Like everyone else in North America, I am trying to step up the insulation in my home before next Winter hits. I am looking to buy a spray foam system that I can use to tighten things up. I am not looking for something that I will be doing lots of houses, probably just mine. Any suggestions? Open cell, closed cell?
Don’t want to spend a fortune doing it but don’t want the HomeDepot insulation in a can either. Any suggestions??
A rear addition provides a small-scale example of how to frame efficiently.
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Replies
tigerfoam.com
Probably not cheaper than hiring a pro to do it, plus
you are subjecting yourself to the intense toxicity of
uncured foam.
This is what we have - http://www.ncfi.com/residential.html
Amazing stuff.
Temperature dipped into the low 40's the other night. Inside stayed in the high 60's ... with NO heat on. For 10 hours.
Jeff
A couple of thoughts when you compare foam to other forms of insulation.
On the positive side:
1) most closed cell foams strengthen the structure substantially
2) most sprayed in foams do a great job of cutting air infiltration On the negative side
1) price-- compared to blown in cellulose blanket, the best bids I have seen are about four times the price-- or more.
2)fire-- most of these foams are ridiculously flammable and must be covered with sheetrock or some other fire/flame retardant
3) diminishing returns-- most of these foams do a great job when you apply 2 inches, but have seriously diminishing returns after that. That is why foam is often coupled with blown in cellulose, blown fiberglass or standard FG batts.
4) Pollution and indoor air quality-- some of this stuff is better and some of it off-gasses really awful chemicals that will affect the overall environment and your indoor air quality.I am building a house for myself and have looked at all of this pretty hard. There are good reasons why a lot of the more experienced builders on this site (and some of the greenest of the green builders) like cellulose. Check it out.
The NCFI insulation does not support combustion - in other words if you take a piece and hold a lighter to it the foam self-extinguishes.
Jeff
Edited 5/16/2008 9:16 am ET by Jeff_Clarke
It looks interesting. I will check into it further.
Thanks for all the info and input.
I guess the perfect spray foam insulation would be non toxic, non flammable and as inexpensive as conventional insulation, cellulose etc.
Thanks all
Have you looked at this?
http://www.airkrete.com/
I have looked at this and I have read up on it online. It looks like a great option, but I don't know anyone who has actually used it. Have you? It is written up as efficient, environmentally friendly, fireproof and very stable. I have seen nothing on the costs.Do you have any experience with this product?
R-3.9 / inch (airkrete) doesn't cut it.
Jeff
bogus web site, dude. ?
No - it's legit. They must be having problems today.
Jeff
First see if there are installers in your area.
http://www.icynene.com/LocateDealer.aspx?country=1
http://www.biobased.net/dealers/find.php
http://www.insulstar.com/installers.html
http://www.corbond.com/find_installer.htm
If you have no luck with that then go the DIY route.
http://www.rhhfoamsystems.com/