Cover the insulation with a vapor barrier before you install it; all foam boards absorb water vapor. However, most building codes allow the installation of … More effective insulation, better at controlling moisture, and … Required fields are marked *. There are also some scratch coat materials which are troweled over the insulation like a stucco coating. All XPS and EPS foam must by law be covered by a thermal (fire) barrier and if that is all you're putting in there for insulation, then you need furring sticks between the foam and the drywall. Basement walls should be insulated with non-water sensitive insulation that prevents interior air from contacting cold basement surfaces—the concrete structural elements and the rim joist framing. Conventional thinking was that foundations did not need to be insulated since they are primarily below grade and not subjected to the full load of outdoor temperatures. It’s not uncommon for Tampa homes to have exposed fiberglass insulation in the basement or attic. Website Designed With Stu. If the attic is only for storage your local building inspector May approve it exposed. Those are all viable options, but perhaps the most sought after option is to insulate with foam board on the INSIDE of the foundation wall so you don’t have to worry about the above grade exposure. The International Residential Code (IRC) and Internation Building Code (IBC) both include requirements for thermal barriers (and ignition barriers, too; see below).Th… The thinking here is that a fire could be set off by either the equipment or activity of people in the space. Post was not sent - check your email addresses! Adding rigid foam insulation to your crawl space is one of the smartest things you can do to your house. Does Fiberglass Insulation Have to Be Covered in Tampa? It's now rare for local code officials to question exterior foam sheathing. Tyvek is designed for new homes ONLY. Press drywall corner bead over outside corner of wall covered with Styrofoam™Brand Wallmate™Insulation. The problem with that application has always been that the foam board needed to be covered with a “thermal barrier” or “flame spread barrier” like drywall in order to meet local fire codes. The problem with that application has always been that the foam board needed to be covered with a “thermal barrier” or “flame spread barrier” like drywall in order to meet local fire codes. Once the foam board is in place it can be covered with waterproof concrete board or specially treated sheet rock. That's what separates it from the occupied spaces. When adding insulation to concrete applications such as foundations, walls, and slabs, one of the more highly recommended forms is rigid foam insulation. However, code officials and rigid foam manufacturers have made progress since 2005. This includes foam board, spray foam, ICF blocks and any other “foamed plastic” products. © 2014-2020 Great Lakes Home Performance LLC Capstone Communities Announces Cottage-Style Build-to-Rent Homes in Summerville, S.C. Landsea Homes Will Ring Upcoming Nasdaq Closing Bell in Celebration of Going Public, The Surprising Hiring Lessons of a $4 Billion Company. Basement Foam Board Insulation Pros: Some rigid foam products are water-resistant that can help limit moisture buildup and mildew growth. New versions of the code specifically allow the use of foam sheathing to meet energy code requirements. Rigid foam boards used in ceiling insulation are often made of either cellulose fiber, fiberglass, polystyrene, or polyurethanes. If there's a fire in the building, a thermal barrier keeps the combustible spray foam from the flames to increase fire resistance. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. The foam provides a vapor-barrier so the ductwork won’t sweat. The quick answer is: it … Pink, fluffy batts wedged tightly between studs, rafters, and joists insulate the space against exterior temperature changes. BUILDING AMERICA (BA) has been advocating the use of rigid foam sheathing insulation for years as a means to improve the home’s thermal envelope, by increasing R-value while minimizing thermal bridging in wood-framed walls. Your email address will not be published. As far as I know, most types of rigid foam insulation can’t be left exposed, but need to be covered with a layer of drywall for fire resistance. If the foam board is installed properly, the rigid material can create an air barrier. Cover The Spray Foam With Fire-Retardant Spray. Get notified of new posts and changes that affect your home or business. However, most building codes allow the installation of unprotected rigid foam in a crawlspace that has no open connection to a basement, as long as the foam has passed alternative testing procedures. Use an insulation that resists damage from water (not fiberglass or cellulose). Your email address will not be published. Is there a type of rigid foam insulation panel available that can be left exposed? Re-siding an existing home presents an opportunity to upgrade the home’s energy performance. If you put spray foam insulation in a building, it needs a thermal barrier. For example, the wall may be 30 feet long by 7 feet high. These coverings will ensure a good long life for the foam insulation by keeping moisture from its surface. Once foam insulation catches on fire, it burns rapidly. Some types of thicker foam board insulation are available, but they may need to … One advantage to the novice, who has neither the equipment, the tools, nor experience to install foam insulation, is that rigid foam insulation can be installed very simply. 