Insulation question

[OverTheTopCargoTrailer]

Very interesting concept.

In this forum & rv industry generally BARGEN BASEMENT PRICE, would be the number 1-10 issue

Cheers ottct

[skochele]

Very interesting concept.

In this forum & rv industry generally BARGEN BASEMENT PRICE, would be the number 1-10 issue

Cheers ottct

Dear OTTCT!
I am reading your blogs for the last couple of years, my respect, and many thanks for sharing your experience with us!

MLI is not that expensive!
The main reflective component is MYLAR - either roll (http://www.amazon.com/Apollo-Horticultu ... mylar+roll)
or MYLAR blankets (http://www.amazon.com/Emergency-Mylar-T ... r+blankets)

As long as the minimal air gap is maintained between layers of insulation materials, the R-value https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/R-value_(insulation) is increasing drastically. Tiny layer of a plastic mesh (http://www.amazon.com/Easy-Gardener-604 ... astic+mesh) would create sufficient layer separation - basically an inter-layer heat reflection . More layers > more reflection > higher R-value. It is doable.
It is a shame that the big companies charging so much for their MLI products!
Here is the NASA guidelines for the MLI: http://ntrs.nasa.gov/archive/nasa/casi. ... 047691.pdf

Best regards,
skochele

[Camp Wags]

MLI - multi-layered insulation sounds like it has it's uses... But as total insulation in an enclosed trailer? In my research on this subject I have found both positive and negatives to reflective radiant insulation. The R value is achieved by air gap space and not by thermal mass. I like layers...

I can see starting with MLI against the skin or as a last layer before the interior, followed by ISO Foam then a thermal break on the metal studs followed by wooden battens then more foam.

It is easy to look at the R value rating of a material and assume that our entire wall assembly matches it uniformly. But when you factor in the thermal bridges caused by framing materials and any discontinuities in the wall structure, you can also quickly deduce that this is not the case.

Speaking of what NASA uses: Thermablok Aerogel Insulation Strips,






Utilizing aerogel insulation technology developed by NASA - the highest insulating material in existence - Thermablok® is a highly efficient, aerogel-based insulating material that breaks conductive "thermal bridging" and can increase the overall wall R-value of a wall by more than 40 percent, regardless of cavity insulation.
Now available to the building industry, just one, 3/8-inch x 1½-inch (6.25mm x 38mm) of Thermablok Aerogel Insulation Strip™ (pat.pend.) added to each stud edge before hanging drywall or sheating is all that is needed to tackle thermal bridging problems and contribute towards maximum R value.

http://www.thermablok.com/



I am still planning on multiple layers of reflective foam thermal break and more foam.

[skochele]

MLI - multi-layered insulation sounds like it has it's uses... But as total insulation in an enclosed trailer? In my research on this subject I have found both positive and negatives to reflective radiant insulation. The R value is achieved by air gap space and not by thermal mass. I like layers...

I can see starting with MLI against the skin or as a last layer before the interior, followed by ISO Foam then a thermal break on the metal studs followed by wooden battens then more foam.

It is easy to look at the R value rating of a material and assume that our entire wall assembly matches it uniformly. But when you factor in the thermal bridges caused by framing materials and any discontinuities in the wall structure, you can also quickly deduce that this is not the case.

Speaking of what NASA uses: Thermablok Aerogel Insulation Strips,






Utilizing aerogel insulation technology developed by NASA - the highest insulating material in existence - Thermablok® is a highly efficient, aerogel-based insulating material that breaks conductive "thermal bridging" and can increase the overall wall R-value of a wall by more than 40 percent, regardless of cavity insulation.
Now available to the building industry, just one, 3/8-inch x 1½-inch (6.25mm x 38mm) of Thermablok Aerogel Insulation Strip™ (pat.pend.) added to each stud edge before hanging drywall or sheating is all that is needed to tackle thermal bridging problems and contribute towards maximum R value.

http://www.thermablok.com/



I am still planning on multiple layers of reflective foam thermal break and more foam.

Very interesting! Such a material!
Not sure about the pricing/availability. I live in Canada, and do not think it is available here.
Aerogel - basically foamed silica. Imagine vibration during the transportation, structural deformations, etc.. After few trips the insulating strip will be transferred to tiny layer of dust.
I think when the wood is used to manufacture the cargo trailers, the thermal bridging would not be an issue. Like in residential buildings - 2x4 perpendicular to an outside wall, insulation, 6-mil plastic, then drywall. The thermal image of the whole wall is always look even, without heat loss for the wooden studs.

Regards,
skochele