Introduction

With energy costs steadily rising, homeowners and builders alike are looking for ways to make homes more energy efficient. One of the best ways to do this is by improving the thermal insulation. Thermal insulation acts as a barrier to heat flow and is essential for keeping your home comfortable and your energy bills in check.

One of the leading insulation materials available today is Rogers IsoClad 917. IsoClad 917 is a polyisocyanurate foam insulation board that offers maximum thermal performance for insulating roofs, walls, floors, and more. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll take an in-depth look at IsoClad 917 to see what makes it such an exceptional insulation product.

What is Polyiso Insulation?

IsoClad 917 is a polyisocyanurate or polyiso insulation. Polyiso is a closed-cell rigid foam board insulation that’s commonly used for exterior commercial and residential construction projects.

Polyiso is created by reacting monomeric isocyanate with polyfunctional alcohol in the presence of a catalyst and fluorocarbon blowing agent. This produces a foam plastic consisting of closed, low-conductance cells. The gases contained in these cells give polyiso its high thermal resistance and insulation properties.

Compared to other insulations like fiberglass batts or expanded polystyrene (EPS), polyiso offers several performance advantages:

• High R-value – Polyiso has one of the highest R-values per inch among common insulations. The R-value measures resistance to conductive heat flow. The higher the R-value, the better the insulation’s effectiveness.
• Moisture resistance – The closed-cell structure of polyiso resists moisture intrusion, retaining its R-value and rigidity when exposed to water.
• Dimensional stability – Polyiso panels are very rigid and hold their shape over time. They resist compressive loads and won’t sag or settle.
• Multiple applications – Polyiso can be used for insulation in walls, floors, ceilings, roofs and more. Thick foam panels provide versatility across jobs.

These properties make polyiso a top choice for energy-efficient construction and remodeling projects.

Introducing Rogers IsoClad 917

Rogers IsoClad 917 is a premium polyisocyanurate foam board produced by Rogers Corporation, a leading manufacturer of specialized engineered materials.

IsoClad 917 has an R-value of 9.1 per inch, giving it the highest thermal insulating performance per inch among Rogers’ extensive polyiso product line.

This extremely high R-value makes IsoClad 917 ideal for applications where space is limited and maximum insulation is needed. A smaller thickness of IsoClad can achieve the required R-value compared to other insulations.

Features and Benefits

Here are some of the top features and advantages of choosing Rogers IsoClad 917:

• Ultra-high R-value – With an R-9.1 per inch, IsoClad 917 has one of the highest R-values among leading foam insulations. This provides tremendous insulating power in less thickness.
• Water resistance – Closed-cell foam resists moisture penetration and retains insulating value if exposed to water.
• Mold, mildew, and fungi resistance – Treated to resist growth of mold or fungi. Helps create a healthier indoor environment.
• Easy to cut and install – Can be installed with simple tools. Lightweight boards are easy to handle and trim to needed sizes.
• Multiple applications – Suitable for use in walls, roofs, ceilings and floors.
• Energy savings – The high R-value means outstanding thermal performance for lower energy costs.
• Fire safety – Class A fire rating for flame spread and smoke development.
• Rigid and stable – Low thermal expansion and contraction. Resists compressive loads without deforming.
• Thicknesses – Available in thicknesses from 0.5″ up to 4″ thick.
• Cost-effective – The high R-value per inch helps offset material cost by allowing thinner insulation.

With all these features and benefits, it’s easy to see why IsoClad 917 is trusted by builders and homeowners across the country. The exceptional insulating power enables compliance with the strictest energy codes for walls, roofs and floors in all climate zones.

Technical Specifications

Here are some key technical specifications for Rogers IsoClad 917 polyiso insulation boards:

Property	Test Method	Value
R-value (aged)	ASTM C518	9.1 per in.
Compressive Strength	ASTM D1621	25 psi
Flexural Strength	ASTM C203	75 psi
Water Absorption	ASTM C209	< 0.1%
Dimensional Stability	ASTM D2126	<2%
Flame Spread Index	ASTM E84	<75
Smoke Developed Index	ASTM E84	<450

These properties make IsoClad 917 well-suited for demanding insulation applications where thermal performance, fire safety, and dimensional stability are critical.

How to Install IsoClad 917

One of the benefits of polyiso insulation is ease of installation. Here is an overview of recommended practices for installing Rogers IsoClad 917:

Walls – IsoClad boards can be installed on exterior walls using adhesive, mechanical fasteners, or both. The boards should be aligned horizontally with the edges butted tightly. All gaps should be filled with spray foam or caulk.

Roofs – For roof insulation, IsoClad boards are often layered above the roof deck and beneath the waterproof membrane. The boards should be staggered and tightly abutted. Use adhesive or mechanical fasteners as needed per code requirements.

Floors – For insulating floors, IsoClad boards are installed over the subfloor. A sleeper floor system can allow runs for electrical and plumbing systems. The insulation boards should be aligned and taped at joints.

Site Considerations – The insulation boards must be kept dry before, during and after installation. Protect stored boards with a waterproof cover. Follow manufacturer instructions for board orientation, taping, and fastener patterns. Use proper safety gear and cut boards with a utility knife or saw.

