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Open or closed cell?

bambam | Posted in Energy, Heating & Insulation on December 2, 2007 05:51am

My uncle has been a builder all his life. He has been known to do dome strange things when it comes to his own houses. This time he wants to build a walk in fridge. He already has everything he needs but is not sure what type of insulation to use.

Where he lives there is no one that installs spry foam insulation. There is a guy where I live that does open cell but would closed cell be better? Enough to warant someone coming out of Houston or Dallas? (4 hours from him)

I’ve already suggested that he just buy one. I even told him that the school here was selling one at an auction. He wants to build it though. When he gets something in his mind there is no stopping him.

Where there’s a will, there are 500 relatives

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Replies

  1. User avater
    CloudHidden | Dec 02, 2007 06:10pm | #1

    Closed cell...better insulation per inch...double. Where in TX? I know people who might be able to do that. Gimme a zip code and I'll tell you the distance. I'd go for 5" for that application. I also might consider foam packs for that, since it doesn't have to be pretty.

    1. User avater
      bambam | Dec 02, 2007 06:20pm | #2

      I dont know the zip but the house is between Madisonville and Crockett. A little place called Midway Texas. I gave the other towns because I dont know if Midway is on the map or not.Wait a min. Wiki does have the zip : 75852. Thanks
      Where there's a will, there are 500 relatives

      1. User avater
        CloudHidden | Dec 02, 2007 06:56pm | #3

        130 miles, two hours. Is he ready for a contact? If not, just yell when he is and I'll send you the contact.

        1. User avater
          bambam | Dec 02, 2007 07:07pm | #4

          He is supposed to call me when he is. Thanks for the info. I'll let you know when.
          Where there's a will, there are 500 relatives

  2. Hiker | Dec 02, 2007 07:33pm | #5

    Demilic has both open and closed cell.  As cloud said, closed is probably your best bet.  A Demilic sales rep lives here in Austin.  His email is [email protected]

    He can probably put you in touch with an installer or two. 

    Bruce

    1. User avater
      bambam | Dec 02, 2007 09:06pm | #6

      Thanks, I really dont know much about the differences as nobody has even offered it until recently. And that guy is 90 miles away.He does closed cell and says it is the best. I asked about closed cell and he said "nobody has ever asked about that before."Where there's a will, there are 500 relatives

      1. Snort | Dec 03, 2007 01:32am | #7

        I wonder if SIPS panels would work? Sure would be easy to build, and it would have 5 1/2" of foam. Winterlude, Winterlude, my little daisy,

        Winterlude by the telephone wire,

        Winterlude, it's makin' me lazy,

        Come on, sit by the logs in the fire.

        The moonlight reflects from the window

        Where the snowflakes, they cover the sand.

        Come out tonight, ev'rything will be tight,

        Winterlude, this dude thinks you're grand.

        1. User avater
          bambam | Dec 03, 2007 03:45am | #8

          I dont see why they wouldnt execpt maybe moisture problems. I think he said he had some aluminum panels he was putting together, and then insulate them. I dont know how he is going to do the door yet.Where there's a will, there are 500 relatives

  3. User avater
    jonblakemore | Dec 04, 2007 03:53am | #9

    Why not just order 6" thick XPS panels and foam them into place?

     

    Jon Blakemore

    RappahannockINC.com Fredericksburg, VA

    1. User avater
      bambam | Dec 04, 2007 07:56am | #10

      He's already got the aluminum panels to use on it. He seems to have some stange ideas sometimes buy they usually work good. When he gets done I'll have to take pictures and post them.Where there's a will, there are 500 relatives

  4. Piffin | Dec 05, 2007 03:52pm | #11

    I would definitely want closed cells for any application like that. Not only is is better R value, but is impervious to the damping moisture too.

     

     

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    1. User avater
      bambam | Dec 05, 2007 04:47pm | #12

      Thanks Piffin. I have yet to see even an open cell application done around here. The guy I met at a home show last april is from Tyler and builders around here are to cheap to use anything but cellulose. And there are NONE tht take advantage of the Energy Star tax credits as far as I know. (Thats OK though, it gives me something to weatherize after it is sold lol.)Not that it would matter to my uncle but what is the price difference between the 2? I have an idea on open cell but not closd cell.Where there's a will, there are 500 relatives

      1. Piffin | Dec 06, 2007 01:14am | #13

        Can't say right now. For the past year, all I have used is open celled Thermax. Last I got I think was $17/4x8 sheet at 1" thick.
        I order based on what is the right for the job rather than comparing one vs the other on a price basis.. If that is your basis, then check down there, but compare on an R-value standard, not a per inch standard. 

         

        Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!

        1. User avater
          bambam | Dec 06, 2007 03:30am | #14

          Yeah, thats kind what I was wondering. What the price difference was per r-value if any. Just curious for myself though. I will probably have to wait until we get a closed cell guy here local though.Where there's a will, there are 500 relatives

          1. westmich | Dec 07, 2007 11:23pm | #15

            On the topic of open vs closed cell foam, here is a poll question.  It should only have 3 WORDS in the answer, no explanation or hemming or hawing or justifying or mention of budget considerations, etc.   I will tally the vote in a couple days. 

            And these very formal rules do not alllow you to substitute ICF/SIP or Mooney wall for the answer, under pen'lty of a harsh winter in your area.

            Here goes: IF you are spray-foaming top to bottom, would you use OPEN or CLOSED in a. exterior walls and b. attick, and c. in attic, spray under roof deck or over drywall ceiling.

            Sample answer:

            a. closed    b. closed    c.roof deck

            Thanks for playing. Vote early, vote often.

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