Insulation

EcoBatt Insulation is free of formaldehyde, acrylics, and artificial colors. This insulation combines post-consumer recycled bottle glass and Knauf’s ECOSE Technology. It can be used for walls, ceilings, sound control, floors, attics, and mid-floor applications. This product is Declare Red List Free. It has also achieved a Greenguard Gold Certification, which ensures that it meets strict standards for VOC emissions.

Per EPD, this product meets HML's criteria for low embodied carbon - thanks in large part to its use of recycled materials. Knauf currently has 27 productions across the US, Europe, and the Middle East. When specifying this product be sure to consider the distance it will travel to your site.

Ecobatt's R-value range is declared between 8-49 per inch.

Knauf Insulation Jet Stream ULTRA is an unbonded, fibrous glass blowing insulation that is designed to be used in attics or with the BIBS system (Blown-in-Blanket System). This product is Declare Red List Free, and meets the strict VOC emission standards for the Greenguard Gold Certification. Additionally, it is made with over 60% post-consumer recycled glass (cullet) content.

Per Knauf's product-specific EPD, Jet Stream Ultra meets HML's criteria for low embodied carbon. Knauf currently has 27 production across the US, Europe, and the Middle East. When specifying this product be sure to consider the distance it will travel to your site.

Jet Stream's R-value range is declared between 11-60 per inch.

UltraTouch Denim Insulation is an alternative to traditional fiberglass batt insulation that is free of VOCs and other chemical irritants. This product contains 80% post-consumer recycled denim, and provides excellent sound absorption and thermal insulation.

Denim Insulation's R-value range is declared between 8-30.

Polar Barrier’s Loose Fill insulation is manufactured using 100% recycled paper. Primarily intended for use in walls and attics, this insulation provides superior sound control, fire protection, and energy savings compared to fiberglass. The production of Polar Barrier Loose Fill also uses up to 10 times less embodied energy than fiberglass does, and its reliance on recycled materials diverts waste from landfills.

The Loose Fill's R-value is declared at 3.9/inch.

This product provides a natural insulation alternative that optimizes human and environmental health. Greenfiber's cellulose insulation is free from formaldehyde, asbestos, glass fibers, and mineral wool. The product is also made with up to 85% recycled materials from local sources, diverting hundreds of tons of paper from landfills and reducing energy consumption from transporting raw materials.

Greenfiber's R-value is declared at 3.8/inch.

Safe is batt insulation made from mineral wool that provides acoustic dampening and is non-combustible. Safe N Sound is similar to Rockwool's Safe product but is primarily for interior applications. It is Greenguard Gold Certified, meaning it meets strict requirements for VOC and formaldehyde emissions.

This product meets HML's low embodied carbon standards per Rockwool's EPD for its stone wool insulation. Production facilities are located in the US and Canada. For shorter transportation, the North American Market is therefore preferable. Rockwool's Ontario location uses a substantial amount of recycled material.

*NOTE: This product contains phenol-formaldehyde. According to the manufacturer: "Phenol formaldehyde is allowed in rigid mineral wool insulation for exterior applications (such as rain screen assemblies or foundation insulation). While rigid mineral wool insulation does contain some formaldehyde, most of the formaldehyde is eliminated in the production process through a chemical reaction and high heat. Rigid mineral wool insulation installed on the exterior of the building possess less risk to humans and ecosystem than rigid foam insulation products, which almost always contain HFRs and use blowing agents with high global warming potential."

Roxul's R-value range is declared at 4.2/inch.

Thermacork is a 100% natural, renewable, recyclable, and biodegradable rigid-insulation material produced from natural cork. Under the effect of pressure and superheated steam, cork granules expand and are agglomerated, originating blocks, avoiding any type of added adhesives. Cork forests benefit the environment, acting as habitats for a diverse range of species and providing a carbon sink that captures CO2 and greenhouse gases from the atmosphere.

Per EPD, this product meets HML's criteria for low embodied carbon.

Like most cork producers, Amorim Isolamentos, S.A. is based in Portugal. Thermacork's R-value is declared at 4/inch.

Black Mountain's sheep wool insulation provides an excellent alternative to manmade batt insulation products. The product is designed for use in loft, rafter, internal wall, and inter-floor applications. Because it is a natural material, this wool insulation is completely biodegradable and requires 85% less embodied energy to produce than manmade products. Additionally, wool actively improves indoor air quality by absorbing carbon dioxide and toxic gasses such as formaldehyde and is naturally flame retardant.

