sandshark wrote:I think you're missing the jist of my point. My assertion is not that this product is THE most cost effective solution. My assertion is that the products works as claimed (because it does) and that there are a LOT of instances where it's one of the few products which can be applied (lots of instances, not just a few).
About the validity of the claims I know nothing, of course (though they have some serious-sounding backup from industrial customers), but assuming it works as advertised, I agree that it might be useful in some situations. The starting point of my involvement, however, was the general question if an unspecified home should be insulated with that, and I do not think this paint is the best value for money in the generic case. I rather think it will be expensive even for special applications.
You seem very controlled and analytical. I like that. You want to take me up on my offer? I have a feeling you will be honest in your evaluation (re: results).
Sorry, but first you would to have to ship to Europe, second I do not have any measurement equipment sufficient for any serious evaluation, third it would be of very limited value for the company or the product to get some evaluation from The Random Guy From This One Forum, and last not least I have my hands rather full (thankfully, I am grateful for having a great job!) right now. But thanks for your offer anyway.
Now, on to your points... again, nobody is saying this is the least expensive solution, because it is not and you are able to itemize why.
Okay, I was raised in engineering/CS regarding such words: A solution is effective if it does what it should. A solution is efficient if it does what it should rather cheaply. That's what I think when I read 'efficient'.
For example 1) what would you have me do with my raw wood beam ceiling which had no insulation above it between that and the roof?
Move to a better insulated home, if possible. Or lose the wood beam ceiling entirely. [But then I am not exactly the first choice for an interior designer.]
In the summer, the sun turns the ceiling on the 2nd floor into a radiant oven of sorts.
Or paint the roof white. Helps a lot.
Could I apply foam? No, it would ruin the look.
If there is any space in between, you could remove one bar of wood and stuff the stuff inside, then reseal, or you could remove part of the roof and start from there (Sounds harder than it is, just be careful and secure yourself).
I won't deny that people with some extra money to spend on "looks" and such will appreciate some finer features of Nansulate, but that does not make the product more cost-efficient. And that, in the view of having hundreds of millions of houses which severely lack proper insulation, seems to be the predominant issue to me.
Another obvious example 2)... what about an older (or newer) home which was either poorly insulated, has solid walls, or has seen reduced effectiveness over time of the existing insulation in the walls (due to moisture, compression, etc)? What to do?
Add 4cm of plastic foam outside, repaint. Leads to way better insulation gain than with Nansulate. [If you have moisture inside insulation, you have to tear it (the insulation) up anyways, since this means you'll have mold in no time, and you have to dry it out in any case.]
Next example 3)... what IF the corrosion prevention (metal walls or roof, etc)
If you have a metal wall or roof, insulation never was any issue, period. It will be extremely unlikely that, all of a sudden, it will become an issue. In this case, a cheap corrosion prevention solution plus traditional insulation will almost surely be more cost-efficient and more scalable.
and/or mold prevention (old home, humid climate) is actually desireable for said application?
On mold prevention I know little, but I've been told that two rules sum it up: No cold walls, and good ventilation.
If you already have mold in the walls, you have to kill it off or it will, magic paint or no, revive and prosper. If you don't, you should be good with following those two rules (I've been told). But that is an issue I do not know much about.
Lastly, you and I do agree that pipelines and tanks, etc, are probably THE most effective use of the product.
I said it is potentially sensible. There are a lot of things to consider: electrolytical properties, brittleness, expandability (warm metal stretches, cold shrinks, most paints get cracks from that) and much more. But yes, there might be some potential.