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LaHouse is a display of high-performance building practices to create more sustainable, resilient and healthy homes in the gulf region. The research-based facility is located on LSU's Baton Rouge campus and displays home-building techniques and solutions for Louisiana's unique climate. LaHouse is open weekdays from 10 am to 4:30 p.m. for self-guided tours or can be toured completely virtually.
Experience the Lahouse via virtual tour
There are two types of cellulose insulation: dry fiber and damp fiber. Dry fiber insulation is blown into open attic space, and damp fiber is sprayed into open wall cavities. Cellulose insulation offers an R-value of 3.5 per inch. In addition, cellulose offers better soundproofing than spray foam. Open cell and closed cell spray foam have options depending on the needs. Open cell is cheaper and better at blocking noises. It has an R-value of 3.2 per inch. The closed cell is denser, which works better at preventing air and water penetration. It has an R-value of 6 per inch.
Batts insulation is the best balance of performance and cost. The most common materials used are fiberglass and mineral wool. BIBS is thermally efficient and cost effective. It provides an R-15 in 2” x4” construction and R-23 in 2” x6” construction. BIBS will continue to maintain its thermal efficiency for the life of the home, with its ability to form small gaps and oddly sized obstructions.
The air barrier system is the boundary that separates conditioned air and unconditioned air. Air barriers work to control air leakage in and out of the building.
In insulation, voids and micro-voids are holes filled with liquid or gas which can cause insulation or moisture issues.
Whenever insulation is installed improperly, there are gaps and voids in the coverage which allows outdoor air to seep into the home and raise energy costs. Properly filling all voids ensures that outdoor air does not add more work for your HVAC system.
BIBS requires special equipment to blow the fiberglass wool into a pre-installed insulation fabric called netting. The insulation fabric is fixed around the frame of the wall to be filled. Technicians make an installation hole in the barrier fabric to fill the cavity. Using a pneumatic blowing system, technicians fill the entire cavity, including behind and around electrical wires, plumbing, and other obstructions.
