In an exterior wall application, AP Foil is typically installed with the shiny foil side facing out. One exception is when the product is used with vinyl siding; then the white, non-reflective foil faces the vinyl. If installed adjacent to an ideal air space, the shiny foil side should face the air space to capture additional thermal performance. Boards should be installed horizontally with staggered vertical seams when possible.

On above grade exterior walls, in most cases, the vapor retarder is installed facing the interior or toward the conditioned living space. There are exceptions, so please contact your local building authority.

Insulation can be layered to achieve a higher R-value; however, the total R-value may not be equivalent to the sum of the R-values. For fiberglass, R-value per inch drops with greater thickness. Ensure that all proper building practices and code requirements are met regarding total R-value and vapor retarder requirements. Please note, if the product is compressed, there will be a reduction in R-value.

Insulation has a fire hazard classification for flame spread and smoke developed based on testing per ASTM E-84, not an hourly rating by itself. Hourly ratings are given to entire tested assemblies. UL and ULC have specifically tested entire assemblies that contain insulation to achieve a certain hourly rating.

No. Kraft facing does not meet code for a material that can be left exposed. It must be installed behind gypsum wallboard.

Prior to installation, fiberglass insulation should be kept clean and dry. Use of wet insulation depends on many factors: cleanliness of water, duration and extent of wetting, as well as ability to dry out and attain its original design thickness. The decision to keep the insulation is up to the building owner and the contractor. If insulation gets wet in a flood situation, it should be replaced.

No. AP Foil must be appropriately covered according to the code. However, CI MAX can be left exposed for interior applications.

No. These products are intended to be used only in sealed roofing systems. Using them in any other application is at your own risk.

Mineral wool has a melting point in excess of 2000 degrees Fahrenheit. Fiberglass has a melting point of around 1100 degrees Fahrenheit. However, both will perform well for fire resistance. Both products are Class A materials as defined in the building codes.

Product density can lead to better acoustical performance. However, while mineral wool tends to be more dense than fiberglass when used at the same thickness in the same assembly, any difference in acoustical performance would be negligible.

No, there is a very small amount in the cured binder of our mineral wool products. However, JM’s mineral wool products are GREENGUARD certified by UL Environment.

Closed-cell foams are medium density, rigid spray polyurethane foam where the cells in the foam remain closed and filled with a blowing agent. They have higher R-values per given thickness and function as air barrier, water barrier, and vapor retarder. In contrast, open-cell foams are lower density foams where the cells open, release oxygen and fill with CO2. They have lower thermal performance per given thickness and require greater thicknesses to function as an air barrier.

A thermal barrier is required to separate unconditioned space from conditioned occupied space. This includes attics or crawl spaces used for storage. Prescriptively, this is a ½” of gypsum or a tested equivalent of an intumescent coating. Ignition barriers are required only in unoccupied attics or crawl spaces not used for storage, and accessed only to service equipment. Several prescriptive options are available to meet code, as well as tested intumescent coatings.