Wall finishing panel system

Abstract

Disclosed are an insulation product and an insulation system incorporating such a product for insulating exterior walls, particularly masonry walls, that incorporates at least one internal fire retardant layer and, optionally, a wicking material for transporting condensate away from the interface between the insulating product and the exterior wall. The insulation system includes an integrated support element that can be used to increase the rate of evaporation via various methods, provide for the concealed distribution of cables and wiring and/or improve the aesthetic appearance of the insulating product.

1 . A wall insulation product comprising: 
 a primary insulating layer having a interior surface and an exterior surface;    a secondary insulating layer having a interior surface and an exterior surface; and    a flame retarding layer arranged between the primary and secondary insulating layers.    
   
   
       2 . A wall insulation product according to  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 a wicking material having a primary portion provided on the outer surface of the secondary insulating layer for collection and transport of a liquid and a terminal portion configured for evaporation of the liquid.    
   
   
       3 . A wall insulation product according to  claim 2 , further comprising: 
 a vapor retarding layer provided on the inner surface of the primary insulating layer.    
   
   
       4 . A wall insulation product according to  claim 2 , wherein: 
 the wicking material covers substantially the entire outer surface of the secondary insulating layer.    
   
   
       5 . A wall insulation product according to  claim 2 , further comprising: 
 a sorbent region provided adjacent the wicking material.    
   
   
       6 . A wall insulation product according to  claim 5 , wherein: 
 the sorbent region is formed by coating an outer region of the secondary insulating layer with a sorbent material.    
   
   
       7 . A wall insulation product according to  claim 5 , wherein: 
 the sorbent region is separate material layer provided between the secondary insulating layer and the wicking material.    
   
   
       8 . A wall insulation product according to  claim 1 , wherein: 
 the flame retarding layer comprises a mineral fiber mat impregnated with at least one flame retardant filler.    
   
   
       9 . A wall insulation product according to  claim 8 , wherein: 
 the flame retardant filler is selected from a group consisting of alumina trihydrate (ATH) (Al 2 O 3 .3H 2 O), hydrated zinc borate (ZnB 2 O 4 .6H 2 O), calcium sulfate (CaSO 4 .2H 2 O), magnesium ammonium phosphate (MgNH 4 PO 4 .6H 2 O), magnesium hydroxide (Mg(OH) 2 ), ZnB, clay, calcium carbonate, carbon black, and intercalated graphite.    
   
   
       10 . A wall insulation product according to  claim 8 , wherein: 
 the flame retardant filler is selected from a group consisting of micro encapsulated water, halogenated fire suppressants, intumescent phosphate compounds, organic and inorganic phosphate compounds, sulfate and sulfamate compounds and free radical scavengers.    
   
   
       11 . A wall insulation product according to  claim 8 , wherein: 
 the mineral fiber is selected from a group consisting of fiberglass, mineral wools and alkali earth oxide fibers.    
   
   
       12 . An insulation product for exterior walls according to  claim 2 , wherein: 
 the terminal portion of the wicking material is arranged and configured to extend beyond a plane defined by the inner surface of the primary insulating layer and into a finished space.    
   
   
       13 . A wall insulating system comprising: 
 an insulating element including 
 a primary insulating layer having an inner surface, an outer surface and lower surface;  
 a secondary insulating layer having an inner surface, an outer surface and lower surface and  
 a flame retarding layer arranged between the inner surface of the primary insulating layer and the outer surface of the secondary insulating layer; and  
   a supporting element arranged and configured to support the insulating element adjacent a wall.    
   
   
       14 . A wall insulating system according to  claim 13 , further comprising: 
 a wicking layer arranged between the inner surface of the secondary insulating layer and the wall for collection and transport of a liquid and a terminal portion positioned below the lower surface of the secondary insulating layer; and    the supporting element arranged and configured to accommodate the terminal portion of the wicking material.    
   
   
       15 . A wall insulating system according to  claim 14 , further comprising: 
 a sorbent material provided within the supporting element and in contact with the terminal portion of the wicking material.    
   
   
       16 . A wall insulating system according to  claim 14 , further comprising: 
 a sorbent material provided between the secondary insulating layer and the wicking material for absorbing excess liquid from the wicking material.    
   
   
       17 . A wall insulating system according to  claim 14 , further comprising: 
 a heating element provided within the supporting element and in proximity to the terminal portion of the wicking material.    
   
   
       18 . A wall insulating system according to  claim 14 , further comprising: 
 a secondary evaporative material provided within the supporting element and in contact with the terminal portion of the wicking material for receiving a portion of the liquid from the wicking material.    
   
   
       19 . A wall insulating system according to  claim 14 , wherein: 
 the supporting element includes a plurality of openings whereby vapor evaporating from the terminal portion of the wicking material may pass into an insulated space.    
   
   
       20 . A wall insulating system according to  claim 13 , wherein: 
 the supporting element includes a trim element that extends to a lower peripheral portion of an inner surface of the insulating element.    
   
   
       21 . A wall insulating system according to  claim 13 , wherein: 
 the flame retarding layer comprises a mineral fiber mat impregnated with at least one flame retardant filler.    
   
   
       22 . A wall insulating system according to  claim 21 , wherein: 
 the flame retardant filler is selected from a group consisting of alumina trihydrate (ATH) (Al 2 O 3 .3H 2 O), hydrated zinc borate (ZnB 2 O 4 .6H 2 O), calcium sulfate (CaSO 4 .2H 2 O), magnesium ammonium phosphate (MgNH 4 PO 4 .6H 2 O), magnesium hydroxide (Mg(OH) 2 ), ZnB, clay, calcium carbonate, carbon black, and intercalated graphite.    
   
   
       23 . A wall insulating system according to  claim 22 , wherein: 
 a secondary flame retardant is incorporated into the flame retarding layer, the secondary flame retardant being selected from a group consisting of micro encapsulated water, halogenated fire suppressants, intumescent phosphate compounds, organic and inorganic phosphate compounds, sulfate and sulfamate compounds and free radical scavengers.    
   
   
       24 . A method for insulating walls, the method comprising: 
 fastening a primary support element adjacent the exterior wall;    installing an insulating element adjacent the exterior wall, a lower surface of the insulating element being supported by the primary support element, the insulating element including an primary insulating layer, a secondary insulating layer and a fire retarding layer arranged between the primary and secondary insulating layers;    installing a trim element on the primary support element, the trim element including a portion covering a lower peripheral surface of the insulating element.    
   
   
       25 . A method for insulating walls according to  claim 24 , further comprising: 
 securing an extended portion of the flame retarding layer between cooperating structures provided on the primary support element and the trim element.