Frequently Asked Questions
Q. What is BioBased® 501w?
A. BioBased® 501w is an water-blown open cell 0.5 lb. spray foam insulation from BioBased® Insulation, the leader in sustainable spray foams. For more information on BioBased® 501w, please see: http://www.biobased.net/products/Spec_BBI_501w_Architectural%20(2008-04-18).pdf
Q.
What is BioBased® 1701s?
A. BioBased® 1701s is a closed cell, spray foam insulation from BioBased® Insulation, the leader in sustainable spray foams. This water-blown, soy-based insulation with a density of 1.7 lbs is the first polyurethane foam insulation to obtain GREENGUARD and GREENGUARD for Children and Schools certifications. BioBased® 1701s is a sustainable choice because it helps improve the environment, both indoors and out. For more information on BioBased® 1701s, please see: http://www.biobased.net/products/Spec_BBI_1701s-Architectural%20(2008-04-29).pdf
A. The National Association of Homebuilders (NAHB) named BioBased®501
the "Outstanding Green Product of the Year" in 2003 at its Green Builders Conference in Baltimore, Maryland.
Q. What is Agrol®?
A.
BioBased® Insulation holds the worldwide rights for the use of Agrol® polyols in residential and commercial spray-applied insulation
products.
Agrol® is a 96% pure bio-content product, one of the purest bio-polyols on the market. Because of its high quality, Agrol®
also is being used in a variety of industries and with name-brand product lines that include insulation, high-end carpet backing such
as BioCelTM and EnviroCelTM from Universal Textile Technologies, AstroTurf and the head and arm rests of select models of Toyota,
Honda, Ford and Chrysler vehicles.
For more information about our sister company, the makers of Agrol®, visit www.biobasedtechnologies.com.
To learn more about other applications for Agrol® visit www.agrolinside.com.
Q. How long has BioBased® Insulation been around?
A. Polyurethane
spray foam has been around for more than 30 years. BioBased® Insulation began operation in 2003 with the commitment to help create
a healthier, more durable, energy efficient and environmentally responsible insulation. Our focus as a company is to develop a family
of sustainable building products that perform well and benefit the environment.
Q. What is the difference between open-cell and
closed-cell foams?
A. Both open-cell and closed-cell foams stop the movement of air and slow down the transfer of heat. Open-cell
foam products are generally not considered vapor retarders. In climate zones 6-8 a vapor retarder system may be required on the warm
side of the insulation relative to the design of the wall or ceiling system. Open-cell foam should never be used for exterior applications.
Open-cell foams are more cost effective per unit of R-value than closed-cell foams but do not provide the structural contribution
to a building that closed-cell foams do.
Closed-cell foams, on the other hand, have low vapor permeance due to their cell structure. These
foams, depending on thickness, may be considered a vapor retarder but not a vapor barrier. Closed-cell foams also have a high
compressive strength which allows them to be used for exterior applications.
Please work with your local independent certified
BioBased® installer to determine which product works best for your specific application.
Q. What makes BioBased® Insulation so effective?
A. BioBased® Insulation
is so effective because it is applied as a liquid and expands 100 times its original liquid size in seconds. As it expands, it
conforms and fills each cavity, crevasse and void to create a sealed thermal envelope. BioBased® Insulation creates a highly-efficient
seal against air infiltration, the number one source of energy loss in a structure. This innovative insulation adheres to any
clean, dry surface and will not sag, settle or disintegrate.
BioBased® Insulation also is an inert substance and will not support mold
growth, insects or rodents. It also does not breakdown over time, so it creates a sealed interior that blocks harmful outside irritants.
Q.
How does BioBased® Insulation save consumers money?
A. While the initial cost of installing BioBased®Insulation may be higher than
traditional insulation, the savings in monthly utility bills outweighs the extra cost and results in a positive cash flow. When paired
with other responsible building components, BioBased® Insulation can reduce monthly energy bills by up to 50%.
As an example, using
BioBased® Insulation may increase your monthly mortgage by $15, but decrease your monthly utility bills by $65, providing a net savings
of $50 each month.
Because BioBased® Insulation creates a continuous, sealed thermal envelope around your home or structure, in many
cases, you also can save additional money by reducing the required size of the HVAC (heating and air conditioning) unit.
Q. How does
BioBased® Insulation control indoor air quality and comfort?
A. BioBased® Insulation provides a healthier, draft-free, indoor environment.
Because BioBased® Insulation expands to fill every cavity, crevasse and void, it provides a sealed thermal envelope that does not
sag or settle over time. This improves indoor air quality by blocking harmful outside irritants such as mold, pollen and other allergens
and offers an alternative to fibrous particulates which are attributed to many traditional insulation products.
