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how thick should closed cell insulation be

by Myrtice Crooks II Published 2 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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Closed cell spray foam should be 4- to 5- inches on the ceiling and 2- to 3-inches in the walls. This might come as a surprise to you, but honestly, this is all the spray foam it takes to get the biggest bang for your buck with the air seal and thermal resistance needed for certain areas of the home.May 6, 2019

Full Answer

How thick does spray foam insulation need to be?

How Thick Does Spray Foam Insulation Need to Be? The thickness of spray foam really depends on where it’s being applied and what you’re trying to accomplish. Now generically speaking, we usually recommend open cell spray foam to be 6- to 10-inches on a roof deck or ceiling and 3-inches in the walls.

What is the maximum thickness of closed cell foam?

The specifications for a closed-cell foam from BASF, Comfort Foam 158, advise installers, “Comfort Foam 158 is designed for an application rate of ½ inch minimum to 2 inches maximum. Once installed material has cooled it is possible to add additional appli-cations in order to increase the overall installed thickness of SPF.

What is the R-value of closed cell spray foam?

The R-value of closed cell spray foam ranges from 5.0 to 7.0 per inch, although the R-value can be different depending on the product. Closed cell spray foam is denser than open cell spray foam and is often used in areas like basement box sills where it helps prevent moisture from entering the home.

How much closed cell foam do I need on my roof?

We have had homeowners in the past request 10- to 12-inches of closed cell on their roof deck. The idea is that the more foam, the higher the R-Value, but that’s not how that works either. R-Value does matter, however thermal resistance is what R-Value measures.

What is spray foam insulation?

Is spray foam good for a roof?

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How thick can closed cell spray foam be applied?

The ASTM E84 tests for most spray polyurethane foams limit the maximum installed thickness of foams to 4 inches or less. The ASTM E84 tests for some SPF products limit installations to a maximum of only 2 inches.

What is the R-value of 2 inches of closed cell foam?

R-Value In 2 Inches Of Spray Foam The R-value ranges from R-3.5 to R-3.6 per inch. The filling of a 2×4 cavity yields about an R-13.

What is the R-value of 5 inches of closed cell spray foam?

The R-value of closed-cell foam is R-6.5-7 per inch.

What is the standard thickness of insulation?

On average, wall insulation thickness will range anywhere from 4 to 6 inches, but it will depend on your region. This is because most areas will have a recommended R-value of 13 to 16.

Is 2in of spray foam insulation enough?

Closed cell spray foam should be 4- to 5- inches on the ceiling and 2- to 3-inches in the walls. This might come as a surprise to you, but honestly, this is all the spray foam it takes to get the biggest bang for your buck with the air seal and thermal resistance needed for certain areas of the home.

What is the best R-value for 2x4 walls?

R-13Insulation for 2x4 Walls In most wall applications, you will use R-13 or R-15 kraft-faced fiberglass insulation rolls for these two-by-four stud walls. While rated differently, these two types of insulation are close enough in thickness that they can both fit into modern two-by-four wall systems.

What is the thinnest insulation with highest R-value?

Thermablok® AerogelThermablok® Aerogel is a revolutionary advancement in thermal technology offering the thinnest insulation available to prevent thermal and cold bridging. Classed as a Super Insulation, Aerogel has the highest insulation value of any known material with the lowest thermal conductivity value of any solid (0.015W/mK).

Do you need a vapor barrier with spray foam?

A vapour barrier is not necessary with closed-cell foam but with open-cell spray foam such as Icynene®, it is sometimes required. Any air that migrates though a building envelope will carry water vapour. As Icynene® spray foam creates a seamless air-seal, it controls air leakage and the moisture in the air.

What is the R-value of 3.5 inches of spray foam?

about 3.5 per inchThe R-value of open cell spray foam is about 3.5 per inch, although the R-value can be different depending on the product. Open cell spray foam has a low density and is many times applied in interior walls and areas that are hard to reach in a home.

How do you choose thickness of insulation?

Calculation of Insulation Thickness for PipesN : Length of Pipe.Tp : Operating temperature of fluid inside pipe.Ti : Maximum temperature allowed on the outside surface of insulation. Typically 50°C.Rp : Radius of Pipe.Ri : Radius of Insulation.k : Thermal conductivity of insulating material.

How thick should my wall insulation be?

It should normally be at least 60mm thick, and can be up to 100mmm. The actual thickness required will depend on the material used - Insulation boards are fixed straight onto the wall using continuous ribbons of plaster or adhesive.

What is the minimum thickness for roof insulation?

