Greening Your Home - foam insulation cavity fill question?
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carl1
12-22-08, 04:42 PM
Hi,
I live in the Philadelphia area and had a guy quote me to inject "Tripolymer" foamed-in-place insulation into the space between my brick veneer outer wall and the inner wall of my house. The space is about 1.5 inches wide and he says it will help seal the building envelope as well as give me an R-5 to R-8 insulation blanket on the walls of my house. The foam is relatively new I think, it's not the expanding polyurethane type, but rather a water-based, pre-expanded type, I think similar to Retrofoam, which I've also found online. My concern is whether it could be harmful to fill in that space between the brick and the inside wall in terms of moisture build-up and so forth. Thoughts?
I live in the Philadelphia area and had a guy quote me to inject "Tripolymer" foamed-in-place insulation into the space between my brick veneer outer wall and the inner wall of my house. The space is about 1.5 inches wide and he says it will help seal the building envelope as well as give me an R-5 to R-8 insulation blanket on the walls of my house. The foam is relatively new I think, it's not the expanding polyurethane type, but rather a water-based, pre-expanded type, I think similar to Retrofoam, which I've also found online. My concern is whether it could be harmful to fill in that space between the brick and the inside wall in terms of moisture build-up and so forth. Thoughts?
xiphias
12-26-08, 07:33 PM
It's all about where the vapor barrier is. Building Science Corporation (http://www.buildingscience.com) has some good reading. Specifics on vapor barriers is at Proposed Vapor Barrier Code Changes — (http://www.buildingscience.com/resources/vapor_barrier_code_changes)
If it can be done without creating moisture problems, go for it.
Tripolymer is a brand name: C.P. Chemical Company, Inc.-- Manufacturers of Tripolymer Foam Products for Insulation and Tank Abandonment (http://www.tripolymer.com/)
Can't seem to find whether it will absorb water, or is open- or closed-cell.
If it can be done without creating moisture problems, go for it.
Tripolymer is a brand name: C.P. Chemical Company, Inc.-- Manufacturers of Tripolymer Foam Products for Insulation and Tank Abandonment (http://www.tripolymer.com/)
Can't seem to find whether it will absorb water, or is open- or closed-cell.
NutmegCT
12-28-08, 08:21 AM
Question for you: is there actually no insulation at all in those walls now?
Tom
Tom