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Building Insulation

Last Updated: 03/15/23 Click to see brand name products that meet these requirementsopens in new window
Building Insulation

Insulation made from recovered materials is available for thermal insulating applications. The product is available in several forms including rolls, loose-fill and spray foam. Insulation also can include a range of recovered materials such as glass, slag, paper fiber and plastics.

Product Details
  • asterisk Federal agencies are required by statute to purchase products as designated or specified under this program.
    asterisk asterisk Federal agencies are required to purchase sustainable products and services meeting EPA’s Recommendations to the maximum extent practicable.
Product Type

Procurement Info

Where to Buy

Cellulose Loose-Fill and Spray-On
Fiberglass
Foam-in-Place
Glass Fiber Reinforced
Perlite Composite Board
Phenolic Rigid Foam
Plastic Insulating Foam for Residential and Commercial Construction
Plastic, Non-Woven Batt
Rigid Foam
Rock Wool
Life Cycle Cost Savings

To calculate life cycle cost savings, explore these tools:

  • NIST’s BEES Online v2.0 offers detailed environmental lifecycle analyses. Life cycle costing is available as an option. It is recommended that users have some experience with life cycle analysis in order to answer the tool’s questions.
  • NREL’s Levelized Cost of Energy Calculator can help estimate the cost of electricity as an input for your lifecycle cost calculations, accounting for both cost escalation and discount rates.
Guiding Principles
Contributes to meeting The Guiding Principles for Sustainable Federal Buildings
Additional Guidance

Compliant products not listed in GSA Advantage! may be available for federal purchase under GSA Schedule 51 V SINs 105 001 & 105 002 by visiting approved hardware storesopens in new window in person or purchasing through the product catalogs of approved vendorsopens in new window.

Federal Programs

According to BioPreferred, plastic insulating foam for residential and commercial construction are spray-in-place plastic foam products designed to provide a sealed thermal barrier for residential or commercial construction applications. BioPreferred maintains an electronic product catalogopens in new window listing products that either 1. are eligible for preferred federal procurement, or 2. have earned the USDA Certified Biobased Product Label.

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Recommended Specifications, Standards, and Ecolabels

Executive Order (EO) 14057, Catalyzing Clean Energy Industries and Jobs Through Federal Sustainabilityopens in new window, (08 DEC 2021), requires federal agencies to purchase sustainable products and services certified to the standards/ecolabels included in the Recommendations to the maximum extent practicable.

Building Insulation certified under UL2818 GreenGuard may be available from contractors on the following GSA Multiple Award Schedules:

  • Schedule 56 SINs 563 4 and 563 29
  • Schedule 51V SINs 105 001 and 105 002
Potential LEED Contributions

This product may contribute* toward points in multiple LEED v4 rating systems, including areas required for LEED v4 building certification. Primarily, the credits will apply in the Building Design and Construction (BD+C) and Building Operations and Maintenance (O+M) categories. This includes the specialty areas of: New Construction and Major Renovation, Existing Buildings, Core & Shell, Schools, Retail, Data Centers, Warehouse and Distribution Centers, Hospitality, and Healthcare. Specific credits are:

  • Energy & Atmosphere - Optimize Energy Performance
  • Indoor Environmental Quality - Low-Emitting Materials
  • Materials & Resources - Building Product Disclosure & Optimization
    • Environmental Product Declarations
    • Sourcing of Raw Materials
    • Material Ingredients

* It is important to note that no products, individually or collectively, can guarantee a specific number of points for LEED Category credit. Each credit will need to be matched to the product by a certified professional.

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