Building Safe and Efficient: Insulation Requirements in North Carolina Explained

The Tar Heel State faces a wide range of temperature variations throughout the year with the change of seasons, often ranging from below zero to above 90℉. Depending on which part of the state you’re in, the climate can be dramatically different from the coast to the Western inland.

To keep buildings safe and running efficiently with its highly variable climate, representatives of the North Carolina Building Code Council (BCC) adopt and amend construction guidelines to oversee progress. In turn, this supports the construction of structures that are compatible with the climate and landscape. 

If you’re building or remodeling in NC, it’s important to become familiar with these codes. While there are codes for everything from accessibility to plumbing and electrical—in this article, we’ll be focusing on the North Carolina building code insulation requirements. 

Current NC State Building Code

Building codes are changing all the time. That’s why there is a council to review the codes and implement changes when necessary for the sake of safety or systems improvement. Find the current list of adopted codes on the NC Office of State Fire Marshal website. 

A significant portion of the current version of NC building codes is based on the ICC 2015 International Codes and went into effect in 2019. This version is referred to as the 2018 NC Codes and it includes ten books. 

Of those ten sets of guidelines, the two that we will focus on for NC building code insulation requirements are the following: 

• 2018 North Carolina State Building Code: Energy Conservation Code 

• 2018 North Carolina State Building Code: Residential Code

What Are the North Carolina Building Code Insulation Requirements?

Taking a look at the two code books listed above, we can decipher what the requirements are for NC building code insulation. Let’s take a look at both residential and commercial construction insulation code requirements.

First, we’ll break down the state by climate zone. North Carolina consists of three distinctive climate zones, including:

• Climate Zone 3A: South and East NC (Warm Humid)

• Climate Zone 4A: North and West NC (Mixed Humid) 

• Climate Zone 5A: Northwest corner of NC (Cool Humid)

Residential NC Building Code Insulation Requirements

North Carolina’s 2018 residential code for single and multi-family residential structures under three stories is based on the International Residential Code (IRC). The required values are shown in the table below for various wall types and other components of the building envelope.

Residential R-Value Code Requirements in NC:

*R-value requirements may be less for air-permeable/impermeable attics.

When evaluating North Carolina building code wall insulation requirements for homes, you’ll notice that in climate zones 4 and 5, you have the option to combine cavity wall insulation with continuous insulation. For example, if you’re constructing a building with wood studs, you can use R13 cavity insulation between the studs, plus R5 continuous insulation. The additional insulation, if polyiso is used, requires less than an inch of continuous insulation installed on the exterior side of the studs. ½” thick Rmax Durasheath® carries a thermal insulating resistance value of R3, which exceeds the code requirement for this construction application.

Commercial NC Building Code Insulation Requirements

The North Carolina Energy Conservation Code applies to non-residential, commercial structures including businesses, hospitals, and government buildings for both new construction and remodeling projects. This code follows the requirements of the ANSI/ASHRAE/IESNA 90.1 standard. You’ll find the R-value requirements for North Carolina commercial construction projects in the table below.

Commercial R-Value Code Requirements in NC*:

*These values may differ from the requirements of commercial buildings that contain residential dwellings, or from metal buildings. 

As you can see in the chart above, the North Carolina building code wall insulation requirements show increased R-values for several applications in commercial buildings when compared to residential construction projects. One notable difference is the increased requirement of continuous insulation throughout the envelope, from the floor, up the walls to the rooftop. 

Polyiso board insulation is one of the best products on the market to achieve continuous insulation assemblies and meet code requirements. For example, Rmax Thermasheath® carries an R-value of R6 per inch, so you can achieve R7.5 with a single layer of 1-¼” boards.

Meet North Carolina Building Code Insulation Requirements with Rmax

As a trusted manufacturer in the insulation industry for over 45 years, Rmax has been here throughout the years of evolving building codes and increased energy efficiency requirements. We have developed insulation solutions to meet and often exceed code standards and our North Carolina representatives can help make sure your next project is insulated with the right materials. 

Reach out to your local Rmax representative today!

The R-Value of EPS Insulation: Understanding Its Thermal Performance and a Superior Alternative

When insulating your construction project, whether it’s your home, business, or a work-related endeavor, it’s important to consider all of your options so that you can make informed decisions about which materials will best suit your design’s expected thermal performance. Here, we break down one of those material options: EPS. 

What is EPS Insulation?

Expanded polystyrene, or EPS, is a type of closed-cell insulation commonly used in walls, roofs, and foundations. The manufacturing process uses steam, blowing agents, and resin beads to create the final product. ASTM C578 is the standard specification for this type of thermal insulation.

One unique property that is inherently beneficial to EPS is its ability to be worked into shapes or molds during production. This makes it useful for very specific applications. Consider, for instance, the packaging material that comes around a new flat-screen TV or computer. It’s perfectly molded to support the shape of the product it’s meant to protect.

R-Value of EPS Rigid Insulation

When it comes to choosing the best insulation to cover a building envelope, it’s less about the shape of the material and more about its properties and performance. One measure to compare is the thermal resistance value, or R-value. A typical EPS insulation R-value stands firm at about R4 per inch of thickness. That means a one-inch thick board will have at least an R4 and a two-inch thick EPS board will have a minimum R8. 

EPS is available in various densities, ranging from around 1-3 pounds per cubic foot (pcf), which in turn creates varying levels of compressive strength (from 10-60 psi). These factors impact thermal performance. Take a look at the EPS Insulation R-value chart below to check how the densities affect the R-value of EPS: 

Typical EPS Insulation R-Value Chart

*Values based on Insulfoam unfaced EPS insulation at 40℉

As you can see, the R-value of EPS rigid insulation requires increasing thicknesses and/or densities in order to achieve a good thermal barrier. For example, if you want to meet the minimum R13 for walls, you’ll need at least 3” thick EPS. For an R20 wall, you’ll need 4” or more, depending on the density you select.

A Superior Alternative to EPS for Higher R-Values: Polyiso

Oftentimes, you just don’t have four inches to spare inside a wall cavity. So, if you’re looking for an alternative that packs more R-value per inch, one option is polyisocyanurate (polyiso). 

R-Value of Polyiso Insulation

Polyiso insulation ranks well in terms of insulating power. With an R6 per inch, polyiso beats EPS insulation R-values by nearly two full points on the scale. That seemingly small difference can add up quickly when you’ve got limited space for your insulation to fit into. Below, you can find the typical R-values for polyiso when compared to EPS insulation.

