Attic Foam Spray V Reflective Insulation
Radiant barrier sheathing is inexpensive and reflects thermal radiation to keep attic spaces cool.
Attic foam spray v reflective insulation. The unvented attic space is considered the most effective and up to date building practice particularly by the spray foam industry. Spray polyurethane foam is a chemical product that is created by two materials isocyanate and polyol resin that will react with each other when they are mixed and will expand up to 30 to 60 times its liquid volume as it is sprayed in place. Loose fill or batt the common term for blanket insulation. Earlier this year i got a question about a home that had spray foam insulation in the attic.
The big disadvantage with spray foam is cost. This alternative to traditional building insulation fiberglass can be applied into wall cavities holes concrete slabs and even onto roof tiles and. The difference between reflective paint and radiant barrier foil let s get some facts straight. Foam insulation rigid boards are 4 x8 sheets usually cast of closed cell polystyrene designed to fit directly inside walls against the interior or exterior of plywood sheathing as well as on top of sub floors.
It s generally 3 to 4 times what you ll pay for blown cellulose or fiberglass. Attics with spray foam insulation are so cool. When you insulate the top of your attic with spray foam you re bringing your attic into your home s envelope as a result you can reduce the temperature in your attic by a lot anywhere from 120 degrees to around 95 during peak summer. A lot of builders and homeowners are going with spray foam insulation because of the airtightness benefits but then the questioner mentioned that the spray foam contractor had intentionally left big holes to the outside by not sealing the gable vents.
Hire a pro to install spray foam insulation. Foam blocks airflow needs no vapor barrier and has a higher r value per inch than loose fill or batts so you ll get more protection with less depth. Foam insulation most commonly comes in two forms. If you don t have hvac and ducts in the attic spray foam on the roofline isn t really necessary.
For diy attic insulation you ve got two choices. Reflective roof insulation vs. Between the immediate costs of insulating a roof and the potential energy savings the kind of roof insulation you choose can make a major. We mean that literally by the way.
Unvented attics sometimes called sealed enclosed or encapsulated attics feature insulation on the underside of the roof decking rather than on the attic floor. Spray foam offers insulation and provides some sound proofing from outside noise. The term radiant barrier is supposed to describe products that reflect over 90 of radiant energy read more atticfoil vs. With spray foam unlike with loose.
I d blow insulation on the attic floor after air sealing of course.