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Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 2,082
Campfire Regular
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OP
Campfire Regular
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 2,082 |
Was considering spray foaming my attic. Either closed or open cell.... So... do I do the attic floor and not the roof rafters ? Just the roof rafters and gable ends? Or both ?
My ac air handler unit is in the attic. The foam company said I should do foam on the roof rafters. Said it would help the unit more and keep the home warm. Everything I read is floor! Anyone?
Google says attic floor!
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Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 79,321
Campfire Oracle
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Campfire Oracle
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 79,321 |
I'm no expert,...but common sense tells me that if you keep the heat below the attic floor it won't get the opportunity to go out the roof.
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Joined: Jan 2010
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Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Jan 2010
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Just the floor. Keep a cold roof. You should look at blown in cellulose.
Make sure to baffle between the rafters at the side wall to maintain soffit ventilation.
If you put Taco Bell sauce in your ramen noodles it tastes just like poverty
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Joined: Jan 2012
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Campfire Kahuna
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Campfire Kahuna
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 67,072 |
The squirrels prefer the pink cotton candy. So, they'll be disappointed.
Expect reprisals
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Joined: May 2003
Posts: 5,792
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: May 2003
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I had my whole house done in spray foam. Upon recommendation of my builder, we did open cell on the walls and closed cell on the roof. My electric bills average about $125/month, which in Texas, is exceptional. My builder thinks the low energy consumption is from being air tight as much as from the R value. Could be. We have to crack a window for the wood burning stove to get enough of a draw until it’s good and hot.
John
If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land. 2 Chronicles 7:14
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Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 2,082
Campfire Regular
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OP
Campfire Regular
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 2,082 |
I had my whole house done in spray foam. Upon recommendation of my builder, we did open cell on the walls and closed cell on the roof. My electric bills average about $125/month, which in Texas, is exceptional. My builder thinks the low energy consumption is from being air tight as much as from the R value. Could be. We have to crack a window for the wood burning stove to get enough of a draw until it’s good and hot.
John So you did not do the attic floor?
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Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 32,130
Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 32,130 |
The squirrels prefer the pink cotton candy. So, they'll be disappointed.
Expect reprisals Rodents love spray foam. I’ve opened walls that looked like the rodent version of an ant farm—store food here, defecate and dispose of the dead here, sleep and reproduce here, play and fidget here, expand tunnel network here, here, and here... I loath Icynene. My experience is in the north where we have four extreme and distinct seasons.
If you put Taco Bell sauce in your ramen noodles it tastes just like poverty
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Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 32,130
Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 32,130 |
I had my whole house done in spray foam. Upon recommendation of my builder, we did open cell on the walls and closed cell on the roof. My electric bills average about $125/month, which in Texas, is exceptional. My builder thinks the low energy consumption is from being air tight as much as from the R value. Could be. We have to crack a window for the wood burning stove to get enough of a draw until it’s good and hot.
John So you did not do the attic floor? Google cold roof. You live in the north. What they do in TX has limited relevance.
If you put Taco Bell sauce in your ramen noodles it tastes just like poverty
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Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 67,072
Campfire Kahuna
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Campfire Kahuna
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 67,072 |
Subterranean Termites love spray foam, in crawspaces in the southeast.
They get behind it and come right up.
I used to cancel control warranties when people sprayed that chit on their foundations.
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Joined: Jan 2012
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Campfire Kahuna
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Campfire Kahuna
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 67,072 |
The ones that really stumped me were the ones sprayed that liquid paper pulp soul crap. Mmmm, termite candy.
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Joined: May 2003
Posts: 31,252
Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 31,252 |
We super insulated the whole house. First, we installed a silver/Mylar infrared reflective film on the rafters. Then, we added to the blown-in insulation. Also added a solar-powered attic fan. Finally, we installed water-based non-expanding foam between the outer brick walls and the inner sheet rock in addition to the original insulation there.
