| As many old buildings are torn down, | | | | Cementitious- The most common product of this |
| environmentalists have found that the insulation in the | | | | type of insulation is Air-Krete. This insulation product |
| walls releases harmful bi-products when destroyed. | | | | is popular because it is easily applied blown-in foam |
| Another environmental issue is the disposal of the | | | | that hardens to be sound absorbing and fireproof. It |
| insulation material after demolition. Older insulation can | | | | is eco-friendly because it is non-toxic, contains very |
| rarely be recycled or re-used as the ultimate test of | | | | little volatile organic compounds, and is formaldehyde |
| time proved them to be unsustainable. Many green | | | | free. Cementitious insulations such as Air-Krete |
| building product companies have been working to | | | | typically have an R value around 4. |
| develop new technologies in the building insulation | | | | Soy-based polyurethane- Another green insulation |
| industry. Here are 3 green building insulation products | | | | that is also spray foam is polyurethane with |
| that are changing building construction today, as | | | | soy-based composition. These products are highly |
| higher standards from LEED and other organizations | | | | eco-friendly as they are made out of mostly recycled |
| demand more sustainable and efficient wall systems. | | | | natural materials. As opposed to standard |
| Icynene spray- This sprayed soft effectively | | | | polyurethane foams the soy replaces the harmful |
| prevents more than 90% of air infiltration while | | | | petrochemicals that do not allow for mold growth |
| keeping out harmful allergens and pollution. An | | | | that typically attracts household pests. |
| advantage it has over other insulation is that it can | | | | There are many other green insulation products that |
| be sprayed into closed cavities and expand up to | | | | are being developed. Aerogel is in a league of its own |
| twice its initial volume. Unlike other harmful sprays it | | | | as far as insulation goes. It is a new manufactured |
| has no HCFCs and is formaldehyde free. Icynene | | | | gel that is very low density making it a very efficient |
| products have R-values up to 4. | | | | insulation. It is also environmentally safe. |