation and significantly reduce energy costs. To review an actual case study by the National Research Council of Canada click here...

8. What is Thermal Bridging?

Thermal bridges, also known as cold bridges are areas where framing members, etc. break up the continuous flow of insulation. The denser the framing member the greater its ability to transfer (lose or gain) heat energy. For example, heat energy loss through steel framing is far greater than energy loss through wood framing.  Adding Quik-Therm MPI to any structure will significantly increase its energy efficiency, by as much as 35% or more.

Image (dark blue) shows excessive thermal bridging through steel strut.

9. Where can Quik-Therm MPI be used?

Quik-Therm MPI can be used in virtually any building application that conventional foam insulation is specified.  The product has superior effective R-values which makes it the ideal choice for steel and concrete buildings.  As reported by a certified laboratory – 1" Quik-Therm MPI blended with fibreglass insulation doubled the effective R-value of most tested assemblies. To ensure compliance - please check with your local Building Code Official. Click here to learn more...

10. Why does Quik-Therm MPI perform so well?

Unlike most other insulation products, Quik-Therm MPI addresses all forms of heat transfer. Both products are also air, vapour and radiant barriers. To learn more about radiant barriers and how they work click here...

Quik-Therm MPI's high performance EPS foam core is covered by advanced metallic polymer facers. These facers provide incredible durability, flexibility and ease of installation. Depending on thickness Quik-Therm MPI can be bent to 90 degrees. Quik-Therm MPI’s flexibility and durability make it ideal for insulating steel tanks, round buildings and large pipes.

12. Are Quik-Therm MPI easy to install?

Quik-Therm MPI is very simple and easy to install. It can be glued, foamed or mechanically fastened in place.  Please refer to your local building codes to ensure compliance.

13. What thicknesses does Quik-Therm MPI come in?

Quik-Therm MPI are manufactured in rolls and sheets and is available in thicknesses from 1/2" to 3". The thickness will depend on the application and the desired or mandated effective R-value.  For more information – please contact your local Quik-Therm MPI distributor. Click here for a distributor near you...

14. Does Quik-Therm MPI need to be covered?

In most cases, Quik-Therm MPI should be covered with a fire rated material.  Please refer to your local building codes to ensure compliance.