Polyiso vs. EPS Insulation R-Value Chart

*Values based on Insulfoam unfaced EPS insulation at 40℉

**Values based on Rmax Thermasheath® Polyiso insulation

Comparison of Polyiso vs. EPS Insulation R-Values

Across the board, polyiso outperforms EPS in thermal R-values. As you can see above in the polyiso vs. EPS insulation r-value chart, you can achieve an R20 with just three inches of polyiso—that shaves off an entire inch of insulation thickness when compared to EPS. Find the entire range of polyiso R-values for Rmax products, including ECOMAXci® FR and Durasheath®, in our product R-value charts.

Get Help Selecting a Superior Insulation Board for Your Project

If you’re looking for ways to minimize insulation thickness without compromising on thermal resistance values, Rmax can help. Our representatives can help you pick the right product for your design. Whether you’re insulating a wall, roof, basement, or attic space, polyiso is a versatile and well-rounded building material used by professionals who build to last. 

Contact one of our sales representatives today for more information!

Wall Board Insulation: Enhancing Comfort and Energy Efficiency

All buildings, both commercial and residential, have character, and a major factor that plays a role in creating that character—is how the occupants feel while inside the building. Is your building putting visitors at ease with a cozy and comfortable ambiance, or keeping them at a distance with a cold and clammy atmosphere? The difference is in the materials.

You can change your building’s attributes simply by altering your insulating strategy. When it comes to creating comfort in your home or commercial building, thermal insulation can make or break your environment. 

Since walls make up the majority of a building’s surface area, it’s an ideal place to focus on when designing an enhanced comfort and energy-efficient structure. Let’s learn more about wall board insulation.

What is Wall Board Insulation?

Wall board insulation goes by many names. It’s commonly referred to as rigid insulation, foam board, rigid foam, bead board, foam insulation, board insulation, polyiso, and more. The term “wall board insulation” does not necessarily refer to a single type of insulation material, but rather the general shape of the material and the way the insulation is installed.

Foam board wall insulation is made up of thin, rectangular panels of insulating material in various sizes—think of it as the foam-core poster boards you used to use in school to present your science fair project, but thicker. Thicknesses vary from around ½” to over 6” in some materials. Typical dimensions of foam insulation boards are similar to what you’d find in the plywood selection at your local hardware store, including 4’x8’ and 4’x4’ boards. 

Typical materials used for wall board insulation include the following:

• Polyisocyanurate (Polyiso or iso)

• Extruded Polystyrene (XPS, blue board, or pink board)

• Expanded Polystyrene (EPS or bead board)

• Mineral Wool Boards

Each of these materials has its pros and cons and they all are used in construction, from the below-grade foundation level up to the rooftop.

Why Choose Wall Insulation Foam Board for Your Project?

To contrast wall board insulation to other types of insulation, we’ll need to identify other common ways to insulate walls, which include:

• Fiberglass batt insulation

• Spray foam insulation

• Loose-fill and blown-in

Insulation wall boards are different from these other types and come with some unique advantages, including easier installation, increased R-values, better fire resistance, and the ability to customize the installation.

For example, let’s compare the R-values, in descending order, of various materials per a one-inch-thick application.

As you can see, board insulation does the job when it comes to achieving a high thermal R-value with less thickness. Closed-cell polyurethane slightly outperforms polyiso, but it’s important to take into consideration that spray insulation may require multiple layers to achieve the same thickness that can be installed in one effort with board insulation. That means you can achieve comfort and energy efficiency with less material, quicker labor, and often—less expense.

Another clear advantage of board insulation is the simplicity of installation and lack of a mess that comes with loose-fill, spray foam, and blanket insulation. Rigid board insulation material can generally be easily cut-to-size by scoring with a razor knife and snapping to size by hand. Plus, there’s no mess or clean-up after installation. What you get is a professional and clean final product finish for your wall.

Polyiso board insulation can be customized to fit your project’s needs by adding additional properties in the facers. For example, Thermasheath® is a polyiso foam core bonded to reinforced aluminum foil facers on both sides, while other boards can feature fiberglass facers or even laminated plywood.

Where to Use Thermal Insulation Wall Board

Thermal insulation wall board is a versatile material due to its modular nature. Common applications of these rigid insulating materials include:

• Exterior wall insulation board

• Interior basement wall board insulation

• Exterior concrete walls 

• Foundation waterproofing protection board

• Thin wall insulation board applications

Exterior wall insulation boards are advantageous because they do not need to fit within the wall cavity space. With continuous insulation, such as polyiso boards, building owners benefit from the energy savings, and contractors can achieve the desired R-value thickness outside of the building’s occupied space.

Get the Best Price on Wall Insulation Board

Rmax carries a wide range of Polyiso wall insulation board products for your next construction project. Whether you’re looking for an exterior continuous insulation solution for a masonry or steel stud wall such as Durasheath® or a fire-resistant plywood backing system like ECOMAXci® FR Ply for cladding attachment, Rmax representatives have you covered.

Reach out today to find out what your best insulating options are and we’ll get you in touch with the right professionals to get you a comprehensive thermal insulation wall board price list!

Insulation for the Long Haul: The Advantages of Continuous Insulation Over Cavity

If you’ve ever lived in an old or historic home, you may have noticed that it’s quite leaky and doesn’t hold the heat in too well in the dead of winter. That’s because homes that were constructed more than 50 years ago were often missing a component that we consider crucial today: insulation. 

Insulation serves many purposes in the home, including:

• Increased thermal comfort

• Reduced heat loss from heating and cooling

• Acoustic properties

• Reduction of condensation

The History of Insulation Types in Old Homes

Construction methods have evolved throughout history by capitalizing on different materials and methods available at the time. Consider a rustic log cabin—often, the thickness of the load-bearing exterior wooden walls was all you got in terms of insulating value. Likewise, many historic homes were constructed of thick masonry walls that provided some thermal gain advantages, but lacked a separate type of home insulation for walls.

We didn’t start to see the insulation that we have in a typical residential home today until after 1965, when building codes began requiring it. From that point forward, builders began using fiberglass batts in the wall cavity for standard home construction, among other methods. 

What Are the Different Types of Home Insulation?

In residential construction, there are many types of insulation for homes. Depending on each wall type, you have various options to choose from. 

