Among other things, there is shown embodiments of an enclosure such as a portable building with features focusing on overall improvement in energy usage. Wall, roof and floor configurations are disclosed that provide significant energy savings. Methods are also disclosed for preparing such features and/or refitting existing portable buildings for such energy savings.

A method of manufacturing a mineral fibre thermal insulation product comprises the sequential steps of: Forming mineral fibres from a molten mineral mixture; Spraying a substantially formaldehyde free binder solution on to the mineral fibres, the binder solution comprising: a reducing sugar, an acid precursor derivable from an inorganic salt and a source of nitrogen; Collecting the mineral fibres to which the binder solution has been applied to form a batt of mineral fibres; and Curing the batt comprising the mineral fibres and the binder which is in contact with the mineral fibres by passing the batt through a curing oven so as to provide a batt of mineral fibres held together by a substantially water insoluble cured binder.

An environmentally friendly, bio-based binder system that is useful for the formation of fiberglass insulation, the system includes: A) an aqueous curable binder composition, which includes a carbohydrate and a crosslinking agent; and B) a dedust composition, which includes a blown, stripped plant-based oil and optionally at least one emulsifying agent. The bio-based binder system is typically heated to form a cured binder system.

A fibrous insulation product having a plurality of randomly oriented glass fibers and a binder composition that holds the glass fibers together is disclosed. The fibrous insulation product has an R-value in the range of 10 to 54 and, after curing, has a density, when uncompressed, in the range of 0.30 pcf to 2.7 pcf. Furthermore, the fibrous insulation product includes glass fibers that, prior to the application of the binder composition, have an average fiber diameter in the range of 15 HT to 19 HT and a quantity of binder that is in the range of 2% to 10% by weight of the fibrous insulation product. The fibrous insulation product also has an average fiber diameter to density ratio (Fd/D) of less than or equal to 40 and a comfort factor less than or equal to 3.417(Fd/D)+60.

A method of manufacturing a mineral fibre thermal insulation product comprises the sequential steps of: Forming mineral fibres from a molten mineral mixture; Spraying a substantially formaldehyde free binder solution on to the mineral fibres, the binder solution comprising: a reducing sugar, an acid precursor derivable from an inorganic salt and a source of nitrogen; Collecting the mineral fibres to which the binder solution has been applied to form a batt of mineral fibres; and Curing the batt comprising the mineral fibres and the binder which is in contact with the mineral fibres by passing the batt through a curing oven so as to provide a batt of mineral fibres held together by a substantially water insoluble cured binder.

An insulation product may include a container, a first insulation material forming a first layer inside the container, and a second insulation material forming a second layer inside the container, and the first layer is compressed by the second layer. A structure in a building may include studs, first and second claddings mounted to opposite sides of the studs, and structure spaces defined between the studs and the opposing claddings. A first insulation material may include first layers on and substantially covering a first one of the claddings inside the structure spaces. In addition, a second insulation material may have second layers inside the structure spaces. The first layers are compressed and substantially covered by the second layers, and the second layers substantially cover a second one of the claddings inside the structure spaces.

The invention relates to a thermal insulation product based on mineral wool comprising mineral fibers, the product comprising two main faces and longitudinal and transverse edges perpendicular to the main faces, the product being characterized by the following orientation fractions: a longitudinal orientation fraction greater than or equal to 48 %, or even 50 %, along an angle of more or less 6° with respect to the plane of the main faces, when the mineral fibers are counted only in a longitudinal cross-section, and a mean orientation fraction greater than or equal to 40 %, or even 45 %, along an angle of more or less 6° with respect to the plane of the main faces, when the mineral fibers are counted both in a transverse cross-section and in a longitudinal cross-section. The invention allows the insulating power of a thermal insulation product based on mineral wool to be improved without increasing its thickness.

A composite insulation batt is provided. The composite insulation batt includes a fiberglass insulation core within a sheath of closed cell plastic material and provides greatly increased insulating properties over conventional fiberglass insulation batts.

A fibrous insulation product having a plurality of randomly oriented glass fibers and a binder composition that holds the glass fibers together is disclosed. The fibrous insulation product has an R-value in the range of 10 to 54 and, after curing, has a density, when uncompressed, in the range of 0.30 pcf to 2.7 pcf. Furthermore, the fibrous insulation product includes glass fibers that, prior to the application of the binder composition, have an average fiber diameter less than 15 HT and a quantity of binder that is in the range of 2% to 10% by weight of the fibrous insulation product. The fibrous insulation product also has an average fiber diameter to density ratio (Fd/D) of less than or equal to 40 and a comfort factor less than or equal to 3.417(Fd/D)+60.

A fibrous insulation product having a plurality of randomly oriented glass fibers and a binder composition that holds the glass fibers together is disclosed. The fibrous insulation product has an R-value in the range of 10 to 54 and, after curing, has a density, when uncompressed, in the range of 0.30 pcf to 2.7 pcf. Furthermore, the fibrous insulation product includes glass fibers that, prior to the application of the binder composition, have an average fiber diameter in the range of 8 HT to 12 HT and a quantity of binder that is in the range of 2% to 10% by weight of the fibrous insulation product.