DIY Spray Foam Insulation

ctny yankee · Jul 28, 2011

I looked at the DIY kind and decided it was too iffy. Also heard horror stories about it not setting up, resulting in a gooey mess. I am rehabbing an 1840's timber frame farm house and the spray in foam seemed to provide alot of benefits, like sealing up the multiple-inch wide cracks between the wide pine sheathing, etc. Also the studs are not on standard spacings, so trying to fit batting would have been a nightmare. Went with a contractor. I found it costs about $1.00/board foot. I put 3 inches everywhere, walls and roof, which is about r-21. Estimates ranged from $7000 to $21000 (depending on what they did andhow thick). It is a two story house that is 25 x 40.

I had to fur out the studs which were only 3inches to give them some leeway. The thickness is not that accurate and they put it one in layers sort of. Then they cut off excess with a saw after it sets.

It does tend to leave a mist of foam everywhere, so if you don't want it on the floors and everything, make sure you cover them.

They did it in about 2 days.

Sledgie · Jul 28, 2011

I did my 57x64 Lester building (5/12 trusses on 8 ft centers, 10 ft. sidewalls) with diy soythane, the 2 part cartridge system. I was getting quotes of 16 to 20000 from the pros for 2", so decided to spend about 10k and do it myself. The main thing I found out is don't try it without a supplied air respirator and tyvek suit. It is a hot, nasty job and I earned every cent of the money I saved. I am glad to have the foam insulation but I think maybe a better way to go is to fit rigid foam sheets in between the studs and use great stuff foam around the edges. My next project will be made with Sips panels, so will be interesting to see how that compares.

forgeblast · Jul 29, 2011

Just recieved my kits. Nice thing is that both components have a temp strip on there that lets you know when you hit the right temp for spraying.
I plan on waiting for a bit before spraying, because once opened it has a 30 day shelflife, unopened 13 months. I want to do all the sills, and iif left over parts of the attic. I know the attic is two warm atm to spray.
Directions are very streight forward, spray a test area to check on color and set up of the foam so you dont waste it, and depending on color and what its doing there is a trouble shooing guide.

MotorSeven · Jul 29, 2011

Like the otheres here I found it was the same price to have it done as it was to buy the kits. After watching them spray my Quonset I am darn glad I didn't DIY.

Danno1 · Jul 29, 2011

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Ya, I did the ceiling of a 11x20 room a few years back!

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buckeyefarmer · Jul 29, 2011

sawduster98 said:
I usually make a mess just using a can of Great Stuff. :ashamed: I'll check out Fine Homebuilding to see what they say. Thanks for the heads-up.

I'm with you on that one. :laughing:

crbr · Jul 29, 2011

Interesting prices.

Kyle241 · Jul 30, 2011

I bought and applied the Tiger Foam solution on a very small part of my house that is 99% SIPs. While the concept is nice, it is difficult to get the right temperature and make sure it's well mixed as it's two tanks with different chemicals inside and they mix at the nozzle. It is also very messy so if you're planning on doing a complete garage, I would encourage you to get a few estimates first and look at other possible insulation alternatives. I have also sprayed wet cellulose and it was not as difficult as the spray foam. Personally I would not do it again myself (the spray foam). I'm planning on cellulose for my garage sprayed into the walls.

sawduster98 · Aug 1, 2011

Thanks for all the replies! A lot of good points were brought up that I hadn't thought about. I contacted an insulation contractor who handles many types so we'll be discussing it this week. I like the ideas of the foam board and also blown-in cellulose. Unfortunately it'll all come down to $$$.