I posted this query in the “Energy, Heating & Insulation” folder and got two good replies. But I was hoping for more so I am reposting it here.
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I have been contemplating using sprayed-up polyurethane foam insulation for a remodeling project of a couple of rooms in a 1910 vintage house. The remodel will require gutting to the studs. I have had quotes from several companies. I also looked into purchasing foam kits and doing it myself. I was amazed to find that there is very little savings by doing it myself. However, I also looked at the price of foam board, particularly Tuff-R and Super Tuff-R, and find that I can purchase this product for about half the price per cubic inch than the sprayed-up version. Here is what I am thinking. I would buy 2″ Tuff-R (R factor of 13.8), and cut it to fit the cavity between the studs, making it about a quarter inch narrower and shorter than the space between the studs and plates . I would then place the foam board between the studs (the nails from the siding will hold it in place) and used canned foam to fill and seal the quarter inch space between the board and the studs, plate, etc. Voila! I have essentially the same thing as if I hired a contractor but at half the price. And much neater! Any little nooks and cranies can be filled with canned foam. One could even use canned foam as a sealant/adhesive to join pieces of foam board, making for less waste. I plan to add strips to the studs to make a 6″ deep cavity, and probably will fill the remaining space with fiberglass batting. So what do you think? I am not doing this job for profit, so the extra labor is not an issue. And I don’t want to hear how cheap I am. Thank you. |
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Im with you , Ive done something similar cut foam stuck in a screw here and there and bought the commercial gun that uses spray foam in cans that are a little larger, not the expensive foam kits its just a gun that screws on a spray can. Tha advantage is there is more foam in can and you have more control in spraying like a small bead of foam not one that expaNDS WAY TO BIG SO YOU CUT IT BACK AND WAIST IT . opps sorry about caps, hit caps lock button, anyway the guns arent that expensive and there are several brands and Home Depot has some where I live at the contractor desk. cans are more than regular cans with attachable straws dumb things. the guns can be cleaned with a cleaner that you spray through it Mine does anyway. when I bought my kit it was about 27.00 and the cans of foam were around $7.00 but the cans had about 2 cans worth of foam and the reg cans with straws are about $6.00 here well I tend to go on and on so Im stopping now good luck with whatever you decide. Vic woof
Carpentry and remodeling
Vic Vardamis
Bangor Me
Thank you. I will check it out.