This sealed
envelope gives the HVAC system full control over the amount and filtration of fresh air coming into the structure in addition to reducing
drafts and temperature differences throughout the building. A sealed envelope can also reduce the amount of airborne noise pollution
entering the home.
Q. How does BioBased®Insulation control moisture movement and condensation?
A. A significant cause of moisture issues
in structures is the result of warm, moist inside air being exchanged with cold, dry air inside a wall cavity. This moisture can condense
within the cavity and result in mold, mildew and rot. Because BioBased®501 and BioBased®1701 air seal, this moisture movement and
subsequent condensation potential is greatly minimized.
Q. How long does BioBased® Insulation last?
A. Indefinitely. As an inert, thermoset
plastic, BioBased® Insulation will maintain its properties throughout the life of the building.
Q. How long does it take for BioBased® Insulation
to cure?
A. BioBased®501 will cure in approximately 17 seconds as it expands to 100 times its liquid volume. BioBased® 1701 will
cure in approximately 2 minutes and expands to 60 times its liquid volume.
Q. What is the R-Value of BioBased® Insulation per inch?
A.
The R-value of BioBased® 501 is 3.83/inch. BioBased® 1701 has and R-value of 5.5/inch.
Q. Does BioBased®Insulation adhere to
metal or wood studs?
A. BioBased® Insulation adheres well to almost any material, especially wood and steel studs, which are commonly
found in residential and commercial construction.
Q. Can BioBased® Insulation be sprayed over electrical wiring?
A. BioBased® Insulation
does not pose any issues with electrical wiring as long as the electrical wiring is installed per National Electric Code. Any overheating
issues with BioBased® Insulation in regards to wiring would be directly related to improper installation of the circuit or the size
of the wiring. Polyurethane foam is chemically compatible with electrical wiring plastic.
Q. What happens if the owners want to add
an electrical outlet once BioBased® Insulation is installed?
A. BioBased® 501 remains soft allowing a certified electrical contractor
to pull a new wire through. For wires that may be moved frequently, such as home theater wiring, ENT conduit should be place
in the wall before the insulation is installed.
Q. Are there any compatibility concerns with other building materials?
A. BioBased®501
is stable in the presence of most solvents found in binders, bituminous materials, wood preservatives and sealers. It is resistant
to facers containing plasticizers, fuel, mineral oil, weak acid and weak bases, which are typically found in residential and commercial
construction materials.
Q. Does BioBased® Insulation support bacteria of fungal growth?
A. No, BioBased® Insulation products are inert
substances that do not provide a food source for mold.
Q. How is BioBased® Insulation installed?
A. BioBased® Insulation is installed
by independent certified contractor, such as Meier Energy Solutions. Application takes place after the electrical, plumbing
and mechanical systems are installed, but before sheetrock is started.
Q. Can homeowners install BioBased® Insulation themselves?
A.No, only trained professionals can install BioBased® Insulation because of the sophisticated equipment needed to install it properly.
BioBased®Insulation trains its independent certified installers to ensure that products are properly installed.
Q. How can I purchase
BioBased® Insulation for my home?
A. BioBased® Insulation is rapidly expanding its global network of independent certified installers.
There are currently 120 independent certified installers across the country and in four foreign countries. If you are interested in
having BioBased® Insulation in your home, contact Meier Energy Solutions.
Q. Do the BioBased®B-Components contain raw materials derived
from genetically modified (GM) soybeans?
A. Yes. All of our soy oils come from soybean processors who purchase soybeans
on the open market. According to USDA figures for 2007, 91% of all soybeans produced in the United States are genetically modified
(GM) for herbicide resistance.
The main benefits of using GM soybeans are that they are readily available and affordable,
because they cost farmers less to grow. There are environmental benefits also. Since farmers of GM soybeans use conservation tillage
practices, it takes less fuel, produces less carbon dioxide emissions and creates less soil erosion to grow the crop than it would
to grow non-modified soybeans.
Q. What is Energy Star?
A. ENERGY STAR is a government-backed program helping businesses and individuals
protect the environment through superior energy efficiency. One step of the Energy Star Certification process is a Thermal Bypass
Check list. BioBased insulation covers 13 of the 16 items listed on this check list.
Q. What is LEED?
A. The LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Green Building Rating System® is a voluntary, consensus-based national standard for developing high-performance, sustainable buildings. Members of the U.S. Green Building Council representing all segments of the building industry developed LEED and continue to contribute to its evolution. BioBased® Insulation has been used by builders in the past to assist in qualifying for up to 16 LEED credits.