Foam / Discussions

...foam but you can use it anywhere you would use EPS rigid foam insulation. EPS is typically rated at abou R4 per inch where GPS is typically rated as having R5 insulating value. Here is our page about choosing the best rigid foam insulation where we talk about the charateristics and best applications of different foam p...

We are building a home soon near Aspen Colorado and our contractor has suggested using ICF blocks for the basement construction. We know nothing about the history of ICF construction or whether it's a good idea. Our winters are cold as we are high up and the site is west facing on the basement window side - do ICFs hav...

...foam as well to prevent moisture infiltration. Also notice on that page that we raise the bottom plates of the framed wall by placing it on small blocks of foam, that way if there is ever any minor flooding in the basement it keeps the wood from getting saturated.   

Hello, our house built in 1920 untouched save for a simple kitchen. It's walls are toung and groove pine. No heat no insulation just the wainscotting walls. The interior frame ar 2 by 4's. we wish to live there through the summer from May 1st to October 8th ish. We have to install heat and insulation for the times when...

...foam insulation panels from Legalett that have rails on the interior of the foam so you can attach them with short screws, then attach the strapping to the same rail with more short screws, so you have no thermal bridging. It also comes in a variety of thickeness. Also Cascadia clips is another exterior insulation fast...

...foam panels, we would recommend EPS rigid foam instead of XPS as it is cheaper and less environmentally harmful, read more here about the performance and characteristics of foam panels –  Choosing rigid foam insulation panels, which is best? I assume at least some of the insulation will still be exposed above grade, co...

...foam is that at 2 inches it performs about like a Type II vapor barrier. Read more here about the characteristics and applications of different types of foam insulation, as they are all a bit different and not all great for the same purposes –  Choosing rigid foam insulation panels, which is best? Do you have space lim...

I have an older home in Toronto with plaster lathe walls with no insulation behind them.  I want to insulate the walls but not remove the plaster as it's still in excellent condition.  My house goes right to the property line on two sides and the exterior shell is cedar board/insulbrick covered by vinyl siding.  I woul...

Building a 24 X 50 Post and Beam barn.  Thinking of applying 2 layers of 4 " (8" total) of rigid insulaton, offset seams on top of 1 X 8 sheathing.  Seams of top layer would be taped / sealed.  Layer of Roofing Paper / Water screen followed by 2 X 4's for strapping using 10" RSS type screws through to the sheathing and...

...foam board and vinyl siding installed in the 1980's.  No rot or leakage is visible from the inside.  My question is if I install a poly barrier over the cellulose on the inside under the drywall,  will I then cause vapor to be trapped between the outside vinyl /foam board and poly barrier.  The foil faced foam board is...

I've already contacted Ecohome about a quote for a full turnkey eco-habitate s1600 for where I am here in Nova Scotia. But one concern I have about the Legalett slab is the possibility of insects, especially termites and/or carpenter ants infesting the EPS. Is that a danger? Among the many possible ways to protect agai...

...foam, read more here – Choosing the right Rigid Insulation Panels And yes, I would say running the Rigid insulation from the bottom of the concrete and up covering the above grade stud wall portion is a good idea. 2 is the thickness Where EPS begins to act as a vapor barrier, so depending on your climate zone and ideal...

...Foam Insulation & Styrofoam Sometimes adding XPS or EPS rigid foam to the outside of a house can cause problems since it can trap moisture. That said, it is more of a problem when it is only a thin layer of foam. So I think the idea of putting an additional layer of Rockwool insulation on the outside of the EPS rig...

...foam forms a good idea? To find the most efficient Passive House wall, if your intention is to reduce your carbon footprint, starts with choosing materials with low-embodied energy.  Different insulation materials will have different R values per inch - which affects the energy required to operate a Passive House - but...

Hi I'm wanting to add insulation to the exterior of my home as I am planning to replace siding was considering rockwool comfortboard but this Halo product was sugested by my local supplier. Has anyone work with it. The manufactures claims its better than slice bread but don't they all. Any thoughts would be greatly app...

...foam acts pretty much as a type II residential vapor barrier, but I would put the vapor barrier right against the foam and do the poly on top. And as for finishing the floor afterwards, yes you can, but I’m wondering if you’re in a high-risk area for radon gas, and are you considering a radon barrier? If so, then leavi...

...foam board insulation attached to the stud and seams taped. Then I would set 1/2" drywall on top of the foam and attached with long screws. Does this sound like a good plan? Would anyone suggest against using Polyiso insulation as it does not do good in cold environments? Please let me know your thoughts I think that’s...

...foam insulation in general for basement conversions and which spray foam would be best for environmental reasons to help us make a decent choice. Thanks! Insulating basements with spray foam is not uncommon, and in most cases works very well. A lot people like spray foam as an air barrier, a vapor barrier and for energ...