News > Renovation & Design > ASK THE INSPECTOR: Rigid foam insulation needs covering up, By: Ari Marantz
Ken 5 (May, 1911), pp. Keep foam board insulation away from direct sunlight prior to installation; it will degrade its R-value. Cover the insulation with a vapor barrier before you install it; all foam boards absorb water vapor. Questions & answers or comments about exposed foam board building insulation & fire safety requirements. QUIKRETE Foam … We would like to insulate our basement with Styrofoam insulation and are wondering if it has to be covered with drywall or some other material? Here is what NRC says about insulating a heated crawl area on the inside = your case: If the temperature of the air in this cavity drops too low, partially because of the new insulation, it could condense. In the photograph at left, foam insulating board is shown on a garage ceiling below a second floor bedroom - this material should have been covered with fire rated drywall to meet local building code specifications for fire safety. It can … As already noted, a decent thickness of extruded foam insulation may create a pretty good air/vapour barrier, especially when covered with taped and painted drywall. The boards are available in several thicknesses and R-values; 1-inch and 2-inch thicknesses are … This foam board insulation is the rigid pink or blue panels that can be found at home centers in many different thicknesses. 112-116, available by JSTOR. We will not be finishing the basement. To insulate the inside of the above-grade or below-grade walls. That "outside" text includes: It may be possible to install the rigid insulation directly over top of the interior drywall, but that's not the ideal method for one major reason: Because you already have a polyethylene air/vapour barrier installed on the exterior of the existing drywall, your proposal could trap some moisture in this area after finishing your new interior wall. Can 'any' foam board insulation be used in a detached garage ? Thank you Kevin, we agree with the point you make and will be sure it's kept with this page. piping and wiring holes). at INSULATION IDENTIFICATION GUIDEandat FOAM SPRAY INSULATION TYPES. The safe tack is to use a highgraade air/vapor barrier on the inside, keeping it much less permeable than the cold side barrier. by Robert Black, I NEED TO WRAP A ROOM IN STYRAFOAM INSULATION IN ATTIC SHOULD I WRAP THAT IN 5/8 DRYWALL IT IS EXPOSED TO THE OPEN ATTIC, Katy We suggest foil-faced foam insulating board with the joints sealed with foil tape. Mike I'm not aware of a code restriction that prohibits the use of foam board insulation in a detached garage. I am planning to add foam board insulation to the interior walls of my basement (poured concrete foundation). They can be used to insulate everything from the roof to even the foundation of the home. I'm not sure if that will be acceptable to the municipal officials in your area, so check with them to ensure it will meet their criteria. If warm, moist house air penetrates this surface, which it normally will do, it may become trapped in between the new insulation and the original poly sheathing. Roof insulation consisting of UltraShield™ coated glass-fiber mat facer laminated to a closed-cell polyisocyanurate foam core. We also provide a MASTER INDEX to this topic, or you can try the page top or bottom SEARCH BOX as a quick way to find information you need. I am reinsulating a house that has concrete block walls, a stucco exterior, and 3/4-inch foil-backed gypsum board over furring strips on the building interior. Vents should be installed at a ratio of 1 to 500 (vent area to floor area). If the floor above the crawl space is already covered with an impermeable material (e.g. Removing the old drywall and poly before installing the new insulation may be your safest bet. ISOGARD HD Cover Board contains a closed-cell polyiso core that utilizes ISOGARD foam technology, and can provide greater UL fire ratings. The thin foil used on the back of drywall will create a moderate cold-side vapor retarder, but the exact permenance is not published for foil-backed gypsum board. How much ventilation should there be? Rmax R-Matte Plus-3 3/4 in. Apologies for the delay. The previous points will also pertain to the other situation where main-floor walls are being insulated from the interior. There are It will also allow shorter fasteners to be used and no guesswork about stud locations when installing the new insulation and wall coverings. BUILDING CODE DOWNLOADS - free downloadable PDF files of building codes & standards. Therefore, to qualify a building for an occupancy permit, most jurisdictions in North America demand that a thermal barrier, like drywall, cover the foam board. Ken M. @dave If the ground level inside the crawl space is lower than the ground level outside, there is a risk that frost heave can damage the walls by pushing them inward. While there are no UV rays to destroy the foam board’s insulative properties, interior exposure can create a fire hazard. So it would also be a good idea to take measures to keep interior building moisture levels to a moderate level. If so, can this be done with glue that won't break up the foam and that is safe for interior use? Show me some photos. How could homes be designed and built more efficiently? www.nrcan.gc.ca/energy/efficiency/housing/home-improvements/keeping-the-heat-in/basement-insulation/15639 Create corner pieces by rasping the panel edges with a coarse rasp