I am interested in using foil faced polyiso panels
in the attic (1″ – 2″ thickness).
But I am running into blank stares when I inquire
about this stuff at home centers.
The thickest they carry is around 1/2″ and sales people are
not sure if I ask what the material is.
Can someone give me some trade names of polyiso panels ?
Would be nice if I can walk in somewhere and buy sheets w/o
having to special order them.
(I have seen foam panels in pink, white, gray, yellow, etc.)
Thanks,
Alan
Edited 11/14/2002 1:19:12 PM ET by Ahneedhelp
Replies
You probably need to go to a real builder's supply than a big box to get a real answer.
Why polyisocyanurate? Won't urethane work?
I'm looking at polyiso panels because that is what is most frequently mentioned at Breaktime for cladding under roofing trusses as a radiant barrier. (With an air gap from soffit to ridge between the roof deck and the polyiso panels.)
It has a higher r-value at a given thickness compared to other foam panels. There are other qualities that makes it better suited.
Although a minimum of 1/2" layer of gympsum is recommended over the polyiso in interior application as a firebreak, this doesn't seem to apply or ignored by many folks in attics that is not lived in. (We have a low pitch hip roof attic good for only storage.)
http://www.roofingcontractor.com/CDA/ArticleInformation/features/BNP__Features__Item/0,3241,29172,00.html
Well, to reply to my own thread, I am running into a brick wall locating the polyiso panels in anything thicker then 3/4" (Tuf-R).
If I want the 1", a minimum truckload has to be orderered...
I can walk in and buy the 1/2 and 3/4" panels.
One company asked why I am not trying EPS panels.
From what I read, it's not the best stuff to use safely in an attic.
Something to do with fire rating.
Anyway, 1" or thicker polyiso panels, at least in my area of SW Va. is turning into the Holy Grail.
I guess I could double up the 3/4" stuff but that's less then ideal and more work.
Any ideas ?
Thanks,
Alan
http://www.dow.com/styrofoam/na/iso/tuff_r_c.htm
Thicker than 1", Dow classifies it as "commercial". I was able to find 2" panels at HD, but it sounds like you might have to look at a commercial supplier. But I bought those panels before Dow bought Celotex, who used to make the stuff, so I don't know.
(As far as I can tell, the regular stuff has foil one side, reinforced foil the other. Commercial has reinforced foil both sides. If there are other differences, I haven't seen them documented anywhere.)If everything seems to be going well, you've obviously overlooked something.
I know HD has up to 2" as I bought 1 1/2 last year to face the plywood access doors to the attic.
Bill gave you a Dow link.
Try Homasote at:
Homasote CompanyPO Box 7240West Trenton, NJ 08628-0240Toll Free: (800) 257-9491Phone: (609) 883-3300Fax: (609) 883-3497
Thanks for the Homasote link.
Looks like the UltraR is what I need.
I did visit the Dow site and I found the Tuff-R boards locally but only in 1/2 and 3/4".
I'll start calling some of the UltraR dealers.
Thank-you for your help,
Alan
If you have a menards in your neck of the woods they may have it. it is call celotex foil faced insuation made by johns manville. It come in 1/2" 3/4" 1" or at least they did in this old flyer of theirs.
Dow (formally Cellotex) is one manufacture.
Tuff-R, Supper Tuff-R, and TermMax are the brand names.
The residendial Tuff-R is avaible up to 1" and the commercial 2". At least one version of is avaialbe in 3".
I am not sure if all version are foil coated.
http://www.dow.com/styrofoam/na/dowpro/builder/new/prodctr/index.htm
Go through the different items in the Product drop down list. I see Value-R is also polyiso and it starts at 2.5".