Cellulose insulation and the process of weatherizing and insulating a building involves a number of technical terms and concepts. We've compiled this glossary to help you decipher them.
[A] [B] [C] [D-E] [F-G] [H-I] [J-P] [Q-R] [S] [T] [U-Z]
Cavity
Coverage
Class A / Class 1 Fire Rating
CFM @ 50 pa
Co-mingled paper
Conduction
Convection
CPSC
[A] [B] [C] [D-E] [F-G] [H-I] [J-P] [Q-R] [S] [T] [U-Z]
Cavity
An unfilled assembly. (See Assembly). May also refer to an open assembly before the application of interior wallboard, paneling, etc.
Coverage
As it concerns cellulose insulation, coverage refers to either a) the square footage of an open area, such as an attic floor, that can be covered to a specified depth by a single bag of material or b) the cubic footage of a cavity or assembly that can be dense packed, typically to 3.5 lbs. of material per cubic foot, by a single bag of material. Various manufacturer's bag weights vary. National Fiber ships Cel-Pak and Nu-Wool in 25 lb. bags.
Class A / Class 1 Fire Rating
An ASTM E-84 fire test used to determine the fire performance in wall and roof / ceiling assemblies. Class A or Class 1 ratings pertain to those products that have a flame spread of 25 or less and a smoke developed rating of 450 or less. A Class A or 1 rating is considered the most 'fire safe'. These fire ratings also influence the code decisions on what materials can be left exposed without the need for a 15 minute thermal barrier such as drywall.
CFM @ 50 pa
The standard unit for measuring air leakage in buildings with a blower door. These are expressed in Cubic Feet of air per Minute at a pressure differential of 50 pascals, typically between the inside of the building and the outside.
Co-mingled paper
Co-mingled paper refers to paper used in the manufacture of cellulose insulation that has been mixed with other recyclables and/or material inappropriate for use in cellulose insulation.
National Fiber does not use co-mingled paper in the production of its' Cel-Pak and Nu-Wool insulation products.
National Fiber does not use co-mingled paper in the production of its' Cel-Pak and Nu-Wool insulation products.
Conduction
Conduction (or heat conduction) is the transfer of thermal energy between neighboring molecules in a substance due to a difference of temperature. It always takes place from a region of higher temperature to a region of lower temperature, and acts to equalize temperature differences. Conduction is one of the four ways heat moves through a structure. (see also air infiltration, convection and radiation)
Convection
or heat convection, refers to airborne heat carried through a structure or building assembly, one of the four ways in which heat moves through a structure. (See also radiation, conduction and air infiltration)
CPSC
The Consumer Product Safety Commission