HUGE difference. In the summer, when it hits 100° degrees, the A/C unit doesn't even kick on until late afternoon. The reflective film keeps hot air from accumulating in the attic - it doesn't get above ambient temp up there, even in summer. The foamed walls keep the heat from the bricks from radiating inside, and make the house both airtight and almost soundproof. A west-facing interior wall that always got hot to the touch now stays cool.
We could not be happier.
Cleverly disguised as a responsible adult.
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Joined: Jan 2012
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Campfire Kahuna
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Campfire Kahuna
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 67,072 |
Kingston I've never seen the foam in the attics
See it walls down here and foundation.
Most still go with batts in the ceiling joists.
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Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 32,130
Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 32,130 |
The ones that really stumped me were the ones sprayed that liquid paper pulp soul crap. Mmmm, termite candy. Borate
If you put Taco Bell sauce in your ramen noodles it tastes just like poverty
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Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 32,130
Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 32,130 |
We super insulated the whole house. First, we installed a silver/Mylar infrared reflective film on the rafters. Then, we added to the blown-in insulation. Also added a solar-powered attic fan. Finally, we installed water-based non-expanding foam between the outer brick walls and the inner sheet rock in addition to the original insulation there.
HUGE difference. In the summer, when it hits 100° degrees, the A/C unit doesn't even kick on until late afternoon. The reflective film keeps hot air from accumulating in the attic - it doesn't get above ambient temp up there, even in summer. The foamed walls keep the heat from the bricks from radiating inside, and make the house both airtight and almost soundproof. A west-facing interior wall that always got hot to the touch now stays cool.
We could not be happier. That might work in a dry climate. In one with extreme temperature, and humidity swings, it’ll rot out your roof sheathing. In the Northeast and Midwest you need a cold roof that allows air to circulate around the roof structure. It’s called a cold roof.
If you put Taco Bell sauce in your ramen noodles it tastes just like poverty
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Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 16,139
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 16,139 |
Yup, up here batts between the joists, blown insulation on top, continuous peak roof vents, and vented soffits.
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Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 2,082
Campfire Regular
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OP
Campfire Regular
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 2,082 |
The ones that really stumped me were the ones sprayed that liquid paper pulp soul crap. Mmmm, termite candy. Is that Cellulose insulation???
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Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 60,825
Campfire Kahuna
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Campfire Kahuna
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 60,825 |
I thought attic insulation needed to breathe? Fiberglass rolls, no paper unless you slash the paper.
These premises insured by a Sheltie in Training ,--- and Cooey.o
"May the Good Lord take a likin' to you"
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Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 32,130
Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 32,130 |
The ones that really stumped me were the ones sprayed that liquid paper pulp soul crap. Mmmm, termite candy. Is that Cellulose insulation??? He talking about in a crawl space with ground contact or near ground contact. It would be a misapplication. Poor application and misapplication are common with insulation contractors. They typically have what is some of the least sophisticated labor in the trades. Either way, quality cellulose insulation is treated with borates, which destroys termites ability to digest anything and they die. None of this is an issue in your attic.
If you put Taco Bell sauce in your ramen noodles it tastes just like poverty
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Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 32,130
Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 32,130 |
I thought attic insulation needed to breathe? Fiberglass rolls, no paper unless you slash the paper. Warm air is full of moisture, when warm air hits a cold surface you get condensation. Excess moisture results in mold and fungal activation. Mold and fungal activation lead to health issues and rots wood.
If you put Taco Bell sauce in your ramen noodles it tastes just like poverty
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Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 67,072
Campfire Kahuna
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Campfire Kahuna
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 67,072 |
I've been out of the wood destroying organism biz for about 20 yrs. Seems it was a new thing at the time here then, it might not have been pre treated at that time.
Good to know if it is now.
The crap I remember looked like a mix of glue and a dump truck load of shredded financial reports. Sprayed onto a crawlspace wall. lol
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