How to Install Rigid Polyurethane Foam Board Insulation | Home Guides. Ditch the itchy fiberglass in favor of easy- to- use polyurethane foam.
Effective insulation can help you cut heating and cooling costs and keep your home more comfortable all year. While traditional fiberglass batts remain the most common type of home insulation, rigid polyurethane foam offers many advantages, including superior insulating qualities. Insulation's R- value is a measure of its effectiveness, and a single 1- inch sheet of polyurethane foam gives you an R- value of 5. U. S. Department of Energy. This is much higher than the R- value of the same thickness of fiberglass. Installing in Unfinished Walls.
Start by measuring the height and width of the wall cavities between the studs. Cut your polyurethane foam board insulation to fit these measurements. Use a box cutter, or a table saw or circular saw to save time when cutting and installing large quantities. Press each sheet of insulation into the wall cavity so it is held in place via contact with the studs.
Seal around the perimeter of each board using caulk or expanding foam to maximize energy efficiency and ensure the boards will stay in place. Installing on Masonry Walls. Foam insulation can be affixed directly to masonry surfaces like brick, block and concrete. You can apply the material to the exterior of these surfaces before you cover them with siding, or install it on the interior when applicable. It may also be used on unfinished masonry. Cut your polyurethane foam insulation to fit the surface where you plan to install it, then cover the back of the foam with foam construction adhesive.
Installing Rigid Foam insulation board is easy. Watch this Owens Corning video to learn how.
Draw a line of adhesive around the perimeter of the sheet, then make a large X across the center with the adhesive as well. Press the adhesive side of the sheet against the masonry surface and smooth it into place.
- Installing rigid foam on the outside of a house is a great way to double the R. Large sheets of foam. usually plywood or oriented strand board (OSB.
- How to Install Polystyrene Sheets. Molded expanded polystyrene sheets, or beadboard, is a common form of insulation. According to the U.S. Department of Energy these.
If you use multiple sheets side by side, seal the joints between the sheets with expanding foam. Foam Insulation and Fire Safety. While polyurethane foam offers many advantages, it also has one major drawback. This material is highly flammable, and must always be covered by at least a 1/2- inch sheet of drywall for fire safety, even when used in unfinished spaces like the attic or garage. When you use it outdoors, cover the polyurethane foam with siding or some other protective finish. Faced Polyurethane Foam. Polyurethane foam insulation is made up of tiny gas bubbles.
Over time, the gas can leak out, which reduces the effectiveness of the insulation. The U. S. Department of Energy recommends using polyurethane foam that is faced with foil or plastic, because this facing material helps slow down thermal drift and keep gas from escaping. When you use faced insulation indoors, position the faced side of the material so that it faces into the home; when you use it outdoors, the faced side goes on the outside. Your Planting Articles. I want to plant something else. About the Author. Emily Beach works in the commercial construction industry in Maryland.
Is Rigid Foam Insulation or Extruded Polystyrene right for your basement insulation? How do you install it? Come see how I did it and why. Insulating With Foam Sheets; Insulating With Foam Sheets by Robert Korpella. Email; Facebook; Twitter; Pinterest; Reddit. Another type of foam board.
She received her LEED accreditation from the U. S. Green Building Council in 2. Architectural Hardware Consultant certification from the Door and Hardware Institute. She received a bachelor's degree in economics and management from Goucher College in Towson, Maryland. Photo Credits. Jupiterimages/Pixland/Getty Images.