With attention to installation details, IsoClad 917 delivers reliable, long-lasting thermal insulation performance. Check with local building codes for specific requirements in your area.

Where to Use IsoClad 917

Thanks to its outstanding thermal insulation properties, IsoClad 917 can be used in a wide range of exterior and interior applications:

• Roof insulation
• Cavity wall insulation
• Insulated concrete forms
• Foundation insulation
• Rim joist insulation
• Below-grade insulating sheathing
• HVAC duct insulation
• Floor insulation

For roof insulation, IsoClad is often used to achieve required R-values with minimum thickness. This is especially helpful for re-roofing projects where space is limited.

IsoClad also provides robust insulation for cavity walls, boosted R-values for foundations and footers, and can even insulate concrete block walls when installed on the exterior.

No matter where insulation is needed, IsoClad 917 is up to the task. Its versatility and performance make it the top choice for thousands of building projects.

Typical IsoClad 917 Assembly Thicknesses

Here are some typical IsoClad 917 insulation thicknesses used for common building assemblies:

Assembly	IsoClad 917 Thickness
Wood stud wall (R-15)	1.5 inches
Metal stud wall (R-25)	3 inches
Concrete wall (R-10)	1 inch
Floor over unheated space (R-30)	3 inches
Cathedral ceiling (R-40)	4 inches
Flat roof (R-30)	3 inches

These thickness examples demonstrate how the high R-9.1 per inch rating of IsoClad 917 allows meeting insulation requirements with less total material. This saves money on materials while benefiting from the premium performance properties of IsoClad.

Consult insulation thickness calculators or contact Rogers Corporation for recommendations on optimal IsoClad 917 thickness for your specific project.

IsoClad 917 vs. Other Insulations

How does IsoClad 917 compare against other common insulation materials? Here’s a brief overview:

• vs Fiberglass batts – IsoClad has ~2x higher R-value per inch than fiberglass. It also resists moisture and provides rigidity.
• vs XPS foam – IsoClad provides 20-30% higher R-value per inch compared to extruded polystyrene (XPS).
• vs EPS foam – IsoClad has 2-3x times the R-value per inch of expanded polystyrene (EPS).
• vs Mineral wool – IsoClad has superior moisture resistance compared to mineral wool insulations.
• vs Spray foam – IsoClad has a better strength-to-weight ratio than spray polyurethane foams.

Across the board, IsoClad 917 outperforms or matches the thermal resistance of these other insulation options. When you need maximum insulation power, IsoClad is hard to beat.

Cost of IsoClad 917

What’s the cost of IsoClad 917 insulation? As a premium polyiso product, it sits at the higher end of the insulation price spectrum. However, the high per-inch R-value offsets much of the material cost.

Here are some rough estimates for material-only pricing of IsoClad 917 insulation board:

• 1/2″ board: $1.15-1.35 per sq.ft.
• 1″ board: $1.90-2.25 per sq.ft.
• 1.5” board: $2.85-3.40 per sq.ft.
• 2″ board: $3.75-4.50 per sq.ft.
• 3” board: $5.60-6.70 per sq.ft.

Pricing will vary based on factors like order quantity, retailer margins, and region. Installation labor will add more cost on top of the base insulation price.

Despite the premium price, the energy savings from IsoClad 917 make it a smart investment. Payback periods are typically just a few years thanks to lower energy bills.

Availability of IsoClad 917

Where can you purchase IsoClad 917 insulation? As a Rogers Corporation product, IsoClad is primarily sold through commercial insulation distributors and specialty building materials suppliers.

Some of the largest national distributors for Rogers IsoClad include:

• Johns Manville
• CDW Distribution
• Allied Building Products
• Tamarack Energy Services
• Midwest Energy Concepts
• Strategic Building Solutions

Rogers also works with regional distributors across North America to stock and supply IsoClad insulation boards.

Buying through qualified distributors ensures you get authentic IsoClad 917 board that meets the stated thermal and physical properties. Check Rogers’ website for a distributor locator.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are answers to some common questions about Rogers IsoClad 917 polyiso insulation:

Q: What thickness of IsoClad 917 do I need for R-40?

A: To achieve approximately R-40 you would need 4.4 inches of IsoClad 917 (R-9.1 per inch x 4.4 inches = R-40).

Q: Can IsoClad be exposed to weather?

A: IsoClad is suitable for exposed applications like exterior sheathing when protected by code-approved weather barriers or membranes.

Q: Does IsoClad contain formaldehyde?

A: No. IsoClad insulation is formaldehyde-free.

Q: What is the maximum temperature rating for IsoClad?

A: It maintains its insulating properties up to 300°F. The max service temp is 250°F.

Q: How long does IsoClad insulation last?

A: When installed properly, it will last for the service life of the building structure (typically 50+ years).

Conclusion

With its industry-leading R-9.1 per inch rating, Rogers IsoClad 917 sets the performance standard for polyiso insulation. Builders and architects consistently rely on IsoClad for cost-effective, thermally efficient construction that delivers energy savings and a comfortable indoor environment.

If you’re looking to insulate a home, building or project to the highest standards, be sure to choose IsoClad 917. The combination of proven moisture resistance, dimensional stability and fire safety makes this an insulation that performs well for decades. Contact a Rogers distributor today to learn more or get a quote.