Masonry Cavity Walls

For example, modern masonry walls are constructed as veneers rather than solid brick. With this construction method, there is an air space cavity between a column of concrete block and the exterior-facing brick veneer. A cavity wall system includes several components, including insulation. A masonry cavity wall can accept many home insulation types in the following forms:

• Mineral Wool Boards

• Polyisocyanurate Boards

• Polystyrene Beads

• Spray Foam

• Fiberglass Batts

Wood Stud Wall Cavities

On the other hand, wood stud walls commonly used in residential construction are often insulated with fiberglass batts between the studs. Still, there are even more different types of insulation used in homes, including cellulose loose-fill, polystyrene foam panels, and even structural insulated panels or insulating concrete forms.

The Best Type of Insulation for New Home Construction

When choosing the best type of insulation for home applications, it’s important to look at all of your options. With the increased focus on sustainability and enhanced energy efficiency, you might be looking for the best type of home insulation and it might not be what you think. 

Traditional fiberglass batts in wood stud walls, for example, are limited in R-value to the width of the studs being used since the wall can only be 3-½” thick for a 2x4 stud wall. This material also fails to address thermal bridging and does not carry a continuous R-value across the wall surface.

The best home insulation types are those that provide an adequate thermal barrier for your climate. In some applications, it might be easier and less expensive to achieve the desired thermal values by using continuous insulation in the form of rigid foam boards.

Continuous Insulation vs. Cavity Insulation

Continuous insulation is a rigid board often used on the exterior of walls or roofs. It is installed uninterrupted and provides a consistent R-value across the entire surface area of the envelope. Polyiso and other continuous insulation products can be installed on either side of stud walls, foundation walls, basement walls, roofs, attics, and more. 

When comparing home insulation types pros and cons, continuous insulation comes out on top because it provides:

• Continuous and consistent thermal values

• Virtually unlimited space to install the insulation to achieve desired R-Values

• High R-Value in a minimal thickness 

• Fast and easy installation in both new construction and retrofit applications

If a cavity wall is a must-have in your home project, you can still use polyiso or other rigid foam boards. These versatile insulating materials can be installed inside the cavity, as well as used in a continuous application on one side of the cavity wall. 

Best Types of Insulation for Your Home

If you’re looking for specific types of home insulation products, below are some offerings that are great options for residential applications for continuous insulation:

Residential Wall Insulation

Rmax carries a wide range of home wall insulation types that can be applied in a manner that achieves continuous insulation. This includes below-grade applications such as Thermasheath® that doubles to protect your waterproofing and also provides thermal comfort in your basement.

Thermasheath®-SI can be used as structural wall insulation, or Therma Base-CI™ can be used to provide a nailbase backing for exterior finishes. Durasheath® is another energy performance option for insulating narrow spaces in homes such as cavity walls.

Residential Roof Insulation 

Your vertical surfaces aren’t the only ones that you’ll want to insulate. Heat often escapes through attics, ceilings, and roofs. Here are some types of home insulation materials used in roofing applications:

• Sarnatherm® Iso

• Sarnatherm® CG

• Sarnatherm® Roof Board

Let Rmax Find the Best Type of Insulation for Your Home Design

So, what is the best type of insulation for a home? If you’re making that decision, Rmax can help you choose the best type of home insulation for your project. Rmax offers a wide variety of polyiso solutions to get your home insulated better than you could ever imagine and we have innovative solutions that will work with your design to achieve the thermal values you desire. 

Reach out to your local representative today for help with your project!

Making a Difference with Sustainable Insulation: A Comprehensive Guide

Your next project has the potential to make a difference. That’s because buildings have a massive impact on the environment—encompassing everything from waste in landfills to carbon dioxide emissions to energy consumption.

Even if you’re not looking to get your project LEED certified, you can still choose more sustainable materials so that your building could potentially produce a net positive rather than a net negative effect on the world. That’s what sustainability is really all about; living in harmony with the natural world. This is your opportunity to choose materials that are more compatible with nature. Let’s find out how.

How Buildings Play a Role in Creating a Sustainable Future

None of us live forever, but it’s likely that our buildings, and the effects of how we live today, will outlast us and continue to impact future generations for years to come. 

While historic buildings have lasted hundreds and some even thousands of years if well-maintained, today’s buildings aren’t lasting so long. The estimated lifespan of a college campus building is 75 years, and most single-family homes are lucky to last a hundred.

One simple way to make a difference is by picking the right building materials. By choosing more durable building materials, you can fortify your building’s defenses against the elements and improve the longevity of the structure. Although your structure may not last thousands of years, it’s still important to consider the environmental impacts during its lifespan.

Buildings, both residential and commercial, affect the environment in several ways, including:

• Energy Consumption

• Carbon Emissions (read more here)

• Resource Consumption

• Construction Waste

Luckily, designers and builders can work together to reduce the negative impact caused by these factors. One major way to reduce the building’s impact is reducing energy consumption by choosing sustainable insulation materials. When you reduce unintentional heat exchange (heat loss) through the building envelope, you affect the degree to which your building impacts the environment. You’ll want to select sustainable insulation that adequately insulates the building envelope in order to increase energy efficiency.

What is Environmentally Sustainable Insulation?

So, how do you find and select building materials that are truly environmentally sustainable? 

Environmental Product Declarations

One way is to review Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs). These documents are provided by manufacturers and third parties and provide the results of studies that show the environmental impact of the specific product. 

For example, the Polyisocyanurate Insulation Manufacturers Association (PIMA) has provided third-party EPDs for polyiso showing that over a building’s lifespan, polyiso has 47x energy savings when compared to the energy required for the following processes:

• Initial manufacturing

• Transportation to job sites

• Lifetime maintenance

• Decommissioning and disposal

LEED-Certified Products

LEED credits worksheets, provided by manufacturers, are another way to understand how a building material can impact the environment for the better. These documents name the sustainable category and give a description of how the material meets the LEED requirements. Sustainable building insulation will typically possess the potential to meet the following LEED credits:

• Energy & Atmosphere Credit (EA)

• Materials & Resources Credit (MR)

• Environmental Quality Credit (EQ)

More Considerations for Finding Sustainable Insulation Solutions

According to the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency), when shopping around for the best sustainable insulation for your project, the primary factors to consider are the following:

1. R-value per inch (Higher is better)

2. Limited or no toxins or VOCs

3. Recycled content

4. Low emissions

5. Low energy required to manufacture (embodied energy)

6. Sustainable sourcing of raw materials

7. End of life disposal options including recycling or reusing

You can identify products that qualify by locating ecolabels, including certifications such as Intertek Clean Air for indoor air quality, GREENGUARD for chemical emissions, and ENERGY STAR® for energy efficiency. 

