Insulation question

Okie_Bob · May 05, 2005, 07:14:20 AM

I finished up all the wiring and plumbing and am now ready to insulate. I have a metal roof with 4:12 pitch screwed to 1"X4"s spaced 36" apart.
Side walls are 10' using 2X4 studs.
I believe I want to use a spray on type insulation that would adhere to the bottom of the metal roof.
I searched the posts and couldn't find anything about the different types of spray-on type insulation but understand there are several different types. I want to know the differences between the types, costs involved, advantages, disadvantages, etc.
I assume I have to hire someone to do this? It will be the only thing I haven't done myself but, guess it's time to take a break and let someone else in on the fun!
As some of you know, I have built a 24 X 50 garage but have built an apartment in one end to live in while I build a new home on the property.
Thanks in advance.
Okie Bob

Okie_Bob · May 05, 2005, 07:19:05 AM

Forgot to mention that you can see a few pictures at www.msnusers\Garagepictures.com in interested.
Thanks again,

May 05, 2005, 08:03:58 AM

Bob I looking for similar information. I wil be trying to research it this morning so if I have the time. If I find out anything I'll let you know.

Robert

rwalter · May 05, 2005, 09:13:02 AM

Bob,

Looks like in my are there are a limited number of contractors offering the polyurethane foam. I was told for R40 for a cathederal ceiling its was going to run around $4.00 per board foot. So I'll probably go with fiberglass batts. Just for your information the contractor I spoke with told me you'll get and R value of 6.7 per inch of foam.

John Raabe · May 05, 2005, 09:18:41 AM

The spray foam system that I know best is Icynene. http://www.icynene.com/- it is a high quality, high-cost insulation and air-sealing product that is installed by certified installers to maintain quality. I expect that in your roof (cathedral I expect) they will put up a baffle under the metal and the skip sheathing to maintain the vented airspace and then blow to that.

Here is another good review of cold climate insulation by an Icynene installer in Canada http://www.xcelco.on.ca/~insulate/.

Another system for blown-in insulation that doesn't use plastic is BIBS http://www.olypen.com/candf/bibs.htm. This system is available and more cost effective where I am. I don't know if you would have installers in your area.

May 05, 2005, 09:46:07 AM

John,

Thanks for the information. I got a call into the two other contractors who do blown in foam inslulaton here in WNY. Looks like there maybe only 3 or 4 that do residential work. The one I spoke to only does the polyurethane, but I know one of the other contractors that I left a message for does do the Icynene foam. I like the way the BIBS insulation is applied but it doesn't look like it provides any more R valus than high density fiberglass batts and there is no one around here installing it as far as I can tell to ask. Thanks again.

Robert

Amanda_931 · May 05, 2005, 09:56:07 AM

If Icynene is still using isocyanates as blowing agents and if anyone in your family had severe lung troubles when exposed to automotive paint fifteen years or so ago be careful with the stuff. A lot of people weren't sensitive to isocyanates.

Apparently isocyanates disperse from the foam pretty quickly, and won't cause a problem after they do. But do some checking.

Other than that, it's one of the greenest, and most efficient insulations known, I'm told.

Mo · May 05, 2005, 01:32:50 PM

Here is a company that a friend told me about.

http://www.fomofoam.com/index.htm

I have been looking into it but can only find information on their web site.

Amanda_931 · May 05, 2005, 09:46:17 PM

Run a search on "Commercial Thermal Solutions."

Not really confidence inspiring. It might either be a bunch of little companies (including http://www.soyfoam.com/ or http://www.beltmedic.com/Contact.htm ) or a scattershot company trying to hide under all the subsidiaries, the way some of the Kirby Vacuum cleaner companies did once when I was looking for a job.

May 06, 2005, 12:15:05 AM

Mo,

Actually that seems pretty pricey to me for a kit. If I calculate it right. I 605ft 1" thickness board foot kit costs $695. At an R value of R7 you would need about 5 inches of thickness or slightly more to reach R38. So lets say 5 kits for easy math calculations. Thats 5 kits x $695 = $3475 for 605 sq ft ~ R38. Then $3475/605 = $5.74 per sq ft.

I got and estimate from a local insulation contractor who will install 6 inches Poly urethane foam insulation at an R value of 40.2 (6.7 R value per inch thickness) for $4.00 per sq ft., and thats installed.

Mo · May 06, 2005, 05:09:09 PM

I was going to use spray under the floor. It seemed messy and expensive to me.
I did have a local company come by he said 1 inch would be enough under the cabin (it is on post/pier) and 2 inches in the walls it would be $2.40 a square foot per inch of thickness which came up to his estimate $5400. But I figured it differently because I would want 5 inches of foam in the walls, he said this was not normal. So I put off insulation for later thought.

John Raabe · May 07, 2005, 06:26:21 PM

I would be suspicious of high R-value claims for foam insulations. The best I've ever heard of is R-8 per inch and that is for fresh black core Thermax. It loses this after the inert gas that is used in the foaming vents out. This and almost all other foam insulation have no more than R-5/inch as an aged tested value.

In most places you would want more than R-5 in the floor or R-10 in the wall.