Rigid Foam Insulation - More Info

Everyone wants to live in a house that is warm in the winter and cool in the summer. Rigid foam insulation can provide a house with the warmness and coolness it needs for coldest and hottest months of the year. Some home center staff will tell you that even a novice can insulate his or her home with rigid foam, but I’m not convinced a complete beginner would be able to do this job with any confidence. Therefore, I’d recommend a professional to anyone considering having a go at rigid foam insulation.

There are three types of rigid foam board and although all three are similar they are somewhat different – excuse the oxymoron. The first type is polystyrene this material is excellent for walls as it tends to mold itself into the recesses of the wall frame. It is strong and durable and easy to work with. The second type is Polyisocyanurate, this board is called bead board and after being positioned in a wall or ceiling recess, the beads expand making it fit tightly. It too is a durable board and is able to withstand extreme heat. Finally, the third type is polyurethane. This material is probably one of the most well-known rigid foam insulation boards on the market. It too can withstand heat and has the added feature of being a moisture barrier.

If you are a layperson then it is going to be difficult deciding which type of board to use for the rigid foam insulation. Call a professional and have him or her give you an estimate and recommend suitable foam board. Choosing which type of board depends a great deal on the environment and location of your house. If you live in a humid climate, then perhaps polyurethane board is better. On the other hand, if you’re living in a dry, hot climate, then may be one of the other types would suffice. The pros will be able to advise you, so there’s no need to be worried about it.

After the foundation has been laid and the frame of the dwelling erected, the rigid foam insulation will commence. If you’ve decided to insulate the entire house, then there’ll be chunks of foam lying all over the place. The carpenters will cut and size the board for each wall, for each window frame, for the attic roof and for the basement ceiling. All the foam boards, positioned around the house, fit into the wall brackets and around the door and window frames tightly keeping the cold and heat out and making the inside of your new home a comfortable place to relax. With rigid foam insulation you house will be able to withstand all temperature changes that occur throughout one year.

Additional Articles:

Bubble Wrap Insulation
Closed Cell Insulation
Foam Attic Insulation
Polystyrene Foam Insulation
Spray Foam Insulation Equipment