Types of Sustainable Insulation

Insulation materials that rank high on the sustainability scale include rockwool, concrete, and polyisocyanurate. Polyiso is one of the most sustainable insulation materials in board form because it boasts the following properties:

• High thermal efficiency (High R-Value) 

• Zero ozone depletion potential

• High recyclable content 

• Negligible global warming potential

Examples of less sustainable insulation products include styrofoam, fiberglass, and spray foam, which can have a negative impact on the environment in terms of ozone depletion, hazardous materials, or harmful emissions. 

Rmax’s Commitment to Sustainable Thermal Insulation

Rmax is a leader in the industry when it comes to shifting toward more sustainable practices in the construction industry, including the manufacturing of more environmentally-friendly building materials. 

As evidence to this claim, Rmax polyiso products currently meet several criteria for LEED credits. The majority come from enhanced energy performance offered by polyiso products. One earning possibility even includes innovative solutions, such as the Rmax® ECOMAXci® Wall Solution that acts as an air, water, vapor, thermal and hygrothermal barrier all-in-one.

Read more about the company’s sustainable design initiatives and reach out to your local Rmax representative to find sustainable insulation solutions for your next project!

Polyiso Insulation vs. XPS: A Comparison

Choosing the right building materials for your construction project can make or break your finished masterpiece. If you don’t get things right during the construction phase, fixing them later becomes a costly undertaking. Because it’s often concealed in walls and other hard-to-reach spaces, one of the critical components you’ll want to get right from the start is your insulation selection. 

Insulation directly impacts your building’s:

• Energy bill

• Comfort level

• Material integrity

Without insulation to help regulate temperature, moisture and condensation can form, and will promote mold growth inside your building and wreak havoc. Maximize your insulation’s potential by using the right type for the job. 

Types of Insulation Used in Construction

Insulation comes in many different sizes, shapes, and forms. Here are the common types of insulation used in construction today:

• Fiberglass

• Mineral wool

• Polyisocyanurate 

• Polyurethane

• Polystyrene

• Concrete

These insulating materials can come in many forms, including loose fill, boards, batts, rolls, blocks, or spray foam. In this article, we’ll compare two of the common foam types that are installed in modular board form: XPS and polyiso insulation.

What is XPS?

Extruded polystyrene, or XPS, is a foam-based synthetic polymer material that has been melted and compressed into board form. Think of the packing materials for large, delicate items like a flat-screen TV or computer—this packaging is sometimes made of XPS.

The name you’ll hear on jobsites is “blue board.” That’s because the color is often baby blue, or sometimes pink. In construction, XPS is commonly used at the foundation or floor level and in other areas with high moisture.

What is Polyiso?

Polyisocyanurate, or polyiso, is another foam-based insulating material that is sandwiched and pressed between facers to create the board form. This process is called lamination. Consider an insulated garage door—the insulated panels are probably made from polyiso. 

On job sites, polyiso is referred to as iso. You’ll find iso used over large portions of buildings, including wall assemblies, flat roof systems, and insulated panels. 

Now, let’s take a look at a comparison of XPS to iso insulation.

Comparing XPS vs. Polyiso Insulation

Below, we’ll compare and contrast the different insulation properties of these two building materials.

Closed-Cell Foam Structure

While the chemical makeup of XPS and polyiso are very different, they do share some of the same material properties. For instance, both are a closed-cell foam composition. 

Closed-cell means that the individual air bubbles that are inherent to the manufacturing process of these foam materials are closed and separate from each other. In other words, air cannot move from one bubble to the next inside the foam structure. This helps increase the thermal insulating value, improves moisture resistance, and enhances dimensional stability.

Thermal R-Value

Since the main purpose of insulation is thermal resistance, or keeping heat from escaping, let’s compare the thermal resistance capabilities of XPS to iso insulation. Typical extruded polystyrene rigid foam boards carry a minimum R-5 per inch, while polyiso boasts a better performance rating at R-6 per Inch. That means a 2” thick XPS board will have at least R-10 and a 2” thick polyiso board wins with R-12. A thinner profile with higher insulating value can lead to big savings on overall wall thicknesses and other building materials.

Versatility in Facers

One noticeable difference when comparing polyiso insulation to XPS is in the facers. 

XPS is unfaced, meaning that the entire makeup of the board is made of a single material—extruded polystyrene. This can limit the applications, considering that XPS is often incompatible with adhesives.

Polyiso, on the other hand, is laminated to facer material on both sides of the foam. That means that the material you see on either side of iso differs from the foam core, and expands the physical properties available from the product.

Polyiso facers can be made of the following materials:

• Coated Glass Fiber Mat Facers (Rmax Durasheath® for the building envelope)

• Glass Fiber Reinforced Aluminum Facers (Rmax ECOMAXci® FR for exposed exteriors)

• FR Treated Plywood (Rmax ECOMAXci® FR Ply for cladding attachment)

• Reinforced Aluminum Foil Facers (Rmax Thermasheath® for the building envelope) 

High-Temperature Applications

Building envelope surfaces, including walls and roofs, can reach extremely high temperatures well above the ambient air temperature. That means you’ll want to pick materials that can stand the heat inside your walls and roof. 

When comparing xps to polyiso insulation in heat resistance, polyiso outperforms extruded polystyrene. Due to being a thermoplastic material, under extreme temperatures, XPS loses all dimensional stability and melts back into its molten components. In contrast, polyiso is a thermoset material that will not melt under the same high temperatures and remains stable.

Choosing the Right Insulation for the Job with Rmax

Picking materials for your construction project can be overwhelming. If you need help deciding which insulation to specify to meet your specific project needs, Rmax can help. 

Reach out to your local Rmax representative today to narrow down your options.

Florida Building Code Insulation Requirements

There’s a reason that snowbirds flock to Florida each winter. The warmer temperatures and humid climate provide relief from the cold and dry winters that many of them have to face throughout a big chunk of the year. The unique climate of Florida is only shared with a few other locations, such as South Texas and the southern tips of the states between Florida and Texas.

