FHB Logo Facebook LinkedIn Email Pinterest Twitter X Instagram Tiktok YouTube Plus Icon Close Icon Navigation Search Icon Navigation Search Icon Arrow Down Icon Video Guide Icon Article Guide Icon Modal Close Icon Guide Search Icon Skip to content
Subscribe
Log In
  • How-To
  • Design
  • Tools & Materials
  • Restoration
  • Videos
  • Blogs
  • Forum
  • Magazine
  • Members
  • FHB House
  • Podcast
Log In

Discussion Forum

Discussion Forum

BioBase 501 spray insulation

| Posted in Energy, Heating & Insulation on November 20, 2003 08:56am

I am curious to know if anyone here has used this product. It is a soy based polyurethane with no voc,cfc, or formaldehyde. Supposedly has no food value, so the critters don’t eat it. 

I think the idea of spray insulation is great, the best method as to quality of insulation. Do any of the builders in here specify a type of insulation? How many of you do your own insulation vs sub out to an insulation contractor?

I usually just do it myself with batt insulation, and hate working with the stuff. it goes fairly quick though, and cost is cheap, approx. $3000.00 for materials to insulate 2000 sq ft. If someone came to me and said “I will spray insulation for you for $5000.00” I would have a hard time saying no, what about you?

Reply

Replies

  1. caseyr | Nov 21, 2003 08:12am | #1

    There are a number of websites promoting soy based foam insulation.  The soy bean organizations are really pushing it.  I did a Google search a couple of weeks ago and looked at the websites of a number of companies manufacturing the components.  All of them claim the soy based stuff is cheaper but basically has an R value equivalent to the regular urethane foam.  (They also carefully word something to the effect that "insects won't eat it", they don't say they won't tunnel in it...)  Many are recruiting people to sell their products and some have the whole mobil insulation rig for sale (didn't see any prices, however).  I don't have time to chase them down now, but if I remember when I get back to my computer next week, I will look into some more. 

  2. fortdh | Nov 21, 2003 08:34am | #2

    I believe both the soy based and the non soy based polyurethane closed cell foams are food based for one part of the two part mix. You can confirm that with NCFI at 1-800-346-8229.(NCFI is corn/sugar based if I recall correctly)

    Spray foam (closed cell) has an R-value of about R-7 to the inch, and more importantly, it seals a wall interior from air leaks. It also stiffens walls. My friends in the business recommend 1/2" to 2", depending on wall thickness, and the rest filled with fg batt. This gets the air sealing, yet provides the best overall cost for the R value.

    If I was building a 2x6 wall today, I would put in 2" of foam followed by 3 1/2" of fg batt for a total R of 29. In a 2x4 wall, I would spray in 1/2" followed by an R-15 batt. Being compressed, you wouldn't get the full R from the batt, but the combo would yield about R-17, and be air tight. That 2x4 wall would be more efficient than a typical 2x6 fg batt only R-19 wall, with the typical voids/air leaks.

    Paul

    Energy Consultant and author of Practical Energy Cost Reduction for the Home
    1. skids | Nov 22, 2003 03:46am | #3

      when you reccomend using both spray in foam and fiberglass batt insulation to acheive the best cost for R-value what I hear you saying is that the spray foam is very expensive. time is money in construction as much or more so than any other business, and when its cheaper to stop spraying and fill the rest of the voids by hand with batts i wonder if its worth it at all to do.

      1. skids | Nov 22, 2003 10:30pm | #4

        Does anybody know what spray in foam insulation costs? I am curious to know what are the costs of materials per cubic foot. I have a good idea of the costs of batt insulation, and would like to compare just the material cost.

        1. User avater
          CloudHidden | Nov 23, 2003 04:34am | #5

          Here's a discussion of the costs. My experience is that for foam jobs, material and labor are about equal.

          http://forums.taunton.com/tp-breaktime/messages?msg=35153.1

          1. skids | Nov 23, 2003 06:07am | #6

            thank you, that was what i was looking for.

Log in or create an account to post a comment.

Sign up Log in

Become a member and get full access to FineHomebuilding.com

Video Shorts

Categories

  • Business
  • Code Questions
  • Construction Techniques
  • Energy, Heating & Insulation
  • General Discussion
  • Help/Work Wanted
  • Photo Gallery
  • Reader Classified
  • Tools for Home Building

Discussion Forum

Recent Posts and Replies

  • |
  • |
  • |
  • |
  • |
  • |
View More Create Post

Up Next

Video Shorts

Featured Story

Tool Test: You Need a Drywall Sander

We tried out a range of rotary and random-orbit sanders to compare their dust collection, quality of finish, and user fatigue after hours of sanding.

Featured Video

A Modern California Home Wrapped in Rockwool Insulation for Energy Efficiency and Fire Resistance

The designer and builder of the 2018 Fine Homebuilding House detail why they chose mineral-wool batts and high-density boards for all of their insulation needs.

