Figuring out how to best insulate your masonry wall can be difficult. This is due partly because masonry walls appear in a variety of instances within structures. For example, in the Southeastern U.S for example an entire home may be built with block. In the Northeastern U.S. basements are typically the only masonry wall.

Choosing which product and what wall thickness takes some thought and knowledge of your specific project. You want the wall to breathe but not allow moisture transfer. You also want the products used to be impervious to moisture. Even a little moisture in a wall cavity can severely limit many products insulation qualities.

This picture shows how Infra insulation was installed in masonry and block wall applications.  Infra is accordion style aluminum insulation used in the 1940’s to 1960’s. This particular Infra product, the Type 4 Jr. was ½” thick.

Type 4 Jr. was installed by attaching the insulation to the face of the studs with an occasional staple with the flat surface facing the room. As you moved to the next stud bay you would lap the insulation over the adjacent piece. Then nail lath strip or small piece of furring spaced evenly over both flanges down the center of the stud. This prevented contact with the lath/plaster that was used at the time and created the necessary air space.

Here are the specs for Infra Type 4 Jr:

Aluminum sheets ½” apart, .0007” thick, permanently separated by an accordion partition of flame, mold, and vermin resisting fiber. 4 reflective spaces; 4 reflective surfaces; zero permeability; non-condensation-forming; non-moisture-retaining. Will force out fortuitous vapor. For 16” centers.

As multiple accordion aluminum, Type 4 Jr. stops radiant heat flow and body discomfort, summer and winter because it is only 3% absorptive, 3% emissive. The human body, and building walls, absorb and radiate, from warm to cold, at a rate of more than 90%. Convection is blocked, conduction is insignificant.

A MUST FOR SHALLOW SPACES

Infra Insulation products were the pioneers for today’s reflective insulation industry. We insulate today with our Infrastop® insulation the same way it was done 75 years ago. Look here to see how InfraStop® is an excellent block and masonry wall insulation.