Open or Closed Foam for Carport
West28th
| Posted in Energy, Heating & Insulation on
I want to have foam blown on the inside of my stick framed carport. I have had two contractors over both suggesting different types of foam; one open, one closed.
Any suggestions?
Thanks, Dennis
Replies
Converted to Garage
It has been converted to garage.
OK, all a garage does is keep the rain from falling on your car AND snow from blowing in. No need for insulation there.
Anything else happening in this space besides car parking - because if there isn't, there is no need for insulation. All you need to keep your car warm in winter is a block heater on a timer and an extension cord!
Working in Garage
It has been converted to a complete workshop with a 60amp subpanel. Looking for the best way to insulate a hip roof frame without batt.
Gee, we could have saved a little time if you'd said "I want to insulate this carport turned garage turned workshop" from the start.
A workshop (absent a shower or kitchen) does not generate a lot of moisture. So the moisture issue of open cell vs closed cell is largely removed from the equation (so long as you don't stick a mongo humidifier in there).
Don't certain types of heaters add moisture to the air - I can't think of the type right at the moment?
Open cell foam doesn't have the R value that closed cell does, but that's about it.
There are just so many details we are missing here, like location, temp ranges, what you'll be using it for, how often you will be opening/shutting the door, is it heated - with what...
Answers to Questions
1. Location - Above Bellingham, Washington
2. Workshop
3. The only door that gets open and shut is the door to walk in.
4. Currently not heated, but hopefully will be within a couple of months. (not sure what type).
Side note, I've read that open cel is much better for sound proofing as I plan to use an air sander. One supplier recommended I go with closed and the other recommended open. New ashpault singles have just been applied to the roof and all four sides are insulated. Mainly to be used as a workshop for building small projects.
Unvented combustion heaters add moisture to the air. But they should never be used to heat a shop.
That's what I was thinking about - thanks!
As for the sound deadening - most of that will be taken care of with drywall, which should go over ANY foam covering... especially in a shop where there might be sparks. As one poster put it "Foam burns like rocket fuel".
Though probably more expensive, closed cell foam had the advantages of : Being waterproof at it's surface, being an effective Air and vapor barrier, and giving a little extra structural rigidity since it essentially glues everything in place. These might be better for you as you are in a pretty wet area - if I read you correctly.
You might want to think about a foam rubber floor covering too - like those interlocking mats. Helps keep the cold concrete from robbing your feet of heat, since the slab isn't insulated.