Abstract: A retrofitting appliqué for stepped application to a building wall construction. For external retrofitting, the system has an air barrier layer impermeable or semi-permeable for moisture, a ventilated air cavity used to modify temperature and/or remove water that may be coming from both sides or to modify the relative humidity of the ventilation air, a layer of thermal insulation, a composite material called Eco-Wrap with capillary active capability, in which a hydronic heating or cooling system may be located, and a surface finishing layer. For internal retrofitting, the system has an air barrier system arranged onto the wall of the building and separated from a layer of permeable or semi-permeable thermal insulation by a ventilated air gap. The layer of insulation, in turn, is in contact with a layer of Eco-Wrap. A permeable interior finishing layer that may also have capillary active performance is in contact with the Eco-Wrap. Methods for installing the retrofitting appliqué are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to construction materials and more specifically, to a continuous composite exterior insulation system and cladding used in the construction of building walls and structure, to control heat transfer, rain-water penetration, air and water vapor transmission while providing fire protection to a building enclosure. This invention relates to a thermal upgrade of existing and new buildings. The wall substrate is arranged for receipt of subsequent layers of cladding materials. Thermo-grid of insulated composite strapping is mounted on the surface of the said wall and a layer of continuous insulation e.g. polyurethane foam is applied between the thermo-grid strapping leaving a thin air gap between it and the next layer of the fire protective composite.

Abstract: A composite, layered, thermal insulation and cladding system and method to construct a hygro thermal (HT) wrap. The external insulation system controls the passage of heat, air, liquid water, water vapor, and moisture permeability of the system with the change of the moisture content in some materials. The HT wrap comprises at a material mix applied in two layers, with or without additional surface treatments. The inventive method includes the material combinations and their fiber diameter or particle size in such a manner that the microstructure of HT wrap will provide pore space for retention of the initially added water, permit expansion of the freezing water (thereby improving freeze-thaw durability), provide the interruption in the crack propagation (because the brittle inorganic matrix of the binders is prone to cracking), and provide a degree of elasticity needed to accommodate movements caused by the polyurethane foam or other substrates.

Abstract: A composite, flexible and layered system and method which performs as an adaptable protective membrane (APM). The APM controls the passage of air, liquid water, and water and changes its moisture permeability with the change of humidity on its surface. APM comprises at least two layers with or without additional surface treatments. The first layer is a matrix comprised of a non-woven fibrous material, such as building paper made from cellulose fibers, building paper saturated with asphalt, a combination of cellulose fibers and other synthetic adsorbent fibers, or synthetic polymer fibers that change the rate of water vapor transmission with the moisture content of the membrane. The second layer is a polymer including ingredients to modify its water transport ability. The second layer may be an extrusion coated, liquid applied, or a spray applied coating. The APM is a directionally sensitive membrane, i.e.