Use Foam Sheets Instead Of Fiberglass Insulation

That s not a problem with foam board insulation.

Use foam sheets instead of fiberglass insulation.

In an open cell insulation product like fiberglass the air is trapped inside the fiber. For instance a 5 5 inch wall cavity can be filled with 2 inches of foam and an r 13 fiberglass batt as a cost effective system that seals the walls with an r 25 insulation system exceeding u s. My plan was to install 1 rigid foam board against the backside of the exterior plywood sheathing with all gaps sealed with foam and then r 19 fiberglass batt insulation. The most common insulation materials are fiberglass cellulose and foam.

3 benefits of rigid foam sheathing. It also acts as a good sound barrier because it effectively absorbs sound coming from any direction. Foam insulation sheets are commonly used as an effective insulation material against cold heat and moisture. Plywood has an r value of 1 25 and fiberglass batts have an r value of 3 14.

The correct method of using rigid foam is to run continuous 4 foot by 8 foot sheets of the foam across the concrete basement wall making the rigid foam the de facto wall. Usually this type of insulation is used in areas where space is limited especially in new constructions where space is maximized for office use or commercial use. Some types of thicker foam board insulation are available but they may need to be special ordered. In my upcoming master bath remodel i am considering stripping two exterior walls of drywall in order to make them 2x6 in thickness to allow for additional insulation.

These are panels of rigid foam sold in 4 by 8 foot sheets in a variety of thicknesses from 1 4 to 2 inches it is also sold in large bundled panels joined at the ends accordion style for use as an exterior sheathing material. Foam board insulation is easy to use and is a great diy way to add some insulation. However the fiberglass can be compressed decreasing the size of the air pockets. The type of insulation you need depends on which type is currently installed and the required r value.

It comes in standard size 4 8 sheets and smaller sizes in many different thicknesses from 1 4 inch to 2 inches. Insulation types include loose fill batts rolls foam board spray board and vapor barriers. When installing fiberglass people often compress conventional fiberglass batts which reduces the product s effectiveness. Rigid foam insulation uses one of three materials.