Wow, I new that the ‘south’ was really resistent to using more modern forms of insulation, but I never expected that I would not be able to find a Corbond installer within 500 miles.
Just got off the phone with Corbond and they ‘had’ an installer, but hasn’t conducted any installs “in a long, long time.” The nearest installer is in Panama City, Florida. No installers in LA, MS, AK, SC, NC, VA, TN, nor GA!!!
So, my hope to pretend I could afford this stuff by getting a quote and just dreaming about it is now just a pipe dream. I know if I have to pay someone to drive +500 miles to come to Atlanta then the cost will be several thousand dollars for the simple need of insulating one’s basement.
Please understand that I have a very bad condition when it comes to handling fiberglass batts (shreded fiberglass batting, that is). This rules out the common stuff found in the big boxes. I thought I could get away with Miraflex since its a continuous strand of fiberglass and so greatly reduces airborn particles as to be bare-handed installed. Unfortunately, I cannot find anyone in Atlanta that sells in in 15-16″ widths for 2×4 studd walls (only found it for 2×10 joists in 16″ and 24″ widths).
I am trying to minimize the airborn nature of this insulation because it easily affects me in terms of breathing, but there is an additional need to control this stuff as my basement will be housing my home theater. I’ve tried Home Depot and Lowes, and they even called a couple of builder supply houses for me and no one has this stuff for 2×4 or 2×6 cavities, only 2×10 and larger.
The speculation is that Miraflex is no longer made for traditional wall cavities. Ok. So, I am left with a breathing problem, uninsulated walls, or several thousand dollars to insulate a basement. Anyone got a better idea? <Cough, cough>
Replies
Why not use sheet foam up against the foundation. Then you can either put furring strips over it to attach the DW or build a 2x4 wall in front of it.
And Dow make a sheet product with groves for the furring strips.
http://www.dow.com/styrofoam/na/dowpro/builder/new/prodctr/int.htm
Morning Bill,
The idea was to use the expanding-foam behavior that as it expends into a cavity is forms a decent seal with the surrounding studs. Oh, I already framed the 2x4 walls to cover the poured concrete walls. I just needed the insulation done before wiring in excess of code and then hanging sheetrock. Also, I was looking at 2-3 inches of Corbond, which would give an R-21 (for 3") and offer some acoustical properties on the side.
In the floor joist cavities in the home theater room I was going to have a good 6=8 inches applied for good acoustical absorbtion (and one heck of a R value to boot!). I cannot complain about lack of installers as this economy means inexpensive houses in my area get sold 5X faster than houses twice their price. This means the builder and subcontractors in my area 'cheap it out' in every way imaginable. This means blown fiberglass in the attick to minimum federal regulations, and the cheapest batting in the exterior walls that can be had. And, of course, no wrapping of the srtucture.
When I spoke to Corbond via email, they said their only GA installer hadn't conducted an install in 2 years. I was amazed at this considering its a $40K investment to get setup as a Corbond installer (according to the Corbond rep I spoke to). Still, spread that setup cost over 4 years and I would think it would be reasonable--but I'm wrong.
I left a couple of messages with Icynene local installers, but have not yet heard back from them. Last time I checked, Icynene has only half the R value (per inch) of Corbond, but the other properties may still be there (sealing characteristics and acoustical properties). Not relying on the sealing and sound features, but they are an added benefit.
This is and easy one. just go to http://www.fomo.com and find their two part urethane foam kits. The smaller ones are disposable the largers are refillable. Calculate the volume of foam you need and order it. You can do it in staps with the refillable kits. They come with everything you need including the hose and nozzles. Piece of cake and you will save money over having someone else do it.
I guess I need to look a little bit closer. When I originally stumbled upon their website I only caught the tiny one-hand cans and thought that was not the way to go. Those larger cans are more suitable for the size of my job at hand. I wonder what the costs will be ...
Now, I am missing something: like how do I buy this stuff?
Edited 12/29/2002 9:57:42 AM ET by kartman0
Well, I have not gotten any replies from the Icynene installers in my area. I suppose they probably either have stuck with blown fiberglass & batts as a means to keep a healthy margin for their business, or are just too dang busy for a one-off job. Has anyone in North Georgia ever found a working spray-on foam insulation installer?
If you cannot find the two part systems just call them. They may also have a distributer close to you that may discount it. The stuff goes on the wall like a liquid and then starts foaming up. It takes about 15 minutes before it is completely expanded so I spray on stud bay and move on. I come back later to add more foam if necessary. The stuff is so good that you do not need to fill the entire volume of the wall to get a good result. If you're not sure about it, buy one of their smaller disposable kits and try it. I recommend the stuff.