2. Then cover … Insulating the basement or crawlspace walls of a home is a crucial step in lowering energy bills. When in doubt, it always pays to talk to your inspector during the design stage. Rigid foam insulation, whether it is expanded or extruded polystyrene, does have to be covered if it is installed in the interior of a building. 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. Insects. There are other reasons to cover it with drywall, but it may not need to be done at the time of construction. 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Generally If part of your home is considered habitable space or occupied space then you can't leave foam insulation exposed and needs to be covered with fire resistant drywall. Building codes restrict the use of unprotected foam in habitable or accessible spaces. In some cases, there’s an obvious case where only one type is appropriate for the job that you are doing. Since you already have foam insulation in place, however, you will need to find a suitable retrofit product to protect it or remove the above-grade foam (and add interior foundation insulation). Foam board insulation is easy to use and is a great DIY way to add some insulation. Where inspectors draw the line often depends on whether or not there is a mechanical system in the crawlspace. Air traveling in an out will bring moisture with it. Styrofoam™Brand Wallmate Insulation can be installed to the outside or inside edge at corners of interior basement walls. In other cases, though, the best choice is a bit more of a flexible decision. This ONLY applies to DOW foam, not other manufactured brands of foam or insulation products. A 2-inch thick sheet of this rigid foam board insulation provides thermal resistance, or R-value, of R-10. Mineral fiber batts or blankets do curve and may be used in wall cavities including curved surfaces. However, they do not provide the same performance in terms of insulation level per inch, water resistance, or air resistance. Half-inch thick gypsum board is commonly used for that purpose. With spray foam, unlike with loose fill or batts, you must cover the soffit vents (they aren't needed to keep the roof cool). And fyi, people seem to be so unaware of this, but depending on your climate zone you may be required by code to also install a vapor barrier on the warm side of the wall, so check with your local code. Consider 210 square feet to be the entire amount of rigid foam insulation … How to Install Rigid Foam Insulation Between Studs Measure the Project Area . x 4 ft. x 8 ft. R-5 Scored Square Edge Rigid Foam Board Insulation Sheathing FOAMULAR Extruded Polystyrene (XPS) Rigid FOAMULAR Extruded Polystyrene (XPS) Rigid Foam Insulation offers a comprehensive line of products - choose the strength you need, from 15 to 60 PSI and exceptional moisture resistance. Yes, absolutely. When the initial covering is installed then tile or fiberglass medium can be installed to complete your bathroom. FOAMULAR 150 1 in. Some codes say that if your crawlspace is connected to a basement, you need to cover the foam with an ignition barrier like 1/4-inch plywood or particleboard. Rigid foam insulation works for any type of masonry wall: concrete, block, brick, and even stone. A.Corresponding Editor Paul Fisette responds: Not that I know of. This can lead to … Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email. Spray-Foam Spreads Fire Very Fast & Creates Massive Amounts Of Toxic Smoke. For that reason, you will need to use a fire barrier. Also, the smoke that comes from rigid foam is thick and full of toxic gases. It can be installed on the exterior of the foundation walls, but in order to be effective, needs to be installed to the full height of the wall which means protecting the above grade portion. Unfortunately for most homeowners paying high energy bills, that conventional thinking was wrong. Any one of the rigid board insulations will work, but polyioscyanurate has the best R-value (6 to 7 per inch). I plan to install rigid foam insulation in a crawlspace. A curved surface for example would be very difficult if not impossible to cover properly with rigid foam board insulation. Current building codes require foundations to be insulated. The structural elements of below grade walls are cold (concrete is in direct contact with the ground)—especially when insulated on … When properly constructed, it provides a tight, dry, warm, and durable structure. Builder's Business, Performance Professionals, Recommended | 2 comments. Outside (Figure 7) 1. The advantages are multiple: Floors running atop will feel warmer to bare