[Greenbuilding] insulating around windows... best practice
Frank Tettemer
frank at livingsol.com
Thu Sep 5 06:37:53 CDT 2013
Hi Reuben,
I like using an on-site mix of Hempcrete, mixed with about 25% Perlite.
This is probably a slower install than either spray foam or backer rods.
And it takes a bit of practice and technique to stuff it into the cavity
between the window and rough stud opening. I've tried, somewhat
successfully, to use a pastry bag, or cake decorators bag, with a long
nozzle to initially fill the space. Then, applying pressureto the
filling, to squeeze out any air pockets, and then smoothing off the
surface, makes a good seal. A variety of slender masonry pointing
trowels will do the job.
More labour than buying cans of spray foam. However, this uses very
little lime and portland in the mix, and the hemp hurds are a renewable
material.
Perlite is admittedly a mined resource but worth it, as it adds some
R-value to the hempcrete mix.
Best of all, there's no immediate use of petrochemicals in the mix
materials, and no off-gassing, during application or through it's life
cycle..
--
Frank Tettemer
Living Sol ~ Building and Design
www.livingsol.com
613 756 3884
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