Replies

1. 
   Virginbuild | Feb 13, 2005 05:49am | #1

   Dustin,

   Go to the bottom of the side bar and enter foam insulation in the search box. You will come up with over 500 responses about the subject.

   Regards,

   Virginbuild

2. 
   dankolbert | Feb 13, 2005 06:44am | #2

   I'm in Portland - I've used WarmTech in Yarmouth on several jobs and like their product - both dry and wet spray dense pack cellulose.

1. 
   Piffin | Feb 13, 2005 07:05am | #3

   but cellulose is not spray foam - not by a long shot 

    

   Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!

1. 
   DustinThomps | Feb 13, 2005 03:24pm | #4

   Yeah, I have looked into the warmtech company, just don't think it is the way I want to go.  What's your take on it, Dan?

   Dustin

1. 
   dankolbert | Feb 13, 2005 05:08pm | #5

   I think each has its strengths and weaknesses. I worry about new construction framing member movement in spray foam - if the lumber shrinks or tweaks you can get voids running the entire length - the same lousy coverage as with fiberglass. I like dense pack behind rigid board on ceilings - I think it tightens things up nicely.

1. 
   Piffin | Feb 13, 2005 11:14pm | #6

   I don't know about the icynene, but the bond formed bhy the urythene is so strong the wood is more likely to split than to release a bond there. The only time you get poor bonds with the urythene foams is when the sheathing surface is so cold that the foam shrinks back on contact. That is apparant immediately, and correctable while they are on site. And my installers will not spray unless I have the interior heated to at least fifty degrees and the exterior temps are above ten or twenty degrees, depending on sunshine, wind etc. I suppose it is possible for wood to be that wet, but we build slow enough that it has plenty of drying time while subs do their thing. A fast paced production outfit might have other concerns - but we never get any nail/screw pops in the SR finishes, one indication that we are not dealing with lumber shrinkage after cover-up. 

    

   Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!

3. 
   gdavis62 | Feb 13, 2005 11:31pm | #7

   I have an insulation subcontractor with the capability to spray foam and do wet-blow cellulose (for walls) and dry blow cellulose (for ceilings below roofs.)

   What he does for me on sidewalls is to spray a "veneer" of closed-cell urethane foam in all the cavities.  That veneer is a mix that rises to 3/8" to 1/2" thickness.  It effectively closes off most all air infiltration.  Then he wet blows the walls, shearing everything off flush with a tool that sort of looks like a reel-type lawnmower.

   Using hi-rise foam, I have him do the rim joists, and any critical areas of roof, such as if I have any tight heel conditions.  Then he blows the ceilings below roofs (atop the sheetrock) with 18 inches (minimum) of dry cellulose fluff.

   I hate air infiltration!  It is your biggest thief when it comes to winter heating efficiency and comfort.  We run around with caulk guns and seal every possible place we can around framing and exterior sheathing.  We use the small-tip urethane foam guns to seal around between frame and rough opening frames of all exterior windows and doors.  We use the same foam gun to seal the wiring openings on the back sides of all electrical boxes in exterior walls, and to seal any plumbing and ventilation penetrations.

   I have done whole house insulation using nothing but urethane foam, but it is more expensive than this "hybrid" method we have adopted.

   Where I am, the foamers charge about 65 cents per board foot, for in-place material.

1. 
   Sphere | Feb 14, 2005 12:10am | #8

   That's a good price..here in KY, a job I just roofed, was foamed @ 1.00 a BF...I am seriously considering having as much as I can, done here in the shack. There are many placeswhere I can't use ANY insulation, ( the exposed logs for instance) but many places where I can make up for it.I wish the price would just be a bit more to my budget.I like that hybred idea...I gotta do som figgurin now..thanks for the info. 

   Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks

   Restoring, Remodeling, Reclaiming The Quality..

1. 
   DustinThomps | Feb 16, 2005 05:49am | #9

   Thanks for the responses, everybody!  Still thinking about what to do, still seriously considering the spray foam, whether icynene or not.  If anyone comes up with any more info let me know.

   Dustin