The unique climate also brings unique challenges when it comes to construction and building design requirements. With such a large cooling load, high humidity, and coastal considerations, structures in Florida require some special attention. 

That’s where building codes come in. Brush up on the fundamental code requirements in the state of Florida to make sure your next project is up to code.

The Basics of Florida Building Codes

Building codes are a set of guidelines that help keep buildings safe, accessible, and energy efficient. 

Common Building Codes

There are many different building codes. Here are a handful of some different realms that building codes can cover:

• Energy Code

• Structural Code

• Life Safety Code

• Plumbing Code

• Fire Code

• Electrical Code

• Accessibility Code

• Zoning Code

A Focus on Energy Code Requirements 

For the purpose of this article, we’ll be focusing on energy codes for Florida. Energy codes are designed with geographical location at the forefront in order to ensure buildings are energy-efficient for the local climate. In other words, the Florida building code roof insulation R-value will vary greatly from the R-value requirements in Maine.

The energy code sets the standard for the following building systems:

• Insulation Requirements

• Heating and Cooling System Requirements

• Windows and Lighting

Florida Building Codes

Generally, building codes are written on a national scale by organizations, such as the International Code Council (ICC), and then adopted at the local level. Florida and other states, as well as local governments, adopt and modify these model codes while also writing their own laws to deal with the various factors impacting local construction.

Florida’s energy code is called the Florida Energy Conservation Code, or FECC. This code, last updated in 2020 as the 7th edition, applies to both residential and commercial buildings. This set of regulations adopts the model code known as 2018 IECC and ASHRAE 90.1-2016 as its basis.

Florida Building Code Insulation Requirements

Before you build in Florida, one of the first steps to planning requires a review of code requirements. Even within the state borders, these code requirements can vary depending on geographical location, particularly for energy codes. The International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) provides a climate zone map as a starting point and the Florida energy code further breaks down this map by county.

Inside Florida, there are two major climate zones, according to the IECC Climate Zone Map. They include:

• Zone 1A: Very Hot and Humid - Includes a handful of the southernmost counties of Florida including Miami-Dade county

• Zone 2A: Hot and Humid - Includes most of Florida

Commercial Buildings in Florida

Florida building code insulation R-value requirements for commercial building envelopes are listed in Chapter 4 [CE] of the FECC and shown in the table below:

*Florida building code attic insulation requirements can be reduced from R38 to R30 if one of the following conditions is met:

• Continuous insulation is used over 100% of the ceiling area and over the top plates at the building eaves.

• There is insufficient space to accommodate the R38 requirement in the roof or ceiling assembly.

Residential Buildings in Florida

Florida building code exterior wall insulation R-value requirements for homes and residential structures are found in Chapter 4 [RE] of the FECC. These values match the similar requirements as commercial structures and are listed below in the table:

*R38 values can be reduced to R30 if one of these conditions is met:

• Insulation continues over the entire ceiling area and over the top plates at the eaves.

• There is a lack of space to meet the R38 requirement in the roof or ceiling.

Insulation Products that Meet Florida Building Code

Insulation is an essential building material required to meet Florida building code. Meet code insulation requirements by choosing materials that pack a punch with high thermal resistance R-values per inch while also meeting testing requirements.

One insulation product category that exceeds both of these prerequisites is polyisocyanurate, or polyiso. Rmax polyiso products offer superior R-value with minimal thicknesses. For example, R30 ceilings can be achieved in less than 5” with two layers of 2.5” Rmax Durasheath® insulation, for a cumulative R-value of 30.6.

Walls and floors can achieve R13 insulation in 2” with Rmax Thermasheath® insulation or ECOMAXci® FR insulation. For an all-in-one solution that combines continuous insulation and air barrier, the Rmax ECOMAXci® FR Air Barrier is an ideal solution.

Meet Florida Building Code with Code-Compliant Insulation

If you’re ready to select your building materials for your construction project in Florida and want to make sure you’re meeting Florida building code insulation requirements, Rmax can help. We offer a wide variety of code-compliant, energy-friendly, and easy-to-install insulation solutions. 

Let our representatives help you today to pick the right products for your project’s building envelope.

Understanding LEED Certified Insulation

If you’re in the construction industry, you’ve probably heard of LEED certification. Whether you know a little or a lot about LEED, it’s hard to know it all. It can be a blessing to have so many methods to achieve LEED-certified status of your building, but it can also quickly lead to information overload. 

If you are looking for ways to earn LEED points—your building’s envelope holds a lot of potential, and your insulation selection is critical to making your building more sustainable. Learn more about the program and LEED insulation requirements below.

What is LEED Certification?

LEED is the acronym for “Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design.” This program was created by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) to inspire construction practices to become more environmentally friendly and sustainable and to make buildings healthier.

Any building type, from new construction to renovations in both residential and commercial settings, can earn LEED-certified status. Each building type has a corresponding scorecard for builders and designers to check off qualifying components in various categories. These categories address the entire construction process and building lifecycle. 

The categories include:

• LT - Location and Transportation 

• SS - Sustainable Sites 

• WE - Water Efficiency 

• EA - Energy and Atmosphere 

• MR - Materials and Resources 

• IEQ - Indoor Environmental Quality 

• IN - Innovation 

• RP - Regional Priority 

Depending on your project type, your scorecard requirements may vary. There are four levels of LEED certification:

1. Certified: 40-49 Points

2. Silver: 50-59 Points

3. Gold: 60-79 Points

4. Platinum: 80+ Points

How can you achieve LEED certification for your project? Let’s take a closer look at how your building’s envelope can bring LEED credits your way.

How to Meet LEED Insulation Requirements

Insulation can help you earn points toward LEED credits in multiple categories. Everything from where you source materials to how well the building materials conserve energy can impact your score.

Since insulation often covers the entire surface area of your building—it’s in your walls, attics, roofs, and sometimes underfoot—it’s critical to take this building material into account for energy efficiency. 

Below are the LEED Insulation Requirements for each category:

Energy and Atmosphere Credits

The Energy and Atmosphere (EA) category has four required credits, including: 

1. Fundamental Commissioning and Verification

2. Minimum Energy Performance

3. Building-Level Energy Metering

4. Fundamental Refrigerant Management

The remaining credits hold the potential for up to 33 points for commercial projects and focus on enhancing energy performance, of which up to 20 points can be reached through altering your insulation. 

Meet the requirements of the EA category by choosing the right insulation products that meet or exceed the ASHRAE 90.1 energy standard and achieve higher efficiencies.

