Abstract

When considering insulation retrofits, property limit distances and setbacks make interior insulation of residential homes the only viable option. When pursuing an interior insulation retrofit the potential for brick masonry freeze thaw damage needs to be considered. Studying the impacts of an interior insulation retrofit Pre-World War 2 residential building in Toronto, Ontario, a comparison of the retrofitted building using WUFI against 8 other insulation types was completed to determine if the change of insulation affects the potential for freeze thaw damage. Based on the results of the WUFI analysis the answer would be yes. The insulation type and R value does have an impact brick masonry freeze thaw resistance. However this relationship is general and not linear. The method provided shows that if critical saturation (SCRIT) is known predictive modeling on the impacts of interior insulation on the moisture performance of the brick masonry wall can be used.

Highlights

  • The issues of climate change, energy security, and economics are all strong drivers for improving energy efficiency levels in a variety of sectors

  • While there are several studies which detail preferred methods of completing an interior insulation retrofit, there is a lack of analysis completed on the potential increase to freeze thaw damage of the existing brick masonry wall caused by adding interior insulation

  • Based on the above objective, the following research questions were developed: 1. Given a known estimated critical saturation point for a pre-world war 2 brick type, does the increase or decrease of interior installed insulation type affect the potential for freeze thaw damage that may occur in the brick masonry structure? 2

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Summary

Introduction

The issues of climate change, energy security, and economics are all strong drivers for improving energy efficiency levels in a variety of sectors. While there are several studies which detail preferred methods of completing an interior insulation retrofit, there is a lack of analysis completed on the potential increase to freeze thaw damage of the existing brick masonry wall caused by adding interior insulation. As temperatures drop during winter months warm moist air can flow into the cavity between the masonry and stud wall and will tend to condensate on the cooler (below dew point temperature) interior brick masonry. This solution creates additional design challenges when it comes to regulating the building’s interior relative humidity [3]

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