The R-value range is declared as 6.5-49.

Sheep's wool provides a healthy and comfortable choice for insulation. Wool is naturally flame resistant. Additionally, wool's unique structure (a hydrophobic exterior and hydrophilic interior) allows it to absorb up to 35% of its weight in moisture from a room. When used as insulation, this gives wool the unique capacity to manage both humidity and temperature. Batt insulation requires the material to hold its shape. Traditional batts are held together with chemical additives. Havelock Wool's uses needle punching to hold their product together, avoiding toxic chemicals.

Per Havelock's EPD, this product meets HML's criteria for low embodied carbon. Havelock's wool insulation are produced in Reno, NV, making its application most impactful on projects in western United States.

*Note: Havelock's Loose Fill Insulation has R values of 4.3 and also meets HML's criteria for low embodied carbon.

IsoHemp’s hempcrete blocks are a non-load-bearing masonry product. These natural, healthy blocks are designed to be used for insulating envelopes, partition walls, and counter-partitions. Made only from hemp and lime, hempcrete’s ability to diffuse accumulated heat makes it a fantastic thermal regulator. This product also regulates humidity due to its permeability and is naturally very fire-resistant, making toxic flame retardants obsolete. Not only are IsoHemp hempcrete blocks good for human health, they also have a positive environmental impact. Their manufacture requires very little energy, and they act as a carbon sink, actively absorbing CO2 from the air.

Just Bio Fiber's hempcrete blocks are a breathable, durable, non-toxic alternative to typical structural wall assemblies. Made primarily from hemp and lime, these blocks are Declare Red List Free as well as naturally fire resistant. Wall systems built with these blocks regulate temperature and humidity while retaining heat. They also do not require a vapor barrier and are resistant to mold, insects, rodents, and mildew.

Tradical® Hemcrete® is a highly sustainable hemp-lime product line designed to create insulating walls in new structures or to retrofit existing floors, roofs, and walls with thermally efficient, breathable insulating layers.

Gutex Thermofibre is a blow in insulation made of two components only: regionally sourced pinewood fiber and ammonium salts which act as a flame retardant. As a result, the product Thermofibre is made from natural, biodegradable materials. It is suitable for stud, rafter and ceiling insulation. It holds a European Natureplus certification that sets strict standards for material health and complies with REACH standards.

Gutex is based in Germany making this a better option for projects based in central Europe.

Thermofibre's R-value is declared at 3.8 per inch.

Hempwool insulation has a low carbon footprint, shows excellent insulation values, is hypoallergenic, and due to its ingredients allows for a non-hazardous installation. According to Hempitecture, the mix of 92% hemp fiber and 8% polyester is heated to bond and increase strength. Polyester is petrochemically based and will not biodegrade. Alternatives are other man-made substances, currently. We appreciate this North American-made product and look forward to a healthier option as it evolves. It contains 89% Biobased Content and has been awarded the USDA Certified Biobased Product Label in the BioPreferred® Program.

Note: Hempwool's declare R-value is 3.7/inch.

Comfortboard 80 is a mineral wool insulation for below grade applications. This product meets HML's low embodied carbon standards per Rockwool's EPD for its stone wool insulation. Production facilities are located in the US and Canada. For shorter transportation, the North American Market is therefore preferable. Amongst all it's facilities, Rockwool's Ontario location uses the highest amount of recycled material. Comfortboard 80 R value is declared as up to R21.

*NOTE: This product contains a higher percentage of phenol-formaldehyde. According to the manufacturer: "Phenol formaldehyde is allowed in rigid mineral wool insulation for exterior applications (such as rain screen assemblies or foundation insulation). While rigid mineral wool insulation does contain some formaldehyde, most of the formaldehyde is eliminated in the production process through a chemical reaction and high heat. Rigid mineral wool insulation installed on the exterior of the building possess less risk to humans and ecosystem than rigid foam insulation products, which almost always contain HFRs and use blowing agents with high global warming potential."

Roxul's R-value range is declared at 4.2/inch.

Gutex Thermoflex is a wood fiber board insulation that makes use of the wood inherent lignin as binder and therefor avoids polyurethane. It can be used between studs, in post and beam interior and exterior wall structures, as between-rafter insulation and in ceilings. Thermoflex's Nominal thermal conductivity λD is 0.036 Per Gutex's product-specific EPD, Thermoflex meets HML's criteria for low embodied carbon.