Comments from PhD Inn Choi on Heat Transfer:
Typically the studs are not covered by Fiberglass insulation thus allowing a very high conduction path. The heat loss through these studs can be 30-50% depending on the size of the studs and temperature differential between inside and outside. Naturally, the losses are higher in cold climate. Covering these studs with SUPER THERM ® will help to cut down the heat losses significantly. Consider the fact the thermal conductivity of steel is up to 46 (W/mK) while it is about 0.6 (W/mK) for SUPER THERM ®. This is 76 times less. So it is very smart to spray SUPER THERM ® on these studs, and possible on joist and support beams. This is one smart way of preventing big heat losses with a small amount of SUPER THERM ®. We think that SUPER THERM ® always works the best when coated outside a building especially on the roof. This is true from heat transfer view point. But as pointed out below, by coating inside a building as well, condensation can be prevented in the attic and between-wall spaces. For the attic, however, ventilation is still necessary, preferably on the side walls, to reduce the heat load, if not moist air, in the attic.

Inn Choi

Bill Gleckman is a premiere architect in New York and had the comment below about the attic area, venting and such which is important for everyone to know.

The only way to mitigate the effect of summer heat buildup in the attic of a conventionally insulated fiberglass house is to provide a continuous vent at the eaves and peak of the roof. This is also required so that the wood roof framing does not rot. In the case of a roof using SUPER THERM ® only (on the exterior and on the living area ceiling below the attic) this venting would not be required provided:

1. the roof framing is treated wood or
2. the roof framing is steel

One thing hit me about the housing structures that were coated in the Northeast US recently while very cold ( editors Note : This was during the recent snowstorm that hit Boston during late January, early February 2004 ). After only coating with SUPER THERM ® to the inside of the exterior wall board, all wall studs and joist in the roofing, the heat was maintained in the house while the workers were working in short sleeve shirts inside and the house not finished and without any other insulation materials.

This reminded me that in housing or any other construction using wood or metal studs, joist and support members of any kind, no insulation is ever covering these parts. Studs, joist and support beams are a direct link from the interior to the exterior of the house or structure. These beams can and do load with heat in the summer and transfer heat to the interior or lose heat in the winter by absorbing heat inside the house or building and allowing this heat to escape to the exterior. When you think about all the framing of a house or structure and all the heat that can be lost or gained, this is a lot of conduction allowed by standard insulation methods.

If we simply spray and coat with SUPER THERM ® over all studs, joist and support beams, heat transfer is stabilized and cannot gain or lose. This is a lot of exposed area to the exterior side of the building and to coat it would control a large amount of loss and gain of heat.

Steel studs, joist and support beams:

One of the major points in terms of steel studs in particular has been missed. In addition to the tremendous thermal conductivity of the metal, it is also subject to condensation. This is known as wall shadowing. This is a very well known problem in the industry. Within a very short period of time you can SEE every stud line in the wall through the gypsum wallboard. There is also some concern regarding corrosion of the steel studs effecting structural integrity. SUPER THERM ® (Vancouver Shipyards), SUNSHIELD 2000 (Topco Pallets) and EPOXOTHERMall help to control CONDENSATION.

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