Spray Foam insulation

[jdbuckshot]

thinking about having my shop done in spray foam insulation.


can do either closed or open cell foam.

thinking of doing 1-2" of closed cell foam in - between the studs and on the roof deck.

my shop is an old chicken house that I am renovating so its not exactly air tight.

any one had this done before in a shop area? how did it work for you ?

[pondman]

JD,

Call Matthew Avery 601.906.3060. Good guy, had been doing it forever and can talk you through what would be best. He sprayed a barn/cabin for us. We have been very happy.

Pond

[Wildfowler]

Energy insulation has done three metal buildings for us using open cell spray foam and it works wonderfully. One of the buildings has a mini split AC / heat system in it, thermostat setting is 76 in the summer and I promise you it feels like it's 50° when you walk in there right now because it's so dry.

[rowltide]

If you choose open cell on your roof you will have leaks if there are ANY openings..... It's basically a sponge

[Hambone]

Go with Wildfowler's recommendation and look no further. I am not jealous of anyone, but if I was, it would be over their shop.

[Wildfowler]

If you choose open cell on your roof you will have leaks if there are ANY openings..... It's basically a sponge

I'm not trying to be argumentative, but I don't understand what you're saying? Wouldn't you have leaks anyway if there are any openings?

Also, isn't there the risk of closed cell hiding a leak allowing it to persist and cause even greater problems?

Can you please clarify what you were trying to say above?

[rowltide]

If you choose open cell on your roof you will have leaks if there are ANY openings..... It's basically a sponge

I'm not trying to be argumentative, but I don't understand what you're saying? Wouldn't you have leaks anyway if there are any openings?

Also, isn't there the risk of closed cell hiding a leak allowing it to persist and cause even greater problems?

Can you please clarify what you were trying to say above?

I don't think your being argumentative.... Text is text!

Example based on a "full encapsulation": If there was a gap in the roof where a gasket may have rotted or a nail-head/screw popped up...
- Closed cell foam would not absorb the water when presented because it has created a barrier
- Open cell foam would absorb water like a sponge... If it absorbs enough and does not dry out, it will drip!

If you are using the foam insulation strictly for walls that will not have direct contact with the exterior, I don't know the difference. I'm no expert and this is not advice, I'm just repeating what builders, roofers and insulation guys have told me!

One thing I have learned is that houses have negative/inward pressure, which will contribute to the open cell "sucking" up the water.

[Deltaquack]

Energy Insulation did my house and are truly the best i've seen at any type of insulation. I specifically asked a guy that was previously in the window business who was the best he had ran across. He gave me Energy's number. They truly know exactly what they are doing. Like Wildfowler asked......i've never heard of anyone saying used closed cell to prevent leaks. Actually they used open cell under my roof so that we would see if there was ever a leak. You don't want it holding water above and rotting any wood. The insulation itself won't absorb water....it's a petroleum product. There's definitely different uses for each. Call someone like Energy even if you don't use them and you'll see they know what they are talking about. I've never seen anyone caulk EVERY single seam between two pieces of wood......and then seal every window margin before even going forward with insulation.

[rowltide]

Like I said, I'm no spray foam expert so you should leave it to the pros!

The applications I was referring to in my post were metal roofs and the open cell foam was sprayed directly on the underside of the roof where we could see daylight. Turns out the metal roofing company told us never to use open cell foam because it soaks it up like a sponge then drips on the furniture in our warehouse.

HJK

[jdbuckshot]

applying a closed cell foam for waterproofing underneath a roof is a disaster waiting to happen. it would be a band aid.


If I were building a new house I would skip the vapor barrier step in the farming process, and just spray closed cell on all out side walls - It will literally glue the entire house together, as well as make it air tight. then I would install traditional or open cell on inside walls.

Thanks for the contact information - I have been in touch and will be getting something done in a few months.

[rowltide]

If I were building a new house I would skip the vapor barrier step in the farming process, and just spray closed cell on all out side walls - It will literally glue the entire house together, as well as make it air tight. then I would install traditional or open cell on inside walls.

Is this what people in the industry call a "full encapsulation"?

HJK

[Deltaquack]

applying a closed cell foam for waterproofing underneath a roof is a disaster waiting to happen. it would be a band aid.


If I were building a new house I would skip the vapor barrier step in the farming process, and just spray closed cell on all out side walls - It will literally glue the entire house together, as well as make it air tight. then I would install traditional or open cell on inside walls.

Thanks for the contact information - I have been in touch and will be getting something done in a few months.

Do you mean in between the exterior board and brick? That wouldn't work. Vapor barrier is there b/c brick mortar absorbs water and it penetrates thru it.......hence the need for weep holes near ground level for the water to drain out....that and temperature change causing condensation.

[jdbuckshot]

applying a closed cell foam for waterproofing underneath a roof is a disaster waiting to happen. it would be a band aid.


If I were building a new house I would skip the vapor barrier step in the farming process, and just spray closed cell on all out side walls - It will literally glue the entire house together, as well as make it air tight. then I would install traditional or open cell on inside walls.

Thanks for the contact information - I have been in touch and will be getting something done in a few months.

Do you mean in between the exterior board and brick? That wouldn't work. Vapor barrier is there b/c brick mortar absorbs water and it penetrates thru it.......hence the need for weep holes near ground level for the water to drain out....that and temperature change causing condensation.

I'm talking about on the inside of the sheathing - in-between the studs.