4 Insulation Alternatives to Traditional Stud Walls That Do Not Promote Mold and Mildew Growth
| | WARM-N-DRI | MICHEL 3i | EASI-WALL | InSoFast | Traditional Stud Wall With Batt Insulation |
| What It Is | Exterior Drainage Board | Laminated GlasRock/EPS Foam Composite | Sandwich Wall | Interior EPS Foam with Polypropylene Studs | 2 x 4 stud wall framed at 16" o.c., installed with paper backed fiberglass insulation as well as a vapor barrier that is often used to keep moisture from reaching the drywall. |
| Wall Detail | 2-3/8" fiberglass board - 8" concrete | 7.5" concrete - 2" foam-1/2" glasroc | 4" concrete - 2" foam - 4" concrete | 8" concrete - 2" foam | 8" concrete - 1" air gap - 3-1/2" stud cavity - 1/2" drywall |
| Insulation Location | Exterior | Interior | Sandwich | Interior | Interior |
| R-Value | R-10 | R-10 | R-10 | R-10 | R-10, overall |
| Utilizes Thermal Mass To Increase Performance R-Value | Yes | No | Yes - Manufacturer states R-10 insulation will performs at R-22 | No | No |
| Method to Control Condensation | Thermal break located on exterior side of foundation wall keeps concrete at room temperature | EPS Foam is poured in place, eliminated airspace for condensation to form | Thermal break is located inside of concrete wall, allowing interior 4" of concrete to warm to room temperature | Condensation that accumulates is channeled along drainage planes, directly to the footing | None - Condensation of warm humid air on the cold concrete wall should be a big concern. |
| Conduit Options | Conduit and boxes may be cast in walls during concrete pour, or electrical conduit can be run along interior of concrete wall. | Electrical Conduit may be installed in channels after concrete pour. | Inner core is set in place, then electrician installs all conduit and boxes before forms are set and concrete is poured. | Electrical chase behind foam provides easy access for wiring at any time in the future. | Electrician roughs in conduit, before drywall is hung. |
| Interior Finish Options | Skim-Coat with drywall compound to create the exact look and feel of real drywall -or- leave concrete walls bare. | GlasRoc may be left in semi-finished state -or- seams may be taped and mudded, as in typical drywall applications. | Skim-Coat with drywall compound to create the exact look and feel of real drywall -or- leave concrete walls bare. | Building Code requires that all foam insulation be covered by a thermal barrier, like drywall; however, in un-inhabited areas, a flame retardant scrim can be installed. | Papered batt insulation must be covered with either a flame-retardant vapor barrier scrim or with a thermal barrier, like drywall. |
| Requires Additional Thermal or Flame Resistant Barrier | No | No | No | Yes. See interior finish options. | Yes. See interior finish options. |
| Price | $ | $$ | $$$ | $ | $ |
| Potential for Mold And Mildew Problems In the Future | Not Likely | Not Likely | Not Likely | Not Likely | Very Likely |
| Exterior Finish Options | Insulation above grade must be protected. Options include covering with aluminum flashing or coating with stucco product. Below grade drainage board requires no additional treatment. | Bare concrete surface requires no additional treatment | Bare concrete surface requires no additional treatment | Bare concrete surface requires no additional treatment | Bare concrete surface requires no additional treatment. |
| Food Source for Mold Growth and Mildew | No | No | No | No | Yes. Organic wood studs absorb moisture and support mold growth. Fiberglass insulation also absorbs moisture and promotes mold growth. |
| Flood Resistant (sump pump failure) | Yes | Yes - GlasRoc is weatherproof | Yes | Yes - if covered by paperless drywall or non-flammable scrim | No - Batt insulation and traditional drywall absorb moisture and are ruined when they are exposed to flood water. |
| Requires Additional Surface Treatment | No | No | No | Yes | Yes |
| Added Benefits | Acts as a drainage board, extending Manufacturer's Waterproofing Warranty from 15-30 years. | | Can be utilized in above-grade homes. | | |
| Are Foundation Leaks Easily Detected and Repaired? | Yes | Yes | Yes | No - But EPS insulation is formed with drainage channels, allowing small leaks | No |
| Building Practice Endorsed By Building Science Consortium As Not Condusive to Mold and Mildew Growth | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| Installed By Michel Concrete | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
Product Literature
(Adobe Acrobat Required) | | Fnd_T-Roc-Sell-Sheet_40-96-03.pdf | easi-wall.pdf | | |