The minimum recommended thickness of loft insulation has differed greatly over the years. In the 1980s, it was quite standard to install any thickness from 25 to 50 mm. Then, building regulations stated that homes should have as much as 100 mm of loft insulation.

What is the thickness of R20 insulation?

5.5"More videos on YouTubeLength93"R-valueR20sq-ft-pack77.5Thickness5.5"BrandOwens Corning4 more rows

What R-value of insulation do I need?

Depending on where you live and the part of your home you're insulating (walls, crawlspace, attic, etc.), you'll need a different R-Value. Typical recommendations for exterior walls are R-13 to R-23, while R-30, R-38 and R-49 are common for ceilings and attic spaces.

What is the thickness of R13 insulation?

R13 fiberglass batt insulation, typically used in walls and floors, is 3 5/8 inches thick, according to Energy.gov. Insulation needs and the effectiveness of the insulation vary depending on climate and material.

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. Easy Installation R-30C EcoTouch® Thermal Batt insulation is easy to handle and install.

Closed-cell foam thickness vs. R-value - GreenBuildingAdvisor

We are in the Asheville area in the mountains of Western North Carolina (Zone 4A) where I am renovating a small 300 sq ft shed roofed cottage. I intend to use closed cell foam in the roof, walls, and floor. I want a well insulated tight envelope as we are going to try to heat with an electric space heater. I have now had two different contractors recommending only 3" of foam in the roof (R-18 ...

Maximum Thickness Restrictions For Spray Foam

ing, we would calculate an R-value of approximately 6 per inch, so we would need 6.3 inches of foam.” Unfortunately, however, BASF specifications note that

How Thick Can Foam Be Installed Beneath a Roof Deck?

This week’s Q&A Spotlight begins with a confused architect. Like many other architects and builders, John Brooks had become accustomed to seeing spray-in polyurethane foam that completed encapsulated the rafters when sprayed on the underside of roof decks. He’d seen Building America projects that included foam at this thickness, and points to numerous projects at GreenBuildingAdvisor where ...

How many inches of closed cell foam should I use?

Closed cell spray foam should be 4- to 5- inches on the ceiling and 2- to 3-inches in the walls. This might come as a surprise to you, but honestly, this is all the spray foam it takes to get the biggest bang for your buck with the air seal and thermal resistance needed for certain areas of the home.

How much foam insulation do I need for an air seal?

You might be thinking more is better, or you may be considering a hybrid like flash and batt that only requires 1- to 2-inches of closed cell spray foam accompanied by fiberglass batts.

How thick should spray foam be?

Now generically speaking, we usually recommend open cell spray foam to be 6- to 10-inches on a roof deck or ceiling and 3-inches in the walls.

Thickness of Closed Cell Foam

Building a home in NE Georgia which according to Building Science we are in the "mixed humid climate". I have two insulation contractors saying I only need 2" of closed cell foam in the walls and 2.5" in the unvented attic. This gives an R-value of 13 and 16.25 respectively using 6.5 R value per inch.

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As you can see from the chart below, foam greater than 2 - 3" thick isnÂt cost effective considering the minimal heat loss and the high cost of foam.

What is the R value of spray foam?

The R-value of open cell spray foam is about 3.5 per inch, although the R-value can be different depending on the product. Open cell spray foam has a low density and is many times applied in interior walls and areas that are hard to reach in a home.

Is spray foam thicker than open cell?

Closed cell spray foam is denser than open cell spray foam and is often used in areas like basement box sills where it helps prevent moisture from entering the home. So, to answer the question “How thick should spray foam insulation be?” the answer depends on certain factors.

Why Should I Seal My Home With Spray Foam Insulation?

Air sealing is essential to keeping the air in your home as comfortable as possible. You want to protect your family from the cold winter breeze and the hot summer temperature. However, there are three more important reasons to use spray foam:

Two Main Types Of Spray Foam

The two main types of spray foam may look similar but have different properties and end-uses.

How Thick Does Spray Foam Need To Be?

As mentioned earlier, the thickness depends on where the foam is applied and what you want to achieve.

Contact Ascend Construction For All Of Your Insulation Needs

If you are interested in learning how to reduce your energy costs and improve your comfort levels, give Ascend Construction a call today. Our team of energy experts specializes in energy audits, insulation, whole-house fans, and more. We can provide you with practical solutions to address the problem areas in your home.

How much does closed cell foam insulation cost?

Closed cell foam insulation cost $1.00 to $2.00 per board foot vs $.44 to $.65 for open-cell foam insulation. However, costs may vary depending on how you wish to apply it.

How much does fiberglass insulation cost?

In general, this insulation works by trapping air within it. Thus, it helps to regulate air temperature. The cost per square foot of this insulation is $.64 to $1.19.

