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Small Cabin Forum / Cabin Construction / DIY Spray Foam Insulation
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spencerin
Member
# Posted: 9 Nov 2023 21:26
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Has any of you used DIY spray foam insulation in a can? You can buy it off Amazon, comes in a kit, usually 6, 12, or 24 cans of one-part spray foam insulation, comes with a spray gun and cleaner. Thinking about using it to add up to an inch of insulation on the underside of the floor, and I'm wondering about the ease and quality of its application in the "real world".....

ICC
Member
# Posted: 9 Nov 2023 21:40
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I know a couple of locals who used the kits, the older kits that used larger tanks. One said he would never do it again because of the messy gooey installation process. I believe Nobadays has used the foam and even though is happy with the result would not use it again.

Nobadays
Member
# Posted: 9 Nov 2023 21:44
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Quoting: ICC
I believe Nobadays has used the foam and even though is happy with the result would not use it again.

I thought about it but ended up having a local contractor do the underside and the perimeter.

There was someone on here though that used the diy stuff, don't remember who.

Nobadays
Member
# Posted: 10 Nov 2023 09:20
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A quote from @snobdds :

"I did the spay foam kit route on the floor. Although it was faster and it worked well, it was super messy. So messy I vowed never to use it again..."

He's the guy!

Steve_S
Member
# Posted: 10 Nov 2023 09:54
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My house is ALL foam insulation but I used Sheet Insulation rather than spray. However, to fill gaps & those damned nooks that are impossible, I used Spray Foam but the commercial stuff with proper gun (not spray bombs) and that worked well. Messy is certainly a word that applies and you do have to prep in advance to deal with that AND wear a disposable Painters Overalls ! and totally cover your hair & skin !!!

Brettny
Member
# Posted: 10 Nov 2023 10:12
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I plan on doing what steve did in my ceiling, attic and floor. Useing foam board and spray around the outside is far cheaper.

gcrank1
Member
# Posted: 10 Nov 2023 10:20
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I was so hoping spray foam was going to be the solution for me....this has dissuaded me, and thankfully. I dont need another learning curve to complications and disappointments, lol.

Cedar Fever
Member
# Posted: 10 Nov 2023 18:40
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I did rockwool in the walls. Seems to be a good product and was itchy as hell.

ICC
Member
# Posted: 10 Nov 2023 19:11
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I love sheet foam layers on the outside.

Provolone
Member
# Posted: 20 Nov 2023 07:45
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I've tried DIY spray foam insulation in a can before. It's pretty easy to use, especially with the kit that comes with a spray gun and cleaner. Just make sure to follow the instructions carefully, and wear protective gear because that stuff can be messy. The quality of insulation it provides is decent, but it's not as effective as professional insulation in terms of R-value.

Brettny
Member
# Posted: 21 Nov 2023 10:53
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This weekend I used 4in thick foam board to insulate the loft ceiling/roof. I greatly under estimated the amount of canned foam I would need. Didnt help that my framing in areas didnt allow for easy cuts of foam. I'm 16 24oz cans into it and half done. I should have just bought a smaller DIY spray foam kit.

What I really should have done was to just put the foam between the perlins and roof rafters..but it rained our whole build.
20231120_090618.jpg
20231120_090618.jpg


gcrank1
Member
# Posted: 21 Nov 2023 11:37
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You will be glad when that part is over; and the overhead work stretches and uses muscles that 'need to be worked' but rarely are (lol).
What are you planning for a ceiling?

snobdds
Member
# Posted: 21 Nov 2023 12:31
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Quoting: Nobadays
A quote from @snobdds :

"I did the spay foam kit route on the floor. Although it was faster and it worked well, it was super messy. So messy I vowed never to use it again..."

He's the guy!


Yep, it was me.

I used two kits on the floor of my place. Yes it works and yes the performance of it is impressive. However, it was so messy. That stuff ends up everywhere.

The one good thing is, the gluing of everything together. My floor is like walking on a concrete slab, even though it's 4 feet off the ground. It's solid.

Brettny
Member
# Posted: 22 Nov 2023 19:14
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Quoting: snobdds
The one good thing is, the gluing of everything together. My floor is like walking on a concrete slab, even though it's 4 feet off the ground. It's solid.

You can also get the same feeling useing urethane (basicly foam) construction adhesive. It comes in a can you spray with a great stuff pro gun.

I did 2x10 floor joists with 9' span and non tongue and grove 23/32 OSB sub floor ring shank nailed in. Its rock solid, no shakes from stuff rattling as you walk and no squeaks. I'm so impressed with this type of glue I'm thinking about glueing the tongue and grove loft ceiling on. My goal is a squeak free quiet house that when doors are shut it's hard to hear into the next room.

travellerw
Member
# Posted: 22 Nov 2023 19:48
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Quoting: Brettny
You can also get the same feeling useing urethane (basicly foam) construction adhesive. It comes in a can you spray with a great stuff pro gun.


I used that on my stairs and loft. Insane how much better the adhesion is than PL400. Once its glued, you will need to destroy it to take it apart.

Way better than PL based glues, however more money, you need another tool (foam gun) and cleanup sucks (basically spraying acetone through your gun at the end of every day). To me, its worth it, but might not be for some!

Brettny
Member
# Posted: 23 Nov 2023 07:34
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You dont need to clean the gun every day. They say it's good for 30 days. I left mine at least 3 weeks before. You do need to spray the exterior of it. Brake clean also works to clean foam off.

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