I am looking for the correct name for the many, many square feet of insulation I got free from Craigslist. The rigid foam sheets (in various sizes but generally 5'x5' or so) are 2" thick, faced on one side with foil and on the other with a white vinyl. The foam itself comes off very easily and breaks up into fine, yellowish grains.
Can anyone give me more information on this stuff?
I can try and take a picture and post if needed.
Thanks,
mt
Here's a link to foam types that might help. Photo would likely help anyone here too.
http://www.energysavers.gov/your_home/insulation_airsealing/index.cfm/mytopic=11620 (http://www.energysavers.gov/your_home/insulation_airsealing/index.cfm/mytopic=11620)
There should be a manufacturer's marking/label somewhere on the sheets---you could also compare it to rigid foam at your local builder supply houses---or take a sample to your local insulation contractors and ask them what it is.
I cannot find a manufacturer's label. If unsuccessful here, I will take a chunk to an insulation contractor and see what they say.
Here is a pic:
(https://i257.photobucket.com/albums/hh222/teskeym/fetchUID.jpg)
Sort of looks like the stuff they use to insulate coolers at grocery stores when they are manufactured. But maybe a little lighter weight than they use. That size is a little odd.
I saw this stuff being installed in a flat, industrial ceiling at work, I believe. It is formed with a rabbetted or lapped edge so the pieces can go together without a seam. I am looking to learn what type it is and anything special I should know about how to work with it....
Looks like polyiscyanurate to me, aka polyiso - it's yellow and typically has metal facing. This is typically around the R7-R8/inch.
Thanks for the identification. I was able to Google it and learned more about the properties and proper application.
Good find Mike. That insulation is similar to what I got free off craigslist, but mine was mostly in 4x8 and 4x4 sheets in various thicknesses.
David is probably correct on the ID; that's what mine is. Good stuff.
Just remember that if you want to take advantage of the foil facing, there must be an air space between the foil and whatever else is used in the installation.
I was able to get enough of the stuff that I was able to use it on my basement here at home, and I have more than enough to do my basement walls at the beach plus as additional sound insulation on my interior walls between the bedrooms and the bathrooms PLUS enough for my storage room, crawl spaces and on top of the joists in my attic space above my kitchen. That identification really helped me find out how best to deal with the stuff. I checked out the new sheets at Home Depot and a 4x8 sheet runs $25 or more for the thickness I have.
Feeling good....headin to bed....
Thanks all.
mt
Being quasi-solid I don't think polyiso will perform as well as fiberglass bats/rolls for sound insulating purposes since you are attempting to dampen/prevent vibrations being transmitted through the walls.
We'll see how it performs as an additional sound barrier. I will also have padding around the pipes and some light batting in the walls as well....the price was right.
mt