I’ve got blown-in fiberglass in my attic and am looking to upgrade the insulation. It looks like Icynene is a good choice and I’m leaning in that direction.
A few questions:
1. Since only about 2/3 of my total roof surface is accessible from the attic, I would be leaving the fiberglass I’ve got above the vaulted ceilings. Is Icynene an “all-or-none” product, or can I leave the fiberglass where it is and just deal with the attic?
2. If I get Icynene in the attic rafters, do I need to remove the blown-in fiberglass on the attic floor for everything to work properly?
3. Is there any reason to keep an attic fan once I’ve got the Icynene? It’s installed through the roof so would take some work to get rid of it.
Advice appreciated.
Replies
Hey Atlanta, why not leave the fibreglass in place and blow cellulose over?
In my opinion it is a superior product than site blown foam of any kind. Remember you are depending on the insulation contractor to keep the foam made on site. A lot less control than in a factory setting!
Second that. Less expensive plus you're setting yourself up for a lot of other issues with the foam in a retrofit.
oopps, suppose to go to the OP. Sorry.
Edited 8/7/2008 11:52 am by peteshlagor
no problem, I hope he listens to us.
I have three main reasons for wanting to go foam: (1) claims superior insulating ability along with air sealing (2) I like idea of getting rid of my soffit and ridge vents and (3) I would like access to my attic without wading through the blown-in
Are you guys saying I might get a less-than-advertised icynene mix on site? What are the other potential problems you mention?
I agree point 3 is a personal preference, but I was in the attic about a year ago checking on my cable wiring and one minor misstep was all it took to send my leg into my son's bedroom. My boys took a hit, and my son wasn't happy either.
" (2) I like idea of getting rid of my soffit and ridge vents and"You did not mention that. In fact you asked about keeping the "attic" fan which who's whole purpose is venting the attic.There is nothing wrong with doing what you want to do. But you need to make sure that the it does cover all external venting so that you bring the attic into the conditioned space.If you have HVAC equipment or ducts in the attic they are often poorly sealed and insulated. In that case doing this can greatly improve their operation.But in general foaming the bottom of the roof is expensive compared with what you can get by insulating the floor..
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A-holes. Hey every group has to have one. And I have been elected to be the one. I should make that my tagline.
I don't know about the claims, about how great the rvalue is, I would much rather know that when I put down a foot of insulation I have this rvalue.
I still have not seen how the rvalues quoted with foam can be achieved. Remember to ask if that is before or after outgassing.
If you looked at other threads, you will know that I am not convinced that a hot roof is good for the house.
By the way, if you are ever in Utica,NY, call me and I will show you what foam looks like that was installed in the 70's.
icy r-value 3.7
cells 3.5
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couldn't remember thanks!
retrofit makes it nearly impossible to get the infiltration control that is one of the major benefits of sprayed foam jobs, so you lose that. Infiltration control is a total house kind of thing, not a hybrid materials thing.Icy has a lot of problems when not ideally installed. You cannot get an ideal install in your finished house.it is cheap and easy to add cells or more chopped FG.Cellulose is just about the same R-value as icy
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My boys took a hit, and my son wasn't happy either.
I sincerely hope the twins weren't badly hurt...
I'm currently in the same position, and cellulose on the floor makes the most sense to me. I don't have any HVAC equipment in the attic that would benefit from being brought in to the conditioned space. For the few times I need to get into the attic for maintenance issues, I can deal with stepping through the cellulose. I don't find that walking the joists through the cellulose is any harder - just have to shake the cellulose off to keep the wife happy.
Bob
So he is shaking his boys loose, and you are shaking your sail, u Louse...LOL
I kill me sometimes.
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Bob,
I bot a bunch of scrap plywood and crooked lumber and built walkways in my attic since I had so much work to do up there. Habitat store and Lowes markdown stuff.Of course this was after putting foot through the living room ceiling.Gives access to ductwork, alarm system, electrical.PeteForgot to add...to make it easier to add more cellulose after finishing sealing all my pot lights (16 holes in the ceiling).
Edited 8/8/2008 9:21 am ET by gotcha
me three
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the icynene people are jerks...
bc, would you please elaborate?
its pricey and they try to jip you...
Granted, it is pricey. Installers are independant, not icynene employees, as far as I know. I've had good luck with the local installer I've used.
Rich
if your happy with them use them. i havent had good experience in getting information from the corporate or local guy. There are so many distrubutors of a similar product. Probably the most widely known is Insulstar. There is also Demilic and Corbond along with many others.
Thanks for your contribution to the thread. You really furthered the conversation.
so did your comment...
You have a really impressive wit. But really, your current pace of 1 post per week since you joined is plenty. If you post too often, people will be laughing so much they'll be distracted from the topic.
foolish babblings...
OK, so are you taking this defensively and personally because you are an icy installer? I don't know.But the vast majority of icy posts I have read here involve complaints against icy installers and installations. I have seen or heard of lots of false claims made by icy salespeople.So I have the same opinion about the product for the most part. If I can interrupt your junior high ranting, is there a reason you think it would be appropriate for the OP to use it?
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not anything close to an icy dealer, installer or anything else like that. I just think the guy posts like an a$$ when someone is trying to get some answers.If he was funny cool but his posting are just plain stupid. You post with some wit, give him some tips.
high five!
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lol! u made me think of Borat. He has that new movie coming out soon... Bruno. you heard about it?
Everyone has to be ignorant about something.I qualify in the movie department.
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