Insulation R Values

American Ingenuity's component panel contains seven inch thick rigid Expanded Bead Polystyrene (E.P.S.) insulation which has an R value of 28. (The 22' dome's insulation is 3 1/2" thick E.P.S.)    The seven inch thick insulation is comparable to eleven inch thick fiberglass batting. There is no wood in the American Ingenuity Dome shell to interrupt the insulation or to rot or to be eaten by termites or to burn. However, a temporary wooden rib system is utilized to support the panels during the dome assembly until all the seams between the panels and the entryways and dormers are concreted and then the system comes down.  The dome is self supporting.  To view a file that covers the rib system, click on Rib.  

Insulation Information

The following insulation information came from this web site:   http://www.ineed2know.org/

1. What’s the benefit of insulating my home?

• Insulation can help reduce the cost of your heating and cooling bills by preventing the flow of heat into your house in the summer time and reducing the flow of heat out of your home in the winter time. In short, you can save money.

2. What’s the most important thing to know about insulation?

• Its "R-value." The R-value of an insulation product gages the resistance the insulation has to the flow of heat.The higher the R-value, the better the product will resist heat flow. R-values are standardized, so you can compare different brands and types of insulation, and still know their relative ability to resist heat flow.

3. How can I be sure the R-value of an insulation is accurate?

• Insulation R-values are regulated by the Federal Trade Commission. Manufacturers must label their insulation packages, installers and stores must provide you with fact sheets, and new home sellers must include R-value information in their sales contracts.