I've seen people on the Holmes on Homes tv show on TLC use a blue spray on foam insulation that looks like Great Stuff. Someone in my town is a dealer for something called Icynene. Is that the same thing that they're using on TV? What is the cost of that compared to standard fiberglass insulation? What is the R value? Has anyone worked with this? Thanks.

Pat

ChihuahuaMomma

Insta-Insulation

Is that the stuff that you are talking about?

amricca

The 2 you mention are similar, spray applied insulation is better than batt insulation because it fills the cavity expanding rapidly sealing everything and completely eliminating voids and channels for air movement within the walls. Fiberglass insulation must be cut and fitted where obstacles exist and seals to nothing, it just sits in the wall cavity providing maximum performance only through the center of the batt, leaking air around it and through it. The R value depands on how thick they apply it.

JohnsPop

I do believe that is it ChihuahuaMomma. :-) Does anyone know how the cost of this compares to fiberglass insulation? The BASF web page says that you "may not need a vapor barrier under certain conditions"..... How do I know if my installer is performing under "certain conditions"? Thanks.

Pat

amricca

The spray applied is more expensive, but worth it. Some manufacturers say no vapor barrier is required, but your building inspector may tell you differently.

JohnsPop

Yeah, I guess only my local installer can tell me that. As I'm reading more about the Icynene and the Walltite I see that there is an "open cell" and a "closed cell".... <sigh> And you know if you go ahead and call your local installer, whatever they're spraying is the best. I wonder how long it'll be before they're saying this stuff causes cancer. :-)

amricca

Read this, open vs closed cell. i believe you would want closed cell.

Open Vs Closed Cell Foam Insulation : Polyurethane Vs Icynene : Spray & Green Insulation : Envirofoaminsulation.com