Spray Foam Insulation Hype vs Reality | Build Show Podcast Ep. 225

Comments · 95

• FU

  @functionalvanconversion4284 · 4 days ago

  Thanks for the thoughts.

• FL

  @FloriDUH_JBot · 2 months ago (edited)

  Air is an invisible gas. Blower door test, take zonal pressures and confirm that the assembly is truly sealed when you are done installing. The system will work great. Especially in SW FL, where dew points can be 75 to 80F at times. Get that ductwork inside the thermal boundary! Spray foam isn't the perfect system, but it is best system we currently have that is reasonable from a cost-perspective to install.

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• JA

  @jackjmaheriii · 2 months ago

  If Dow had tighter controls on installers, the only discussion we’d be having is about remodeling challenges.

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• AN

  @animenhearhear · 1 month ago

  I live in the Northeast and I was thinking to go with closed cell. Dang! I'm hoping to hear some good news. Let's get the skinny

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• US

  @user-pn8ke3kf5f · 1 month ago

  "Documented long-term complaint cases trace back almost entirely to installation error". That's the real issue. There are so many garbage companies out there and your average homeowner has no clue when most of the work is being done incorrectly. The more I deal with trades as a homeowner, the more I value products that are so insanely simple that a 5 year old couldn't mess them up.

• SE

  @Seektruth-and-Bkind · 2 months ago

  I love it when it’s needed and used/installed correctly.

• NE

  @NeedsMoreToys · 2 months ago

  Great topic.  You treated it fairly.  My interpretation from you is each has their sweet spots and hybrid solutions are really the best way to consider what to use.  Totally agree with that, especially the cold climates.  There is no substitute for build quality that focuses on water intrusion, vapor and air so that whatever insulation you choose is optimized.  That attention to detail is where most building envelopes fail, so don't expect your insulation to solve that alone.  Fear that forces rejection of a great solution just because you heard a bad story is poor way to make a decision.  I find that asking a home builder how they insulate and protect the building envelope from air/vapor intrusion is a great way to pick a builder but the buyer has to know their stuff.  I recommend picking a builder who has a target for air changes per hour and will measure it and remediate it before the drywall goes up.  That should get you the right builder.

• JT

  @jtmg11 · 2 months ago

  Such an amazing product when installed correctly

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• ER

  @ericvilla6286 · 1 month ago

  Great show and information

• ST

  @steelamerica4234 · 2 months ago

  The problem with closed cell is it mask leak problems in your roof especially with a shingle roof.

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• AG

  @agoogleuser1594 · 2 months ago

  The other failure mode seems to be cracking and then your vapor barrier is gone. That probably depends more on  the rigidity of the framing.

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• KE

  @kennethharman2779 · 2 months ago

  My biggest complaint in my house, where spray foam was the best solution, cape cod style story and a half, is the sound transfer can be really loud during heavy rains on the roof