Variations on a Mass Masonry Theme – With a Touch of Foam

Course Description/Abstract

Presented at Building America Experts Meeting – Interior Insulation Retrofit of Mass Masonry Wall Assemblies

Location: Westford, MA

The objective of this program is to explore numerous methods of retrofitting foam insulation on the interior of mass masonry walls.  When this is appropriate is the subject of another discussion.  Materials options, delivery systems, and strategies for energy performance, reversibility, durability, vapor control, and water management will be demonstrated in various applications.

General Topic – “internal insulation of mass masonry”

Specific topic – “projects and lessons learned”

Provide a collage of examples of “internal insulation of mass masonry” in single-family, multi-family, and institutional projects

Illustrate installations using a number of material types

open and closed-cell foams

foam sealants

stressed-skin foam panels

various membranes and coatings

Demonstrate a number of delivery systems and methods

injection, spray, air sealing

assemblies including stressed-skin foam panels

Show a number of application types

open and closed cavities/surfaces

below-grade foundations

above-grade interior masonry retrofit strategies

with and without drainage provisions

closed-cell work–arounds

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Projects/case studies

Supplemental Programs:

Foam 201 – Foam applications, quality assurance, and safety

Foam 301 – Preventing foam problems

Foam in historic buildings

Designing and specifying foam installations

Designing specialized foam applications

Managing costs for foam installations

Basements and crawl spaces

Learning Objectives:

Participants will be able to select the correct polyurethane foam product and installation method for their specific projects.

Participants will be able to identify the building science issues related to the use of foam plastic.

Participants will be able to differentiate between open and closed-cell foam products.

Participants will be able to relate their projects to similar real-world case studies demonstrating installation methods and foam uses.

Henri Fennell (CSI/CDT) is an architect with thirty-five years of experience in energy conservation products and services. He specializes in the use of manufactured and field-installed polyurethane technologies. As a building envelope consultant, Henri works with architects, designers, builders, and contractors to diagnose and solve building envelope problems. Before this position, he was President of Building Envelope Solutions, Inc. and FOAM–TECH, a spray foam contracting firm, for thirty years.