Materials and Resources Credits

The Materials and Resources (MR) category has two required credits:

1. Storage and Collection of Recyclables

2. Construction and Demolition Waste Management Planning

The remaining credits offer up to 13 additional points toward your LEED score in areas that include raw material sourcing, material ingredients, waste management, and building life-cycle impact reduction.

Insulation can help you meet the MR criteria in several ways:

• Low waste accumulation, such as rigid insulation can be cut on-site and fit into any space.

• Insulation can also be reused or repurposed for other projects.

• Certain insulation products contain recycled content.

• Select insulations carry zero Ozone Depletion Potential (ODP).

Indoor Environmental Quality Credits

Insulation can help you earn points toward the IEQ credits on your LEED scorecard. Low-emitting materials, indoor air quality, thermal comfort, and acoustic performance are examples of earning opportunities in this category.

Innovation and Design Credits

You wouldn’t think of insulation first when considering innovation and design, but there is a way to boost your LEED score in this category. Earn up to 5 additional points in LEED-ID by choosing an innovative wall solution such as Rmax ECOMAXci®, which combines an air/weather barrier with continuous insulation in a single layer to virtually eliminate thermal bridging while meeting fire, air, and water code requirements.

LEED Certified Insulation Options

By targeting the above LEED categories and credits, you can begin to narrow your focus to picking the right products for your project’s design. Is there such a thing as “LEED certified insulation”? If so, which LEED insulation should you choose? If not, what do I look for to meet LEED insulation requirements?

The answer is no—there are no LEED-specific materials. Rather, certain materials—including insulation—can help you earn points toward achieving the credits mentioned above. As a component of a whole system, building insulation can help you meet LEED requirements and earn additional points.

When selecting insulating materials for your LEED project, be sure to pick materials that meet code standards at a minimum. For example, Rmax Polyiso insulation meets or exceeds these ASHRAE standards:

• ASHRAE 90.1: Energy Standard

• ASHRAE 55.2: Thermal Environment Design Standard

You can also check Rmax LEED resources to be sure you’re using the most up-to-date references. One reason that polyiso is such a valuable insulation for LEED certified projects is that you can achieve a superior R-value with less material (a thinner profile). 

Polyiso is versatile and can be used around the entire building envelope, from the foundation, up the walls, to the roof. 

Get Help Picking the Right Insulation for Your LEED Project with Rmax

Interpreting the LEED requirements can seem like a monumental task. If you need help navigating and picking the right building materials to achieve LEED certification, Rmax can help. Our experts can tailor a solution to meet your site-specific needs. 

Call or email your local Rmax representative today! your local Rmax representative today!

Best Practices for Basement Wall Insulation

Insulation plays an important role in your building when it comes to regulating temperature and maintaining a comfortable environment. There are many materials with insulating qualities that are used to increase your building’s R-Value—one of them is the ground itself. 

Since the Earth is both a natural insulator and intrinsically reduces air infiltration, you may be wondering if you still need to insulate your structure underground. The answer is yes, but less insulation is required than what you’d expect to use above grade.

In this article, we’ll be exploring best practices for insulating your basement walls.

Supplement the Earth’s Natural Insulating Power

Our first basement wall insulation best practice is to work with the earth, but don’t depend solely upon it to keep your space comfortable. 

If you’ve ever stepped foot in a split-level home, you may notice that the temperature in the basement level tends to be cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter. That’s because the earth helps to stabilize the temperature of the building materials that it touches. An unfinished basement still provides some insulating value, but it is much less comfortable than an insulated space.

Knowing that the earth is going to provide some level of natural thermal resistance, you can supplement in order to get your space in line with the rest of the building. That means reviewing local building code requirements to see what R-Value is required in basement walls. It’s common to see R5 in home construction, but basement wall insulation code requirements can exceed R20 in some areas.

For basement wall insulation, it’s best practice to add at least R5 in insulation. Failing to sufficiently insulate your basement can lead to problems with condensation, musty smells, mold growth, and unnecessary energy loss. 

Interior vs. Exterior Basement Wall Insulation

Our second best practice addresses the placement of your basement wall insulation materials. In new construction, there are two locations where you can install insulation for basement walls. 

1. On the exterior face of the foundation wall

2. On the interior side of the basement wall 

Insulating on the exterior face is mostly done to provide a cushion that protects waterproofing materials from backfilling. Other advantages include added protection on your building’s components from freeze-thaw cycles and simple installation if done during the initial construction phase. This is an example of an exterior basement wall insulation detail.

If you can no longer access the exterior walls without excavation—then interior basement wall insulation systems are a more practical insulating solution. The interior basement wall insulation detail is versatile and allows mechanical fastening to wood furring or metal studs. You can also fasten basement insulation directly to concrete walls with adhesives or specialty masonry screws with plastic washers. 

Choosing the Right Material

Many types of insulation are available to use on basement walls for both interior and exterior applications. Extruded polystyrene, expanded polystyrene, and polyiso are popular choices for rigid insulation boards. Compare the differences in this chart. 

Polyiso just may be the best basement wall insulation because it can be used in both exterior and interior applications, offers a higher R-value per inch, and comes with versatile facers for added protection to match the application.

Here are our top product picks for insulation for basement walls:

Thermasheath® for Exterior Basement Wall Use

This rigid insulation has reinforced foil facers on both sides of the polyiso core. It’s ideal for concealed applications, such as cavity walls and below-grade, to protect your foundation walls and allow water to drain off properly. Read more about it here.

TSX-8510 Insulation

For interior basement wall insulation options, look to products such as TSX-8510 insulation that can double as a finished surface. Both sides feature a glass fiber reinforced aluminum facer sandwiching the polyiso core, and the interior-facing side is also covered with a white modified acrylic coating. This product can optionally be taped and painted for an aesthetically pleasing finish.

Rmax Thermasheath®-XP

Another product that is often used in interior foil insulation basement wall applications is Thermasheath®-XP. This polyiso insulation can be left exposed on either facer. One side is left with a silver reflective clear coat while the other is a white acrylic coat over the aluminum facer. Optional joint tape comes in both a reflective version (R-Seal 3000) and a white version (R-Seal 3000W) to match either side for an attractive finish.

Ready to Pick the Right Insulation for Your Project?