or file. Also on the floor such insulation may be quite fragile, depending on just which product was selected. While damage to the old drywall is possible, it may not occur if the new insulation and drywall are very well sealed at the interior or if the temperature of the old drywall is not allowed to drop to the dew point of the interior air. Mike Spray-Foam … Foam insulation can be affixed directly to masonry surfaces like brick, block and concrete. Rigid Roof Insulation Board: Composed of a closed cell polyisocyanurate foam core bonded in the foaming process to 1/2" thick DuraBoard®, an expanded perlite mineral aggregate board, on one side, … Special adhesives, designed for foam sheathing, should be available at building supply centres and most often are applied with a typical caulking gun. Other wall coverings may be available that will meet the criteria for fire protection but they will likely be more costly and sometimes more difficult to install. Inspect and monitor the crawl space humidity levels and condition every month, at a minimum. Have the coated surface of the panel facing down on a firm surface, and file the foam to form a 45-degree angle. Because this drywall is encased in air/vapour barriers on both sides, it will not easily dry or allow the moisture to escape the cavity. Thanks in advance The top (horizontal) face of the 90 degree angle should be at least 5' wide to extend completely over the 4' of foam, and over the foundation wall (under the sill). If I glued foam insulating board directly over the existing plaster wall finish, would paneling be sufficient covering? What kinds of construction and production techniques worked well and which did not? The solid materials of the floor can serve as the air and vapour barrier, but be sure to locate and seal any air leaks (e.g. I bought an 8" x 16" vent to put into the skirting, but I only bought one for the double wide that I have. ©2015 Winnipeg Free Press. A mold expert told me to put the board … The link to the original Q&A article in PDF form immediately below is preceded by an expanded/updated online version of this article. This wall covering must have a minimum fire rating to protect the insulation from quick combustion during a fire. Foam board insulation … And the text also recommends these Points of general importance for a "partially heated" crawlspace: Batt insulation may be held in place with breathable building wrap stapled to the joists, chicken wire, sheets of polystyrene bead board (Type I or II) or a commercially available insulation-support system. All Rights Reserved. Rigid foam board insulation comes in up to 4-foot by 8-foot sheets to help you rapidly cover expansive walls. Rigid insulation sheathing is made of a rigid plastic foam that is typically sold in 4×8- or 4×10-foot boards. Because this type of insulation is made from plastic, it is combustible and may give off highly toxic fumes when burning. Posted/Updated:
https://inspectapedia.com/insulation/Basement-Crawlspace-Insulation-NRC-Canada.pdf Options abound for covering up above-grade rigid foam insulation, including one that may surprise you By Scott Gibson | November 15, 2010 Keeping the foundation warm: A layer of rigid foam insulation on the outside of a poured foundation is a smart move, but choosing a protective covering for exposed insulation … Insulation Protection. With foam board insulation, as in your January 17, 2016 article, and using a 6 mil ground cover under the home, do you need a separate belly wrap? 1. fire retardant paints that building inspectors may accept as a foam covering for non-occupied spaces such as attics or crawl areas "An Example of Colonial Paneling", Norman Morrison Isham, The Metropolitan Museum of Art Bulletin, Vol. However your local Building Code Compliance inspector has the final legal Authority and she may want you to cover that with fire rated drywall just as you would if the garage or attached to your house. x 4 ft. x 8 ft. R-5 Polyisocyanurate Rigid Foam Insulation Board For wall sheathing applications in new residential, For wall sheathing applications in new residential, … New 1/2-inch drywall is usually called for [and in some installations, fire-rated drywall or thicker drywall may be required for local codes and for certain applications]. Exposed foam board insulation fire hazards: This Q&A article discusses the requirement for a fire-resistant covering for foam and foam-board board building insulation. Note: some building code officials may accept fire-retardant spray paint coatings on spray-foam and possibly solid foam board insulation in some locations. If the crawl space is only used for maintenance/service, doesn't have access to the living space and doesn't share the same air, you can leave foam board exposed as long as it meets certain specifications, NFPA, ASTM, UL. Halo Interra foam board insulation is applied to the foundation wall, and batt insulation is applied afterward. If this happens, it will wet the old drywall sheathing, which can become damaged and mouldy. Halo Interra foam … My wife and I will be replacing much of … which the pink stuff does and there is different rules for the thickness in terms of flame spread and smoke. Fiber cement looks like a good bet, and in fact one North Carolina builder has successfully used cement tile backerboard to protect rigid foam insulation. - Gordon Reed Jr., Kingsford MI. A foam board is usually constructed as insulation panels, which are used to insulate the home. The air tightness at the rim joist area is critical and can be sealed with polyurethane foam. Watch out: depending on whether or not the foil backing on the existing foil-backed gypsum board is perforated or not, the perm rating of that surface could be near zero - that is, very resistant to moisture movement, forming a moisture barrier in the "wrong place". I absolutely agree with all of those points - and note that they leave your crawl space insulation scheme as less than the best recommended practices would suggest. Cover The Spray Foam With Fire-Retardant Spray. 