question for the contractors out there, R11 vs R13 insulation

[fishinpox]

And adds structural value ... It's some pretty cool stuff

[marty f]

Originally Posted by fishinpox

And adds structural value ... It's some pretty cool stuff

as well the new stuff is a fire retardant, Ill spray foam my home AFTER I run all the wiring for this factor, if I happen to have a short HOPFULLY the the foam will keep it from taking off

[fishinpox]

Originally Posted by marty f

as well the new stuff is a fire retardant, Ill spray foam my home AFTER I run all the wiring for this factor, if I happen to have a short HOPFULLY the the foam will keep it from taking off

Isn't it an additional coating you have to apply to make it fire retardant .

Even when using open cell with a roofline that is shot with foam you run risks of mold / house sweating .

I'm not a fan for a sealed attic. Imo wood natural moves / needs to breathe .

[marty f]

Originally Posted by fishinpox

Isn't it an additional coating you have to apply to make it fire retardant .

.

In researching this, for doing it my self, the small do it your self kits, yes, its an additional coating you have to put on. Now the guys that come out to your house with a 20ft trailer and have the entire set up, they can mix it in as it being processed in the trailer. Been trying to figure out a cost effective way I can buy the large 55gal drums of the two main components and all the gear for spraying for this reason as well trying to cut my cost if I do all the work. Cheapest I have found was a complete ready to spray trailer set for 20K. BUT I have 2 quotes to do my house, one was 12K the other 14K.

SO do I buy the RTG trailer set up do all the work my self and then try to sell the unit, or just spend the 12K

[fishinpox]

Originally Posted by marty f

In researching this, for doing it my self, the small do it your self kits, yes, its an additional coating you have to put on. Now the guys that come out to your house with a 20ft trailer and have the entire set up, they can mix it in as it being processed in the trailer. Been trying to figure out a cost effective way I can buy the large 55gal drums of the two main components and all the gear for spraying for this reason as well trying to cut my cost if I do all the work. Cheapest I have found was a complete ready to spray trailer set for 20K. BUT I have 2 quotes to do my house, one was 12K the other 14K.

SO do I buy the RTG trailer set up do all the work my self and then try to sell the unit, or just spend the 12K

Pay the man , that is some nasty stuff to work with . There is a lot more to just mixing and spraying . You have to pay attention to the temps of the wall you are applying it to . IF you go the open cell route n fill the wall cavity make sure all of your low voltage is secured tightly because when that foam expands it pushes the wires out and the guy trimming the excess off can easily nick that thin LV wire for alarms , av etc . And you wouldn't know until you try to get it working after you move in

[keakar]

Originally Posted by marty f

Back to K

The EASIEST is going to be just get the rolls, anything ADDITION you add to your current insulation will help be it r11 r13, if your ADDING it to your current, and you can get that R11 for 1/2 price Id go that route, but thats my opinion, just like belly buttons, everyone has one

its a complete gut so its just like new construction, nothing is being "added" because nothing at all is there now

Originally Posted by fishinpox

Pay the man , that is some nasty stuff to work with . There is a lot more to just mixing and spraying . You have to pay attention to the temps of the wall you are applying it to . IF you go the open cell route n fill the wall cavity make sure all of your low voltage is secured tightly because when that foam expands it pushes the wires out and the guy trimming the excess off can easily nick that thin LV wire for alarms , av etc . And you wouldn't know until you try to get it working after you move in

yes, I even heard that stuff sticks to you like tar and sticks to your skin.

there is a lot of good to say in spray foam but there is bad too, I see all the stories of air conditioning and ventilation issues with moisture and mold problems concerns me a lot.

the way I understand how to properly condition the air in a foam sealed house is, you have to pump in or draw in, outside air and exhaust an equal amount outside, so it exchanges and this is done at a certain rate using a heat exchanger to conserve the condition airs temperature. something like 25% of the air in your house is replaced every hour.

I know that something sealed too tightly can be a very bad thing, so I would like to find a way to get the benefits of foam but not seal the house up so air tight. maybe its better with high r value fiberglass and letting the house be able to breathe better and be better air to breathe. or maybe its better with a combination of both with foam walls and fiberglass matt in the ceilings