It’s not a matter of whether or not to insulate your basement space, but rather—how? Picking the right wall insulation for basement applications starts with having a plan and then following through with the right materials. Let the product experts at Rmax take a look at your project to help you determine the best course of action for your next remodel or new construction job. 

Reach out to your local Rmax representative today!

What’s the Best Tape for Foam Board Insulation?

If you’ve decided to use foam board insulation for your construction project’s exterior walls, you’ll also need an accessory to go with it: tape for the joints. 

When putting together your building’s enclosure, your system is only as good as its weakest point. That’s what makes sealing the joints between rigid insulation boards so critical. This step keeps air and other elements from seeping through the cracks and into your building’s interior by performing as an air and vapor barrier.

There are many construction tapes on the market to pick from. Choosing the right one for your job ensures that your building’s wall systems can perform as intended. 

Learn more about the best tape for foam board insulation for your exterior wall applications below.

The Difference Between Construction Tape and Insulation Joint Tape

When shopping for the best tape for foam board insulation applications, you’ll need to choose between construction tape and insulation joint tape. Both types of tape are made of an adhesive and a backing material. The difference between construction tape and insulation joint tapes is in the material used for these two components.

Construction tapes are more versatile and can be used for multiple applications outside of just sealing insulation joints, including sealing windows and other penetrations. They can be made of rubberized asphalt, butyl, or acrylic. However, not all construction tapes can double as insulation joint tapes, so you’ll need to verify compatibility with your installation.

Insulation joint tapes are designed specifically and solely for sealing insulation joints for corresponding types of insulations and facers. This type of joint tape is usually made of an acrylic adhesive and features various backing materials—including foil, foam, paper, or BOPP film.

What Is the Best Tape for Foam Board Insulation?

To get the best of both worlds, look for an acrylic-based construction tape that is compatible with your insulation. Acrylic is an ideal adhesive for walls due to its properties of water and mold resistance, as well as adaptability to temperature changes. Other factors to consider when shopping for the best tape for foam board insulation include the following:

• Pressure-sensitive

• Water-resistant

• Mold-resistant

• Moisture-resistant

• Wide enough to cover the joint

• Tough, durable

• Compatible installation temperature range 

• Wide operable temperature range

Rmax R-SEAL Construction Tape

Rmax R-SEAL Construction Tape is specifically designed for use with aluminum-faced polyiso products, including Rmax Thermasheath®-SI and Thermasheath® insulation. It can be used for additional applications such as sealing around windows and door frames, patching, and more. The tape is 3” wide and comes in a 165-foot roll. 

The 3 mil acrylic-based tape is pressure sensitive for maximum adhesion. Additional reasons that Rmax R-SEAL is the best tape for foam board insulation include UV-resistance and weather-tight seal. This tough sealing tape can be installed at extreme temperatures from five below up to 180 degrees Fahrenheit and it is also effective in sub-zero temperatures as low as -40 degrees.

How to Apply Rmax R-SEAL Construction Tape

To install Rmax R-SEAL—first, verify compatibility by testing the adhesion on your material (skip this step for Thermasheath® and Thermasheath®-SI). Once you’ve confirmed compatibility, proceed with these steps:

1. Clean any dirt, dust, moisture, or other debris off your insulation with a dry cloth.

2. Center the tape over the joint or object that you’re taping (extend ¾” beyond the joint’s edge).

3. Affix the tape so that it is smooth and flat.

4. Cut the tape from the roll at the end of the joint with a utility knife. 

5. Flatten out any imperfections with a feathering tool or hand roller.

Rmax R-SEAL 3000 as Adhesive for Insulation Joints

If you’re looking for a foil-backed joint tape, Rmax R-SEAL 3000 is a construction tape that has superior conformability for taping foam board insulation joints. This 2 mil acrylic-based pressure-sensitive tape features foil coating plus a release liner for maximum adhesion even in cold conditions. This tape is 4” wide and comes in a 150-foot roll. 

How to Apply Rmax R-SEAL 3000 Tape

R-SEAL 3000 Tape is installed the same over insulation joints as standard R-SEAL. Clean the surface, tape the joint, and apply pressure for a good bond. Lastly, smooth out any wrinkles with a feathering tool.

Key Points of Using a Good Quality Tape for Foam Board Insulation

You’ll know you’ve got the best tape for foam board insulation when your construction tape has these attributes:

• Excellent adhesion 

• Easy to work with

• Easily cuttable in the field

• Flexible

• Durable

• Long-lasting

• Adequate coverage

Rmax is the Superior Construction Tape for Insulation Joints

As an industry leader in insulation products since 1978, Rmax stays on top to bring better products and accessories to builders as technology and codes change. Check out our full line of accessories which includes tapes, clips, and anchors. We help your projects run smoothly by providing solutions that make the job easier.

If you need expertise in matching the right product to your project, contact your local Rmax representative today.

Continuous Insulation Code Requirements

When planning the construction of a new building, architects and contractors are required to follow a set of standards called building codes. Building codes are guidelines developed at levels as high as the global scale. The codes are adopted and enforced at the local or state level.

Most people think of building codes as a means to ensure safer buildings, however some code requirements go beyond safety and are aimed at also conserving energy. Energy codes are the standards that direct builders on things like how much insulation to use and where to install it based on a building’s geographical location.

As you design your project, if you’re asking, “Is continuous insulation required by code?”—this article answers that question. Find out how energy code requirements will affect your new construction or remodeling project’s use of continuous insulation. 

An Overview of Continuous Insulation Code Requirements

Depending on where your project is located, energy codes will provide a different set of instructions. For example, more insulation is required in colder climates like Alaska as opposed to moderate climates found in the southern half of the U.S. Energy codes divide the country into zones. To understand which set of instructions to follow, you must first identify the zone where your construction project is located. 

The U.S. Department of Energy provides a regional map to help you identify your zone and energy codes. Use this, along with the chart, to help you design appropriate building envelopes for your region.

Types of Insulation

Energy codes don’t specify the type of insulation to use. You can use various types of insulation to achieve the appropriate R-value. Insulation is used to reduce heat loss and stabilize the temperature inside your building. In order to be most effective, insulation needs to be continuous. Various materials can be used to create a continuous insulation barrier around your entire building envelope. Types of insulation frequently used in the building envelope include:

• Blanket: Flexible rolls or batts used in wall or attic spaces

• Rigid: Modular boards used on all faces of the building envelope

• Blown-in: Loose-fill material used in walls, attics, and hard-to-reach places

• Spray foam: Expands to fill wall cavities and in irregular areas

What is Continuous Insulation?

