Apartment Complex & Parking Garage Uses Knauf Pipe and Duct Wrap Insulation
07/15/2020
QUALITY INSULATION
FOR RAIN OR SHINE
PROJECT CHECKLIST
The right insulation helped Wayne Insulation Co., Inc. insulate even in unpredictable weather.
LOCATION:
Washington, D.C.
CHALLENGE:
Build an energy-efficient, healthy home free of contaminants found in traditional construction and insulating products
SOLUTION:
Earthwool® 1000° Pipe Insulation + Atmosphere™ Duct Wrap
PROJECT TEAM:
Mary R. Whitlow, President - Wayne Insulation Co., Inc.
THE CHALLENGE
At the time of its build, CityCenterDC was Washington, D.C.’s largest mixed-use construction project. Wayne Insulation was responsible for insulating two condominium buildings, two office buildings and a garage. The majority of the build took place through the unpredictable fall and winter weather, and Wayne Insulation Co., Inc., the insulation installer, would have to use materials that could withstand the external elements. Not all of the buildings were 100 percent watertight until February 2013, and leaks could have caused permanent damage to the insulation. In addition, with the complexity of the job and the number of contractors, the product could be impacted by other building material installations, so durability was very important. The installation was complicated and required special attention for custom fitting. It was important for installers to work with a product that would be easy to finish.
As with every project, Wayne Insulation also considered the health of future building occupants, needing products that would contribute to healthy indoor air quality. This mixed-use development is a residence and workplace for its many occupants. The Knauf Insulation products used in CityCenterDC are made with
revolutionary binders based on rapidly renewable bio-based materials rather than non-renewable petroleumbased chemicals such as phenol, formaldehyde or acrylics.
NO phenols, formaldehyde or acrylics
Durable products that contribute to healthy indoor air quality
THE SOLUTION
In the central plants, two layers of sheetrock were incorporated into the ceiling after the insulation had been installed, causing debris to fall on the insulation.“When they finished installing the sheetrock, the insulation looked horrible,” said Mary R. Whitlow, president of Wayne Insulation. “The jacketing on other brands of insulation would have been ruined, which was what I was expecting. But after the cleaning crew wiped everything down, I was amazed at the durability of the Knauf Insulation jacket. You would have never known the sheetrock had just been installed. The insulation looked beautiful.”
“We wouldn’t have trusted anything else with this monumental project!”
- Mary R. Whitlow, President, Wayne Insulation Co., Inc.
One reason Wayne Insulation Co., Inc. chose Knauf was the products’ propensity to remain durable in harsh environments. The smooth protective surface of the ASJ+ system provides resistance to water exposure. This resistance was extremely useful in preventing rework and providing a superior finish.
In the central plants, two layers of sheetrock were incorporated into the ceiling after the insulation had been installed, causing debris to fall on the insulation.“When they finished installing the sheetrock, the insulation looked horrible,” said Mary R. Whitlow, president of Wayne Insulation. “The jacketing on other brands of insulation would have been ruined, which was what I was expecting. But after the cleaning crew wiped everything down, I was amazed at the durability of the Knauf Insulation jacket. You would have never known the sheetrock had just been installed. The insulation looked beautiful.”
Wayne Insulation also knew this was the right brand choice for the installers. “Our installers asked for Knauf Insulation by name,” Whitlow said. “They had worked with it on previous jobs, and they didn’t want to consider any other brands for this massive project.” In addition to being comfortable to work with due to minimal itching, Knauf Insulation is ideal for such a large project because when cut into, its properties aren’t airborne.
“The binders are very tight,” said Whitlow. “This project had a lot of cut-ins and T’s, and the tight binding made it easier to cut. It was easy to scoop out around oversized valves, and the cuts were sharp every time.”
Building occupants enjoy improved indoor air quality due to the insulation products that were used during the build. “We’ve been very happy with our choice of Knauf Insulation products, and we’re looking forward to using them again on future projects,” Whitlow said.
LEARN MORE
Discover all of the Knauf Insulation products that you can add to your next project.