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. The air and vapour barrier must be applied on the warm (top) side of the insulation. Covering the foam board with sheet rock is important to keep the insulation in place, as well as to separate the insulation from the living areas of the home. Where foam insulation is used, ask your building inspector if fire protective coverings are required in your specific crawl space. Let's start with this article MOBILE HOME INSULATION BELLY WRAP at https://inspectapedia.com/Manufactured_Homes/Mobile-Home-Belly-Wrap-Repair.php If using rigid board or spray foam insulation, follow the approach as outlined for the inside of a basement (see Section 6.2, Insulating the basement from the inside). Can I Leave Foam Board Insulation Exposed on Interior Walls? This will create … Smaller and more manageable 2-foot by 8-foot and 4-foot by 4-foot sheets can sometimes be … Drywall, either Standard or Fireguard, is normally used for this purpose because of its low cost and fire-resistant qualities. A lot depends on where the insulation is going according to the codes. The question-and-answer article below paraphrases, quotes-from, updates, and comments an original article from Solar Age Magazine and written by Steven Bliss. Rigid foam insulation has many advantages for use in insulating exterior walls in that it is highly moisture-resistant and will not become mouldy. You can download a free complete PDF of that article at this link: I read in one of your articles when putting up rigid fome to Install two inches of rigid insulation board directly against concrete. Consider installing energy-efficient, self-regulating electric heat trace to protect the plumbing pipes. Since most fire codes call for a minimum of half-hour fire rating over foam insulations, paneling would probably not provide a sufficient fire barrier over the foam insulating board. "Energy Savers: Whole-House Supply Ventilation Systems [copy on file as /interiors/Energy_Savers_Whole-House_Supply_Vent.pdf ] - ", U.S. Department of Energy energysavers.gov/your_home/insulation_airsealing/index.cfm/mytopic=11880?print, "Energy Savers: Whole-House Exhaust Ventilation Systems [copy on file as /interiors/Energy_Savers_Whole-House_Exhaust.pdf ] - ", U.S. Department of Energy energysavers.gov/your_home/insulation_airsealing/index.cfm/mytopic=11870, "Energy Savers: Ventilation [copy on file as /interiors/Energy_Savers_Ventilation.pdf ] - ", U.S. Department of Energy, "Energy Savers: Natural Ventilation [copy on file as /interiors/Energy_Savers_Natural_Ventilation.pdf ] - ", U.S. Department of Energy, "Energy Savers: Energy Recovery Ventilation Systems [copy on file as /interiors/Energy_Savers_Energy_Recovery_Venting.pdf ] - ", U.S. Department of Energy energysavers.gov/your_home/insulation_airsealing/index.cfm/mytopic=11900, "Energy Savers: Detecting Air Leaks [copy on file as /interiors/Energy_Savers_Detect_Air_Leaks.pdf ] - ", U.S. Department of Energy, "Energy Savers: Air Sealing [copy on file as /interiors/Energy_Savers_Air_Sealing_1.pdf ] - ", U.S. Department of Energy. This unit can automatically prevent the crawl space from freezing. I don't want to provoke an un-supported argument between you and your builder, but in my OPINION a best crawl space design would include a continuous moisture barrier over the dirt floor and up the foundation walls to include the rim joist, particularly in Nanaimo where you have a considerable range in temperatures. Space with a vapor barrier before you install it ; all foam boards absorb water.. Published: Oct. 3, 2019, 6:09 p.m. Last updated: Aug. 6 2020. Create … keep foam board insulation in some locations keeping it much less permeable than the side! Lot depends on where the insulation with adhesive, reducing the need for strapping or fasteners monitor the space! Moisture levels to a small heater in the home be found at home centers in many different.. Which did not temperature of the existing interior walls polyisocyanurate foam core an expanded/updated online version of this.! Magazine and written by Steven Bliss that prohibits the use of foam board insulation on. Insulate all ducts and water pipes may freeze if the temperature of the crawl space and the living space methods. The inside of the home during a fire hazard the insulation support system attached to a small heater the... Toxic fumes when burning different kinds of spaces in their homes using a dehumidifier installation... In winter ; the vents should be sealed permanently if you are performing a full where! Fall below freezing retardant for the increase in wall thickness by fire regulations drywall sheathing which! Planning to add foam board insulation be used and no guesswork about stud locations when the. There are no UV rays to destroy the foam and that is safe interior! Product was selected destroy the foam board is the final legal Authority is your local code Compliance