Continuous insulation means that your insulating material is a constant thickness over the entire surface. For example, adding two-inch thick rigid insulation to the entire surface of your exterior wall will provide a continuous R-value.

In contrast, if you only provide blanket insulation between the studs of a wall, the R-value is broken by the studs, which do not carry the same insulating value as the blanket material. This is a non-continuous application.

Likewise, roof liner insulation that is compressed at purlins on the underside of a metal roof does not function as continuous insulation because it fails to embody a constant thickness.

Why Use Continuous Insulation?

Building codes often incorporate continuous insulation because this method improves energy efficiency by eliminating paths where heat can escape through the envelope. Continuous insulation code requirements aim to increase energy efficiency, which in hand, reduces the owner’s heating and cooling expenses over the building’s lifetime.

Other advantages to choosing continuous insulation for your building envelope include:

• An additional layer of moisture protection from water infiltration

• Fast and efficient installation methods

• Code-compliance in wind and fire resistance 

Code Requirements for Continuous Insulation

There are clear advantages to selecting continuous installation for energy efficiency, but is continuous insulation required by code? The answer is yes for some zones, if your local area has adopted the IECC 2021 building code. The 2021 International Energy Conservation Code requires continuous insulation for uninsulated wood frame walls in most climate zones. 

Reviewing the IECC table for your climate zone will indicate the amount of continuous insulation required for each part of the building, including:

• Uninsulated attic space

• Attic Space with existing insulation (3-4”)

• Uninsulated floors

• Uninsulated wood-frame walls

• Insulated wood-frame walls

For example, Kentucky is entirely inside climate zone 4. That means that R15 continuous insulation is required by IECC 2021 for uninsulated wood-frame walls if no other non-continuous insulation is used. Check the table for your location’s continuous insulation code requirements.

Remodeled buildings are not always required to meet the updated energy codes. However, before beginning a remodel project, always check with local authorities to see whether your renovated building will need to be code compliant. 

Rmax Can Help You Pick the Right Insulation

Figuring out code requirements and picking the right insulating system for your project can quickly become an overwhelming headache. Let the insulation experts at Rmax help. Our representatives can review the R-value requirements, check out your design, and pick out a system of products that meet your project’s demands. Reach out to your local Rmax representative today to get your project moving!

Rigid Foam Board or Spray Foam Insulation: Which is Right for Your Project?

When the outdoor air temperature swings from hot to cold, a building’s insulation regulates the temperature inside. The heating and cooling system of a well-insulated building doesn’t have to work as hard - and that results in cost and energy savings for you. Insulation also provides thermal comfort and protection from extreme weather.

Life-safety and energy-efficiency are why building codes, often modified by state code officials to be climate-specific, require that plans for a construction project demonstrate that the proposed insulation for exterior components - roof, walls, foundation - will achieve specific R-values before a building permit is issued. If you’re not familiar with R-values, they indicate how well insulation resists heat loss. The higher the R-value, the better the insulation.

Many types of insulation are available, made from different materials and with different methods of application. Understanding the advantages and disadvantages of each type helps builders, architects, and homeowners make the best choices for their project. Two common types of insulation are rigid foam board and spray foam.

So, how do you decide between them?

Rigid Foam Board Insulation: High R-Values Per Inch

Rigid foam board insulation is foam plastic that has been hardened and formed into sheets that are easy to cut on site. Most rigid foam boards are made from one of three types of plastics: polystyrene, polyisocyanurate (polyiso), and polyurethane.

Rigid foam insulation offers very high R-values per inch of thickness. This becomes important during the project’s design phase when the team is figuring out how to insulate the structure to meet R-values required by the building code. Rigid board insulation increases the wall assembly’s R-value without a significant increase in the overall thickness of the wall. If you want to maximize interior space, keeping the exterior wall thickness to a minimum is essential.

Spray Foam Insulation: Expands to Fill Any Space

Spray foam insulation also offers extremely high R-values. Most often made from liquid polyurethane and a foaming agent, spray foam insulation is applied using a spray can for small cracks and air leaks, or blown in with a pressure-sprayer for larger applications (referred to as “foamed-in-place”). The liquid foam expands and hardens as the material cures. Because its shape conforms to the space in which it is applied, spray foam provides an effective air barrier and is excellent for use in hard-to-reach places, and curved or irregular spaces.

The two types of spray foam are open cell and closed cell. Open cell is lighter and more pliant with foam bubbles that expand, burst, and fill with air. Closed cell is much denser and durable; its cellular structure is closed and filled with gas.

Rigid Foam and Spray Foam: Installation is the Key Difference 

Rigid foam boards and spray foam insulation are installed using completely different methods, which informs the decision of which product to choose.

Because it can be sprayed on, blown in, or poured, spray foam insulation is frequently used in retrofits and remodels to fill in existing wall cavities and awkward spaces like attics, where other types of insulation might be difficult or impossible to install. Spray foam’s high R-value makes it a good choice when an existing wall or roof cavity needs to be brought into energy code compliance.

Rigid foam boards are cut to fit and then mechanically attached to the structure. Often seen in new construction, rigid foam boards can be used to insulate just about any part of the building from foundation to roof. They’re commonly part of exterior wall assemblies, including below-grade walls. Some rigid insulation boards are made specifically to be exposed on interior walls of structures like parking garages or farm buildings. Others are manufactured with air and water barriers on one side, eliminating the need to buy and install additional products.

Advantages of Rigid Board Insulation

Cost

Rigid foam insulation boards are less expensive to install than spray foam. Special equipment and certified installers are typically required to install spray foam insulation.

Thermal Performance

Rigid insulation boards are installed continuously over the studs preventing thermal bridging and heat loss. 

Ease of Installation

Rigid foam can be cut to fit on site, and attached to roof or wall structure. When multi-functional boards with integral air and water barriers are used, additional time and money is saved.

Basement Insulation

Rigid foam boards are very well-suited for insulating basement walls as they are water-resistant and easily installed by adhering them to the foundation walls behind the studs.

Rmax Rigid Foam Insulation Boards

Rmax is a leading manufacturer of polyiso rigid foam insulation boards with a variety of products to suit any insulation need. If you decide that rigid foam insulation boards are the right choice for your project, Rmax is happy to provide more information and answer any of your questions. Contact the experts at Rmax today.