[Greenbuilding] Nansulate Insulation

[elitalking]

Just a follow up on what I concluded from your input concerning Nansulate.
I had investigated aerogel when this product was brought to my attention by
a client.  It had a sheet product that claimed an R10/inch.  Some PH
projects that retrofitted old europeon stone buildings used it.  It's
premium value was where dimension was limited.  However, $/R was very high.

Genarro Brooks-Church used it however, was not pleased with the results.
John Salmen used a similar nano technology as an additive to paint to add to
durability and not a insulation.  He made a credible case for that
application.  However, the Nansulate gave bold claimes for performance as
insulation without giving an R value.  If it has an R value of 10/inch as
aerogel claimes and 3 coats over existing finishes that could retain their
visual identidy and therefore not require another finish material, likley
could achieve 1/8" over 3 or 4 coats.  This would only be an R1.2 or so.
That is not as good as insulated glass.

Steve included some good links about aerogel that are forwarded below.

I see there is a basis for the technology.  However, I am suspicious of the
performance they are claiming.  Also, there are some unknows regarding the
health affects that add to the risk.  I would love to hear of someone who
actually used it for insulation as the manufacturers are promoting and here
about the performance.  Although, I am not willing to go out on that limb.

Eli

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Steve" <steve at greengeek.ca>
To: "Green Building" <greenbuilding at lists.bioenergylists.org>
Sent: Friday, January 21, 2011 10:32 PM
Subject: Re: [Greenbuilding] Nansulate Insulation


> Hi Eli,
>
>> http://www.nansulate.com/nansulate_homeprotect_clearcoat.htm
>>
>> Is this stuff legitamate or snake oil?
>
> I've looked into several similar products over the last few years,
> invariably none of them were any more effective at insulating than a
> clay-based paint. I have no experience with this particular product,
> but based on similar ones I've seen, I'd lean towards snake oil. I
> hope I'm wrong about one of these products eventually though, as
> paint-on insulation would be very beneficial!
>
> The closest I've seen to a thin insulation that have proven results
> are aerogel-based products:
>
> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aerogel
> http://inhabitat.com/exciting-advances-in-insulation-with-aerogel/
> http://www.aerogel.com/
> http://thermablok.com/
>
> -Steve
> -- 
> http://www.greengeek.ca
>
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