CertainTeed Introduces Moisture Managing Batt Insulation

Valley Forge, PA - CertainTeed is revolutionizing the way builders and contractors approach thermal performance and moisture management with the introduction of SMARTBATT with MoistureSense Technology, the industry's first kraft-faced fiberglass batt insulation that contributes to healthier homes and buildings by intelligently managing moisture. 

SMARTBATT features first-of-its-kind MoistureSense technology, which unlike traditional polyethylene vapor barriers, is a smart vapor retarder. It adapts based on moisture levels in the wall cavity, blocking moisture from entering when humidity is low and allowing the wall to breathe when it senses high humidity that needs to be released, helping reduce the potential for mold and mildew growth.

"For the first time in decades, we're changing the way the industry views insulation facing," said Kelly Warren, senior product manager for CertainTeed Insulation. "Moisture is unavoidable in any home and can lead to health problems if unaddressed. SMARTBATT is the only dynamic insulation that can constantly adapt to a home's unique conditions to help ensure protection from moisture in any season or climate. When installed with a caulk and seal package this unique product provides an unparalleled combination of moisture management, thermal performance, air tightness and acoustics which equates to complete comfort inside a home."

By integrating the revolutionary MoistureSense kraft-facing onto a high-performance fiberglass batt, SMARTBATT provides a single solution for complete indoor comfort that can be easily installed in one step. It is ideal for crawlspaces, basements, bathrooms, laundry rooms, kitchens and exterior walls -- any place traditional kraft insulation is typically used. Compared to traditional kraft-faced batt insulation--which has limited permeance--SMARTBATT can adapt from almost completely closed during winter months to fully open in the summer, when humidity is at its peak. 

SMARTBATT also offers an alternative to the practice of installing a vapor barrier film over unfaced batts, eliminating the need for a two-step installation and saving considerable time and labor costs. It is available in R-values ranging from R-13 to R-38, and with 2/3 less asphalt, is easier to cut and installs just like traditional kraft-faced insulation, requiring no special tools or training.

"The tighter building envelopes required by the 2012 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) can potentially lead to problems if moisture becomes trapped within the structure," Warren said. "SMARTBATT is the only insulation on the market that when paired with a caulk and seal package can address new air tightness requirements while also enabling the wall to breathe--all in a single, easy-to-install fiberglass batt."

SMARTBATT is produced with a commitment to environmental stewardship. Its main raw material is sand, an inert, abundant and naturally renewing resource. In addition, it includes both pre- and post-consumer recycled glass and a sustainable, plant-based binder that contains no added formaldehyde, acrylics, dyes, or unnecessary fire retardants and is GREENGUARD Gold Certified for low chemical emissions.