feet in the winter. This type of insulation may be faced with silver foil , with the foil facing inward toward the crawl space. Application without Prescriptive Thermal Barrier: Application without Prescriptive Ignition Barrier, For more information about specifics and installation best practices, consult the. Adding a layer of rigid foam to the walls of any building is somewhat labor intensive. What are the effective system R-values for the THERMAX™ Wall System? We haven’t done our plans for the basement so this article will really help. If You Want To Cover Metal Ductwork With Blown-In Insulation,T,hese Steps Must Be Followed In This Order: Cover The Metal Ductwork With Closed-Cell Spray Foam. The Ontario Building Code requires foam insulation products to be protected with a 15 minute thermal barrier if they are inside the building envelope. Two common methods are to install a product like Nudo Groundbreaker or Protecto Bond. You will likely meet some “resistance” from your local code officials, but DOWNLOAD THE CODE REPORT and look for the sections described below, For more information about specifics and installation best practices, consult the Dow Builder’s Guide to Continuous Insulation. Paul Fisette is a wood technologist and former director of the Building Materials Technology and Management program at the University of Massachussets in Amherst, Mass. Dow Builder’s Guide to Continuous Insulation, Energy Efficiency and the Modern Home Builder’s Business, Renewed and Retroactive Tax Credit for Builders, Michigan Energy Code Update: Part 2 Compliance Paths. Dow Styrofoam and Owens Corning Foamular are two products that pass the burn test and can be left unprotected in an isolated crawlspace. Although insects can tunnel through foam boards, if you read about this as a potential problem, it usually refers to foundation installations. Notify me of follow-up comments by email. Because foam board insulation isn't flexible, it does a poor job filling the gaps and cracks that exist in walls. Once the board is cut to size and fit in place, spray foam seals gaps around the edges. If insulating sheathing is to serve as the drainage plane, all seams must be taped and flashing installed at all penetrations and openings. Do not subtract studs. Different code jurisdictions may have particular code sections that deal with this issue. Allowing interior air (that is usually full of moisture, especially in the humid summer months) to touch cold surfaces will cause condensation and wetting, rather than the desired drying. Maryland & DC Area Rim Joist Insulation Installers. The good folks at Dow have had their material tested and approved for installation on the inside of foundations for certain spaces without the requirement for drywall. Most of the materials used to protect the foam eventually get damaged by lawn mowers, baseballs, or just normal wear and tear at the ground level. Tyvek is NOT designed as a product for older homes. Products provide superior insulating properties; R-value (5- in. It comes in standard-size 4×8 sheets, and smaller sizes, in many different thicknesses from 1/4 inch to 2 inches. One of the preferred products for insulating foundations is Dow XPS extruded polystyrene foam, commonly called “blue board” in the trades. Most local building codes require that rigid foam boards made from polyurethane or polystyrene be covered with a 15-minute fire-rated thermal covering if they are used on the inside of the house. There are a few options home owners and contractors have to conform to this requirement. Measure the entire wall area to figure out the amount of rigid foam to purchase. Those are all viable options, but perhaps the most sought after option is to insulate with foam board on the INSIDE of the foundation wall so you don’t have to worry about the above grade exposure. Insulation Foam Board Problems Rigid Insulation Is Rigid! When installing the foam, use caulk or tape for maximum insulation between the … Rigid polyisocyanurate insulation is foamed from freon gas, a fluorinated hydrocarbon often used as a refrigerant and until the early 1980's, as a propellant in aerosols. [Currently non HFC gases are used for foam insulation production --DF] You can use rigid foam panels or do as Tom Silva does with nearly all houses these days: Hire a pro to install spray foam insulation. It is available in several thicknesses and R-values. As a result, air passes though these areas. We are currently planning on building our first home and we’re making sure that everything is settle first before we start building. What are the benefits of outsulation? A.Corresponding Editor Paul Fisette responds: Not that I know of. We plan on making the basement a 2nd living room and it will really help if it’s properly insulated and won’t moist. Thank you for this very informative article. Serving the Washington, DC metropolitan area, Accurate Insulation is a good company to call when you need to insulate all parts of a new home or need more insulation for your rim joist, basement or crawl space. 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