Spray foam - questions

eepete · Jan 27, 2011

We used Sealection 500, a product very similar to Icynene on our house. We also had a quote for fiberglass batt insulation. The foam was 50% more than the fiberglass. Worked out great. We have a metal roof on the house, so the entire attic is conditioned space.

When I did my tractor garage, I insulated with an average of 3.5 inches of Sealection 500 foam. The garage was built with the 1/4" bubble foil on the ceiling, so the foam could be sprayed directly on that. I put in plastic up against the metal on the side. I did that so that any water trapped in the foam would not rust the metal, and also so I could replace the metal without having to re-do the foam (because it would stick to the metal and pull out if you wanted to replace the metal sides).

Thread on the garage:

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/projects/170259-my-30-x-40-tractor.html

If you just browse through it, you see the section on the foam insulation.

Pete

Diamondpilot · Jan 27, 2011

I agree, get the leaks fixed first. You do not want the foam getting saturated with water.

As for cost its expensive. I looked at getting my shop done a few years back, 20x20, and it was going to be something like $800. I did it myself with regular insulation then put up OSB for $500.

Chris

crbr · Jan 30, 2011

Johno Geo said:
I like Eddie Walker comments.....
What would guess the price of : "Icynene" ? Manufacturer of Icyneneｮ Spray Foam Insulation - A Green Building Product - Corporate Background

I have this in the hosue that I currently live. An excellent product.

Alan L. · Jan 30, 2011

I also have Sealection 500 in my house. Wish I had done the entire attic but only did cathedral ceilings and all the walls. This is excellent stuff. This is the low density product which you do not want to get wet. But they say you should only use this on a roof - not the high density. Seems like the cost was double regular fiberglass batts but it fits the spaces perfectly and will not settle down into the wall or lose its R value over time the way the batts do.

AGGIE00 · Mar 4, 2011

Open cell is half pound low density. We use it primarily in stick frame residential and commercial applications. I would never recommend it to be exposed to a living space or where the elements can get to it. Closed cell insulating foam is 2 pound and higher density. It has twice the r-value per inch and is a moisture and vapor barrier and has fire retarders in it. The only concern you would have with closed cell is that it does not get exposed to uv rays and the applicator understands his substrates and how to prepare them. For example, foam will not adhere to galvanized metal without first applying a galvalume primer.