Polyisocyanurate Panel Insulation
Hello All,
I think I may have goofed.
I recently bought a house with staple-up Radiant Floor Heat. The previous owner got ill and never had the chance to get insulation up.
I asked around (a lot – including here, supply centers, the guy who installed the system and builder friends) for advice on insulating and everybody (to a person) told me the best approach was to use polyisocyanurate panels cut to size to press-fit between the rafters. This gives a nice tight insulation and the aluminum foil side will provide a great reflector of the radiant heat, up. Believe me, I own this mistake, I’m not passing blame based on advice received, just explaining how I got here. I should have seen this one.
Half way through the job and many $100’s into it, it has occurred to be that this stuff is combustible and not a great thing to be putting on a basement ceiling. What can I say, many parallel projects to get this house back together
Just checking to see if anyone has any comments or advice on this. Am I right to fear this. I expect it won’t meet code, it would be interesting to hear you advice on this. Also, how dangerous is this stuff, should I rip it out?
Can I cover it with Fiberglass (4″ or so)? Does Fiberglass act as a fire block or offer any fire resistance?
Thanks for any help you can offer.
Mike
Replies
Check the specs on the exact product that you re using.
I know that some foil faced polyiso can be left uncovered in non-habitable spaces such #### attics and crawlspaces.
You can always install DW on the basement ceilings.
The face on faced FG insulation has to be covered also. Don't know about unfaced.
.
Hey every group has to have one. And I have been elected to be the one. I should make that my tagline.
Hi Bill,
Thanks for weighing in. I appreciate your comments. Maybe I stop where I am, cover partial with Fiberglass and 1/2 sheetrock and move on with fiberglass.
Mike
I'd keep right on with the foil polyiso and then sheetrock over it. I've lost count how many times I've done it that way
Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!
I have staple up in my home that works great. Tubing stapled to the floor then 1 x 2 nailed to both joists against the floor. Then force fit/stapled the polyiso to the 1 x 2's creating a 1-1/2" cavity. Below that fiberglass then sheetrock. Between floors heat loss is less of a concern but the insulation keeps the heat going where you want it. Keep doing what you're doing and if the inspector makes you cover it, it will be worth it. You always wanted to turn that basement into pool hall anyway ;-)
Jerry