Asked by: Zhiwen Plumecke
home and garden indoor environmental quality

How do you use rigid insulation?

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Typical uses include:
  1. Exterior continuous insulation: Rigid foam can be used as sheathing—a continuous layer of insulation on wall exteriors attached before the installation of house wrap and siding.
  2. Basements: Indoors, rigid foam is the material of choice on walls where the insulation will be touching masonry.


Also, does rigid foam insulation need to be covered?

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. This wall covering must have a minimum fire rating to protect the insulation from quick combustion during a fire.

Subsequently, question is, can I use rigid foam insulation in walls? Rigid foam board insulation can be used throughout the home, but most often it is found in basement walls. After that, thin furring strips are installed on top of the foam to provide a firm base for the drywall screws and drywall.

Herein, is foam board a good insulator?

Foam board insulation provides good thermal resistance and reduce heat conduction through structural elements, such as wood and steel studs, according to the U.S. DOE.

Do you need a vapor barrier with rigid foam insulation?

5 Answers. Rigid foam insulation is usually a qualified vapor barrier. However, an installation between the studs can pose a challenge. To complete the vapor barrier you would want to foam-seal or tape all the sides where the rigid meets timber, because these gaps will facilitate vapor flow.

Related Question Answers

Na Itzkovitz

Professional

How thick should foam board insulation be?

Foam board insulation is easy to use and is a great DIY way to add some insulation. It comes in standard-size 4×8 sheets, and smaller sizes, in many different thicknesses from 1/4 inch to 2 inches. Some types of thicker foam board insulation are available, but they may need to be special ordered.

Mayumi Sartore

Professional

Can I spray foam insulation myself?

A: Tom Silva replies: Spray foam is great insulation, but it's fairly demanding to apply; the kit instructions have to be followed exactly. In fact, study them before you buy your kit so you know what you're in for. As with spray-foam kits, protect yourself and the floor from the dripping globs of canned foam.

Lohitzune Granja

Explainer

What is the R value of 2 inch foam board?

Choose the right type of rigid foam for your needs
Polyisocyanurate: Known as polyiso for short, polyisocyanurate foam has the highest R-value per inch (R-6.5 to R-6.8) of any rigid insulation. This type of rigid foam usually comes with a reflective foil facing on both sides, so it can also serve as a radiant barrier.

Jeremie Hirschbaum

Explainer

How do you fasten rigid foam insulation?

How to Fasten a Foam Insulation Board to a Wall
  1. Measure the length of the wall you want to insulate and cut foam insulation sheets to size.
  2. Apply a bead of construction adhesive to the part of the studs you will cover with the first sheet of insulation.
  3. Continue applying insulation, using the same methods, until the entire wall is covered.
  4. Things You Will Need.

Ayachi Janshin

Pundit

Which side of insulation board faces out?

Re: Rigid Foam Foil Face In Or Out.
You're right, the foil is intended to reflect radiant heat. If you want to keep heat in, the foil would go to the inside.

Nakisha Seyl

Pundit

How do you insulate a wall from the inside?

Steps
  1. Measure the total area of the walls to be insulated.
  2. Choose fiberglass insulation batting.
  3. Consider “greener” alternatives.
  4. Get other tools necessary to complete the job.
  5. Cut batts to the appropriate height.
  6. Push each batt into the gap between each stud.
  7. Secure the lip of the batting to each stud.

Simran Aniento

Pundit

Can you leave foam board insulation exposed?

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.

Yousaf [email protected]

Pundit

What type of insulation can be left exposed?

Batts: Generally made of fiberglass, insulation batts and rolls are available either with face coverings or without. Brown Kraft paper is a common facing. Fire-retardant foil sometimes is used to cover batts that will be left exposed in unfinished spaces, such as a garage or basement.

Asher Gillenkirch

Pundit

Is rigid foam insulation toxic?

All polystyrene foam insulation used in building insulation is treated with hexabromocyclododecane (HBCD), a persistent, bioaccumulative, and toxic fire retardant. Polystyrene can be recycled to foam insulation and things like planter boxes and toys.

Inar Holt

Teacher

What is the difference between pink and blue foam board?

Both pink and blue foam boards are rigid insulation panels made from extruded polystyrene. The chemical composition, manufacturing process and insulating capability of the two products are similar; the principal difference between them is that they are manufactured by two different companies.

Zeneb Rovere

Teacher

Is foam board insulation mold resistant?

Spray foam insulation has been developed from two composite materials, polyurethane and isocyanate. Closed-cell spray foam insulation is completely waterproof and moisture resistant. In addition, the chemical makeup of the material leaves no food value for bacteria or mold to grow.

Rongjun Younan

Teacher

Is foam board insulation better than fiberglass?

Foam insulation, whether it's in the form of foam board sheets or spray-on insulation, requires a smaller amount of material to achieve the same amount of insulation. A thicker application of fiberglass, however, can prove to be a bit more efficient.

Abdeljalak Alsasua

Reviewer

Does rigid foam insulation reduce noise?

Rigid foam, depending on the product, has an STC between 37 and 55, an NRC of 0.70, and an IIC of 70. It isn't a good sound absorber as much as a reflector or deflector. Sound can still go through it, but some sound doesn't. It works best at preventing noise from entering or leaving a room.

Artemisa Daalmann

Reviewer

Can you put insulation over existing insulation?

According to ENERGY STAR®, you can put new insulation over old insulation, “unless it is wet. The vapor retarder on top of or between layers of insulation can trap moisture. Any existing batt or roll insulation in the attic should have the facing against the attic drywall floor or no facing at all.

Saila Millman

Reviewer

Why is foam board so expensive?

Types of Sheet Foam
It is more durable, less susceptible to moisture, and also more consistent in density. Unfortunately, it is also more expensive. Both materials are extremely good insulators that, because they come in sheets, are much more convenient for the DIY than spray type foam.

Saly Ibarrekolanda

Reviewer

What type of insulation has the highest R value?

R-value (insulation)
  • Vacuum insulated panels have the highest R-value, approximately R-45 (in U.S. units) per inch; aerogel has the next highest R-value (about R-10 to R-30 per inch), followed by polyurethane (PUR) and phenolic foam insulations with R-7 per inch.
  • Straw bales perform at about R-1.5 per inch.

Safouan Ponedelnik

Supporter

Do i need foam board under vinyl siding?

Installing foam insulation under vinyl siding is a wise choice for homeowners who are seeking to protect their homes against moisture infiltration as well as improve energy efficiency. It also serves as an air barrier.

Souraya Larun

Supporter

How thick is r30 insulation?

8¼ ” thick, R-30C EcoTouch® Thermal Batt insulation prevents moisture damage and helps assure long roof life by providing 1" of ventilation air space between the insulation and roof deck.

Mabel Darinsky

Supporter

What is R value of foam board?

Expanded polystyrene foam (EPS) is the cheapest and least used foam board product on the market. This product typically has an R value of 3.6 to 4.0 per inch of thickness.