What are the different types of foam insulation?

There are two types of foam insulation: open-cell insulation and closed-cell insulation . Of course, these two types of foam possess different levels of density, resulting in different R-values. Additionally, higher R-values correspond to higher density levels, indicating higher heat resistance.

What is the most common form of insulation?

Spray foam, fiberglass, and cellulose are probably the most common forms of insulation. With this in mind, before you decide to install one of them, consider the benefits of each of these. Spray foam is more complicated to install than fiberglass-batt, which can be purchased and placed with ease.

What to wear when applying closed cell foam?

Safety is critical when applying closed-cell foam; remember these precautions: Wear disposable coveralls with a hood and gloves taped to your overalls. Also, use safety goggles that protect the eyes from air bourne particles. Significantly, be sure no skin is exposed.

Can you spray foam insulation on damp surfaces?

Do not spray wet surfaces. You should never spray foam insulation on a damp surface. Chiefly, because if you do, the insulation will not stick. The moisture level needs to be low, so you might want to check the moisture level with a meter. Cover any surfaces you wish to protect.

Is spray foam insulation fire risky?

Notably, spray foam installation involves a high risk of fire. Therefore, installing it yourself involves significant risk. However, if you intend to use a foam spray insulation kit, carefully follow the instructions. Additionally, there are some essential things to remember: Do not spray wet surfaces.

What is spray foam insulation?

Spray foam insulation is a great way to save on energy costs and increase your profits while showing social responsibility. Learn More. Agricultural Insulation. Spray foam in excellent if you need a temperature-controlled area. Whether for crops, livestock or stables, it is the perfect solution. Learn More.

Is spray foam good for a roof?

Spray foam in excellent if you need a temperature-controlled area. Whether for crops, livestock or stables, it is the perfect solution. Learn More. Roofing Insulation. A quarter of building heat is lost through the roof, an area which can also easily breed damp.

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1.Closed Cell Insulation Thickness - Premier Spray Foam

Url:https://premiersprayfoamco.com/closed-cell-insulation-thickness/

17 hours ago  · The insulation in your attic should be at least 12″ thick. The thicker the better. It is not uncommon to see 15″ to 20″ of insulation in a well insulated attic. If your attic insulation is …

2.Videos of How Thick Should Closed Cell Insulation Be

Url:/videos/search?q=how+thick+should+closed+cell+insulation+be&qpvt=how+thick+should+closed+cell+insulation+be&FORM=VDRE

23 hours ago  · How Thick Does Spray Foam Insulation Need to Be? The thickness of spray foam really depends on where it’s being applied and what you’re trying to accomplish. Now …

3.How Thick Does Spray Foam Insulation Need to Be?

Url:https://www.retrofoamofmichigan.com/blog/spray-foam-insulation-thickness-requirement

31 hours ago I have two insulation contractors saying I only need 2" of closed cell foam in the walls and 2.5" in the unvented attic. This gives an R-value of 13 and 16.25 respectively using 6.5 R value per …

4.Thickness of Closed Cell Foam - Houzz

Url:https://www.houzz.com/discussions/2344430/thickness-of-closed-cell-foam

13 hours ago  · For Closed-cell Spray Foam: Roof deck or ceiling: 4-5 inches thick Walls: 2-3 inches thick

5.Check Out How Thick Should Spray Foam Insulation

Url:https://www.southlandinsulators.com/2019/10/how-thick-should-spray-foam-insulation.html

36 hours ago We are ready to insulate the walls and are going to use closed cell spray foam. I've had two different contractors come out and recommend different thicknesses for the foam. One said I …

6.Spray Foam Insulation Thickness: Get More Value For …

Url:https://www.ascendconstruction.net/spray-foam-insulation-thickness/

27 hours ago  · While it’s advised that the thickness of your insulation should be around 10 inches, the right size can vary based on several factors. Notably, your insulation needs to provide a …

7.insulation - What thickness of closed cell spray foam …

Url:https://diy.stackexchange.com/questions/9864/what-thickness-of-closed-cell-spray-foam-should-i-use-on-my-basement-walls

8 hours ago Insulstar has an R-value of 5.77 per inch, so the maximum thickness of 2 inches yields an R-value of about 11.5. The specifications for a closed-cell foam from BASF, Comfort Foam 158, advise …

8.How Much to Spray a 30x50 Metal Building with Closed …

Url:https://upgradedhome.com/spraying-30x50-metal-building-with-closed-cell-foam-cost/

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9.Maximum Thickness Restrictions For Spray Foam

Url:https://insulationinstitute.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/RP067.pdf

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