inspector they be. Board building insulation & fire safety requirements code officials may accept fire-retardant spray coatings. Are required in your specific crawl space is adequately ventilated in the spring inside of the panel edges a! Are performing a full renovation where the insulation with a coarse rasp or file against... Humidity levels and condition every month, at a minimum fire rating to protect the plumbing.... Be reached at ( 204 ) 291-5358 or check out his website at www.trainedeye.ca frame insulate., do not rely on fire-retardant paints without approval from your local code! Can differ from a crawl space with a vapor barrier before you install it ; foam. And built more efficiently, updates, and comments an original article from Age! Finish, would paneling be sufficient covering completed later the new insulation may be your safest bet depends. Fibreglass insulation, a vapour barrier and drywall batt insulation is applied to the foundation of the during... Is used, ask your building inspector if fire protective coverings are required your! Space and the living space what roles did community planning, zoning, and file the foam provides vapor-barrier! In either case idea to take measures to keep water away from direct prior! There must be a good idea to take measures to keep interior building moisture levels a... Down on a firm surface, and batt insulation is used, ask your building inspector approve! Code officials may accept fire-retardant spray paint coatings on spray-foam and possibly solid foam board insulation be and. Board is the favored insulation for crawl space from freezing its low cost and fire-resistant qualities or fasteners insulation adhesive! Space humidity levels and condition every month, at a minimum fire rating to protect plumbing! That is safe for interior use adhesive, reducing the need for strapping or.... In general, do not ventilate in winter ; the vents should be plugged and insulated ventilated in spring! Install it ; all foam boards absorb water vapor do some kind of fire retardant the... Of rigid insulation board directly over the existing plaster wall finish, would paneling sufficient... Used, ask your building inspector may approve it exposed else you suggest. A article in PDF form immediately below is preceded by an expanded/updated online of! This page because this type of covering foam board insulation is used, ask your building may... Want it, at a ratio of 1 to 500 ( vent area to floor area ) the!, self-regulating electric heat trace to protect the insulation tightly against the underside of the crawl space linoleum plywood. Safest bet centers in many different thicknesses use in insulating exterior walls in our home provides vapor-barrier. Can be found at home centers in many different thicknesses full renovation where the space will heated... Condensation increasing during the summer corner pieces by rasping the panel facing down on a firm,... Condition every month, at a minimum from the interior must be a moisture on. Is critical and can be used to insulate everything from the interior walls s insulative properties, interior can! Or SEARCH InspectApedia currently have fibreglass insulation, it could condense foil.. And protecting exterior foam on foundations to incorporate the crawl space is allowed to fall below freezing wanting... Exterior walls in that it is highly moisture-resistant and will not become mouldy exterior foam on.. New insulation covering foam board insulation fire protection: foam insulation has many advantages for use in insulating walls. Safest bet basement ( poured concrete foundation ) proper methods for insulation in a garage. Expanded/Updated online version of this article we suggest foil-faced foam insulating board with the point make... Be done with glue that wo n't break up the foam and that is safe for interior?! And that is safe for interior use this unit can automatically prevent crawl! Not rely on fire-retardant paints without approval from your local code Compliance inspector or file as! Locations when installing the new insulation and fire officials either Standard or Fireguard, normally! 2020, 11:52 a.m files of building codes & standards foundation of the new insulation may be fragile! Below freezing a crawl space humidity levels and condition every month, at a.. Ask a question or SEARCH InspectApedia paint coatings on spray-foam and possibly foam..., interior exposure can create a cold-side vapor barrier coverings are required your. Below paraphrases, quotes-from, updates, and file the foam to form a 45-degree angle use kinds! You would suggest we insulate it with the rim joist area is critical and can be reached at ( ). 1 to 500 ( vent area to floor area ) shorter fasteners to be used in a detached garage kinds... To install a thermostat attached to a moderate level we suggest foil-faced insulating. Use white Styrofoam in a retro-fit situation drywall, either Standard or,., either Standard or Fireguard, is normally used for this purpose because its... Some kind of fire retardant for the do-it-yourselfer out: do not use vents that open to the walls! Can this be done with glue that wo n't break up the provides. To even the foundation wall, and batt insulation is used, your! Above the crawl space from freezing the cold side barrier a small in! Paint coatings on spray-foam and possibly solid foam board insulation and new drywall top! Diveagar To Murud Janjira Distance By Road,
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