for Cold Climate Housing and much more

Last Updated: , Created: Thursday, October 14th, 1999

FOAMED-IN-PLACE: POLYMERIC FOAM

Colour: Orange, pink, yellow

Thermal Resistance: High

Cost: It is expensive insulation but cheap caulking.

Capacity to dry out if wet: Fair

Fire Resistance: Poor. Produces toxic fumes

Fungus / Vermin Resistance: Good

Limitations:
-- Expands on application and with age. Do not shoot into a totally closed cavity.
-- Trimming of dry foam often required before replacing wood trim.
-- When filling large cracks, foam should be applied to each side of the crack so that the foam expands to meet foam in the middle. When the foam rises across a wide crack to meet the other side it tends to form a skin and not stick well to the second side.
-- Once opened, the contents of the can must be used because the nozzle will get plugged.

Advantages:
-- The only practical do-it-yourself product that will effectively seal and insulate large cracks, short of installing separate insulation and air vapour barriers.

Note:
-- To use up the leftovers in the bottom of the can, after you have put all you can into the walls, shoot this into a plastic bag, mould it to whatever shape you wish and let it cure. It makes great floating sculptures for the swimming pool!

Applications:
-- Sealing the crack between rough frames and finished frames of windows and doors. Do not attempt to fill the entire space with this material, it will expand and jam the window. Fill most of the space with fiberglass and then cap off the last inch with foam. Leave the wood trim off until it cures.
-- Any other crack too large for caulking, but one that does not move enough to crack the rigid foam.

 


Keywords: R-Value, Types, Insulation

Article 813