Related Stories

  • Podcast Episode 684: Masonry Heaters, Whole-House Ventilation, and Porch Flooring
  • FHB Podcast Segment: Repairing an Old Home While Maintaining Its Integrity
  • Tools and Gear for the Moms Who Get it Done
  • An Easier Method for Mitered Head Casings

Highlights

Fine Homebuilding All Access
Fine Homebuilding Podcast
Tool Tech
Plus, get an extra 20% off with code GIFT20

"I have learned so much thanks to the searchable articles on the FHB website. I can confidently say that I expect to be a life-long subscriber." - M.K.

Get home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters
See all newsletters

Fine Homebuilding Magazine

  • Issue 331 - June 2025
    • A More Resilient Roof
    • Tool Test: You Need a Drywall Sander
    • Ducted vs. Ductless Heat Pumps
  • Issue 330 - April/May 2025
    • Deck Details for Durability
    • FAQs on HPWHs
    • 10 Tips for a Long-Lasting Paint Job
  • Issue 329 - Feb/Mar 2025
    • Smart Foundation for a Small Addition
    • A Kominka Comes West
    • Making Small Kitchens Work
  • Issue 328 - Dec/Jan 2024
    • How a Pro Replaces Columns
    • Passive House 3.0
    • Tool Test: Compact Line Lasers
  • Issue 327 - November 2024
    • Repairing Damaged Walls and Ceilings
    • Plumbing Protection
    • Talking Shop

Fine Home Building

Newsletter Sign-up

  • Fine Homebuilding

    Home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox.

  • Green Building Advisor

    Building science and energy efficiency advice, plus special offers, in your inbox.

  • Old House Journal

    Repair, renovation, and restoration tips, plus special offers, in your inbox.

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters

Follow

  • Fine Homebuilding

    Dig into cutting-edge approaches and decades of proven solutions with total access to our experts and tradespeople.

    Start Free Trial Now
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • X
    • LinkedIn
  • GBA Prime

    Get instant access to the latest developments in green building, research, and reports from the field.

    Start Free Trial Now
    • Facebook
    • YouTube
  • Old House Journal

    Learn how to restore, repair, update, and decorate your home.

    Subscribe Now
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • X
  • Fine Homebuilding

    Dig into cutting-edge approaches and decades of proven solutions with total access to our experts and tradespeople.

    Start Free Trial Now
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • X
    • LinkedIn
  • GBA Prime

    Get instant access to the latest developments in green building, research, and reports from the field.

    Start Free Trial Now
    • Facebook
    • YouTube
  • Old House Journal

    Learn how to restore, repair, update, and decorate your home.

    Subscribe Now
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • X

Membership & Magazine

  • Online Archive
  • Start Free Trial
  • Magazine Subscription
  • Magazine Renewal
  • Gift a Subscription
  • Customer Support
  • Privacy Preferences
  • About
  • Contact
  • Advertise
  • Careers
  • Terms of Use
  • Site Map
  • Do not sell or share my information
  • Privacy Policy
  • Accessibility
  • California Privacy Rights

© 2025 Active Interest Media. All rights reserved.

Fine Homebuilding receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.

X
X
This is a dialog window which overlays the main content of the page. The modal window is a 'site map' of the most critical areas of the site. Pressing the Escape (ESC) button will close the modal and bring you back to where you were on the page.

Main Menu

  • How-To
  • Design
  • Tools & Materials
  • Video
  • Blogs
  • Forum
  • Project Guides
  • Reader Projects
  • Magazine
  • Members
  • FHB House

Podcasts

  • FHB Podcast
  • ProTalk

Webinars

  • Upcoming and On-Demand

Podcasts

  • FHB Podcast
  • ProTalk

Webinars

  • Upcoming and On-Demand

Popular Topics

  • Kitchens
  • Business
  • Bedrooms
  • Roofs
  • Architecture and Design
  • Green Building
  • Decks
  • Framing
  • Safety
  • Remodeling
  • Bathrooms
  • Windows
  • Tilework
  • Ceilings
  • HVAC

Magazine

  • Current Issue
  • Past Issues
  • Magazine Index
  • Subscribe
  • Online Archive
  • Author Guidelines

All Access

  • Member Home
  • Start Free Trial
  • Gift Membership

Online Learning

  • Courses
  • Project Guides
  • Reader Projects
  • Podcast

More

  • FHB Ambassadors
  • FHB House
  • Customer Support

Account

  • Log In
  • Join

Newsletter

Get home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters
See all newsletters

Follow

  • X
  • YouTube
  • instagram
  • facebook
  • pinterest
  • Tiktok

Join All Access

Become a member and get instant access to thousands of videos, how-tos, tool reviews, and design features.

Start Your Free Trial

Subscribe

FHB Magazine

Start your subscription today and save up to 81%

Subscribe

We hope you’ve enjoyed your free articles. To keep reading, become a member today.

Get complete site access to expert advice, how-to videos, Code Check, and more, plus the print magazine.

Start your FREE trial

Already a member? Log in